Physician Compliance with Nutrition Support Team Recommendations: Effects on the Outcome of Treatment for Critically Ill Patients

Purpose@#Attending physicians in Korea are aware of the existence of the Nutrition Support Team (NST), but even when the NST are consulted, compliance with their recommendations may be low. This study was performed to identify physicians’ compliance with the NST advice and how this affected the outcome of treatment for critically ill patients. @*Methods@#This study was a retrospective observational study. Critically ill patients who were older than 18 years, younger than 90 years, and had been admitted and managed in the intensive care unit were selected for this study. Patients were assigned to either the compliance group or the non-compliance group according to physician compliance with the NST advice. Each group were compared using variables such as calorie supply, protein supply, laboratory findings, hospital stay, 30-day mortality, and survival rate. @*Results@#The compliance group (81% of cases) was supplied with a significantly higher energy (1,146.36 ± 473.45 kcal vs. 832.45 ± 364.28 kcal, p < 0.01) and a significantly higher protein (55.00 ± 22.30 g/day vs. 42.98 ± 24.46 g/day, p = 0.04) compared with the non-compliance group. There was no significant difference in the basic demographics between groups, although the compliance group had a better outcome in the 30-day mortality rate (8% vs. 26%, p = 0.02), and in survival beyond 1 year (Crude model, hazard ratio: 2.42, CI: 1.11-5.29). @*Conclusion@#Critically ill patients whose attending physician complied with the NST advice, received an increased energy intake and supply of protein which was positively associated with survival.

The Strategies to Address Regional Health Inequalities in Gyeongsangnam-Do: Health Plus Happiness Plus Projects / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to implement Health Plus Happiness Plus projects in Gyeongsangnam-Do and assess the policy implications of initiatives to address regional health inequalities. METHODS: Health Plus Happiness Plus projects were started as strategies to address regional health inequalities in Gyeongsangnam-Do. The principles of these projects are taken from the Health Action Zones initiatives in England: participation, partnership, resource concentration in project areas. The time period for these projects is from 2010 to 2017, and the total budget is 5.6 billion won. In 2010, a 6.8 hundred million won total budget was invested in 17 project areas. Such investments fell into four broad categories: establishment of the means and local framework; survey development to analyze the health determinants; development of an education and training center; and establishment of a technical support center. RESULTS: Education and training programs for practitioners and coordinators were provided, and project teams and project promotion committees were established in project areas. Health survey result briefing meetings were held, and 17 health committees were established in project areas. CONCLUSIONS: Health Plus Happiness Plus projects have some problems in relation to participation and partnerships, however, if these principled projects are performed continuously, they will contribute to a reduction of standardized mortality rate and regional health inequalities in Gyeongsangnam-Do and the improvement of residents' well-being in project areas.

Adipokine Concentrations in Pregnant Korean Women with Normal Glucose Tolerance and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus / 당뇨병

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to compare adipokine concentrations of pregnant women in the 24th~28th weeks of gestation to those of non-pregnant women. We compared the concentrations of adipokines in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gestational impaired glucose tolerance (GIGT) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT). We also investigated the role of adipokines in the development of gestational glucose intolerance. METHODS: We surveyed 129 pregnant women who underwent a 100 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) during the 24th~28th weeks of gestation. Participants were classified into three groups: (1) NGT (n = 40), (2) GIGT (n = 45), and (3) GDM (n = 44). Pregnant subjects with NGT were matched to non-pregnant controls for BMI and age (n = 41). RESULTS: Pregnant women with NGT exhibited significantly decreased adiponectin levels and elevated leptin levels compared to non-pregnant controls. Mean plasma resistin levels were significantly higher in women with GDM and GIGT than in women with NGT. Resistin and fasting glucose were significant predictors for the development of gestational glucose intolerance. CONCLUSION: Plasma adiponectin levels were decreased and leptin levels were increased in pregnant subjects with NGT compared to BMI and age matched non-pregnant controls. Women with GDM and GIGT exhibit significantly elevated concentrations of resistin compared with women with NGT. Increased resistin levels were also associated with the development of gestational glucose intolerance. Resistin may play an important role on the development of gestational glucose intolerance in Korean women.

A Case of Complicated Dilated Cardiomyopathy with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus / 대한류마티스학회지

SLE is an acute and/or chronic disease of a complex autoimmune nature affecting the skin, joints, serous membranes, kidney, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and other organs of the body. Cardiac abnormalities are one of the most important clinical manifestations of SLE, contributing significantly to the morbidity and morality of the disease. We report a woman, a 30-year-old with SLE, who developed symptoms and echocardiographic signs of dilated cardiomyopathy. She had a history of acute myocardial infartion 7 months ago and has taken cyclophosphamide pulse therapy owing to lupus nephritis. The diagnosis of the condition was based only on clinical and echocardiographic grounds without coronary angiography or endomyocardial biopsy. She received high dose steroid (methylprednisolone pulse therapy 1mg/kg for 3 days) and conservative therapy for heart failure. The association of SLE with dilated cardiomyopathy has not been described with review of previous literatures. For the probable causes of her dilated cardiomyopathy, we suggest that they are due to coronary arteritis or cyclophosphamide-induced myocarditis with regard to her past history of myocardial infartion and cyclophosphamide therapy for lupus nephritis. The incidence of dilated cardiomyopathy, complicated with SLE is rare, but it has ap increased risk for unfavorable outcome. It reserves to pioneer the method of early diagnosis and management which will improved the morbidity and mortality of the disease.