Family Physician as a Counsellor Focused on Sexual and Family Problems: Cheonan Practice-Based Research Network Study

BACKGROUND: The primary concern of a family physician is the healthcare of patients and their families, with the patient's disease itself being secondary. Family physicians should make efforts to discuss personal issues with their patients. This study examined how many patients were counseled about their private problems, especially family or sexual issues in the private clinics of Cheonan. METHODS: The subjects were the patients who visited a practice-based network from April to June in 2003. The data were collected through simple questionnaire about sociodemographic features of patients and their family and sexual problems. RESULTS: Eighty eight patients were studied for a total of 107 cases that consisted of 67 cases of family problems (62%) and 40 cases of sexual matters (38%). The common issues about family problems were `the partners' (23 cases, 21%) and `the patients` children' (29 cases, 27 %). The most frequent sexual problems were 'sexually transmitted diseases' (13 cases, 32.5%), `impotence' (7 cases, 17.5%), 'loss of libido, and unsatisfaction' (6 cases, 15.0%). Most physicians were involved in family and sexual issues with medications, and simple counseling with reassurance. Simple counseling was given for 14 cases (21.0%) for family issues and 18 cases (44.0%) for sexual issues. The patients were treated with medications in 47 cases (70.0%) for sexual and 15 cases (38.0%) for family problems. CONCLUSION: The most common issue for family problems was their partners and for sexual problems was 'sexually transmitted diseases'. Most family physicians were involved with both simple counseling and medications.

Prevalence of urinary incontinence in adults who visited family practice clinics: cheonan practice-based research network study

BACKGROUND: Although urinary incontinence is a common problem, its prevalence and severity in community is not well established. The main objects of this study were to define the prevalence in adult men and women who came to a primary care office for health care. METHODS: Men and women aged 20 years and over who came to family physician's offices seeking health care for any reason during an 2-week period were the subjects of a survey by anonymous questionnaire. Ten family practice offices in Cheonan Practice-Based Research Network participated. We defined "current significant urinary incontinence" as aver any degree of annoying incontinence in the past 12 months. RESULTS: Of the 1,130 responders, 46.3% experienced urinary incontinence. Incontinence was experienced by 26.7% of the men and 50.2% of the women. 'Current significant urinary incontinence' was experienced by 3.7% of the men and 10.12% of the women. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary incontinence is a common problem among those seen in primary care settings, and patients hesitate to seek cansultation of their problems with physicians. Therefore, family physicians should deal with the symptoms of incontinence more attentively during history taking.

Use of Traditional Medicine and Folk Remedies in Hypertensive Patients: based on Cheonan Practice- Based Research Network

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a chronic disorder that causes various complications. It needs proper pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment. But, other studies show there are many traditional and folk remedies about hypertension in Korea. This study was designed to show behavioral patterns of outcomes and side effects of folk remedies in practice-based network. METHODS: The study subjects were hypertensive patients visited practice-based network from September to December In 1996. Data were collected through questionnaire about sociodemographic features of patients and types, effect, frequency, and side effects of folk remedies. RESULTS: The responders totalled 160 patients, and those who have tried traditional medicine or folk remedies were 65 patients(27 men and 38 women cases). Information source about remedies were 'family members or friends' in 53.8%, 'TV, magazines, and newspapers' in 13.8%, and 'books that deal with health information' in 3.1%. There were 22 experienced remedies , the most common remedy was herb medicine. In subjective judgement about anti-hypertensive effect, 6 cases described as 'very effective', 21 as 'somewhat effective', 14 as 'not effective', 17 as 'not sure'. 10(15.3%) of 65 cases experienced side effects. CONCLUSIONS: 40.6% of total responders used traditional or folk remedies, and 15.3% of them experienced side effects. 9.2% of them told that their remedies were 'very effective'. Physicians need to inform patients of side effects of folk remedies and adequate management of hypertension.

MR Imaging Findings of Synovial Sarcoma: Emphasis on Signal

PURPOSE: To determine the MR imaging findings of synovial sarcoma, with emphasis on the signal characteristicsof pathologically correlated T2-weighted images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images of 14 cases ofpathologically-proven synovial sarcomas were retrospectively reviewed and correlated with the histopathologicfindings. We analyzed the signal intensity of T1- and T2-weighted images and the incidence of triple signalintensity, and evaluated the frequency of fluid-fluid levels, internal fibrous septa, calcification, the invasionof bone or neurovascular bundles and the involvement of joint capsules, as well as the size, location and marginof the tumors and pattern of contrast enhancement. RESULTS: Necrosis, cystic change or hemorrhage was suggested in11 cases, ten of which showed triple signal intensity, and in all cases, was pathologically confirmed. Fluid-fluidlevels were found in three cases and internal septa in ten. In four cases, maximum diameter was less than 5cm, andin nine, was greater than this. No mass was detected in one case. The tumor was located in the low extremity(n=9),pelvic girdle and hip joint area(n=2), scapular(n=1), shoulder joint area(n=1), and scalp(n=1). Eleven casesshowed a relatively well-defined margin and nine showed lobulation. Except in the area of necrosis and cysticchange, the pattern of contrast enhancement was diffuse and inhomogenous. Bony invasion was detected in two cases,neurovascular encasement in four, calcification in four, and joint capsule invasion in four. CONCLUSION: OnT2-weighted images, synovial sarcoma frequently showed triple signal intensity and internal septa with fluid-fluidlevels ; this was induced by cystic changes due to necrosis and hemorrhage.

Intracranial Tuberculosis in Children: CT Findings before and after Treatment

OBJECT: To analyze the CT findings of intracranial tuberculosis in children at initial stage and during follow-up after treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 25 patients who were diagnosed by CSF analysis or response to anti-tuberculous medication as suffering from intracranial tuberculosis. There were 13 boys and 12 girls aged between 4 months and 14 years. Twenty-five initial and sixty-three follow-up CT scans were retrospectively analyzed. We evaluated the pattern of cisternal enhancement, the locations of infarction, and the presence of calcification and parenchymal granuloma. The changes of hydrocephalus and related complications, aswell as cisternal abnormality during anti-tuberculous medication were also evaluated. RESULTS: The initial findings on CT scan were hydrocephalus(75%), cisternal obliteration in precontrast study(64%), thick-line orring-shaped cisternal enhancement on postcontrast study(44%), infarctions(32%), calcifications(32%), periventricular edema(28%), and parenchymal granulomas(16%). On follow-up CT scan, hydrocephalus and cisternal enhancement had decreased to 35% and 82%, respectively, and the granulomas had changed to calcified nodules(100%). Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt or external ventricular drainage was needed in nine patients, and ventriculitis or complication of shunt procedure developed in four. CONCLUSION: Intracranial tuberculosis in children presented predominantly as meningitis involving basal cisterns and was associated with hydrocephalus. Infarction and calcification may be seen as parenchymal lesion. In spite of medical treatment, drainage was needed in about half the patients. During this treatment, the resolution of hydrocephalus, decreased cisternal enhancement, and calcification of the granulomas were seen.

CT Findings in the Differential Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Thyroid Tumor

PURPOSE: We analysed CT findings of thyroid mass to determine the difference between a benign and a malignant mass and to evaluate the differential findings, if any. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 87 cases with apathologically proven thyroid mass (malignancy in 66 cases, benign mass in 21 cases). CT findings were retrospectively analysed. For the primary masses, bilaterality, size, margin, attenuation of the mass, spotty portion with distinct high attenuation(which may suggest calcification), necrosis, cystic change, solid portion within the cyst, and invasion of adjacent structures were evaluated. For the lymph nodes, size, high attenuated spotty portion, necrosis, cystic change, and solid portion within the cyst were evaluated. CT findings of thyroid masses and lymph nodes were evaluated in order to determine whether these were benign or malignant. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U-Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: In malignant masses, compared with benign, an indistinct margin of the mass(48% vs 19%), invasion of adjacent structures(53% vs 0%), and associated lymph node enlargement(50% vs 0%) were more frequent. With regard to bilaterality, size, attenuation, high-attenuated spotty portion(which may suggest calcification), necrosis, cystic change, and solid portion within the cyst, there was no significant difference between benign andmalignant masses. In masses of the former type, enlarged lymph node or invasion of adjacent structure were not seen at all. When the papillary solid portionwithin the cystic mass was additionally evaluated, papillany carcinoma was the most common finding(77% 14\18). CONCLUSION: General findings of malignancy such as margin, invasion of the mass, and lymph node enlargement are of help in the differential diagnosis of a malignant mass. High attenuated spotty portion, which may suggest calcification within the mass, or size of the mass are non-specific findings, and are not helpful in differential diagnosis. The papillary solid portion within the cyst of the mass could suggest papillary carcinoma as a first possibility and could be helpful in differential diagnosis.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Signal Intensity on MR Imaging

PURPOSE: To correlate signal intensities of hepatocellular carcinomas on MR images with applied field strength, tumor vascularity, history of transarterial chemoembolization, and their histopathologic findings. MATERIALS & METHODS: Twenty-two tumors in 18 patients with histologically proved hepatocellular carciomas were examined by MRI at 0.5T(14), 1.5T(5), or 2.0T(3). Tumor size ranged from 1 cm to 10 cm. We analyzed the signal intensities, presence of pseudocapsule and mosaic pattern of hepatocellular carcinomas on TI-, T2- and heavily T2-weighted images, and correlated them with histologic type and grade, as well as tumor vascularity on hepatic arteriography. RESULTS: Signal intensities of the tumors were hyperintense(6), isointense(11), or hypointense(5) on Tl-weighted images, hyperintense(21) or isointense(1) on T2-weighted images, and hyperintense(15) or isointense(3) on heavily T2-weighted images. There were hypointense tumors(3/13) on Tl-weighted MR images at 0.5 T, whereas they were absent at 2.0 T(0/4). Only one tumor was avascular which was hyperintense on Tl-weighted images. Capsules were present in 13 cases and Tl-weighted images depicted them in 10 cases, while T2-weighted images depicted them in 8 cases. Mosaic patterns with inhomogeneous signal intensity were present in 15 cases, and were seen in 7 cases on Tl-weighted images whereas 11 cases on T2-weighted images. Mixed trabecular and pseudoglandular patterns of histologic growth were seen in 5 tumors. On MR images, trabecular portion was seen as hypointense area on Tl-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. Pseudoglandular portion was seen as isointense or hyperintense area on Tl-weighted images and as marked hyperintense and on T2-weighted images. Mixed cytologic feature of classic and clear cell was found in 4 tumors and three of these 4 cases were hyperintense on Tl-weighted images. Four of the six tumors with grades I-II were hyperintense on Tl-weighted images. Tumors with grades II-Ill, Ill-IV were 14 cases, and only two of these cases showed hyperintensity on Tl-weighted images. Peliotic change was present in one case, and was seen as hyperintense foci on T2, & heavily T2-weighted images. CONCLUSION: Pathologic correlation suggest that hyperintensity on Tl-weighted images might be due to pseudoglandular pattern, low grade of malignancy or clear cell portion of hepatocellular carcinoma. Marked hyperintensity on T2-weighted images may be due to pseudoglandular pattern or peliotic change.

Angiographic Diagnosis for Various Causes of Gastrointestinal Bleeding

PURPOSE: To evaluate the specific findings of angiography for various causes of gastrointestinal bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 35 patients of gastrointestinal bleeding detected by angiography, between April 1987 and July 1993. There were 28 men and 7 women, 19 to 83 years old (mean, 47 years). Of these 35 cases of gastrointestinal bleedings, there were 12 gastric bleedings, 4 duodenal bleedings, 9 small intestinal bleeings, 6 ileocecal bleedings, and 4 large intestinal bleedings. RESULTS: Of 35 cases, we could diagnose the specific cause of bleeing in 13 patients (37%) by angiography. Of these 13 cases, there were 4 cases of gastric ulcers showing contrast pooling in ulcer crater, 5 cases of vascular malformations showing anomalous vascular mass with early dilated venous drainage, 2 cases of direct invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma showing invasion of hypervascular mass into small bowel, one case of pseudoaneurysm at gastroduodenal artery in a patient of acute pancreatitis, and one case of small intestinal lymphoma showing contrast pooling in a irregular dilated small intestinal lumen. CONCLUSION: in gastrointestinal bleeding, angiography is useful not only in detecting the bleeding site, but also for evaluating the specific causes such as gastric ulcers or vascular malformations.

Pulmonary Histiocytosis-X: High-resolution CT Findings Correlated with Pulmonary Fuction Test

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study are to discribe the high-resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) findings of pulmonary histiocytosis X and to evaluate the relationship between the extent of the lesion on HRCT and pulmonary function test (PFT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the HRCT findings of 8 patients with pathologically proved pulmonary histiocytosis X. The morphological pattern and incidence of the lesions were evaluated. The extent of the lesions were correlated with the results of PFT by calculating Spearman correlation. RESULTS: The most common HRCT findings were thick-walled cysts (n=8) followed by nodules (n=7). Other associated findings were reticulation, ground-glass opacification, and conglomerate nodules. The extent of the disease on HRCT was correlated inversely with percent predicted value of functional vital capacity. CONCLUSION: Common HRCT findings of pulmonary histiocytosis X were cysts with irregular wall thickening and nodules. The extent of the disease on HRCT correlated with the severity of restrictive pattern of PFT.

Prevalence of gallstones in Korean

No abstract available.