Relationship between Mental Activity and Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Elderly

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to describe the status of mental activity participation in community-dwelling elderly and to evaluate the association between mental activity and cognitive function after adjustment for depression and anxiety. METHODS: This study was based on the Suwon Project, which was a cohort comprising of nonrandom convenience samples of ethnic Koreans aged 60 years and above. All the subjects completed the study questionnaire including their demographic characteristics, current and past illnesses history, drug history, Korean version-Mini Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), Korean version of Short Form Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS-K), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). We checked how many hours per day are used for each items of 11 mental activities through the checklist. RESULTS: Total time spent in 11 mental activities was 237.4+/-152.4 minutes per day. On multiple regression analysis, total time spent in 11 mental activities (MA-total), and time spent by watching television and reading book/newspaper showed statistically significant association with K-MMSE score after adjustment with age, sex, education, chronic medical illness, depression and anxiety. CONCLUSION: Our result suggested that mental activity may be associated with cognitive function in the elderly without cognitive impairment in the community after adjusting age, sex, education, chronic medical illness, depression and anxiety.

A Clinical Analysis of 179 Cases of Centipede Bite Patients Who Visited the Emergency Department in Korea

PURPOSE: To investigate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of centipede bite injuries. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of clinical manifestations in patients who were identified between April 2005 to April 2007 as having suffered from centipede bites. Factors evaluated included sex, age, location and time of bite, part of body affected, clinical signs and symptoms, treatment modalities and complications. RESULTS: A total of 179 cases of centipede bite were identified. Centipede bites occurred between spring and autumn. 69.3% of bites happened at night. All patients were bitten on an exposed body parts, and the digit of both the handsand feet were the sites most often involved. Pain, swelling, erythema were the most frequent symptoms and signs. Most cases showed minor manifestations but, three patients needed to be admitted because of anaphylaxis. CONCLUSION: Centipede bites are relatively common in the summer season in rural and island areas, especially at night. Though the clinical symptoms of centipede bites are generally minor symptoms, emergency physicians need to possess accurate knowledge of the clinical manifestations in order to properly identify severe cases.