Impulse Control Disorders associated with Pramipexole/Ropinirole Use in Non-Parkinson’s Disease: A Scoping Review

Background@#Dopamine receptor agonists (DRAs) have been associated with impulse control disorders (ICDs) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) in preliminary studies. Whether the association holds true when DRAs are used to treat non-PD, such as restless legs syndrome, prolactinoma, and several mood disorders is uncertain. @*Objective@#The present study aimed to understand the research gaps related to the risk of ICDs associated with pramipexole or ropinirole (PRX/ROP) use as a treatment for specific underlying diseases, excluding Parkinson’s disorders. @*Methods@#We conducted a scoping review, systematically searching databases to identify literature on the types, prevalence, and factors associated with ICD in non-PD patients receiving PRX/ROP. All relevant information that helped understand the epidemiology of ICDs among non-PD patients taking PRX/ROP were extracted and analyzed. We also evaluated the potential associations between PRX/ROP and ICDs, utilizing the Naranjo scale or statistical analysis, depending on the type of literature. @*Results@#We included 24 articles (19 case reports or case series and 5 populationbased studies) in this scoping review. Evaluating the 19 case reports or case series using Naranjo scores led to the discovery of a possible link between PRX/ROP exposure and ICDs. However, important information to assess causality is frequently missing.Moreover, the population-based studies lack diversity in the study populations and enough study samples to draw conclusive results. @*Conclusion@#Our scoping review suggests that the currently available literature requires more details in future case reports and for well-powered studies in various disease conditions where PRX/ROP is frequently used.

Impulse Control Disorders associated with Pramipexole/Ropinirole Use in Non-Parkinson’s Disease: A Scoping Review

Background@#Dopamine receptor agonists (DRAs) have been associated with impulse control disorders (ICDs) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) in preliminary studies. Whether the association holds true when DRAs are used to treat non-PD, such as restless legs syndrome, prolactinoma, and several mood disorders is uncertain. @*Objective@#The present study aimed to understand the research gaps related to the risk of ICDs associated with pramipexole or ropinirole (PRX/ROP) use as a treatment for specific underlying diseases, excluding Parkinson’s disorders. @*Methods@#We conducted a scoping review, systematically searching databases to identify literature on the types, prevalence, and factors associated with ICD in non-PD patients receiving PRX/ROP. All relevant information that helped understand the epidemiology of ICDs among non-PD patients taking PRX/ROP were extracted and analyzed. We also evaluated the potential associations between PRX/ROP and ICDs, utilizing the Naranjo scale or statistical analysis, depending on the type of literature. @*Results@#We included 24 articles (19 case reports or case series and 5 populationbased studies) in this scoping review. Evaluating the 19 case reports or case series using Naranjo scores led to the discovery of a possible link between PRX/ROP exposure and ICDs. However, important information to assess causality is frequently missing.Moreover, the population-based studies lack diversity in the study populations and enough study samples to draw conclusive results. @*Conclusion@#Our scoping review suggests that the currently available literature requires more details in future case reports and for well-powered studies in various disease conditions where PRX/ROP is frequently used.

The status of assisted reproductive technology in Korea in 2012 / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to report the status of assisted reproductive technology (ART) therapy in South Korea between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012. METHODS: A localized online survey, originally developed by the International Committee Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies, was first launched and provided to all available ART centers via email in 2015. Fresh embryo transfer (FET) cases were categorized as standard in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), or half-ICSI. Thawed embryo transfer (TET) and other related procedures, including surgical sperm retrieval, were surveyed. RESULTS: Data from 33,956 ovum pick-up procedures were provided by 75 clinics in 2012. Of the 33,088 cycles in which ovums were retrieved, a complete transfer was performed in 90.5% (29,932 cycles). In addition, 10,079 FET cycles were confirmed to have resulted in clinical pregnancy, representing a pregnancy rate of 30.5% per ovum pick-up and 33.7% per ET. The most common number of embryos transferred in FET was 2 (41.6%), followed by 3 (34.0%), and non-elective single ETs (10.0%). Of the 10,404 TET cycles in which transfer was completed, 3,760 clinical pregnancies (36.1%) were confirmed by ultrasonography. CONCLUSION: The overall clinical pregnancy rate for FET and TET cycles in 2012 was higher than in 2011 (33.7% vs. 33.2% and 36.1% vs. 31.1%, respectively). The most common number of embryos transferred in FET cycles was 2, unlike in 2011.

The clinical utilization of radiation therapy in Korea between 2009 and 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the clinical utilization of radiation therapy (RT) in Korea between 2009 and 2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed open claims data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. The subjects were patients who had diagnostic codes C00-C97 or D00-D48 according to the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases, with procedure codes indicating RT treatment. RESULTS: The total number of patients who received RT in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 were 45,571, 49,593, 54,671, 59,172, and 61,485, respectively. Among them, the total numbers of male and female patients were 20,780/24,791 in 2009, 22,711/26,882 in 2010, 24,872/29,799 in 2011, 27,101/32,071 in 2012, and 27,941/33,544 in 2013. The five cancers that were most frequently treated with RT between 2009 and 2012 were breast, lung, colorectal, liver, and uterine cervical cancers. However, the fifth most common cancer treated with RT that replaced uterine cervical cancer in 2013 was prostate cancer. The three leading types of cancer among the male patients were lung, colorectal, and liver cancers, whereas in female patients, they were breast, uterine cervical, and lung cancers. The type of cancer most commonly treated by RT was cancer of the central nervous system in patients aged 20 years or less, breast cancer in patients aged 30-50 years, and lung cancer in patients aged 60 years or more. CONCLUSION: Data from this study provided the clinical utilization of RT in Korea between 2009 and 2013.

Current status of assisted reproductive technology in Korea, 2011 / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: The number of assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics, ART cycles, clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), and number of newborns conceived using ART have steadily increased in South Korea. This aim of this study was to describe the status of ART in South Korea between January 1 and December 31, 2011. METHODS: A localized online survey was created and sent to all available ART centers via email in 2015. Fresh embryo transfer (FET) cases were categorized depending on whether standard in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), or half-ICSI procedures were used. Thawed embryo transfer (TET) and other related procedures were surveyed. RESULTS: Data from 36,990 ART procedures were provided by 74 clinics. Of the 30,410 cycles in which oocytes were retrieved, a complete transfer was performed in 91.0% (n=27,683). In addition, 9,197 cycles were confirmed to be clinical pregnancies in the FET cycles, representing a pregnancy rate of 30.2% per oocyte pick-up and 33.2% per ET. The most common number of embryos transferred in the FET procedures was three (38.1%), followed by two (34.7%) and one (14.3%). Of the 8,826 TET cycles, 3,137 clinical pregnancies (31.1%) were confirmed by ultrasonography. CONCLUSION: While the overall clinical pregnancy rate for the TET cycles performed was lower than the rate reported in 2010 (31.1% vs. 35.4%), the overall CPR for the FET cycles was higher than in 2010 (33.2% in 2011 and 32.9% in 2010). The most common number of embryos transferred in FET cycles was three, as was the case in 2010.

Current status of assisted reproductive technology in Korea, 2010 / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: Great advances have been made in the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART) since the first in vitro fertilization (IVF) baby was born in Korea. This study was designed to report on the current status of ART therapy in South Korea between January 1 and December 31 of 2010. METHODS: A revised survey, originally developed by the International Committee Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies, was sent to all available ART centers via email in 2013. Fresh embryo transfer (FET) cases were categorized into standard IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injections. These cases, the thawing embryo transfer (TET) cases, and other related procedures were surveyed. RESULTS: Data from 30,785 ART procedures were provided by 78 clinics. Of the 28,200 cycles in which oocytes were retrieved, 92.2% of these cycles were completely transferred. In addition, 8,075 cycles were confirmed to be clinical pregnancies in the FET cycles, which represent a pregnancy rate of 28.6% per oocyte pick-up and 31.1% per embryo transfer. The most common number of embryos transferred in the FET was three embryos (37.3%) followed by two embryos (36.3%) and one embryo (14.0%). Of the 6,648 TET cycles transferred, 2,356 clinical pregnancies were confirmed by ultrasonography. The most common number of embryos in the TET group was two embryos (43.4%) followed by three embryos (25.4%) and one embryo (18.9%). CONCLUSION: The clinical pregnancy rate per transfer in the FET cycles was similar in 2009 and 2010. Among the FET cycles where one or two embryos were transferred, the clinical pregnancy rate per transfer slightly increased from 2009 (28.7%) to 2010 (32.9%).

Comparative analysis on status of events and importance-performance analysis (IPA) between industry and school foodservices / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the status of events and importance-performance analysis (IPA) between industry and school foodservices. METHODS: The study subjects were dietitians in industry foodservices (n = 73) and nutrition teachers in school foodservices (n = 135) in the Jeonbuk area. Demographic characteristics, status of events, and problems of implementing events were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Approximately 67% of industry foodservices had implemented an event a month, whereas 40.7% of school foodservices did not implement events for students. The type of events that industry and school foodservices had implemented most frequently were Sambok event, Dongji event, Daeboreum event, Spring-Namul event, and Chuseok event. The industry foodservices had significantly higher average scores for performance of events than those of the school foodservices (p < 0.001). In the Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA), high importance and high performance (A area: doing great) in industry foodservices were seasonal events, traditional festival day events, anniversary events, traditional seasonal events, and personal memory events, whereas in school foodservices were traditional festival day events, traditional seasonal events, school events, and environment events. CONCLUSION: These results showed that events are important for the increase in customer satisfaction. Therefore, it is necessary to consider educational programs on event implementation for dietitians and employees in industry and school foodservices.

Validation of the Korean version Moorehead-Ardelt quality of life questionnaire II

PURPOSE: To investigate the weight loss effects with higher sensitivity, disease specific quality of life (QoL) instruments were important. The Moorehead-Ardelt quality of life questionnaire II (MA-II) is widely used, because it was simple and validated the several languages. The aims of present study was performed the translation of MA-II Korean version and the validation compared with EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D), obesity-related problems scale (OP-scale), and impact of weight quality of life-lite (IWQoL-Lite). METHODS: The study design was a multicenter, cross-sectional survey and this study was included the postoperative patients. The validation procedure is translation-back translation procedure, pilot study, and field study. The instruments of measuring QoL included the MA-II, EQ-5D, OP-scale, and IWQoL-lite. The reliability was checked through internal consistency using Cronbach alpha coefficients. The construct validity was assessed the Spearman rank correlation between 6 domains of MA-II and EQ-5D, OP-scale, and 5 domains of IWQoL-Lite. RESULTS: The Cronbach alpha of MA-II was 0.763, so the internal consistency was confirmed. The total score of MA-II was significantly correlated with all other instruments; EQ-5D, OP-scale, and IWQoL-Lite. IWQoL-lite (rho = 0.623, P < 0.001) was showed the strongest correlation compared with MA-II, followed by OP-scale (rho = 0.588, P < 0.001) and EQ-5D (rho = 0.378, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The Korean version MA-II was valid instrument of measuring the obesity-specific QoL. Through the present study, the MA-II was confirmed to have good reliability and validity and it was also answered simple for investigating. Thus, MA-II could be estimated sensitive and exact QoL in obesity patients.

The improvement of quality of life in patients treated with bariatric surgery in Korea / 대한외과학회지

PURPOSE: Bariatric surgery is considered an efficient treatment for severe obesity, but postoperative complications and psychosocial problems may impact quality of life (QoL). Although QoL is an important aspect of bariatric surgery, few studies have evaluated the changes in QoL. We examined whether severely obese patients who had undergone bariatric surgery had better QoL compared with severely obese adults who had not undergone bariatric surgery in Korea. METHODS: Data were obtained from 78 participants in two groups; bariatric surgery group (n = 53) and nonsurgery group (n = 25). EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D), the impact of weight on quality of life-lite (IWQoL-lite) and the obesity-related psychosocial problem scale (OP-scale) were used to assess the improvement of QoL. RESULTS: A total of 78 patients completed the QoL forms as part of their surgical consultation. In the EQ-5D, the changes of EQ-5D 3 level and EQ-5D visual analogue scale in the surgery group was 0.174 and 24.6 versus 0.017 and 17.8 in the nonsurgery group (P = 0.197 and P = 0.179). The changes of IWQoL-lite and OP-scale were significantly improved after bariatric surgery. In the IWQoL-lite, the mean changes in the surgery group was 33.4 versus 14.3 points in the nonsurgery group (P = 0.000). In the OP-scale, the mean changes in the surgery group patients scored 39.3 versus 9.0 points in the nonsurgery group (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated significant improvement of QoL observed after bariatric surgery compared to nonsurgical procedure. The results of this comparative study favor bariatric surgery for the treatment of severe obesity.

Use of Drug-eluting Stents Versus Bare-metal Stents in Korea: A Cost-minimization Analysis Using Population Data / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to perform an economic analysis of a primary stenting with drug-eluting stents (DES) compared with bare-metal stents (BMS) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) admitted through an emergency room (ER) visit in Korea using population-based data. METHODS: We employed a cost-minimization method using a decision analytic model with a two-year time period. Model probabilities and costs were obtained from a published systematic review and population-based data from which a retrospective database analysis of the national reimbursement database of Health Insurance Review and Assessment covering 2006 through 2010 was performed. Uncertainty was evaluated using one-way sensitivity analyses and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Among 513 979 cases with AMI during 2007 and 2008, 24 742 cases underwent stenting procedures and 20 320 patients admitted through an ER visit with primary stenting were identified in the base model. The transition probabilities of DES-to-DES, DES-to-BMS, DES-to-coronary artery bypass graft, and DES-to-balloon were 59.7%, 0.6%, 4.3%, and 35.3%, respectively, among these patients. The average two-year costs of DES and BMS in 2011 Korean won were 11 065 528 won/person and 9 647 647 won/person, respectively. DES resulted in higher costs than BMS by 1 417 882 won/person. The model was highly sensitive to the probability and costs of having no revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: Primary stenting with BMS for AMI with an ER visit was shown to be a cost-saving procedure compared with DES in Korea. Caution is needed when applying this finding to patients with a higher level of severity in health status.

Cost Effectiveness Associated with Helicobacter pylori Screening and Eradication in Patients Taking Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and/or Aspirin

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was performed to investigate the cost effectiveness of Helicobacter pylori screening/eradication in South Korean patients treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or aspirin. METHODS: A decision Markov model was used to estimate the effectiveness and economic impact of an H. pylori screening/eradication strategy compared to a no-screening strategy among patients who were included in the model at the age of 40 years. Utility weights were applied to four of the health status groups to reflect quality-adjusted life years (QALY). The costs of screening, H. pylori eradication, and managing peptic ulcer and ulcer complications were obtained from South Korea-specific data. RESULTS: The total costs per patient were US $2,454 for the H. pylori screening/eradication and US $3,182 for the no-screening strategy. The QALYs for the two strategies were 16.05 and 15.73, respectively. The results were robust for the analyses of all different cohort groups who entered the model at the age of 30, 50, or 60 years and for NSAIDs-naive patients. Through the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, the robustness of our study's results was also determined. CONCLUSIONS: The H. pylori screening/eradication strategy was found to be less expensive and more effective compared to the no-screening strategy among South Korean patients taking NSAIDs and/or aspirin.

Intramural Pregnancy after in vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer / 대한불임학회지

Intramural pregnancy is an unusual ectopic gestation located within the uterine wall, completely surrounded by myometrium and separate from the uterine cavity, fallopian tube, or round ligament. It is known to be difficult to diagnose, and associated with a high rate of uterine rupture. We report a case of intramural pregnancy in which early diagnosis was made and successful treatment was done by dilatation and curettage. Diagnostic laparoscopy confirmed the absence of uterine rupture during the procedure. Therefore, conservation of fertility can be possible with early diagnosis of intramural pregnancy. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of intramural pregnancy following IVF-ET in Korea.

Multiple Attempts at Embryo Transfer do not Adversely Affect in-vitro Fertilization Pregnancy Rates: Related Mucus Contamination / 대한불임학회지

OBJECTiVE We investigate the effects of multiple attempts of embryo transfer because of retained embryos in the catheter and of contaminated mucus on the transferred catheter. MATERiALS AND METHODS: We respectively analysed data between November 1998 and August 2002 from 305 patients of 369 cycles who underwent iVF-ET. Of these patients, 47 patients of 50 cycles (Group 2) were required multiple trial of embryo transfer. They were compared with an age-matched control groups (Group 1) with female factor infertility. Pearson's c2 and Fisher's tests were used to compare proportions between discrete variables. Non-categorical data were compared using t-test. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Embryos were significantly more likely to be retained when catheter was contaminated with mucus (Group 1: 22.4%; Group 2: 44.0%). The clinical pregnancy rates, however, for the contaminated mucus or not, were 46.8%, 43.5% respectively. There was no significant difference clinical pregnancy rate between those who had all their embryos transferred at the first attempt (45.4%) and those who required more than one attempt (48.0%). CONCLUSiONS: Contaminated mucus in the catheter is associated with failed embryo transferred at the first attempt. Embryo transfers, however, that are repeated attempts do not adversely affect pregnancy rates following iVF-ET.

The Study on Apoptosis and Expression of Fas, Fas-ligand, Bax, and Bcl-2 in Human Fragmented Embryos / 대한불임학회지

OBJECTIVE: The present study was performed to investigate whether apoptosis occur in human embryos by annexin staining and detect the expression of Fas, Fas-ligand (FasL), Bax, and Bcl-2 in human fragmented embryos derived from IVF-ET by immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using annexin staining, immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis on normal and fragmented embryos, we were able to detect apoptotsis and apoptotic gene products in fragmented embryos. RESULTS: Phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation, the marker for apoptosis, were detected frequently in fragmented embryos. Bcl-2 and Bax protein were detected in both fragmented and non-fragmented embryos. When fragmented embryos compared to normal embryos, immunofluorescent intensity of Bcl-2 tended to be lower in fragmented embryos. Bax gene expression increased in the fragmented embryos compared to the normal embryos. This result supports a model in which the molar ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax determines whether apoptosis induced or inhibited in human embryo. Fas was highly expressed in human preimplantation embryos but not FasL. It suggests that embryo may undergo apoptosis by binding with FasL produced by follicular or immune cells. CONCLUSION: The over expression of Bax and Fas will trigger apoptosis to lead embryo fragmentation and change embryo to be nonviable.

Can Endometriosis Affect the Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing IVF-ET? / 대한불임학회지

No abstract available.

3 Cases of Monozygotic Twin Pregnancy after IVF-ET / 대한불임학회지

OBJECTIVE: To report three cases of monozygotic twinning after IVF-ET transfer. METHODS: Private practice in two different assisted reproductive technology clinics. RESULTS: Three intrauterine monozygotic twin pregnancies occurred after IVF-ET. One of them was complicated by cord entanglement, another is progressing normal pregnancy without complication and the other was had a normal pregnancy without complication and delivered twin by cesarean section. CONCLUSION: The reported prevalence of multiple gestations in IVF-ET is a approximately 30%, and it is only 2.7% to be monozygotic twinning in IVF-ET. We report three cases of monozygotic twining after IVF-ET.

Effect of Sequential Embryo Transfer in vitro Fertilization / 대한불임학회지

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to nfluence of sequential embryo transfers in an invitro fertilization was examined. METHOD: After in vitro fertilization, a maximum of 6 fertilized oocytes was enrolled in this study. At day 3 after an oocytes retrieval, embryos with good quality were transferred (mean 4.9), remaining embryos (mean 2.0/cycle) were cryopreserved at blastocyst stage (Group 1). At day 5 after oocytes collection, second a embryos had reached the blastocyst stage (Group 2) using P1 supplemented with 10 SSS and 30% Follicular fluid. No statistical difference in the pregnancy rate could be seen between the group without a second embryo transfer (n=21; 28.6%) and the group with a second transfer (n=52; 28.8%). RESULTS: The incidence of multiple pregnancy rate per embryo transfer was not statistically different between both group and no high-rank multiple pregnancy (greater than triplete) were observed (o.9%, 15.4%, respectively, p=0.74, chi2). Out of 114 cycles (506 embryos) cultured embryos in group 2, 52 cycles (159 embryos, 29.8%) reached the blastocyst stage. CONCLUSION: The second transfer did not have a significant effect on the pregnancy rate. The most important factor for the pregnancy seems to be the quality of the embryos transferred on day 3 following oocyte retrieval. We recommend embryo transfer is performed only one, day 2~3 or D5.

Human Sperm Morphology Comparison after Pre-and Post Percoll Gradient Centrifugation / 대한산부인과학회잡지

In order to assess the efficiency of Percoll gradient centrifugation(PGC) as a method of sperm selection, we have examined morphological characteristics of spermatozoa from 40 teratozoospermic patients attending the Infertility Clinic of Inchon Gil Gerneral Hospital. Patients were divided into three groups according to percentage normal morphology in the fresh sample : group A(n=5), 14% normal morphology. Morphology slides were perpared using Diff-Quik staining techniques and evaulated by Kruger strict criteria, under oil immersion at a magnification of X 1000, specific defects, head, neck and tail were assesed individualy. The results were as follows. 1. Following PGC, sperm samples with enhanced morphology were recovered for all groups. 2. For group A, PGC did not select a sample with significantly improved morphological characteristics. 3. Usually, sperm defects affected by PGC was head and neck. No significant difference was found for tail abnormality. In conclusion, Percoll gradient centrifugation is an efficient sperm preparation technique when the semen sample exhibits teratozoospermia, especially head or neck abnormality. However, in sample with < 5% normal form or tail abnormality, There is not significant improvement following PGC.

A case of congenital complete heart block in the first twin of the mother with suspicious connective tissue disease / 대한산부인과학회잡지

No abstract available.

A case of congenital complete heart block in the first twin of the mother with suspicious connective tissue disease / 대한산부인과학회잡지

No abstract available.