Burden of Respiratory Disease in Korea: An Observational Study on Allergic Rhinitis, Asthma, COPD, and Rhinosinusitis

PURPOSE: The Asia-Pacific Burden of Respiratory Diseases (APBORD) study is a cross-sectional, observational one which has used a standard protocol to examine the disease and economic burden of allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and rhinosinusitis across the Asia-Pacific region. Here, we report on symptoms, healthcare resource use, work impairment, and associated costs in Korea. METHODS: Consecutive participants aged ≥18 years with a primary diagnosis of asthma, AR, COPD, or rhinosinusitis were enrolled. Participants and their treating physician completed a survey detailing respiratory symptoms, healthcare resource use, and work productivity and activity impairment. Costs included direct medical cost and indirect cost associated with lost work productivity. RESULTS: The study enrolled 999 patients. Patients were often diagnosed with multiple respiratory disorders (42.8%), with asthma/AR and AR/rhinosinusitis the most frequently diagnosed combinations. Cough or coughing up phlegm was the primary reason for the medical visit in patients with a primary diagnosis of asthma and COPD, whereas nasal symptoms (watery runny nose, blocked nose, and congestion) were the main reasons in those with AR and rhinosinusitis. The mean annual cost for patients with a respiratory disease was US$8,853 (SD 11,245) per patient. Lost productivity due to presenteeism was the biggest contributor to costs. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory disease has a significant impact on disease burden in Korea. Treatment strategies for preventing lost work productivity could greatly reduce the economic burden of respiratory disease.

Influence of tungsten carbide/carbon coating of implant-abutment screw on screw loosening / 대한치과보철학회지

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Dental implant procedure has been recognized as a very effective treatment to rehabilitate fully or partially edentulous patients. However, mechanical failures such as screw loosening, screw fracture have been still reported frequently. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of tungsten carbide/carbon coating, which has superior hardness and frictional wear resistance, on implant-abutment screw loosening of three different joint connections after one million cyclic loading. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The values of detorque before and after loading were measured in three different joint connections (Osstem Implant, Korea), one external butt joint, US II implant system and two internal cones, SS II and GS II system. The values of detorque before loading was analyzed by one-way ANOVA, and two-way ANOVA and Scheffe'test were performed for the value of detorque after loading. RESULTS: 1. The values of initial detorque of tungsten carbide/carbon coated Ti alloy screw were smaller those of Ti alloy screw (P.05). 2. In comparison of loss rate of detorque value after cyclic loading, US II system was greater than SS II and GS II system but there was no difference between SS II and GS II system (P.05). CONCLUSION: Tungsten carbide/carbon coating to increase preload with reduction of friction resistance was a effective way to decrease screw loosening by functional loading.

The Effect Of Sprue Design On The Marginal Reproducibility Of Cast Titanium Crowns / 대한치과보철학회지

There has been a great interest in the use of titanium for fixed and removable prostheses in recent because of its excellent biocompatibility. However, the high melting temperature and chemical reactivity of titanium necessitates casting systems different from those used in conventional casting. The current titanium casting systems are based on an electricarc design for melting the metal in an argon atmosphere and its exclusive investment. Despite the new developments in Ti casting systems, inadequate mold filling and internal porosity are frequently observed casting defects. Therefore, the study on the fabrication technique including sprue design to solve these casting defects is still necessary. In this study, to evaluate the effect of sprue design on the castability of simulated cast titanium crowns, 10 cylindrical cast crowns for each group with four different sprue design(Single group, Double group, Runner bar group, Reservoir group) were fabricated. An impression of the entire casting margin was made and cut at 90 degrees intervals, and the sections were photographed in a microscope at 100 X magnification to record marginal discrepancy. The internal porosities of the cast crowns were disclosed by radiographs. Within the limits of this study, the following conclusions were drawn: 1. The overall mean marginal discrepancies for each group were as follows: Double group, 43.65 micrometer; Reservoir group, 50.27 micrometer; Single group, 54.17 micrometer; Runner bar group,58.90 micrometer (p<0.05). 2. The mean of marginal discrepancies for wax patterns was 10.65 micrometer. 3. The numbers of internal porosity showed the most in Runner bar group followed by Single group, Reservoir group, and Double group.

Cytokine production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from atopic asthmatics / 알레르기

To investigate the imbalance of the cytokine production profile of T cells from atopic asthmatics, we measured concentrations of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-y by ELISA method in the culture supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) and Derrnato-phagoides pteronyssinus(Der p) J-stimulated PBMCs from Der p-sensitized atopic asthmatics, Der p-sensitized healthy atopits, non-atopic asthmatics and healthy non-atopics. The suppressive effect of IFN-y on cytokine production of Der p J-stimulated PBMCs was also examined. The PBMCs from atopics showed higher IL-4 and IL-5 production in response to PHA +TPA and higher IFN-gamma production in response to Der p Jq compared with non-atopits. The Der p J-stimulated PBMCs from atopics showed a tendency of increased IL-5 production in response to Der p J and higher IL-4 and IL-5 production in response to PHA+TPA compared with non-atopics. IL-5 production of Der p J-stimulated PBMCs from atopics was suppressed by IFN It is suggested that an imbalance in IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-y production is a feature of the atopic state. The TH2 characteristics of allergen-stimulated PBMCs could be regulated by IFN-y.

A case of idiopathic anaphylaxis / 알레르기

Idiopathic anaphylaxis is a life-threatening systemic reaction of unknown cause. The pathophysiology has not been established, although it has been postulated that the clinical manifestations of idiopathic anaphylaxis may result from the chemical mediators released by mast cells or basophils. The diagnosis of idiopathic anaphylaxis is made after an appropriate allergic evaluation and exclusion of provocative triggers. We report an unusual case of idiopathic anaphylaxis manifesting with periodically repeated urticaria, angioedema, dyspnea, and hypotension. His symptoms were not related to known causes of anaphylaxis such as foods, drugs, insect stings, or exercise. Other diseases simulating anaphylaxis were excluded by careful history, physical examination, and relevant diagnostic tests. High dose prednisolone, hydroxyzine, salbutamol, ketotifen, and methotrexate were prescribed to prevent recurrent episodes, but the symptoms relapsed 5 months after cessation of the treatment.

Serum Interleukin-10 Levels in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients / 대한류마티스학회지

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the serum levels of IL-10 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis are different from those of normal controls and SLE patients and to find out any correlation with disease activity parameters of rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Sera from 20 healthy normal persons, 16 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 16 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were collected and measured for IL-10 and IL-6. Various disease activity parameters were measured in RA patients. RESULTS: The serum level of IL-10 in RA patients was significantly elevated compared to normal controls but lower than those of SLE patients. In RA patients there was no definite correlation between the disease activity parameters and serum IL-10 levels. Despite significant improvements in terms of various disease activity parameters, there was no significant change of serum IL-10 levels after treatment in RA patients. In seropositive RA patients, positive correlation was found between serun IL-10 and rheumatoid factor levels. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that the serum IL-10 levels in patietns with RA are elevated compared to normal controls but lower than those of SLE patients. There was no correlation between serum IL-10 levels and disease acivity parameters of RA.