The Relation of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein with Hyperuricemia: Using Health Examination Data at One Medical Institution’s Health Examination Center (2016–2017)

Background@#Several studies have shown that elevated serum uric acid levels are associated with cardiovascular disease. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has been shown to be a measure of the severity and prognosis of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of hs-CRP with hyperuricemia. @*Methods@#From March 2016 to November 2017, a total of 26,987 patients who received a health check-up at a Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Korea, were enrolled. Foreigners, patients who had hs-CRP score greater than 10 or white blood cell score greater than 10,000, those who did not respond sincerely, those who had previously been diagnosed with gout and cerebrovascular disease, and females were excluded. Data were collected from 2,808 patients. @*Results@#The subjects were divided into four sections by 25th percentile, 50th percentile, 75th percentile, and 100th percentile based on the distribution of hs-CRP. Serum hs-CRP levels were 1.85 (1.34–2.56), 2.59 (1.90–3.54), and 3.64 (2.70–4.93) respectively in the second, third, and fourth quartiles based on the first quartile. The odds ratios were 1.46 (1.05–2.03), 1.76 (1.27–2.45), and 2.27 (1.64–3.14) after adjusting the disturbance variables of age, body mass index, smoking status, and regular exercise. @*Conclusion@#In this study, we evaluated the relationship between serum hs-CRP and hyperuricemia, which are the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and found statistically significant correlations. These results were still significant after adjusting for age, smoking, exercise, and body mass index.

The Change of Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence and Its Risk Factors in Korean Adults for Decade: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2008–2017

Background@#Metabolic syndrome is a nationwide health problem, which is associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic renal failure. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Korea significantly increased from 1998 to 2007. After that, the prevalence was stable in female but still increasing in male. The objective of this study was to evaluate how the prevalence and risk factors for metabolic syndrome changed in Korean adults through the last decade. @*Methods@#Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008 to 2017 was used. National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III were used to define metabolic syndrome. We compared how each metabolic syndrome component and the risk factors changed through the years. @*Results@#A total of 51,177 (30,092 female and 21,085 male) people were included in this study. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in male increased from 24.5% in 2008 to 28.1% in 2017, whereas that in female was stable at 20.5% in 2008 from 18.7% in 2017. Waist circumference measurements and fasting glucose levels increased through the decade in male, whereas only fasting glucose levels increased in female. @*Conclusion@#Since the last decade, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Korean adults has increased in male but remained stable in female. Lifestyle intervention in male, namely ceasing smoking and drinking could prevent increasing metabolic syndrome prevalence in Korean adults.

Association between Glycated Hemoglobin A1c and Intraocular Pressure in Nondiabetic Subjects

BACKGROUND: Diabetic patients are known to have unusually high mean intraocular pressure (IOP); attributable to autonomic dysfunction and genetic factors. A recent study reported that diabetic complications occur in not only diabetes but also prediabetes. We performed this study to analyze the relationship between glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and IOP in non-diabetics using electronic medical records at the health screening center of Soon Chun Hyang University Seoul Hospital.METHODS: We considered 16,643 individuals who visited the health screening center of Soon Chun Hyang University Seoul Hospital between November 2015 and September 2017. In total, 3,029 subjects were included in the study. Exclusion criteria included a history of hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease, hepatitis (A-C), cancer, other disease, fasting blood glucose of 126 mg/dL or higher, HbA1c of 6.5% or higher, and individuals whose binocular IOP could not be measured. We categorized subjects into two groups; those with HbA1c less than or equal to 5.6%, and those with HbA1c greater than 5.6% and less than 6.5%. The mean IOP of each group was compared by gender.RESULTS: After adjusting for factors affecting IOP, analysis of variance was performed to analyze the relationship between HbA1c and IOP. There was no statistically significant difference between the HbA1c groups in males. However, there was a significant difference in IOP between females in the the higher and lower HbA1c groups.CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant relationship between mean IOP and HbA1c in females without diabetes. Further research is needed with prospective and extensive data collection.

The factors associated with Vitamin D deficiency in community dwelling elderly in Korea

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Recent studies showed vitamin D deficiency is linked to chronic diseases in addition to skeletal metabolism which could threaten the elderly. We analyzed health conditions and socio-demographic factors associated with vitamin D deficiency in community dwelling people aged 65 years and older. SUBJECTS/METHOD: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010 to 2012 were obtained. A total of 2,687 subjects aged 65 years and older were participated. The cutoff value of the Vitamin D deficiency was considered as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] ≤ 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L). RESULTS: The overall prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency in the elderly was 62.1%. The factors such as female, obesity, metabolic syndrome, current smoker, and skipping breakfast were positively associated with vitamin D deficiency, but high intensity of physical activity and more than 9 hours of sleep duration were negatively associated with vitamin D deficiency (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is important that health professions know that the factors proved in this study are connected to vitamin D deficiency thus provide information and intervention strategies of vitamin D deficiency to old aged people.

Accuracy of Capillary Blood Glucose Test When Fasting in Diabetes Patients or General Population: Performance Evaluation of G300 Based on ISO 15197:2013 Standards

BACKGROUND: Self-monitoring of blood glucose plays an important role in management of diabetes mellitus. Blood glucose measurement is based on using plasma glucose separated from whole blood, but many people with diabetes and health care providers use a portable glucose meter for convenience. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and agreement of G300 portable glucose monitoring system against standard venous glucose testing methods, based on ISO 15197:2013 standards. METHODS: This study was the evaluation of G300 system accuracy following ISO 15197:2013 standards. We estimated precision, system accuracy, hematocrit interference, interfering substances, and user performance. RESULTS: In repeatability precision evaluation of those glucometers, standard deviation was 2.9–3.7 mg/dL at glucose levels under 100 mg/dL and coefficient of variation was 1.7–3.2% at glucose levels over 100 mg/dL, respectively. In accuracy evaluation, 99.5% of difference values between results of G300 portable glucose monitoring system and clinical laboratory were within 95%. Consensus Error grid analysis showed that all values (100%) are within zone A. Hematocrit range between 20% and 60% did not cause interference. These results were acceptable for the ISO15197:2013 criteria in all glucose concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that G300 can provide reliable blood glucose results for patients and health care providers to manage diabetes mellitus, satisfying the ISO 15197:2013 criteria.

The Association Between Colon Polyp and the Metabolic Syndrome in Asymptomatic Korean Adults

BACKGROUND: Recently, the prevalence of colorectal cancer related with metabolic syndrome is increasing in Korea. The aim of this study was to reveal a relationship between components of metabolic syndrome and the development of colon polyp. METHODS: Among the subjects who visited a health promotion center of one university hospital and underwent colonoscopic examination from February 2010 to February 2011, a total of 1,630 (males 1,156, females 474) asymptomatic adults were included for the study. Sex, age, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol levels and the presence of colorectal polyps were measured. Alcohol consumption, smoking and exercise were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. Metabolic syndrome was defined by criteria of 2004 American Heart Association/Updated NCEP Adult Treatment Panel III. RESULTS: The prevalence of colon polyps and metabolic syndrome was 21.7% and 16.0% respectively among study subjects. After adjustment for sex and age, metabolic syndrome (odds ratio [OR]=1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-2.82, P=0.031) and waist circumference (OR=1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.06, P=0.009) were associated with increased risk of colorectal polyps. CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome and waist circumference were associated with increased risk of colon polyps in asymptomatic Korean adults.

Prevalence of Osteoporosis and Osteopenia in Women in Gumi Gyeongbuk Province / 대한폐경학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in women aged 20 years and older in Gumi province. METHODS: We recruited a total of 2,347 women aged 20 years and older in Gumi province who visited the health care center in Soonchunhyang University Gumi hospital from January 2010 to December 2011. The bone mineral densities in the calcaneus were measured by an ultrasound bone densitometry. Osteoporosis and osteopenia were defined by World Health Organization criteria. Age-specific prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in Gumi province were determined and compared with the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia from other provinces within Korea. The prevalence of each was described by %. RESULTS: Age-specific prevalence of osteoporosis was less than 2% in women younger than 50 years but it rapidly increased in those older than 55 years and up to about 50% in women older than 70 years. The prevalence of osteoporosis in women in Gumi province was lower than that of Kangwon province. However, its results were higher than Jung-up province. In addition, the prevalence of osteoporosis in women in Gumi province was lower than other provinces including: Gang-hwa, Chun-cheon, Chung-ju, Jungnang and Gangseo in Seoul, Korea Health Statistics 2009. CONCLUSION: The age-specific prevalence of osteoporosis in women in Gumi province increased with ages, especially in those older than 55 years. Also, the prevalence of osteoporosis in women in Gumi province was lower than Kangwon and other provinces within Korea as stated by Korea Health Statistics 2009. However, its results were higher than Jung-up province.

Polyarteritis Nodosa in the Stomach: A Case Report

Polyarteritis nodosa is a systemic inflammatory disease resulting from necrotizing angitis of small to medium sized arteries. It involves various organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, which is involved in about 50% of all cases. Numerous complications-including abdominal pain, vomiting, and hematemesis-have been reported, but the CT findings have not been described. We report the CT findings in a case of gastric polyarteritis nodosa, and correlate these with the histopathologic findings.

Primary Papillary Serous Carcinoma of the Peritoneum: A Case Report

Primary papillary serous carcinoma of the peritoneum is a rare primary tumor involving the peritoneum. Histologically, it is indistinguishable from serous ovarian papillary carcinoma, although it either spares the o-varies or only microscopically involves their surface. The characteristic features of this tumor are extensive peritoneal and omental masses or implants with psammomatous calcification, and ascites. In addition, it can occur focally in the pelvic peritoneum. We report the CT findings, with histopathologic correlation of primary papillary serous carcinoma of the peritoneum occurring in the upper mesorectum.

Radioisotope cisternographic evaluation of hydrocephalus: Comparison with CT, MRI, and clinical findings

To evaluate the clinical usefulness of radionuclide(RI) cisternography in patients with hydrocephalus, we retrospectively analyzed RI cisternographic findings of 47 patients by using our classification which was modified from Baum's. and correlated them with CT(n=37) or MRI(n=10) findings and clinical outcome in selected patients with hydrocephalus(n=37). Modified RI cisternographic patterns of 37 patients were type I in three cases(8%), type II in seven(18%), type III-A in six(16%), no case of type III-B, type IV-A in 12(32%), and type IV-B in nine(24%). RI cisternography enabled to differentiate communicating hydrocephalus(27 cases, 73%) from noncommunicating hydrocephalus (10 cases, 27%). There was marked clinical improvement in 17 patients(46%), slight improvement in 11 patients(30%), and no improvement in nine patients(24%). The clinical outcome of patients with RI cisternographic type IV-B was worse than that of other types. CT and MRI could neither predict the clinical outcome nor differentiate type IV-B from Type IV-A(p>.05). Ventricular size index (VSI( was significantly higher in patients with type IV than that with other types(p<.001). RI cisternographic patterns of communicating hydrocephalus were relatively correlated with clinical outcome (r=-0.53, P=.001), VIS(r=0.59, p=.001), and dilatation of fourth ventricle(r=0.41, p<.05). We suggest that our modified classification of RI cisternographic patterns can provide more strict physiological assessment of the CSF dynamics and RI cisternography may be still useful to differentiate communicating hydrocephalus from noncommunicating hydrocephalus and to predict the clinical outcome in conjunction with CT/MR findings and clinical presentation.