The Influence of Dental Hygienists’ Self-Leadership on Organizational Commitment and Quality of Medical Services / 치위생과학회지

Background@#Self-leadership, an action strategy that can maximize individual capabilities, can affect the organizational commitment of dental hygienists and ultimately improve the quality of medical services. This study aims to demonstrate the need for self-leadership and organizational commitment for dental hygienists and develop measures to improve the quality of medical services. @*Methods@#An online survey of dental hygienists working at dental hospitals and clinics in Seoul and Gyeonggi province, Republic of Korea was conducted from March 28 to May 1, 2022. A total of 341 questionnaires were returned and analyzed. The measurement tools were modified and supplemented based on the theories and models developed by Manz for self-leadership, Mowday for organizational commitment, and Cronin and Taylor for medical services. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, ANOVA, simple regression, and multiple regression analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0. @*Results@#In leadership education, self-leadership is based on participation experience, the number of participants, and when and where it is received. Organizational commitment comes from participation experience, and the quality of medical services has been found to affect participation experience and location. Self-leadership had an effect on the quality of medical services (β=0.497, t=10.551, p＜0.001; β =0.599, t=13.783, p＜0.001; β=0.353, t=7.601, p＜0.001) and organizational commitment was found to have a mediating effect. @*Conclusion@#Dental hygienists’ self-leadership has a positive effect on the quality of medical services through the formation of appropriate interrelationships within the organization. Therefore, self-leadership programs should be developed, participated in, and promoted to improve the self-leadership of dental hygienists. Moreover, hospitals should improve their environment to provide and improve self-leadership education.

Clinical outcomes in pediatric patients with normal renal histopathology

There have been some cases where abnormal histopathologic findings could not be found in the kidney could even with proper specimen collection through percutaneous renal biopsy (PRB) in accordance with its indication. We analyzed the incidence and clinical outcomes of children who showed normal histopathological findings in their PRBs. Methods: The medical records of 552 pediatric subjects who underwent PRB between 2005 and 2016 were reviewed. Twenty-six subjects were excluded because allograft biopsy was performed in nine subjects, and the age at biopsy was greater than 18 years in 17 subjects. Finally, 526 subjects were enrolled in this study. Results: Of the 526 pediatric patients, 32 (6.1%) showed no histopathological abnormalities in their PRBs. The male-to-female ratio of the patients was 1.9:1, and the mean ages at the first visit and at biopsy were 10.6 ± 4.1 and 11.4 ± 3.8 years, respectively. In accordance with the biopsy indications, recurrent gross hematuria showed the highest incidence rate, but combined hematuria and proteinuria had the lowest incidence rate regarding normal renal histopathology among all the subjects. At a mean follow-up of 35.5 ± 23.6 months, urinary abnormalities had improved in more than 50% of the subjects with normal renal histopathology, and none of the patients showed progression to end-stage renal disease or required rebiopsy due to symptom worsening during the follow-up period. Conclusion: The clinical outcomes of children with normal PRB histopathologic findings are generally good. Further studies to evaluate their long-term outcomes are needed.

Two Korean siblings with autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia 20 caused by homozygous variants in SNX14

Autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia 20 (SCAR20; OMIM #616354) is a recently described disorder that is characterized by ataxia, intellectual disability, cerebellar atrophy, macrocephaly, coarse face, and absent speech. It is caused by lossof-function mutations in SNX14. To date, all cases with homozygous pathogenic variants have been identified in consanguineous families. This report describes the first Korean cases of SCAR20 family caused by homozygous variants in SNX14. Two siblings were referred to our clinic because of severe global developmental delay. They presented similar facial features, including a high forehead, long philtrum, thick lips, telecanthus, depressed nasal bridge, and broad base of the nose. Because the older sibling was unable to walk and newly developed ataxia, repeated brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at the age of 4 years, revealing progressive cerebellar atrophy compared with MRI performed at the age of 2 years.The younger sibling’s MRI revealed a normal cerebellum at the age of 2 years. Whole-exome sequencing was performed, and homozygous variants, such as c.2746-2A>G, were identified in SNX14 from the older sibling. Sanger sequencing confirmed homozygous SNX14 variants in the two siblings as well as a heterozygous variant in both parents. This report extends our knowledge of the phenotypic and mutational spectrum of SCAR20. We also highlight the importance of deep phenotyping for the diagnosis of SCAR20 in individuals with developmental delay, ataxia, cerebellar atrophy, and distinct facial features.

Outcome of inflammatory response after normothermia during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery in infants with isolated ventricular septal defect / 소아과

PURPOSE: A recent study analyzing several cytokines reported that long cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time and long aortic cross clamp (ACC) time were accompanied by enhanced postoperative inflammation, which contrasted with the modest influence of the degree of hypothermia. In this present study, we aimed to examine the effect of CPB temperature on the clinical outcome in infants undergoing repair of isolated ventricular septal defect (VSD). METHODS: Of the 212 infants with isolated VSD who underwent open heart surgery (OHS) between January 2001 and December 2010, 43 infants were enrolled. They were classified into 2 groups: group 1, infants undergoing hypothermic CPB (26degrees C-28degrees C; n=19) and group 2, infants undergoing near-normothermic CPB (34degrees C-36degrees C; n=24). RESULTS: The age at the time of the OHS, and number of infants aged<3 months showed no significant differences between the groups. The CPB time and ACC time in group 1 were longer than those in group 2 (88 minutes vs. 59 minutes, P=0.002, and 54 minutes vs. 37 minutes, P=0.006 respectively). The duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation was 1.6 days in group 1 and 1.8 days in group 2. None of the infants showed postoperative neurological and developmental abnormalities. Moreover, no postoperative differences in the white blood cell count and C-reactive protein levels were noted between two groups. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that hypothermic and near-normothermic CPB were associated with similar clinical outcomes and inflammatory reactions in neonates and infants treated for simple congenital heart disease.

Early Prediction of Chronic Childhood Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura According to the Response of Immunoglobulin Treatment / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a frequently observed bleeding disorder in children. High dose intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) has been used for the treatment of ITP since 1981, and now several methods of IVIG infusion are used. Since 1983, we have treated ITP patients with short-term and low-dose IVIG according to the individual patient's daily response. This study aimed to evaluate individual patient's response after IVIG for the prediction of chronic ITP.METHODS: We evaluated 259 childhood ITP patients retrospectively who were newly diagnosed at the Department of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University Hospital from 1983 to 2012. We analyzed the individual response to treatment and current state of disease. We evaluated the time to reach desired platelet counts after treatment of IVIG, relapse rate and diagnosis of chronic ITP. The patients were classified into 2 groups according to the time to reach desired platelet counts (50,000/microL) after daily treatment of IVIG, rapid (1 or 2 doses) and slow responder (more than 3 doses).RESULTS: Among 182 patients followed up over 6 months, 41 patients (22.5%) were eventually diagnosed with chronic ITP. Hundred and two patients (56.7%) belonged to rapid response group, and 17 of them (16.7%) were diagnosed with chronic ITP. Eighty patients (44.4%) belonged to the slow response group, and 24 of them (30%) were diagnosed with chronic ITP, which were higher than the early response group (P=0.033).CONCLUSION: Individual response rate of IVIG treatment could be a useful predictor of chronic ITP, but this finding needs support from further studies.

An Evidence of Esophageal Decompensation in Patients With Achalasia in the View of Its Subtype: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Achalasia is a primary motility disorder of esophagus. Many parameters represent esophageal function and morphologic changes, but their interrelationship is not yet established. We hypothesized that esophageal body would need to generate unusual pressure to empty the food bolus through the non-relaxing lower esophageal sphincter in patients with achalasia; therefore, higher is the residual lower esophageal sphincter pressure, greater would be the contraction pressure in the esophageal body in these patients. To verify the hypothesis, correlations among parameters from esophageal manometry, esophagography and esophageal transit study had been investigated. METHODS: A retrospective review of 34 patients was conducted. Resting lower esophageal sphincter pressure and contraction pressure of esophageal body were obtained from conventional esophageal manometry. Diameter of esophageal body was measured from barium column under esophagography. Radionuclide imaging was performed to assess the esophageal transit, designated as R30, which was the residual radioactivity at 30 seconds after ingesting radioactive isotope. RESULTS: In vigorous achalasia group, contraction pressure of esophageal body was negatively correlated to dilated diameter of esophageal body (P = 0.025, correlation coefficient = -0.596). Esophageal transit was more delayed as dimensions of esophageal body increased in classic achalasia group (P = 0.039, correlation coefficient = 0.627). CONCLUSIONS: Diameter of esophageal body in classic achalasia was relatively wider than that of vigorous achalasia group and the degree of delayed esophageal transit was proportionate to the luminal widening. Patients with vigorous achalasia had narrower esophageal lumen and relatively shorter transit time than that of classic achalasia group. Proper peristalsis is not present in achalasia patients but remaining neuromuscular activity in vigorous achalasia patients might have caused the luminal narrowing and shorter transit time.

Comparison of Iron Status between Fullterm and Preterm Infants : An Experience in a Single Hospital for 2 Years / 대한주산의학회잡지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare the iron status of fullterm and preterm infants and to investigate effects of gender, IUGR, and maternal diabetes mellitus (DM) on iron status of infants. METHODS: We evaluated newborn infants admitted at neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Kyungpook National University Hospital from July 2011 to April 2013. The five parameters were measured: hemoglobin, hematocrit, ferritin, total iron binding capacity, and transferrin saturation. RESULTS: Serum ferritin was lower in preterm infants than in fullterm infants (209.5 vs 323.5 ng/mL, P=0.003). Hemoglobin, hematocrit, total iron binding capacity, and transferrin saturation levels were not influenced by gestational age. Maternal DM was associated with decreased serum ferritin (204.3 vs 347.8 microg/L, P=0.008). There was no difference of ferritin levels between male and female as well as between IUGR infants and non-IUGR infants. CONCLUSION: In this study, low gestational ages and maternal DM are associated with low ferritin level. Careful monitoring of iron status is required for preterm infants and infants of DM mother.

Early Prediction of Chronic Childhood Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura According to the Response of Immunoglobulin Treatment / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a frequently observed bleeding disorder in children. High dose intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) has been used for the treatment of ITP since 1981, and now several methods of IVIG infusion are used. Since 1983, we have treated ITP patients with short-term and low-dose IVIG according to the individual patient's daily response. This study aimed to evaluate individual patient's response after IVIG for the prediction of chronic ITP. METHODS: We evaluated 259 childhood ITP patients retrospectively who were newly diagnosed at the Department of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University Hospital from 1983 to 2012. We analyzed the individual response to treatment and current state of disease. We evaluated the time to reach desired platelet counts after treatment of IVIG, relapse rate and diagnosis of chronic ITP. The patients were classified into 2 groups according to the time to reach desired platelet counts (50,000/microL) after daily treatment of IVIG, rapid (1 or 2 doses) and slow responder (more than 3 doses). RESULTS: Among 182 patients followed up over 6 months, 41 patients (22.5%) were eventually diagnosed with chronic ITP. Hundred and two patients (56.7%) belonged to rapid response group, and 17 of them (16.7%) were diagnosed with chronic ITP. Eighty patients (44.4%) belonged to the slow response group, and 24 of them (30%) were diagnosed with chronic ITP, which were higher than the early response group (P=0.033). CONCLUSION: Individual response rate of IVIG treatment could be a useful predictor of chronic ITP, but this finding needs support from further studies.

Early Prediction of Chronic Childhood Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura According to the Response of Immunoglobulin Treatment / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a frequently observed bleeding disorder in children. High dose intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) has been used for the treatment of ITP since 1981, and now several methods of IVIG infusion are used. Since 1983, we have treated ITP patients with short-term and low-dose IVIG according to the individual patient's daily response. This study aimed to evaluate individual patient's response after IVIG for the prediction of chronic ITP. METHODS: We evaluated 259 childhood ITP patients retrospectively who were newly diagnosed at the Department of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University Hospital from 1983 to 2012. We analyzed the individual response to treatment and current state of disease. We evaluated the time to reach desired platelet counts after treatment of IVIG, relapse rate and diagnosis of chronic ITP. The patients were classified into 2 groups according to the time to reach desired platelet counts (50,000/microL) after daily treatment of IVIG, rapid (1 or 2 doses) and slow responder (more than 3 doses). RESULTS: Among 182 patients followed up over 6 months, 41 patients (22.5%) were eventually diagnosed with chronic ITP. Hundred and two patients (56.7%) belonged to rapid response group, and 17 of them (16.7%) were diagnosed with chronic ITP. Eighty patients (44.4%) belonged to the slow response group, and 24 of them (30%) were diagnosed with chronic ITP, which were higher than the early response group (P=0.033). CONCLUSION: Individual response rate of IVIG treatment could be a useful predictor of chronic ITP, but this finding needs support from further studies.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Colorectal Adenoma in 14,932 Koreans Undergoing Screening Colonoscopy / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Current international guidelines recommend colorectal cancer screening for average-risk people over 50 years of age. Accordingly, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of colorectal neoplasms in all age groups and evaluate associated risk factors. METHODS: Data of 14,932 subjects who underwent colonoscopy from July 2006 to January 2012 at Health Promotion Center, Gangnam Severance Hospital (Seoul, Korea) as part of a health check-up were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of colorectal neoplasms and adenoma were 34.6% and 25.3%, respectively. Colorectal adenoma was found in 3.2%, 13.0%, 21.7%, 33.8%, 44.0%, 50.5%, and 54.2% of subjects under 30 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, 50-59 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years, and over 80 years of age (trend p<0.0001). Independent predictors of colorectal adenoma included male gender (OR 2.38, 95% CI 2.084-2.718), positive occult blood (2.266, 1.761-2.917), positive serology of Helicobacter pylori (1.253, 1.114-1.409) and hypertriglyceremia (1.267, 1.065-1.508). Compared to the 30-39 years of age reference group, the ORs for each age group were 0.195 (under 30 years), 1.634 (40-49 years), 2.954 (50-59 years), 5.159 (60-69 years), 5.640 (70-79 years), 11.020 (over 80 years), while the 95% CIs were 0.071-0.536 (under 30 years), 1.340-1.992 (40-49 years), 2.421-3.604 (50-59 years), 4.109-6.476 (60-69 years), 3.822-8.322 (70-79 years), and 2.809-42.234 (over 80 years). CONCLUSIONS: Colorectal adenoma prevalence increased proportionally with age. Only subjects under the age of 30 years had a definitely lower prevalence of colorectal adenoma. Male gender, positive occult blood, positive serology of H. pylori, and hypertriglyceremia were associated risk factors of colorectal adenoma.

A Case of Urachal Remnant Abscess with Gross Hematuria

Since urachal abnormalities are uncommon and have various clinical manifestations such as umbilical discharge, periumbilical pain, recurrent urinary tract infection and abdominal mass according to its structure, it is not easy to diagnose. We report our experience of a patient with urachal remnant abscess who presented with gross hematuria initially, and improved after the management with intravenous antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of abscess.

A Case of Cytomegalovirus Colitis with Endoscopic Finding Resembling Crohn's Disease / 대한소화기학회지

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis is common among immunocompromised patients, and often diagnosed by pathologic confirmation because it is associated with a diverse spectrum of clinical and endoscopic features. However, Crohn's disease has no definitive diagnostic criteria, but longitudinal ulcers and cobble stone appearance are accepted as typical endoscopic features of Crohn's disease. An 83 year-old male with a history of radiotherapy for hypopharyngeal cancer visited our hospital with a complaint of melena for 1 week. His colonoscopic exam showed multiple longitudinal ulcers along the entire colon. Most of the ulcers were longer than 4 cm, these endoscopic findings were suspected as typical endoscopic features of Crohn's disease. Pathologic reports revealed multiple inclusion bodies with CMV on immunohistochemistry. He was finally diagnosed as having CMV colitis, and received a 3 week-course of intravenous ganciclovir. A colonoscopic follow-up showed complete healing of the multiple longitudinal ulcers, and he is doing well now without further treatment.

A Case of Multiple Tuberculosis Associated with Infliximab Therapy in Crohn's Disease / 대한내과학회지

Infliximab, a tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitor, has been approved for the treatment of a variety of inflammatory illnesses, including Crohn's disease. However, infliximab can increase the risk of reactivation of latent tuberculosis (Tbc) infection by affecting host immune responses. Therefore, a screening test should be performed before the initiation of infliximab therapy, and patients with evidence of latent infection should be treated with prophylactic anti-Tbc therapy. Here, we report a case of multifocal disseminated tuberculosis after treatment with infliximab in a patient diagnosed with Crohn's disease who had no past history of Tbc and showed a negative screening test.

A Case of Colon Cancer with Ovarian Metastasis Mimicking Acute Diverticulitis / 대한내과학회지

Colonic diverticulitis develops in 10-25% of patients with colonic diverticulosis. Most patients complain of lower abdominal pain and fever. The complications of diverticulitis are abscess, fistula, bowel obstruction, free perforation, and panperitonitis. The relationship between diverticulitis and colon cancer is complicated and conflicted. We report a 35-year-old woman diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer, who initially presented with acute colonic diverticulitis in the same location 3 months earlier. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of colon cancer with ovarian metastasis presenting as acute diverticulitis.

Case of a Giant Colonic Lipoma That Was Endoscopically Removed by Strangulation with Repetitive Endoloop Ligation / 대한내과학회지

Colonic lipomas are the most common tumors of mesenchymal origin in the large intestine. These tumors are typically found in the colon, but are also discovered in the small bowel, stomach, and esophagus. Most gastrointestinal lipomas are asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally during endoscopy or surgery. Large lipomas can cause abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, obstruction, and intussusceptions and therefore require resection. Surgical resection is typically only considered for the removal of giant lipomas > 2 cm because of concerns regarding the high complication risk of endoscopic resection. New techniques that use endoscopic snare polypectomy with endoloops or endoscopic resection with an endoloop after an unroofing technique have recently been reported. We herein report a case of a 7-cm giant colonic lipoma that was removed by an endoscopic unroofing technique and repetitive endoloop ligation and strangulation.

Guidelines for the Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia / 대한소화기학회지

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is defined as the presence of symptoms thought to originate in the gastroduodenal area, in the absence of any organic, systemic, or metabolic disease that is likely to explain the symptoms. Based on the available evidence and consensus opinion, thirteen consensus statements for the treatment of FD were developed using the modified Delphi approach. Proton pump inhibitor, prokinetics, and histamine 2 receptor antagonists are effective for the treatment of FD. Mucosal protecting agents, fundus relaxant, and drugs for visceral hypersensitivity can improve symptoms in FD. Antacids and antidepressants may help improving symptoms in FD. Comparing endoscopy with 'test and treat' of Helicobacter pylori, endoscopy may be more effective initial strategy for managing patients with FD in Korea given high incidence of gastric cancer and low cost of endoscopy. Helicobacter pylori eradication can be one of the therapeutic options for patients with FD. Psychotherapy is effective for those who have severe symptoms and refractoriness. Further studies are strongly needed to develop better treatment strategies for Korean patients with FD.

Analysis of the Clinicopathologic Features of Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Comparative Study with Nonobstructive Dysphagia / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) has emerged as one of the most common causes of dysphagia and esophageal food impactions. However, it is doubtful that gastroenterologists and pathologists make the correct diagnosis of EoE because of the insufficient recognition of EoE based on the endoscopic and pathological findings. This study was performed to investigate the symptoms and the endoscopic and pathologic findings of EoE as compared with those of nonobstructive dysphagia (NOD). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and the endoscopic and pathologic findings from 12 patients who were diagnosed with EoE based on an eosinophil count of > or =20 per high-power field (HPF) and 13 patients diagnosed with NOD, and these patients were treated at our hospital from June 2006 till October 2010. RESULTS: The endoscopic findings of EoE included rings (41.7%), furrows (75.0%), exudates (33.3%), mucosal friability (8.3%) and multi-findings (6.7%). Furrows and multi-findings were identified more frequently in EoE as comparison to that in NOD. The pathologic findings revealed that the maximal eosinophil counts/HPF were 87.2 (range 20~232) and 2.2 (0~1) in EoE and NOD, respectively. Moreover, eosinophil microabscess (58.3%), degranulation (100%) and spongiosis (91.7%) were more significantly observed in EoE compared with that in NOD. CONCLUSIONS: EoE had specific endoscopic and clinicopathologic features that distinguish it from NOD. For patients with dysphagia, the endoscopic and pathologic findings of EoE should be kept in mind.

Failure of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of H. pylori Eradication in H. pylori-Infected Patients with Functional Dyspepsia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The role of Helicobacter pylori eradication in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) is still uncertain. We originally planned a randomized clinical study to observe dyspeptic symptoms after H. pylori eradication therapy. However, we failed to complete the study; therefore, we analyzed the factors that affected the failure of the study. METHODS: Interviews and questionnaire surveys were conducted to analyze the factors that induced early termination from the study. RESULTS: Many patients were screened by gastroenterologists at 11 tertiary referral hospitals between July 2009 and August 2010; however, only 4 patients met the enrollment criteria. Most patients who visited our clinics had been experiencing FD symptoms for less than 6 months or were already taking medication. They also demanded to continue taking medications and using other drugs. Only 3 of the 4 patients signed informed consent. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the current Rome III criteria to FD is difficult to evaluate in Korean patients with dyspeptic symptoms because of the early medical evaluation. Most Korean patients who were diagnosed with FD by the Rome III criteria did not overcome their fear of being unable to use rescue medications during the study period.

Usefulness of Lactulose Breath Test for the Prediction of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Irritable Bowel Syndrome / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lactulose breath test (LBT) has been used as a presumptive surrogate marker for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). However, recent reports suggest that abnormal LBT cannot discriminate patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) from the control. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of LBT in IBS. METHODS: LBT from 76 IBS patients, 70 functional bowel disorders (FBD), and 40 controls were examined. LBT was considered positive if (1) baseline breath hydrogen (H2) >20 parts per million (ppm) or rise of breath H2 >20 ppm above the baseline in 10 ppm or rise of breath CH4 >10 ppm above the baseline in <90 mins. The subjects were categorized into predominant hydrogen producers (PHP), predominant methane producers (PMP), combined producer, and both negative group based on LBT. RESULTS: The rate of abnormal LBT in the IBS, FBD, and control group were 44.7%, 41.4%, and 40.0% respectively without significant differences. The rate of PHP or PMP was not significantly different among the IBS, FBD, and control group. When clinical characteristics were analyzed in IBS and FBD according to LBT types, IBS subtypes and symptoms were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: LBT was not useful to discriminate IBS/FBD patients from the control. The assessment of SIBO by LBT in IBS should be revalidated in the future.

Clinical Implications of Endoscopically Suspected Eosinophilic Esophagitis / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to determine the concordance rate and clinical predictors of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in patients with endoscopically suspected eosinophilic esophagitis (ESEoE) findings. METHODS: From June 2006 to December 2009 in Gangnam Severance Hospital, we prospectively enrolled the patients of "endoscopically suspected eosinophilic esophagitis (ESEoE)", and then we retrospectively reviewed and analyzed clinical features and endoscopic findings. RESULTS: We found 17 patients of ESEoE, and 5 of them were finally confirmed as an EoE by histology (diagnostic concordance rate 29.4%). We added two more patients previously diagnosed as EoE and compared patients of EoE+ (n=7) with EoE- (n=12). Mean age was 56.0 (range 36-70) and 51.0 (range 36-68) years old, respectively. In EoE+ group, there were 5 males and 2 females and 6 males and 6 females in EoE- group. The symptoms of EoE+ patients were dysphagia (n=5), food impaction (n=3), foreign body sensation in esophagus (n=2), chest pain (n=1), and heartburn (n=1). EoE- patients complained food impaction (n=5), heartburn (n=4), chest pain (n=2), foreign body sensation in esophagus (n=2), and dysphagia (n=1). The endoscopic findings of EoE+ patients were furrows (n=6), rings (n=5), exudates or nodules (n=3), and friability (n=1). EoE- patients showed rings (n=10) and furrows(n=7). Univariative analysis showed that 'a symptom of dysphagia', 'presence of exudates or nodules', 'more than 2 suggestive endoscopic findings' were significantly different between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In ESEoE, diagnostic concordance rate was 29.4%. In addition, 'symptom of dysphagia', 'exudates or nodules', '> or =2 endoscopic findings' are more suggestive of EoE in ESEoE patients.