ABSTRACT
Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis (IGD) is a rare disease that has been associated with multiple systemic diseases, particularly autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. IGD has a variable clinical presentation and highly characteristic histological features of interstitial infiltrate of histiocytes between the degenerated collagen bundles. Here we report the case of a 63-year-old woman who presented with a 3-month history of multiple asymptomatic erythematous papules on the bilateral aspects of the trunk. A histopathological examination of the lesion showed an interstitial lymphohistiocytic infiltrate in the dermis. There were also foci of palisading histiocytes along with degenerating collagen bundles.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Arthritis, Rheumatoid , Collagen , Dermatitis , Dermis , Histiocytes , Immunoglobulin D , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic , Rare DiseasesABSTRACT
Psoriasis vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid represent 2 clinically and histologically distinct, chronic inflammatory skin conditions. The concomitant occurrence of these 2 diseases is rare, and the pathogenic relationship between psoriasis and bullous pemphigoid remains unclear. The development of bullous pemphigoid in patients with psoriasis is considered to be related to treatments for psoriasis, especially ultraviolet therapy. However, some recent reports have suggested that an immunologic or biochemical association between these two diseases plays a role in the pathogenesis. Herein, we report 3 cases of bullous pemphigoid occurring in patients with psoriasis, and we discuss the possible pathogenic mechanisms of an association between psoriasis and bullous pemphigoid.
Subject(s)
Humans , Pemphigoid, Bullous , Psoriasis , Skin , Ultraviolet TherapyABSTRACT
The Committee of Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Korean Diabetes Association revised and updated the '3rd Clinical Practice Guidelines' at the end of 2010. In these guidelines, the committee recommends active screening of high risk individuals for early detection and added HbA1c level as a diagnostic criterion of type 2 diabetes to produce a more practical approach based on clinical studies performed in Korea. Furthermore, committee members emphasize that integrated patient education for self-management is an essential part of patient care. The drug treatment algorithm was also updated based on the degree of hyperglycemia and patient characteristics.
Subject(s)
Humans , Committee Membership , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Hyperglycemia , Korea , Mass Screening , Patient Care , Patient Education as Topic , Self CareABSTRACT
No abstract available.
ABSTRACT
As in other countries, type 2 diabetes is major health concern in Korea. A dramatic increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and its chronic complications has led to an increase in health costs and economic burdens. Early detection of high risk individuals, hidden diabetic patients, and improvement in the quality of care for the disease are the first steps to mitigate the increase in prevalence. The Committee of Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Korean Diabetes Association revised and updated the '3rd Clinical Practice Guidelines' at the end of 2010. In the guidelines, the committee recommended active screening of high risk individuals for early detection and added the hemoglobin A1c level to the diagnostic criteria for type 2 diabetes based on clinical studies performed in Korea. Furthermore, the committee members emphasized that integrating patient education and self-management is an essential part of care. The drug treatment algorithm based on the degree of hyperglycemia and patient characteristics were also updated.
Subject(s)
Humans , Committee Membership , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Health Care Costs , Hemoglobins , Hyperglycemia , Korea , Mass Screening , Patient Education as Topic , Prevalence , Self CareABSTRACT
As in other countries, type 2 diabetes is major health concern in Korea. A dramatic increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and its chronic complications has led to an increase in health costs and economic burdens. Early detection of high risk individuals, hidden diabetic patients, and improvement in the quality of care for the disease are the first steps to mitigate the increase in prevalence. The Committee of Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Korean Diabetes Association revised and updated the '3rd Clinical Practice Guidelines' at the end of 2010. In the guidelines, the committee recommended active screening of high risk individuals for early detection and added the hemoglobin A1c level to the diagnostic criteria for type 2 diabetes based on clinical studies performed in Korea. Furthermore, the committee members emphasized that integrating patient education and self-management is an essential part of care. The drug treatment algorithm based on the degree of hyperglycemia and patient characteristics were also updated.
Subject(s)
Humans , Committee Membership , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Health Care Costs , Hemoglobins , Hyperglycemia , Korea , Mass Screening , Patient Education as Topic , Prevalence , Self CareABSTRACT
The adrenal gland is the most commonly involved endocrine organ in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Adrenal function abnormality is more common in HIV patients than in the general population. It is important to recognize the condition of adrenal insufficiency, as this adrenal disorder may prove fatal if left untreated. Herein, we report a case of primary adrenal insufficiency in a 37-year-old male patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The patient complained of fever, general weakness, and fatigue. Impaired adrenal function was noted in the rapid ACTH stimulation test. After steroid supplementation, the patient's symptoms were improved. Therefore, HIV care physicians should ascertain adrenal dysfunction in HIV patients when they complain of fever and general weakness.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , Addison Disease , Adrenal Glands , Adrenal Insufficiency , Adrenocorticotropic Hormone , Fatigue , Fever , HIV , HydrocortisoneABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It is evident that cytokines play a role in the pathogenesis as well as the progression of renal diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cytokine gene polymorphism is a marker of susceptibility to end-stage kidney failure (ESKF) in Korean populations. METHODS: -308 G/A polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene was genotyped in 257 dialysis patients and 277 age-matched healthy controls, 86 NIDDM patients with kidney failure and 102 NIDDM controls without nephropathy. RESULTS: We found a decreased frequency of TNF-alpha allele 2 (TNF2, 2.9%) in ESKF patients compared to healthy controls (7.5%, p<0.05). We also found a decreased frequency of TNF-alpha allele 2 (TNF2, 2.3%) in NIDDM patients with kidney failure compared to NIDDM controls without nephropathy (7.6%, p<0.05). The carriage rate of TNF2 was significantly lower in NIDDM patients with kidney failure than in NIDDM controls without nephropathy (4.4% vs. 13.2%, p<0.05). In addition, allele frequency of TNF2 were remarkably different from those previously reported, indicating a significant ethnic difference. CONCLUSION: There is a significant ethnic difference in the polymorphism of TNF-alpha gene. The non-carriage TNF2 was more prevalent in the kidney failur group. But, we could not determine any association between the TNF-alpha gene polymorphism and the development of kidney failure.
Subject(s)
Humans , Alleles , Cytokines , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Dialysis , Gene Frequency , Kidney , Renal Insufficiency , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alphaABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to evaluate the change of [18F]fluoromisonidazole ([18F]FMISO) uptake in C3H mouse squamous cell carcinoma-VII (SCC-VII) treated with mild hyperthermia (42oC) and nicotinamide and to assess the biodistribution of the markers in normal tissues under similar conditions. METHODS AND MATERIALS: [18F]FMISO was producedby our hospital. Female C3H mice with a C3H SCC-VII tumor grown on their extremities were used. Tumors were size matched. Non-anaesthetized, tumor-bearing mice underwent control or mild hyperthermia at 42oC for 60 min with nicotinamide (50 mg/kg i.p. injected) and were examined by gamma counter, autoradiography and animal PET scan 3 hours after tracer i.v. injected with breathing room air. The biodistribution of these agents were obtained at 3 h after [18F]FMISO injection. Blood, tumor, muscle, heart, lung, liver, kidney, brain, bone, spleen, and intestine were removed, counted for radioactivity and weighed. The tumor and liver were frozen and cut with a cryomicrotome into 10-micrometer sections. The spatial distribution of radioactivity from the tissue sections was determined with digital autoradiography. RESULTS: The mild hyperthermia with nicotinamide treatment had only slight effects on the biodistribution of either marker in normal tissues. We observed that the whole tumor radioactivity uptake ratios were higher in the control mice than in the mild hyperthermia with nicotinamide treated mice for [18F]FMISO (1.56+/-1.03 vs. 0.67+/-0.30; p=0.063). In addition, autoradiography and animal PET scan demonstrated that the area and intensity of [18F]FMISO uptake was significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: Mild hyperthermia and nicotinamide significantly improved tumor hypoxia using [18F]FMISO and this uptake reflected tumor hypoxic status.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Mice , Hypoxia , Autoradiography , Brain , Extremities , Fever , Intestines , Kidney , Liver , Lung , Mice, Inbred C3H , Myocardium , Niacinamide , Positron-Emission Tomography , Radioactivity , Respiration , SpleenABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia have been associated with atherosclerosis, myocaridal infarction, and premature death. However, the causes of hyperlipidemia are not well understood. Variations in apolipoprotein C-III (apo C-III) are candidate for contributing to the occurrence of hypertriglyceridemia. A genetically variant form of human apo C-III promoter, containing five single base pair changes, has been shown that it seems to be associated with hypertriglyceridemia. Especially, the loss of insulin regulation was mapped to polymorphic sites at -482 and -455, which fall within an insulin response element. METHODS: We studied 146 subjects with hyperlipidemia and also had 94 controls. Screening for mutations at codon -482 and -455 of apo C-III promoter were carried out by PCR-RFLP analyses. RESULTS: 1) In the codon -482 site of the patient group, the genotype frequency of T/T homozygote was higher than in the control group, whereas the frequency of T/C heterozygote and C/C homozygote were lower. 2) Serum triglyceride related to genotype shows positive correlation trend with freguency of -482 T allele and -455 C allele, but has not stastistical significancy. 3) In complete mutated groups of both -482 T/T and -455 C/C in hyperlipidemia patients, serum triglyceride and fasting blood glucose are higher than in wild type groups of both -482 C/C and -455 T/T. CONCLUSION: We suggest that variations of the promoter of apolipoprotein C-III may be a genetic marker in patients with hyperlipidemia.
Subject(s)
Humans , Alleles , Apolipoprotein C-III , Apolipoproteins , Atherosclerosis , Base Pairing , Blood Glucose , Codon , Fasting , Genetic Markers , Genotype , Heterozygote , Homozygote , Hypercholesterolemia , Hyperlipidemias , Hypertriglyceridemia , Infarction , Insulin , Mass Screening , Mortality, Premature , Response Elements , TriglyceridesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Subclinical hypothyroidism is frequently discovered from hypercholesterolemic adults. It is defined as an asymptomatic state which characterized by normal free thyroxine (FT4) and elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level. Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, however hypercholesterolemia caused by hypothyroidism can be easily managed by thyroid hormone replacement. The screening of thyroid disease in hypercholesterolemia patient must be emphasized in order to find out correctable hypothyroidism. So we screened the prevalence of overt and subclinical hypothyroidism at different hypercholesterol levels in middle-aged men and women and also analyzed the correlation between TSH and total cholesterol level. METHODS: We measured serum TSH levels and FT4 by radioimmunoassay from 491 patients with hypercholesterolemia. The subjects were divided into two groups according to serum cholesterol level. Group I was serum cholesterol > or = 240 - or = 300 mg/dL. Subclinical hypothyroidism was defined as TSH levels higher than 4 mU/L, in the presence of normal FT4 concentration. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of subclinical and overt hypothyroidism was 3.4% and 2.5% in men and 4.7% and 3.5% in women of middle age. In men the prevalence of overt and subclinical hypothyroidism increased from 2.3% of group I to 16.1% in the group II (p<0.05). In women that increased from 5.2 % to 12.9 % (p<0.05). After age correction, an increase of 1 mU/L TSH in men was associated with an increase of 3.2 mg/dL total cholesterol (p<0.01). A similar trend was also found in women (2.1 mg/dL p=0.052). CONCLUSION: In this population, the prevalence of hypothyroidism is up to 16.1% in middle-aged men, 12.9% in middle-aged women with high total cholesterol and it may justify screening of thyroid disease in hypercholesterolemic patients especially in clinical practice.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Asymptomatic Diseases , Cholesterol , Coronary Disease , Hypercholesterolemia , Hypothyroidism , Mass Screening , Prevalence , Radioimmunoassay , Risk Factors , Thyroid Diseases , Thyroid Gland , Thyrotropin , ThyroxineABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: ackground: Sheehan's syndrome secondary to severe postpartum hemorrhage is one of the major causes of pituitary insufficiency in Korea. Most of these patients do not manifest symptoms or signs of gross endocrinopathies. Earlier detection of pituitary insufficiency is of clinical importance. The combined pituitary stimulation test that uses the four hypothalamic releasing hormones is a rapid, safe, and effective way to evaluate anterior pituitary function. However, the criteria for a normal response has not been established in Korea. METHODS: Combined anterior pituitary stimulation tests were performed on fourteen healthy women who had no history of endocrine disease. Combined tests of anterior pituitary reserve were done no forty-five patients who suffered from massive postpartum hemorrhage which required transfusing, along with subsequent shock or changing consciousness and in thirty-nine patients who experienced mild postpartum hemorrhage. RESULTS: 1) In the severe hemorrhage group, thirty-three of forty-five women (73.3%) showed blunted responses in more than one of the anterior pituitary hormones in the combined pituitary stimulation tests. However, in the mild hemorrhage group, only eighteen of thirty-nine women (46.2%) demonstrated blunted responses of more than one of the anterior pituitary hormones. 2) In the severe hemorrhage group, the TSH response was blunted in twenty-five patients (55.6%), prolactin in eleven patients (24.4%), ACTH in ten patients (22.2%), LH in ten patients (22.2%), GH in nine patients (20%), and FSH in five patients (11.1%). 3) The results of combined pituitary stimulation tests in the normal control group were different from the results of other studies. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that the women who experienced a severe postpartum hemorrhage should be evaluated by using the combined pituitary stimulation test. Moreover, criteria for a normal response to the combined pituitary stimulation test should be established in Korea.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Adrenocorticotropic Hormone , Consciousness , Endocrine System Diseases , Hemorrhage , Hypopituitarism , Korea , Pituitary Hormone-Releasing Hormones , Pituitary Hormones, Anterior , Postpartum Hemorrhage , Postpartum Period , Prolactin , ShockABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although the water restriction test(WRT) has been used as a standard test for the differential diagnosis of diabetes insipidus(DI), the measurement of plasma ADH concentration is also known to be useful method for differential diagnosis. Recent studies have shown that some patients with idiopathic central DI(CDI) were found to have a lesion on follow-up imaging studies. There have been no report in Korea on plasma ADH measurement for the differential diagnosis of DI, nor on follow-up imaging study of the idiopathic CDI. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and laboratory findings of 26 patients(12 men, 14 women, age 9-65 years) with CDI, including pituitary MRI or CT scan, who had been diagnosed with WRT and had undergone plasma ADH concentration measurement. RESULTS: 1) Clinical features of the patients with complete CDI did not differ from those of patients with partial CDI. 2) Maximal urine osmolality of complete CDI and partial CDI were 168+/-69mOsm/kg and 431+/-141mOsm/kg, respectively, and the percentage increase in the urinary osmolality after ADH injection was 209+/-149% and 29+/-17%, respectively. 3) Among the 26 patients, 10 patients had their plasma ADH measured. Nine patients in this group were diagnosed as CDI by WRT and plasma ADH concentration of the 9 was compatible for CDI. The plasma ADH level was also inappropriately low in one patient who had been diagnosed with primary polydipsia by WRT, the patient was diagnosed as partial CDI. 4) The findings of follow-up MRI revealed isolated thickening of the pituitary stalk in two cases of idiopathic CDI diagnosed initially with MRI. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the measurement of plasma ADH can ensure a better differential diagnosis between partial CDI and primary polydipsia, and that the patients with idiopathic CDI should be examined regularly with MRI brain scan, including the pituitary gland.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Brain , Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic , Diagnosis, Differential , Follow-Up Studies , Korea , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Osmolar Concentration , Pituitary Gland , Plasma , Polydipsia, Psychogenic , Retrospective Studies , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , WaterABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) is a nuclear receptor that regulate adipocyte differentiation and modulate intracellular insulin-signaling events. As such, PPARgamma is a candidate gene for several human disorders including obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The objective of our study was to examine the relationship between genetic variation of PPARgamma2 and diabetes and obesity in Korean subjects. METHODS: We studied 99 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 128 obesity patients and 97 controls. Screening for mutation at codon 12 and 115 of PPARgamma2 were carried out by PCR-RFLP analyses. Statistical significance was evaluated by Chi-square test. RESULTS: The allele frequency of the Pro12Ala PPARgamma2 variant were 0.05 in controls, 0.06 in type 2 diabetes group, and 0.07 in obesity group (p=0.47). Pro115Gln variant were only proline homozygote in all groups. Genotype frequencies were also similar and conformed to expectations of the Hardy-Weinberg rule. The presence of PPARgamma2 gene variant was no associated with concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, and also with fasting glucose. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the Pro12Ala and Pro115Gln PPARgamma2 missense mutation may not be associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity in Korean patients.
Subject(s)
Humans , Adipocytes , Cholesterol , Codon , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Fasting , Gene Frequency , Genetic Variation , Genotype , Glucose , Homozygote , Liver Cirrhosis , Mass Screening , Mutation, Missense , Obesity , Peroxisomes , PPAR gamma , Proline , TriglyceridesABSTRACT
Vasculitis is a rare complication of antithyroid drugs. Recently it was reported in association with ANCA. In most cases, the ANCA was specific for myeloperoxidase. The glomerulonephritis was key clinical manifestation in majority of cases. When antithyroid drugs were discontinued, clinical disease generally improved and ANCA titers were tended to fall. We experienced a 44 year old woman who presented with gross hematuria and generalized edema, after she had been treated with prophylthiouracil for 6 week for thyrotoxicosis. Renal biopsy was done, which showed mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. Indirect immunoflurorescence staining showed highly positive perinuclear pattern of ANCA in her serum. Prophylthiouracil associated ANCA positive glomerulonephritis was suspected. After cessation of prophylthiouracil and administration of prednisolone, renal function recovered gradually and ANCA titers were reduced. We hereby report a case of prophylthiouracil associated ANCA positive glomerulonephritis with a brief review of literature.