Analysis of Fracture Patterns and Characteristics in Sacral Insufficiency Fracture: Do Sacral Fractures Occur in Patients Who Had Previous Lumbosacral Fusion Insufficiency Fractures or Stress Fractures?

Methods@#In total, 55 patients with SIFs were retrospectively investigated in this study. The study population was divided into lumbosacral fusion (n=20) and non-fusion (n=35) groups. Subsequently, the patients’ demographic characteristics, comorbidities, medication history, results of diagnostic imaging studies, and bone mineral density were assessed. The fracture patterns were classified either according to the five typical types (H-pattern bilateral vertical plus horizontal component, unilateral vertical only, bilateral vertical only, unilateral vertical plus horizontal component, and horizontal only fracture) or atypical types. @*Results@#In total, 44 of 55 patients (80%) suffered from more than one senile disease and received corresponding medications that caused secondary osteoporosis. A total of 12 patients had S1 lumbosacral fixation. Moreover, three of these 12 patients who developed a SIF immediately after a lumbosacral fracture had an unstable sacral U fracture. The remaining nine patients showed fracture patterns similar to the non-fusion patients. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) can identify fracture recurrence in previously healed fractures. In total, 24 patients (43.6%) had fractures of the pelvis, femur, and thoracolumbar spine. @*Conclusions@#SIF develops in elderly patients with multiple adult diseases that can induce secondary osteoporosis. Such fractures may occur in the patients with instrumented lumbosacral fusion. Importantly, some patients showed stress fractures after multilevel instrumented lumbosacral fusion, whereas others showed insufficiency fractures. The different fracture patterns correspond to different grades of SIF, and SPECT/CT can easily identify the fracture status.

Lamivudine and adefovir combination therapy in patients with lamivudine-resistant HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study assessed the clinical efficacy of lamivudine-adefovir combination therapy and adefovir monotherapy for 96 weeks in patients who had hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with genotypic resistance to lamivudine. METHODS: We reviewed 134 patients who had HBeAg-positive CHB with genotypic resistance to lamivudine. We assessed liver function tests, hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, HBeAg, and antibody every 12 weeks after adefovir treatment. We searched for adefovir-related mutations in patients with biochemical or virologic breakthrough after adefovir treatment. RESULTS: Data on 34 patients receiving combination therapy and 100 patients receiving monotherapy were analyzed. After 96 weeks, 82.4% of the combination therapy and 69.0% of the monotherapy patients had normalized alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (p=0.132). In addition, 50.0% and 37.0% achieved undetectable HBV DNA (p=0.210), respectively, and 23.5% and 20.0% lost HBeAg (p=0.662). The combination therapy group (5.9%) showed significantly lower biochemical breakthrough than the monotherapy group (22.0%, p=0.034) and had a lower cumulative biochemical breakthrough rate (p=0.043). One patient (2.9%) receiving combination therapy and 11 patients (11.0%) receiving monotherapy developed genotypic resistance to adefovir (p=0.155). One rtA181V mutation was detected in the combination therapy group, and ten rtA181V mutations and one rtN236T mutation were detected in the monotherapy group. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy had higher rates of ALT normalization, undetectable HBV DNA, and HBeAg loss and a lower rate of adefovir resistance. Monotherapy had significantly higher biochemical breakthrough and cumulative biochemical breakthrough rates than combination therapy. Therefore, combination therapy was clinically more effective than monotherapy.

Lamivudine and adefovir combination therapy in patients with lamivudine-resistant HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study assessed the clinical efficacy of lamivudine-adefovir combination therapy and adefovir monotherapy for 96 weeks in patients who had hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with genotypic resistance to lamivudine. METHODS: We reviewed 134 patients who had HBeAg-positive CHB with genotypic resistance to lamivudine. We assessed liver function tests, hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, HBeAg, and antibody every 12 weeks after adefovir treatment. We searched for adefovir-related mutations in patients with biochemical or virologic breakthrough after adefovir treatment. RESULTS: Data on 34 patients receiving combination therapy and 100 patients receiving monotherapy were analyzed. After 96 weeks, 82.4% of the combination therapy and 69.0% of the monotherapy patients had normalized alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (p=0.132). In addition, 50.0% and 37.0% achieved undetectable HBV DNA (p=0.210), respectively, and 23.5% and 20.0% lost HBeAg (p=0.662). The combination therapy group (5.9%) showed significantly lower biochemical breakthrough than the monotherapy group (22.0%, p=0.034) and had a lower cumulative biochemical breakthrough rate (p=0.043). One patient (2.9%) receiving combination therapy and 11 patients (11.0%) receiving monotherapy developed genotypic resistance to adefovir (p=0.155). One rtA181V mutation was detected in the combination therapy group, and ten rtA181V mutations and one rtN236T mutation were detected in the monotherapy group. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy had higher rates of ALT normalization, undetectable HBV DNA, and HBeAg loss and a lower rate of adefovir resistance. Monotherapy had significantly higher biochemical breakthrough and cumulative biochemical breakthrough rates than combination therapy. Therefore, combination therapy was clinically more effective than monotherapy.

Treatment of Gastric Candidiasis in Patients with Gastric Ulcer Disease: Are Antifungal Agents Necessary?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The inadequacy of information on the treatment of gastric candidiasis with antifungal agents promoted us to evaluate patients with fungal infections who had gastric ulcers and assess the need for proton-pump inhibitors or antifungal agents. METHODS: Sixteen patients were included in the study. The criterion for the diagnosis of candidiasis was finding yeast and hyphae in the tissue or an ulcer on histological sections of biopsy samples. Surface fungi were not considered infections. RESULTS: In all cases with benign ulcers, follow-up endoscopy performed 6 weeks after proton-pump-inhibitor treatment revealed that the ulcer had improved without antifungal medication. However, in patients with malignant ulcers, surgical resection was necessary for a definitive cure. Two patients with lymphoma received combined chemotherapy and a proton-pump inhibitor, which improved their condition. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that benign ulcers with candidiasis can be effectively treated by a proton-pump inhibitor without antifungal medication. However, surgical resection should be considered for malignant ulcers with candidiasis.

Comparison of Transient Elastography and Hepatic Fibrosis Assessed by Histology in Chronic Liver Disease / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transient elastography (Fibroscan, Echosens, France) is a new, simple, and non-invasive method to assess the degree of hepatic fibrosis by measuring liver stiffness. Recent reports have shown that liver stiffness measurement using Fibroscan allowed accurate prediction of hepatic fibrosis in patient with chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to evaluate accuracy of Fibroscan for the detection of hepatic fibrosis in Korea with various etiologies of chronic liver disease by comparison with fibrosis assessed by histologic examination. METHODS: Fifty-four patients with chronic liver diseases, which were histologically confirmed within recent 6 months were enrolled. Etiologies were HBV, HCV infection, autoimmune hepatitis, and non alcoholic steatohepatitis. Hepatic fibrosis was graded on the basis of standard guideline proposed by the Korean Study Group for the Pathology of Digestive Diseases. RESULTS: Fibroscan values were significantly higher in F3 (16.96 kPa) and F4 (19.86 kPa) than others (p=0.003). Liver stiffness measurement was significantly correlated to the fibrosis stage (r=0.614, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Liver stiffness measurement by Fibroscan is a promising method for the assessment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver disease because it accompanies no complication.

Microscopic colitis in a single center study: clinical feature & characteristics / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Collagenous colitis (CC) and lymphocytic colitis (LC) are characterized by chronic diarrhea and normal radiologic and endoscopic findings. These are currently not uncommon entities whose incidence in increasing as more clinicians take biopsies from macroscopically normal colons. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical features and characteristics in microscopic colitis. METHODS: From January 2003 to December 2006, medical records were reviewed from 80 patients with chronic diarrhea, who had normal colonoscopic findings but underwent biopsy. Patients with microscopic colitis were identified by reviewing the pathology databases and by reviewing biopsies. RESULTS: Microscopic colitis was diagnosed in 12 patients (15%). Six patients with CC (Male:Female=2:4, mean age 54+/-20.1 years) and 6 patients with LC (Male:Female=5:1, mean age 51.2+/-21.4 years) were identified. Autoimmune disease was diagnosed in 4 patients (33%). Drug-induced disease was suspected in 3 patients (25%). The inciting drugs were NSAIDs, ticlopidine, ranitidine, and acarbose. Complete or partial resolution of diarrhea was achieved in all patients, including spontaneous resolution in 2 patients. Antidiarrheal drugs, mesalazine, and cholestylamine were highly effective in both diseases. Recurrence of symptoms occurred in 2 patients (17%). They are taking medicine at present. CONCLUSIONS: Microscopic colitis is a relatively common cause of chronic diarrhea that appears to be increasing in incidence. We reported clinical features, characteristics, treatment, and response of microscopic colitis in our experience.

Comparison of the clinical outcomes between intestinal Behcet's disease and simple ulcer / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to compare the clinical outcomes of intestinal Behcet's disease with a simple ulcer. METHODS: We analyzed the medical records of 52 patients that were suspected as having intestinal Behcet's disease. Of these patients, 27 patients (Group 1) met both the criteria of the International Study Group for Behcet's Disease and the Behcet's Disease Research Committee of Japan. Thirteen patients (Group 2) met only the latter criteria and the other patients (Group 3) did not meet any criteria. The efficacy of medical treatment was assessed by the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms and follow-up colonoscopic findings. RESULTS: The mean age for patients with a diagnosis of an intestinal lesion was 38.6+/-12.2 years. The sex ratio was 1.08:1 (M:F) and the mean follow-up duration was 35.2+/-39.5 months. A single, smaller than 5 mm, round and shallow ulcer with an erythematous margin that was located at the leocecal area showed most typical colonoscopic features for intestinal Behcet's disease. No significant differences were found in the clinical manifestations and colonoscopic findings among the three groups of patients. Nineteen (44%) patients achieved complere remission from a sumptomatic point of view and 10 (39%) patients were proved to be complete remission according to follow up colonoscopy after medical treatment. Eleven patients (21.2%) underwent surgery. The overall cumulative rates of a first surgery and re-surgery were 40.5% and 71.9% at 10 years. No statistical relationship was found in the response of medical treatment and the cumulative rate of surgery among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical course and outcomes of an intestinal simple ulcer are not different from that for intestinal Behcet's disease.

Prevalence and risk factors of gallstones in a general health screened population / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Gallstone is the most common disease of the biliary system. Most cases of gallstone are asymptomatic and we incidentally found gallstones during a community health survey. Our study was designed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for gallstone in a population who underwent health screening. METHODS: We enrolled a total of 36,314 persons who visited the health promotion center in Kyungpook National University Hospital in Korea from 1998 to 2004. They had their gallbladder or biliary system examined with using ultrasonography. The body mass index and biochemical parameters from liver function tests, the lipid profiles and the fasting blood sugar were all measured. All the subjects were divided into several groups and the particular prevalence for gallstone disease for each group was calculated. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis assessed the risk factors for gallstone disease. RESULTS: Among 36,314 persons, (19,345 males (53.3%) and 16,969 females (46.7%)), gallstone was found in 735 persons (2.0%). On univariate analysis, the risk factors for gallstone disease were age, body mass index, fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and serum aspartate aminotransferase. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, the the risk factors were high body mass index, older age and high fasting blood sugar. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors seem to show a common pathogenesis for gallstone disease. Although the relation between gallstone disease and metabolic syndrome has not been established, it appears to be associated with metabolic syndrome, but further study on a general population is required.

A Case of an Intraluminal Duodenal Diverticulum Managed with Endoscopic Incision and Ligation using Needle-knife and Detachable Snare / 대한소화기학회지

An intraluminal duodenal diverticulum (IDD) is a rare congenital anomaly consisted of a sac-like mucosal projection within the second portion of the duodenum. Even though most of cases are asymptomatic, patients may develop recurrent abdominal pain, pancreatitis, and gastrointestinal bleeding. We report a case of symptomatic IDD which presented as acute pancreatitis and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Diagnosis was made by typical findings of upper GI series and coronal reformatted CT images. Although surgical resection is the treatment of choice, endoscopic incision and ligation with detachable snare was performed which led to a good result.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Presenting as Obstructive Jaundice Caused by Granulocytic Sarcoma

We report a rare case of granulocytic sarcoma infiltrating the bile duct in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia. A 23-year-old man presented with jaundice and weight loss. A peripheral blood smear revealed blast cells, and the results of an examination of bone marrow aspirate were consistent with acute myeloid leukemia. The bilirubin level increased gradually after induction chemotherapy with cytarabine. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) revealed dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts and smooth tapering off at the level of the common hepatic bile duct. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) also revealed diffuse narrowing of the proximal common hepatic bile duct. Obstructive jaundice resolved after endoscopic nasobiliary drainage. Remission induction chemotherapy with cytarabine and idarubicin was administered, and the patient remained complete hematological remission with normal liver function tests.

A Case of Primary Hepatic Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma Mimicking Metastatic Carcinoma / 대한소화기학회지

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a rare vascular origin tumor which usually occurs in soft tissues, liver, and lung. It usually affects adult women and presents as multiple hepatic nodules with mainly peripheral distribution. It is difficult to diagnose and treat because of non-specific clinical manifestations and findings on the imaging study. Moreover, pathological misdiagnosis is common. We report a case of this rare tumor that was detected incidentally. Final diagnosis was based on histological evidence. A 52-years old man suffered from right upper quadrant abdominal pain for 3 months, and was initially misdiagnosed as a metastatic carcinoma. Physical examination revealed superior cervical lymphadenopathy with mild hepatomegaly. Finally, hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma was diagnosed on the basis of positive immunohistochemical staining for factor VIII, CD34, and VEGF. Our case highlights the importance of a histological diagnosis to avoid misdiagnosis.

The Effect of Second Look Endoscopy in Patients with Peptic Ulcer Bleeding / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Performing second look endoscopy has been suggested in order to reduce recurrent bleeding. We assessed whether second look endoscopy reduces the risks of recurrent bleeding and the mortality rate for patients suffering with peptic ulcer bleeding. METHODS: From February 2003 to June 2004, we have performed a prospective, randomized, controlled study of 141 patients with bleeding peptic ulcers, and these patients had been admitted to Kyungpook National University Hospital. Seventy patients in the study group were randomized to receive scheduled second look endoscopy. Seventy one patients in the control group were observed closely. RESULTS: Seventeen of the admitted 141 patients were found to have rebleeding after initial therapeutic endoscopy. The overall rebleeding rate was 12.1%. Although the duration of the hospital stay was significantly lower for the study group than for the control group (p<0.05), the rebleeding rate was similar for both groups (p<0.05). The two groups were similar in respect to the mortality during the period of hospitalization, the volume of hypertonic saline epinephrine that was injected and the number of hemoclips that were used. CONCLUSIONS: From these results, we can conclude that scheduled second look endoscopy with retreatment did not reduce the risk of recurrent bleeding for patients with peptic ulcer bleeding. Therefore, scheduled second look endoscopy should be selectively performed for the patients who are at a high risk for peptic ulcer bleeding.

Acute Intestinal Obstruction Caused by a Persimmon Phytobezoar after Dissolution Therapy with Coca-Cola

Bezoars are concretions or hard masses of foreign matter that are found in the gastrointestinal tract. Recent reports have demonstrated the efficacy of Coca-Cola administration for the dissolution of phytobezors. Here we report on a 73-year-old man with a very large gastric persimmon diospyrobezoar, and this caused small intestinal obstruction after partial dissolution with oral and injected Coca-Cola.

Comparison of Hemostatic Efficacy between Epinephrine Injection Alone and a Combined Therapy with Hemoclip for Bleeding Peptic Ulcers / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Many studies have been performed to find the differences between using epinephrine injection alone and a combination therapy with hemoclip for bleeding peptic ulcer, but the results have been controversial. We retrospectively evaluated the hemostatic efficacy for epinephrine injection alone and injection combined with hemoclip for bleeding peptic ulcers. METHODS: Four hundred patients were enrolled. They were assigned to one of the two groups: endoscopic hemostasis with injection of epinephrine (group I, n=156) and combined epinephrine injection with hemoclip (group II, n=244). RESULTS: The continuous bleeding rate was significantly higher in group I than in group II. The recurrent bleeding rate was also significantly higher in group I than in group II. There were no statistical differences in the rates of death, emergency surgery and arterial embolization. The rates of continuous bleeding and the initial failure of hemostasis were higher for the patients with active bleeding on the initial endoscopy irrespective of the applied hemostatic methods. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of epinephrine injection and hemoclip is more effective than epinephrine injection alone for treating bleeding peptic ulcers.

An Analysis Based on Hospital Stay in Ischemic Colitis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ischemic colitis is the most prevalent form of gastrointestinal ischemia, accounting for approximately 50 to 60% of all gastrointestinal ischemic episodes. There are many conditions that predispose an individual to ischemic colitis as well as a wide variety of clinical and endoscopic presentations. This study reviewed the risk factors associated with ischemic colitis, the site of colonic involvement and the effect of antibiotics on the hospital stay. METHODS: 34 inpatients with ischemic colitis during October 2001 and November 2004 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients had intestinal bleeding. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 56+/-14. Among the 34 cases, 15 cases had the risk factors associated with ischemic colitis. The presenting symptoms were mainly abdominal pain and diarrhea. The endoscopic findings revealed four cases with pancolitis. One case with chronic liver disease died from septic shock. The mean hospital stay was 12+/-5 days, which was reduced by early admission and colonoscopic diagnosis, bowel rest and fluid therapy. However, patient's age, clinical presentations, location of the involved colon, the presence of risk factors and the use of antibiotics did not influence the hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: If ischemic colitis with intestinal bleeding is suspected, an early colonoscopic diagnosis and medical treatment such as bowel rest and fluid therapy can reduce the hospital stay.

The Value of Doppler-ultrasonography and Laboratory Tests as Non-invasive Predictors of the Presence of Esophageal Varices in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is usually recommended for the evaluation of esophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis. However, the prevalence of varices is extremely variable. We performed this study to determine the predictive values for esophageal varices and to select eligible patients for screening endoscopy. METHODS: Fifty-two patients were enrolled in this study. Laboratory tests including liver biochemistry and complete blood count along with ultrasonography with Doppler measurements and endoscopy were performed. RESULTS: Esophageal varices were present in 25 patients (48%). Variables associated with the presence of esophageal varices on univariate analysis were serum albumin, total bilirubin, prothrombin time and platelet count (p<0.05). Significant variables in ultrasonography with Doppler measurement were diameter of spleen (13.04+/-2.1 cm vs. 10.39+/-1.6 cm, p<0.001), peak velocity of portal vein (30.2+/-7.5 cm/sec vs. 36.1+/-8.0 cm/sec, p<0.01) and portal vein diameter (1.26+/-0.28 cm vs. 1.13+/-0.18 cm, p<0.05). On multivariate analysis, independent variables were platelet count (odds ratio (OR) 0.922; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.86-0.99), diameter of spleen (OR 5.4; 95% CI, 1.63-17.88) and platelet count/spleen diameter ratio (OR 1.007; 95% CI, 1.01-1.02). The optimal critical value for the diameter of spleen was 11 cm. The sensitivity and specificity with this value were 84% and 63%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Doppler measurement was not helpful in distinguishing the presence of varices. However, clinical tests including biochemistry and ultrasonography would be useful in selecting eligible patients for screening endoscopy. Endoscopic screening for esophageal varices is recommended in cirrhotic patients with splenomegaly.

Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 and Bcl-2 in Human Gastric Adenomas

BACKGROUND: Cyclooxygenase (COX) -2 is the rate-limiting enzyme in prostaglandin synthesis. An increased expression has been implicated in the development and progression of human gastric cancers and colorectal adenomas and cancers. This study aimed to determine the involvement and association of COX-2 and Bcl-2 in precancerous gastric adenomas. METHODS: Seventy-nine gastric polyps were obtained by endoscopic mucosal resection or polypectomy from January, 2000 to July, 2003. Immunohistochemical expression of COX-2 and Bcl-2 was observed, and their relationships with various clinicopathological factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Histologically, 13 hyperplastic polyps and 66 tubular adenomas, of which 17 showed high-grade dysplasia, were observed. Increased COX-2 expression was observed in low-grade and high-grade tubular adenomas compared to hyperplastic polyps (p=0.004 and p=0.001, respectively). COX-2 expression was significantly higher in larger (> 1 cm) compared with smaller (< or=1 cm) tubular adenomas (p=0.034), but no relation was observed in hyperplastic polyps. While Bcl-2 expression differed significantly according to histology, increased Bcl-2 expression was observed especially in COX-2 positive low-grade tubular adenomas. CONCLUSION: COX-2 expression increased in a size-dependent manner in tubular adenomas, suggesting a role in polyp growth. The increased expression of Bcl-2 in tubular adenomas, especially in COX-2 positive tubular adenomas, suggests that COX-2 action may be related to Bcl-2 expression.

Risk Factors Related to Bleeding after Endoscopic Mucosal Resection of Gastric Tumors / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has been widely used for treatment of gastric mucosal tumors because of its relative safety and minimal invasiveness. However, the bleeding after EMR has been regarded as a major complication. Herein, we assessed the bleeding rates and risk factors related to bleeding after EMR. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of two hundred and fortynine patients with 283 lesions who underwent EMR for flat adenoma (78.8%), hyperplastic polyp (4.9%), and early gastric cancer (16.3%) from January 1999 to August 2003. Bleeding during EMR was defined as an immediate bleeding while bleeding on follow-up day endoscopy after EMR was considered as an delayed bleeding We evaluated risk factors related to bleeding using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Bleeding after EMR occurred in 99 patients (35%). Immediate bleeding occurred in 31.8% and was more frequent in the case of beginners, upper part of the stomach or EMR prcedures using needle knife. Delayed bleeding occurred in 7.1% and was more frequent in the case of flat or depressed lesions, or occurrence after the incidence of immediate bleeding. Risk factors related to EMR bleeding were experience of operator (beginner vs. expert, p= 0.001), anatomical location (upper vs. lower, p=0.018), and methods of procedure (needle-knife vs. snare or band, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that experience of operator, anatomical location, and method of procedure were the risk factors related to bleeding after EMR.

The association of elevated alanine aminotransferase activity with obesity in health screenig subjects / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has recently been recognized to be one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated strongly with NAFLD. Although often used to detect liver disease, sometimes the cause of elevated Alanine Transaminase (ALT) activity was unclear. In the absence of other causes, the author examined whether BMI and metabolic markers of NAFLD can explain the cause of abnormal ALT in Korean. METHODS: From April 2002 to November 2003, 9997 persons visited health promotion center of Kyungpook National University Hospital and took health screening. After excluding persons with excessive alcohol consumption, abnormal gamma-GTP, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, 8379 persons were included in this study. All patients underwent anthropometric measures, blood chemistry analysis and abdominal ultrasonographic exam. RESULTS: Elevated ALT levels were found in 10% (835 persons) of the all subjects. In univariate analysis, factors associated with elevated ALT levels (por=23 kg/m2) was 79% in abnormal ALT group. In multivariate logistic regression study, total cholesterol and blood pressure were eleminated but sex, BMI, triglyceride level, ultrasonographic fatty change were strongly associated with elevated ALT level (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: In this study, unexplained ALT elevation was strongly associated with obesity, adiposity and other features of metabolic syndrome, and thus may represent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. However, more research is needed for the definite clinical determinants of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Korean.

Correlations between fibrosis improvement after lamivudine treatment and pretreatment histological activity / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Lamivudine has been found to suppress hepatitis B virus (HBV) consistently, and several trials have shown significant reductions in necroinflammatory activity and delayed progression of fibrosis. In terms of histologic improvements, fibosis is one of the most important factors in predicting long-term outcome in chronic hepatitis. The objective of this analysis was to determine the correlation between improvement in degree of fibrosis and pretreatment histological activity in lamivudine-treated patients with chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: Paired liver biopsy in 47 patients who were treated with lamivudine and followed up for 52 weeks were analysed. Histological changes were evaluated by a histopathologist and scored according to Knodell's histology activity index (HAI). RESULTS: At the end of one year, 33/47 (70.2%) showed improvement in necroinflammatory score and only 14.9% (7/47) showed worsening. The improvement in fibrosis score was noted in 21.3% (10/47). The improvement in fibrosis was significantly related with pretreatment periportal inflammation (p<0.05), portal inflammation (p<0.01) and fibrosis score (p<0.01). The loss of HBeAg occurred in 60% of fibrosis improvement group and interestingly, regression of fibrosis was noted in patients without loss of HBeAg. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment histologic activity is an important predictor for improvement in fibrosis after lamivudine treatment for chronic hepatitis B.