Diagnostic Accuracy of Fecal Calprotectin for the Detection of Small Bowel Crohn’s Disease through Capsule Endoscopy: An Updated Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Background/Aims@#The diagnosis of small bowel Crohn’s disease with negative ileocolonoscopic findings has been challenging. Fecal calprotectin (FC) has been used to detect colonic inflammation, but its efficacy for detecting small bowel inflammation is less established. We performed an updated meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of FC to detect active small bowel inflammation observed during capsule endoscopy. @*Methods@#We conducted a systematic literature search for studies that evaluated the correlation between small bowel inflammation and FC in patients with suspected/established Crohn’s disease. We calculated the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios (DORs) and constructed hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic curves for FC cutoffs of 50, 100, and 200 µg/g. @*Results@#Fourteen studies were eligible for the final analysis. The DORs of all FC cutoffs were significant. The highest DOR was observed at 100 µg/g (sensitivity, 0.73; specificity, 0.73; and DOR, 7.89) and was suggested as the optimal diagnostic cutoff. If we analyzed only studies that included patients with suspected Crohn’s disease, the DOR was 8.96. If we analyzed only studies that included patients with a Lewis score ≥135 as a diagnostic criterion for active disease, the DOR was 10.90. @*Conclusions@#FC has significant diagnostic accuracy for detecting small bowel inflammation, and an FC cutoff of 100 µg/g can be used as a tool to screen for small bowel Crohn’s disease.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Fecal Calprotectin for the Detection of Small Bowel Crohn’s Disease through Capsule Endoscopy: An Updated Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Background/Aims@#The diagnosis of small bowel Crohn’s disease with negative ileocolonoscopic findings has been challenging. Fecal calprotectin (FC) has been used to detect colonic inflammation, but its efficacy for detecting small bowel inflammation is less established. We performed an updated meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of FC to detect active small bowel inflammation observed during capsule endoscopy. @*Methods@#We conducted a systematic literature search for studies that evaluated the correlation between small bowel inflammation and FC in patients with suspected/established Crohn’s disease. We calculated the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios (DORs) and constructed hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic curves for FC cutoffs of 50, 100, and 200 µg/g. @*Results@#Fourteen studies were eligible for the final analysis. The DORs of all FC cutoffs were significant. The highest DOR was observed at 100 µg/g (sensitivity, 0.73; specificity, 0.73; and DOR, 7.89) and was suggested as the optimal diagnostic cutoff. If we analyzed only studies that included patients with suspected Crohn’s disease, the DOR was 8.96. If we analyzed only studies that included patients with a Lewis score ≥135 as a diagnostic criterion for active disease, the DOR was 10.90. @*Conclusions@#FC has significant diagnostic accuracy for detecting small bowel inflammation, and an FC cutoff of 100 µg/g can be used as a tool to screen for small bowel Crohn’s disease.

Comparison of the morphologic criteria (RECIST) and metabolic criteria (EORTC and PERCIST) in tumor response assessments: a pooled analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS@#The Positron Emission Tomography Response Criteria in Solid Tumors (PERCIST) or European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) criteria are used to assess metabolic tumor responses. However, tumor responses have shown considerable discrepancies between the morphologic criteria (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors [RECIST]) and metabolic criteria. We performed this pooled study to compare the RECIST and metabolic criteria in the assessment of tumor responses.@*METHODS@#Electronic databases were searched for eligible articles with the terms “RECIST,”“PERCIST,” or “EORTC criteria.” The level of concordance in the tumor responses between the two criteria was estimated using κ statistics.@*RESULTS@#A total of 216 patients were collected from eight studies comparing the RECIST and EORTC criteria. The agreement of tumor responses between the two criteria was moderate (κ = 0.447). Eighty-six patients (39.8%) showed disagreement: tumor response was upgraded in 70 patients and downgraded in 16 when adopting the EORTC criteria. The EORTC criteria significantly increased the overall response rate (53% vs. 28%, p < 0.0001). The agreement of tumor responses between the RECIST and PERCIST was deemed fair (κ = 0.389). Of 407 patients from nine studies, 181 (44.5%) showed a discrepancy: using the PERCIST, tumor response were upgraded in 151 patients and downgraded in 30. When adopting the PERCIST, the overall response rate was also significantly increased from 30% to 55% (p < 0.0001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#This pooled analysis demonstrates that the concordance of tumor responses between the morphologic criteria and metabolic criteria is not excellent. When adopting the metabolic criteria instead of the RECIST, overall response rates were significantly increased.

Multicenter Phase II Study of Oxaliplatin, Irinotecan, and S-1 as First-line Treatment for Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic Biliary Tract Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Although gemcitabine plus cisplatin has been established as the standard first-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC), overall prognosis remains poor. We investigated the efficacy of a novel triplet combination of oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and S-1 (OIS) for advanced BTC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chemotherapy-naive patientswith histologically documented unresectable or metastatic BTC were eligible for this multicenter, single-arm phase II study. Patients received 65 mg/m2 oxaliplatin (day 1), 135 mg/m2 irinotecan (day 1), and 40 mg/m2 S-1 (twice a day, days 1-7) every 2 weeks. Primary endpoint was objective response rate. Targeted exome sequencing for biomarker analysis was performed using archival tissue. RESULTS: In total, 32 patients were enrolled between October 2015 and June 2016. Median age was 64 years (range, 40 to 76 years), with 24 (75%) male patients; 97% patients had metastatic or recurrent disease. Response rate was 50%, and median progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were 6.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.8 to 8.8) and 12.5 months (95% CI, 7.0 to 18.0), respectively. The most common grade 3-4 adverse events were neutropenia (32%), diarrhea (6%), and peripheral neuropathy (6%). TP53 and KRAS mutations were the most frequent genomic alterations (42% and 32%, respectively), and KRAS mutations showed a marginal relationship with worse OS (p=0.07). CONCLUSION: OIS combination chemotherapy was feasible and associated with favorable efficacy outcomes as a first-line treatment in patients with advanced BTC. Randomized studies are needed to compare OIS with gemcitabine plus cisplatin.

The transcription factor Batf3 inhibits the differentiation of regulatory T cells in the periphery

Naive CD4 T cells activated by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) undergo terminal differentiation in the periphery. Multiple mechanisms determine their fates, that is, whether they differentiate into conventional T (Tconv) cells or regulatory T (Treg) cells. The key event during Treg generation is expression of the transcription factor Foxp3, which is the lineage-determining regulator for Treg differentiation and function. Here we show that the transcription factor Batf3 acts as a fate-decision factor with respect to Tconv versus Tregs by restraining Treg differentiation. Batf3 was preferentially expressed in effector CD4 T cells but not in Treg cells, and ectopic expression of Batf3 inhibited Foxp3 induction. Batf3-deficient CD4 T cells favorably differentiated into Treg cells in vitro and in colonic lamina propria. Batf3 KO mice also showed enhanced Treg function in gut-associated immune disease models (for example, ovalbumin tolerance and inflammatory bowel disease models). Batf3 bound to the CNS1 region of the Foxp3 locus and reduced expression of the gene. Thus, Batf3 is a transcriptional suppressor of Treg differentiation.

Casein kinase 2 is a critical determinant of the balance of Th17 and Treg cell differentiation

Th17 cells promote inflammatory reactions, whereas regulatory T (Treg) cells inhibit them. Thus, the Th17/Treg cell balance is critically important in inflammatory diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this balance are unclear. Here, we demonstrate that casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a critical determinant of the Th17/Treg cell balance. Both the inhibition of CK2 with a specific pharmacological inhibitor, CX-4945, and its small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knockdown suppressed Th17 cell differentiation but reciprocally induced Treg cell differentiation in vitro. Moreover, CX-4945 ameliorated the symptoms of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and reduced Th17 cell infiltration into the central nervous system. Mechanistically, CX-4945 inhibited the IL-6/STAT3 and Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. Thus, CK2 has a crucial role in regulating the Th17/Treg balance.

Value of 24-hour Delayed Film of Barium Enema for Evaluation of Colon Transit Function in Young Children with Constipation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A colon transit time test using radio-opaque markers (CTTRM) is considered the gold standard for evaluating colon transit function. A 24-hour delayed film of barium enema (BE) has been used as a supplementary method in structural evaluations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of a 24-hour delayed BE film for assessing colon transit function in young children with constipation. METHODS: In total, 93 children with constipation who performed both single-contrast BE and CTTRM were enrolled in this study. Of these, the data from 70 children were analyzed (males 33, females 37; mean age [range], 5.63 ± 2.94 [2-14] years). The basic principle of the study is "velocity = distance/time". Time values were identified in both studies, and the colon length and distance of barium movement were measured on the 24-hour delayed BE film. Thus, colon transit velocity values could be calculated using both methods. The correlation between colon transit velocity using a 24-hour delayed BE film versus CTTRM was analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Median value (interquartile range) of colon transit velocity using CTTRM was 1.57 (1.07-2.89) cm/hr, and that using BE of that was 1.58 (0.94-2.07) cm/hr. The Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.438 (P < 0.001) for the overall group. The correlation was strongest in children younger than 4 years (r = 0.537, P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Although the correlation between BE and CTTRM was not very strong, the 24-hour delayed BE film could provide broad information about colon transit function in young children, especially those under 4 years who usually cannot undergo CTTRM.

The Clinical Utility of FDG PET-CT in Evaluation of Bone Marrow Involvement by Lymphoma / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Bone marrow biopsy is a standard method for the evaluation of bone marrow infiltration by lymphoma; however, it is an invasive and painful procedure. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG PET-CT) is a noninvasive imaging technique with the potential to detect bone marrow involvement by lymphoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of lymphoma patients. All patients were examined by FDG PET-CT and iliac crest bone marrow biopsy for initial staging work-up. RESULTS: The study population comprised 94 patients (median age, 60 years; 56 males) with Hodgkin's lymphoma (n=8) or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n=86). Maximum standardized uptake values on the iliac crest of patients with lymphoma infiltrated bone marrow were significantly higher than those of patients with intact bone marrow (2.2+/-1.2 g/mL vs. 1.3+/-0.4 g/mL; p=0.001). The calculated values for FDG PET-CT during evaluation of bone marrow involvement were as follows: sensitivity 50%, specificity 96%, positive predictive value 80%, negative predictive value 85%, and positive likelihood ratio (LR+) 11.7. The value of LR+ was 16.0 in patients with aggressive subtypes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). CONCLUSION: FDG PET-CT could not replace bone marrow biopsy due to the low sensitivity of FDG PET-CT for detection of bone marrow infiltration in lymphoma patients. Conversely, FDG PET-CT had high specificity and LR+; therefore, it could be a useful tool for image-guided biopsy for lymphoma staging, especially for aggressive subtypes of NHL. In addition, unilateral bone marrow biopsy could be substituted for bilateral bone marrow biopsy in lymphoma patients with increased FDG uptake on any iliac crest.

A Phase II Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Ramosetron, Aprepitant, and Dexamethasone in Preventing Cisplatin-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Chemotherapy-Naive Cancer Patients / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Combination therapy with aprepitant, serotonin receptor antagonist, and steroids improves the complete response rate of both acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). However, it is not known whether ramosetron is suitable for administration in combination with aprepitant. Therefore, we conducted a multicenter, open-label, prospective, phase II study in order to assess the efficacy and tolerability of combination therapy with ramosetron, aprepitant, and dexamethasone (RAD) for prevention of cisplatin-based CINV in chemotherapy-naive patients with solid cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients with various solid cancers (31 male and 10 female; median age, 59 years) who received treatment with highly emetogenic chemotherapy (median cisplatin dose, 70 mg/m2; range 50 to 75 mg/m2) were enrolled in this study. Oral aprepitant (125 mg on day 1; 80 mg on days 2 and 3), intravenous ramosetron (0.6 mg on day 1), and oral dexamethasone (12 mg on day 1; 8 mg on days 2-4) were administered for prevention of CINV. RESULTS: The complete response (no emesisand retching and no rescue medication) rate was 94.9% in the acute period (24 hours post-chemotherapy), 92.3% in the delayed period (24-120 hours post-chemotherapy), and 92.3% in the overall period (0-120 hours). The absolute complete response (complete response plus no nausea) rate was 74.4% in the acute period, 51.3% in the delayed period, and 46.2% in the overall period. There were no grade 3 or 4 toxicities related to these antiemetic combinations. CONCLUSION: RAD regimen is a safe and effective antiemetic treatment for prevention of CINV in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy.

A Case of Breast Cancer in a Male Patient with Cryptogenic Cirrhosis / 대한소화기학회지

Breast cancer is a rare disease in men. We report a case of 53-year-old obese male, with known cryptogenic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, presenting a tender mass on left breast. He was diagnosed with invasive intraductal carcinoma, which was consistent with a sporadic lesion. On the basis of previous literatures, obesity can be regarded as a cause for breast cancer even in men. However, there has been inconsistent data about link between liver cirrhosis and male breast cancer, which can be due to heterogenity in the etiology of cirrhosis. Through this case, it can be postulated that the risk for male breast cancer may vary according to the etiology of cirrhosis.

Changes in Length of Stay for Neurological Geriatric Diseases in Korea between 2003 and 2007

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The elderly population and the prevalence of stroke, dementia, and Parkinson's disease are increasing rapidly in Korea. The aim of this study was to establish the length of stay (LOS) for neurological geriatric diseases, and analyze this parameteraccording to healthcare institutions. METHODS: We used data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service from 2003 to 2007. Nineteen neurological geriatric diseases were classified into four groups: dementia, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, and Parkinson's disease. LOS was analyzed according to gender, age, insurance type, disease group, and type of healthcare institution. RESULTS: The LOS for neurological geriatric diseases lengthened from 5,550,193 days (10.8% of the total National Health Insurance admission days) in 2003 to 14,749,671 days (19.7%) in 2007. The mean LOS was 40.8 days in 2003, and lengthened to 71.2 days in 2007. After stratification by disease group, the mean LOS for long-term-care hospitals lengthened by 1.43 times (from 81.7 to 116.6 days) in the cerebral infarction group, 1.35 times (from 85.6 to 115.2 days) in the cerebral hemorrhage group, and 1.28 times (from 82.7 to 105.7 days) in the Parkinson's disease group. CONCLUSIONS: The LOS for neurological geriatric diseases has lengthened markedly, which isdue to an increasesin the number of hospitalized patients and the mean LOS, which have increased most rapidly in long-term-care hospitals. These results may be useful in developing geriatric health policies.

Reversible Symptomatic Myocarditis Induced by All-Trans Retinoic Acid Administration during Induction Treatment of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: Rare Cardiac Manifestation as a Retinoic Acid Syndrome

Treatment by All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) followed by anthracycline-AraC chemotherapy has improved the outcome of acute promyelocytic leukemia. ATRA is usually well tolerated, but a few major side effects can be observed. Retinoic acid syndrome (RAS) often occurs during the induction chemotherapy of acute promyelocytic leukemia. A pericardial effusion is a common cardiac manifestation but myocarditis has been rarely documented. Here we reports a very rare case of fully recovered myocarditis as a result of RAS related to ATRA administration during induction treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia which documented by echocardiographic evidence.

F-18 FDG PET-positive Fibrous Dysplasia in a Patient with Intestinal Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a common benign bone disorder of an unclear etiology. It is known that FD can appear without an increased FDG uptake on F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT). However, there are also several reports that FD showed increased FDG uptake and this mimicked malignant bone involvement on FDG-PET. Herein we describe a case of biopsy-proven FDG-PET positive FD in a patient with intestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). A 45-year-old woman was diagnosed with intestinal NHL, which was removed by right hemicolectomy. After the operation, the FDG-PET/CT scan showed hypermetabolic activity in the right transverse process of the T10 vertebra. The patient then received a total of 6 cycles of R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone) chemotherapy every 3 weeks. After completion of the planned chemotherapy, the 2nd FDG-PET/CT showed increased FDG uptake (SUVmax=6.0 g/mL) of the previous bone lesion. The MR images revealed a T1-hypointense lesion with sharp borders in the same region, and this showed homogenous contrast enhancement on the fat-suppressed T1-weighted images. After the radiologic studies were carefully reviewed, the bone lesion was assumed to be benign such as FD. We performed bone biopsy and the histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of FD. In conclusion, bone lesions with FDG uptake need to be carefully interpreted when evaluating patients with known malignancy.

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in a Patient with Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix

We describe here the case a patient with advanced cervix carcinoma and who developed idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). A 63-year-old woman with stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix and that was complicated by hydronephrosis was treated palliatively with 45Gy of external beam radiation to the pelvis. About 3 years later, she developed hematochezia and severe thrombocytopenia. The laboratory examinations showed no evidence of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and she was positive for serum anti-platelet antibodies. On the bone marrow examination, there was a normal number and morphology of megakaryocytes with no evidence of malignant cell infiltration. We made the clinical diagnosis of ITP, and the intravenous immunoglobulin and steroid therapy was successful. This case suggests the possibility that ITP can occur in association with advanced cervix carcinoma.

Long Term Impact of Laparoscopic Assisted Distal Gastrectomy on Quality of Life

PURPOSE: Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) is gaining wider acceptance for the treatment of early gastric cancer. However, firm evidence supporting the long-term outcome after LADG for gastric cancer is unknown. This study compared long-term quality of life after LADG versus an open distal gastrectomy (ODG) for early gastric cancer. METHODS: This study included 29 patients who underwent LADG and 57 patients who underwent ODG for the treatment of stage I gastric cancer. Quality of life was evaluated based on the Korean version of EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 3.0) and EORTC QLQ-STO22 one year after surgery. All patients underwent a Billroth II gastrectomy for stage I gastric cancer between January 2003 and December 2004. RESULTS: A total of 86 (58%) out of 154 patients responded to the questionnaire. Demographic features showed no difference between the two groups of patients for age, sex, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis except for tumor size and the number of retrieved lymph nodes. The mean score for global health status was not statistically different (LADG, 60.3+/-20.4 vs ODG, 57+/-20.6; P=0.413). The total score of 21 items related to stomach cancer (EORTC QLQ-STO22) also was not statistically different (LADG, 68.9+/-64.9 vs ODG, 94.5+/-97.3; P=0.340). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the Korean version of EORTC QLQ-C 30 (version 3.0) and EORTC QLQ-STO22, LADG does not seem to have any long-term benefit over ODG on 'quality of life'.

Relationship between Community Social Support and Psychosocial Distress in Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to examine the relationship between community-based social support and psychosocial distress in workers. METHODS: The study subjects were 596 workers recruited from 11 companies in Chungju city. A structured questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographics, health-related behaviors, job characteristics, job stress, work-based social support, community-based social support and level of psychosocial distress. RESULTS: Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that workers with no chronic disease, exercise and sufficient sleep had a higher score of psychosocial distress than those with chronic disease, no exercise, and not enough sleep. Coworker's work-based social support and community-based social support were negatively associated with psychosocial distress. The R square value of total independent variables on psychosocial distress was 0.409, and that of community-based social support on psychosocial distress was 0.052. CONCLUSION: This study showed that community-based social support served as a protective factor against psychosocial distress in some workers. We recommend the establishment of a worksite stress reduction program in occupational level as well as community-based social support.

Treatment Duration and Cost of Work-related Low Back Pain in Korea

The purpose of this study is to present the information on the duration of treatment and the cost of work-related low back pain. Using the compensation-database for 1997 work-related low back pain (n=9,277), this study estimated the duration of treatment, the cost of work-related low back pain, the relationship between them, and probability of being off treatment at different intervals. The mean and the median of the treatment duration are 252.6 days and 175 days. The mean and the median of the cost of total insurance benefit are 37,700,000 won and 14,400,000 won. The treatment duration of 51% of the study subjects was less than 6 months and their cost accounted for 10.2% of the total insurance benefit. The subjects who were treated more than 24 months were 5.8% but it accounted for 29.2% of the cost. It was found that approximately 50% of the subjects who will remain on treatment at the end of n months would be off treatment at the end of n+5 months. This study presents the point in time when the low back pain (LBP) workers need to prepare to return to work by forecasting their off-treatment period. From the treat duration and cost perspectives, this study may be utilized as evidence for active management of work-related LBP.

Developing an Occupational Stress Scale for Korean Employees / 대한산업의학회지

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSES: Over the past three decades, numerous studies performed in Korea have reported that job stress is a determinant risk factor for chronic diseases and work disability. Every society has its own culture and occupational climate particular to their organizations, and hence experiences different occupational stress. An occupational stress measurement tool therefore needs to be developed to estimate it objectively. The purpose of this study is to develop and standardize the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS) which is considered to be unique and specific occupational stressors in Korean employees. Subjects and METHODS: Data were obtained from the National Study for Development and Standardization of Occupational Stress (NSDSOS Project: 2002-2004). A total of 12,631 employees from a nationwide sample proportional to the Korean Standard Industrial Classification and the Korean Standard Occupational Classification were administered. The KOSS was developed for 2 years (2002- 2004). In the first year, we collected 255 items from the most popular job stress measurement tools such as JCQ, ERI, NIOSH and OSI, and 44 items derived from the a qualitative study (depth interview). Fortythree items of KOSS, in the second year, were retained for use in the final version of the KOSS by using Delphi and factor analysis. Items were scored using conventional 1-2-3-4 Likert scores for the response categories. RESULTS: We developed eight subscales by using factor analysis and validation process: physical environment (3 items), job demand (8 items), insufficient job control (5 items), interpersonal conflict (4 items), job insecurity (6 items), organizational system (7 items), lack of reward (6 items), and occupational climate (4 items). Together they explained 50.0% of total variance. Internal consistency alpha scores were ranged from 0.51 to 0.82. Twenty-four items of the short form of the KOSS (KOSS-SF) were also developed to estimate job stress in the work setting. Because the levels of the subscales of occupational stress were gender dependent, gender-specific standard norms for both the 43-item full version and the 24-item short form using a quartile for the subscales of KOSS were presented. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that KOSS might be an appropriate measurement scale to estimate occupational stress of Korean employees. Further and more detailed study needs to be conducted to improve the validity of this scale.

24 hour esophageal pH changes in patients with peptic ulcer disease before and after Helicobacter pylori eradication / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: There are many arguments that Helicobacter pylori is a protective factor or a risk factor for GERD. Some authors reported a high incidence of reflux esophagitis in patients who had received Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. We studied the prevalence of pathologic gastroesophageal reflux in Helicobacter pylori positive peptic ulcer patients and the effects of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy on development of pathologic gastroesophageal reflux. METHODS: A total of 44 patients with endoscopically documented peptic ulcer disease and Helicobacter pylori infection underwent 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and received a week of triple therapy. After three months of cessation of triple therapy, patients underwent 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring again. 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring of 44 patients were compared before and after the triple therapy. Helicobacter pylori status was evaluated by Giemsa stain, rapid urease test and urea breath test at each examination. RESULTS: The patients were classified into cured and ongoing Helicobacter pylori infection group. In cured patients group, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of pathologic gastroesophageal reflux before and after Helicobacter pylori eradication (p=0.8). In 44 patients, 30 patients had pathologic gastroesophageal reflux before eradication. In these patients, 27 patients cured Helicobacter pylori infection and 3 patients were ongoing Helicobacter pylori infection. Among 27 patients who cured Helicobacter pylori infection, 5 patients recovered from pathologic gastroesophageal reflux after eradication. In patients without pathologic gastroesophageal reflux before eradication, the prevalence of pathologic gastroesophageal reflux was not associated with Helicobacter pylori eradication (p=1). CONCLUSION: We find that the prevalence of pathologic gastroesophageal reflux in patients with peptic ulcer is high before Helicobacter pylori eradication. We suggest that Helicobacter pylori eradication in patients with peptic ulcer disease is not associated with development of pathologic gastroesophageal reflux.

A Neurobehavioral Performance Assessment in Lacunar Infarction Case-control Study / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: We carried out tests for neurobehavior by using WHO-NCTB (neurobehavioral core test battery) and Perdue pegboard score test to identify differences between lacunar infarction cases and controls. METHODS: Among the subjects who underwent MRI between February 2001 and March 2002 in a university hospital located in Seoul and who were diagnosed only as lacunar infarction without any intracranial disease, 46 patients were selected as cases (male: 21, female: 25). Controls were selected who had no cerebrovascular disease on MRI by matching age (5 years), gender, and education (2 years) in a ratio of 1: 1. Among WHO-NCTB, the following 5 tests and Perdue pegboard score test were used to categorize the study subjects: digit and symbol matching, simple reaction time, Benton visual retention, digit span, and Pursuit aiming test. RESULTS: Among the above 6 tests of neurobehavior, lacunar infarction cases showed lower score than controls except for the simple reaction time test. As the controlling variables of multivariate analysis in the stepwise regression analysis, the followings were selected due to their significant association: age, education, BMI, gender, drinking, exercise, and systolic blood pressure. From multivariate regression analysis, there was significant difference (p< 0.05) between lacunar infarction cases and controls in digit and symbol matching, Benton visual retention, digit span, pursuit aiming, and Perdue pegboard score test, but not in the score of simple reaction time test. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the above 5 tests for neurobehavior, with the exception of the simple reaction time test, might be used as the basis for recommendation of further treatment and other neurological tests by the earlier detection for neurological abnormality in lacunar infarction.