Adolescents' Attitudes and Intentions toward Help-Seeking and Computer-Based Treatment for Depression

OBJECTIVE: Many depressed adolescents do not seek professional help despite there being evidence-based treatments for depression, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or computer-based therapy. To increase professional help-seeking behavior in depressed adolescents, it is necessary to positively change help-seeking attitudes. This study aimed to explore the effect of sub-groups of help-seeking attitudes, gender, and depression level on adolescents' help-seeking intentions and their perceptions of computer-based psychotherapy. METHODS: Participants were 246 adolescents aged 13–18 years recruited from six middle and high schools in South Korea. Measures were self-administered questionnaires, and included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale, the Intention to Seek Counseling Inventory, Preferences for Depression Treatment, and the Perceptions of Computerized Therapy Questionnaire. RESULTS: Help-seeking intentions were positively related with female gender and the recognition of the need for help. A higher level of confidence in therapists was related to high preference for computer-based therapy and face-to-face therapy. Adolescents with more severe depression were more likely to prefer pharmacotherapy. The perceptions of computer-based therapy were more positive in male adolescents, and in adolescents with a higher level of confidence in therapists yet a lower level of interpersonal openness. CONCLUSION: To promote adolescents' help-seeking behavior, improvement of the recognition of the need for help is required, especially among male adolescents. Computer-based therapy provides an alternative for male adolescents with high confidence in therapists yet low interpersonal openness. Consideration of the help-seeking attitudes and gender is needed when providing therapeutic intervention to depressed adolescents.

Effects of the Serum Adiponectin to Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) Ratio on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic Patients

OBJECTIVES: Type 2 diabetes, a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, is well known for its association with accelerated atherosclerosis. Adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor - alpha (TNF-alpha), which are produced and secreted in adipose tissue, have been suggested as predictors for cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the influence of adiponectin and TNF-alpha ratio on the progression of carotid atherosclerosis in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of serum adiponectin/TNF-alpha levels on the progression of carotid atherosclerosis. METHODS: One hundred eleven newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients were enrolled. Anthropometric and biochemical data including serum adiponectin, TNF-alpha were measured for each participant. Also we measured carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) at baseline and at 1 year follow-up (n=81). We finally examined the relationship among serum adiponectin over TNF-alpha levels (ADPN/TNF-alpha), baseline CIMT, and progression of CIMT at 1 year. RESULTS: ADPN/TNF-alpha negatively correlated with baseline CIMT (r=-0.231, p=0.025). Moreover, progression of CIMT was significant at 1 year (0.011+/-0.138 mm). There was a negative correlation between ADPN/TNF-alpha and progression of CIMT at 1 year (r=-0.172, p=0.038). In multiple regression analysis, age and HbA1c were found to be independent risk factors for baseline CIMT. However, only HbA1c was an independent risk factor for the progression of CIMT. CONCLUSION: ADPN/TNF-alpha was negatively associated with baseline CIMT and the progression of CIMT at 1 year. Overall glycemic control is the most important factor in the progression of CIMT in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Resolution of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Following Interferon-alpha Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C / 임상당뇨병

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) mainly affects the liver, but several tissues outside the liver have also been reported to be involved. It has been hypothesized that diabetes could be one of these extrahepatic conditions attributable to HCV infection. The specific mechanisms by which HCV leads to type 2 diabetes are not fully understood, but it seems that an increase in insulin resistance associated with both steatosis and overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines could play a crucial role. We report a patient whose type 2 diabetes that was resolved following interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy for HCV. A 57-year-old man presented with fatigue, polyuria, and polydipsia. He was newly diagnosed as type 2 diabetes and chronic hepatitis C. He was started on subcutaneous insulin and IFN-alpha. After 24 weeks of treatment with IFN-alpha, the results of HCV polymerase chain reaction were negative, and his diabetes had resolved. Our case shows a resolution of diabetes after IFN-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Although it is unclear whether the resolution of diabetes in this case occurred as an effect of IFN-alpha or as a result of becoming HCV RNA-negative, our finding suggest roles of IFN-alpha and HCV infection in the pathogenesis of diabetes.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis with Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum: A Case Report / 임상당뇨병

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is defined as the presence of extraluminal gas in the mediastinal space without any clear traumatic cause. It has been reported in association with asthma exacerbation, emesis, childbirth, seizure, excessive shouting, drug inhalation and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). SPM complicated by DKA is infrequently accompanied with chest pain and DKA can lead to changes in respiratory rate and depth; this complication might be underestimated. Here, we report a 21-year-old male with throat pain on swallowing due to SPM complicated by DKA. Clinicians need to consider this complication in differential diagnoses.

Impact of Serum Adiponectin Concentration on Progression of Carotid Atherosclerosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND: Increased cardiovascular events, which is the leading cause of death in type 2 diabetic patients, are mainly caused by accelerated atherosclerosis. Adiponectin has been suggested as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in cross-sectional studies. However, little is known about the impact of adiponectin on the progression of carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of early adiponectin levels on the progression of carotid atherosclerosis. METHODS: From March 2009, 150 patients with type 2 diabetes were consecutively enrolled in our affiliated outpatient clinic. Anthropometric and biochemical data, including adiponectin levels, were measured in each participant. We measured the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) at baseline and at 1-year follow-up (n = 111). Then, we prospectively studied the relationship between the serum adiponectin levels and the progression of CIMT for 1 year. RESULTS: Adiponectin levels negatively correlated with CIMT (r = -0.219, P = 0.015). Moreover, mean progression of CIMT was 0.016 +/- 0.040 mm. However, there was no correlation between adiponectin levels and the progression of CIMT within 1-year follow-up period (r = -0.156, P = 0.080). Age (beta = 0.556, P = 0.004), LDL cholesterol (beta = 0.276, P = 0.042), and A1C (beta = 0.309, P = 0.038) were found to be independent risk factors for CIMT. However, A1C (beta = 0.311, P = 0.042) was found to be the only independent risk factor for the progression of CIMT. CONCLUSION: In our study, adiponectin levels were negatively associated with CIMT. However, it did not affect the progression of CIMT at 1-year follow-up. Overall glycemic control is the most important factor in the progression of CIMT in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Effects of Comprehensive Support on Glycemic Control Using Community Networks in Low- Income Elderly Patients with Diabetes / 당뇨병

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is common among elderly, and low-income is associated with poor adherence to treatment and increased mortality. We evaluated whether comprehensive support using community networks improves glycemic control among low-income elderly patients with diabetes. METHODS: A total of 49 low-income elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, mean age 73 years, were enrolled. For 1 year, study subjects underwent various lifestyle modification programs provided by community networks. The biochemical data including glycemic markers and anthropometric data were obtained at the baseline and at the end of the study. Also, the patients were asked to complete a questionnaire about their quality of life, self-confidence and self-care behavior. RESULTS: After lifestyle modification program, overall changes of fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, blood pressure, body weight, and other biochemical markers were not significantly different. In a subgroup analysis of 21 patients with poorly controlled diabetes (fasting glucose > 140 mg/dL or HbA1c > 7.5%), fasting plasma glucose was significantly reduced (P = 0.030). Among patients with baseline HbA1c level > or = 8%, HbA1c levels after intervention decreased from 9.33 +/- 1.07% to 8.27 +/- 1.15% (P = 0.092). The results of the questionnaires revealed significant increases in the scores of quality of life, self-confidence and self-care behavior (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Among low-income, elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, lifestyle modification through community networks showed no significant changes in glycemic control markers. More intensive and precise interventions using community networks are needed for the glycemic control of low-income, elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.

Therapeutic effects of a long-acting formulation of lanreotide in Korean patients with acromegaly / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: The present study was conducted to examine the effects of a long-acting formulation of lanreotide (Somatulin-Autogel(R)) in Korean acromegalic patients who had undergone surgery. METHODS: The subjects in the study were 11 acromegalic patients (5 men and 6 women) who had undergone transsphenoidal tumor resection at Korea University Guro Hospital. The anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBG), IGF-1, HbA1C, mass size and GH level following a 75 gm oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were measured in each subject before and after treatment with a long-acting formulation of lanreotide. RESULTS: The median age of the subjects was 41 yrs (range: 28-52 yrs) (Table 1). The mean pre-operative levels of serum IGF-1 in the 11 patients was 1185+/-323.58 ng/mL, and post-operatively it was 862+/-314.06 ng/mL. The mean serum IGF-1 concentration decreased from 862+/-314.06 ng/mL to 549+/-371.62 ng/mL after 6 months treatment with the long-acting formulation of lanreotide (p=0.003, vs baseline, n=11), and it decreased further to 439+/-342.53 ng/mL after 12 months treatment (p=0.005 vs baseline, n=10) (Table 3). Two patients achieved the target level of IGF-1. The HbA1C measured before and after lanreotide treatment was 5.8+/-0.5% and 5.9+/-0.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that a long-acting formulation of lanreotide decreased the IGF-1 and GH levels without significant side effects. In spite of the small number of subjects in this study, these findings suggest that this formulation of lanreotide is effective for the post-operative management of acromegaly.

A Case of Cogan's Syndrome with Antibodies to Ro (SS-A) and La (SS-B) Antigen / 대한류마티스학회지

Cogan's syndrome is a rare chronic inflammatory disease of unknown origin, characterized by nonsyphilitic interstitial keratitis, vestibuloauditory dysfunction and vasculitis. Cogan's syndrome is uncommon and few cases have been published. A case of Cogan's syndrome in a patient with anti-Ro and anti-La positivity is described. A 24-year-old woman visited to department of rheumatology with dry mouth, dry eye, and vertigo on August 2004, and interstitial keratitis had developed on October 2004. She was admitted to the otolaryngology department with rapidly progressive hearing loss on December 2004. The patient's audiogram revealed severe sensorineural deafness. The patient was treated with systemic corticosteroid and methotrexate. This case is the first to report a case of Cogan's syndrome associated with anti-Ro and anti-La positivity.

A Case of Sheehan's Syndrome Presenting Central Diabetes Insipidus / 대한내분비학회지

Sheehan's syndrome occurs as a result of ischemic pituitary necrosis due to severe postpartum hemorrhage. The manifestations of this clinical syndrome are most often caused by a deficiency in the hormones produced by the anterior pituitary gland, whereas the neurohypophysis is usually preserved but can be involved in severe cases that manifest as diabetes insipidus. This is a report of Sheehan's syndrome that manifested with diabetes insipidus as presenting symptom 2 month's after delivery. The patient suffered massive bleeding, so received a blood transfusion. A combined pituitary stimulation and water deprivation test revealed deficiencies of not only anterior pituitary hormones, such as growth hormone and prolactin, but also of anti-diuretic hormone. We report this case, with a review of the literature.

A Case of Sheehan's Syndrome Presenting Central Diabetes Insipidus / 대한내분비학회지

Sheehan's syndrome occurs as a result of ischemic pituitary necrosis due to severe postpartum hemorrhage. The manifestations of this clinical syndrome are most often caused by a deficiency in the hormones produced by the anterior pituitary gland, whereas the neurohypophysis is usually preserved but can be involved in severe cases that manifest as diabetes insipidus. This is a report of Sheehan's syndrome that manifested with diabetes insipidus as presenting symptom 2 month's after delivery. The patient suffered massive bleeding, so received a blood transfusion. A combined pituitary stimulation and water deprivation test revealed deficiencies of not only anterior pituitary hormones, such as growth hormone and prolactin, but also of anti-diuretic hormone. We report this case, with a review of the literature.

A Case of Primary Hyperparathyroidism Caused by Cystic Parathyroid Adenoma, Diagnosed during Intra-Operative PTH Monitoring / 대한내분비학회지

Primary hyperparathyroidism is the most frequent cause of hypercalcemia, and its prevalence is increasing due to the routine examination of serum calcium levels. Primary hyperparathyroidims is most commonly caused by an adenoma or hyperplasia of the parathyroid gland. A cystic parathyroid adenoma is an extremely rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. In our case, a-79-year old female presented with lower back pain and constipation. Her serum calcium, phosphate and immunoreactive parathyroid homone levels were 15.6, 1.8mg/dL and 371.8pg/mL, respectively. Neck CT revealed a cystic mass and a contour bulging heterogeneous mass in the left inferior right thyroid gland, respectively. These mass lesions were removed, and the intra-operative parathyroid hormone levels monitored, to confirm the complete resection. After removing the left cystic mass to the inferior thyroid, the serum calcium and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone levels quickly returned to normal. We report a case of primary hyperparathyroidism, caused by a cystic parathyroid adenoma, with a brief review of the literature

A Case of Primary Hyperparathyroidism Caused by Cystic Parathyroid Adenoma, Diagnosed during Intra-Operative PTH Monitoring / 대한내분비학회지

Primary hyperparathyroidism is the most frequent cause of hypercalcemia, and its prevalence is increasing due to the routine examination of serum calcium levels. Primary hyperparathyroidims is most commonly caused by an adenoma or hyperplasia of the parathyroid gland. A cystic parathyroid adenoma is an extremely rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. In our case, a-79-year old female presented with lower back pain and constipation. Her serum calcium, phosphate and immunoreactive parathyroid homone levels were 15.6, 1.8mg/dL and 371.8pg/mL, respectively. Neck CT revealed a cystic mass and a contour bulging heterogeneous mass in the left inferior right thyroid gland, respectively. These mass lesions were removed, and the intra-operative parathyroid hormone levels monitored, to confirm the complete resection. After removing the left cystic mass to the inferior thyroid, the serum calcium and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone levels quickly returned to normal. We report a case of primary hyperparathyroidism, caused by a cystic parathyroid adenoma, with a brief review of the literature

The change of prevalence of diabetes mellitus for 3 years and incidence of diabetes in Koreans over 60 years old / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: As elderly people increasing, prevalence of diabetes will increase but there was paucity of data on the epidemiology of diabetes in Korean elderly population. In this study (Southwest Seoul, SWS study) we investigated the change of prevalence of diabetes mellitus for two points in time (the years 1999 and 2002) and 3-year incidence of diabetes in elderly Korean population of southwest area of Seoul. METHODS: A sampling of 1,652 subjects in 1999 and 1,214 subjects in 2002 who are over 60 years old in southwest area of Seoul were investigated. All subjects underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), biochemical study and anthropometric measurements. Among the 1,652 subjects in 1999, 350 subjects were followed up for 3 years and 294 subjects without diabetes at baseline examination participated in retrospective cohort study. RESULTS: Prevalence of diabetes in 1999 was 20.5% [previous diagnosed people (11.9%), newly diagnosed people (8.6%)] and in 2002 was 22.1% [previous diagnosed people (15.2%), newly diagnosed people (6.9%)]. Prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose intolerance (IGT) was 22.8% in 1999 and 27.8% in 2002. In 350 subjects were followed up for 3 years, prevalence of diabetes was 16.0% in 1999 and increased to 23.4% in 2002 (p=0.014). In retrospective cohort study, the annual incidence rate of diabetes was 2.9% (age and sex adjusted rate 2.5%). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of diabetes in elderly Korean population of southwest area of Seoul was 20.5% in 1999 and increased to 22.1% in 2002. Prevalence of IFG or IGT was 22.8% in 1999 and increased to 27.8% in 2002. This report supports that impaired glucose regulations and diabetes mellitus of elderly Korean population will increase in the future as aged Korean population increases.