The Prognosis of Glyphosate herbicide intoxicated patients according to their salt types

Purpose@#Glyphosate herbicide (GH) is a widely used herbicide and has been associated with significant mortality as poisoned cases increases. One of the reasons for high toxicity is thought to be toxic effect of its ingredient with glyphosate. This study was designed to determine differences in the clinical course with the salt-type contained in GH. @*Methods@#This was a retrospective study conducted at a single hospital between January 2013 and December 2017. We enrolled GH-poisoned patients visited the emergency department. According to salt-type, patients were divided into 4 groups: isopropylamine (IPA), ammonium (Am), potassium (Po), and mixed salts (Mi) groups. The demographics, laboratory variables, complications, and their mortality were analyzed to determine clinical differences associated with each salt-type. Addtionally, we subdivided patients into survivor and non-survivor groups for investigating predictive factors for the mortality. @*Results@#Total of 348 GH-poisoned patients were divided as follows: IPA 248, Am 41, Po 10, and Mi 49 patients. There was no difference in demographic or underlying disease history, but systolic blood pressure (SBP) was low in Po group. The ratio of intentional ingestion was higher in Po and Mi groups. Metabolic acidosis and relatively high lactate level were presented in Po group.As the primary outcome, the mortality rates were as follows: IPA, 26 (10.5%); Am, 2 (4.9%); Po, 1 (10%); and Mi, 1 (2%). There was no statistically significant difference in the mortality and the incidence of complications. Additionally, age, low SBP, low pH, corrected QT (QTc) prolongation, and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation were analyzed as independent predictors for mortality in a regression analysis. @*Conclusion@#There was no statistical difference in their complications and the mortality across the GH-salt groups in this study.

Comparison of tracheal intubation with direct laryngoscope using an assistive technique for novice: a manikin study

Objective@#Tracheal intubation is an essential procedure in many emergencies. Direct laryngoscopy is the best method of intubation, but its success is not assured in a difficult airway. This study was designed to compare the performance of two intubation-assisted maneuvers that can help an unskilled person to perform a successful intubation. @*Methods@#A randomized crossover trial for intubation was conducted in three airway scenarios: normal airway, tongue edema (TE) and cervical immobilization (CI). Sixty paramedic students performed intubation on a manikin using single operator intubation (SM), external laryngeal manipulation (ELM), and colleague assisted laryngoscopic maneuver (CALM). The degree of the visual field, intubation success rate, time to ventilation (TTV), tooth fracture, and difficulty of intubation were measured. @*Results@#There was no statistically significant difference in success rates between the three intubation methods, except in CI, where CALM had a significantly higher success rate (91.7%) as compared to ELM (78.3%) and SM (71.7%). There was no significant difference in TTV between the three intubation methods in all scenarios. However, with an improvement in the degree of visual field with ELM and CALM, evaluated using the Cormack-Lehane classification system, there was a statistically significant improvement in both TE and CI. Tooth fractures were lowest when CALM was used. The degree of difficulty felt by operators during intubation also tended to be lower in CALM than other methods, particularly, in CI. @*Conclusion@#For a novice, intubation using CALM was on par or better than ELM in the manikin study. And CALM was a more effective assistive method, specifically in CI cases.

Comparison of tracheal intubation with direct laryngoscope using an assistive technique for novice: a manikin study

Objective@#Tracheal intubation is an essential procedure in many emergencies. Direct laryngoscopy is the best method of intubation, but its success is not assured in a difficult airway. This study was designed to compare the performance of two intubation-assisted maneuvers that can help an unskilled person to perform a successful intubation. @*Methods@#A randomized crossover trial for intubation was conducted in three airway scenarios: normal airway, tongue edema (TE) and cervical immobilization (CI). Sixty paramedic students performed intubation on a manikin using single operator intubation (SM), external laryngeal manipulation (ELM), and colleague assisted laryngoscopic maneuver (CALM). The degree of the visual field, intubation success rate, time to ventilation (TTV), tooth fracture, and difficulty of intubation were measured. @*Results@#There was no statistically significant difference in success rates between the three intubation methods, except in CI, where CALM had a significantly higher success rate (91.7%) as compared to ELM (78.3%) and SM (71.7%). There was no significant difference in TTV between the three intubation methods in all scenarios. However, with an improvement in the degree of visual field with ELM and CALM, evaluated using the Cormack-Lehane classification system, there was a statistically significant improvement in both TE and CI. Tooth fractures were lowest when CALM was used. The degree of difficulty felt by operators during intubation also tended to be lower in CALM than other methods, particularly, in CI. @*Conclusion@#For a novice, intubation using CALM was on par or better than ELM in the manikin study. And CALM was a more effective assistive method, specifically in CI cases.

Utility of Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging in Comatose Patients after Cardiac Arrest: A Preliminary Study

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the efficacies of susceptibility weighted images (SWI) for predicting the clinical prognosis of comatose patients following cardiac arrest. METHODS: Thirty-two patients who were resuscitated from cardiac arrest and underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were retrospectively investigated and compared to 32 subjects with normal brain MRI findings who served as controls. The SWI readings were divided into three categories: prominent, diminished, and normal. Comatose patients were divided into two groups: those with a Glasgow-Pittsburgh cerebral performance category (CPC) of 1-2 (good outcome group) and those with a CPC of 3-5 (poor outcome group). RESULTS: Of the 32 patients, 17 (53.1%) showed good neurological outcomes upon hospital discharge. Normal patterns on SWI were mainly seen in the good outcome group (15 patients, 88.2%), while diminished patterns and prominent patterns were frequently found in the poor outcome group (13 patients, 88.7%). The combination of diminished pattern and prominent pattern predicted poor outcome with 86.7% sensitivity (95% confidence interval, 69.5%-100%) and 88.2% specificity (95% confidence interval, 72.9%-100%). CONCLUSION: The SWI findings correlate with the outcome of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and may be a useful adjunct of vegetative state or death in comatose patients after cardiac arrest.

Prognosis of Acute Pancreatitis in Glyphosate Surfactant Herbicide-intoxicated Patients

PURPOSE: Glyphosate herbicides (GHs) are widely used and increasingly associated with poisoning cases. Acute pancreatitis (AP) is among the many complications associated with the toxicity of GHs. We investigated the relationship between incidence of AP and its prognosis in patients with GH poisoning. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at a single tertiary hospital between January 2004 and December 2014. We enrolled all patients presented to the emergency department with GH poisoning. The Clinical and laboratory variables were analyzed to investigate the relationship between GH intoxication and AP. RESULTS: We studied 245 patients. Incidence of AP after GH poisoning was 6.5%. Patients with AP (mean 66 years) were older than the non-AP group (56 years). Systolic blood pressure, Glasgow Coma Scale, and amount of ingested poison differed significantly between the two groups. In the blood tests, white blood cell count, alanine aminotransferase, glucose, potassium, amylase, and lipase showed significant differences. The pH, bicarbonate, and lactate levels also differed significantly. Patients with AP demonstrated higher incidence of respiratory failure, pneumonia, acute kidney injury, rhabdomyolysis, and intensive care unit stay time. Additionally, 30-day mortality (n=11, 68.8%) was significantly higher in the AP group. On multivariate analysis, adjusted age, amount of ingestion, and lactate correlated with occurrence of AP. CONCLUSION: The incidence of GH-induced AP was 6.5% with a 30-day mortality of 68.8%. The patient's age, ingested dosage, and lactate levels were associated with GH-induced AP.

Clinical Analysis of Flumazenil Administration in the Single Emergency Department for Unconscious Patients, Suspected Benzodiazepine Overdose

PURPOSE: Flumazenil is an effective benzodiazepine antagonist. However, serious adverse effects, including seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, and even death, have been reported in patients treated with flumazenil. These adverse effects are commonly associated with co-ingested tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepine withdrawal. Herein, we examined the safety, effectiveness, and risk of using flumazenil to treat suspected benzodiazepine overdose in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study of adult patients administered with flumazenil for a known or suspected benzodiazepine overdose in the ED between July 2010 and January 2016. The outcomes included mental status improvement, incidence of seizures, and intubation rate after flumazenil administration. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients were included in the analysis. Thirty-eight (50%) patients experienced clinically significant mental status improvement. One patient had a seizure (1.3%), despite 17 reported proconvulsant coingestants. No patient required endotracheal intubation, and no patient had arrhythmias after flumazenil administration. Flumazenil was given intravenously bolus in all cases, and the average dose was 0.44mg. There were no significant changes in the vital signs after flumazenil administration. CONCLUSION: Flumazenil was effective and associated with a low frequency of seizure. However, patients with contraindications may develop seizures. The benefits with respect to risk of adverse effects should be considered carefully in all patients.

Prognostic Value of Blood Lactate for Mortality of Acutely Poisoned Patients in Emergency Department

PURPOSE: Patients suffering from acute poisoning by different substances often visit the emergency department (ED) and receive various prognoses according to the toxic material and patients' condition. Hyperlactatemia, which is an increased blood lactate level that generally indicates tissue hypoperfusion, is commonly utilized as a prognostic marker in critically ill patients such as those with sepsis. This study was conducted to investigate the relationships between blood lactate and clinical prognosis in acute poisoned patients. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted from January 2013 to June 2014 at a single and regional-tertiary ED. We enrolled study patients who were examined for blood test with lactate among acute intoxicated patients. The toxic materials, patient demographics, laboratory data, and mortalities were also reviewed. Additionally, we analyzed variables including blood lactate to verify the correlation with patient mortality. RESULTS: A total of 531 patients were enrolled, including 24 (4.5%) non-survivors. Patient age, Glasgow coma scale (GCS), serum creatinine (Cr), aspartate transaminase (AST), and serum lactate differed significantly between survivors and non-survivors in the binary logistic regression analysis. Among these variables, GCS, AST, and lactate differed significantly. The median serum lactate levels were 2.0 mmol/L among survivors and 6.9 mmol/L among non-survivors. The AUC with the ROC curve and odds ratio of the initial serum lactate were 0.881 and 3.06 (0.89-8.64), respectively. CONCLUSION: Serum lactate was correlated with fatalities of acute poisoning patients in the ED; therefore, it may be used as a clinical predictor to anticipate their prognoses.

Differences in Hands-off Time According to the Position of a Second Rescuer When Switching Compression in Pre-hospital Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Provided by Two Bystanders: A Randomized, Controlled, Parallel Study

The change of compressing personnel will inevitably accompany hands off time when cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is performed by two or more rescuers. The present study assessed whether changing compression by a second rescuer located on the opposite side (OS) of the first rescuer can reduce hands-off time compared to CPR on the same side (SS) when CPR is performed by two rescuers. The scenario of this randomized, controlled, parallel simulation study was compression-only CPR by two laypersons in a pre-hospital situation. Considering sex ratio, 64 participants were matched up in 32 teams equally divided into two gender groups, i.e. , homogenous or heterogeneous. Each team was finally allocated to one of two study groups according to the position of changing compression (SS or OS). Every team performed chest compression for 8 min and 10 sec, with chest compression changed every 2 min. The primary endpoint was cumulative hands-off time. Cumulative hands-off time of the SS group was about 2 sec longer than the OS group, and was significant (6.6 +/- 2.6 sec vs. 4.5 +/- 1.5 sec, P = 0.005). The range of hands off time of the SS group was wider than for the OS group. The mean hands-off times of each rescuer turn significantly shortened with increasing number of turns (P = 0.005). A subgroup analysis in which cumulative hands-off time was divided into three subgroups in 5-sec intervals revealed that about 70% of the SS group was included in subgroups with delayed hands-off time > or = 5 sec, with only 25% of the OS group included in these subgroups (P = 0.033). Changing compression at the OS of each rescuer reduced hands-off time compared to the SS in prehospital hands-only CPR provided by two bystanders.

The Factors Associated with the Hypotension Development in Acute Glyphosate-surfactant Herbicide Poisoning

PURPOSE: Recently, glyphosate-surfactant herbicide has been used increasingly because it is known for its low toxicity in mammals. However, some cases presented severe clinical complications including hypotension. Previous studies have shown that hypotension is a predictor of poor outcome and mortality. Therefore, we aimed to identify factors that may be related to hypotension in glyphosate intoxication. METHODS: This retrospective study targeted patients with glyphosate intoxication who were admitted to the emergency department of a single hospital from January 1st, 2004 to November 2014. The data were collected retrospectively from clinical records and laboratory files. Using multivariate logistic analysis, data were analyzed retrospectively for association with hypotension. RESULTS: Of the 245 patients, 63 patients (25.7%) had hypotension. The results of this study showed statistically significant differences in old age, underlying disease, amount of ingestion, GCS (Glasgow coma scale), White blood cell, hemoglobin, total bilirubin, glucose level, pH, bicarbonate, base excess, lactate level, AST (aspartate aminotransferase), creatinine level, saturation, Chest X-ray abnormality, and prolonged QTc (corrected QT interval) between hypotension group and non-hypotension group. By multivariate logistic analysis, GCS, creatinine level, chest X-ray abnormality, and prolonged QTc interval were associated with the cases presenting with hypotension. CONCLUSION: GCS, creatinine level, chest X-ray abnormality, and prolonged QTc interval were significant factors associated with hypotension in patients with glyphosate intoxication.

Performance Assessment of the SOFA, APACHE II Scoring System, and SAPS II in Intensive Care Unit Organophosphate Poisoned Patients

This study assessed the ability of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Acute Physiology, Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scoring systems, as well as the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II method to predict group mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients who were poisoned with organophosphate. The medical records of 149 organophosphate poisoned patients admitted to the ICU from September 2006 to December 2012 were retrospectively examined. The SOFA, APACHE II, and SAPS II were calculated based on initial laboratory data in the Emergency Department, and during the first 24 hr of ICU admission. The probability of death was calculated for each patient based on the SOFA score, APACHE II score, and SAPS II equations. The ability to predict group mortality by the SOFA score, APACHE II score, and SAPS II method was assessed using two by two decision matrices and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. A total of 131 patients (mean age, 61 yr) were enrolled. The sensitivities, specificities, and accuracies were 86.2%, 82.4%, and 83.2% for the SOFA score, respectively; 65.5%, 68.6%, and 67.9% for the APACHE II scoring system, respectively; and 86.2%, 77.5%, and 79.4% for the SAPS II, respectively. The areas under the curve in the ROC curve analysis for the SOFA score, APACHE II scoring system, and SAPS II were 0.896, 0.716, and 0.852, respectively. In conclusion, the SOFA, APACHE II, and SAPS II have different capability to discriminate and estimate early in-hospital mortality of organophosphate poisoned patients. The SOFA score is more useful in predicting mortality, and easier and simpler than the APACHE II and SAPS II.

A Comparison of Compression Rates on the Quality of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

PURPOSE: In cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) there are different opinions on the compression rate that should be applied. The aim of this study was to compare the total number of adequate compressions delivered during a five-minute period among four groups of lay persons (> or =139 min-1, 129-138, 114-128, and 100 times/minute and a depth of >5 cm for five minutes. A total of 86 participants were then divided into four groups based on their mean compression rate. Age, sex, and body mass index were analyzed as factors affecting the compression rates. RESULTS: The group delivering a compression rate above 139 compressions min-1 performed better than those delivering below 114 compressions min-1 (p=0.03). There was no significant difference in the mean compression depth (p=0.13), percentage of incomplete chest recoil (p=0.277), or the percentage of incorrect hand positioning (p=0.091). All participants (except five) performed chest compressions at a rate above 100 compressions min-1. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a chest compression rate above 139 compressions min-1 does not deteriorate the quality of compressions compared to a lower chest compression rate (below 114 min-1) during a five-minute period. Most untrained lay people performed chest compressions well, within a range of 100~150 min-1.

The Prognostic Value of the C-reactive Protein Levels in Acute Organophosphate Poisoning

PURPOSE: Organophosphate poisoning is a worldwide concern and there have been many reports describing the factors affecting the severity and prognosis resulting from its toxicity. This study aims to investigate if C-reactive protein is a useful independent predictor of mortality in organophosphate poisoning patients. METHODS: This retrospective study targeted organophosphate intoxication patients who were admitted to the emergency department of Samsung Changwon Hospital from January 1st, 2006 to December 31st, 2010. The data was retrospectively collected from clinical records and laboratory files, and using multivariate logistic analysis, the total population data was retrospectively analyzed for its association with mortality. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients were enrolled in this study. Of the 70, 53 survived and 17 died. Significant clinical factors such as age, mean arterial pressure, Glasgow coma scale score, respiratory rate, PaO2/FiO2, hematocrit, albumin, glucose and C-reactive protein (measured 24 hours after admission) were associated with mortality. The fatality rate resulting from organophosphate poisoning was 24.3%, and there was an increase observed in the mortality rate of patients with higher C-reactive protein at 24 hours after admission. CONCLUSION: The initial serum C-reactive protein and acetylcholinesterase results had no significant association with the severity of acute organophosphate poisoning. However, C-reactive protein results after 24 hours were significant independent predictors of mortality in the total population of patients afflicted with acute organophosphate poisoning.

The Prognostic Value of the C-reactive Protein Levels in Acute Organophosphate Poisoning

PURPOSE: Organophosphate poisoning is a worldwide concern and there have been many reports describing the factors affecting the severity and prognosis resulting from its toxicity. This study aims to investigate if C-reactive protein is a useful independent predictor of mortality in organophosphate poisoning patients. METHODS: This retrospective study targeted organophosphate intoxication patients who were admitted to the emergency department of Samsung Changwon Hospital from January 1st, 2006 to December 31st, 2010. The data was retrospectively collected from clinical records and laboratory files, and using multivariate logistic analysis, the total population data was retrospectively analyzed for its association with mortality. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients were enrolled in this study. Of the 70, 53 survived and 17 died. Significant clinical factors such as age, mean arterial pressure, Glasgow coma scale score, respiratory rate, PaO2/FiO2, hematocrit, albumin, glucose and C-reactive protein (measured 24 hours after admission) were associated with mortality. The fatality rate resulting from organophosphate poisoning was 24.3%, and there was an increase observed in the mortality rate of patients with higher C-reactive protein at 24 hours after admission. CONCLUSION: The initial serum C-reactive protein and acetylcholinesterase results had no significant association with the severity of acute organophosphate poisoning. However, C-reactive protein results after 24 hours were significant independent predictors of mortality in the total population of patients afflicted with acute organophosphate poisoning.

Changes in Preventable Death Rates and Traumatic Care Systems in Korea

PURPOSE: This study was performed in order to determine the changes over time in preventable and potentially preventable traumatic death rates, and to assess the factors that affected the deaths of trauma patients which occurred in Korean pre-hospital and hospital settings. METHODS: All trauma deaths occurring either in the emergency department (ED) or after admission at twenty Korean hospitals between August 2009 and July 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The deaths were initially reviewed by a team of multidisciplinary specialists and classified into non-preventable, potentially preventable, and preventable deaths. Only preventable and potentially preventable deaths were the subject of our analysis. Structured data extraction included patient demographics, vital signs, injury severity, probability of survival, preventability of mortality, reported errors in the evaluation and management of the patient, and classification of error types (system, judgment, knowledge). RESULTS: During the study period, 446 trauma victims died in the ED or within 7 days after admission. The mean age was 52 years, 74.1% were men and the mean time from injury to death was 35.6 hours. The most common cause of death was head injury (44.7%) followed by hemorrhage (30.8%) and multi-organ failure (8.0%). The rates of preventable/potentially preventable deaths were 35.2% overall and 29.8% when limited to patients surviving to admission. Of all death classifications, 31.2% were potentially preventable and 4.0% were preventable. Errors leading to preventable death occurred in the emergency department (51.2%), pre-hospital setting (30.3%) and during inter-hospital transfer (60.8%). Most errors were related to clinical management (48.4%) and structural problems in the emergency medical system (36.5%). CONCLUSION: The preventable death rates for Korean trauma victims were higher than those found in other developed countries, possibly due to poorly established emergency medical systems for trauma victims in pre-hospital and hospital settings. A system wide approach based on the emergency medical system and well-developed in-hospital trauma teams should be adopted in order to improve the quality of care of trauma victims in Korea.

Critical Pathway Implementation for Minor Motor Vehicle Trauma Patients

PURPOSE: The high rate of road traffic crashes and rising medical costs are critical health care problems in Korea as well as in the United States. To reduce the medical cost of minor traffic accidents, we hypothesized that implementation of a 7-day critical pathway (CP) for minor car accident patients (MCP) would decrease medical costs and hospitalization time without lowering patient satisfaction level. METHODS: A pretest-posttest experimental design was used to verify the effects of CP on MCP, from June 1 to December 31, 2010. A 7-day admission schedule with daily predefined order communication system (OCS) order set was implementated for MCP. On the day of discharge, MCP completed a satisfaction survey, and the total medical cost and cost per day were calculated. Satisfaction with physician and nursing care were also surveyed using the Brief Encounter Psycho-Social Instrument-Korea tool. RESULTS: Overall rating did not differ in patients processed normally and using the CP, but length of admission was reduced in CP patients. Total medical costs were not different in either group but cost per day was higher in the CP group. Satisfaction with physicians, but not nurses, satisfaction was improved after CP implementation. CONCLUSION: A critical pathway for MCP reduces length of admission without decreasing patient satisfaction. Total medical costs are not changed after CP implementation but cost per day is significantly increased. Improved job satisfaction in physician but not for nurses was observed after CP implementation. It seems that CP is a effective tool for MCP.

Comparison of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Score, Triage Score, and Triage-Revised Trauma Score as Triage Tools for Trauma Patients in the Emergency Department

PURPOSE: Since the definition of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) was introduced in 1992, it has been a useful indicator in predicting the extent of severity in and the prognosis for medical, surgical, and trauma patients. Indicators such as the Triage Score (TS) and the Triage-Revised Trauma Score (t-RTS) have been used as triage tools for emergency trauma patients in Korea. This study was performed to evaluate the ability of these three indicators as triage tools for trauma patients admitted into an emergency center. METHODS: The medical records of five hundred seven consecutive trauma patients admitted to the Emergency Center of Masan Samsung Hospital from October 2004 to December 2004 were carefully examined prospectively and retrospectively, and three hundred ninety-one patients were selected as subjects for this research. The SIRS score, the TS, and the t-RTS were calculated based on the records from the Emergency Department, and the injury severity score was calculated based on all the data obtained during hospitalization. The efficiency of the three indicators as triage tools was evaluated by using cross tabulations in two by two matrices and by using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULT: When mortality was used as the outcome parameter, the sensitivity of the SIRS score was lower than that of the TS (p<0.05), and the specificity and the accuracy of the SIRS score were lower than those of the t-RTS (p<0.01). The areas under the ROC curves of the SIRS score, the TS, and the t-RTS were 0.759+/-0.095, 0.949+/-0.033, and 0.900+/-0.085, respectively (95% confidence interval, p<0.002, vs. TS). When an injury severity score of 15 was used as the outcome parameter, the comparisons of the sensitivities, the specificities and the accuracies of the SIRS score and the other two indicators showed the same pattern as mentioned above, and the areas under the ROC curves of the SIRS score, the TS, and the t-RTS were 0.688+/-0.058, 0.762+/-0.059, and 0.686+/-0.067, respectively (95% confidence interval). CONCLUSION: The ability of SIRS score was the same as, or lower than, that of the TS and the t-RTS. Therefore, the SIRS score cannot be recommended over the other two indicators as triage tools for emergency trauma patients.

Korean Multicenter Study of Te tanus Antibody Titer (KoMUST)

PURPOSE: We determine the Korean antibody titer and positive rate of tetanus by using a with qualitative test (ELISA) and a quantitative test (TQS(R)). METHODS: This study was prospective collecting study with uncontolled patients who were admitted in 21 Emergency Departments during 3 months in South Korea. We measured TQS(R) and collected the serum with a centrifuge for 5 groups, which was classified with age: 2~10 years (I), 11~20 years (II), 21~30 years (III), 31~40 years (IV), 41~60 years (V), in each hospital. The freezed serum and the protocol with TQS(R) results were taken at the Soonchunhyang University Bucheon hospital to be analyzed. RESULTS: The number of enrolled patients was 1816 (male 58%). The positive rate of TQS(R) was 835 patients (46%), and there was no relation with region or sex. In sex and age, there was a definitive decline in the group III fort males and females. The results of ELISA was showed that 62.8% (> 0.15 IU/ml) and 52.2% (> 0.2 IU/ml) had protective levels of tetanus antibody. The proportion decreased to approximately 43% and 18% among persons 40~60 years of age at each level of antibody titers. By region and population, there was no statistical relationship with TQS(R) and ELISA, but previous military service was associated with a higher prevalence of protective antibodies to tetanus (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A substantial portion of adults in South Korea do not have antibody levels that are protective against tetanus. Also, the mean level of tetanus antibody titers was definitively lower than those of other developed conturies and consistently decreased with aging. Therefore, an adult formulation diphteria and tetanus toxoid every 5 or 10 years is recommended for all adults between 20 and 60 years of age after being tested with TQS(R) in South Korea.

Comparison of Predicted Outcomes of Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, and Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II Scoring Systems in Intensive-care-unit Trauma Patients

PURPOSE: Several statistical models, such as the TRISS, the APACHE II and the SAPS II scoring systems, have been utilized over the recent decades to accurately predict outcomes in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) trauma patients. This study was performed to evaluate the ability of these three statistical models to predict hospital mortality and to compare the performance of these three statistical models in ICU trauma patients. METHODS: Seven hundred forty-seven trauma patients were admitted to the ICU via the emergency center, Masan Samsung Hospital, from March 1999 to February 2001. Of them, 684 patients were included in this study, and their medical records were retrospectively analyzed. The probability of death was calculated for each patient based on the TRISS, the APACHE II, and the SAPS II equations. RESULTS: The values of the Hosmer and Lemeshow X2 for TRISS, APACHE II, and SAPS II were 41.32, 43.03, and 17.64, respectively, and all of them underestimated mortality (p<0.05). For two-by-two decision matrices with a decision criterion of 0.5, the specificities and percentages correctly classified of APACHE II and SAPS II were higher than those of TRISS (p<0.001). For the ROC curve analysis, the areas under the curves (+/-SEM) of TRISS, APACHE II, and SAPS II were 0.922 +/- 0.011, 0.951 +/- 0.011, and 0.957 +/- 0.009, respectively (95% confidence interval). The areas under the curves of APACHE II and SAPS II were larger than that of TRISS (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respecively). CONCLUSION: All of these three statistical models had good discriminative power, with APACHE II and SAPS II performing better than TRISS. However, all of them showed poor calibration and underestimated mortality. The authors conclude that a new statistical model is needed to accurately predict hospital mortality in severely injured patients.

Comparison of Triage Score and Triage-Revised Trauma Score for Triage in Emergent Trauma Patients

BACKGROUND: The triage-revised trauma score(t-RTS) is used for triage in trauma patients in many countries. Recently, the triage score was developed as a new triage method for trauma patients in Korea. The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of triage for the t-RTS and the triage score. METHODS: The medical records of 1575 consecutive trauma patients visiting the Emergency Center, Masan Samsung Hospital, from March to August 1999 were retrospectively analyzed. The triage score and the t-RTS were taken from the charts completed by the emrgency room doctors and nurses. The accuracies of the two triage methods were compared by using the undertriage and the overtriage rates, receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis, and a correlation analysis with many physiologic, anatomical, biochemical, and mixed scores(Glasgow coma scale, injury severity score, TRISS, APACHE II and III scores, operation, survival, etc.). RESULTS: The undertriage rates for the triage score and the t-RTS were 22.8% and 38.2%, r e s p e c t i v e l y ( p

The Effect of Anterior Capsulotomy Size and Lens Epithelial cells Removal on the Posterior Capsular Opacification

The most common complication of cataract surgery, posterior capsular opacification is known to arise from the lentivular epithelial proliferation. The simple mechanical elimination of the lenticular epithelial cells by irrigation and asiration is most widely used now. Recently, the defenite size of continous curvilinear capsulorhexis(C.C.C.) and the effect of partial mechanical removal of lens epi thelial cells is under the discussion. We used 15 Neuzealand white rabbits(30 eyes) to examine the appropriate capsulotomy size and the effect of simple irrigation and aspiration on the posterior capsular opacification for 3 months after operation. The results from by using the slit lamp and the ophthalmoscope examination showed that the posterior capsular opacificaiton grade score was lower in the small(3~4mm) capsulotomy with irrigation and aspiration group(1.7) than in the small capsulotomy(3~4mm) group without irrigation and aspiration group(2.3) or the large capsulotomy (6~7mm) group without irrigation and aspiration(2.4). The optical power meter and posterior eye evaluation technique also presented the same results of posterior capsular opacification grade as those of slit lamp and ophthalmoscope examination which was done on the eneuc1eated eyes at postoperative 3 months.