Factors related to the Identification of Middle-Aged Women Who are Disadvantaged by Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease

PURPOSE: To investigate factors related to cardio-cerebrovascular disease and groups disadvantaged by it in Korean middle-aged women, using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). METHODS: The present study was conducted with 1,627 middle-aged women, aged 40 to 64 years, who participated in the 7th (2016) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS: Cardio-cerebrovascular disease among middle-aged women was associated with quality of life, menopause, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, and family history of hypertension. The incidence of cardio-cerebrovascular disease in middle-aged women was found to be the most prevalent in women who have entered menopause, have a family history of hypertension, and have a body mass index greater than 30.0 kg/m². CONCLUSION: This study classifies the subjects according to the risk level of each disadvantaged group for cardio-cerebrovascular disease prevention and management in middle-aged women. The results provide evidence to support a tailored cardio- cerebrovascular disease prevention and management program based on the related factors of disadvantaged groups and to establish strategies in educational and practical aspects.

A Study on the Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Korean Adults / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: This descriptive study was conducted to identify the use of complementary and alternative therapies, and the perception and attitudes toward CAT in Korean adults. METHODS: The 1,010 study subjects were recruited from ten regions in South Korea. Data were collected from July to September, 2004. RESULTS: The 43.2% of the sample(n=436) had an experience of using CAT. The subjects using CAT was more likely to have high score in the CAT perception compared to the subjects with no experience of CAT(p=.001). The primary source of information about CAT was mass media(59.7%). The 52.4% of the sample answered that CAT was supplementary and the 27.7% answered CAT was applicable to chronic pain or musculoskeletal disorders. Subjects(34.8%) pointed out that the greatest problem was no scientific informant in the use of CAT. The primary reason of using CAT was to maintain their health or to prevent disease(44.0%), and the 59.0% of the subjects responded that CAT was effective. Majority of subjects were satisfied with CAT(63.3%) and experienced no side effects of CAT(90.6%). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that professional counseling and education for CAT is needed for Korean public as well as the research approach to test the effects of CAT.

A Case of Fetal Bilateral Renal Agenesis / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Fetal bilateral renal agenesis is a lethal congenital anomaly characterized by bilateral pulmonary hypoplasia, deformities and death due to severe oligohydramnios. This syndrome is associated with malformations of genitourinary tract, cardiovascular system, vertebral bodies or imperforated anus in more than half of the affected individuals. An early and reliable prenatal diagnosis is extremely important because it may offer options for pregnancy termination as early as possible. The criteria for the ultrasonographic diagnosis of bilateral renal agenesis are severe oligohydramnios, nonvisualization of the bladder, empty renal fossae. But poor sonographic resolution of severe oligohydramnios makes it difficult to diagnose the disease. We present a case of bilateral renal agenesis diagnosed at the 32nd weeks gestation by using color doppler and "lying down" adrenal sign.

Prevalence of HCV infection in pregnant women and vertical transmission / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: The HCV seroprevalence rate and the vertical transmission rate in Korean pregnancy women have not been determined until now. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of anti- HCV in pregnant women and vertical transmission rate to assess the role of antenatal screening of HCV and the necessity of following babies from anti-HCV positive mothers. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 21,639 patients who delivered at Ilsin Christian hospital from January 2000 to October 2003. The HbsAg, HbsAb, anti-HCV, HIV test were performed in their 1st trimester of pregnancy and the HCV RNA test was performed by RT-PCR in samples positive for anti-HCV. 38 babies born to anti-HCV positive mothers were tested for anti-HCV and those who were positive anti-HCV were also tested for HCV RNA by PCR. RESULTS: The positive rate of anti-HCV in pregnant women was 0.42% (90/21,639) and that of HCV RNA was 57% (51/90). The positive rate of anti-HCV was 26.3% (10/38) and the result of HCV RNA test was all negative in babies whose mothes were positive for anti-HCV. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anti-HCV in pregnant women who delivered at our hospital seems to be higher than that in the Korean young adult man and it is similar with the whole world prevalence rate. The prevalence of anti-HCV of babies born to HCV PCR positive mothers was higher than that born to HCV PCR negative mothers. None of anti-HCV positive babies was HCV RNA positive. With this, we conclude that the vertical transmission as the transmission route of HCV infection is negligible but routine screening for HCV is acceptable to pregnant women.

Three Cases of Spina Bifida by Antenatal Ultrasonogram / 대한산부인과학회잡지

The prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida includes the combined use of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening and fetal sonography. On ultrasonogram, spina bifida is characterizd by visualization of the spinal defect and associated cranial abnomalities: the Lemon sign, the Banana sign, ventriculomegaly, small biparietal diameter, and obliteration of the cisterna magna. We should now be able to rely on ultrasound as the main technique for diagnosis of spina bifida when MSAFP is elevated. Recently, we have experienced three cases of spina bifida diagnosed with meningomyelocele, lemon sign, banana sign and ventriculomegaly on ultrasonogram at respectively 18+3, 18, and 18+6 weeks of gestation. We present these cases with a brief review of literatures.