Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Diseases in Korean Americans and Native Koreans Undergoing Health Checkup / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Korean Americans constitute the fifth largest subgroup in the Asian American population. Despite their increasing population, research and guidelines regarding their health status assessment and disease screening are lacking. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of diseases in Korean Americans and native Koreans to determine the risk factors and guidelines for disease screening. METHODS: Patients who visited the Gangnam Severance Hospital from February 2010 to May 2015 for a health checkup were enrolled in this study. Baseline characteristics, laboratory data, and the organs (stomach, colon, thyroid, brain, prostate, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas, adrenal gland, and heart) of patients were examined. Data regarding patients' dietary patterns were also obtained. Overall, 1,514 Korean Americans (group 1) and 1,514 native Koreans (group 2) were enrolled. RESULTS: The following diseases were more prevalent in group 1 than in group 2: reflux esophagitis (12.9% vs. 10%), gastric ulcer (3.0% vs. 5.5%), colorectal polyp (37.7% vs. 28.7%), hemorrhoids (32.2% vs. 29.9%), and benign prostatic hyperplasia (30.2% vs. 14.3%). Although not statistically significant, coronary artery disease has a high prevalence rate of >20% in both groups. Dietary patterns were not significant between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the prevalence of several diseases in Korean Americans differed from that observed in native Koreans. Therefore, a foundation for setting up new guidelines for disease screening among Korean Americans is established.

Advanced Colonic Neoplasia at Follow-up Colonoscopy According to Risk Components and Adenoma Location at Index Colonoscopy: A Retrospective Study of 1,974 Asymptomatic Koreans

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to estimate the cumulative incidence of advanced colonic neoplasia and analyze the risk factors for advanced colonic neoplasia according to risk components and adenoma location at index colonoscopy. METHODS: We reviewed 1,974 subjects who underwent a follow-up colonoscopy after a complete screening colonoscopy and the removal of all polyps. We estimated the cumulative incidence of a subsequent advanced neoplasia according to risk groups (normal, low-risk, and high-risk). Risk factors were analyzed by risk components (≥3 adenomas, adenoma ≥1 cm, and villous-type adenoma) and adenoma location. RESULTS: Overall, 111 advanced neoplasias (5.6%) were newly diagnosed at the follow-up colonoscopy. The 3-year cumulative incidences of advanced neoplasia were 0.8%, 3.1%, and 10.2% in the normal, low-risk, and high-risk groups, respectively (p<0.0001), and the 5-year cumulative incidences were 2.2%, 8.6%, and 20.2%, respectively (p<0.0001). Age ≥60 years (hazard ratio [HR], 1.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 2.63), right-sided colonic adenoma (HR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.13 to 2.66), ≥3 adenomas (HR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.22 to 3.28), and adenomas ≥1 cm in size (HR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.20 to 3.44) in the index colonoscopy were independent risk factors for subsequent development of advanced neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Right-sided colonic adenoma, ≥3 adenomas, adenomas ≥1 cm, and age ≥60 years at the index colonoscopy were significant risk factors for advanced neoplasia following a complete screening colonoscopy and removal of all polyps.

Gastroprotective Effect of Cochinchina momordica Seed Extract in Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug-Induced Acute Gastric Damage in a Rat Model

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The major compounds of Cochinchina momordica seed extract (SK-MS10) include momordica saponins. We report that the gastroprotective effect of SK-MS10 in an ethanol-induced gastric damage rat model is mediated by suppressing proinflammatory cytokines and downregulating cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), and the activation of calcitonin gene-related peptide. In this study, we evaluated the gastroprotective effects of SK-MS10 in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced gastric damage rat model. METHODS: The pretreatment effect of SK-MS10 was evaluated in the NSAID-induced gastric damage rat model using aspirin, indomethacin, and diclofenac in 7-week-old rats. Gastric damage was evaluated based on the gross ulcer index by gastroenterologists, and the damage area (%) was measured using the MetaMorph 7.0 video image analysis system. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blotting was used to analyze the levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2, cPLA2, and 5-LOX. RESULTS: All NSAIDs induced gastric damage based on the gross ulcer index and damage area (p<0.05). Gastric damage was significantly attenuated by SK-MS10 pretreatment compared with NSAID treatment alone (p<0.05). The SK-MS10 pretreatment group exhibited lower MPO levels than the diclofenac group. The expression of cPLA2 and 5-LOX was decreased by SK-MS10 pretreatment in each of the three NSAID treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: SK-MS10 exhibited a gastroprotective effect against NSAID-induced acute gastric damage in rats. However, its protective mechanism may be different across the three types of NSAID-induced gastric damage models in rats.

Comparison of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms and Proton Pump Inhibitor Response Using Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Impact Scale Questionnaire

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To compare gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and response to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in patients with erosive esophagitis (EE), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) or functional heartburn (FH) using GERD impact scale (GIS) questionnaire. METHODS: Total 126 patients with GERD symptoms were diagnosed as EE (n = 62), NERD (n = 34) and FH (n = 30) by endoscopy, 24-hour esophageal pH testing and Bernstein test, prospectively. Analysis of risk factors and GIS questionnaire for GERD symptoms and quality of life were performed before and 8 weeks after PPI treatment. RESULTS: EE group had a higher proportion of men, frequent alcohol consumption, smoking, hiatal hernia, body mass index > or = 25 kg/m2 and triglyceride levels (> or = 150 mg/dL) than the other groups (all P < 0.05). On the other hand, both psychiatric treatment and psychopharmacotherapy were more frequent in patients with FH than in those with EE and NERD (both P < 0.05). Among GERD symptoms, chest pain was more frequent in FH group than in EE and NERD groups (P < 0.05). Eating problems and limitation of productive daily activities occurred frequently in FH group and NERD group, respectively. GIS after 8 week PPI treatment showed improvement in all of the GERD symptoms in EE (all P < 0.05) and in acid regurgitation, epigastric pain and hoarseness in NERD group (all P < 0.05). In terms of quality of life, PPI treatment improved sleep disturbance in EE (P = 0.031) and limitation of productive activity in the NERD group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: GIS questionnaire showed that different characteristics and symptoms improved after PPI therapy among patients with EE, NERD and FH, demonstrating the usefulness of the GIS questionnaire.

Correlation between Endoscopic and Histological Diagnoses of Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intestinal metaplasia (IM) is a premalignant condition. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between endoscopic and histological findings of IM. METHODS: The cases of IM were graded by conventional endoscopy, and biopsies were taken from the antrum and body of 1,333 subjects for histological IM diagnosis. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify the factors that affect the sensitivity of endoscopic IM diagnosis. RESULTS: The sensitivity/specificity of endoscopic IM diagnosis based on histology was 24.0%/91.9% for the antrum and 24.2%/88.0% for the body. As indicated by multivariate analysis, the presence of endoscopic atrophic gastritis (AG) (odds ratio [OR], 4.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.07 to 10.79) and the activity of mucosal inflammation (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.08 to 4.54) were associated with the sensitivity of endoscopic IM diagnosis in the antrum, while the presence of endoscopic AG (OR, 8.02; 95% CI, 4.55 to 14.15), dysplasia (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.07 to 5.39), and benign gastric ulcers (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.081) were associated with the sensitivity of endoscopic IM diagnosis in the body. CONCLUSIONS: As the sensitivity of endoscopic IM diagnosis was low, a high index of suspicion for IM is necessary in the presence of atrophy, and confirmation by histology is also necessary.

Association of Sleep Dysfunction and Emotional Status With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Sleep disturbances and emotional dysfunction are commonly associated with gastroeophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aims of this study were to evaluate GERD symptoms and disturbance in erosive reflux disease (ERD) and nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) patients, and to compare sleep dysfunction, depressive mood, anxiety and quality of life (QOL) among the control, ERD and NERD patients in Korea. METHODS: The Korean subjects were enrolled between 2010 and 2012, classified into 3 groups; the control group with no symptom and normal endoscopic findings, the ERD group with erosive esophagitis and the NERD group with more than one episode of heartburn or acid regurgitation per week, positive response to proton pump inhibitor, and normal endoscopic findings. Questionnaire included GERD symptoms, GERD impact scale (GIS) and daytime pathological sleepiness (Epworth sleepiness scale), sleep dysfunction (Pittsburgh sleep quality index, PSQI), depression and anxiety (Hospital anxiety and depression scale, HADS) and QOL (WHO quality of life scale abbreviated version, WHOQOL-BREF). RESULTS: A total of 217 subjects were enrolled as follows; control (n = 70), ERD (n = 70) and NERD (n = 77). Impact of symptom of GIS score was higher in the NERD (9.2 +/- 0.4) than in the ERD (6.5 +/- 0.3) group (P < 0.001). Sleep dysfunctions were more frequent in GERD than the control group (PSQI score [P = 0.021]). Anxiety subscale of HAD score was higher in NERD (7.0 +/- 0.5, P = 0.002) and ERD (6.2 +/- 0.7, P = 0.004) groups than control (4.3 +/- 0.7) group. WHOQOL-BREF scores in NERD (54.9 +/- 2.3) and ERD (57.8 +/- 2.4) groups were significantly lower than those in the control group (63.8 +/- 2.4) (P = 0.002; P = 0.014, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The patients with NERD than ERD suffered more from the symptoms and disturbance in Korea. Sleep dysfunction and anxiety mood were higher and QOL was decreased in GERD, especially in NERD, suggesting that those factors might affect the severity of NERD.

Comparison among Conventional 4 L Polyethylene Glycol, Split Method of 4 L Polyethylene Glycol and Combination of 2 L Polyethylene Glycol and Sodium Phosphate Solution for Colonoscopy Preparation / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4 L, split method of PEG 4 L and PEG 2 L plus sodium phosphate (NaP) in the aspect of bowel preparation quality, safety, patients' compliance and preference. METHODS: Total 249 subjects were prospectively enrolled and received bowel preparation for colonoscopy from August to October in 2010; PEG 4 L (93 subjects), split method of 4 L PEG (74 subjects) and PEG 2 L plus NaP 90 mL group (82 subjects). To investigate the completion, preference for bowel preparation and safety, a questionnaire survey was conducted before colonoscopy. RESULTS: There were no significant intergroup differences in the aspect of completion of preparation, cecal intubation time and success rate. Satisfaction and preference were higher in PEG 2 L plus NaP 90 mL and split method of 4 L PEG compared with PEG 4 L. In the aspect of the bowel preparation quality PEG 4 L showed significantly higher quality in the morning colonoscopy (p<0.001). However, in the afternoon colonoscopy PEG 2 L plus NaP 90 mL showed better result than PEG 4 L (p=0.009). Hyperphosphatemia was most frequently observed in PEG 2 L plus NaP 90 mL, but no severe adverse events occurred (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PEG 4 L showed better result than split method of 4 L PEG or PEG 2 L plus NaP 90 mL in the aspect of bowel preparation quality and safety.

A Case of an Extragastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of the Pelvic Cavity Presenting with Hematuria / 대한내과학회지

Although gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract, it also occurs in the non-gastrointestinal tract, and is referred to as extragastrointestinal stromal tumor (EGIST). In this report, we describe a 48-year-old female patient who presented with hematuria, and who was finally diagnosed with a primary extragastrointestinal stromal tumor of the pelvic cavity involving the bladder, vagina and left ureter. Tumor cells were positive for immunohistochemical staining for CD117 antigen (proto-oncogene protein c-kit), CD34, and vimentin, whereas they were negative for desmin, smooth muscle actin, and S-100 protein. These findings provide histopathological and immunohistochemical evidence for diagnosing this tumor as EGIST.

The Effect of Hypouricemic Treatment on the Renal Function in Patients with Gout

OBJECTIVE: Hyperuricemia is known as a risk factor that causes and worsens kidney diseases through a variety of mechanisms. Recent animal studies reported that the correction of hyperuricemia improved the renal function, but there have been few human studies. This study examined whether a hypouricemic treatment affects the renal function in Korean patients with gout. METHODS: Two hundred sixty-seven gout patients who were prescribed uric acid lowering agents for more than 1 year were enrolled at the Division of Rheumatology in the National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital and Yonsei University Severance Hospital from January 2005 to January 2010. The following were examined: the levels of serum uric acid and serum creatinine, the amount of 24-hour urine uric acid, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and abdominal ultrasound findings at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS: Mean age of the study subjects was 54.4+/-13.9 years. Two hundred forty-seven patients were male and 20 patients were female. The mean treatment duration was 35.0+/-19.5 months. Among the 267 patients, 219 and 19 patients received monotherapy with allopurinol and benzbromarone respectively, and 29 patients received combination therapy with allopurinol and benzbromarone. After the treatment with uric acid lowering agents, the serum uric acid and creatinine levels decreased significantly (8.05+/-1.96 mg/dL vs 6.16+/-1.46 mg/dL, p<0.001, 1.25+/-0.46 mg/dL vs 1.18+/-0.42 mg/dL, p=0.001, respectively) and the GFR increased significantly (74.4+/-27.0 mL/min/1.73 m3 vs 80.2+/-31.6 mL/min/1.73 m3, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Treatment with hypouricemic agents reduced the levels of serum uric acid and improved the renal function. These results suggest that a hypouricemic treatment might improve the kidney function in gout patients.

The Incidence and Clinical Features of Clostridium difficile Infection; Single Center Study / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Clostridium difficile is the predominant cause of nosocomial diarrhea. Recently, the incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) increases in Europe and North America. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the change of incidence and clinical features of CDI in Korea. METHODS: From January 2003 to December 2008, inpatients diagnosed with CDI in Seoul Paik hospital were enrolled. The diagnosis of CDI was made when patients complained diarrhea with any positive results in C. difficile toxin assay, stool culture, or endoscopy. The incidence, recurrence rate, and clinical features were compared between early period (2003-2005) and late period (2006-2008). RESULTS: The incidence of CDI was 21.73 cases per 10,000 admitted patients in early period group, and significantly increased to 71.71 cases per 10,000 admitted patients in late period group (p<0.01). The hospital stay duration at the time of CDI diagnosis was shorter in late period group. Cephalosporin had the highest ratio as the causative antibiotics of CDI. However, there was no difference in recurrence rate between early and late period groups. Recurrence associated clinical factor was serum albumin level. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CDI showed increasing tendency during recent 6 years. The awareness of increasing disease burden is the first step in control of CDI.