Association between Bone Mineral Density and Albuminuria: Cross-Sectional Analysis of Data from the 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V-2

BACKGROUND: Albuminuria is known to be independently associated with progression of renal and cardiovascular disease. However, little is known regarding the exact relationship between albuminuria and bone mineral density (BMD). The aim of this population-based study conducted in Korea was to identify the association between albuminuria and BMD. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-2) 2011. BMD was measured for total hip (TH), femur neck (FN), and lumbar spine (LS). Analysis of covariance was used to compare BMD levels between the groups at the TH, FN, and LS sites, after adjusting for age. Separate analyses were performed according to sex; women were divided into two groups according to menopausal status and each group was subdivided into three according to urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (level 1, <30 mg/g; level 2, 30 to 299 mg/g; level 3, ≥300 mg/g). RESULTS: Data on a total of 1,831 adults (857 men and 974 women) were analyzed. In postmenopausal women, after adjusting for age, BMD of TH tended to decrease as levels of albuminuria increased (0.767±0.117, 0.757±0.129, 0.752±0.118, respectively; P=0.040). However, there was no significant difference in BMD according to albuminuria level in premenopausal women and men. CONCLUSION: Level of albuminuria was closely related with BMD of TH in postmenopausal women, after adjusting for age, but there was no significant relationship between albuminuria and BMD in premenopausal women and men.

Pneumomediastinum after Forceful Vomiting in a Patient with Diabetic Ketoacidosis / 전남의대학술지

No abstract available.

Atypical Thyroiditis Following Influenza B Infection

Viral infections are known to be a predisposing factor for subacute (De Quervain's) thyroiditis. In this report, we document a novel case of thyroiditis, with an atypical presentation, following an influenza B infection. A 13-year-old previously healthy female visited the outpatient clinic complaining of right neck pain. She had been diagnosed with an influenza B infection at a local clinic 3 weeks earlier. All laboratory tests were normal. A thyroid ultrasound showed an ill-defined hypoechoic mass (1.0×0.5×1.5 cm) in the right lower thyroid, and scintigraphy of the thyroid with Technetium-99m (99m-Tc) demonstrated the normal uptake of the radiotracer. Fine-needle aspiration from the nodule showed the presence of a few neutrophils. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of atypical thyroiditis associated with an influenza B infection described in the literature. Influenza B infection should be considered as a possible cause of atypical thyroiditis.

The Effect of Metformin Treatment on CRBP-I Level and Cancer Development in the Liver of HBx Transgenic Mice

Retinoids regulate not only various cell functions including proliferation and differentiation but also glucose and lipid metabolism. After we observed a marked up-regulation of cellular retinol-binding protein-I (CRBP-I) in the liver of hepatitis B virus x antigen (HBx)-transgenic (HBx Tg) mice which are prone to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and fatty liver, we aimed to evaluate retinoid pathway, including genes for the retinoid physiology, CRBP-I protein expression, and retinoid levels, in the liver of HBx Tg mice. We also assessed the effect of chronic metformin treatment on HCC development in the mice. Many genes involved in hepatic retinoid physiology, including CRBP-I, were altered and the tissue levels of retinol and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) were elevated in the liver of HBx Tg mice compared to those of wild type (WT) control mice. CRBP-I protein expression in liver, but not in white adipose tissue, of HBx Tg mice was significantly elevated compared to WT control mice while CRBP-I protein expressions in the liver and WAT of high-fat fed obese and db/db mice were comparable to WT control mice. Chronic treatment of HBx Tg mice with metformin did not affect the incidence of HCC, but slightly increased hepatic CRBP-I level. In conclusion, hepatic CRBP-I level was markedly up-regulated in HCC-prone HBx Tg mice and neither hepatic CRBP-I nor the development of HCC was suppressed by metformin treatment.

The Association between Low Serum Bilirubin and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND: Bilirubin prevents oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein, and may protect vessels from atherosclerosis. Several studies showed an inverse relationship between serum bilirubin and coronary artery disease. However, there are some needs to clarify the relationship between serum bilirubin and carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes, especially. METHODS: A total of 346 type 2 diabetic patients, between 35 and 95 years of age (146 men and 200 women), were studied. Subjects with normal serum total bilirubin were divided into two groups, according to their serum total bilirubin levels (group I, total bilirubin > or = 1.0 mg/dL [n = 59]; group II, total bilirubin < or = 0.5 mg/dL [n = 76]). Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque scores were measured by ultrasonography. Carotid atherosclerosis was defined by the presence of plaque or more than 1 mm of common carotid IMT. RESULTS: Carotid IMT was positively correlated with age, duration of diabetes and hypertension, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and fibrinogen, but, it was negatively correlated with bilirubin, gamma glutaryltransferase, albumin, hemoglobin, cystatin C and estimated-glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in all subjects. After controlling for sex, age and levels of hemoglobin, direct bilirubin only was negatively correlated with carotid IMT (r = -0.151, P = 0.034). Low serum total bilirubin group had a lot of female, long duration of diabetes and hypertension, higher hs-CRP, platelet counts, serum creatinine, HbA1c and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, lower albumin, hemoglobin, estimated-GFR and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index. Carotid IMT and plaque scores were significantly greater in low serum bilirubin group (0.785 +/- 0.210 mm vs. 0.678 +/- 0.146 mm, P < 0.01; 1.95 +/- 2.56 vs. 1.03 +/- 1.40, P < 0.05, respectively) than in the high serum bilirubin group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, serum albumin and total bilirubin were independent associated factors for carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic women. CONCLUSION: Total bilirubin is inversely correlated with carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients, and it is an independent associated factor for carotid atherosclerosis in women.

A Case of Diffuse Normolipemic Plane Xanthoma Associated with Multiple Myeloma / 대한내과학회지

Diffuse plane xanthoma is a group of plane xanthomas that appear as yellow to yellowish-brown flat patches or slightly elevated plaques with a widespread distribution. It is often associated with, or preceded by several years of, hematologic problems. Here, we describe a 63-year-old woman diagnosed with diffuse normolipemic plane xanthoma who developed multiple myeloma 20 years later. This case suggests that patients with diffuse normolipemic plane xanthoma should be followed for their entire life to detect health problems.

A Case of Diffuse Normolipemic Plane Xanthoma Associated with Multiple Myeloma / 대한내과학회지

Diffuse plane xanthoma is a group of plane xanthomas that appear as yellow to yellowish-brown flat patches or slightly elevated plaques with a widespread distribution. It is often associated with, or preceded by several years of, hematologic problems. Here, we describe a 63-year-old woman diagnosed with diffuse normolipemic plane xanthoma who developed multiple myeloma 20 years later. This case suggests that patients with diffuse normolipemic plane xanthoma should be followed for their entire life to detect health problems.

A Case of Graves' Disease Following Subacute Thyroiditis / 대한내과학회지

Subacute thyroiditis is a spontaneously resolving inflammatory disease of the thyroid gland, which is usually associated with a viral infection and genetic factors. In some cases of this disorder, thyroid autoantibodies can appear, probably due to the inflammatory release of thyroid antigens, althoughtheir pathophysiological role in the course of this disease is not yet fully understood. The occurrence of Graves' disease after subacute thyroiditis is extremely rare, and only a few cases have been reported. Here, we report a case of a middle-aged woman who developed Graves' disease after subacute thyroiditis.

A case of pheochromocytoma presenting as inverted Takotsubo cardiomyopathy / 대한내과학회지

A 61-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department with acute chest pain. Echocardiography showed transient cardiomyopathy with akinesia of the basal and midportions of the left ventricle and hyperkinesia of the apex. No evidence of ischemic cardiomyopathy on myocardial SPECT or ergonovine stress echocardiography was observed. The patient's condition at discharge had improved, but she later was diagnosed as having pheochromocytoma. The findings of transient cardiomyopathy revealed inverted Takotsubo cardiomyopathy related to pheochromocytoma. The recognition of such a rare cardiac manifestation should be considered in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.

Lymphocytic infundibuloneurohypophysitis presenting with central diabetes insipidus: a case report and review of previous Korean cases / 대한내과학회지

Lymphocytic infundibuloneurohypophysitis is a neuroendocrine disorder characterized by autoimmune inflammation of the pituitary stalk and neurohypophysis. Clinical findings such as acute onset central diabetes insipidus and the regression of characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings allow for the possible diagnosis of this disease. Three cases of lymphocytic infundibuloneurohypophysitis have been previously reported in Korea. Here we report a case in a 66-year-old woman, along with a review of previously reported occurrences in Korea. A woman presented with abrupt-onset central diabetes insipidus. Sella MRI showed thickening of the pituitary stalk and loss of high T1 signals that are associated with a normal neurohypophysis. Basal pituitary hormone levels were normal with the exception of growth hormone, which was low. The patient refused transsphenoidal pituitary biopsy and we thus chose to continue close clinical and radiologic follow-up after desmopressin nasal spray application. The need for desmopressin decreased slightly over time and MRI obtained after 6 months showed regression of the pituitary stalk lesion.

A case of type 2 diabetes manifested by hypokalemic periodic paralysis / 대한내과학회지

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis may be precipitated by stress, rest after exercise, or events that lower serum potassium levels, such as carbohydrate ingestion or the use of insulin or diuretics. In healthy subjects, insulin activates Na+/K+ ATPase, which elicits potassium influx and transient hypokalemia; however, hypokalemia is compensated by K+ ATP channel activation. Recently, we encountered a 49-year-old male patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hyperinsulinemic hypokalemic periodic paralysis. The patient had no family history of muscle weakness or diabetes mellitus. At the time of the attack, plasma glucose was 142.4 mg/dL, plasma insulin was 116.86 micronIU/mL, serum potassium was 2.08 mEq/L, and thyroid hormone, renin, aldosterone, ACTH, and cortisol levels were normal. Symptoms improved rapidly upon potassium replacement. Oral glucose tolerance testing revealed high glucose and insulin levels at 2 h, and serum potassium and phosphate levels decreased from 5.1 to 4 mEq/L and 3.6 to 2.0 mg/dL, respectively.

Prevalence of aspirin resistance and related factors in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is high in patients with diabetes. Since studies suggest that aspirin is less effective in diabetic patients, this study evaluated the prevalence of aspirin resistance and related factors in Korean type-2 diabetics. METHODS: All patients taking aspirin 100 mg/day for at least 4 weeks and no other anti-platelet agents were enrolled. The compliance of aspirin intake was determined from patient interviews and using the pill-count method. All other medications were continued during the study, including oral hypoglycemics, antihypertensives, and lipid-lowering agents. The effect of aspirin was assessed using the Ultegra Rapid Platelet Function Assay-ASA (VerifyNow-Aspirin, Accumetrics, San Diego, CA) and aspirin resistance was defined as >550 aspirin reaction units (ARU). RESULTS: The prevalence of aspirin resistance in Korean type-2 diabetics was 14.8%, and was more prevalent in males than in females (28.1% vs. 7.1%). Aspirin resistance was correlated with male sex, smoking, high hemoglobin levels, a high estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and low fibrinogen levels. After controlling for sex, aspirin resistance was related to the estimated GFR (r=0.247, p=0.029), hemoglobin (r=0.23, p=0.043), and fibrinogen (r=0.304, p=0.007) levels. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of aspirin resistance in Korean type-2 diabetics was 14.8%. Therefore, a laboratory test for aspirin resistance should be considered in diabetic patients taking aspirin to prevent cardiovascular complications.

The Effects of L-thyroxine Treatment on QT Dispersion in Primary Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism has various cardiovascular manifestation and exhibits electrocardiographic change. The QT dispersion on surface ECG reflects regional variations in myocardial repolarization. The effect of L-thyroxine treatment on ECG parameters, such as QT dispersion, in patients with primary hypothyroidism were investigated. This study involved 18 patients (3 men, 15 women, ages: 48+/-18 yr) with primary hypothyroidism. All patients were checked with a standard 12-lead ECG before and after L-thyroxine treatment. Various ECG parameters were then measured twice. The mean L-thyroxine treatment duration was 22+/-2.7 months. The mean thyroid-stimulating hormone levels of patients before and after therapy were 40.2+/-29.8 microU/mL, 3.6+/-4.6 microU/mL (p<0.001) and free-T4 levels were 0.44+/-0.38 ng/dL, 1.51+/-0.39 ng/dL (p<0.001). After L-thyroxine treatment, QT interval (395+/-42 vs. 380+/-24 msec, p<0.05), QTc interval (434+/-32 vs. 417+/-23 msec, p<0.05), QT dispersion (45+/-23 vs. 30+/-13 msec, p=0.008), QTc dispersion (49+/-23 vs. 32+/-14 msec, p=0.005) significantly decreased. There were no significant changes in the PR and RR intervals, as well as the QRS duration. Our findings suggest that the thyroid hormone affects ventricular inhomogenicity, and that L-thyroxine replacement therapy may reduce malignant ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death in primary hypothyroidism.

The usefulness of the colour change plaster (NeuroCheck(R)) for the diagnosis of cardiac autonomic neuropathy in type 2 diabetes / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Recently, the colour change plaster (NeuroCheck(R)) has been introduced, which measures sweat production on the basis of a colour change from blue to pink. This new test was useful to detect of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the colour change plaster (NeuroCheck(R)) for the diagnosis of cardiac autonomic neuropathy in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: This study include 35 type 2 diabetic patients (10 male, 25 female) with a mean age of 55+/-14.9 years and a mean diabetes duration of 11.8+/-8.8 years. Cardiac autonomic neuropathy was diagnosed by means of Ewing's method. Peripheral autonomic neuropathy (Sudomotor function abnormality) was assessed by means of time (more than 600 seconds) until complete colour change in the indicator test. RESULTS: Peripheral autonomic neuropathy was diagnosed in 23 patients (65.7%). Time until starting colour change of plaster in normal and abnormal sudomotor patients were 38.3+/-33.7 sec and 367.1+/-470.3 sec (p<0.05). Time until completing colour change of plaster in normal and abnormal sudomotor patients were 372.5+/-198.8 sec and 1677.4+/-711.9 sec (p<0.05). The autonomic score of two groups were 2.4+/-2.3, 4.6+/-2.2 (p<0.05). Sudomotor abnormal group was older than normal (59.2+/-11.7 yrs, vs 47+/-17.4 yrs). Presence of retinopathy was related with sudomotor abnormality. Peripheral autonomic neuropathy was related with parasympathetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy. Sudomotor function abnormality was related with definite cardiac autonomic neuropathy, but it was not related with early cardiac autonomic neuropathy. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of colour change plaster in the diagnosis of definitive cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy was 86.7%, 62.5%, 68.4% and 83.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The colour change plaster (NeuroCheck(R)) is not useful for the early diagnosis of cardiac autonomic neuropathy in type 2 diabetic neuropathy, but it may be possible for the screening test of definite cardiac autonomic neuropathy.

A case of Sheehan's syndrome presented by recurrent ventricular tachycardia / 대한내과학회지

Electrocardiographic abnormalities commonly associated with hypopituitarism are low QRS voltage, ST-segment depression, inverted T waves and a prolonged QT interval. Although the mechanism remains unclear, glucocorticoid therapy, an intracelluar-extracellular electrolyte imbalance of myocytes, and histopathological changes in the myocardium are thought to play a role in this disorder. We discribe a 64 year old woman with recurrent ventricular tachycardia associated with QT prolongation in Sheehan's syndrome. Ventricualr tachycardia was treated by lidocain and direct current cardioversion. Sheehan's syndrome was confirmed by past history, anterior pituirary stimulation test and brain MRI showed empty sella. After hormone replacement treatment, inverted T waves and prolonged QT interval was normalized and ventricular tachycardia did not recur.

A case of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis associated with rhabdomyolysis / 대한내과학회지

Hyperthyroidism has been associated with changes in muscle function such as thyrotoxic myopathy, thyrotoxic periodic paralysis and thyroid opthalomopathy, but rarely rhabdomyolysis. Usually serum creatinine kinase is either normal or low in hyperthyroidism. Only 3 reports described association between rhabdomyolysis and hyperthyroidism, no previous literatures have thyrotoxic periodic paralysis associated rhabdomyolysis. Patients with hypokalemic periodic paralysis sometimes elevated serum muscle protein during recovery from paralytic attack, but the mechanism was not well known. We report a patient who presented with clinical feature of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis and increasing serum CK, myoglobin during recovery from paralysis.

A case of adrenal cystic lymphangioma / 대한내과학회지

Cystic lesions of adrenal gland are rare and those are most often identified incidentally during radiological investigation, surgery for unrelated process or at the time of autopsy. Most of cystic lesions are usually asymptomatic and less than 10 cm in diameter. Clinical management of an adrenal cyst can be aided by the imaging findings. Surgery is indicated for large and complicated cysts, parasitic cysts, uncertain cyst, and functioning or malignant cysts. We present a case of a 36-year-old female with the benign and non-functioning cyst that was detected by clinical assay and imaging study. The 4 X 2 cm right adrenal cyst contained linear calcification and septation. Laparoscopic resection and histologic findings were compatible with epithelial cyst of lymphangiomatous type of adrenal gland. With this case, diagnostic features of adrenal cysts are discussed.

Electrocardiographic Changes after Hormone Replacement Treatment in Patients with Sheehan's Syndrome / 대한내분비학회지

BACKGROUND: Electrocardiographic abnormalities were studied to find if they were reversible during adequate hormonal treatment and to investigate regional inhomogenicity of ventricular repolarization in patients with Sheehan's syndrome. METHODS: Eleven women with Sheehan syndrome, who treated with prednisolone and levothyroxine, were the subjects of this study. Before and after hormonal replacement, the plasma thyroxine, cortisol and resting standard EKG were checked RESULTS: The most frequent electrocardiographic finding was inversion or flattening of the T waves, which occurred in 10 patients, with QT prolongation (7 patients), ST depression (2 patients) being the other findings. After prednisolone and levothyroxine replacement, the T wave abnormalities were normalized in 8 patients (80%) and the ST depression all patients. The QT (437 27 msec vs. 379 29 msec, p<0.05) and QTc intervals (478 80 msec vs 403 73 msec, p<0.005) were shortened by hormone replacement. CONCLUSION: High incidences of electrocardiographic abnormalities, including T wave inversion or flattening, QT prolongation and ST depression, were noted in patients with Sheehan's syndrome. The majority of these abnormalities recovered due to hormone replacement. The QT and QTc interval values were significantly shortened after treatment. Therefore, the regional inhomogenicity of ventricular repolarization may recover with hormone replacement

The neointimal hyperplasia effect of erythropoietin on carotid artery injury model of rat / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUN: Neointimal hyperplasia is major cause of instent restenosis in coronary artery and stenosis in arteriovenous fisula for hemodialysis. Erythropoietin is known to show proliferative effect on vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro study, but there is few in vivo study. This study investigated the effect of erythropoietin given subcutaneously to injured carotid arteries of rats on neointimal hyperplasia. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rat underwent common carotid artery (CCA) balloon injury. Erythropoietin was given subcutaneously to balloon-injured rats (n=6) in 100 U/Kg/week by dividing three times. The control group (n=6) was treated with normal saline only. Two weeks later, the lumen and the neointimal area were obtained and compaired. Actively proliferating cells of neointimal area were observed by microscopy using PCNA staining method. RESULTS: Luminal area was 0.233 +/- 0.073 mm2, 0.112 +/- 0.047 mm2 in the control and the erythropoietin treated group respectively. The area was significantly smaller in the treatment group (p<0.05). Neointimal area and neointimal area/medial area ratio were 0.148 +/- 0.029 mm2, 0.226 +/- 0.056 mm2 and 1.169 +/- 0.146 min, 1.953 +/- 0.465 min in the control and the erythropoietin treated group respectively (p<0.05), but no significant difference was observed in medial area between the control and the erythropoietin treated group. Actively proliferating cells of neointimal area were more commonly observed in erythropoietin treated group. CONCLUSION: Erythropoietin increases neointimal cell proliferation in the rat carotid artery injury model. So, erythropoietin treatment may contributes to the development of arteriovenous fistula stenosis caused by neointimal hyperplasia but, further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism and the effect of erythropoietin at various time and dose in neointimal hyperplasia.

A case of fenoverine-induced rhabdomyolysis in diabetic nephropathy / 대한내과학회지

Fenoverine is a non-atropine like spasmolytic drug that inhibits calcium channel currents in the smooth muscle. It has been occassionally reported that fenoverine can cause rhabdomyolysis under the certain conditions such as hepatic dysfunction, concomitant use of HMG-CoA reductase, mitochondrial myopathy, lipid storage myopathy or malignant hyperthermia. However, there is no report of fenoverine-induced rhabdomyolysis in type 2 diabetic nephropathy patient. So we describe here a case of fenoverine-induced rhabdomyolysis in type 2 diabetic patient. A 70-year-old man had both lower legs and shoulder pain for 5 days prior to hospital admission. He was a type 2 diabetic patient and had been managed for diabetic nephropathy. He had been consumed common doses of fenoverine for 20 days due to abdominal pain and diarrhea. Results of investigations showed evidence of rhabdomyolysis. Fenoverine therapy was stopped after admission and he was treated supportive care, his condition was recovered. In this case, renal function impairment may have been a predisposing factor for fenoverine-induced rhabdomyolysis. The incidence of muscular complications of fenoverine therapy could be reduced by avoidance of prescription of the drug in patients with diabetic nephropathy.