Analysis of Risk Factors for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection and Pneumonia and among Adult Patients with Acute Respiratory Illness during 2011-2014 Influenza Seasons in Korea / 감염과화학요법

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization recommends the surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) to respond effectively to both seasonal influenza epidemics and pandemics. In Korea, the “Hospital-based Influenza Morbidity and Mortality (HIMM)” surveillance system has been operated to monitor ILI and SARI occurrences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multi-center prospective observational study was conducted. Adult patients with acute respiratory infection (ARI) were enrolled during the 2011-12, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014 influenza seasons at the 10 university hospitals using the HIMM surveillance system. With respect to SARI and pneumonia development, risk profiles were analyzed in patients with ARI in Korea. RESULTS: A total of 5,459 cases were eligible for this analysis. Among 5,459 cases with ARI, 2,887 cases (52.9%) were identified that they had influenza infection. Among enrolled cases, 750 cases belonged to the SARI group, while 4,709 cases belonged to the non-SARI group. With respect to pneumonia development, 317 cases were accompanied by pneumonia, and 5,142 cases were not. Multivariate analyses revealed that the following factors were associated with an increased risk of SARI: Old age (≥65 years) (odds ratio [OR] 2.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2-3.32), chronic heart disease (CHD) (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.68-2.98), cerebrovascular disease (CVD) (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.05-2.10), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.48-3.69), asthma (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.62-3.36), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.73-3.99), chronic liver disease (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.04-2.81), and autoimmune diseases (OR 2.53, 1.57-4.08). Multivariate analyses revealed that the following factors were independent risk factors for pneumonia development: Old age (≥65 years) (OR 5.71, 95% CI 4.10-7.94), CHD (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.07-2.22), COPD (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.48-3.69), asthma (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.62-3.36), CKD (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.73-3.99), immunocompromised conditions (OR 3.12, 95% CI 1.47-6.62), and autoimmune diseases (OR 3.35, 95% CI 1.79-6.27). The risk of SARI and pneumonia was increased by the number of concurrent chronic medical conditions. CONCLUSION: The risk of SARI and pneumonia development among adult patient with ARI was significantly increased by the presence or number of concurrent chronic medical conditions in Korea.

A Case of Recurrent Small Bowel Obstruction caused by a Mesodiverticular Band of Meckel Diverticulum / 대한내과학회지

Meckel diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal system. Although it is commonly asymptomatic in adults, Meckel diverticulum can lead to intussusception, volvulus, inflammatory adhesions, or an internal hernia. However, small bowel obstruction due to a mesodiverticular band of Meckel diverticulum is rare. We report a case of a 24-year-old man who complained of abdominal pain and vomiting caused by recurrent small bowel obstruction. He had undergone no previous abdominal surgery. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a transition point at the mid-to-distal ileum. To identify the cause of the obstruction, we performed single-balloon enteroscopy, which revealed extrinsic compression at the proximal ileum 100 cm from the ileocecal valve. After marking the obstruction site, subsequent laparoscopy revealed a Meckel diverticulum with a mesodiverticular band, which entrapped a bowel loop and caused the recurrent small bowel obstruction. The patient was treated successfully with laparoscopic diverticulectomy.

Prevalence of Sleep Disorder and Associated Factors in Family Practice / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Sleep is an essential restorative physiologic phenomenon. Impaired sleep results in significant negative effect to the health. Symptoms like sleep initiation difficulty, frequent awakening, severe snoring have related to poor sleep quality. We studied frequency and compared the characteristics of common sleep disorders at family practice. METHODS: We surveyed patients over 18 years of age and their guardians who visited 16 familial practices for 6 days. We investigated sleep characteristics, frequency of sleep disorder and associated factors by questionnaires and analyzed by frequency analysis, Spearman's correlation coefficient, multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: We enrolled 1,117 participants. Older participants were more likely to report early sleep onset and off time, short sleep duration. Mean number of awakening during a typical night is 1.69. Female complained difficulties in initiation and maintenance of sleep more than male. A total of 32.5% had these insomnia symptoms and related to hypertension, stroke, stress, arthralgia, depression, urological disorder. 31.1% had excessive daytime sleepiness, related to stress, arthralgia, depression. Loud snoring and gasp for breath showed positive correlation between male, high BMI. Disrupted sleep over 3 times was related to old age, female, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, stress, arthralgia, depression. Restless leg syndrome were high in elderly, high BMI, stress, arthralgia and depression. CONCLUSION: About one in three who visit in primary medical practice have sleep disorder symptoms like insomnia, daytime fatigue, snoring. 3% of them have gasp for breath, 8% have restless leg syndrome.

Culture and Polymerase Chain Reaction of Helicobacter pylori from Rectal and Terminal Ileal Fluid after Polyethylene Glycol (Colyte(R)) Ingestion in Healthy Adults with Positive Urea Breath Test / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) transmission route is not yet clearly understood. Isolating H. pylori from stool, saliva, and vomitus is very difficult. However, H. pylori could be cultured from feces in the setting of rapid gastrointestinal tract transit. The aim of this study was to isolate H. pylori by culture and PCR in the rectum and terminal ileum during colonoscopy. METHODS: Twenty subjects with positive UBT (urea breath test) were included. We performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and culture of H. pylori with the rectal fluid and terminal ileal fluid during colonoscopy. RESULTS: H. pylori was cultured with rectal fluid from 9 (45.0%) of 20 subjects and with ileal fluid from 11 (55.0%) of 20 subjects. H. pylori was a little more frequently cultured from the terminal ileal fluid than the rectal fluid without statistical significance (p>0.05). PCR test detected flaA (16/20, 80.0% and 17/20, 85.0%), 16S rRNA gene (16/20, 80.0% and 17/20, 85.0%), cagA (10/20, 50.0% and 12/20, 60.0%), and ureC (9/20, 45% and 11/20, 54.5%) from the rectal fluid and the terminal ileal fluid, respectively. The specificity and sensitivity of ureC were 100%. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori could be cultured from the rectal fluid and terminal ileal fluid in the setting of rapid gastrointestinal tract transit. These results suggest of fecal-oral transmission of H. pylori.

Referral Pattern of Family Practitioners : Cheonan Practice-Based Research Network Study

BACKGROUND: Consultation and referral are important characteristics of modern medicine which has become more segmented and more specialized. In particular, they give essential value to family practitioners to coordinate patients accordingly for proper care. This study analyzed the referred patients in family practices under Cheonan practice based-research network (CPBRN). METHODS: The data was collected via questionnaire in ten family clinics under CPBRN system during the four weeks from June 15, 2006 to July 12, 2006. RESULTS: The total number of referred cases was 103 (0.7%) out of a total of 14,466 office visits. Among the total, 68.9% of referred cases was physician-drived and 31.1% was patient-requested. The reason for referral were 'to get a second opinion of specialist' (34), 'high severity' (20), 'lack of examination tool' (18), 'lack of skill' (10) and 'no response to treatment' (2) in physician-drived cases, whereas in patient-requested cases, they were 'request for advanced hospital' (26) and 'want to meet specialist' (2). The patients were referred to tertiary hospital in 66.7%, secondary hospital in 15.9%, and other specialists of primary setting in 10.1%. Overall, 66.7% of the referred hospital was located in the city area. The main health problems of referred patients was divided into 'gastrointestinal' (17.5%), 'musculoskeletal' (13.6%), 'dermatology' (10.7%) and so on. The speciality consulting physicians were 'internal medicine' (34%), 'pediatrics' (13.6%), and 'orthopedic surgery' (10.7%) specialists. CONCLUSION: The referral rate of family practice in Korea was 0.7%. The main reason for referral was 'to get a secondary opinion of a specialist'. The most common referral problem was 'gastrointestinal'. 'Internal medicine' was the most frequently consulted specialty.

Referral Pattern of Family Practitioners : Cheonan Practice-Based Research Network Study

BACKGROUND: Consultation and referral are important characteristics of modern medicine which has become more segmented and more specialized. In particular, they give essential value to family practitioners to coordinate patients accordingly for proper care. This study analyzed the referred patients in family practices under Cheonan practice based-research network (CPBRN). METHODS: The data was collected via questionnaire in ten family clinics under CPBRN system during the four weeks from June 15, 2006 to July 12, 2006. RESULTS: The total number of referred cases was 103 (0.7%) out of a total of 14,466 office visits. Among the total, 68.9% of referred cases was physician-drived and 31.1% was patient-requested. The reason for referral were 'to get a second opinion of specialist' (34), 'high severity' (20), 'lack of examination tool' (18), 'lack of skill' (10) and 'no response to treatment' (2) in physician-drived cases, whereas in patient-requested cases, they were 'request for advanced hospital' (26) and 'want to meet specialist' (2). The patients were referred to tertiary hospital in 66.7%, secondary hospital in 15.9%, and other specialists of primary setting in 10.1%. Overall, 66.7% of the referred hospital was located in the city area. The main health problems of referred patients was divided into 'gastrointestinal' (17.5%), 'musculoskeletal' (13.6%), 'dermatology' (10.7%) and so on. The speciality consulting physicians were 'internal medicine' (34%), 'pediatrics' (13.6%), and 'orthopedic surgery' (10.7%) specialists. CONCLUSION: The referral rate of family practice in Korea was 0.7%. The main reason for referral was 'to get a secondary opinion of a specialist'. The most common referral problem was 'gastrointestinal'. 'Internal medicine' was the most frequently consulted specialty.