Follow-Up on Medication Adherence of Dementia Patients : After Diagnosed through the Nationwide Project for Early Detection of Dementia

OBJECTIVE: This study examined medication adherence rate and associated factors with medication adherence in patients who had been diagnosed as having dementia through the nationwide project for early detection of dementia in South Korea. METHODS: This study enrolled a total of 131 patients, who were diagnosed as having dementia through utilization of the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Packet at the Namgu Dementia Center in Incheon, from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. Telephone interview was done with principal caregivers of dementia patients at least 18 months after they had been diagnosed. RESULTS: Out of 131 patients, 83 caregivers of patients completed telephone interview. 62 (72.9%) patients were currently being treated with antidementia drugs, and the proportion of patients being treated at the psychiatric clinic was 54.8%. Sociodemographic variables and clinical rating scales included in the study had no statistically significant effect on the medication adherence. The most common cause of nonadherence was a misconception of dementia diagnosis and treatment (28.6%). CONCLUSION: The major cause of nonadherence was a misconception of dementia diagnosis and treatment, therefore, education on misconception may enhance a patient's medication adherence. Sociodemographic variables and clinical rating scales included in the study had no statistically significant effect on the medication adherence.

Therapeutic Dose Range of Valproate-Induced Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy: A Case Report / 대한정신약물학회지

We report a case of a 34-year-old woman who was in temporary delirium and hyperammonemia during treatment of bipolar affective disorder with valproate. Patient showed delirium after 20 days of treatment, while the serum valproate level was within the therapeutic range without any sign of hepatic insufficiency. However, the patient had increased serum ammonia level (121 microg/mL), and valproate was discontinued due to suspicion of valproate-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy (VHE). Serum valproate level was normalized with reduced delirium after valproate has been discontinued. Few VHE in psychiatric literature has been documented, because of possible confusion between VHE and preexisting psychiatric symptoms. Clinicians should be cautious about the potential risk for hyperammonemic encephalopathy caused by valproate medication.

The Frequency of BRAF Mutation in Very Small Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas

BACKGROUND: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common malignant tumor of the thyroid and BRAF (V600E) is the most frequent genetic alteration in PTCs. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of BRAF mutation, especially in very small PTCs. METHODS: We analyzed the presence of the BRAF mutation in PTCs in subgroups defined by tumor size (0.5 cm intervals). RESULTS: Of 140 patients, 85 (60.7%) showed a BRAF mutation. The frequency of BRAF mutation in the subgroup was: 45/70 (64.3%) in tumors less than 0.5 cm in size, 18/28 (64.3%) in 0.6-1 cm tumors, 10/22 (45.5%) in 1.1-1.5 cm tumors, and 12/20 (60.0%) in 1.6-2 cm tumors. There was no statistically significant association between BRAF mutation and tumor size (p = 0.44). Similarly, BRAF mutation was not statistically related to age, sex, stage, perithyroidal extension or lymph node metastasis. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, tumor sizes larger than 0.5 cm were associated with lymph node metastasis (odds ratio, 3.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.81 to 7.91; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The BRAF mutation is not related to tumor size even in very small PTCs. The similar frequency of BRAF mutation in very small PTCs suggests that the BRAF mutation is a very early event in the tumorigenesis of PTCs.

Factors Related to Bone Mineral Content Among Adolescents in Seoul

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors related to bone mineral contents (BMC) at os calcis of adolescents. The subjects were 604 students (327 boys and 277 girls) between 7th and 9th grade in Seoul, Korea. The mean age was 14.2 +/- 0.9 years. General characteristics were collected by a questionnaire, bone mineral contents (BMC) were measured in os calcis by Duel Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (PIXI, General Electronics, USA) and height and weight were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis method (Inbody 4.0, Biospace Co. Ltd, Seoul, Korea). Mean BMC of os calsis were 2.241 g. Height (p < .0001), weight (p < .0001), BMC (p < .0001) of boys were higher than those of girls. Percent body fat of girls, however, was higher than that of boys (p < .0001). Anthropometric measurement, pocket money, sibling, experience of fracture, pubertal stage, intake of supplements, physical or outdoors activity, and eating habit had significant influence on BMC of boys. Anthropometric measurement, physical or outdoors activity, and eating habit had significant influence on BMC of girls. Multivariate regression with adjustment for sex and age showed that BMC was associated positively with height, BMI, frequency of regular activity, and intake of spinach or radish leaves (all p < 0.05), and negatively with percent body fat (p < .0001) and Korean traditional diet pattern (p = 0.01). On the basis of these results, it is recommended to develop nutrition education and physical activity program for adolescents to improve BMC and prevent osteoporosis.