Burden of Respiratory Disease in Korea: An Observational Study on Allergic Rhinitis, Asthma, COPD, and Rhinosinusitis

PURPOSE: The Asia-Pacific Burden of Respiratory Diseases (APBORD) study is a cross-sectional, observational one which has used a standard protocol to examine the disease and economic burden of allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and rhinosinusitis across the Asia-Pacific region. Here, we report on symptoms, healthcare resource use, work impairment, and associated costs in Korea. METHODS: Consecutive participants aged ≥18 years with a primary diagnosis of asthma, AR, COPD, or rhinosinusitis were enrolled. Participants and their treating physician completed a survey detailing respiratory symptoms, healthcare resource use, and work productivity and activity impairment. Costs included direct medical cost and indirect cost associated with lost work productivity. RESULTS: The study enrolled 999 patients. Patients were often diagnosed with multiple respiratory disorders (42.8%), with asthma/AR and AR/rhinosinusitis the most frequently diagnosed combinations. Cough or coughing up phlegm was the primary reason for the medical visit in patients with a primary diagnosis of asthma and COPD, whereas nasal symptoms (watery runny nose, blocked nose, and congestion) were the main reasons in those with AR and rhinosinusitis. The mean annual cost for patients with a respiratory disease was US$8,853 (SD 11,245) per patient. Lost productivity due to presenteeism was the biggest contributor to costs. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory disease has a significant impact on disease burden in Korea. Treatment strategies for preventing lost work productivity could greatly reduce the economic burden of respiratory disease.

Adenosquamous Carcinoma Arising in Choledochal Cyst / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Cystic dilatation of the biliary tree, so called choledochal cyst, is an uncommon disease and is not uncommonly associated with carcinoma. The most symptoms on. presentation are abdominal pain, weight loss, jaundice, and palpable mass. The prognosis of these lesions is dismal. Recently we experienced a case of carcinoma arising in a choledochal cyst in 27-year-old male complaining jaundice and fever. ERCP revealed marked dilated the CBD and obstruction of the proximal portion of the CHD. A computerized tomographic scan and percutaneous cholangiogram showed cystic dilatation of both intrahepatic ducts and solid mass in the left hepatic duct. The patient was treated with surgical resection. Pathologic studies disclosed an adenosquamous carcinoma.

A Case of Gastric Carcinoid Tumor with Massive Bleeding / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Carcinoid tumor of stomach continue to interest clinician because of the rarity and difficulty in diagnosis clioically with infrequent classical carcinoid syndrome. Recently, we experienced a case of gastric carcinoid with hemetemesis and melena. We feel that this case is an instructive example of the fascinating variety of entities which can result in massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding. So we present this case with s review of relevant literatures.

The Percutaneous Mitral Valve Balloon Valvuloplasty in the Patients with Mitral Stenosis

From June, 1988 to Feb, 1989 a total of 47 cases of percutaneous mitral valve balloon valvuloplasty(PMV) and 4 cases of aortic valve balloon valvuloplasty(PAV) were done at the Guro Hospital of the Korea University. Among these patients first 18 patients of PMV are the subjects of this study. 1) Among a total of 28 patients,10 patients were male and 18 patients were female patients. The age of the patients were between 21 and 59 years with the mean age of 40.9+/-12.2

A Case of Carcinosarcoma and Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Carcinosarcoma is a rare malignant neoplasm consisting of both epithelial and nonepithelial components, that is, carcinoma and sarcoma in the same tumor. Since Queckenstedt reported the case of carcinosarcoma of the stomach in 1904, only 30 cases have been reported. We present a case of carcinosarcoma and adenocarcinoma of the stomach in 63-year-old man with the review of the literature.