Validation of Ultrasound and Computed Tomography-Based Risk Stratification System and Biopsy Criteria for Cervical Lymph Nodes in Preoperative Patients With Thyroid Cancer

Objective@#This study aimed to validate the risk stratification system (RSS) and biopsy criteria for cervical lymph nodes (LNs) proposed by the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR). @*Materials and Methods@#This retrospective study included a consecutive series of preoperative patients with thyroid cancer who underwent LN biopsy, ultrasound (US), and computed tomography (CT) between December 2006 and June 2015. LNs were categorized as probably benign, indeterminate, or suspicious according to the current US- and CT-based RSS and the size thresholds for cervical LN biopsy as suggested by the KSThR. The diagnostic performance and unnecessary biopsy rates were calculated. @*Results@#A total of 277 LNs (53.1% metastatic) in 228 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 47.4 years ± 14) were analyzed. In US, the malignancy risks were significantly different among the three categories (all P 5 mm LNs, P ≥ 0.177). The criteria covering only suspicious LNs showed higher specificity and lower unnecessary biopsy rates than the current criteria, while maintaining sensitivity in all imaging modalities. @*Conclusion@#Integrative evaluation of US and CT helps in reducing the proportion of indeterminate LNs and the malignancy risk among them. Nodal size did not affect the malignancy risk of LNs, and the addition of indeterminate LNs to biopsy candidates did not have an advantage in detecting LN metastases in all imaging modalities.

Association between Cerebral Small Vessel and Alzheimer’s Disease

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) includes vascular lesions detected on brain MRI, such as white matter hyperintensities, lacunar infarctions, microbleeds, or enlarged perivascular spaces. There is accumulating evidence that vascular changes may play an important role in development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and CSVD lesions detected on brain MRI were reported to be associated with β-amyloid and tau proteins accumulation. As the vascular contribution has therapeutic potential, it is important to understand the association of CSVD with AD and AD biomarkers. This review begins with a brief introduction of AD and AD biomarkers, explains the association between AD and vascular changes, and then details the pathogenesis and MR imaging findings of CSVD. Afterwards, we discuss the association of CSVD with AD and AD biomarkers.

Consensus Document on Perioperative Antithrombotic Management: Part 1. A Review / 대한내과학회지

The prevalence of ischemic heart disease is steadily growing as populations age. Antithrombotic treatment is a key therapeutic modality for the prevention of secondary cerebro-cardiovascular disease. Patients with acute coronary syndrome or who are undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention must be treated with dual antiplatelet therapy for a mandatory period. The optimal perioperative antithrombotic regimen remains debatable; antithrombotics can cause bleeding. Inadequate antithrombotic regimens are associated with perioperative ischemic events, but continuation of therapy may increase the risks of perioperative hemorrhagic complications (including mortality). Many guidelines on the perioperative management of antithrombotic agents have been established by academic societies. However, the existing guidelines do not cover all specialties, nor do they describe the thrombotic and hemorrhagic risks associated with various surgical interventions. Moreover, few practical recommendations on the modification of antithrombotic regimens in patients who require non-deferrable interventions/surgeries or procedures associated with a high risk of hemorrhage have appeared. Therefore, cardiologists, specialists performing invasive procedures, surgeons, dentists, and anesthesiologists have not come to a consensus on optimal perioperative antithrombotic regimens. The Korean Platelet-Thrombosis Research Group presented a positioning paper on perioperative antithrombotic management. We here discuss commonly encountered clinical scenarios and engage in evidence-based discussion to assist individualized, perioperative antithrombotic management in clinical practice.

Consensus Document on Perioperative Antithrombotic Management: Part 2. Case Study / 대한내과학회지

Given the progressive improvements in antithrombotic strategies, management of cardiovascular disease has become sophisticated/refined. However, the optimal perioperative management of antithrombotic therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome or who are scheduled for percutaneous coronary intervention remains unclear. Assessments of the thrombotic and hemorrhagic risks are essential to reduce the rates of mortality and major cardiac events. However, the existing guidelines do not mention these topics. This case-based consensus document deals with common clinical scenarios and offers evidence-based guidelines for individualized perioperative management of antithrombotic therapy in the real world.

The Brain Donation Program in South Korea

PURPOSE: Obtaining brain tissue is critical to definite diagnosis and to furthering understanding of neurodegenerative diseases. The present authors have maintained the National Neuropathology Reference and Diagnostic Laboratories for Dementia in South Korea since 2016. We have built a nationwide brain bank network and are collecting brain tissues from patients with neurodegenerative diseases. We are aiming to facilitate analyses of clinic-pathological and image-pathological correlations of neurodegenerative disease and to broaden understanding thereof. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited participants through two routes: from memory clinics and the community. As a baseline evaluation, clinical interviews, a neurological examination, laboratory tests, neuropsychological tests, and MRI were undertaken. Some patients also underwent amyloid PET. RESULTS: We recruited 105 participants, 70 from clinics and 35 from the community. Among them, 11 died and were autopsied. The clinical diagnoses of the autopsied patients included four with Alzheimer's disease (AD), two with subcortical vascular dementia, two with non-fluent variant primary progressive aphasia, one with leukoencephalopathy, one with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and one with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Five patients underwent amyloid PET: two with AD, one with mixed dementia, one with FTD, and one with CJD. CONCLUSION: The clinical and neuropathological information to be obtained from this cohort in the future will provide a deeper understanding of the neuropathological mechanisms of cognitive impairment in Asia, especially Korea.

Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty Using Dual Offset Titanium Tapered Stem: At Least 7-Year Follow-Up / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of current study is to evaluate the midterm results of cementless primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) using a dual offset titanium tapered stem. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 102 cases (84 patients), with a minimum of 7-year clinical follow-up, was performed. All of the cases consisted of patients who underwent primary cementless THA, using a dual offset titanium tapered stem in The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital between July 2004 and May 2009. Clinical results were analyzed via the Harris hip score, level of thigh pain, squeaking around hip joint, and complication rate. Radiologic results were examined with stability and location of inserted prosthesis, hypertrophy of femoral cortex, and osteolysis. RESULTS: Out of the 102 cases (84 patients; 47 males and 37 females), with the mean age of 55.9 years (range, 27–79 years) and mean follow-up period of 99.2 months (range, 84–132 months). The mean Harris hip score was 53.8 preoperatively (range, 26–75) and improved to 93.5 postoperatively (range, 74–100) (p=0.000). All of the cases gained stable bony fixation on the final follow-up, including 2 cases of intra-operative proximal femur fracture. Calcar remodeling was observed in 94 cases, however, they were irrelevant with stem stability. Cortical hypertrophy of femur was seen in 12 cases and thigh pain in 4 cases; nonetheless, they were not relevant (p=0.067). There was 1 case of squeaking sound during joint movement. Hip dislocation occurred in 1 case early after the procedure, but the event was due to excessive anteversion of the acetabular cup, in which a revisional replacement procedure of the acetabular cup was conducted. No sign of ceramic breakage was observed. There were 2 cases of heterotrophic ossification. CONCLUSION: Results from a 7-year follow-up of cementless THA using dual offset titanium tapered stem were encouraging in both clinical and radiologic evaluations.

The Concept of Onychodermis (Specialized Nail Mesenchyme) Is Applicable in Normal Adult Nail Unit

No abstract available.

Surgical Treatment for Stable 2-Part Intertrochanteric Femur Fracture Using Dynamic Hip Screw with 2-Hole Side Plate in Elderly Patients

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the postoperative outcomes of elderly patients with stable 2-part intertrochanteric femur fractures surgically treated using dynamic hip screw with 2-hole side plate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2008 to January 2014, 50 patients older than the age of 65 years, who had been followed-up for more than 6 months after the operation at The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital were enrolled. A clinical evaluation of the skin incision length, operating time, and ambulatory status, using Clawson's Ambulation Capacity Classification, was performed, and a radiologic evaluation of Fogagnolo reduction quality, tip-apex distance (TAD), Cleveland index, sliding extent of lag screws, time duration till bony union, and complications was also done. RESULTS: The mean skin incision length was 9.8 cm (range, 8-13 cm), the mean operating time was 41.4 minutes (range, 30-60 minutes), and 32 patients recovered their ambulatory function. Forty-eight patients gained bony union, and the time lapsed till union was average 10.6 weeks (range, 8-16 weeks). The evaluation of postoperative radiologic images showed the following reduction statuses by the Fogagnolo classification: 46 cases of "Good", 3 cases of "Acceptable," and 1 case of "Poor." Moreover, the mean TAD was 18.9 mm (range, 9.0-24.9 mm). While 45 cases fit into the zone 5 of the Cleveland index, other 3 were within zone 8 and the other 2 were within zone 6. The mean sliding length of the lag screws were 4.9 mm (range, 0.1-19.4 mm). There were a case of nonunion and a case of periprosthetic infection with nonunion as complications. CONCLUSION: Using dynamic hip screws with 2-hole side plate for stable 2-part intertrochanteric femur fractures in elderly patients showed satisfactory results with respect to the recovery of ambulatory functions and bony union.

Ultrasonographic differentiation of bezoar from feces in small bowel obstruction

PURPOSE: To evaluate ultrasonographic accuracy in the differentiation of a bezoar from feces in a small bowel obstruction showing feces-like material just proximal to the transitional zone in abdominal computed tomography (CT). METHODS: This study included 14 patients who showed feces-like material just proximal to the transitional zone, among 302 patients diagnosed with small bowel obstruction on abdominal CT. The diagnostic signs of a bezoar on ultrasonography included an arc-like surfaced intraluminal mass, posterior acoustic shadow and twinkling artifacts. The diagnostic performance of ultrasonography in each patient was compared with a final diagnosis that was surgically or clinically made. RESULTS: Among the 14 patients, seven were ultrasonographically diagnosed as having a bezoar, and five of the seven were surgically diagnosed as having a phytobezoar. The remaining two of the seven showed complete symptomatic improvement before surgery. The other seven patients were ultrasonographically diagnosed as not having a bezoar. Among them, six patients were conservatively treated with symptomatic improvement, suggesting the absence of a bezoar. The remaining one patient was confirmed not to have a bezoar during adhesiolysis. In all patients, the ultrasonographic diagnosis agreed with the clinically confirmed diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography might be an accurate method for the differential diagnosis of feces-like material just proximal to the transitional zone in abdominal CT. It can help radiologists to quickly and easily diagnose a bezoar.

Operative Treatment of Pediatric Distal Forearm Bothbone Fracture

PURPOSE: Pediatric patients with distal forearm bothbone fractures of surgical indication were treated with the Kapandji reduction technique for radius and flexible intramedullary nail for ulna at our institution. The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical and radiological results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2012 to June 2014, we retrospectively evaluated 16 out of 18 cases with distal forearm bothbone fractures treated with the Kapandji reduction technique for radius and flexible intramedullary nail for ulna with at least 1-year follow-up. The average age at operation was 9.1 years (7-13 years). RESULTS: Adequate reduction for both radius and ulna was achieved for all cases, and none of the cases showed re-displacement until the last follow-up. Mean 6.6 weeks lapsed until bony union was observed for the radius. For the ulna, the mean was 6.5 weeks. All patients gained full wrist range of motion at the last visit. CONCLUSION: For pediatric distal forearm bothbone fractures, intrafocal Kapandji reduction and internal fixation with Kirschner wire for radius and reduction and internal fixation with a flexible intramedullary nail for ulna is the technique for handy reduction. Use of this technique can prevent re-displacement during the union process and achieve excellent clinical and radiologic results.

Comparison of Perioperative Blood Loss in Primary Non-cemented Total Hip Arthroplasty for Rapidly Destructive Coxarthrosis and Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the perioperative blood loss in primary non-cemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) performed for rapidly destructive coxarthrosis (RDC) with the perioperative blood loss in primary non-cemented THA for typical osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2013, 19 patients were diagnosed with RDC (group 1) and 40 patients were diagnosed typical Ficat stage IV ONFH (group 2), comparison of perioperative blood loss between group 1 and group 2 in primary noncemented THA was done. Patients with preoperative usage of steroid or anticoagulants medication and with hemodynamic abnormal blood test results were excluded. The blood loss was measured up to the fifth post operation day and calculated with formula proposed by Mercuriali, Inghilleri and Nadler. RESULTS: Non-compensated blood loss calculated in milliliters of red blood cells was 362 mL (standard deviation [SD], 187; range, 77-675) in group 1 and 180 mL (SD, 145; range, 53-519) in group 2. Compensated blood loss was 630 mL (SD, 180; range, 380-760) in group 1 and 503 mL (SD, 260; range, 190-1, 505) in group 2. The total blood loss after primary non-cemented THA is greater when surgery is performed for RDC than for ONFH, with the volume of 992 mL (SD, 300; range, 457-1, 434) in group 1 and 683 mL (SD, 360; range, 226-1, 975) in group 2 respectively. CONCLUSION: Total perioperative blood loss was significantly greater in RDC than in ONFH in primary non-cemented THA.

Clinical Characteristics of Tuberculosis in School-Age Children and Adolescents at a Single Institution / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: In the present study, we investigated the clinical characteristics of tuberculosis in school-age children and adolescents, which is important as a reservoir for future disease burden. METHODS: Ninety patients, aged from 6 to 18 years, who were diagnosed and treated with tuberculosis during the period from January 2005 to July 2011, were enrolled. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records and investigated clinical characteristics of the patients. RESULTS: Eight patients were 6 to 12 (9%) and 82 were over 13 years of age (91%). There was a significantly higher percentage of males than females in the latter age group (P<0.01). Route of infection was not confirmed in 74 patients, and 16 patients were diagnosed through the school or military medical examinations with no clinical symptoms. Seventy patients (78%) were presented with pulmonary tuberculosis. Chronic persistent coughing was the most common presenting symptom, and both upper lobes were most frequently involved. Nineteen patients over 13 years of age had adult-type cavitary tuberculosis. The positive results for acid-fast smears or cultures were not high, and the rate of positive tuberculin skin test was 88%. The most frequent adverse effects of anti-tuberculosis treatment were hepatotoxicity, hyperuricemia, and gastrointestinal disorders. The duration of the treatment was much prolonged in 8 patients who had drug-resistant tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that pulmonary tuberculosis should be suspected in the adolescents who have prolonged respiratory symptoms. It also indicates that pulmonary tuberculosis in adolescents has similar characteristics to tuberculosis in adults, which suggests the potential important role of adolescent tuberculosis in community disease transmission.

Clinical Characteristics of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Pneumonia in Atopic versus Non-atopic Children / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Bronchial asthma was reported to be an important risk factor of severe respiratory symptoms due to pandemic H1N1 influenza infection. In this study, we investigated if there was any difference in the clinical features of children with H1N1 pneumonia according to their atopic or asthma status. METHODS: Eighty-eight children admitted with pneumonia due to reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction-confirmed H1N1 influenza infection during the period from September 2009 to January 2010 were enrolled. These patients were divided into atopic (n=42) and non-atopic (n=46) groups. The atopic group consisted of 23 asthmatic children and 19 non-asthmatic children with allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of the patients to investigate if there was any difference in the clinical features according to their atopic or asthma status. RESULTS: There was no age difference between atopic and non-atopic patients. Male preponderance was observed only in the atopic group.(P<0.05) The occurrence of wheezing, severity of respiratory symptoms, and number of emergency-room visits were significantly higher in atopic than non-atopic patients.(P<0.05) However, those variables showed no difference between asthmatic and non-asthmatic patients within the atopic group. Twelve patients in the atopic, non-asthmatic group were followed for 1 year after discharge, and 5 patients were diagnosed to have asthma with recurrence of wheezing and/or positive results to methacholine challenge tests. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that H1N1 influenza infection may cause more severe respiratory symptoms in atopic patients than in non-atopic patients, regardless of their asthma status. allergic rhinitis.(R=0.195, P=0.002). About 17% of the parents who care the allergic rhinitis children experienced the work absence due to their child's illness.

Clinical Characteristics of Post-Infectious Bronchiolitis Obliterans / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), an uncommon chronic obstructive lung disease in children, is most often seen following a severe lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). We investigated the clinical characteristics, etiology, possible risk factors, radiological findings, and response to treatment in children diagnosed with post-infectious BO. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 62 patients diagnosed with post-infectious BO based on clinical and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings from 2005 to 2010. Forty-eight age-matched children who were admitted with the first episode of LRTI and did not subsequently develop BO were also studied as control subjects. RESULTS: Median ages at diagnosis and initial insult were 28 and 17 months, respectively. The median duration from initial LRTI until diagnosis was 5 months. Children who developed BO showed more respiratory compromise during their acute episodes of LRTI than those who did not. Symptom severity score decreased significantly after adequate treatment, which was significantly greater in patients treated with pulse steroid therapy than those treated with other controllers. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the development of post-infectious BO should be suspected in the children showing persistent respiratory symptoms after severe LRTIs. They also suggest that adequate treatment including pulse steroid therapy may improve clinical status and the prognosis of these patients.

Pyrithione-zinc Prevents UVB-induced Epidermal Hyperplasia by Inducing HIF-1alpha

Epidermal keratinocytes overgrow in response to ultraviolet-B (UVB), which may be associated with skin photoaging and cancer development. Recently, we found that HIF-1alpha controls the keratinocyte cell cycle and thereby contributes to epidermal homeostasis. A further study demonstrated that HIF-1alpha is down-regulated by UVB and that this process is involved in UVB-induced skin hyperplasia. Therefore, we hypothesized that the forced expression of HIF-1alpha in keratinocytes would prevent UVB-induced keratinocyte overgrowth. Among several agents known to induce HIF-1alpha, pyrithione-zinc (Py-Zn) overcame the UVB suppression of HIF-1alpha in cultured keratinocytes. Mechanistically, Py-Zn blocked the degradation of HIF-1alpha protein in keratinocytes, while it did not affect the synthesis of HIF-1alpha. Moreover, the p21 cell cycle inhibitor was down-regulated after UVB exposure, but was robustly induced by Py-Zn. In mice repeatedly irradiated with UVB, the epidermis became hyperplastic and HIF-1alpha disappeared from nuclei of epidermal keratinocytes. However, a cream containing Py-Zn effectively prevented the skin thickening and up-regulated HIF-1alpha to the normal level. These results suggest that Py-Zn is a potential agent to prevent UVB-induced photoaging and skin cancer development. This work also provides insight into a molecular target for treatment of UVB-induced skin diseases.

Effect of Synagis(R) (palivizumab) prophylaxis on readmission due to respiratory syncytial virus in very low birth weight infants / 소아과

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of Synagis(R) (palivizumab) in reducing the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) readmission rate in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI ) and the subgroup that showed the most effective vaccination. METHODS: We enrolled 350 VLBWI who had been discharged alive from the neonatal intensive care unit of Samsung Medical Center from January 2005 to December 2007 and were followed up for at least one year. A retrospective study based on medical records was performed for a period of one year after discharge. RSV readmission rate was investigated according to BPD (bronchopulmonary dysplasia, requiring oxygen at postnatal day 28) and Synagis(R) prophylaxis. We categorized the subgroups by the severity of BPD gestational age, and birth weight and compared the RSV readmission rates between subgroups. RESULTS: Eleven VLBWI were readmitted. Synagis(R) prophylaxis resulted in a 86% reduction in the rate of readmission due to RSV infection (prophylaxis group, 0.7% and no prophylaxis group, 5.0%; P=0.02). Readmission rate in BPD patients was also reduced in the prophylaxis group (0.7% in the prophylaxis group vs. 5.2% in the no prophylaxis group, P=0.03). The readmission rate in patients without BPD was reduced in the prophylaxis group (0% in the prophylaxis group vs. 4.9% in the no prophylaxis group, P=1.00), but this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Synagis(R) prophylaxis was effective at reducing RSV readmission in VLBWI. Its efficacy was verified irrespective of BPD, gestational age, or birth weight.

The neuroprotective effect of recombinant human erythropoietin via an antiapoptotic mechanism on hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats / 소아과

PURPOSE: The neuroprotective effects of erythropoietin (EPO) have been recently shown in many animal models of brain injury, including hypoxic-ischemic (HI) encephalopathy, trauma, and excitotoxicity; however, limited data are available for such effects during the neonatal periods. Therefore, we investigated whether recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO) can protect against perinatal HI brain injury via an antiapoptotic mechanism. METHODS: The left carotid artery was ligated in 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat pups (in vivo model). The animals were divided into 6 groups: normoxia control (NC), normoxia sham-operated (NS), hypoxia only (H), hypoxia+vehicle (HV), hypoxia+rHuEPO before a hypoxic insult (HE-B), and hypoxia+rHuEPO after a hypoxic insult (HE-A). Embryonic cortical neuronal cell culture of SD rats at 18 days gestation (in vitro model) was performed. The cultured cells were divided into 5 groups: normoxia (N), hypoxia (H), and 1, 10, and 100 IU/mL rHuEPO-treated groups. RESULTS: In the in vivo model, Bcl-2 expressions in the H and HV groups were lower than those in the NC and NS groups, whereas those in the HE-A and HE-B groups were greater than those of the H and HV groups. The expressions of Bax and caspase-3 and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 were in contrast to those of Bcl-2. In the in vitro model, the patterns of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 expression and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio were similar to the results obtained in the in vivo model. CONCLUSION: rHuEPO exerts neuroprotective effect against perinatal HI brain injury via an antiapoptotic mechanism.

Erratum

No abstract available.

Increased Growth Factors in Children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common causative agent of community acquired pneumonia in children and is well known to cause various respiratory and extrapulmonary diseases. We determined whether growth factors, including transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) that regulate airway fibrosis and remodeling, are increased in young children with M. pneumoniae pneumonia and also investigated if there was any difference in relation to the clinical status of the patients. METHODS: Fifty-two patients (3 to 6 years of age) who were admitted with M. pneumoniae pneumonia were enrolled and divided into 2 groups: the patients with frequent wheezing episodes (group A, n=28) and the patients with no previous history of wheeze (group B, n=24). The former group included the patients who had recurrent wheeze more than 3 times before admission. Fifteen children admitted with minor surgical problems were also studied as controls. TGF-beta1 and PDGF-BB were measured in the plasma samples collected on admission using ELISA in both patient groups and controls. RESULTS: Plasma TGF-beta1 and PDGF-BB levels were increased significantly in the patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia as compared to the controls (P<0.01, respectively). TGF-beta1 and PDGF-BB were higher in group A than in group B, but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.08 vs. P=0.05). In group A, TGF-beta1 was significantly higher in atopic patients than in non-atopic patients (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study showed significantly increased TGF-beta1 and PDGF-BB in patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia. It is suggested that these growth factors may play an important role in the pathogenesis of lower airway infection by M. pneumoniae.

N-Terminal Pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide Levels in the Korean General Population

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) levels may serve as a useful marker of cardiovascular risk for screening of the general population. We evaluated reference levels and distribution of NT-proBNP in the Korean general population based on a large cohort study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We included 1,518 adult subjects (ages 40-69) of a community-based cohort from the Korea Rural Genomic Cohort (KRGC) Study. Thorough biochemical and clinical data were recorded for all subjects. Levels of NT-proBNP from all participants were determined. In order to determine normal reference levels, subjects with factors known to influence NT-proBNP levels were excluded. RESULTS: The characteristics of the cohort are described below; subjects were 41.2% male, and the mean age was 54.8+/-8.4 years. The distribution of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the cohort included hypertension (25%), left ventricular hypertrophy by electrocardiography (ECG-LVH) (15%), hypercholestolemia (4.5%), smoking (32%), diabetes (10.9%), history of coronary heart disease (4.9%), history of heart failure (0.9%), symptoms of heart failure (6.1%), elevated serum creatinine (> or =1.5, 3.7%), and severe obesity (body mass index >30 kg/m2, 4.6%). The levels of NT-proBNP of all subjects are shown below; the mean was 60.1+/-42.1, and the median was 36.5 pg/mL. In addition, the levels of NT-proBNP of normal subjects (which did not have any risk factors, n=224) are shown below; the mean was 40.8, and the median was 32.1 pg/mL. In normal subjects, the NT-proBNP level was slightly higher in females (25.7+/-24.8 vs. 46.9+/-35.4, p or =1.5 mg/dL, 146.2+/-98.2 vs. 54.3+/-38.1, p or =60, 48.4 vs. 84.2+/-139.5 pg/mL, p or =3: 85.0+/-152.9 pg/mL). NT-proBNP levels were also related with age, sex, urine albumin, serum Cr, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We determined the reference value and distribution of NT-proBNP in the Korean adult general population. We also found that adjustments for the independent effects of age, sex and renal function appear necessary when determining cardiac risk based on proBNP levels.