Obesity as a Risk Factor for Prostatic Enlargement: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Korea / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate obesity, a risk factor of metabolic syndrome, and its association with prostatic enlargement in a retrospective cohort in Korea. METHODS: Baseline data were obtained from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study on Atherosclerosis Risk of Rural Areas in the Korean General Population (KoGES-ARIRANG). Between March 2015 and November 2015, 2,127 male participants of KoGES-ARIRANG were invited to the Korean Prostate Health Council Screening Program, and 602 participants underwent urological examination, including serum prostate specific antigen measurement and transrectal ultrasonography, and completed the International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire. The data for 571 participants were analyzed, after excluding 31 men who had a history of prostatic disease or testosterone replacement, or had undergone a prior prostatic surgery or procedure. RESULTS: Among components of metabolic syndrome, waist circumference had a statistically significant linear correlation with incremental increases in prostate volume (B=0.181, P=0.004). Abdominal obesity as determined by anthropometric measures including body mass index (odds ratio [OR], 1.205; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.088–1.336), waist circumference (OR, 1.073; 95% CI, 1.032–1.115), body fat (OR, 1.126; 95% CI, 1.056–1.202), and visceral fat composition (OR, 1.667; 95% CI, 1.246–2.232) was significantly associated with the presence of high-volume benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (prostate volume≥ 40 mL). Furthermore, the highest quartile of serum leptin (OR, 3.541; 95% CI, 1.103–11.365) and adiponectin levels (OR, 0.315; 95% CI, 0.102–0.971) were significantly correlated with high-volume BPH compared to the lowest quartile of levels. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal obesity and serum leptin level are positively associated with prostate growth, whereas serum adiponectin level is inversely associated with the presence of prostatic enlargement.

Clinical and Pathologic Features of Nodular Duodenitis in Children

PURPOSE: Nodular duodenitis is defined as two or more erythematous nodules in the duodenum, with surrounding inflammation and with or without apical erosions. But the clinical features and natural history of nodular duodenitis remain largely undefined, therefore we examined clinical, endoscopic and pathologic features of nodular duodenitis in children to find about its natural history, relationship between endoscopic and pathologic findings, relationship between Helicobacter pylori and nodular duodenitis as well as clinical response to antisecretory therapy. METHODS: Forty-nine children presented with chronic abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, vomiting and indigestion showed nodular duodenitis on gastroduodenoscopic examinations at the Department of pediatrics of Hangyang University Hospital from January 1995 to August 1997. Endoscopic and pathologic findings were graded and the correlation coefficient between endoscopic and pathologic grades were analyzed. Clinical responses to therapy were compared between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-associated and non H. pylori-associated children. RESULTS: The chief most common complaint was chronic abdominal pain and this disease was most commonly developed in females and in school-aged children. In endoscopic examinations, Grade 1 was the most commonly noted, while in pathologic examinations, Grade 2 was most common. The correlation coefficient between endoscopic and pathologic findings was 0.278 (P= 0.053). Clinical symptoms were improved by H2-blocker or anti-H. pylori therapy in most patients. CONCLUSION: There was no significant correlation between endoscopic and pathologic grades. H. pylori infection may be an etiologic factor of nodular duodenitis in some cases.

Analysis of Medical Charges in Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance System / 대한산업의학회지

A recent increase in hospital cost in Industrial Accident Compensation System has caused an issue. Especially the many problems in assessing and paying hospital cost have made necessary improvement measures on this. For this purpose the study analyzed 179,442 medical bills for industrial accident patients during 1986~1988. And various annual statistic data, references and documentations are also reviewed. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The average days for medical treatment per injury decreased depending upon hospital grade in the order of clinic, hospital, and general hospital, and the average hospital charges per injury decreased in the order of general hospital, hospital and clinic. 2. The inpatients' leading injury was traumatic amputation of fingers, and the open wound of fingers came to leading injury among the outpatients. The proportions of 10 leading injuries among inpatients and outpatients were 42.7% and 49.2% respectively. 3. As a consequence of the analysis of average medical charges, fractures of neck of femur in inpatients, and intervertebral disc disorders in outpatients were obtained as the most prevalent injuries. The coal workers' pneumoconiosis and injury to nerve roots and spinal plexus were most prominent injuries with repect to the days for medical treatment. 4. According to annual days for medical treatment, fracture of tibia and fibula was the most prevalent in inpatients, and sprains and strains of back was the most prevalent in outpatient. Traumatic amputation of fingers and other 10 leading injuries has a 42.6% share of total inpatients' hospital charges, and fracture of phalanges of hand and other 10 leading injuries possessed 53.4% of total outpatients' hospital charges. 5. Multiple regression analysis revealed that length of hospital stay, number of revealed that length of hospital stay, number of radiologic examinations, duration of operation, age, and others were the major determinants of total hospital charges. A comparision with medical insurance and car insurance for hospital charges and days for treatment showed 2-4 times higher than medical insurance, but showed 0.4~1.0 times lower than medical insurance and car insurance for daily treatment charges.