Outcome of Treatment of Osteoarthritis with Arthroscopic Debridement and Autologous Conditioned Plasma

Introduction: Worldwide estimates are that 9.6% of men and 18.0% of women aged over 60 years have symptomatic osteoarthritis. The current treatment options vary from conservative to joint replacement. Recently, debridement of the joint has become an option for symptomatic relief. We evaluated the outcome of arthroscopic debridement with autologous conditioned plasma. The latter helps to promote cellular repair. We have evaluated our results over a two year period. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 52 patients who underwent arthroscopic knee debridement with autologous conditioned plasma in 2011. The patients were followed up in clinic till discharge. The case notes were reviewed and baseline demographic data obtained. This included age, medical history, occupation, range of movement, BMI measurements, duration of operation and radiographic scores. We analyzed the outcomes against those factors. Results: Of the 52 patients in our study, 16 were female and 36 were male. The mean follow-up period in the clinic was 6.5 months. The Kellgren-Lawrence score was 21.2% Grade 1, 13.5% Grade 2, 51.9% Grade 3 and 13.5% Grade 4. Improvement in range of movement was seen in 32.7% of patients. Conclusions: This study shows that arthroscopic debridement with autologous conditioned plasma (ACP) has a role to play in the treatment of osteoarthritis. In view of these findings, we recommend that surgeons should consider arthroscopic debridement with autologous conditioned plasma as part of their treatment armamentarium.

A Case of Merkel Cell Carcinoma Concurrent with Bowen's Disease / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.

Serum Globotriaosylceramide Assay as a Screening Test for Fabry Disease in Patients with ESRD on Maintenance Dialysis in Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Fabry disease is an X-linked recessive and progressive disease caused by alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-GaL A) deficiency. We sought to assess the prevalence of unrecognized Fabry disease in dialysis-dependent patients and the efficacy of serum globotriaosylceramide (GL3) screening. METHODS: A total of 480 patients of 1,230 patients among 17 clinics were enrolled. Serum GL3 levels were measured by tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, we studied the association between increased GL3 levels and cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, or left ventricular hypertrophy. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients had elevated serum GL3 levels. The alpha-GaL A activity was determined for the 26 patients with high GL3 levels. The mean alpha-GaL A activity was 64.6 nmol/hr/mg (reference range, 45 to 85), and no patient was identified with decreased alpha-GaL A activity. Among the group with high GL3 levels, 15 women had a alpha-GaL A genetics analysis. No point mutations were discovered among the women with high GL3 levels. No correlation was observed between serum GL3 levels and alpha-GaL A activity; the Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.01352 (p = 0.9478). No significant correlation was observed between increased GL3 levels and the frequency of cardiovascular disease or cerebrovascular disease. CONCLUSIONS: Fabry disease is very rare disease in patients with end-stage renal disease. Serum GL3 measurements as a screening method for Fabry disease showed a high false-positive rate. Thus, serum GL3 levels determined by tandem mass spectrometry may not be useful as a screening method for Fabry disease in patients with end stage renal disease.

Epidemiological Characteristics Based on the Underlying Diseases for the Deaths Related to Pandemic H1N1 Influenza in Korea / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: Since May 2009, a pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus has emerged and spread nationwide. We describe the epidemiological characteristics of the confirmed deaths related with the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic in Korea from May 2009 to mid December 2009. METHODS: This study was based on an analysis of the reports from the deaths of confirmed cases pandemic H1N1 virus until 7 December 2009 in Korea. These reports were compiled by the epidemic intelligence team at the Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (KCDC) or at the provinces. The epidemic intelligence team used an identical, well-defined investigate form for reviewing the medical records and for interviewing the physicians in charge of the cases. RESULTS: The first confirmed death occurred on August 15, 2009. Until December 7, 2009, 139 deaths had been reported. Eighty cases (57.6%) were individuals more than 60 years old. Sixty two cases (47.0%) were dead within 7 days from the onset of symptoms. One hundred three cases (74%) had underlying diseases, and cancer was the most common underlying disease. The proportion of patients using antivial medications before confirmation among the patients with underlying diseases was greater than the proportion of patients using antivial medications among the patients with no underlying diseases. CONCLUSIONS: During the evaluation period, serious underlying diseases were present in nearly three quarters of the cases of confirmed death. We suggest that health providers consider using antiviral drugs before confirmation of pandemic H1N1 in hospitalized patients, and especially in those with underlying diseases.