Statin-associated Myasthenia Gravis

No abstract available.

The Effect of Catastrophic Health Expenditure on the Transition to Poverty and the Persistence of Poverty in South Korea / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The low benefit coverage rate of South Korea's health security system has been continually pointed out. A low benefit coverage rate inevitably causes catastrophic health expenditure, which can be the cause of the transition to poverty and the persistence of poverty. This study was conducted to ascertain the effect of catastrophic health expenditure on the transition to poverty and the persistence of poverty in South Korea. METHODS: To determine the degree of social mobility, this study was conducted among the 6311 households that participated in the South Korea Welfare Panel Study in both 2006 and 2008. The effect of catastrophic health expenditure on the transition to poverty and the persistence of poverty in South Korea was assessed via multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The poverty rate in South Korea was 21.6% in 2006 and 20.0% in 2008. 25.1 - 7.3% of the households are facing catastrophic health expenditure. Catastrophic health expenditure was found to affect the transition to poverty even after adjusting for the characteristics of the household and the head of the household, at the threshold of 28% or above. CONCLUSIONS: 25.1% of the households in this study were found to be currently facing catastrophic health expenditure, and it was determined that catastrophic health expenditure is a cause of transition to poverty. This result shows that South Korea's health security system is not an effective social safety net. As such, to prevent catastrophic health expenditure and transition to poverty, the benefit coverage of South Korea's health security system needs to the strengthened.

Neurotoxic Syndrome Developed after Taking Sertraline and Risperidone

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and serotonin syndrome share many common clinical features, and the term "Neurotoxic syndrome" can be used when a clear distinction cannot be made between the two. Here we present a case of 19-year-old man who experienced serotonin syndrome caused by sertraline intake, and consecutive neuroleptic malignant syndrome by risperidone. This case suggests that these two syndromes can be concomitantly induced in some patients who are susceptible to these drugs. Clinicians may have to pay close attention to this problem when prescribing drugs to patients who previously showed sensitivity to CNS-acting drugs.

Neurotoxic Syndrome Developed after Taking Sertraline and Risperidone

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and serotonin syndrome share many common clinical features, and the term "Neurotoxic syndrome" can be used when a clear distinction cannot be made between the two. Here we present a case of 19-year-old man who experienced serotonin syndrome caused by sertraline intake, and consecutive neuroleptic malignant syndrome by risperidone. This case suggests that these two syndromes can be concomitantly induced in some patients who are susceptible to these drugs. Clinicians may have to pay close attention to this problem when prescribing drugs to patients who previously showed sensitivity to CNS-acting drugs.

Verapamil-responsive SUNCT Syndrome

SUNCT syndrome is characterized by short-lasting, unilateral, neuralgiform headache attacks, with conjuntival injec-tion and tearing. Distinct from trigeminal neuralgia, cluster headache, or paroxysmal hemicrania, this rare syndrome is SUNCT syndrome is characterized by short-lasting, unilateral, neuralgiform headache attacks, with conjuntival injec-tion and tearing. Distinct from trigeminal neuralgia, cluster headache, or paroxysmal hemicrania, this rare syndrome is generally refractory to various medications. We report a 63-year-old man diagnosed with SUNCT syndrome, whose symptoms were relieved by verapamil. The therapeutic effects of verapamil on SUNCT syndrome remain to be verified by further experiences. (J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(4):407~409, 2001)