Awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in current smokers: a nationwide survey

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cigarette smoking is the most common risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, few studies of the attitudes toward COPD of smokers, the group at risk of developing this condition, have been conducted. The purpose of this study was to explore the awareness of and attitudes toward COPD of current smokers. METHODS: The sample consisted of 502 individuals aged 45 and older from throughout Korea who smoked at least 10 packs of cigarettes per year. Telephone interviews using a structured questionnaire were conducted with respondents. RESULTS: First, we evaluated the health status of subjects, finding that 45.4% considered themselves to be in good health. We also asked about COPD-related symptoms, and 60.6% of subjects reported such symptoms. However, only 1.2% of subjects had been diagnosed with or treated for COPD, only 0.4% spontaneously mentioned COPD as a respiratory disease, and only 26.5% recognized COPD as a respiratory disease after seeing a list of such diseases. Television ranked as the top source of information about COPD. The willingness of 45.0% of subjects to stop smoking increased after being informed about COPD. CONCLUSIONS: Despite having COPD-related symptoms, most smokers did not know that COPD is a respiratory disease. The attitudes of smokers toward COPD and smoking cessation varied according to socioeconomic status. In summary, a continuous effort to increase the awareness of COPD among smokers is needed. Additionally, strategies tailored according to different socioeconomic groups will also be necessary.

Awareness of COPD in a High Risk Korean Population

PURPOSE: Increased awareness and understanding of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important aspect of disease management. The aim of this study was to explore COPD awareness among smokers participating in a smoking cessation program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 289 subjects in three smoking cessation clinics, using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 68.2% of subjects had COPD-related symptoms, and 19.7% were in poor health. Only 1.0% of the subjects knew that COPD was a respiratory disease. A total of 2.4% of subjects had been diagnosed with COPD and received treatment. Television was the most common source of information about COPD, with 57.1% of the subjects receiving information in this way. After being informed about COPD, smoking-cessation willingness increased in 84.1% of the study group. It increased in 86.3% of the subjects without awareness of COPD and in 81.2% of subjects with COPD-related symptoms. CONCLUSION: We found that awareness of COPD is very poor among current smokers in Korea. Many smokers perceived their health status as good, despite the presence of COPD-related symptoms. As the level of smoking-cessation willingness was different between those with and without awareness of COPD or COPD-related symptoms, a personalized education program with various educational tools may be needed to enhance awareness of the disease and to motivate smokers to quit.

Corrosive Esophagitis Caused by Ingestion of Picosulfate

Corrosive esophagitis is characterized by caustic injury due to the ingestion of chemical agents, mainly alkaline substances such as detergents. Esophageal bleeding, perforation, or stricture can be worsened by high-degree corrosive esophagitis. Picosulfate is a commonly used laxative frequently administered for bowel preparation before colonoscopy or colon surgery. Picosulfate powder should be completely dissolved in water before ingestion because the powder itself may cause chemical burning of the esophagus and stomach. Here, we report a case of corrosive esophagitis due to the ingestion of picosulfate powder that was not completely dissolved in water.

Page kidney after botulinum toxin injection during chiropractic care / 영남의대학술지

Page kidney refers to the phenomenon of hypertension secondary to long-standing compression of renal parenchyma caused by renal subcapsular collection. The most common cause of renal subcapsular collection is a hematoma which usually occurs after a history of blunt trauma. A 42-year-old female patient who received botulinum toxin injection in her back during chiropractic care was admitted to the emergency room with sudden bilateral flank pain and hypertension. The computed tomography (CT) images demonstrated the presence of bilateral subcapsular renal hematoma. The patient was treated conservatively and recovered well. The follow up CT images showed markedly resolved bilateral hematoma.

A Case of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in a HBsAg-Negative and Anti-HBs-Positive Patient with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma after Rituximab plus CHOP Chemotherapy

The reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is well known complication among lymphoma patient related with chemotherapy. Rituximab is monoclonal antibody that targets B-lymphocytes for treatment of lymphoma and it increases reactivation of HBV. Although most of reactivation occurs in HBV carrier, it can also rarely occur when hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is negative. Furthermore it is less frequently reported in lymphoma patient when HBV serology shows HBsAg is negative and anti-HBs is positive. We report a case of HBV reactivation following 6 cycle of rituximab plus CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) chemotherapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in HBsAg negative/anti-HBs positive 58-year-old male, with a review of the literature.