Metabolic Syndrome and the Risk for Chronic Kidney Disease among Korean Women / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), characterized by abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high fasting glucose level, is a common risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and associated complications. We examined the relationship between the metabolic syndrome and risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Korean women. METHODS: We used data from 10,170 women, aged 30-89 years, who had visited a health examination center at a tertiary care hospital in 2006. The data were studied cross-sectionally. MetS was identified using the modified criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III). CKD was defined as an estimated GFR < 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2. The multivariable-adjusted (adjustment for age, education, body mass index (BMI), alcohol drinking, smoking, previous coronary heart disease, menopauses and physical inactivity) odds ratio of CKD (95% CI) associated with each component of the metabolic syndrome was calculated using the logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 1,039 participants have MetS. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (OR) of CKD in participants with MetS, hypertriglyceridemia and high blood pressure compared with participants without such factors were 2.68 (95% CI, 1.77-4.06), 1.96 (95% CI, 1.34-2.88), and 2.00 (95% CI, 1.38-2.89). Compared with the participants with no MetS traits, those with one, two, equal to or more than three traits of MetS had OR of CKD of 1.24 (95% CI, 0.75-2.06), 1.56 (95% CI, 0.89-2.75), and 2.18 (95% CI, 1.21-3.93), respectively. CONCLUSION: We found that Korean women with MetS had an increased risk for developing CKD. Finally, earlier identification and management of MetS might improve patient health and prevent progression of CKD.

The Clinical Features and Prognosis of Leukemia in Down Syndrome / 대한소아혈액종양학회지

PURPOSE: There are several reports that the risk of development of leukemias is much higher in Down syndrome (DS) children than in non DS children. But there are a few reports about the clinical features of leukemia in Down syndrome and the prognosis in Korea. The object of this study is to evaluate clinical features, treatment results and the prognosis of leukemia of Down syndrome patients. METHODS: We conducted retrospective reviews in 10 children with leukemia of Down syndrome who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics in Yonsei University Hospital between March 1986 and December 2000. We analyzed the clinical features, laboratory findings and survival rates. RESULTS: A male to female ratio was 1:1.25. Median age at diagnosis was 2 years 8 months. Initial symptoms were hepatosplenomegaly, petechiae, fever and upper respiratory infection symptoms. The number of patients by the type was as followed:acute myeloid leukemia (AML) 7 (70%), acute lymphocytic leukemia 2 (20%), acute mixed lineage leukemia 1 (10%). There were 4 cases of M7 subtype in AML. The median peripheral blood cell counts were as followed; leukocyte was 41,000/muL, hemoglobin was 8.7 g/dL, the platelet was 103,000/muL. The five years event free survival rate after diagnosis was 87.5% (7/8). The one patient relapsed and another one patient died of cardiac anomaly. CONCLUSION: There seemed to be several differences of clinical features between DS leukemia and non DS leukemia, especially prognosis. Multi-centered well organized study should be done to confirm our observation.