Associations of Metabolic Syndrome with Total Testosterone and Homocysteine Levels in Male Korean Workers

BACKGROUND: Low testosterone is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS), and homocysteine (Hcy) is elevated in individuals with MetS. We investigated the relationships of total testosterone (TT) and serum Hcy levels with MetS in male Korean workers. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study including 8,606 male workers, aged 20 to 58 years, who underwent a physical examination in 2015. MetS was diagnosed based on the criteria of the 2009 harmonized definition, while the Korean standard for waist circumference (WC) was used. Participants' biochemical parameters, including TT and serum Hcy, were measured, and participants were divided into quartiles. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the association of MetS and its individual components depending on TT and serum Hcy quartiles. RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS in the study population was 16%. TT was lower in participants with MetS than in those without MetS (P<0.001). By contrast, Hcy level was similar between groups (P=0.694). In multiple logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio for the lowest TT quartile was 1.29 (95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 1.57) after adjusting for potential confounders. Participants with lower TT were more likely to have high WC, hypertriglyceridemia, and low high density lipoprotein levels. Serum Hcy levels were not significantly associated with MetS. Of the five components of MetS, only WC was significantly associated with serum Hcy. CONCLUSION: In male Korean workers, TT may be an independent predictor of MetS, and serum Hcy levels could be a marker of abdominal obesity. However, future prospective studies are needed.

Trends and Age-Period-Cohort Effects on the Incidence and Mortality Rate of Cervical Cancer in Korea / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to describe the trends and age-period-cohort effects on the incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer among ≥ 20-year-old women from 1993 to 2012 were obtained from the Korea Central Cancer Registry and the Korean Statistical Information Service. Age-standardized rates were calculated and Joinpoint regression was used to evaluate the trends in the incidence and mortality rate. Age-period-cohort analysis was performed to investigate the independent effects of age, period and cohort. RESULTS: The incidence of cervical cancer decreased from 32.8 per 100,000 in 1993 to 15.9 per 100,000 in 2012 (annual percent change [APC], –3.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], –4.2% to –3.6%). The mortality rate decreased from 5.2 per 100,000 in 1993 to 2.1 per 100,000 in 2012 (APC, –4.8%; 95% CI, –5.1% to –4.4%); however, the incidence and mortality rates among young women (< 30 years old) increased. An age-period-cohort model of the incidence and mortality rate showed decreasing period effects between 1993 and 2008 and decreasing cohort effects between 1928 and 1973, while birth cohorts after 1973 exhibited slight increases in the incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer. CONCLUSION: Recent decreases in the incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer were due to decreases in the period and cohort effects, which reflect the implementation of a cancer screening program and changes in lifestyle. However, our findings also highlighted an increase in cohort effects on the incidence and mortality rate among young women born after 1973.

Discoid Medial Meniscus Tear, with a Literature Review of Treatments

The present study reports our experience of treating four cases of symptomatic discoid medial meniscus, three of which were bilateral. We performed partial meniscectomy with a four-portal technique using a knife leaving a 6 mm peripheral margin after confirmation of magnetic resonance imaging findings. Clinical results were assessed at the end of 2-year follow-up using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and a visual analogue scale. We obtained satisfactory clinical results without recurrence of the symptoms in all cases.

Cancer Statistics in Korea: Incidence, Mortality, Survival, and Prevalence in 2013 / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: This study described the 2013 nationwide cancer statistics in Korea, including cancer incidence, survival, prevalence, and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cancer incidence data from 1999-2013 were obtained from Korea National Cancer Incidence Database and followed until December 31, 2014. Mortality data from 1983-2013 were obtained from Statistics Korea. The prevalence was defined as the number of cancer patients alive on January 1, 2014 among all cancer patients diagnosed since 1999. Crude, and age-standardized and 5-year relative survival rates were also calculated. RESULTS: In 2013, a total of 225,343 and 75,334 Koreans were newly diagnosed and died from cancer, respectively. The age-standardized rates for cancer incidence and mortality in 2013 were 290.5 and 87.9 per 100,000, respectively. The age-standardized cancer incidence rate increased 3.1% annually between 1999 and 2013. However, the overall cancer incidence rates have decreased slightly in recent years (2011 to 2013). The age-standardized rate for all-cancer mortality has decreased 2.7% annually since 2002. Overall, the 5-year relative survival rate for people diagnosed with cancer between 2009 and 2013 was 69.4%, which represents an improved survival rate as compared with 41.2% for people diagnosed between 1993 and 1995. CONCLUSION: Age-standardized cancer incidence rates have decreased between 2011 and 2013; mortality rates have also declined since 2002, while 5-year survival rates have improved remarkably from 1993-1995 to 2009-2013 in Korea.

Prediction of Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Korea, 2016 / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: To estimate of Korea's current cancer burden, this study aimed to report on projected cancer incidence and mortality rates for the year 2016. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cancer incidence data from 1999 to 2013 were obtained from the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database, and cancer mortality data from 1993 to 2014 were acquired from Statistics Korea. Cancer incidence in 2016 was projected by fitting a linear regression model to observed age-specific cancer incidence rates against observed years, then multiplying the projected age-specific rates by the age-specific population. The Joinpoint regression model was used to determine at which year the linear trend changed significantly. RESULTS: A total of 254,962 new cancer cases and 75,172 cancer deaths are expected to occur in Korea in 2016. The five leading primary cancer incident sites in 2016 were estimated colorectal, stomach, lung, liver and thyroid cancer in men; thyroid, breast, colorectal, stomach, and lung cancer in women. CONCLUSION: Currently cancer is one of the foremost public health concerns in Korea. Although cancer rates are anticipated to decrease the nation's cancer burden will continue to increase as the population ages.

Clinical Significance of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease as a Risk Factor for Prehypertension

Previous epidemiologic studies have shown the clinical association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there is only limited information about the effect of NAFLD on the development of hypertension. Accordingly, we investigated the clinical association between NAFLD and prehypertension. A prospective cohort study was conducted on the 11,350 Korean men without prehypertension for 5 yr. The incidences of prehypertension were evaluated, and Cox proportional hazard model was used to measure the hazard ratios (HRs) for the development of prehypertension according to the degree of NAFLD (normal, mild, moderate to severe). The incidence of prehypertension increased according to NAFLD states (normal: 55.5%, mild: 63.7%, moderate to severe: 70.3%, P<0.001). Even after adjusting for multiple covariates, the HRs (95% confidence interval) for prehypertension were higher in the mild group (1.18; 1.07-1.31) and moderate to severe group (1.62; 1.21-2.17), compared to normal group, respectively (P for trend <0.001). The development of prehypertension is more potentially associated with the more progressive NAFLD than normal and milder state. These findings suggest the clinical significance of NAFLD as one of risk factors for prehypertension.

Serum Uric Acid Level and the Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome in Middle-aged Korean Men: A 5-Year Follow-up Study / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Elevated serum uric acid (UA) has been known to be associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, no prospective studies have examined whether serum UA levels are actually associated with the development of MetS. We performed a prospective study to evaluate the longitudinal effects of baseline serum UA levels on the development of MetS. METHODS: A MetS-free cohort of 14 906 healthy Korean men, who participated in a medical check-up program in 2005, was followed until 2010. MetS was defined according to the Joint Interim Statement of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention. Cox proportional hazards models were performed. RESULTS: During 52 466.1 person-years of follow-up, 2428 incident cases of MetS developed between 2006 and 2010. After adjusting for multiple covariates, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for incident MetS for the second, the third, and the fourth quartile to the first quartile of serum UA levels were 1.09 (0.92-1.29), 1.22 (1.04-1.44), and 1.48 (1.26-1.73), respectively (p for trend <0.001). These associations were also significant in the clinically relevant subgroup analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum UA levels were independently associated with future development of MetS in Korean men during the 5-year follow-up period.

Correction of Sesamoid after Proximal Metatarsal Osteotomy and Distal Soft Tissue Procedure in Hallux Valgus / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: A retrospective review of the radiographs of the proximal metatarsal osteotomy and distal soft tissue procedure for hallux valgus, evaluating the correction of the tibial sesamoid, was undertaken. We evaluated the correlation between the reduction of the tibial sesamoid and the clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 17 patients (23 cases) with moderate to severe hallux valgus deformity underwent the proximal metatarsal osteotomy and distal soft tissue procedure. The preoperative and last follow-up radiographs were reviewed according to the tibial sesamoid grade classification recommended by the Research Committee of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS). We divided them into two groups according to the reduction of the tibial sesamoid. We anaylyzed the clinical outcomes in each group according to Mayo Clinic Forefoot Scoring System (FFSS). RESULTS: In all of the patients, the preoperative tibial sesamoid position were grade 2 or greater. At the last follow-up, 52% (n=12) were grade 1 or less (Group I) and 48% (n=11) were grade 2 or greater (Group II). In group I, the forefoot score was improved from preoperative mean value of 32.0 points to final follow-up value of 66.3 points. In group II, the forefoot score was improved from preoperative mean value of 31.7 points to final follow-up value of 65.9 points. There was no statistical significance between postoperative, average scores in group I and II (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The position of the tibial sesamoid was corrected insufficiently in almost half of all cases. In view of clinical outcomes, there was no significant difference between the corrected group and the other group.

Correction of Sesamoid after Proximal Metatarsal Osteotomy and Distal Soft Tissue Procedure in Hallux Valgus / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: A retrospective review of the radiographs of the proximal metatarsal osteotomy and distal soft tissue procedure for hallux valgus, evaluating the correction of the tibial sesamoid, was undertaken. We evaluated the correlation between the reduction of the tibial sesamoid and the clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 17 patients (23 cases) with moderate to severe hallux valgus deformity underwent the proximal metatarsal osteotomy and distal soft tissue procedure. The preoperative and last follow-up radiographs were reviewed according to the tibial sesamoid grade classification recommended by the Research Committee of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS). We divided them into two groups according to the reduction of the tibial sesamoid. We anaylyzed the clinical outcomes in each group according to Mayo Clinic Forefoot Scoring System (FFSS). RESULTS: In all of the patients, the preoperative tibial sesamoid position were grade 2 or greater. At the last follow-up, 52% (n=12) were grade 1 or less (Group I) and 48% (n=11) were grade 2 or greater (Group II). In group I, the forefoot score was improved from preoperative mean value of 32.0 points to final follow-up value of 66.3 points. In group II, the forefoot score was improved from preoperative mean value of 31.7 points to final follow-up value of 65.9 points. There was no statistical significance between postoperative, average scores in group I and II (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The position of the tibial sesamoid was corrected insufficiently in almost half of all cases. In view of clinical outcomes, there was no significant difference between the corrected group and the other group.

T-Plate Fixation for Fractures of Distal Radius

PURPOSE: To review the result of fractures of distal radius treated with the T-plate fixation and to recommend guideline for treatment of fracture of distal radius. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1999 and December 2002, among the patients with fractures of distal radius underwent T-plate fixation, we retrospectively reviewed 52 cases that had a minimum follow-up of 12 months. According to the Fernandez classification of distal radius fractures, 18 cases were type I, 4 cases were type II, 22 cases were type III, 2 cases were type IV and 6 cases were type V. To assess the clinical result, we used the Demerit Point System and for the radiologic result, we used the Point system by Scheck. We Compare the result of treatment in fractures of distal radius by T-plate fixation and K-wire fixation in Type I and III. RESULTS: Excellent to good results were obtained in 38 cases (73%) in clinical result and 39 cases (75%) in radiological results. Radiologic evidence of arthritis was presented 6 cases at follow-up examination. There was no evidence of statistical difference between Type I using T-plate and K-wire fixation (p>0.05). However in type III, result in the group of T-plate fixation were better than in pinning group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We obtained good result for type III with T-plate but only T-plate fiaxtion for type V was not satisfactory

Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH) : A Clinical Review of 300 Cases / 대한산부인과학회잡지

This clinical study was conducted to survey 300 cases of total laparoscopic hysterctomy (TLH) by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Boram Hospital in Ulsan, Korea from January, 2000 to June, 2001. TLH has been described in much of the recent literature. We analyzed 300 cases of TLH to evaluate the clinical data such as distribution of age, parity, clinical indication, previous operation history, type of surgery, operation time, weight of uterus, Hb change of post-operation first day and the complications of using this technique. The mean age of patients was 41.3. The mean parity of patients was 2.6. The clinical indications for TLH were myoma (72.3%), adenomyosis (11.3%), PID (5.3%), CIS (4%) and others (5.7%). The most previous operation was bilateral tubal ligation. Others were cesarean section, appendectomy. The most concomitant procedure with TLH was posterior colpoperineorrhaphy. Salpingo-oophorectomy and appendectomy were also carried out concomitantly. The mean operation time was 124 minutes. The mean weight of the uterus was 230 gm. The mean Hb change post-operation on the 1st day was 1.3g/dL. The complications of TLH were bleeding to need blood transfusion, ureteral injury and bladder injury. Thus this technique can be safely performed by skilled laparoscopists for properly selected patients but there is a need for prospective studies for comparision with various laparoscopic hysterctomies.

Significance of axillary lymph node level metastasis in operable breast cancer

No abstract available.

The significance of mucin producing cancer in colorectal cancer

No abstract available.