Effect of the Order of Test Diets on the Accuracy and Safety of Swallowing Studies

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the order of test diets influences the results of swallowing studies with regard to their accuracy and safety. METHODS: Subjects with suspected dysphagia underwent a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and/or a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and repeated the study on the same day or within a week. The order of test diets comprised of two different sets: trial 1 with the fluid first and trial 2 with the semi-solid food first. Main outcome measurements were the modified penetration-aspiration scale (mPAS) and the pharyngeal residue severity scale (PRSS) for the vallecula and the pyriform sinus. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients (44 men and 22 women, aged 65.0+/-15.0 years) were enrolled in this study. Forty-three subjects were evaluated with VFSS only and 23 with both VFSS and FEES. As a result of the swallowing studies, there was no significant difference in each chosen diet sequence regarding mPAS and PRSS. Furthermore, there was no difference regarding the duration of studies, rate of premature study termination, rate of abnormal findings in post-study chest X-ray, and rate of fever or pneumonia post-study. CONCLUSION: The accuracy and safety of the swallowing studies do not rely on the order of test diets.

A Case Report of Spinal Cord Injury Patient From a High Velocity Gunshot Wound to the Lumbar Spine

We report on operational and rehabilitation management, as well as the outcome, of a patient who with sustained spinal cord injury from a high velocity gunshot wound to the lumbar spine. More specifically, a patient with a gunshot wound to the spine is more likely to sustain a complete injury and have a poor prognosis. As such, there should be concerns regarding associated and extended injuries related to bullet fragmentation as well as the possibility of long-term sequelae.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Notified Cases as Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Private Sectors of Korea

The diagnostic accuracy of the data reported in the Korean tuberculosis surveillance system (KTBS) has not been adequately investigated. We reviewed the clinical data of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cases notified from private medical facilities through KTBS between January and June, 2004. PTB cases were classified into definite (culture-proven), probable (based on smear, polymerase chain reaction, histology, bronchoscopic finding, computed tomography, or both chest radiograph and symptoms) or possible (based only on chest radiograph) tuberculosis. Of the 1126 PTB cases, sputum AFB smear and culture were requested in 79% and 51% of the cases, respectively. Positive results of sputum smear and culture were obtained in 43% and 29% of all the patients, respectively. A total of 73.2% of the notified PTB cases could be classified as definite or probable and 81.7% as definite, probable, or possible. However, where infection was not confirmed bacteriologically or histologically, only 60.1% of the patients were definite, probable, or possible cases. More than 70% of PTB notified from private sectors in Korea can be regarded as real TB. The results may also suggest the possibility of over-estimation of TB burden in the use of the notification-based TB data.

Erratum: Funding Acknowledgment

The funding acknowledgment in this article was omitted as published.

The framingham risk score, diet, and inflammatory markers in Korean men with metabolic syndrome

The Framingham risk score (FRS) has been used to assess the risk of a cardiovascular event and to identify patients for risk factor modifications. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of the FRS with dietary intake and inflammatory biomarkers. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 180 men (49.2 +/- 10.2 years) with MS. Serum levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and adiponectin were examined. Participants were asked to complete the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) using the previous 1 year as a reference point. The absolute cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk percentage over 10 years was calculated to estimate the FRS, which was classified as low risk ( 20%). Mean intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids was lower in subjects who had > 20% FRS than in subjects who had 20% FRS group and the 20% FRS (0.91 +/- 0.26 vs. 1.48 +/- 033 vs. 2.72 +/- 0.57 pg/mL, respectively; P < 0.05). IL-6 and dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids together explained 6.6% of the variation in FRS levels in a stepwise multiple regression model. Our results provide some evidence that dietary intake in the higher CVD risk group was inferior to that in the lower risk group and that dietary fat intake and IL-6 were associated with FRS and MS in Korean men.

Relationship between inflammation biomarkers, antioxidant vitamins, and bone mineral density in patients with metabolic syndrome

Few studies have shown the correlation between metabolic syndrome and bone mineral density (BMD). The main pathogenic mechanisms of metabolic syndrome rely on chronic low-level inflammatory status and oxidative stress. There are few studies that examine the gender-specific effects of inflammation and antioxidants on BMD. In this study, we evaluated the relative contribution of these factors in patients with metabolic syndrome. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 67 men and 46 postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome; metabolic syndrome was defined as having three or more metabolic syndrome risk factors. BMD, body fat mass, and lean body mass were evaluated. We also examined the levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), adiponectin, vitamin E, and C in serum. Log-transformed hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in lumbar spine osteoporotic subjects than in normal subjects for women but not for men. There was no significant difference between the normal group and the osteoporotic group in other inflammatory markers. Stepwise regression analyses for BMD of the lumbar spine showed that lean body mass and vitamin E were significant determinants in men. Lean body mass and log-transformed hs-CRP were significant determinants in women Analysis for BMD of the femoral neck showed that lean body mass was a significant determinant for both men and women. There was no significant factor among the inflammatory markers or antioxidant vitamins affecting the femoral neck BMD for either gender. In conclusion, while hs-CRP is an independent predictor of the BMD of the lumbar spine in women, vitamin E showed profound effects on BMD in men but not women with metabolic syndrome.

Clinical Factors Associated with Severity of Post-stroke Dysphagia

OBJECTIVE: To describe factors associated with the severity of post-stroke dysphagia. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively medical records of patients having dysphagia following stroke in Seoul National University hospital from April 2002 through Dec 2009. A total of 578 patients (male and female, 331 and 247) were included. The following parameters were recorded and analyzed: patient's sex, age, type of stroke, onset of dysphagia, location of lesion and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System Swallowing Scale (ASHA NOMS). Using Binary logistic regression and multiple regression analysis, the relationship between dysphagia severity and other factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Their average duration between onset of stroke and the date of videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was 32.3 +/- 18.4 days. Patients with hemorrhagic stroke (172 patients, ASHA 4.06 +/- 1.98) showed poorer swallowing function than those with ischemic stroke (406 patients, ASHA 4.49 +/- 2.02, p=0.013). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that patients who had longer duration from onset to the first study, hemorrhagic stroke, bilateral lesion and older age were at higher risk for dysphagia requiring non-oral supplements (p=0.031, 0.039, 0.042, and 0.043, respectively). Multiple regression analysis revealed that longer duration from onset to study, older age and hemorrhagic stroke were associated with the lower ASHA NOMS (p=0.006, 0.009 and 0.021, respectively). Bilateral lesion, sex, history of previous stroke and involvement of the brainstem, however, were not significant factors. CONCLUSION: Hemorrhagic stroke, longer duration from stroke onset to the initial evaluation, and older age were identified as associated factors with the poorer swallowing function after stroke. Further prospective studies will be required to evaluate the prognostic value of these characteristics.