Clinical study on the comparison of gold and zirconia wear in an implant-supported fixed prosthesis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the wear of a prosthesis for 6 months after restoration with implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis made of either zirconia or gold. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on patients requiring implant-supported fixed dental prostheses on first or second molar from January, 2015 to January, 2016. A total of 47 prostheses and antagonists were examined. Occlusal surface was recorded by impression of each prosthesis and antagonist 1 week and 6 months after prosthesis delivery. The digital files were created by impression scan. Occlusal shapes of 1 week and 6 months were compared and wear of prostheses and antagonists was analyzed. The Mann-Whitney test was used to analyzed the result data underwent normality test using SPSS (Version 23.0, IBM Corporation) RESULTS: Mann-Whitney test revealed that there was no statistically significant difference in the median amount of mean vertical wear for 6 months in zirconia (50.84 μm) and gold (42.84 μm) prostheses (P > 0.05). When the opposing teeth were natural, the median amount of mean vertical wear of zirconia and gold prostheses was 47.72 μm and 41.97 μm, respectively, and the median amount of mean vertical wear of enamel was 47.26 μm and 44.59 μm, respectively. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite the short study period and the small number of experimental groups, zirconia and gold showed no significant difference in wear during the first 6 months. Opposing natural enamel also showed no significant difference in the wear.

Eight-year follow-up of two different removable prostheses using six implants in maxillary edentulous patients / 대한치과보철학회지

An implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis (ISFDP) or an implant-supported overdenture (IOD) are good options when treating a completely edentulous jaw opposing natural teeth. However, an ISFDP for a full arch requires sufficient bone quality and quantity, which limits its application. Meanwhile, using an ISFDP as an abutment of a removable partial denture has been considered recently. This clinical report discusses the treatments applied to two patients with edentulous maxillas and opposing natural teeth: one was treated with an IOD and the other was treated with an ISFDP and removable partial denture. Follow-up and management were performed for 8 years.

Correlation between sagittal condylar guidance angles obtained using radiographic and protrusive occlusal record methods

PURPOSE: This study compared the SCGAs measured in three types of radiographic images (panoramic, CBCT panoramic-section, and CBCT cross-section images) with values measured using the protrusive occlusal record. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SCGAs were measured in 20 patients on a semi-adjustable articulator using the protrusive interocclusal record. Panoramic and CBCT images were obtained. SCGAs were measured on CBCT images in panoramic and cross sections. In all of the radiographic images, SCGAs were measured using the Frankfort horizontal reference line and the mean curvature line. The most-superior and most-inferior points of the curvatures were identified to determine the mean curvature line. Each measurement was performed twice by two operators independently. The data were analyzed by the t-test, Pearson's correlation test, and Cronbach's α using SPSS (α=.05). RESULTS: The mean right and left SCGAs were as follows: protrusive occlusal record (30.1 and 30.2 degrees, respectively), panoramic (38.9 and 38.7 degrees), CBCT panoramic sections (35.4 and 36.8 degrees), and CBCT cross sections (35.3 and 36.1 degrees). The SCGAs differed significantly among the groups. The Pearson coefficients for the correlations with the protrusive occlusal record measurements on the left and right sides were as follows: panoramic (0.834 and 0.791, respectively), CBCT panoramic-section (0.918 and 0.837), and CBCT cross-section (0.918 and 0.845) images. CONCLUSION: Strong correlations were found between SCGAs obtained using radiographic images and the protrusive occlusal record.

Effects of grooved abutment on stability of implant abutment screw / 대한치과보철학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of grooved abutments on abutment screw loosening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted to evaluate the abutment screw loosening after 6 months for 50 patients (51 implants) treated at the department of Prosthodontics in Yonsei University Dental Hospital from March, 2015 to July, 2015. A control group with non-grooved abutment consists of 30 implants, and an experimental group with grooved abutment consists of 21 implants. Astra, Straumann, Implantium, Osstem system were used in the study. The abutments with loose screws cases after a period of 6 months has been investigated, with two kinds of measurements: 1) measuring the additional rotational angle on abutment during placement with the same force, 2) measuring the PTV on bucco-cervical area of implant crown. All data collected has been analyzed by normality test followed by Mann-Whitney test using SPSS program. RESULTS: No complications were reported after 6 months for the 51 implants. Abutment screw loose and crown fracture have not been seen in the study groups. The data collected from the two measurements showed no significant differences between the two groups with P-value 0.576 (average= control group: 7.35°, experimental group: 4.75°) for the additional rotational angle measurement and with P-value 0.767 for PTV. CONCLUSION: There are no significant differences between the grooved and non-grooved abutment in screw stability. However, further studies with long-term follow-ups and larger group of patients is needed in order to investigate the effects of grooved abutment on screw stability.

Analysis of Satisfaction Level and Comprehension Level between Patient and Pharmacist Group on Patient Counseling Standards

BACKGROUNDS: Patient counseling has been forced since June. 19, 2014. Prior to this, there was no study to try to standardize medication counseling to improve quality. PURPOSE: This study was to investigate satisfaction level and comprehension level between the pharmacist group and the patient group about standardized medication counseling sheet. METHODS: Questionnaires to assess standardized patient counseling sheet were posted at online survey software (Qualtrics) to pharmacists who worked at community pharmacy and patients who had visited community pharmacy before. RESULTS: Three hundred thirty five patients and three hundred nineteen pharmacists were responded to the questionnaire (Response rate: 72.9%). More than half of each group were satisfied with standardized medication counseling sheets 'for the general public', 'for the pregnant women and nursing mothers', 'for the chronic patient', and 'for the aged' and patient group were more satisfied than pharmacist group. Similarly, more than half of each group comprehended with the medication counseling sheets 'for the general public', 'for the pregnant women and nursing mothers', 'for the chronic patient', and 'for the aged'. Patient group tended to expect longer patient counseling time per one drug than pharmacist group. Also, the majority of both groups wanted to provide standardized medication counseling sheets constantly and extend for all drugs. CONCLUSION: Both groups were satisfied and comprehended standardized medication counseling sheets, and agreed to expand standardized medication counseling sheets to all drugs. So, it is necessary to build the standardized medication counseling of all drugs.

Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in the Elderly of Namwon County, South Korea

BACKGROUND: Ethnic and geographic differences exist in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus which has increased dramatically in South Korea. A few community-based epidemiologic studies with oral glucose tolerance test were performed in South Korea. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Diabetic Association (ADA) diagnostic criteria and to investigate their associated risk factors. Also, we compared and analyzed the characteristics of Koreans by WHO and ADA diagnostic criteria. METHODS: Between March 22, 1999 and July 14, 1999, a random sampling of 1,445 residents over 40 years of age in five villages (3 myons and 2 dongs) in Namwon City, Chollabuk-do Province, South Korea was carried out. WHO and ADA diagnostic criteria were used for the prevalence of DM, IGT and IFG. The associated factors of subjects were analyzed. RESULTS: After age adjustment for the population projection of Korea (1999), the prevalence of DM and IGT was 13.7% and 13.8%, respectively, by WHO criteria, while the prevalence of DM, IGT and IFG was 15.8%, 12.8% and 5.7%, respectively, by ADA criteria, and the previous diagnosed diabetics were 5.8% in 665 adults over 40 years of age in the Namwon area. The age-adjusted prevalence of previously diagnosed diabetics was 5.8%. When the subjects classified by both criteria were compared, the level of agreement between WHO and ADA diagnostic criteria, except IFG, was very high (kappa=0.94; p < 0.001). The ROC curve analysis determined FSG of 114.5 mg/dL (6.4 mmol/L) to yield optimal sensitivity and specificity corresponding to a PP2SG 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L). The prevalence of DM and IGT with ADA diagnostic criteria rose with increasing age (p < 0.05). The body mass index was mean 23.8+/-3.4 in all the subjects, 23.75+/-3.46 in NGT group and 23.67+/-3.16 in DM group, but the differences in the prevalence of DM, IGT and IFG by BMI were not significant. The prevalence of DM rose significantly with the increase in the waist-hip ratio (p < 0.05). The prevalence of DM significantly increased in subjects by increases in blood pressure, and triglyceride and the relative risk in the prevalence of DM was significantly high with dyslipidemia (Odds ratio 2.29, 95% CI: 1.16-3.49). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in the population over 40 years of age in Namwon City, South Korea remarkably increased compared with the 1970s and 1980s and was similar to that of the West. Ethnic differences in obesity of normal, DM and IGT subjects and in the effect on the prevalence of DM may exist in the Korean population, but they were not significant. As there is a limit in number, it is considered that a general population-based epidemiologic study on a large scale is required to investigate ethnic and geographic differences for the risk factors of DM in South Korea. The level of agreement, except IFG, by WHO and ADA diagnostic criteria was high, which indicates that these results may show that not only fasting serum glucose but also postprandial 2-h serum glucose are important for diagnosing diabetes in Korean.

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the elderly of Namwon county, South Korea / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Significant ethnic and geographic differences exist in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, which has increased dramatically in South Korea. But a few population-based studies were performed in South Korea. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Diabetic Association (ADA) diagnostic categories, and to investigate their associated risk factors. METHODS: Between march 22, 1999 and July 14, 1999, a random sampling of 1445 residents over 40 year of age in five villages in the Namwon county of South Korea was carried out. Among these subjects, 665 (46.0%) participants completed 75 g OGTT. WHO and ADA diagnostic criteria were used for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, IGT and IFG. Detailed questionnaire were performed and anthropometric data were collected. RESULTS: After age-adjustment for population projection for Korea (1999), the prevalence of diabetes and IGT were 13.7% and 13.8% with WHO criteria, while the prevalence of diabetes, IGT and IFG were 15.8%, 12.8% and 5.7% with ADA criteria. The age-adjusted prevalence of previously diagnosed diabetes was 5.8%. The level of agreement between WHO and ADA diagnostic criteria except IFG was high (K=0.94; p<0.001). The ROC curve analysis determined FSG of 114.5 mg/dL (6.4 mmol/L) to yield optimal sensitivity and specificity corresponding to a PP2SG 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L). The prevalence of diabetes and IGT with ADA diagnostic criteria rose with increasing age (p<0.05). The difference in the prevalence of diabetes, IGT and IFG by BMI was not significant. The prevalence of diabetes rose with increase in the waist-hip ratio. The prevalence of diabetes was increased in subjects with dyslipidemia (Odds ratio 2.29, 95% CI: 1.16-3.49). CONCLUSION: The age-adjusted prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in populations over 40 year of age in the Namwon county was substantially higher than previously observed. Ethnic differences in obesity with BMI and in the effect on diabetes risk of obesity may exist in the Korean population. The adequate cut-off point for fasting serum glucose was lower than that by the ADA diagnostic category. These results may show that not only fasting serum glucose but also postprandial 2-h serum glucose are important for diagnosing diabetes in Korean.

The effect of patient education on correct use of metered dose inhalers in patients with asthma / 천식및알레르기

BACKGROUND: Medications for asthma can be administered either by inhaled or systemic routes. The major advantages of delivering drugs directly into the lungs via inhalation are that higher concentrations can be delivered more effectively to the airways and that systemic side effects are avoided or minimized. Inhaled medications, or aerosols, are available in a variety of devices that differ in required technique and quantity of drugs delivered to the lung. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of patient education on correct use of metered dose inhaler in patients with asthma. METHODS: Twenty patients with asthma were instructed three times on proper inhaler usage by a physician at two-week intervals. Practical performance and theoretical knowledge were assessed (ten-item assessment). Scoring was done by one physician using a score of 1-3 for each item. RESULTS: The practical performance and theoretical knowledge scores were higher in patients after being instructed three times compared with those who were instructed once (26.2+/-2.2 vs 18.1+/-3.6, p< 0.01). The scores were higher in patients with higher education level com- pared with those with lower education level after three lessons (27.3+/-1.94 vs 24.3+/-1.80, p< 0.05). The most common errors included inadequate actuation time and breath holding, and insufficient activations. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that patients with asthma be instructed in inhaler use and that their technique be checked regularly and repeatedly depending on education level.

Airway hyperresponsiveness among workers exposed to isocyanates at Yeocheon petrochemical plant / 천식및알레르기

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of airway hyperresponsiveness induced by isocyanate at one petrochemical industry complex in Yeochon, Korea. METHOD: Questionnaires, allergic skin prick test, toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-specific IgE, and non-specific airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) were studied in 73 exposed workers and 27 control subjects. Methacholine challenge tests were done and bronc hial responsiveness (BR index) was defined as log (% fall of FEV1)/ log (last concentration of methacholine +10). RESULTS: Twenty-three workers (31.5% ) had respiratory symptoms, 21 had nasal symptoms, and eight had skin symptoms. Exposed workers with respiratory symptoms (n=22) had significantly higher BR index than those without them (0.82+/-0.06 vs 0.60+/-0.02, p0.05). Specific IgE antibodies were found in 19.7% of exposed workers. FEV, showed a significant negative correlation with BR index (r =-0.25, p<0.05). Poor correlation was noted between BR index and atopy, smoking status, or exposure duration. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that workers exposed to isocyanates are at higher risk of airway hyperresponsiveness.

The Prognostic Factors In Progression Of Pneumoconiosis / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Pneumoconiosis is the parenchymal lung disease that results from the inhalation and deposition of dust, usually mineral dust of occupational or environmental origin. Most of the pneumoconiosis can be categorized to coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) in Korea. No effective treatement is currently available, and the therapy for symptomatic CWP is limited to treatment of complication. Therefore authors analyzed and reviewed clinical features and radiological findings of 95 patients with pneumoconiosis for assessing the prognostic factors in disease progression. METHOD: We reviewed medical records of 95 cases with pneumoconiosis including history, chest X-ray, pulmonary function test, electrocardiography, AFB stain and culture of sputum, and routine blood examination between June 1995 and June 1997 in Seonam University Namkwang Hospital. RESULTS: All of cases are male(mean age, 57.4 years), 91 cases out of them are miners. The mean duration of exposure to dust is 18.8 years. 2) Major clinical symptoms are dyspnea (100%), sputum (71.6%), chest pain (55.8%), cough (23.2%), and hemoptysis (6.3%). 82% of cases are over Morgan-Seaton Grade 2 in the degree of dyspnea. Small opacity on chest x-ray is 82.1% and large opacity is 17.9%. Small opacity has t/t type (37.2%), q/q type (25.6%) and r/r type (11.5%). B type is 42.2% in large opacity. For the pulmonary function test, restrictive type is 40.3%, mixed type 19.5% and obstructive type 8.3%. The more increasing chest X-ray density, the more decreasing FEV1 (p<0.01). 38% of patients show tuberculosis in chest X-ray, 15.8% positive smear of acid fast bacilli in sputum. The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis is high in patients with poor clinical condition. The cases with the active pulmonary tuberculosis have severe dyspnea. 6) Expired cases show 100% and 75% of positive pulmonary tuberculosis in chest X-ray and sputum examination, respectively. 75% of expired cases show the chronic cor pulmonale, who died of acute respiratory failure. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that tuberculosis infection has a decisive influence on the progress and prognosis of pneumoconiosis.

A Case of Multiple Esophageal Ulcerations in Behcet's Disease / 대한소화기내시경학회지

The diagnostic criteria of Behcet' s disease - which requires the presence of recurrent oral ulceration plus any two of recurrent genital ulceration, typical defined eye lesions, typical defined skin lesions or a positive pathergy test - was proposed by the International Study Group for Behcet' s Disease (ISGBD). Intestinal Behcet' s disease most commonly affects the ileocecal region, but esophageal involvement of Behcet' s disease is rare, only 8 cases have previously been reported in Korea. A 23-year old female who had a 10-year history of recurrent oral and genital ulcer and recurrent erythematous skin eruption, was admitted to our hospital because of dysphagia and substernal pain. Endoscopic exami-nation showed multiple small sized ulcers on oral cavity and two diffuse deep ulcers surrounded with irregularly nodular and hyperemic edematous mucosa at distal esophagus. The pathologic finding was subepithelial accumulation of chronic inflammatory cells, especially around the vessels. So she was treated with steroid under the diagnosis of esophageal involvement of Behcet' s disease. She has been followed in improvement status without recurrence.

Relationship between Insulin Secretory Capacity and Mitochondrial Morphology in Pancreatic beta-Cell

To investigate the relationship between insulin response and morphometric changes of the mitochondria of pancreatic beta-cell, this study was performed using hyperglycemia and streptozotocin as oxidative stresses. Adult and neonatal rats were used. Intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) and morphologic examination of pancreas using immunohistochemical stain, in situ end-labeling method and electron microscopic study were performed. Various mitochondrial parameters were measured by image analyzer. Immunohistochemical stain revealed a markedly reduced islet size and decreased number of beta-cells and the increased number of non-beta-cell in adult and neonatoal streptozotocin group, and the appearance of insulin positive cells throughout the exocrine parenchyma in neonatal streptozotocin group. Three days after injection of streptozotocin in adult streptozotocin group, TUNEL stain showed increased apoptotic cells in islets. Ultrastructurally, beta-cells in adult streptozotocin group showed increase in number and size of mitochondria, and disruption of mitochondrial structures. Hyperglycemic group and neonatal streptozotocin group showed preserved mitochondrial ultrastructure. Ultrastructural morphometric study revealed increase in size and number of mitochondria and decrease in mitochondrial contour index in adult streptozotocin-treated rats, which suggested mitochondrial degeneration. Hyperglycemic group showed mild increase in size of mitochondria. Increased number of mitochondria was also observed in neonatal streptozotocin group. IVGTT revealed marked decrease in insulin response in adult streptozotocin group, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus pattern in glucose and insulin response in neonatal streptozotocin group. Hyperglycemic group showed a glucose and insulin response similar to control group. The above results suggest that a severe oxidative injury may cause degeneration and disruption of mitochondria of pancreatic beta-cell, and may be associated with substantial apoptotic cell death. The changes in the morphology and the number of mitochondria may result from streptozotocin treatment within neonatal period and hyperglycemia treatment, which may be associated with changes in insulin response.

Studies on the Mechanism of Renal Action of Centrally-administered TFMPP in Rabbits / 대한신장학회잡지

It has been known that central tryptaminergic system is closely related with the regulation of renal function, and that central 5-HT1 receptors mediate diuresis and natriuresis, whereas central 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors mediate antidiuresis and antinatriuresis. Among many subtypes of 5-HT1 receptors, central 5-HT1A subtype has been suggested to exert diuretic and natriuretic effets. Further, it was recently observed that TFMPP, 5-HT1B agonist, elicited profound diuresis and natriuresis when administered intracerebroventricularly(icv). Present study is therefore undertaken to delineate the mechanism involved in the natriuresis and diuresis induced by icv TFMPP, employing the denervated and vagotomized rabbits. The influence of icv TFMPP on the plasma level of ANP was also observed. TFMPP 250 microgram/kg icv produced marked diuresis and natriuresis. Renal hemodynamics showed significant increase only in the first 10-min period after administration and thereafter tended to recover. However, natriuretic action lasted even after the increased renal hemodynamics returned to the control level, suggesting the decreased Na reabsorption in the tubules by humoral natriuretic factors. Systemic blood pressure transiently increased. In rabbits in which one kidney is denervated, with the contralateral intact as the control kidney, the denervated kidney also responded with natriuresis and diuresis like that of the normal rabbit. The contralateral kidney responded with typical diuretic and natriuretic effects, along with the marked increased of renal hemodynamics. The plasma ANP, one of humoral natriuretic factors, increased after administration of icv TFMPP, peaking at about 15min. In bilaterally vagotomized rabbits, the natriuretic and diuretic effects produced by icv TFMPP were greater than that of the normal rabbits. These observations suggest that the natriuresis and diuresis elicited by icv TFMPP result from the inhibition of tubular Na reabsorption mainly through mediation of ANP. It has been also suggested that vagus nerve might exert inhibitory influence on the diuretic action of icv TFMPP, because the renal effects was augmented in the vagotomized rabbits.

The Effect of Minocycline Sclerosing Therapy on Cystic Thyroid Nodules / 대한내과학회지

OBJECTIVES: We studied the efficacy and safety of repeated aspiration therapy and minocycline sclerotherapy for cystic thyroid nodules in the euthyroid patients and the factors which might appear to influence the outcome of therapy. SUBJECT AND METHODS: 114 patients with predominantly cystic thyroid nodules were studied. All of the patients underwent the first aspiration therapy, and patients with recurrent cystic lesions after the first aspiration treatment underwent repeated aspiration therapy or additive minocycline sclerotherapy. The patients were followed up ultrasonically 1 and 3 months, and every three month thereafter after the treatments. RESULTS: In 106 patients of 114 patients, cumulative success rate of the treatments was 54.6%. Cumulative success rate of only aspiration treatments(n=81) was 45.1%. 83 patients of 114 patients was recurred after the first aspiration therapy. In these patients, Cumulative success rate of repeated aspiration treatments(n=58) was 24.1%, Cumulative success rate of additive minocycline sclerotherapy(n=25) was 88.0%. Treatment modalities and longest diameter of the lesions significantly influenced the outcome of the trea tments. The effect of the larger longest diameter of cystic thyroid nodule would tend to reduce the cummulative success rate, and the cutoff point of the longest diameter was 4.5 cm. There were no significant adverse effects except for transient pain around the injection site in 12 patients (46%). Cytologic study showed 4 (3.5%) of 114 patients to be malignant. CONCLUSION: Minocycline sclerotherapy of cystic thyroid nodules is a useful and tolerable non-operative therapeutic method in patients with recurrent cystic thyroid nodules after repeated aspiration therapy. The size of a cystic thyroid nodule influence the outcome of aspiration therapy but may not inflcence the outcome of minocycline sclerotherapy.

Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Bone Mineral Density in Korean Women / 대한내분비학회지

BACKGROUND: Bone mineral density(BMD) is thought to be under genetic control. Polymorphisms at the vitamin D receptor(VDR) gene have recently been shown to contribute to the genetic variability in bone mineral density in Caucasians. However, the relationship between VDR-RFLP(restriction fragment length polymorphisms) and bone mineral density is controversial. METHODS: The VDR-RFLP by BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI were studied in 250(77 premenopausal, 173 postmenopausal) Korean women. Bone mineral densities at the lumbar spine(L2-L4), femoral neck, greater trochanter, and Wards triangle were measured by DEXA(Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry; Lunar DPX-L, U.S.A.). RESULTS: There were significant differences in VDR gene allele frequency when compared with those in Caucasians. The BsmI polymorphism was consisted of 0.8% BB homozygotes, 12.4% Bb heterozygotes, and 86.8% bb homozygotes. The ApaI polymorphism was 6.8% AA homozygotes, 42.0% Aa heterozygotes, and 51.2% aa homozygotes, and the TaqI polymorphism was 83.2% TT homozygotes, 16.8% Tt heterozygotes, and 0% tt homozygotes. When these three VDR-RFLP were combined, bbaaTT(51.2%), bbAaTT(29.6%), and BbAaTt(10.0%) were found to be most frequent types. There were no significant relationship between VDR-RFLP and BMD measured at the 2nd to 4th lumbar spine in all subjects. But there were significant relationship between VDR-RFLP and BMD at the proxmial femur in all subjects. Compared with bb or bbaaTT(or bbAaTT), women with the Bb or BbAaTt genotypes had significantly lower bone mineral densities at the proximal femur in all subjects. When we restricted the analysis to early postmenopausal women less than 10 years since menopause, these findings were more pronounced. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that VDR-RFLP may affect on BMD at the proximal femur in Korean women. However, the frequencies of B, A, and t alleles are very low in Korean women compared to those of Caucasians, further studies will be needed, with larger sample sizes.