Evaluation of the association between pollen count and the outbreak of allergic disease

PURPOSE: This study focused on the evaluation of the relation between pollen concentration and the outbreak of allergic disease (symptom index), and this outcome would be necessary to upgrade risk grade for the pollen forecasting system. METHODS: Airborne particles carrying allergens, such as pollen, were collected daily at the Seoul and Guri area by using 7-day Burkard samplers for 6 years. A total of 596 Subjects were recruited from Hanyang University Seoul Hospital (n=144 for spring, n=139 for autumn), and Hanyang University Guri Hospital (n=157 for spring, n=156 for autumn). Symptom index was evaluated and recorded by phone calling to study subjects daily or asking questionnaire when they visit outpatient clinic every week. Statistical analysis of data was performed by using correlation coefficients and regression models with time series graph. RESULTS: Two peak seasons of pollen concentration were May and September in Korea. In skin prick tests, the sensitization rate to ragweed pollen was gradually increased in children. In the same period, sensitization rates to airborne pollen, especially oak, birch for spring, and Japanese hop for autumn were increased annually. There was a significantly relationship between symptom index of allergic patients and allergic pollen concentrations in this study. Especially symptom index was significantly correlated to the concentration of oak pollen of day 1 in spring and to the concentration of Japanese hop pollen of day 0 in autumn. CONCLUSION: Sensitization rates to pollens increased annually. There is a significant relationship between allergy symptom index and pollen concentration. There remains to confirm the Korean own risk grade of pollen allergy.

Comparison of Manual Balance and Balance Board Tests in Healthy Adults

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlations of scores on the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the Single Leg Stance (SLS) test with stability scores on the Biodex Balance System (BBS) in healthy adults. METHOD: The postural balance of 73 participants was measured on the TUG and SLS tests and with the Overall Stability Index (OSI) on the BBS. The participants were divided into groups by age and by times on the TUG and SLS. The correlations between TUG or SLS and OSI scores were analyzed by groups. RESULTS: TUG scores were significantly correlated with OSI scores in age under 65 years, TUG over 10 seconds and SLS over 30 seconds groups (level 12). TUG scores were also correlated with OSI in total (level 10) and TUG under 10 seconds groups (level 2). However, there were no significant relationships between SLS and OSI scores. CONCLUSION: OSI scores on the BBS are significantly correlated with TUG scores, especially at the easy levels. According to the findings of present study, relatively easy BBS levels are considered to assess the postural balance in healthy adults.

Evaluation of Neurogenic Bladder with Newly Developed Natural-fill Cystometric Device : Cases report

We developed a new, affordable, and easy-to-use natural-fill cystometric device to overcome the limitation of conventional cystometry, long been criticized for being unphysiological. The device was composed of one transurethral catheter, one rectal catheter, two digital manometers, and a portable computer. The transurethral and rectal catheters were connected to manometers, which were then connected to the computer. Three persons with neurogenic bladder were recruited for testing the device. To shorten the test duration, we gave patients 500 ml water before the test. As urine filled inside the bladder, the transurethral and rectal catheters transmitted respectively the intravesical and abdominal pressures to the digital manometers. The pressures were stored within the portable computer and turned into graphs indicating pressure changes. The natural-fill cystometry is thought to be a physiological test that is affordable and convenient because of its simple structure and small size.

Comparison between Natural Filling Cystometry and Conventional Retrograde Filling Cystometry in Patients with Stroke

OBJECTIVE: To compare the personally developed natural filling cystometry (NFC) and conventional retrograde filling cystometry (RFC) METHOD: NFC and RFC were performed on 15 patients with stroke. RESULTS: Patients were classified into three groups according to their usual lower urinary tract symptom. Four patients without urinary symptom did not show any detrusor overactivity or detrusor underactivity during NFC or RFC. Of the nine patients with urinary frequency or urgency, five (55.6%) showed detrusor overactivity during NFC and two (22.2%) during RFC. Two patients with straining showed detrusor underactivity during both tests. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference of cystometric findings between NFC and RFC in case of patients without urinary symptom or with detrusor underactivity, but those patients with urinary symptom that is suspected of detrusor overactivity showed a more frequent detrusor overactivity during NFC than RFC. Therefore, NFC is thought to be a useful tool in evaluating the neurogenic bladder of stroke patients suspected of detrusor overactivity since it can detect detrusor overactivity which were less detectable in RFC.