Severe Resistant Hypertension Induced by Carbamazepine in an Elderly Patient

We report a case of a 73-year-old patient with a 17 year-history of well-controlled primary hypertension with a single antihypertensive drug, which became uncontrolled since 9 months ago when he started on oral carbamazepine (CBZ) therapy for syringomyelia. On admission, the patient had a blood pressure of 200-215/95-104mmHg despite an antihypertensive combination therapy with five different drugs. Further investigations ruled out secondary hypertension such as primary aldosteronism, pheochromocytoma and renal artery stenosis. After the discontinuation of CBZ, the blood pressure profile became significantly improved. The rechallenge with CBZ aggravated his blood pressure profile. Therefore, we considered that resistant hypertension was induced by the oral CBZ therapy.

Preoperative B-type Natriuretic Peptide as a Predictor of Postoperative Cardiac Events Following Orthopedic Elderly Patients

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of preoperative plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level in predicting postoperative in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE, defined as atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, nonfatal myocardial infarction and cardiac death) in elderly patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. METHODS: Between March 2010 and September 2011, data from 156 patients (aged 65 years or older) who underwent scheduled or emergent orthopedic surgery, were investigated. Screening for postoperative in-hospital MACE was performed using clinical criteria. RESULTS: MACE occurred in 12 patients (7.7%). The BNP level was significantly higher in patients with MACE than in those without (median, 152.0; interquartile range [36.3 to 352.8] pg/mL vs. median, 36.8; interquartile range [15.5 to 98.1] pg/mL, p=0.005). The BNP level was positively correlated with the revised cardiac risk index score (r=0.300, p=0.001). In a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for MACE, the ROC for BNP was 0.746 (95% confidence interval, 0.602 to 0.891). At the optimal cut-off point (BNP=110 pg/mL), the sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values were 66.7, 81.2, 22.0% and 96.6%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, preoperative BNP was an independent predictor for MACE (odds ratio, 5.091; p=0.018) after adjusting for baseline confounding factors such as diabetes mellitus and history of cerebrovascular accident. CONCLUSION: The preoperative BNP level may be a useful tool in stratifying the risk for MACE in elderly patients undergoing orthopedic surgery.

Pacemaker malfunction related to insulation break according to position change in a patient with complete AV block / 대한내과학회지

A 53 year-old woman presented with intermittent dizziness and palpitation. She had received VVI type pacemaker due to complete AV block in 1990, and exchanged by VVIR type pacemaker thirteen years later. 1 year later, she suffered intermittent dizziness and palpitation in erect position, not in supine position. Intermittent pacing failure and sensing failure was observed in pacemaker test, especially in erect position, not in supine position. Pacing threshold was increased in erect position, but lead impedance was not changed. Insulation break was observed in bipolar lead by fluoroscope. Initially we tried a new lead implantation by cephalic access to prevent lead related complication, but failed. So, we implanted a new bipolar lead by subclavian access. Finally, she was treated by a new bipolar lead implantation.

The of First Symptom and Diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Elderly Patients of Korea

BACKGROUNDS: As Korea has advanced into the aging society, Acute Coronary Syndrome is increased in number, especially elderly age group. The symptoms of acutecoronary syndrome in eldery were presented in atypical feature frequently. We studied the relation of the first symptom and diagnosis of acutecoronary syndrome and distribution of risk factor and coronary angiographic finding in elderly patient of korea society. METHODS: The subjects who were under went coronary angiography between 2002.5 and 2003.8 were dividedunder 65 years old group and over 65 years old group. And each group described diagnosis, risk factor, first symptom and coronary angiographic finding retrospectively. RESULTS: The diagnosis of unstable angina are more higher(46.5% vs. 26.1%, p<0.01) in the over 65 years old group and the first significant symptom of typical chest pain was more higher(57.4% vs. 47.6%, p<0.01) in the under 65 years old group and dyspnea was more higher(22.8% vs. 9.2%, p<0.01) in the over 65 years old group. The number of abnormal vessel were more higher(66.3% vs. 46.9%, p<0.01) in the over 65 years old group. CONCLUSION: Over 65 years old group compared with younger age group were prewented more frequently angina equivalent symptom than typical chest pain. And at the diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome, over 65 years old group showed more severe coronary angiographic finding. Consequently, early stage of diagnostic approach and treatment need scrupulous attention in the elderly patients.

A Study of Intermal Medical Disorder in a Psychiatric Inpatients

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the relationship between psychiatric disease and systemic Internal Medical disease in psychiatric inpatients who were consulted to department of Internal Medicine and was directed to assess the physical problems and possible ways to resolve them in a closed psychiatric unit. METHOD: Through evaluation of medical records of 1549 inpatients who had consulted in department of internal medicine in Seoul National(mental) Hospital from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002. We classified the Physical illness according to ICD-9-CM and psychiatric disease according to DSM-IV RESULTS: The results were as follows: 1) In age and sex distribution, male was 64.4% and 45.9% of the subject was 4th and 5th decades. 2) The most systemic diagnosis were disease of respiratory system, disease of digestive system and endocrine system. 3) schizophrenia showed the highest rate in respiratory disease. Rate of digestive disease was the highest in alcohol use disorder. Disease of respiratory system and disease of digestive system were the most frequent in mood disorder 4) In 1st decade, Digestive system digease was the most frequent, others were respiratory system disease. 5) onset age of psychiatric disease was the oldest in circulatory disease. In genitourinary system disease, duration of psychiatric disease was the longest CONCLUSION: The clinical characteristics of psychiatric disease influenced to get systemic disease in psychiatric patients.

Assessment of Left Ventricular Diastolic functions in Elderly Patients with Pulmonary congestion and in Asymptomatic Elders

BACKGROUND: The recent studies shows that LV relaxation abnormalities are the important factors of heart failure in elders. To determine the association between LV diastolic functions and heart failure, we assessed LV diastolic functions in elderly patients with pulmonary congestion and in asymptomatic elders by using pulsed doppler echocardiography. METHODS: In order to assess LV diastolic function, we performed pulsed doppler echocardiography to elderly patients with pulmonary congestion and asymptomatic elders from Mar.2001 to Sep.2001. The following parameters were used as indices of LV diastolic function; Mitral E wave(E), Mitral A wave(A), Deceleration time(DT), Isovolumic relaxation time(IVRT), Systolic pulmonary venous flow(PVs), Diastolic pulmonary venous flow(PVd). RESULTS: In elderly patients groups, there was significant increase in deceleration time compared with asymptomatic elders(255.83+/-54.41 vs 210.80+/-48.53, p<0.05). There was significant increase in isovolumic relaxation time in elderly patient group compared with asymptomatic elders(123.06+/-25.07 vs 98.78+/-15.12, p<0.01). Although there was no significant difference, decreased E/A ratio and increased PVs/PVd were noted in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results shows that the impairments of LV diastolic function were noted in both groups. Especially DT and JVRT were significant increase in elderly patient group with pulmonary congestion. Therefore these parameters, such as DT, IVRT, can be helpful as predictive indices of diastolic heart failure in elders.

The Development of Korean Activities of Daily Living(K-ADL) and Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living(K-IADL) Scale

BACKGROUNDS: Katz index of ADL and Barthel index of ADL have been used to evaluate the function of disabled elderly in Korea. But no ADL scale reflecting Korean's own language expression and culture has been developed and verified yet. METHODS: Descriptions of basic activities which needed others' help were collected from 190 Korean disabled elderly. The collected results were categorized into basic activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, and then in each domain such as bathing, shopping, etc. Preliminary instrument items were selected by the judgement of the expert committee, considering the frequency of the responses and the importance of each item. A preliminary questionnaire was developed based on the selected items. The preliminary questionnaire was pretested twice, and corrected by the results. Finally a scholar on Korean literature verified the questionnaire on the grammar and context. RESULTS: A total of 408 basic activities of daily living and 242 instrumental activities of daily living were collected. The activities were categorized into 7 domains of ADL(dressing, washing face and hand, bathing, eating, transfer, toileting, continence) and 10 domains of IADL(decorating, housework, preparing meals, laundry, outgoing for a short distance, using transportation, shopping, handling money, using telephone, taking medicine) CONCLUSIONS: We developed a Korean Activities of Daily Living(K-ADL) scale and Korean Instrumental Activities of Daily Living(K-IADL) scale reflecting Korean elderly's own language expression and culture.

Comparison of Left Ventricular Diastolic dysfunctions in Chronic Renal Failure(CRF) Patients and in Elderly Patients

BACKGROUND: We consider that heart failure in elderly and Chronic renal failure patients is closely related to LV diastolic dysfunction. To determine the association between LV diastolic functions and heart failure, we assessed LV diastolic functions in elderly patients with pulmonary congestion and in Chronic renal failure patients by using pulsed doppler echocardiography. METHODS: In order to assess LV diastolic function, we performed pulsed doppler echocardiography on elderly patients with pulmonary congestion and Chronic Renal Failure patients from Nov; 2000 to June; 2001. The following parameters were used as indices of LV diastolic function; Mitral E wave(E), Mitral A wave(A), F/A ratio, Deceleration time(DT), Isovolumic relaxation time(IVRT), Systolic pulmonary venous flow(PVs), Diastolic pulmonary venous flow(PVd), PVs/PVd ratio. RESULTS: In elderly patients groups with pulmonary congestion, there was significant decreased in E/A ratio compared with CRF patients(0.693+/-0.18 vs 0.905+/-0.116, p<0.01). There was significant increase in deceleration time and isovolumic relaxation time in elderly patients with pulmonary congestion compared with CRF patients(DT 255.83+/-54.41 vs 210.80+/-48.53 p<0.05, IVRT; 123.06+/-26.07 vs 98.75+/-15.12, p<0.01). Although there was no significant difference, increased PVs/PVd ratio was noted in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results shows that the impairments of LV diastolic function were noted in both groups. Especially F/A ratio was significant decreased elderly patient group with pulmonary congestion and DT, IVRT were significant increase in elderly patient group with pulmonary congestion. Therefore Left ventricular relaxation is progressively impaired in old age and impaired LV relaxation results in in LV diastolic dysfunction But LV hypertrophy in ESRD patients results in LV diastolic dysfunction.

Clinical Observations of Regurgitative Valvular Heart Disease in Elderly Patients Older Than 65 Years in Age

BACKGROUND: The regurgitative valvular heart diseases are important underlying diseases that result in congestive heart failure, and the prevalence increase with the increasing age. Early detection and management of the regurgitative valvular heart disease could decrease the morbidity and mortality rate of the elderly. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 425 patients who visited KonKuk University Medical Center ChungJu Hospital for the echocardiography between April 1994 to September 2000. 281 out of 425 patients were diagnosed with regurgitative valvular heart disease, and they were analyzed according to their age, sex, underlying disease, and accompaniment of congestive heart failure. Also the relationships between the regurgitative valvular heart disease and fractional shortening(FS), and also with ejection fraction(EP) were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 281 patients diagnosed with regurgitative valvular heart disease. Greatest number of patients was diagnosed with MR, followed by AR, TR and PR, accordingly. The prevalence of regurgitative valvular heart disease increased as the age increased. The prevalence of regurgitative valvular heart disease in male patients were 74% and for female patients, 62%. For patients with hypertension, it was 59%, and for DM patients it was 60%. For patients with past history of ischemic heart disease, or congestive heart failure, the prevalences of regurgitative valvular heart disease were high. FS for the patients with regurgitative valvular heart disease was 28.91% compared 32.69% for the patients without regurgitative valvular heart disease. EF for the patients with regurgitative valvular heart disease was 54% compared to the 60% for without regurgitative valvular heart disease. The FS for patients with symptomatic regurgitative valvular heart disease was 23.86% compared to 27.7% for asymptomatic group. The EF for symptomatic regurgitative valvular heart disease was 46.2% compared to 52.3% for asymptomatic group. CONCLUSION: When 2D-echocardiography was performed on elderly patients who were older than 65 years of age, most of them featured degenerative structural changes in valves and deterioration of valvular functions resulting in regurgitative valvular heart disease. When patients had any symptoms or underlying diseases, the decrease in cardiac function and high prevalence of regurgitative valvular heart disease were apparent. Therefore in elderly patients, even if they are asymptomatic or without any underlying diseases, aggressive diagnostic approaches and early intervention may delay the progress of valvular heart disease.

Intestinal histopathology and in situ postures of Gymnophalloides seoi in experimentally infected mice

The intestinal histopathology and in situ postures of Gymnophalloides seoi (Digenea: Gymnophallidae) were studied using C3H/HeN and C57BL/6 mice as experimental hosts; the effects of immunosuppression were also observed. The metacercariae isolated from naturally infected oysters, 300 or 1,000 in number, were infected orally to each mouse, and the mice were killed at days 3-21 post-infection (PI). In immunocompetent (IC) mice, only a small number of flukes were found in the mucosa of the duodenum and jejunum during days 3-7 PI, with their large oral suckers pinching and sucking the root of villi. The intestinal mucosa showed mild villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia, and inflammations in the villous stroma and crypt, with remarkable goblet cell hyperplasia. These mucosal changes were almost restored after days 14-21 PI. In immunosuppressed (IS) mice, displacement as well as complete loss of villi adjacent to the flukes was frequently encountered, otherwise the histopathology was generally mild, with minimal goblet cell hyperplasia. In these mice, numerous flukes were found, and it seemed that they were actively moving and rotating in situ. Several flukes were found to have invaded into the submucosa, almost facing the serosa. These results indicate that in IC mice the intestinal histopathology caused by G. seoi is generally mild, and the flukes do not penetrate beyond the mucosa, however, in IS mice, the flukes can cause severe destruction of neighboring villi, and some of them invade into the submucosa.

Analysis of Elderly Patients who visited Emergency Room

BACKGROUND: Recently elderly people have increased in Korea and increased demands of medical service. To solve the problem of emergency medical service in elderly patients, it is very important to analyze the emergency patients who visit medical service and to accumulate date bases of various hospitals. So the purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of emergency services by the elderly to provide better understanding of the emergency care needs of this specialized populations and provide a basis planning to meet the needs of the expanding geriatric population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 2380 elderly patients who visited Emergency room of national medical center, from August 1, 1999 to July 31, 2000. We analyzed the patients gender, age, arrival time, final diagnosis, admission rate, mortality, ects. RESULT: Male to female ratio is 1:1.29, and most common age group was between 65 and 69 years old. The peak time of patients entrance was between 10 AM and 11AM, in a week monday was most crowding day. The most predomint monthly distribution of visit was January. The respiratory disease are most common problem (14.7%), and cardivascular disease (12.01%) are next, and cerebrovascular disease (11.17%) are following. Diabetic complication (7.53%) are common problems and hypoglycemia and diabetic foot infection are frequent. Admission rates was 32.53%. ICU admission rate is 2.77%. Emergency operation rate is 5.91%. During admission, mortality case was 127 patients. The cause of death were cerebrovascular disease (16.94%) and advanced respiratory disease (15.43%). CONCLUSION: The results show that cerebrovascular disease and respiratory disease and cardiovascular disease that needed prompt medical service are major problem who visit emergency room. And diabetic complications that are prevented by proper educations are common. So more concentrated medical service and preventive effort focused on these disease.

Clinical Analysis of Malarial Infections between January and September 1998 / 대한내과학회지

OBJECTIVE: Annually, the prevalence of indigenous and imported malarial infections is steadily increasing since 1993 in Korea. In order to understand the current characteristics of malarial infections and to prevent, the present research reviewed twenty-seven cases between January and September 1998. METHOD:In this study, all the twenty-seven (twenty- six patients) cases were obtained from admitted patients between January and September 1998. We had performed routine blood chemical studies, peripheral blood thin and thick smear, physical examination and abdominal sonography. Any patient with a previous history of a narcotic drug injection or had blood transfusion was excluded. RESULTS: Twenty cases (74.1%) were indigenous and seven (25.9%) were imported malaria. Yeonchon-Gun (nine cases) was the most prevalent area in the indigenous cases; Cambodia (three cases) were the most one in the imported cases. Peripheral blood thin smear revealed Plasmodium vivax in all (100%) indigenous malaria, while four cases (57.1%) were P. vivax and one (14.3%) was P. falciparum and two (28.6%) were mixed infections with P. vivax and P. falciparum in the imported cases. In a 3-month period between July and September, peak prevalence (80.4%) was observed. The negative conversion of peripheral blood smear was achieved much earlier in the indigenous (3.9+/-1.4day) than in the imported (5.7+/-1.9day) after the treatment but, was not statistically signifcant. CONCLUSION: Plasmodium ovale was the only unique causative species in the indigenous malaria. Also Yeonchon-Gun and Cheolwon-Gun had been the most important endemic areas as previous reports. One relapse case had been occurred in the imported malaria. On the basis of our data, more efforts for control of malaria should be necessary for eradication and prevention of indigenous and imported malarial infections in Korea.

Hypertension in the elderly

No abstract available.

Age-related trend of diseases distribution in the elderly aged 60 years and older / 대한내과학회지

With increasing life expectance and improvement of the overall health of the elderly, the understanding of geriatric disease becomes an important aspect of medical services. In the elderly, the frequencies of hypertension, DM, & anemia are increased according to aging and renal function is decreased progressively. As screening test for cervical cancer Papanicolaou smear is recommended due to its cost-effective benefits in females. In age-adjusted elderly male and female study populations, authors investigated the alterations of the above diseases, hypercholesterolemia, liver disease, obesity, & proteinuria distributions. METHODS: This study included 1,181 aged 40 years (600 males, 581 females) visitors between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 1997 in National Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea. Authors divided these populations into two large groups such as group A and B. Group A was composed of 40-59 years, group B 60 years and older. Group A and B were subdivided into 4 subgroups each other, such as A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4, B-1, B-2, B-3 and B-4 by means of age-adjusted dividing scale. We used our inclusion criteria to define each disease. RESULTS: Hypertension was the most common disease in males of group B, but obesity was in females. The age-adjusted frequencies of hypertension, anemia, obesity & proteinuria were increased according to aging in the elderly aged 60 years and older. Though hypercholesterolemia revealed non-specific distribution in each group, increased frequency was observed in females compared to males in group B. With increasing their age, abnormal findings of Papanicolaou smear were found in females of group B. CONCLUSIONS: As the frequencies of hypertension, anemia, obestiy, proteinuria & abnormal findings of Papanicolaou smear were increased in the elderly aged 60 years and older as increasing their age. Much more attentions and follow up plans for these disease should be needed in the elderly.

Severe hypoglycemia in the elderly diabetes

BACKGROUND: Hypoglycemia is the most common therapeutic complication of diabetes mellitus and especially in elderly diabetic patients with diminished cardiac and cerebral circulation can cause serious tissue damage. Though many studies have attempted to evaluate hypoglycemia in IDDM or adult diabetic patients, few studies in the elderly. We have compared clinical characteristics of severe hypoglycemia in elderly diabetes with adult diabetes. METHODS: This study include 56 severe hypoglycemic patients who have admitted to emergency department of National Medical Center from march 1, 1992 to december 31, 1997. they are divided two group (adult group; 21, elderly group; 35) and authors investigate the cause, the symptom, the time of severe hypoglycemia, degree of education, treatment method in each group. RESULTS: 1) DM education was not well done in severe hypoglycemic patients. 2) The frequency of severe hypoglycemia in the elderly was more than adult (adult: 21 (38%), elderly 35 (62%)). 3) In both population, the most common symptom of severe hypoglycemia was neuroglycopenic symptom, especially in the elderly (adult: 57%, elderly: 77%). 4) Decreased food intake (49%) in the elderly and overdose of insulin (38%) in the adult were the most common cause of severe hypoglycemia. 5) Severe hypoglycemia occurred more often between midnight and 6 AM in the adult, between noon and 6 PM in the elderly. 6) The treatment of diabetes mellitus is insulin (71%) and oral hypoglycemic agent (29%) in the adult, oral hypoglycemic agent (51%) and insulin (49%) in the elderly. CONCLUSION: For prevention of severe hypoglycemia, we should emphasize the importance of DM education and especially elderly diabetic patients should be educated about the symptoms of hypoglycemia, the self-management of hypoglycemia, the need for a regular carbohydrate intake and more easy and effective diet program is require in elderly diabetes.

Barriers to dietary practice adherence among the elderly diabetes

BACKGROUND: Some research viewed that effective dietary therapy was enough to control proper blood glucose level, but in the most patient, dietary therapy was not practiced and the most difficult part of managing their diabetes. The purpose of this research study was to investigate dietary practice adherence and perceived barriers among the elderly diabetes. METHODS: The survey was mailed to 852 persons with diabetes member via diabetic educator of 156 hospitals or clinics and 24 health centers. Questionnaire had background information of patients, meal regularity, food intake as a dietary practice adherence, barriers of 36 items which have 3 areas such as motive/attitude, knowledge, authority/resource. We asked the person with diabetes to rate barrier to dietary practice adherence. 432 questionnaire were returned the response. we selected 69 persons who were over 65 year old. RESULTS: 1) meal regularity was more satisfactory than food intake. 2) deficit of meal regularity were evening snack and resonable spacing between evening meal and evening snack. 3) deficit of food intake was serving of milk. 4) main barrier to dietary practice adherence was that of knowledge. CONCLUSION: For practice effectively dietary therapy to elderly diabetes, individual consultation or small group education must be pursued and more easily educational skills should be required.

24 hour circadian pattern of blood pressure and its related target organ damage in hypertensive subjects / 대한내과학회지

OBJECTIVE: Pattern with essential hypertension generally shows the same circadian pattern as the normothensive person with a night-time reduction or "DIP" in blood pressure in sleep. The definition of "Dipper" and "Non-dipper" are assigned according to arbitrary criteria e.g. a night time average blood pressure which is at least 10% less than the average daytime blood pressure. Prospective evidence that the absence of an overnight dip is a strong adverse prognostic indicator for target organ damage .Thus we investigate circardian rhythm of blood pressure, related target organ damage, its frequency & drug in hypertensive subjects. Method : 24hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, history taking, physical examination, fundoscopy, ECG, chest X ray, dipstick urinanlysis, serum creatinine level are performed in essential hypertensive subjects. Exclusion criteria are duration of hypertension over 5 years, DM, renovascular hypertension & heart failure. RESULTS: Total 42 patients performed study.17 subjects classify dipper group,25 subjects classify non-dipper group. Between dipper & non-dipper group shows no significantly difference at stroke history, C/T ratio over 0.5 in chest X-ray, left ventrcular hypertrophy in ECG,ST-T change in ECG, proteinuria & serum creatinine level. Non-dipper group shows significantly difference to dipper group in frequency of hypertensive retinopathy and number of combined drug used subjects. CONCLUSION: Number of hypertensive retinopathy is significantly frequency in non-dipper group. Hypertensive retinopathy is atherosclerotic complication, thus we predict other target organ damage, therefore non-dipper type circardian rhythm of blood pressure is adverse prognostic factor for target organ damage of hypertensive subjects.

The Transition of Internal Diseases of the aged in Korea

BACKGROUND: Recent times, elderly population increased due to development of medical treatment and extension of the average span of a human life. Hereupon, variable studies and measures for elderly population were made an attempt in the world at large. In medical treatment, an aged person related an institutes begin to vivacious activity for reflection of this national concern. So we survey the transition of internal diseases of the aged in Korea for 10 years lo support the policy of medical treatment. METHODS: In order to access this study, we use data of korea medical insurance coorporation and national statistical office republic of Korea. We classified internal diseases into several diseases by age, and sex. RESULTS: 1. The transition of out-Patients Digestive troubles have the most high prevalence in both men and women, and cardiovascular diseases are become increasing. Endocrine diseases are become increasing also. 2. The transition of in-patients 1) 65-69 years old Neoplastic diseases and digestive diseases are high in men, but cardiovascular disease are become increasing. Digestive diseases are high in women but, cardiovascular disease and endocrine diseases are become increasing. 2) 70-74 years old Cardiovascular diseases are decreased in men and especially in women. 3) Over 75 years old Digestive diseases are decreased in both men and women, endocrine diseases and cardiovascular diseases are increased in women. 3. The transition of the cause of death. The cardiovascular diseases are high in both men and women, and showed decreasing tendency gradually, Neoplastic diseases and endocrine diseases are increasing in steady. CONCLUSION: In our data, the cardiovascular diseases are high especially, in women according to age in the transition of internal diseases of an aged man in Korea, recent 10 years and endocrine diseases are increasing in steady. So, in medical treatment, we must consider many-sided methods to access this population

Geriatric Diseases: Characteristics and Preventive Measures

BACKGROUND: For the remembrance of the first 'Older People's Day' on Goober 2nd, The Korean Geriatrics Society (KGS) held geriatric conference for the improvement of the health on the aged. We summarized the discussion. RESULTS: We generally agree that many of the conditions of decrepit old age are not time-determined, but are the results of preventable and tretable illness. Rates of aging and senescence vary markedly in the aged. This has also been observed in different organ systems of the body. The comprehensive geriatric assessment developed in response to the complexity of medical, psychological and social problems occurred in older people It will be more necessary to develop Korean culture specific assessment tools. The proportion of the aged population to the whole is expected to reach 6.8% in the year 2000 and 12.5 % in 2020, forecasting that Korea will indeed enter the era of an aging society in the early 21s1 century. In Korea, geriatric diseases have the characteristic structure having multiple entities. The most common medical problem is arthralgia (with 57.8 % of 65 and older). In Korea, there are three kinds of medical care programs for the aged . medical insurance, medical assistance, and health screening, CONCLUSION: The desire for the improvement of older people's health is increasing now in Korea. Thus KGS suggests 'The Guideline for The Age'.

24 Hours Heart Rate Variability in Elderly Hypertensive Patients

BACKGROUND: Heart Rate Variability help us to diagnose the impairment of autonomic nervous system in patients with diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, chronic renal disease, and arrhythmia. Change of autonomic nervous system is related to circadian rhythm, stress, physical activity, and so on. Especially, impairment of vagal nervous system with age help us to expect sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and arrhythmia. So we survey heart rate variability by using 24 hours holter monitoring to expect impairment of autonomic nervous system in elderly hypertensive patients. METHODS: In order to assess 24 hours heart rate variability, we use Del Mar Avionics 563 holter monitoring on 11 elderly hypertensive patients( > or =65 years), 12 younger hypertensive patients( <65 years), and 15 normal subjects. RESULTS: 1) Standard deviation of mean R-R interval, LF(low frequency), HF(high frequency), TPSD(total power spectral density) are more decreased in elderly hypertensive patients than in younger hypertensive patients in 24 hours health rate variability analysis(t-test p<0.05). 2) According to age, elderly control group had lower LF power spectral parameter than younger control group had, but other parameters were not decreased, and elderly hypertensive group had lower LF, HF, TPSD, SD of mean R-R interval than younger hypertensive group did(p<0.05). 3) In circardian rhythm, normal subjects had high HF power spectral parameter and low LF power spectral parameter at evening and night. On the other hand, elderly hypertensive group had constant low level of LF, HF power spectral parameter during the day and night. CONCLUSIONS: On heart rate variability analysis using by 24 hours Holter monitoring, heart rate variability was decreased, and impairment of autonomic nervous system was accelerated in elderly hypertensive patients.