Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms and uninvestigated dyspepsia in Korea: a population-based study.

Various reports on the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and uninvestigated dyspepsia have been conducted in Western countries. We sought to determine the frequency of GERD symptoms and uninvestigated dyspepsia in Korea. Telephone interviews were conducted with 1,044 individuals. Of all subjects, 7.1% reported that GERD symptoms were present at least once a week, and 3.8% at least twice a week. The prevalence of heartburn according to educational level and acid regurgitation according to age was significantly different (P < 0.05). The prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia was reported as 12.2%. Dyspepsia was divided into subgroups of 34% ulcer-like, 56% dysmotility-like, and 10% nonspecific. The occurrence of dyspepsia did not vary according to age, gender, educational level and household income. As frequency of GERD symptoms increased, quality of life significantly decreased. We concluded that GERD symptoms and uninvestigated dyspepsia were prevalent in Korea. The prevalence was similar to that of other Asian countries.

[Obstructive jaundice due to biliary cast syndrome followed by orthotopic liver transplantation].

Biliary complication occurs in 6-34% of all liver transplant patients. Although bile leaks and strictures are relatively common, other biliary complications such as T-tube leak, choledocholithiasis, and biliary cast syndrome can also be observed. The biliary cast syndrome describes the presence of casts causing obstruction with its resultant sequelae of biliary infection, hepatocyte damage secondary to bile stasis and ductal damage, all contributing to cholangiopathy. Because the exact timing of cast formation after orthotopic liver transplantation is not consistent, it is difficult to define the true incidence of biliary cast syndrome without long-term follow-up data. Proposed etiological mechanisms include acute cellular rejection, prolongation of cold ischemic time, infection, biliary drainage tubes, and biliary obstruction. The diagnosis of biliary cast syndrome is usually confirmed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. There have been few published articles about biliary casts in Korea. Herein, we report a case of biliary cast syndrome followed by orthotopic liver transplantation.