A Single-center Experience of Esophageal Eosinophilia / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Esophageal eosinophilia occurs in many conditions, including eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and proton pump inhibitor-responsive esophageal eosinophilia (PPI-REE), which have been increasingly recognized in Western countries. There have been only a few reports in Korea. Here, we evaluated the clinical and endoscopic characteristics of patients with esophageal eosinophilia from our experience. METHODS: Nineteen patients were diagnosed with esophageal eosinophilia based on typical symptoms, endoscopic features, esophageal eosinophilia with ≥15 eosinophils/high power field, and response to medication by PPI. Symptoms, endoscopic and pathological findings were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 19 patients, 2 patients were diagnosed with EoE, 7 patients were diagnosed with PPI-REE, and 10 patients were undetermined due to loss to follow-up. Among these 19 patients, dysphagia was present in 11, and heartburn, dyspepsia and reflux in 8. Sixteen patients had common endoscopic features, such as longitudinal furrows, concentric rings, strictures, and white plaques; however, 3 patients had normal findings. Nine patients underwent endoscopy at the time of follow-up. Two patients had complete resolution, and 3 had partial resolution. However, 4 patients showed no endoscopic changes. All patients showed symptom improvements. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and endoscopic characteristics of both groups in Korea were undistinguishable. However, after treatment, endoscopic findings were different between the two groups. Large-scale studies are warranted to confirm our findings.

A Case of Rectal Syphilis Incidentally Found at Regular Medical Check-up / 대한소화기학회지

Syphilis is a rare disease in the rectum. It is difficult to diagnose because the characteristics of the rectal syphilis rectal lesion are highly varied. The endoscopic findings of rectal syphilis are proctitis, ulcers, and masses. If rectal syphilis is suspected to be the cause for rectal lesions, it is important for physicians to consider the sexual history and sexual orientation of the patient. We report a case of incidental rectal syphilis in a 41-year-old man diagnosed during a regular medical check-up.

Providencia rettgeri Prostatic Abscess Cured by Medical Therapy

A prostatic abscess is a rare, but potentially serious disease. The mainstay of treatment for the prostatic abscess is antibiotic administration and drainage. Here, we experienced a 66-year-old man with a prostatic abscess caused by Providencia rettgeri, which has not been reported as a pathogenic agent of a prostatic abscess. He was cured using antibiotics, without surgical drainage. This case suggests that the appropriate selection of patients for antibiotic therapy may provide an excellent prognosis.

TQM Performance and Job Satisfaction of Dietitians in Institutional Foodservices / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was designed to investigate the correlation between perceived TQM performance and job satisfaction of dietitians. The objective of the study is to help the management of foodservice by providing a direction which will elevate perceived TQM performance of dietitians and presenting plans which will ensure effective foodservice management. The survey sample was dietitians (n=308) who were charged with foodservice management. The questionnaires requested information about demographics self-perception of TQM importance and performance levels, and job satisfaction. According to the TQM importance and performance analysis, the level of performance was typically high in TQM items recognized as important by dietitians and low in areas where the recognized level of importance was low. Analysis was conducted on the job satisfaction according to demographic characteristics. The level of satisfaction in terms of salary and promotion increased relatively for those working in the industries and those who were older, married, and full-time employees with longer careers. The lesser the number of working hours, the higher their satisfaction levels were. Canonical correlation analysis between TQM performance and job satisfaction indicated higher canonical correlation (canonical correlations coefficient: 0.59). In conclusion, TQM performance-job satisfaction showed higher canonical correlation. When information exchange via network is made possible and more external customer recognition is gained, it increases the level of job satisfaction. The above results suggest that further research on the scope of TQM performance is thoroughly needed and continual training is necessary for foodservice managers.