• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.52-59
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• 1999

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the antenatal ambroxol administration to mothers who were in danger of imminent preterm delivery in preventing the neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(RDS). Forty-two preterm newborn infants who were delivered at Yeungnam University Hospital from January 1996 to December 1997 were divided into two groups, 21 in ambroxol-treated group and 21 in control group. Six cases of the respiratory distress syndrome were developed from 21 ambroxol-treated infants, but 13 cases of RDS, from 21 control infants. This result indicated a significant reduction of the occurrence of RDS by antenatal administration o[ ambroxol (p<0.05). There were no differences in the occurrence of adverse effects of ambroxol in mothers between the two groups. There was also no difference between pre- and post-treatment hematologic and biochemical parameters in ambroxol-treated group. In conclusion, when premature delivery is expected, the administration of ambroxol before delivery enhances lung maturation in premature newborn infants and prevents the occurrence of respiratory distress syndrome without significant adverse effects.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.263-273
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• 1999

Headache is a symptom with varied etiologies and extraordinarily frequent. Headaches can be a symptom of another diseases, such as meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage or brain tumor, may represent the disease entity itself as the case in migraine. The international Headache Society criteria were the first to distinguish between primary and secondary headache disorders. When evaluating a patient who presents with headache, the physician abviously needs to identify or exclude the myriad conditions that can cause secondary headache and initial diagnostic workup should be considered. If patient meets the criteria for a primary headache disorder, treatment commonly initiated without additional neurodiagnostic tests. The headache type, its associated feature, and the duration and the intensity of the pain attack all can influence the choice of acute therapy in migraine. Pharmacologically, such as NSAIDs, combination analgesics, vasoactive antimigraineous drugs, neuroleptics, antidepressants, or corticosteroids. Other approches to managing headache include a headache diary to identify triggers, biofeedback, relaxation technique and behavioral modification. Daily preventive medication should be considered by his attack frequency and intensity, and maintained for 4 to 6 months. Tension-type headaches are distinguished between episodic and chronic tension-type headache, but physician must make sure that patient is not drug-overuse or independent during symptomatic abortive therapy or preventive medication. The most difficult headache patients to treat are those with chronic daily headache. They often have physical dependency, low frustration tolerance, sleep problems, and depression. So discontinuation of overused medication is crucial. New developments in migraine therapy are broadening the scope of abortive and prophylactic treatment choices available to the physician. The enhanced ease of the use of sumatriptan and DHE will likely increase patient compliance and satisfaction.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 1987

Cyclobuxine D was extracted from Buxus microphylla var. koreana Nakai. The effects of cyclobuxine D on the biosynthesis of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid in guinea pig lung, prostaglandin production and leukocyte migration in carrageenin-induced inflammation was investigated. These effects of cyclobuxine D were compared with those of aspirin and dexamethasone. Cyclobuxine D does not inhibit significantly cyclooxygenase in guinea pig lung but reduces prostaglandin concentration and leukocyte migration in inflammatory exudates. These effects of cyclobuxine D differ from that of aspirin which inhibits biosynthesis of prostaglandin in vitro and has a relative small effect on leukocyte migration. Dexamethasone, which does not inhibit cyclooxygenase in vitro, has an effect similar to that of cyclobuxine D on leukocyte migration and prostaglandin production in inflammatory exudates.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.316-323
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• 2009

Objectives: Corticosteroids, usually as an inhaled form, are usually used to treat narrowed airway in the treatment of asthma. However, the use of corticosteroid commonly associated with the development of osteoporosis. In this study, we studied the association of asthma and osteoporosis in the residents of the local community. Methods: As a part of the Local Community Health Study Chungnam 2008, the residents are surveyed with the formal questionnaire. We analyzed the association between asthma and osteoporosis data with the questionnaire. Results: We analyzed total 6,348 data from the residents in Chungnam province. Of them, 203(3.2%) were asthma patients and 465(7.3%) were osteoporosis patients. Patients with asthma have more advanced age(p<0.001), higher incidence of hypertension(p<0.001) and diabetes(p=0.001), lower incidence of exercise(p=0.002) and economic activity(p<0.001). Patients with osteoporosis have more advanced age (p<0.001), female predominance(p<0.001), higher incidence of hypertension (p<0.001), diabetes(p=0.001), and fractures (p<0.001), lower incidence of exercise (p=0.002) and economic activity (p<0.001). In total population, asthma is associated with the increased incidence of osteoporosis, especially in patients treated with anti-asthmatic medications. Conclusions: Through this study, we demonstrated the presence of asthma is closely associated with the increased incidence of osteoporosis, especially in patients treated with anti-asthmatic medications. Therefore, further and broad study will be needed to evaluate the association of asthma and the types of anti-asthmatic medications in the development of osteoporosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.97-103
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• 2005

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is characterized by a sustained eosinophilia of $1,500/mm^3$ or more in the absence of any known causes or the signs and symptoms of organ involvement. We report a 64-year-old man with HES initially presenting with involvement of the liver and bone marrow. Despite controlling the eosinophilia by corticosteroid, he developed a cerebral infarction and later progressive interstitial pneumonia. Brain angiography revealed a severe stenosis of the proximal right internal carotid artery (ICA) and a complete obstruction of the intracranial ICA. An open lung biopsy revealed fibrosis and lymphoplasma cell infiltration without eosinophils, which were consistent with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.71 no.2
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• pp.106-113
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• 2011

Background: While asthma control is defined as the extent to which the various manifestations of asthma are reduced by treatment, current guidelines of asthma recommend assessment of asthma control without consideration of airway inflammation. Our aim was to investigate the relationships between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), a reliable marker of airway inflammation, and levels of asthma control in patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Methods: We enrolled 71 adult patients with asthma who had been treated with ICS for more than four months. FeNO was measured and spirometry was performed at the time of enrollment. Asthma control was assessed (a) by the physician based on the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines, (b) by the patients, and (c) by using the Asthma Control Test (ACT). Statistical analyses were done to analyze the relationships between (i) FeNO and (ii) measures of asthma control and clinical indices for asthma manifestations. Results: There was no significant difference in FeNO levels between the three groups according to levels of asthma control (controlled, partly controlled and uncontrolled) as determined by the physician (p=0.81), or by the patients (p=0.81). In addition, FeNO values were not significantly correlated with the ACT scores (r=0.031, p=0.807), while FeNO showed a correlation with peripheral blood eosinophil counts (p<0.001). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that FeNO levels are not associated with measures of asthma control in patients treated with ICS. Information on airway inflammation from FeNO concentrations seems to be unrelated to levels of asthma control

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.5
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• pp.416-422
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• 2011

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are the most essential medication for asthma control. Many reports suggest that the usage of ICSs improves not only the control of asthma symptoms but also prevents exacerbation. We investigated whether increases in ICS prescriptions are associated with decreases in asthma exacerbation in the clinical practice setting. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the database of adult asthma patients who had visited a tertiary referral hospital, the Asan Medical Center between January 2000 and December 2009. The number of emergency department (ED) visits, admissions, intensive care unit (ICU) care, deaths, and ICS prescriptions were analyzed to evaluate the time trend of asthma exacerbation as a function of the ICS prescription rate during the ten years. Results: The numbers of ED visits, admissions, and episodes of ICU care decreased during the ten years (p<0.001, p=0.033, p=0.001, respectively) while the number of ICS prescriptions increased (p<0.001). We found a correlation between the number of ICS prescriptions and the number of ED visits, admissions, or ICU care. For these outcomes, the correlation coefficients were r=-0.952, p<0.001; r=-0.673, p=0.033; r=-0.948, p<0.001, respectively. Conclusion: The number of ICS prescriptions increased during the past ten years while the number of asthma exacerbations decreased. Our results also showed a negative correlation between the ICS prescription rate and asthma exacerbation in the clinical practice setting. In other words, an increase in ICS prescription may be a major cause of a decrease in asthma exacerbations.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2009

Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is a rare disorder characterized by a diffuse infiltration of the alveolar space, interstitium by lymphocytes, plasma cells, and reticuloendothelial cells. Although its etiology is unknown, LIP has been associated with autoimmune disorders and with viral infections. Because it's clinical and radiographic features are nonspecific, a confirmatory diagnosis is performed by open lung biopsy. A 59-year-old female presented dry cough, which had been present for 1 month. On initial findings of multifocal consolidation at the right middle lobe on both lower lobes in chest radiography, the first diagnosis of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia was suggested. On open lung biopsy, LIP was diagnosed. The patient had no autoimmune disease, viral infection or monoclonal gammopathy. After 3 months of corticosteroid treatment, the patient experienced improved symptoms, reduced abnormalities on chest radiography, and improved pulmonary function testing.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.11-23
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• 2004

Although most children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome respond to corticosteroid therapy, many responders show steroid dependency and frequent relapse. In these children, one of the major problems is the serious side effects resulting from continuous steroid therapy. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the therapeutic efficacy and safety of six-month cyclosporine treatment with the low-dose deflazacort therapy in children with nephrotic syndrome. Thirty children with steroid dependence (SD), frequent relapse (FR) and steroid resistance (SR) were enrolled in this study. They were treated with 6-month oral cyclosporine $(Cypol-N^{(R)})$ plus the low-dose deflazacort $(Calcort^{(R)})$ therapy at Samsung Medical Center from September 2002. The dosage of cyclosporine was started at 5 mg/kg/day and was monthly adjusted to maintain clinical remission and/or a trough blood level, while deflazacort dosage was reduced gradually. Clinical evaluation and monitoring of cyclosporine toxicity were performed every $2\sim4$ weeks. Outcomes were compared to the latest sir-month period of steroid only therapy before cyclosporine treatment. Student's t-test and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. Out of 28 children with SD and FR, 23 $(82.1\%)$ sustained remission, and 5 $(17.9\%)$ experienced 1 or 2 relapses during therapy. Out of 2 children with SR, 1 child sustained remission, and 1 child showed no response. The mean duration of remission and occurrence of relapse were significantly improved (p <.0001). In addition, the mean dosage of steroid was significantly reduced (p=.003). Although a number of adverse effects occurred in this study, they were not so serious as to necessitate discontinuation of the therapy. No nephrotoxicity was observed. Twenty out of the 28 children who had been in remission relapsed after withdrawal of cyclosporine. Fifteen of these children showed relapse within a month. These results demonstrated that the combination of cyclosporine with the low-dose deflazacort was efficient and safe in children with SD and FR during the six-month treatment. However, further studies are necessary in order to resolve the problem of high relapse rate after discontinuation of cyclosporine.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.568-573
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• 1994

Corticosteroids are widely used in the treatment of various diseases because of its potent antiinflammatory effect. According to recent knowledge, bronchial asthma is also chronic inflammatory disease. Therefore antiinflammtory agent such as cromoyln sodium and corticosteroid is highly recommended for treament of chronic bronchial asthma. Especially hydrocortisone succinate (Solu-Cortef) is commonly used for treament to acute asthmatic attack via intravenous injection due to have rapid therapeutic onset and short duration. Since Sunaga et al. reported acute asthma attack after hydrocortisone injection in 1973, several cases of bronchospam with or without angioedema and urticaria after intravenous injection of hydrocortisone have been reported. We experienced a case of severe bronchospasm and acute respiratory failure after intraveous injection of hydrocortisone succinate in 64 year-old female asthmatic patient who visited to emergency room for acute asthmatic attack. About 5 minites after Solu-Cortef injection, a severe bronchospasm with arterial hypoxemia was developed. In order to confirm the suspected relationship between the offending drug(Solu-Cortef) and acute bronchospasm, we examed intravenous and inhalation provocation test by hydrocortisone succinate and methylprednisolone(control). After administration of hydrocortisone succinate via intravenous and inhalation route, severe asthmatic attack occurred. But administration of intravenous methylprednisolone and orall triamcinolone and saline were not provoke bronchospasm. Skin test using hydrocortisone sodium succinate was also positive. Administration of hydrocortisone is very serious to asthmatic patient with hydrocortisone hypersensitivity. Therefore, the clinician must be have history taking about previous adverse reaction of steroid before its clinical use. And methylprednisone may be useful and safe drug to the treatment of acute asthmatic patient with hydrocortisone hypersensitivity.