• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.142-149
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• 2009

Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) compared with that of C-reactive protein (CRP) and the total white blood cell count (WBC) in predicting bacterial infections in febrile infants<6 months of age. Methods : A prospective study was performed with infants <6 months of age who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics with a fever of uncertain source between July and September 2008. Spinal taps were performed according to clinical symptoms and physical examination. Serum PCT levels were measured using an enzyme-linked fluorescent assay. Results : Seventy-one infants (mean age, 2.62 months) were studied. Twenty-six infants (36.6%) had urinary tract infections (UTIs), and 22 infants (31.0%) had viral meningitis. The remaining infants had acute pharyngitis (n=1), herpangina (n=1), upper respiratory tract infections (n=7), acute bronchiolitis (n=8), acute gastroenteritis (n=4), and bacteremia (n=2). The median WBC and CRP levels were significantly higher in infants with UTIs than in infants with viral meningitis. However, there were no differences in the median PCT levels between the groups (0.14 ng/mL vs. 0.11 ng/mL, P=0.419). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.792 (95% CI, 0.65-0.896) for WBC, 0.77 (95% CI, 0.626-0.879) for CRP, and 0.568 (95% CI, 0.417-0.710) for PCT. An elevated WBC count (>11,920/${\mu}L$) and an increased CRP level (>1.06mg/dL) were significant predictors of UTIs based on multiple logistic regression analysis. Conclusion : Serum PCT concentrations should be interpreted with caution in infants <6 months of age with a fever of uncertain source.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.245-254
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• 2002

Objective : To test if the intake of $H_2$ receptor antagonists ($H_2$-RAs) increases the risk of gastric cancer in the elderly. Methods : The source population for this study was drawn from the responders to a questionnaire survey administered to the Korea Elderly Pharmacoepidemiological Cohort (KEPEC), who were beneficiaries of the Korean Medical Insurance Corporation, were at least 65 years old, and residing in Busan in 1999. The information on $H_2$-RAs exposure was obtained from a drug prescription database compiled between inn. 1993 and Dec. 1994. The cases consisted of 76 gastric cancer patients, as confirmed from the KMIC claims data, the National Cancer Registry and the Busan Cancer Registry. The follow-up period was from Jan. 1993 to Dec. 1998. Cancer free controls were randomly selected by 1:4 individual matching, which took in to consideration the year of birth and gender. Information on confounders was collected by a mail questionnaire survey. The odds ratios, and their 95% confidence intervals, were calculated using a conditional logistic regression model. Results : After adjusting for a history of gastric ulcer symptoms, medication history, and body mass index, the adjusted OR (aOR) was 4.6 (95% CI=1.72-12.49). The odds ratio of long term use (more than 7 days) was 2.3 (95% CI=1.07-4.82). The odds ratio of short term use was 4.6 (95% CI=1.26-16.50). The odds ratio of parenteral use was 4.4 195% CI=1.16-17.05) and combination use between the oral and parenteral routes (aOR, 16.8; 95% CI=1.21-233.24) had the high risk of gastric cancer. The aOR of cimetidine was 1.7 (95% CI=1.04-2.95). The aOR of ranitidine was 2.0 (95% CI=1.21-3.40). The aOR of famotidine was 1.7 (95% CI=0.98-2.80). Conclusion : The intake of $H_2$-RAs might increase the risk of gastric cancer through achlorhydria in the elderly.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.25 no.1 s.37
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• pp.1-12
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• 1992

To assess the pattern of psychiatric symptoms and to evaluate the relationship between exposure related variables(duration of work and urinary hippuric acid concenturation) and psychiatric symptoms in organic solvent exposed workers, case control study of forty-two solvent exposed workers and ninethy-six non-exposed workers was conducted. The general health questionnaire 28(GHQ28) was administered to evaluate psychiatric symptoms and urinary hippuric acid concenturations was measured to estimate the present status of solvent exposure in exposed group and to estimate normal level in non-exposed group. The mean concenturation of urinary hippuric acid was significantly higher in exposed group (2.953g/creatinine g) than non-exposed group(0.395g/creatinine g) (P<0.01). The total positive rates of symptoms were significantly higher in exposed group(28.2%) than non-exposed group(17.5%)(P<0.05). The positive rates of symptoms for four sub-scales of GHQ28 in exposed group were in the order of somatic symptoms, anxiety, social dysfunction, depression and in the order of social dysfunction, anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms in non -exposed group. The positive rates of symptoms for somatic symptoms and anxiety were significantly higher in exposed group than non-exposed group (P<0.05) and the proportion of workers with six or more positive symptoms(dysthymic states) in exposed group were significantly higher than non-exposed group (P<0.01). After the effect of age, sex, level of income, level of education, and duration of work were controlled, the total score of GHQ28 was still significantly different between exposed and non-exposed group(P<0.01). In multipile logistic regression analysis on the dysthymic state, the odds ratio of level of income was statictically significant in both group. The odds ratios of exposure related variables such as duration of work and hippuric acid concenturations were not statistically significant but there was a tendency that exposure related variables had an affect on dysthymic state in exposed group. In future, continuous evaluation of psychiatric symptoms on organic solvent exposed workers and studies to detect the factors that affect on psychiatric symptoms are required.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.199-207
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• 2000

Objectives : This study was peformed to identify the risk factors related to the development of hypertension in a rural area. Method : Total of 3,573 subjects in Chung-Song County were interviewed and examined in 1996. The study cohort comprised 2,580 hypertension-free subjects aged above 20. One-year follow up was completed for 1,781 subjects(69.0%) in 1997. General characteristics(age, gender, education level, economic status, marital status), the family history of hypertension, diet, alcohol, smoking, coffee, stress, past history of oral contraceptive and menopausal status in female, height, weight, waist and hip circumference, baseline blood pressure, and serum total cholesterol were considered as risk factors. Results : Multivariate analysis using logistic regression model indicated that age(RH=1.50, 95% CI; 1.15-1.96), the family history of hypertension(RR=2.11, 95% CI; 1.04-4.26), waist-hip ratio(WHR) (RR=2.09, 95%, CI; 1.15-3.79), and baseline systolic blood pressure(130-139/<120mmHg)(RR=3.34, 95% CI; 1.47-7.60) were significant risk factors associated with the development of hypertension above the borderline level in male. In female, age(RR=1.06, 95% CI; 1.03-1.09), change in menopausal status$(no{\rightarrow}yes/no{\rightarrow}no)$ (RR=3.32, 95% CI; 1.01-10.87), baseline systolic blood pressure(120-129/<120mmHg: RR=2.00, 95% CI; 1.02-3.90)(130-139/<120mmHg: RR=2.64, 95% CI; 1.34-5.20) and baseline diastolic blood pressure(85-89/<80mmHg)(RR=4.09, 95% CI; 1.86-8.96) were identified as risk factors. Conclusions : Age and high normal blood pressure were significant risk factors for the development of hypertension above the borderline level. In addition, the family history of hypertension and WHR in men, and the change of menopausal status in women might be significant risk factors in Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 2003

Objectives : Impaired hearing is a prevalent occupational hazard, not only in industry, but also in the armed forces. In military life, noise has unusual characteristics, and constitutes a serious hazard to hearing. The aim of this study was to analyze the hearing threshold data in order to compare the hearing loss among shipyard workers, representing different workers, and a military service background. Methods : A cross-sectional audiological survey, combined with a questionnaire study, was conducted on a stratified random sample of 440 shipyard workers, with long-term exposure to noise. The employees were divided into four groups, according to their working and military service backgrounds, in relation to their exposure to noise. Results : As expected, the working and military noise exposure group (Group I) had significantly poorer hearing than the other groups. The high frequencies (2-8 kHz) showed the greatest difference in terms of poorer fearing in both ears. The prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) was highest in Group I. A logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the dependence of the NIHL in relation to age, smoking, drinking, working duration, ear protection, past history of ear diseases, and working and military sonics backgrounds, on the noise exposure The important factors found to be related to the NIHL, in relation to noise exposure were: age, work duration, and working and military service backgrounds. The adjusted odds ratio estimates for NIML in the right ear were 4.5 times greater (95% CI 1.7-11.6) for the military noise exposed group, and 7.9 times greater (95% CI 2.0-31.3) for the working noise exposed group than in the controls. The hearing thresholds at the pure-tone average and 4 kHz were significantly increased with age and work duration with both the working and military service backgrounds. Conclusions : From these results, specific preventive programs were planned, which should be assessed by epidemiological surveillance of the military noise exposed population.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.178-185
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• 2008

Purpose : Our aim was to investigate the predictive factors for detecting grade III-V vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) in young infants less than 3 months with urinary tract infections (UTI). Methods : Data of infants who underwent ultrasonography and VCUG between January 2004 and September 2007 were reviewed. Age, gender, incidence of bacteremia, C-reactive protein(CRP) and imaging studies were compared between group I(grade III-V VUR) and group II (normal or grade I and II VUR) retrospectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, odds ratio, and likelihood ratio of ultrasonography for high grade VUR were evaluated. Results : Among 54 enrolled infants(41 males, 13 females), 14 infants were group I and 40 infants were group II. In the group I, CRP level was significantly higher(6.11$\pm$5.18 vs. 3.27$\pm$3.45, P=0.025), and there were more ultrasonographic abnormal findings(71.4%, vs. 22.5%, P=0.002) compared with group II. However, ultrasonography was the only significant factor after adjusting with logistic regression(P=0.002). Incidence of bacteremia and abnormal DMSA findings were not significantly different in two groups. Sensitivity, specificity, and odds ratio of ultrasonography was 71.4%, 77.5%, 6.9 respectively. Negative predictive value was 88.6% and negative likelihood ratio was 0.37. Ultrasonography had significant negative likelihood ratio for grade III-V VUR, but missed 4 infants with grade III VUR. Conclusion : We could not find any alternative predictive factors to reduce VCUG in detecting high grade VUR. Therefore, VCUG must be considered in young infants less than 3 months with UTI.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.34-43
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• 2010

Purpose : The aim of this study was to examine whether hypercapnia during the first seven days of life was associated with severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in preterm infants requiring mechanical ventilation. Methods : A matched pair analysis was performed for 19 preterm infants with severe IVH(grade$\geq$3) and 38 infants with no severe IVH (normal or grade 1), who required mechanical ventilation for more than seven days. The univariate and multivariate analysis of severe IVH with maximal and minimal $PaCO_2$, averag $PaCO_2$, SD of $PaCO_2$, and difference in the $PaCO_2$ were assessed. The major perinatal factors and maximal ventilator index (VI) were also compared. Results : Infants with severe IVH had a higher maximal $PaCO_2$ (86.1$\pm$18.4 mmHg vs. 60.1$\pm$ 11.6 mmHg, P <0.001) and mean $PaCO_2$ (47.5$\pm$5.6 mmHg vs. 41.2$\pm$6.3 mmHg, P=0.004) and a larger SD or difference in $PaCO_2$ (14.0$\pm$4.4 mmHg vs. 9.0$\pm$2.4 mmHg; 60.3$\pm$20.9 mmHg vs. 35.5$\pm$11.8 mmHg, P <0.001). However the minimal $PaCO_2$ values did not differ between the groups. Disseminated intravascular coagulation, pulmonary hemorrhage, and the air leak syndrome were more frequent in the IVH group than in the controls. The maximal VI on each day was higher in the IVH group. The multivariate logistic regression analysis after controlling for bleeding tendency showed that the air leak syndrome, maximal VI, and maximal $PaCO_2$ were independently associated with severe IVH [OR, 1.324 (95% CI, 1.011-1.733; P=0.041)]. Conclusion : Extreme hypercapnia was significantly associated with severe IVH in preterm infants, after adjustment for major perinatal risk factors. Frequent monitoring of the $PaCO_2$ may be important for early detection of inadvertent hypercapnia and prompt correction of high PaCOS levels.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2010

Purpose : Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in preterm infants is a major problem in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and it has been related to long-term growth deficit and neurodevelopmental issues. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of and risk factors for EUGR. Methods : The study subjects consisted of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with a gestational age $\leq$32 weeks that were born at the Seoul National University Children's Hospital between November 2005 and April 2009. EUGR was defined as weight for gestation, lower than the 10th percentile on discharge. Results : The frequency of EUGR was 67% (n=111/166). By multiple logistic regression, the presence of small for gestational age (SGA) was the greatest predictor of EUGR, birth weight and daily weight gain during the first 28 days were independent predictors of EUGR. Risk factors for EUGR in non-SGA infants were evaluated because 56% (64/114) of non-SGA infants developed EUGR at discharge. Daily weight gain in the first 28 days was also decreased in EUGR group and independently predicted the risk of EUGR in the non-SGA group. Conclusion : EUGR was a common problem in the NICU. SGA was the most significant predictive factor of the EUGR. Half of the non-SGA infants also developed EUGR, revealing poor weight gain in the early days was as an important predictor. These results support the importance of early nutritional intervention for weight gain which have lagged behind other modern therapeutic interventions when the infant is clinically unstable.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.75-83
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• 2010

Purpose : This study was performed to determine the predictors of failed closure of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) following the first course of indomethacin in symptomatic preterm infants. Methods : Forty three of 43 preterm infants, admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit diagnosed with PDA and treated with indomethacin at the Korea University Medical Center between January 1990 and October 2007, ware studied. The perinatal risk factors affecting the failed closure of PDA were retrospectively assessed. Results : The failed PDA closure group included 16 (37%) out of 43 infants three of whom underwent surgery. The closure group included 27 (63%) out of 43 infants. In the failed closure group, the Apgar scores (1 min, 5 min) were significantly higher (P<0.05) and antenatal steroid administration was significantly lower (P<0.05). In addition, dopamine administration was significantly lower (P<0.05) and the mean postnatal age at diagnosis was significantly lower (P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression for the prediction of failed PDA closure found only antenatal steroid administration (OR 0.092, CI 0,010-0.826, P=0.0331) as an associated factor. Conclusion : In patients with antenatal steroid administration the failed PDA closure rate was significantly lower. Therefore, antenatal steroid administration can be considered as an important factor for the closure of PDA in preterm pregnancies.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.294-300
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate if short-term serum thyroglobulin (Tg) elevation after radioiodine administration can predict successful radioiodine remnant ablation (RRA) and whether comparable RRA effectiveness is exhibited between a group administered with recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) and a group experiencing thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW), in preparation for RRA. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 39 patients in the rhTSH group and 46 patients in the THW group. They were treated for differentiated thyroid carcinoma by total or near total thyroidectomy, and referred for RRA between 2003 and 2006 (the rhTSH group) and between January and June of 2006 (the THW group). They were assessed for serum Tg levels just before I-131 administration (TgD0), reassessed 9 days later (TgD9), and again 6-12 months later. Results: RRA was successful in 64 (37 from the THW group and 27 from the rhTSH group) of the total 85 patients. The success rates of RRA had no statistically significant differences between the two groups. In both groups, TgD9/TgD0 values were significantly higher in the RRA success group (the rhTSH group; P = 0.03, the THW group; P = 0.04). By combining cutoff values of TgD0 and TgD9/TgD0, the successful RRA value was determined to be 96.7% (29/30) with TgD0$\leq$5.28 ng/mL and TgD9/TgD0>4.37 in both groups (the rhTSH group; 100% (16/16), the THW group; 92.9% (13/14)). Using logistic multivariate analysis, only TgD0 was independently associated with successful RRA. Conclusion: We may predict successful ablation by evaluating short-term serum Tg elevation after I-131 administration for RRA, in both rhTSH and THW patients.