• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.110-120
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• 2014

Objectives : We performed a clinical study to investigate autonomic conditions in persistent allergic rhinitis depending on various pattern identifications and the availability of heart rate variability (HRV) as a pattern identification diagnostic tool. Methods : 32 patients with persistent allergic rhinitis were asked to interview with doctor of Korean Medicine and perform the four pattern questionnaires (Cold-Heat Pattern, Phlegm Pattern, Yin Deficiency pattern, bloodstasis pattern). Then, they were examined their autonomic conditions with heart rate variability test. Results : Patients were classified as three pattern groups (Lung-stomach heat, Lung qi deficiency cold, Lung-spleen qi deficiency) by doctor. In the Lung qi deficiency cold group, Total power of the HRV (TP) and the power of the low frequency component (LF) significantly higher than in the Lung-stomach heat or Lung-spleen qi deficiency group (P < 0.05). Also, Patients were classified as 8 pattern groups (Cold/Heat, Phlegm/Non-phlegm, Yin deficiency/Non-yin deficiency, Bloodstasis/Non-bloodstasis) by four pattern questionnaires. Only in the Yin deficiency group, the power of the low frequency component (LF) significantly lower than in the Non-yin deficiency group (P < 0.05). There were not any significant differences in the rest groups. Conclusions : The result may provide that HRV doesn't reflect well the differences in the various pattern groups, and the HRV's availability is low. Continuous studies are needed to develop the objective and standardized pattern identification diagnostic tool for allergic rhinitis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.190-193
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• 2015

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a hypersensitivity lung disease due to bronchial colonization of Aspergillus fumigatus that occurs in susceptible patients with asthma or cystic fibrosis. A 10-year-old girl was referred to the Department of Pediatric Pulmonology for persistent consolidations on chest radiography. Pulmonary consolidations were observed in the right upper and left lower lobes and were not resolved with a 4-week prescription of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The patient had a history of atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis but no history of asthma. She had no fever but produced thick and greenish sputum. Her breathing sounds were clear. On laboratory testing, her total blood eosinophil count was $1,412/mm^3$ and total serum IgE level was 2,200 kU/L. Aspergillus was isolated in the sputum culture. The A. fumigatus-specific IgE level was 15.4 kU/L, and the Aspergillus antibody test was also positive. A chest computed tomography scan demonstrated bronchial wall thickening and consolidation without bronchiectasis. An antifungal agent was added but resulted in no improvement of pulmonary consolidations after 3 weeks. Pulmonary function test was normal. Methacholine provocation test was performed, revealing bronchial hyperreactivity ($PC_{20}=5.31mg/mL$). Although the patient had no history of asthma or bronchiectasis, ABPA-seropositivity was suspected. Oral prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day) combined with antifungal therapy was started. Pulmonary consolidations began decreasing after 1 week of treatment and completely resolved after 1 month. This is the first observed and treated case of seropositive ABPA in Korean children without previously documented asthma.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.77-94
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• 1998

Chronic cough is one of the most common respiratory symptoms, especially in children. And it can be the sale presenting manifestation of bronchial asthma. Although most coughs are self limiting, chronic cough often proves to be a frustrating problem. It is commonly defined as a persistent or recurrent cough exceeding 3weeks duration. The post nasal syndrome has been determined to be the most common cause of chronic cough, followed by asthma, chronic bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux and bronchiectasis. This study was performed at both City-Oriental Medicine Hospital and Pundang Cha Oriental Medicine Hospital from January,1,1998 to November 31,1998, and 114 children with chronic cough persisting for longer than 3 weeks were evaluated. We investigated the clinical findings and evaluated the etiology in children with chronic cough syndrome including: type of cough (with or with out sputum and daily onset) and associated signs & symptoms. The results were as follows: The most common cause of chronic cough was asthma with sinusitis (27.2%); The second and third were post nasal drip syndrome(22.8%) and bronchial hypereactivitic cough(14.9%). The other causes included asthma, paranasal sinusitis, bronchitis and rhinitis. Therefore, in the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to this symptom, it should be considered that the cause of this type of cough is either bronchus and pulmonary disease or that associated with another problem, especially sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux and allergic disease. Also, in infants and toddlers, congenital abnormaly should be considered.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.146-153
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• 1997

Background : Chronic cough is commomly defined as a persistent or recurrent cough exceeding 3 week's duration. The prevalence of chroinc cough is reported to range from 14% to 23 % for nonsmoking adults. The post nasal drip syndrome has been determined to be the most common cause of chronic cough, followed by asthma, chronic bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux and bronchiectasis. Cough can be the only manifestation of asthma. Bronchial provocation tests are useful in diagnosing cough variant asthma. We investigated the clinical or laboratory findings and the incidence of airway hyperresponsiveness and evaluated the etiology in patients with chronic cough. Method : We evaluated 46 patients with chronic cough. Methacholine challenge test were done. Results : The results were as follows : 1) Thirty - five percent(16/46) of the chronic cough patients and 44% of the post nasal drip syndrom(7/16) showed the positive responses to methacholine challenge test 2) The underlying causes of chronic cough were post nasal drip syndrome in 35%, bronchitis in 21.7%, cough-variant asthma in 17.4%, and unknown condition in 25.9%. 3) Airway hyperresponsiveness in chronic cough was not related to respiratory symptom, nasal symptom, post nasal drip, smoking, derangement of ventilatory function, atopy, or sinusitis. Conclusion : Airway hyperresponsivenss in patients with chronic cough increased in frequency when compaired with normal control, allergic rhinitis. Cough-variant asthma account for 17.4% of patients with chronic cough.