• Title/Summary/Keyword: prospective study

Search Result 2,559, Processing Time 0.032 seconds

Changes in Bronchoscopic Findings during Treatment-Course in Active Endobronchial Tuberculosis (활동성 기관지결핵에서 치료경과에 따른 기관지경소견의 변화)

  • Chung, Hee-Soon;Lee, Jae-Ho
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
    • /
    • v.42 no.1
    • /
    • pp.25-34
    • /
    • 1995
  • Background: Endobronchial tuberculosis is classified into 7 subtypes as fibrostenotic type, edematous-hyperemic type, actively caseating type, tumorous type, ulcerative type, granular type and nonspecific bronchitic type by bronchoscopic features, and we make a prospective study to follow up how bronchoscopic findings change during treatment-course in each subtype of active endobronchial tuberculosis. Methods: We planned to do follow-up bronchoscopic examination every month until there was no significant change in endobronchial lesion, then every 3 months and at the end of the treatment in each patient with biopsy proven endobronchial tuberculosis from May, 1990 to August, 1993. Results: 1) This study included 66 cases, but bronchoscopic follow-up was completed as scheduled in 47 cases. 2) In actively caseating and edematous-hyperemic type, bronchostenosis occurred within 2 or 3 months of treatment in about 2/3 of total cases. 3) In fibrostenotic type, bronchostenosis did not improve in spite of the treatment. 4) In tumorous type, the changes in bronchoscopic findings were unpredictable because new lesions occured on other sites even 4 or 6 months after treatment in 2 cases and the size of initial mass increased 6 months after treatment in 1 case (among 7 cases). 5) Granular and nonspecific bronchitic type improved without significant sequelae within 2 or 3 months of treatment. Conclusion: It may be necessary to follow up the patient with bronchoscopy repeatedly 2 or 3 months after starting treatment in active endobronchial tuberculosis, and it is better to perform bronchoscopic examination at 6 months of treatment, especially in patients with tumorous type because there is possibility that new endobronchial lesion occurs. Aggressive therapeutic modalities such as stent-insertion, laser therapy or electrocautery should be considered to prevent bronchostenosis in cases with granulation tissue, fibrostenotic and tumorous types of endobronchial tuberculosis.

  • PDF

Critical Pathway for Operable Gastric Cancer (위암수술 환자에서의 Critical Pathway의 개발과 적용)

  • Song, Kyo-Young;Kim, Seung-Nam;Park, Cho-Hyun
    • Journal of Gastric Cancer
    • /
    • v.5 no.2
    • /
    • pp.95-100
    • /
    • 2005
  • Purpose: Critical pathways (CP), also known as clinical pathways, are management plans that display goals for patients and have led to improved outcomes for many disease entities. This study was aimed at developing a critical pathway for the surgical treatment of gastric cancer patients and evaluating its usefulness. Materials and Methods: A CP was developed and implemented by a team of surgeons, nurses, nutritionists, and administrative officials. Among the 117 patients who received curative gastrectomies for gastric cancer at Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, between October 2003 and August 2004, 26 patients were treated according to the CP. We evaluated its usefulness by comparing the clinical characterisctics, postoperative progress, hospital stays, and costs between the CP and the non-CP groups. Patient satisfaction was also surveyed with questionnaires. Results: Of the initial 26 patients in the CP group, two were excluded from the final evaluation; one patient had a duodenal stump leakage, and the other had a gastric stasis postoperatively. In 8 patients, protocol violation occurred; six patients refused to be discharged on the $7^{th}$ postoperative day, one patient who had an gastric staisis postoperatively stayed for 2 additional days, and one patient who needed ICU care stayed for 4 additional days. The drop-out rate was $7.7\%$ (2/26), and the variance rate was $30.8\%$ (8/26). The mean hospital stay was 11.3 days ($10\~15$ days) for the CP group compared with 17.5 days ($9\∼68$ days) for the non-CP group, resulting in a difference of about 6 days (P<0.05). The mean hospital stays after surgery were 10.3 days ($7\∼68$ days) and 8.3 days ($7\∼12$ days) for the non-CP and the CP groups, respectively, but the difference was statistically not significant (P>0.05). The mean charge during the hospital stay was higher in the non-CP group ( $\\$ 6,292,200) than in the CP group ( $\\$ 4,863,685). The charge per hospital day was higher in the CP group ( $\\$ 430,414) than in the non-CP group ( $\\$ 359,554). Patient satisfaction was higher in the CP group than in the non-CP group. Conclusion: By developing and applying a critical pathway in the surgical treatment of stomach cancer patients, we could reduce the length of hospital stay as well as the cost. A multi-centered prospective study to establish a standard treatment pathway and to demonstrate its effectiveness is needed in the future.

  • PDF

Clinical Charicteristics of Primary Lung Cancer Patients in a Tertiary Hospital (3차 의료기관에서 진단된 원발성 폐암의 임상적 특성)

  • Ryu, Jeong-Seon;Lee, Hun-Jae;Leem, Jong-Han;Kim, Lucia;Lee, Kyung-Hee;Cho, Jae-Hwa;Yoon, Young-Han;Kwak, Seung-Min;Lee, Hong-Lyeol;Kim, Kwang-Ho;Loh, John-Kyu;Jung, Soo-Kyung
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
    • /
    • v.60 no.3
    • /
    • pp.321-329
    • /
    • 2006
  • Background : To evaluate the clinical characteristics of lung cancer patients in Korea, where there is a higher number of smokers than in Western countries. Methods : A retrospective study was performed on 1655 lung cancer patients, who were diagnosed at a university hospital between September 1996 and August 2005. Age, gender, cell types and clinical stage were analysed. Of 941 patients, who responded to a questionnaire at the time of diagnosis, the smoking habits, occupational history, family history of lung cancer in the first-degree relatives, coexisting diseases (diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease), body weight loss, ECOG performance status and presenting symptoms, were examined prospectively. In addition, coexisting diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and active pulmonary tuberculosis were evaluated. Results : Of the 1655 patients, the male to females ratio was 3.6. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common cancer whereas adenocarcinoma was more common in lifetime nonsmokers or women. 19.9% of the patients were non smokers and 80.1% ever smokers. Since 2000, there was an increase in the incidence of adenocarcinoma with a corresponding decrease in the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma. 6.2% of patients were asymptomatic. A coincident diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, active pulmonary tuberculosis, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was made in: 44.1%, 22.2%, 10.7%, 3.9%, and 1.6% of patients, respectively. A positive family history of lung cancer in the first-degree relatives was identified in 4.4% of patients. An occupational history relevant to lung cancer was identified in 12.2% of patients. Conclusion : There is a high proportion of cigarette smokers in Korean lung cancer patients. The most common cell type was squamous cell carcinoma. However, a more detailed, prospective study of the clinical characteristics will be needed to better characterize lung cancer in Korea.

The Etiologic Agents and Clinical Outcomes of Adult Community-acquired Pneumonia in Jeju (제주지역 성인 지역사회획득 폐렴의 원인균 및 임상양상)

  • Jeon, Bong-Hee;Kim, Miok;Kim, Jeong Hong;Shin, Sang Yop;Lee, Jaechun
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
    • /
    • v.66 no.5
    • /
    • pp.358-364
    • /
    • 2009
  • Background: The appropriate empirical antimicrobial choice in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) should be advocated by community-based information on the etiologic pathogens, their susceptibility to antimicrobials, clinical characteristics and outcomes. Jeju is a geographically isolated and identical region in Korea. However, there is no regional reference on adult CAP available. This study investigated the etiologic agents and clinical outcomes of adult patients diagnosed with CAP in Jeju, Korea, to help guide the empirical antimicrobial choice. Methods: A prospective observational study for one year in a referral hospital in Jeju, Korea. Patients diagnosed with CAP were enrolled with their clinical characteristics. Microbiological evaluations to identify the etiologic agents in the adult patients with CAP were performed with blood culture, expectorated sputum smear and culture, antibody tests for mycoplasma, chlamydophila, and antigen tests for legionella and pneumococcus. The clinical outcomes of the initial empirical treatment were analyzed. Results: Two hundred and three patients with mean age of 64 and 79 females were enrolled. Ten microbials from 90 cases (44.3%) were isolated and multiple isolates were confirmed in 30. Among the microbial isolates, S. pneumoniae (36.3%) was the most common, followed by M. pneumoniae (23.0%), C. pneumoniae (17.0%), S. aureus (9.6%) and P. aeruginosa (5.9%). The initial treatment failure (23.8%) was related to the isolation of polymicrobial pathogens, elevated inflammatory markers, and the presence of pleural effusion. Among the 30 isolates of S. pneumoniae, 16 (53.3%) were not susceptible to penicillin, and 19 isolates (63.3%) to erythromycin and clarithromycin. However, 29 isolates (96.7%) were susceptible to levofloxacin and ceftriaxone. Conclusion: S. pneumoniae, M. pneumoniae, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa are frequent etiologic agents of adult CAP in Jeju, Korea. The clinical characteristics and antibiotic resistance should be considered when determining the initial empirical antimicrobial choice. Respiratory quinolone or ceftriaxone is recommended as an empirical antimicrobiotic in the treatment of adult CAP in Jeju, Korea.

Changes of Serum Fatty Acid and Carnitine Levels after Administration of L-carnitine in Rats (흰쥐에서 L-carnitine 투여 후에 혈청 지방산과 Carnitine의 농도 변화)

  • Lee, Jae Won;Hong, Young Mi
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
    • /
    • v.45 no.9
    • /
    • pp.1075-1082
    • /
    • 2002
  • Purpose : Obesity is known to be associated with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and fatty liver and is thought to be associated with increased levels of free fatty acids. One of the strategies for decreasing free fatty acid levels is stimulation of hepatic lipid oxidation with L-carnitine. Carnitine is an essential cofactor for transport of long-chain fatty acid into mitochondria for oxidation. This study was designed to evaluate the changes of serum fatty acids and carnitine levels after exogenous injection of L-carnitine. Methods : Sprague Dawley rats were divided into two groups. Group A was control. Group B was given intraperitoneal injection with L-carnitine(200 mg/kg) daily for two weeks. Serum lipid (total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol) and fatty acid levels were analyzed on the first day of the first and second weeks after injection of L-carnitine. Total, free, and acyl carnitine levels also were performed by a enzymatic cycling techniques at the same day intervals. Results : There was no significant difference between the two groups in total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol levels before and after the administration of L-carnitine. But triglyceride levels were significantly decreased at the first week in group B compared with group A. Among free fatty acids, linoleic acid showed significant decrement(A group : $131.3{\pm}31.3mg/dL$ vs B group : $90.0{\pm}7.0mg/dL$) at the first week. Total, free, and acyl carnitine levels showed significant increments at all days intervals, but only free carnitine showed significant increments according to cumulative doses of carnitine. Conclusion : Plasma linoleic acid, a long-chain fatty acid, showed significant decrement after administration of L-carnitine in the first week. This may suggest that L-carnitine can be used as an antilipidemic agent for obese patients. A prospective study will investigate obese children in the future.

Radioimmunoscintigraphy Using $^{99m}Tc-anti-CEA\;F(ab')_2$ Fragment in Rectal Cancer and a Pilot Study for Radioimmunoguided Surgery (직장암에서 $^{99m}Tc$-항CEA 항체 $F(ab')_2$ 분절을 이용한 수술 전 방사면역신티그라피 및 방사면역지침수술에 관한 기초 연구)

  • Ryu, Jin-Sook;Kim, Jin-Choen;Kim, Chang-Nam;Gong, Gyung-Yub;Lee, Hee-Kyung
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
    • /
    • v.34 no.3
    • /
    • pp.243-251
    • /
    • 2000
  • Purpose: This prospective study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of preoperative radioimmunoscintigraphy and intraoperative scintimetric examination (radioimmunoguided surgery: RIGS) using $^{99m}Tc-anti-CEA\;F(ab')_2$ fragment. Materials and Methods: Nineteen patients with rectal cancer underwent preoperative whole body planar scintigraphy at 4 hours after injection of $^{99m}Tc-anti-CEA\;F(ab')_2$ fragment and SPECT imaging at 18 hours. Surgical operation was performed at 24 hours after injection. During laparotomy, radioactivities from intraabdominal viscera were measured by gamma probe. The radioactivities from excised tumor and lymph nodes were also measured and compared with pathology. Results: All nineteen patients were confirmed to have adenocarcinomas in the rectum. Twenty-seven of 97 excised lymph node groups had metastasis and 2 patients had liver metastasis in pathology Preoperative radioimmunoscintigraphy detected primary tumors in 11 patients (sensitivity 55%) and it could not detect any lymph nodes or liver metastasis. All patients showed high radioactivity in the kidneys, liver, spleen, and major vessels in intraoperative measurement by gamma probe, and tumor activity was not discriminated from background activity However, radioactivity from excised tumor was higher than normal rectum (T/B ratio; $3.47{\pm}2.25$). When excised lymph node activity/background activity ratio >1.5 was considered as positive criteria of metastasis, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 78.6%, 73.9%, 55.0% and 89.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Radioimmunoscintigraphy using $^{99m}Tc-anti-CEA\;F(ab')_2$ has no additional value for preoperative staging and use of early RIGS using $^{99m}Tc-anti-CEA\;F(ab')_2$ is inappropriate. For early RIGS using $^{99m}Tc$ labeled antibodies in rectal cancer patients, further development of more specific antibodies and methods to reduce background activity are needed.

  • PDF

GnRH Agonist Stimulation Test (GAST) for Prediction of Ovarian Response in Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COH) (난소기능평가를 위한 Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonist Stimulation Test (GAST)의 효용성에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Mee-Ran;Song, In-Ok;Yeon, Hye-Jeong;Choi, Bum-Chae;Paik, Eun-Chan;Koong, Mi-Kyoung;Song, Il-Pyo;Lee, Jin-Woo;Kang, Inn-Soo
    • Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
    • /
    • v.26 no.2
    • /
    • pp.163-170
    • /
    • 1999
  • Objectives: The aims of this study are 1) to determine if GAST is a better indicator in predicting ovarian response to COH compared with patient's age or basal FSH level and 2) to evaluate its role in detecting abnormal ovarian response. Design: Prospective study in 118 patients undergoing IVF-ET using GnRH-a short protocol during May-September 1995. Materials and Methods: After blood sampling for basal FSH and estradiol $(E_2)$ on cycle day two, 0.5ml (0.525mg) GnRH agonist ($Suprefact^{(r)}$, Hoechst) was injected subcutaneously. Serum $E_2$ was measured 24 hours later. Initial $E_2$ difference $({\Delta}E_2)$ was defined as the change in $E_2$ on day 3 over the baseline day 2 value. Sixteen patients with ovarian cyst or single ovary or incorrect blood collection time were excluded from the analysis. The patients were divided into three groups by ${\Delta}E_2$; group A (n=30):${\Delta}E_2$<40 pg/ml, group B (n=52): 40 pg/ml${\leq}{\Delta}E_2$<100 pg/ml, group C (n=20): ${\Delta}E_2{\leq}100$ pg/ml. COH was done by GnRH agonist/HMG/hCG and IVF-ET was followed. Ratio of $E_2$ on day of hCG injection over the number of ampules of gonadotropins used ($E_2hCGday$/Amp) was regarded as ovarian responsiveness. Poor ovarian response and overstimulation were defined as $E_2$ hCGday less than 600 pg/ml and greater than 5000 pg/ml, respectively. Results: Mean age $({\pm}SEM)$ in group A, B and C were $33.7{\pm}0.8^*,\;31.5{\pm}0.6\;and\;30.6{\pm}0.5^*$, respectively ($^*$: p<0.05). Mean basal FSH level of group $A(11.1{\pm}1.1mlU/ml)$ was significantly higher than those of $B(7.4{\pm}0.2mIU/ml)$ and C $(6.8{\pm}0.4mIU/ml)$ (p<0.001). Mean $E_2hCGday$ of group A was significantly lower than those of group B or C, i.e., $1402.1{\pm}187.7pg/ml,\;3153.2{\pm}240.0pg/ml,\;4078.8{\pm}306.4pg/ml$ respectively (p<0.0001). The number of ampules of gonadotropins used in group A was significantly greater than those in group B or C: $38.6{\pm}2.3,\;24.2{\pm}1.1\;and\;18.5{\pm}1.0$ (p<0.0001). The number of oocytes retrieved in group A was significantly smaller than those in group B or C: $6.4{\pm}1.1,\;15.5{\pm}1.1\;and\;18.6{\pm}1.6$, respectively (p<0.0001). By stepwise multiple regression, only ${\Delta}E_2$ showed a significant correlation (r=0.68, p<0.0001) with $E_2HCGday$/Amp, while age or basal FSH level were not significant. Likewise, only ${\Delta}E_2$ correlated significantly with the number of oocytes retrieved (r=0.57, p<0.001). All four patients whose COH was canceled due to poor ovarian response belonged to group A only (Fisher's exact test, p<0.01). Whereas none of 30 patients in group A (0%) had overstimulation, 14 patients among 72 patients (19.4%) in group B and C had overstimulation (Fisher's exact test, p<0.01). Conclusions: These data suggest that initial $E_2$ difference after GAST may be a better prognostic indicator of ovarian response to COH than age or basal FSH level. Since initial $E_2$ difference demonstrates significant association with abnormal ovarian response such as poor ovarian response necessitating cycle cancellation or overstimulation, GAST may be helpful in monitoring and consultation of patients during COH in IVF-ET cycle.

  • PDF

Arthroscopic Double-Bundle Reconstruction of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (관절경을 이용한 전방 십자 인대의 이중 다발 재건술)

  • Jung, Young-Bok;Park, Se-Jin;Jung, Ho-Joong;Yoo, Jae-Hyun
    • Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
    • /
    • v.11 no.2
    • /
    • pp.92-98
    • /
    • 2007
  • Purposes: The purpose of this study was to report surgical technique of double bundle anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) reconstruction and to compare the short-term clinical results between arthroscopic single-bundle and double-bundle ACL reconstruction. Materials and Methods: From May 2005 to May 2006, ninety-eight patients were underwent ACL reconstruction. We designed prospective study with sixty-one patients who were revealed isolated ACL injury. We serially checked clinical and radiologic data preoperatively and postoperatively. We compared single-bundle with double-bundle ACL reconstruction patients with preoperative datas and postoperatively 1-year data. There were 30 single bundle reconstruction and 31 double bundle reconstruction. Stability was assessed objectively by anterior stress radiographs with the $Telos^{(R)}$ device and the maximal manual test with the KT-2000 arthrometer. The clinical results were assessed by IKDC(International Knee Documentation Committee) and OAK(Orthopadische Arbeitsgruppe Knie) scores. Also, we evaluated postoperative thigh circumference and range of motion. All of operations were done by only one surgeon. Results: At single-bundle reconstruction group, preoperative AP instability which was checked by $Telos^{(R)}$ device and the maximal manual test with the KT-2000 arthrometer was $7.9{\pm}3.3$ and $7.4{\pm}2.0$, respectively. At double-bundle reconstruction group, it was $8.3{\pm}3.5$ and $7.9{\pm}3.2$, respectively. Residual AP laxity checked at 1 year after operation was $1.9{\pm}1.2$ and $2.2{\pm}1.6$ in single-bundle reconstruction group, and $1.1{\pm}0.9$ and $1.0{\pm}1.0$ in double-bundle reconstruction group. So, double-bundle reconstruction had better results in both anterior stress radiographs with the $Telos^{(R)}$ device and the maximal manual test with the KT-2000 arthrometer, and there were significant differences in statistics. But, clinical results such as IKDC(International Knee Documentation Committee) scores, OAK(Orthopadische Arbeitsgruppe Knie) scores, thigh circumference and range of motion had no significant difference between two groups. Conclusions: On the basis of stability, the side-to-side anterior laxity of double-bundle ACL reconstruction was significantly better than that of single-bundle reconstruction, although there were no significant differences in the other clinical measures among them.

  • PDF

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes in ACL Reconstruction using auto-Hamstring Tendon and allo-Tibialis Anterior Tendon (자가슬괵건 및 동종전경골건을 이용한 전방십자인대 재건술 후 임상적 결과의 비교)

  • Kim, Jae-Hwa;Lee, Yoon-Seok;Rhee, Seung-Yong;Chung, Ju-Hwan
    • Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
    • /
    • v.11 no.2
    • /
    • pp.104-110
    • /
    • 2007
  • Purpose: The purpose of this study is comparison of clinical outcomes in ACL reconstruction between auto-hamstring tendon and allo-tibialis anterior tendon. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, we included 60 subjects who underwent ACL reconstruction using 30 hamstring autograft(mainly, national health insurance) and 30 tibialis anterior allograft(including MVA and industrial injuries) between May 2003 and June 2005 by a single surgeon, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Outcome measurements were the range of motion, the Lachman test, the IKDC score, the Lysholm score, KT-1000 arthrometer and one-leg hop test. Results: For all the cases, the range of motion was above 135 degrees. The Lachman test, KT-1000 arthrometer and one-leg hop test showed no significant difference between two groups. The IKDC score of auto-hamstring group($87.840{\pm}2.106$) was significantly higher than that of allo-tibialis anterior group($85.273{\pm}2.782$). The Lysholm score of auto-hamstring group($88.067{\pm}2.586$) was also significantly higher than that of allo-tibialis anterior group($85.300{\pm}3.030$). Conclusion: The results of ACL reconstruction using the auto-hamstring tendon and allo-tibialis anterior tendon showed no significant difference in objective items but auto-hamstring group showed better results in subjective scoring. This difference may result from individual factors such as economic problem, secondary gain.

  • PDF

A Study on Improvement of the investigation procedure for the National Security Violators - Focused on the Rights to Counsel - (안보사범에 대한 수사절차 개선방안 검토 - 피의자 신문시 변호인 참여권 문제를 중심으로 -)

  • Yoon, Hae-Sung;Joo, Seong-Bhin
    • Korean Security Journal
    • /
    • no.46
    • /
    • pp.113-140
    • /
    • 2016
  • Right to counsel means a defendant has a right to have the assistance of counsel (i.e., lawyers), and if the defendant cannot afford a lawyer, requires that the government appoint one or pay the defendant's legal expenses. The right to counsel is generally regarded as a constituent of the right to a fair trial. Historically, however, not all countries have always recognized the right to counsel. The right is often included in criminal law and constitutional law etc. First, any person who is arrested or detained shall have the right to prompt assistance of counsel. When a criminal defendant is unable to secure counsel by his own efforts, the State shall assign counsel for the defendant as prescribed by act in article 12(4) of the constitutional law. Second, the defense counsel or a person who desires to be a defense counsel may have an interview with the defendant or the suspect who is placed under physical restraint, deliver or receive any documents or things and have any doctor examine and treat the defendant or the suspect in article 34 of the criminal law. Nonetheless, problems about guarantee of the rights to counsel to the national security violators like spy terrorist and etc will be important for Koreans to consider. That is because national security violators's cases are qualitatively different from general criminal offense's cases and historically, lawyer obstruct a investigation in the process of examination of a suspect for national security violators. Therefore, this study suggest a way that a restriction the rights to counsel with an attorney in cases of the national security violators. To this end, in this paper, I touch on restriction of right to counsel during interrogation in the England and Germany etc in comparison to that of Korea and review Korea's Supreme Court decision and Constitution Court decision to understand the prospective and trends for Korean investigation procedure improvement.

  • PDF