• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• 제58권3호
• /
• pp.271-275
• /
• 2015

Objective : This study was designed to evaluation the diagnostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) in patients with spinal infection, compare to the classical biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell (WBC) count. Methods : All patients who were diagnosed as a spinal infection between January, 2013 and July, 2014 were included in this study. Serum PCT, CRP, ESR, and WBC count were checked at initial hospital visit and once a week serially until they were discharged. Patient's medical history, causes and pathogens of spinal infection were reviewed. Results : Total 34 (16 men, 18 women) patients were included in this study. Mean age of the patients was 65.6 year-old. Causes of spinal infection were pain block procedure (14, 41.2%) and post-operation (5, 14.7%). Out of 25 patients who showed elevated initial serum PCT level, 20 patients (80%) had a combined systemic infection. 14 patients (6.7%) had a sepsis, 3 patients (14.2%) had a urinary tract infection and 2 (9.6%) had a pneumonia. 14 patients (41.2%) showed elevation of serum PCT level during treatment. Among them, 9 patients (64.3%) had a combined infection such as sepsis and urinary tract infection. Conclusion : Serum CRP showed more sensitivity compared to serum PCT in patients with spinal infection. Patients with spinal infection who showed elevated serum PCT level should be investigated for combined infection and proper antibiotics should be applied.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제59권3호
• /
• pp.139-144
• /
• 2016

Purpose: Acute pyelonephritis (APN) is a serious bacterial infection that can cause renal scarring in children. Early identification of APN is critical to improve treatment outcomes. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a prognostic marker of many diseases, but it has not yet been established in urinary tract infection (UTI). The aim of this study was to determine whether NLR is a useful marker to predict APN or vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 298 pediatric patients ($age{\leq}36months$) with febrile UTI from January 2010 to December 2014. Conventional infection markers (white blood cell [WBC] count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], C-reactive protein [CRP]), and NLR were measured. Results: WBC, CRP, ESR, and NLR were higher in APN than in lower UTI (P<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that NLR was a predictive factor for positive dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) defects (P<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was high for NLR (P<0.001) as well as CRP (P<0.001) for prediction of DMSA defects. NLR showed the highest area under the ROC curve for diagnosis of VUR (P<0.001). Conclusion: NLR can be used as a diagnostic marker of APN with DMSA defect, showing better results than those of conventional markers for VUR prediction.

• 성인간호학회지
• /
• 제12권1호
• /
• pp.5-16
• /
• 2000

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the level of disease condition and ADL by self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The subjects of the study consisted of eighty-four outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis at a university hospital in Taegu between July 20, 1999 and August 25, 1999. The instruments used in this study were the self-efficacy developed by Lorig et al. (1989), the pain scale developed by Lee and Song(1987), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR), the pain joint count to measure disease condition scale, and the ADL scale developed by Katz et al. (1970) and Barthel(1973). Analysis of data was done by use of descriptive statistics: Pearson Correlation, Chi-square test, t-test, ANOVA and Scheffe, with the SPSS program. The major findings can be summarized as follows: 1. The first hypothesis, "There will be differences in the level of disease condition by self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis" was partially supported. 1-1. "There will be differences in the level of pain by self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis" was supported(F=3.422, p=.037). 1-2. "There will be differences in the level of ESR by self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis" was the Disease Condition and supported (F=3.314, p=.041). 1-3. "There will be differences in the level of pain joints count by self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis" was rejected(F=2.602, p=.080). 2. The second hypothesis, "There will be differences in the level of ADL by self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis" was supported(F=7.067, p=.001). With the above results, it can be concluded that the higher level of self-efficacy contributed to the better level of disease condition and ADL in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, by providing nursing intervention to promote the level of self-efficacy of rheumatoid arthritis patients with low self-efficacy, disease condition and ADL would be much better.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제58권10호
• /
• pp.374-379
• /
• 2015

Purpose: Incomplete Kawasaki disease (KD) is frequently associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment. Delayed diagnosis leads to increasing risk of coronary artery aneurysm. Anterior uveitis is an important ocular signs of KD. The purpose of this study was to assess differences in laboratory findings, including echocardiographic measurements, clinical characteristics such as fever duration and treatment responses between KD patients with and those without uveitis. Methods: We conducted a prospective study with 110 KD patients from January 2008 to June 2013. The study group (n=32, KD with uveitis) was compared with the control group (n=78, KD without uveitis). Laboratory data were obtained from each patient including complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), platelet count, and level of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, serum total protein, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP). Echocardiographic measurements and intravenous immunoglobulin responses were compared between the two groups. Results: The incidence of uveitis was 29.0%. Neutrophil counts and patient age were higher in the uveitis group than in the control group. ESR and CRP level were slightly increased in the uveitis group compared with the control group, but the difference between the two groups was not significant. No significant differences in coronary arterial complication and treatment responses were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: Uveitis is an important ocular sign in the diagnosis of incomplete KD. It is significantly associated with patient age and neutrophil count.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• 제22권6호
• /
• pp.219-228
• /
• 2005

Objectives : to evaluate the effects of Jetongdan, the newly developed herbal medicine, on the quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis of knee Methods : Placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial on the 80 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee was fulfilled. After enrollment, they took medication as they enrolled. And they were asked to answer the questionnaires (Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire (KHAQ), Lequesne's functional index (LFI), visual analogue scale (VAS)) and analysed with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) at baseline, after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of medication. Results : Total KHAQ score, some categories of KHAQ like hygiene, activities were significantly improved after 8 weeks of medication. And the change of the KHAQ score was significantly correlated with the change of VAS. But LFI, VAS, ESR level was not significantly improved, and it was considered because of the short medication period and small size of study population. Conclusion : In conclusion, Jetongdan could improve the health-related quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis of knee. Further study in the large population, in long period were recommended.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제56권5호
• /
• pp.218-223
• /
• 2013

Purpose: Early diagnosis and treatment of acute pyelonephritis in children is of special importance in order to prevent serious complications. This study was conducted to determine the diagnostic value of serum interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in children with acute pyelonephritis. Methods: Eighty-seven patients between 1 month to 12 years old with urinary tract infection (UTI) were divided into 2 groups based on the result of 99m-technetium dimercapto-succinic acid renal scan: acute pyelonephritis (n=37) and lower UTI (n=50) groups. White blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil (Neutl) count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, platelet count, and serum IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations of both groups were measured and compared. Results: There was a significant difference between two groups regarding WBC count, Neutl count, ESR, and CRP concentration (P<0.05). In addition, the difference between the two groups regarding serum IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations was not significant (IL-6, 60 and 35.4 pg/mL and IL-8, 404 and 617 pg/mL, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of serum IL-6 and IL-8 for diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis were 73%, 42% and 78%, 32%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values of serum IL-6 and IL-8 were less than those of acute phase serum reactants such as CRP. Conclusion: This study showed that there was no significant difference between acute pyelonephritis and lower UTI groups regarding serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels. Therefore, despite confirming results of previous studies, it seems that IL-6 and IL-8 are not suitable markers for differentiating between acute pyelonephritis and lower UTI.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• 제42권4호
• /
• pp.116-124
• /
• 2017

Purpose: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a disabling pain that mostly occurs in elderly women, but rarely in men. It is characterized by an unremitting oral burning sensation and pain without detectable oral mucosal changes. We investigated the clinical and hematologic features of middle-aged men with BMS, and compared the results to those of men with oral mucositis. Methods: Five men with BMS ($48.60{\pm}6.19years$) and five age-matched controls with oral mucositis ($49.80{\pm}15.26years$) underwent clinical and psychological evaluations and blood tests. Psychological status was evaluated using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. Cortisol, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were determined from the blood samples. Results: ADH level was significantly lower in men with BMS than in the controls. ADH levels correlated with testosterone (p<0.01), and ACTH levels strongly correlated with ESR (p<0.05). Progesterone level positively correlated with FSH and LH levels. Pain intensity on a visual analogue scale correlated with estradiol level only in men with BMS. Among psychological factors, the obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal-sensitivity, and anxiety scores were higher in men with BMS than in the controls (p<0.05). However, no correlations were observed between the psychological and hematologic factors in both groups. The BMS symptoms presented only on the tongue, with the lateral border being the most prevalent area. Conclusions: Men with BMS may experience dysregulated endocrinologic or psychoneuroendocrinologic interactions, which might affect oral BMS symptoms, aggravating the severity of the burning sensation.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• 제38권3호
• /
• pp.152-159
• /
• 2012

Objectives: This study evaluated bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) in patients diagnosed with malignant bone tumors. Demographic findings, laboratory, and radiographic analyses were performed to characterize disease severity and progression. Materials and Methods: Patients who had been diagnosed with BRONJ (2005-2010) at the authors' hospital according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons were investigated. Twenty-one patients (12 with multiple myelomas, 7 with breast cancer, and 2 with prostate cancer) who had been treated with bisphosphonates (BPs) for malignant bone tumors were included. Radiographic evaluations with a panorama, computed tomography, whole body bone scan, and laboratory findings were evaluated for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), c-reactive proteins (CRPs), and c-terminal cross-linked telopeptides (CTXs). Results: The average age of the patients was 64.3 (range 51-80), and they were treated with BPs for an average of $35{\pm}19$ months before BRONJ was diagnosed. Types of BPs were zolendronic acid (81%, intravenous [IV]), pamidronate (4.8%, IV), zoledronic acid+pamidronate (4.8%, IV), alendronate (4.8%, per os [PO]), and ibadronate (4.75%, PO). Extraction (67%) and persistent irritation of dentures (20%) were the most common triggering factors. BRONJ in the mandible was reported in 62% of the cases, in the maxilla 24%, and both 14%. BRONJ occurred more frequently in patients with multiple myelomas (n=12, 57.1%). Most of the patients revealed an advanced BRONJ stage; Stage I (n=2, 9%), Stage II (n=13, 62%), and Stage III (n=6, 29%). Conclusion: The differences of the ESR, CRP, and CTX values between the BRONJ-recurring and non-recurring patients after the treatment were not evident. Later stage BRONJ patients showed lower CTX levels. A drug holiday after the diagnosis of BRONJ did not remarkably influence the surgical outcomes. However, the limited number of patients in the study should be considered.

• 혜화의학회지
• /
• 제17권1호
• /
• pp.83-93
• /
• 2008

In order to study the Effects of yindong(LC) on the variation of blood and joint value the gout induced by microcrystalline sodium urate in rats, for LC is one of the important medicine on gout. After pretreatment of LC(50, 500mg/kg) for 5days, the Effects of LC was evaluated on Serum albumin, Serum globulin, glutamate dxalacetate transminase(AST), glutanate pyruvate transminase(ALT), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), Serum creatitine, Serum uric acid, xanthine oxidase activity, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate(ESR), WBC, platelet were measured. The results were obtained as follows : Joint value Increase ratio was not significantly decreased in all LC taken groups compared with the control group. Serum albumin was significantly different in all LC taken groups compared with the control group and Serum globulin was significantly dicreased in 500mg/kgLC taken group compared with the control group. Serum AST, ALT were significantly dicreased in 500mg/kgLC taken group compared with the control group. Serum BUN was significantly decreased in all LC taken groups and Serum creatinine was significantly decreased in 500mg/kgLC taken group compared with the control group. Serum uric acid was significantly different in 500mg/kgLC taken group, and changes in xanthine oxidase activity was significantly decreased in 500mg/kg, 50mg/kgLC taken group. ESR was significantly decreased in all LC taken groups compared with the control group. WBC, platelet count were significantly decreased in 500mg/kgLC taken group compared with the control group. From above results it may be concluded that Yindong can be used for treatment and preventive medcine of gout induced by microcrystalline sodium urate in clinic.

• 혜화의학회지
• /
• 제17권1호
• /
• pp.95-104
• /
• 2008

This study was designed to investigate the Effects of Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma(SGR) on the gout. After pretreatment of SGR(50, 500mg/kg) for 5days, the Effects of SGR was evaluated on changes Joint value increase ratio, Serum albumin, Serum globulin, glutamate dxalacetate transminase(AST), glutanate pyruvate transminase(ALT), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), Serum creatitine, Serum uric acid, xanthine oxidase activity, WBC, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate(ESR), platelet. The results were obtained as follows ; Joint valueincrease ratio was decreased in 50mg/kg, 500mg/kg SGR taken group, but changes were not significantly different with the control group. AST, ALT were not significantly different in all SGR taken groups compared with the control group. Serum BUN, creatinine were significantly decreased in 500mg/kg SGR taken group compared with control group. ESR was significantly decreased in all SGR taken groups compared with the control group. WBC, platelet were significantly decreased in 500mg/kg SGR taken group compared with control group. Serum uric acid was not significantly different in all SGR taken groups compared with the control group. Xanthine oxidase activity was significantly decreased in 500mg/kg SGR taken group compared with control group. From above results, it may be concluded that SGR can be used for treatment and prevention of gout.