Background
: A predominant accumulation of adipose tissue in abdominal region confers increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The best technology available for measurement of regional fat distribution is computed tomography. However, computed tomography is limited its use for clinical purposes by cost. The aim of this study is to identify the best simple anthropometric index of abdominal visceral fat accumulation.

Methods : To quantify the relationship between anthropometric indices of abdominal obesity (waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, body mass index, abdominal sagittal diameter) and abdominal(total, visceral, subcutaneous) fat areas measured by computed tomography, correlation and multiple regression analyses have been conducted.

Results : No significant difference for waist circumference, body mass index and sagittal diameter between men and women have been found. Mean value of waist-to-hip ratio is larger in women, but waist-to-height ratio is larger in men. The mean abdominal total fat area and mean subcutaneous fat area are higher in women. Interestingly, men, despite lower total fat area, have higher mean abdominal visceral area. Thus, the mean visceral fat-to-subcutaneous fat ratio is much higher in men. Abdominal sagittal diameter shows the highest correlation(men: 0.69), women: 0.76) with abdominal visceral fat area in both genders. stepwise analyses have been performed to determine the best simple anthropometric index of abdominal visceral fat accumulation. In men, the significant indices are abdominal sagittal diameter, body mass index, and waist-to-height ratio. In women, abdominal diameter is the only significant index.

Conclusion : Abdominal sagittal diameter, in comparison with the waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio and body mass index, is the best predictor of the amount of abdominal visceral fat.

No Abstract Available.

Background
: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common diseases dealt with by primary physicians. UTI is common in the elderly and has a great influence on the quality of the elderly's life. Thus, we conducted a study in one nursing home to find out the prevalence of bacteriuria and epidemiologic characteristics of the elderly.

Methods : The study was performed twice on April 12 and on May 4, 1999 among 108 subjects residing in a nursing home of Hanam City. The authors inquired the subjects pertaining to the history of UTI symptoms, collected urine samples by midstream clean-catch technique and catheterization and performed routine and microscopic urine analysis and urine culture.

Results : The overall prevalence of bacteriuria in subjects was 23.1%(25/108) ; 20%(3/15) in males and 23.7% (22/93) in females. The prevalence of the bedridden subject was 40.9% (9/22). Among the urine samples of 25 cases which were positive in the urine culture, E. Coli was found in 15 cases(60%). The sensitivity, specificiy, positive and negative predictive value of pyuria for bacteriuria were 44.0%(11/25), 87.9%(73/83), 52.3%(11/21) and 83.9%(73/87), respectively, while those of nitrite test for bacteriuria were 64.0%(16/25), 97.5%(81/83), 88.%(16/18) and 90.0%(81/90), respectively. The prevalence of bacteriuria increased by 16.23% as age increased by ten years using the Cochran-Armitage's linear trend test.

Conclusion : The prevalence of becteriuria in the elderly residing in a nursing home was higher than that of the elderly residing in a community. In the elderly over 60 years old, the prevalence of bacteriuria increased as the age increased. Immobility is considered as a risk factor of bacteriuria. Bacteriuria may be treated by antibiotics focused on E. Coli. Thus, we can expect improvement in the quality of life as well as extension of life span.

Background
: Hepatitis C Virus(HCV) infection is known as one of the most important causes of liver diseases such as post-transfusion hepatitis, sporadic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The prevalence of antibody to Hepatitis C Virus(anti-HCV) among blood donors was about 0.3-1.5% by first generation enzyme immunoassay(EIA). Second gengration anti-HCV among Korean adults and identify the route of HCV transmission.

Methods : Serum samples from 5,718 adults who visited Korea University Hospital Health Care Center were tested for second generation anti-HCV EIA, serum ALT(alanine aminotranferase), HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc. Questionnaires including presumptive risk factors of HCV were obtained from 47 anti-HCV positive cases, and those results were compared to the results from 137 anti-HCV negative cases.

Results : The overall prevalence of anti-HCV was 1.6%(89/5,718). The prevalence of anti-HCV increased with aging significantly(P<0.01). The prevalence of anti-HCV in elevated(ALT>40IU/L) serum ALT cases was significantly higher than in normal(ALT≤40IU/L) cases(5.4% vs 1.1% P<0.01). Anti-HCV status was associated with history of transfusion significantly(P<0.05), but the following factors such as operation history, family history of liver diseases, history of sexually transmitted disease, alcohol intake and history of acupuncture or tatooing were not associated with status of anti-HCV.

Conclusion : Prevalence of anti-HCV among Korea adults was 1.8%. Age matched prevalence of anti-HCV in Korean adults was higher than the other countries in North Europe or North America, but similar to that of Spain or Japan. Prevalence of anti-HCV was increased with aging. To elucidate the meaning of anti-HCV positivity in this, futher sutdy is needed