Increasing thyroid cancer incidence is due to the increased detection of small papillary cancers and may not interpreted as an increase in the true occurrence of disease. Further workup of thyroid incidentalomas—impalpable nodules detected fortuitously during a radiological investigation—may contribution of the increasing thyroid cancer. Screening asymptomatic adults or children for thyroid cancer using either neck palpation or ultrasonography is not recommended in the US Preventive Services Task Force and the Korean lifetime health maintenance program. Generally, only thyroid incidentalomas > 1 cm should be evaluated, since they have a greater potential to be clinically significant cancers and thyroid nodules < 1 cm that require evaluation because of suspicious US findings, associated lymphadenopathy, a history of head and neck irradiation, or a history of thyroid cancer in one or more first-degree relatives

Citations

• Neck circumference correlates with tumor size and lateral lymph node metastasis in men with small papillary thyroid carcinoma
  Mi Ra Kim, Sang Soo Kim, Jung Eun Huh, Byung Joo Lee, Jin Choon Lee, Yun Kyung Jeon, Bo Hyun Kim, Seong Jang Kim, Soo Geun Wang, Yong Ki Kim, In Joo Kim
  The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine.2013; 28(1): 62.     CrossRef

Background
As the metabolic syndrome is increased, the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increased. In recent studies, metabolic syndrome is related to serum uric acid. And some authors reported the association of uric acid and NAFLD. We have studied the association of serum uric acid and NAFLD. Methods: The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of 3,430 subjects out of 6,731 individuals who had visited the Health Promotion Center at the National Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital for the purpose of a regular check-up from January 2005 to April 2008. We excluded who showed evidence of more than moderate alcohol consumption, hepatitis B or C, or severe hepatic dysfunction. Results: Among 3,430 participants, 1,775 subjects (51.7%) were diagnosed with NAFLD and 1,655 subjects (48.3%) were control. Age, BMI, triglyceride, fasting glucose, uric acid were greater in the patients with NAFLD than in the controls. The severity of NAFLD is related to uric acid. When uric acid is divided in 4 groups, elevation of uric acid is associated with risk for NAFLD. This relationship is showed in similar pattern when adjusting for age, sex, BMI, triglyceride, fasting glucose. The uric acid elevation of 1mg/dL is associated with the increase of 1.11 fold in risk for NAFLD. Conclusion: The risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is related to uric acid. And the severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with uric acid.

Citations

• Prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in Korean Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery
  Ki Hyun Kim, Yoonhong Kim, Kwang Il Seo, Kyung Won Seo
  Journal of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.2022; 11(2): 63.     CrossRef
• Systematic review on the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in South Korea
  Hwi Jin Im, Yo Chan Ahn, Jing-Hua Wang, Myung Min Lee, Chang Gue Son
  Clinics and Research in Hepatology and Gastroenterology.2021; 45(4): 101526.     CrossRef
• Subclinical steatohepatitis and advanced liver fibrosis in health examinees with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in 10 South Korean cities: A retrospective cross-sectional study
  Eun-Hee Nah, Seon Cho, Hyeran Park, Dongwon Noh, Eunjoo Kwon, Han-Ik Cho, Daisuke Tokuhara
  PLOS ONE.2021; 16(11): e0260477.     CrossRef

Background
Elevated plasma total homocysteine causes the risk of cardiovascular diseases. By reducing plasma total homocysteine may prevent cardiovascular diseases. Many studies showed that vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid decrease homocysteine level when taken with calcium fortified drinking water. Our aim of this study was to demonstrate the association between plasma homocysteine concentrations and daily calcium intake. Methods: Among 636 adults aged 40-69 years who visited a health promotion center of a university hospital from May 2006 to April 2007, the study subjects were 567 who completed self-reported questionnaire. Self-reported calcium intake amount and their baseline health questionnaire were obtained. We measured height and weight by physical examination. Through blood test, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, plasma creatinine and homocysteine level were evaluated. Results: The mean daily calcium intake of entire subjects was 770.1 ± 266.3 mg. The mean plasma homocysteine concentration was 10.6 ± 4.3 Ռmol/L. The multiple regression analysis showed significant correlations between plasma homocysteine level and body mass index, plasma creatinine level and calcium intake. Plasma homocysteine level was inversely associated with dietary calcium intake. Conclusion: We found the calcium was inversely associated and homocysteine level an independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. However, further studies should be established to confirm if greater calcium intake may lower plasma homocysteine level.

Citations

• Consumption of very low-mineral water may threaten cardiovascular health by increasing homocysteine in children
  Yujing Huang, Yao Tan, Lingqiao Wang, Lan Lan, Jiaohua Luo, Jia Wang, Hui Zeng, Weiqun Shu
  Frontiers in Nutrition.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef

Background
There are growing evidences that structural and functional brain reserves may be crucial in cognitive function of late life. In old men, height as an important marker of growth and development, is related to late life cognitive decline or dementia. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship of height to cognitive function in community dwelling old women. Methods: A total of 150 community dwelling old women who can carry out daily life independently were recruited in this study. We measured height, weight and blood pressure with an automatic device and investigated medical history and behavioral habits. We obtained fasting blood samples for the glucose and lipid profile tests and measured physical performance. The Korean version of Mini Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) was used for the assessment of cognitive function. Results: The acceptable cognition group (K-MMSE score ≥ 24) was taller than the impaired cognition group (K-MMSE score < 24) (mean height 150.9 ± 6.1, 148.0 ± 5.4, respectively, P-value < 0.01). In Pearson correlation analysis, height was positively associated with K-MMSE score (r = 0.342, P < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that height independently related to K-MMSE score after adjustment of age, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, alcohol drinking, residential district, education, gait speed ( = 0.102, P = 0.03). Conclusion: Height was independently associated with cognitive function in community dwelling old women. For the evaluation of the relationship between height and cognition in diverse cohorts, many studies will be necessary.

Citations

• Is Obesity Associated with Lower Mini Mental Test Scores among Elderly? A Cross Sectional Study
  Nezire İnce, Müjgan Öztürk, Reci Meseri, Halit Tanju Besler
  Journal of the American Nutrition Association.2022; 41(6): 600.     CrossRef
• The Relationship between Height and Cognitive Function among Community-dwelling Elderly: Hallym Aging Study
  Shan Ai Quan, Jin-Young Jeong, Dong-Hyun Kim
  Epidemiology and Health.2013; 35: e2013002.     CrossRef

Background
The purpose of this paper is to investigate for the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of patients with diagnosed novel influenza A (H1N1) and to evaluate the usefulness of clinical diagnosis. Methods: Out of 696 patients who visited the community sentinel hospital for novel influenza from 27 Aug 2009 to 10 Sep 2009, 557 patients had performed the conventional RT-PCR test. Of these patients, 540 patients were enrolled to our study excluding 17 patients who had performed the test for their own request without clinical suspicion. Results: The 79 patients (14.6%) were finally diagnosed as novel influenza by conventional RT-PCR, with median age 19. Main clinical symptoms were febrile sense, cough, rhinorrhea, and sore throat. The odd ratios of the symptoms with fever, febrile sense and myalgia, acute febrile respiratory disease, influenza-likely illness, the age with 10 to 19, and students were statistically significantly higher in finally diagnosed patients group. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of rapid antigen test for influenza were 29.4%, 99.3%, 90.9%, and 85.7%, respectively. In the acute febrile respiratory disease and influenza-likely illness, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value were 77.2%, 38.3%, 17.7%, and 90.7%, and 69.6%, 46.6%, 18.3%, and 89.9%, respectively. Conclusion: In the community sentinel hospital, the patients with novel influenza A (H1N1) present the clinical manifestations similar to the common seasonal influenza. Primary health care providers might have a lot of difficulties in differentiation and treatment necessitating consideration of a variety of diagnostic methods.

Citations

• Usefulness of Influenza Rapid Antigen Test in Influenza A (H1N1)
  Byung-Kee Lee, Jung-Ki Ju, Bong-Seok Choi, Sang-Gun Jung, Jin-A Jung, Hyun-Jin Yun
  Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease.2012; 22(1): 71.     CrossRef
• Comparison of Clinical Manifestation and Laboratory Findings between H1N1 and Influenza B Infection
  Su Hee Kim, Chul Hyue Park, Kyoung Huh, Gyu Hong Shim, Hyo-Bin Kim, Su Jeong You, Young Whan Song, Ju-Young Chung, Mi Jung Park, Chang-Keun Kim, Myoung Jae Chey, Ja Wook Koo, Sang Woo Kim
  Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease.2012; 22(1): 64.     CrossRef
• Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Pandemic Influenza (H1N1 2009)
  Ji Yun Noh, Sun Young Yim, Jung Yeon Heo, Won Suk Choi, Joon Young Song, Hee Jin Cheong, Woo Joo Kim
  Infection and Chemotherapy.2009; 42(2): 69.     CrossRef

Background
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities leading diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is suggested to be a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to investigate the association between H. pylori infection and metabolic syndrome. Methods: This study was designed with Korean adults having a health check-up in a university hospital in Ulsan from March 2008 to February 2009. The subjects were 17,448 over 20 years old. The analysis was undertaken according to sex separately. The association of H. pylori seropositivity (IgG) with metabolic syndrome components was investigated by multiple linear regression analysis. The association of H. pylori seropositivity with metabolic syndrome was investigated by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: H. pylori seropositivity was significantly inversely associated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol in men (Coefficient, -0.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.03 to -0.004; P = 0.01). However, H. pylori seropositivity was not significantly associated with metabolic syndrome in both men and women (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.90 to 1.14; P = 0.81 for men; OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.55 to 1.02; P = 0.06 for women). Conclusion: H. pylori infection was significantly negatively associated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol in men, but not significantly associated with metabolic syndrome in both men and women.

Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms we encounter in primary care clinics, and the patients being hospitalized for abdominal pain account for 5-6% of all the inpatients. Careful history taking and physical exams are always necessary for the diagnosis of patients having abdominal pain, because their problems may be transient and insignificant but also can be severe. For the elderly patients, common causes of abdominal pain are unspecific abdominal pain, functional disease, constipation, kidney stone, urinary tract infection, inflammatory bowel disease, biliary tract disease, acute appendicitis, diverticulitis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, peptic ulcer, intestinal obstruction, mesenteric ischemia, malignant tumor, gastroenteritis, etc. and myofacscial pain can also be the cause. We treated an elderly female patient who had suffered severe abdominal pain due to myofascial pain syndrome of the iliopsoas muscle undiagnosed for over 3 years. Therefore we report this case with review of several literatures.