Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Dec 2014
The value of SPECT/CT in localizing pain site and prediction of treatment response in patients with chronic low back pain.
In many circumstances, causing sites of low back pain (LBP) cannot be determined only by anatomical imaging. Combined functional and morphological imaging such as bone scan with single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) may be helpful in identifying active lesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of bone SPECT/CT in localizing the pain site and the treatment of chronic LBP. ⋯ Patients with mild active or no lesions on SPECT/CT had relatively lower response rate of 63.0%. Good response was observed by the treatment with the guidance of active lesions identified on SPECT/CT. SPECT/CT could be useful in identifying active lesions in patients with chronic LBP and guiding the clinicians to use adequate treatment.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Dec 2014
Clinical value of endobronchial ultrasound findings for predicting nodal metastasis in patients with suspected lymphadenopathy: a prospective study.
We evaluated whether sonographic findings can provide additional diagnostic yield in endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), and can more accurately predict nodal metastasis than chest computed tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scans. EBUS-TBNA was performed in 146 prospectively recruited patients with suspected thoracic lymph node involvement on chest CT and PET/CT from June 2012 to January 2013. Diagnostic yields of EBUS finding categories as a prediction model for metastasis were evaluated and compared with findings of chest CT, PET/CT, and EBUS-TBNA. ⋯ The following four EBUS findings were predictive of metastasis: nodal size ≥10 mm, round shape, heterogeneous echogenicity, and absence of central hilar structure. A single EBUS finding did not have sufficient diagnostic yield; however, when the lymph node had any one of the predictive factors on EBUS, the diagnostic yields for metastasis were higher than for chest CT and PET/CT, with a sensitivity of 99.1% and negative predictive value of 83.3%. When any one of predictive factors is observed on EBUS, subsequent TBNA should be considered, which may provide a higher diagnostic yield than chest CT or PET/CT.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Dec 2014
Population-based study of the epidemiology of herpes zoster in Korea.
General epidemiological data regarding herpes zoster (HZ) are necessary for treatment and prevention of this disease. In addition, epidemiological data can play an important role in evaluating the efficacy and impact of vaccination. Though several epidemiological studies of HZ in Korea have been conducted, they usually depend on hospital-based data and may not be representative of HZ characteristics all over Korea. ⋯ We observed that the incidence of HZ was 10.4 per 1,000 person-years and was strongly correlated with age. Sex had a major influence on HZ incidence; overall, there were 12.6 cases per 1,000 person years in women and 8.3 cases per 1,000 person years in men. There was no difference in incidence according to the locality and season.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Dec 2014
Reference accuracy: authors', reviewers', editors', and publishers' contributions.
Scientific authors are responsible for the accuracy of their writings and references to others' works. However, relying on authors is not enough when it comes to processing their manuscripts. Joint efforts of authors, peer reviewers, editors, and publishers throughout the publishing process may prevent most reference errors. This article analyzes essential aspects of bibliographic management and focuses on the importance of validating references by all stakeholders of scholarly publishing.
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This study aimed to analyze trends in the 10 leading causes of death in Korea from 1983 to 2012. Death rates were derived from the Korean Statistics Information Service database and age-adjusted to the 2010 population. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to identify the points when statistically significant changes occurred in the trends. ⋯ In conclusion, death rates from all causes in Korea decreased significantly in the last three decades except in the late 1990s. Despite the great strides made in the overall mortality, temporal trends varied widely by cause. Mortality trends for malignant neoplasms, diabetes mellitus, pneumonia and intentional self-harm were unfavorable.