Yonsei medical journal
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Yonsei medical journal · May 2012
Hereditary thrombophilia in Korean patients with idiopathic pulmonary embolism.
Hereditary thrombophilia (HT) is a major risk factor for idiopathic pulmonary embolism (iPE) and shows different prevalence among ethnic groups. The prevalence and clinical characteristics of HT in Korean patients with iPE were investigated. ⋯ In this study of Korean patients, about half of the patients with iPE had HT. Patients with iPE and HT were mostly young males with deep venous thrombosis (DVT), previous venous thromboembolism (VTE), and frequent adverse clinical outcomes. Therefore, Korean patients with iPE should be tested for HT.
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Yonsei medical journal · May 2012
Myeloperoxidase expression in acute myeloid leukemia helps identifying patients to benefit from transplant.
Despite extensive study, the use of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) vary considerably. The decision of which of these options to choose is complex and depends on both clinical and molecular variables as well as the availability and histocompatability of donor stem cells. So far there is no clear explanation on whether the expression of myeloperoxidase (MPO) relates to the prognosis of AML. ⋯ MPO expression at diagnosis helps to choose therapy for each AML patient and can differentiate AML patients who need transplantation.
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Yonsei medical journal · Mar 2012
Clinical incidence of sacroiliac joint arthritis and pain after sacropelvic fixation for spinal deformity.
Sacroiliac fixation using iliac screws for highly unstable lumbar spine has been reported with an improved fusion rate and clinical results. On the other hand, there is a potential for clinical problems related to iliac fixation, including late sacroiliac joint arthritis and pain. ⋯ The fusion rate and clinical results were excellent. Also, degeneration and pain from sacroiliac joints were not seen within 3 years after surgery. We recommend sacroiliac fixation using iliac screws for highly unstable lumbar spine.
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Yonsei medical journal · Mar 2012
ReviewCurrent management and future strategies of gastric cancer.
The overall prognosis of gastric cancer has gradually improved over the past decades with growing awareness of potential carcinogens, surveillance programs and early diagnosis, as well as advances in surgical techniques and multimodality treatments. Nevertheless, the outcome of advanced stage disease still remains poor with currently available treatments, and a worldwide consensus on the standard management thereof has not been established. ⋯ Diagnostic tests and surgical procedures need to be further sophisticated and standardized based on more recent evidences from ongoing and future randomized controlled trials, while comprehensive management should be individualized to each patient. Future challenges lie with how to optimize personalized therapies by deciphering biological complexity of gastric cancer and incorporating molecular biomarkers in clinical practice to forecast prognosis and to guide targeted therapeutics in adjunct to current standards of care.
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Yonsei medical journal · Mar 2012
Application of a new spirometric reference equation and its impact on the staging of Korean chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
A new spirometric reference equation was recently developed from the first national chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) survey in Korea. However, Morris' equation has been preferred for evaluating spirometric values instead. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in severity staging in Korean COPD patients by adopting the newly developed Korean equation. ⋯ These results indicate that equations from different ethnic groups do not sufficiently reflect the airflow limitation of Korean COPD patients. The Korean reference equation should be used for Korean COPD patients in order to administer proper treatment.