Dong Hoo Lee

Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in Korea: population-based survey using the Rome II criteria.

Background:  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder in the West. But information on the prevalence of IBS in Asia is still lacking, especially in Korea. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to estimate the prevalence of IBS in the general population of Korea and also to investigate characteristics of IBS and health‐care‐seeking behavior of IBS patients.

A Population-Based Study on Bowel Habits in a Korean Community: Prevalence of Functional Constipation and Self-Reported Constipation

Most studies of bowel habits have been conducted in Western countries. This study was conducted to estimate the epidemiology of constipation and the discrepancy between self-reported constipation and bowel habits in Koreans. Telephone interviews regarding bowel habits were conducted with a total of 1029 individuals in Korea, 15 years of age or older. Subjects were given a questionnaire which asked about bowel symptoms, sociodemographic associations, laxative use, and physician visits. Of all subjects 95.6% had a defecation frequency of between three per week and three per day. The prevalence was 16.5% for self-reported constipation, 9.2% for functional constipation (FC), and 3.9% for constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). Of subjects’ self-reporting constipation, proportions of FC and IBS-C were 21.8% and 23.5%, respectively. Of subjects excluding self-reported constipation, the proportion of FC was 6.8%. Prevalences of self-reported constipation and IBS-C were higher in females than in males (P < 0.001). Of subjects’ self-reporting constipation, 8.2% used laxatives. We conclude that constipation is a common problem in the general Korean population.

Association between GERD-related erosive esophagitis and obesity.

Background and Objectives To date, many studies have reported on the association of obesity with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), although none of these have been systematic. In light of this, we conducted this study to examine the association of obesity and GERD. Subjects and Methods A total of 3363 patients underwent gastroscopy at Hanyang University Health Promotion Center. Among these patients, we prospectively examined patients who were diagnosed with GERD-related erosive esophagitis on endoscopy. Results Multivariate analysis showed that the significant risk factors were waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), hiatal hernia, body mass index (BMI), and smoking. As compared with patients who had a WHR less than 0.8, the multivariate odds ratio for erosive esophagitis were 4.055 for a WHR more than 1.0 and 2.316 for a WHR of 0.8 to 1.0. As compared with patients who had a BMI of 20 to 22.5, the multivariate odds ratio for erosive esophagitis was 3.308 (95% confidence interval, 1.792 to 6.107) for a BMI greater than 30. Conclusions Obesity, especially abdominal obesity, was the significant risk factor for erosive esophagitis.

Analysis of CYP2E1 polymorphism for the determination of genetic susceptibility to gastric cancer in Koreans

Background:  Interindividual genetic differences in susceptibility to chemical carcinogens are among the most important host factors in human cancer. The present study was undertaken to reveal the association between the polymorphism of CYP2E1 (CYP2E1/PstI and CYP2E1/DraI) with genetic susceptibility to gastric cancer development in Koreans.

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness in irritable bowel syndrome

Extraintestinal symptoms are often found in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Recent studies suggest that IBS is associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness. But it is still arguable that the bronchial hyperresponsiveness is associated with IBS patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the possible relationship between IBS and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Forty-two patients with IBS and 42 control subjects were included in this study. All patients underwent pulmonary function, methacholine challenge, and skin prick tests. There was no statistical difference between the two groups with respect to percentage of all pulmonary function test parameters, including FEV1%, FCV%, FVC/FEV1, and FEF25 − 75%. Only two persons in the alternating-type IBS patient group and one person in the control group tested positive in the methacholine provocation test. But all PC20 values were above 16 mg/ml. These results do not demonstrate a relationship between bronchial hyperresponsiveness and IBS. However, a relationship might exist in a subpopulation of IBS patients.

A case of an ingested sewing needle in the appendix

A 34-year-old tailor with no history of medical problems was referred to the emergency department approximately 3 hours after swallowing a sewing needle. An abdominal plain film showed the needle to be in the middle abdomen. An abdominal CT revealed the needle within a loop of ileum. An abdominal film taken 1 day later showed that the needle had moved to the right lower quadrant (A, white arrow). A colonoscopy was performed, but the needle was not identified. A second ab-