BACKGROUND: Hospitalized patients recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may experience disability and suffer from significant physical and mental impairment requiring physical rehabilitation following their discharge. However, to date, no attempt has been made to collate and synthesize literature in this area. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review examines the outcomes of different physical rehabilitation interventions tested in COVID-19 patients who were discharged from hospital. SEARCH STRATEGY: A systematic search of MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and medRxiv was conducted to identify articles published up to March 2022. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This systematic review included studies of outpatient rehabilitation programs for people recovering from COVID-19 who received physical activity, exercise, or breathing training to enhance or restore functional capacity, pulmonary function, quality of life, and mental health or function. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: Selection of included articles, data extraction, and methodological quality assessments were conducted by two review authors respectively, and consensus was reached through discussion and consultation with a third reviewer. Finally, we review the outcomes of studies based on four categories including: (1) functional capacity, (2) pulmonary function, (3) quality of life, and (4) mental health status. RESULTS: A total of 7534 titles and abstracts were screened; 10 cohort studies, 4 randomized controlled trials and 13 other prospective studies involving 1583 patients were included in our review. Early physical rehabilitation interventions applied in COVID-19 patients who were discharged from the hospital improved multiple parameters related to functional capacity, pulmonary function, quality of life and mental health status. CONCLUSION Physical rehabilitation interventions may be safe, feasible and effective in COVID-19 patients discharged from the hospital, and can improve a variety of clinically relevant outcomes. Further studies are warranted to determine the underlying mechanisms. Please cite this article as: Rahmati M, Molanouri Shamsi M, Woo W, Koyanagi A, Won Lee SW, Keon Yon DK, Shin JI, Smith L. Effects of physical rehabilitation interventions in COVID-19 patients following discharge from hospital: A systematic review. J Integr Med. 2022; 21(2): 149-158.
Humans ; Patient Discharge ; Quality of Life ; COVID-19 ; Prospective Studies ; Hospitals ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

OBJECTIVE: Acupotomy is a modern acupuncture method that includes modern surgical methods. Since acupotomy is relatively more invasive than filiform acupuncture treatment, it is important to establish the safety profile of this practice. To justify further large-scale prospective observational studies, this preliminary study was performed to assess the feasibility of the approach and investigate the safety profile and factors potentially associated with adverse events (AEs). METHODS: This was a prospective pilot study that assessed the feasibility of a large-scale forthcoming safety study on acupotomy treatment in a real-world setting. The feasibility (call response rate, drop-out rate, response rate for each variable and recruitment per month) and safety profile (incidence, type, severity and causality of AEs, and factors potentially associated with AEs) were measured. RESULTS: A total of 28 participants joined the study from January to May 2018. A follow-up assessment was achieved in 258 (1185 treatment points) out of 261 sessions (1214 treatment points). The response rate via telephone on the day after treatment was 87.3%. There were 8 systemic AEs in all the sessions (8/258; 3.11%) and 27 local AEs on the total points treated (27/1185; 2.28%). Severe AEs did not occur. Total AE and local AE occurrence were associated with blade width and the number of needle stimulations per treatment point. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that it could be feasible to analyze the safety of acupotomy in a real-world setting. Moreover, the primary data on some relevant AEs could be determined. We are planning large-scale prospective studies based on these findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) KCT0002849 (https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do/11487).
Humans ; Feasibility Studies ; Prospective Studies ; Pilot Projects ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Research Design ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: This study used the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) data to analyze the flow of emergency and critical emergency patients and to identify the patterns of emergency medical service usage in Korea. METHODS: The relevance index (RI) and commitment index (CI) were calculated from the 2016 NEDIS data. In this study, the number of clusters was determined using NbClust, and cluster analysis was used to analyze the usage patterns of emergency and critical emergency patients. RESULTS: The RI and CI were calculated using 8,389,766 cases of 214 districts. The results of the RI and CI suggested that there were 3 types of clusters among the emergency patients. In Cluster 1, 54 districts (25.2%) had low RI and high CI, and it was of outflow type. Cluster 2 was categorized as the influx-type in 58 districts (27.1%) irrespective of RI and low CI. Cluster 3 was categorized as the self-sufficient type found in 102 districts (47.7%), with high RI and high CI. The cluster analysis of the critical emergency patients was divided into 2 types. Cluster 1 was categorized as outflow type with high CI found in 129 districts (60.3%), while Cluster 2 was categorized as inflow type with low CI found in 85 districts (39.7%). CONCLUSIONS This study elucidates the regional status of usage patterns of emergency and critical emergency patients in Korea. This study might serve as a basis for the establishment and selection of emergency medical service areas and vulnerable emergency medical service areas.
Cluster Analysis ; Emergency Medical Services ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Models, Theoretical ; Republic of Korea

Mitochondria continuously fuse and divide to maintain homeostasis. An impairment in the balance between the fusion and fission processes can trigger mitochondrial dysfunction. Accumulating evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction is related to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD), with excessive mitochondrial fission in dopaminergic neurons being one of the pathological mechanisms of PD. Here, we investigated the balance between mitochondrial fusion and fission in the substantia nigra of a non-human primate model of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD. We found that MPTP induced shorter and abnormally distributed mitochondria. This phenomenon was accompanied by the activation of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), a mitochondrial fission protein, through increased phosphorylation at S616. Thereafter, we assessed for activation of the components of the cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling cascades, which are known regulators of Drp1(S616) phosphorylation. MPTP induced an increase in p25 and p35, which are required for CDK5 activation. Together, these findings suggest that the phosphorylation of Drp1(S616) by CDK5 is involved in mitochondrial fission in the substantia nigra of a non-human primate model of MPTP-induced PD.
1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases ; Dopaminergic Neurons ; Homeostasis ; Mitochondria ; Mitochondrial Dynamics ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Parkinson Disease ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Primates ; Substantia Nigra

BACKGROUND: Enhancement and maintenance of the stemness of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is one of the most important factors contributing to the successful in vivo therapeutic application of these cells. In this regard, three-dimensional (3D) spheroid formation has been developed as reliable method for increasing the pluripotency of MSCs. Moreover, using a new protocol, we have previously shown that dental tissues of extracted wisdom teeth can be effectively cryopreserved for subsequent use as a source of autologous stem cells. The main purpose of this study is to analyze the stemness and in vitro osteogenic differentiation potential of 3D spheroid dental MSCs compared with conventional monolayer cultured MSCs. METHODS: In this study, MSC-characterized stem cells were isolated and cultured from long-term cryopreserved dental follicles (hDFSCs), and then 2D hDFSCs were cultured under 3D spheroid-forming conditions using a newly designed microchip dish. The spheroids (3D hDFSCs) thus produced were investigated and characterized with respect to stemness, MSC marker expression, apoptosis, cell cycle analysis, extracellular matrix (ECM) production, and osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation properties. RESULTS: In terms of MSC and senescence markers, spheroid cells showed no difference when compared with 2D hDFSCs; however, 3D hDFSCs were observed to have a higher proportion of cell cycle arrest and a larger number of apoptotic cells. Moreover, spheroids showed substantially increased levels of pluripotency marker (early transcription factors) and ECM protein expression. Compared with 2D hDFSCs, there was also a notable enhancement in the osteogenic induction potential of spheroids, although no differences were observed with respect to in vitro adipogenesis. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the application of a spheroid culture system for dental follicle-derived stem cells using a microchip dish. Although further studies are needed, including in vivo transplantation, the results obtained in this study indicate that spheroid hDFSCs derived from cryopreserved dental follicle tissues could be used as a valuable source of autologous stem cells for bone tissue regeneration.
Adipogenesis ; Aging ; Apoptosis ; Bone and Bones ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Dental Sac ; Extracellular Matrix ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Methods ; Molar, Third ; Osteogenesis ; Regeneration ; Stem Cells

Opioids are effective analgesics, but they are often difficult to use properly, due mainly to adverse events, such as constipation, respiratory depression, addiction, tolerance, and opioid induced hyperalgesia. In the past, the problem of opioids around the world was usually caused by drugs traded illegally, so there was no need for medical and social attention in Korea. On the other hand, with the dramatic increase in the therapeutic use of opioids, which commenced more than a decade ago, problems caused by legally prescribed drugs have emerged, and now a more serious opioid crisis is being experienced than in the days of illegal drugs. A growing number of patients are chronically prescribed opioids, and a growing number of health care providers and hospitals suffer from problems related to chronic prescription. Currently, in Korea, it is the time to pay serious attention to achieve the safe and effective use of prescribed opioids. This paper consists of the following parts. 1) A summary of the issues related to chronic pain, opioids, and problems associated with the use of opioids. 2) Some case examples the authors' experienced. 3) Simple guidelines on the use of opioids in the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain are proposed based on the author's experience and existing literature. These guidelines are by no means comprehensive, and hopefully in the future, related experts will join forces to develop better guidelines.
Analgesics ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Chronic Pain ; Constipation ; Hand ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Hyperalgesia ; Korea ; Prescriptions ; Respiratory Insufficiency

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pancreatic pseudocyst is a common complication of acute and chronic pancreatitis. Endoscopy ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage includes multiple steps and requires many resources such as a linear echoendoscope and a fluoroscopy room, which may not be available at all medical centers. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EUS-guided pancreatic pseudocyst drainage without fluoroscopy. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 10 patients who had undergone EUS-guided transmural drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst without use of fluoroscopy at the Pusan National University Hospital between January 2009 and December 2016. Drainage was performed via a transgastric approach and one or two 7 Fr double-pigtail stents were inserted. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 100% and the clinical success rate was 80%. In two patients, clinical success was not achieved and additional percutaneous catheter drainage was done. Therefore, pseudocysts in all the patients were treated successfully without surgical drainage. However, there were three adverse events in three patients: bleeding, infection, and stent migration in each respective patient. During the median follow-up period of 36.5 months, there was no recurrence of pseudocysts in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-guided transmural drainage of pseudocyst drainage without use of fluoroscopy is a technically feasible, safe, and effective procedure for the treatment of pancreatic pseudocyst.
Busan ; Catheters ; Drainage ; Endoscopy ; Endosonography ; Fluoroscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Pseudocyst ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: The objective of this multicenter phase II study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of irinotecan and cisplatin combination chemotherapy in metastatic, unresectable esophageal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were treated with irinotecan 65 mg/m² and cisplatin 30 mg/m² on days 1 and 8 of each 21-day treatment cycle. The primary endpoint was response rate, and secondary endpoints were survival, duration of response, initial metabolic response rate, and toxicity. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients with squamous cell histology were enrolled in the study. The median age of the patients was 61 years. The objective response rate of the 20 patients in the perprotocol group was 30.0% (90% confidence interval [CI], 13.2 to 46.9). The median follow-up duration was 10.0 months, and the median progression-free survival and overall survival were 4.5 months (95% CI, 1.6 to 6.2) and 8.8 months (95% CI, 4.7 to 10.5), respectively. Four of 13 patients (30.8%) evaluated showed initial metabolic response. The median duration of response for partial responders was 5.0 months (range, 3.4 to 8.0 months). The following grade 3/4 treatment-related hematologic toxicities were reported: neutropenia (40.7%), anaemia (22.2%), and thrombocytopenia (7.4%). Two patients experienced febrile neutropenia. The most common grade 3/4 non-hematologic toxicities were asthenia (14.8%) and diarrhoea (11.1%). CONCLUSION: Irinotecan and cisplatin combination chemotherapy showed modest anti-tumour activity and manageable toxicity for patients with metastatic, unresectable esophageal cancer.
Asthenia ; Cisplatin* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy, Combination* ; Epithelial Cells ; Esophageal Neoplasms* ; Febrile Neutropenia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Neutropenia ; Thrombocytopenia

Aged ; Antitubercular Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hypothermia ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Tuberculosis ; drug therapy

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was report first case of renal cell carcinoma developed in a worker who worked in an automobile manufacture line which handles trichloroethylene in Korea. CASE PRESENTATION: To clarify the relationship between the onset of renal cell carcinoma in 52-years old male worker and the exposure to trichloroethylene, document studies and work environment measurement were done. Past work environment exposure data were reviewed and medical history and surgery records of the worker were also reviewed. The patient had no personal risk factor related to renal cell carcinoma except for his smoking habit of quarter a pack per day for twenty years, and since trichloroethylene was not part of measurement criteria, past work environment risk assessment data could not verify the exposure. The exposure level is deduced by analyzing material exposure level of work environments which has similar processes in data from revised research of chemical exposure standard and work environment validity assessment. Evaluation Committee of Epidemiologic Survey decided that there are relevant relationship between the exposure and the disease, though we do not have exact data during that period, most experts agree that in every factories they used trichloroethylene without any direction. CONCLUSIONS: From the relevant medical history and the results of the usage of trichloroethylene in the relevant industries, and initial discovery of renal cell carcinoma at health inspection sonogram in 2001, it can be concluded that suggests significant causal relationship between the exposure to trichloroethylene and renal cell carcinoma onset, thus reporting it to be the first domestic case declared to be occupational disease.
Automobiles* ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Trichloroethylene*