Purpose: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common hematologic malignancy worldwide. Although substantial improvement has been achieved by the frontline rituximab-based chemoimmunotherapy, up to 40%-50% of patients will eventually have relapsed or refractory disease, whose prognosis is extremely dismal. Materials and Methods: We have carried out two prospective cohort studies that include over 1,500 DLBCL patients treated with rituximab plus CHOP (#NCT01202448 and #NCT02474550). In the current report, we describe the outcomes of refractory DLBCL patients. Patients were defined to have refractory DLBCL if they met one of the followings, not achieving at least partial response after 4 or more cycles of R-CHOP; not achieving at least partial response after 2 or more cycles of salvage therapy; progressive disease within 12 months after autologous stem cell transplantation. Results: Among 1,581 patients, a total of 260 patients met the criteria for the refractory disease after a median time to progression of 9.1 months. The objective response rate of salvage treatment was 26.4%, and the complete response rate was 9.6%. The median overall survival (OS) was 7.5 months (95% confidence interval, 6.4 to 8.6), and the 2-year survival rate was 22.1%±2.8%. The median OS for each refractory category was not significantly different (p=0.529). Conclusion In line with the previous studies, the outcomes of refractory DLBCL patients were extremely poor, which necessitates novel approaches for this population.

Purpose: Febrile neutropenia (FN) can cause suboptimal treatment and treatment-related mortality (TRM) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP). Materials and methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study to evaluate the effectiveness of pegfilgrastim prophylaxis in DLBCL patients receiving R-CHOP, and we compared them with the PROCESS cohort (n=485). Results: Since January 2015, 986 patients with DLBCL were enrolled. Pegfilgrastim was administered at least once in 930 patients (94.3%), covering 90.3% of all cycles. FN developed in 137 patients (13.9%) in this cohort (23.7% in the PROCESS cohort, p<0.001), and 4.2% of all cycles (10.2% in the PROCESS cohort, p<0.001). Dose delay was less common (≥3 days: 18.1% vs. 23.7%, p=0.015; ≥5 days: 12.0% vs. 18.3%, p=0.023) in this cohort than in the PROCESS cohort. The incidence of TRM (3.2% vs. 5.6%, p=0.047) and infection-related death (1.8% vs. 4.5%, p=0.004) was lower in this cohort than in the PROCESS cohort. The 4-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates of the two cohorts were not different (OS: 73.0% vs. 71.9%, p=0.545; PFS: 69.5% vs. 68.8%, p=0.616). However, in patients aged ≥75 years, the 4-year OS and PFS rates were higher in this cohort than in the PROCESS cohort (OS: 49.6% vs. 33.7%, p=0.032; PFS: 44.2% vs. 30.3% p=0.047). Conclusion Pegfilgrastim prophylaxis is effective in the prevention of FN and infection-related death in DLBCL patients receiving R-CHOP, and it also improves OS in patients aged ≥75 years.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations of frailty with perceived neighborhood walkability and environmental pollution among community-dwelling older adults in rural areas. METHODS: The participants were 808 community-dwelling men and women aged 65 years and older in 2 rural towns. Comprehensive information, including demographics, socioeconomic status, grip strength, polypharmacy, perceived neighborhood environment (specifically, walkability and environmental pollution), and frailty, was collected from participants using face-to-face interviews conducted between June and August 2018. Perceived neighborhood walkability was measured using 20 items that were selected and revised from the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale, the Neighborhood Walkability Checklist from the National Heart Foundation of Australia, and the Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Survey. The Kaigo-Yobo Checklist was used to assess participants’ frailty. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of frailty in this community-dwelling population was 35.5%. Sex, age, cohabitation status, educational attainment, employment status, grip strength, and polypharmacy were significantly associated with frailty. In the logistic regression analysis, frailty was associated with low perceived neighborhood walkability (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.881; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.833 to 0.932; p<0.001) and severe perceived neighborhood environmental pollution (aOR, 1.052; 95% CI, 1.017 to 1.087; p=0.003) after adjusting for sex, age, cohabitation status, educational attainment, employment status, monthly income, grip strength, and polypharmacy. CONCLUSIONS More studies are warranted to establish causal relationships between walkability and environmental pollution and frailty.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the tooth bleaching effect of two whitening materials in toothpaste i.e., hydroxyapatite and hydrogen peroxide on. In a randomized, double blinded controlled clinical trial, 85 participants with tooth colorations were assigned to use one of three toothpastes containing either hydroxyapatite (0.25%), hydrogen peroxide (0.75%), or no active ingredient (placebo). The patients were examined at baseline and 1, 2, and 3 months after usage. METHODS: The patients underwent an oral examination, tooth shade measurement, and a subjective evaluation. During the oral examination, the patient's oral health status was determined. ShadeEye NCC and Vita classical shade guide were used to determine the tooth color. Further, the patients were asked to assess the color of their own teeth using a visual analog scale (VAS) scale (range, 1-5). RESULTS: According to the CIELAB system, a significantly greater color change (Deltab*) was observed in the hydrogen peroxide group (2.10+/-1.54) than in the hydroxyapatite (1.50+/-1.09) and control (0.94+/-0.75) groups after 3 months of toothpaste usage (P<0.002). The DeltaE*color change was not statistically significant among the 3 groups at each time point (P>0.05). The subjective evaluation results of the hydroxyapatite (P=0.023) and hydrogen peroxide (P=0.047) groups were statistically significant at each time point. CONCLUSIONS: The hydrogen peroxide-containing toothpaste caused significant lightening of tooth coloration than the hydroxyapatite and placebo toothpastes.
Diagnosis, Oral ; Durapatite* ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide* ; Hydrogen* ; Oral Health ; Tooth ; Tooth Bleaching ; Toothpastes* ; Visual Analog Scale

Coombs' negative autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare disease which shares similar clinical and hematological features with Coombs' positive AIHA, but its exact frequency remains unknown. There have been few reports of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and Coombs' negative AIHA associated with other lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs). Since there is a well known association between LPDs and autoimmune phenomena, it is important to investigate the possibility of an underlying malignancy. We report a case of ITP and Coombs' negative AIHA associated with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Anemia, Hemolytic ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune ; Coombs Test ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; Rare Diseases

BACKGROUND: Small proportions of all the elderly stroke patients receive recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) therapy, although old age is not a proven contraindication to intravenous thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke. The purpose of this study was to identify reasons for exclusion from r-tPA therapy and factors associated with the decision of r-tPA use in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: From the acute stroke registries of 22 domestic university hospitals taking the r-tPA therapy from January 2007 to May 2010, we extracted data of all acute ischemic stroke patients who were aged 80 or over and arrived within onset 3 hours. For all patients, we assessed the eligibility of r-tPA therapy using National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) r-tPA trial criteria. For eligible patients, we compared all clinical variables between patients who were treated with r-tPA and those who were not, and analyzed potential factors related to the decision of r-tPA use. RESULTS: A total of 494 patients were included in this study. 255 patients (51.6%) were excluded by NINDS r-tPA trial criteria and the major reasons for exclusion were minor neurological deficit (53.7%) and clinical improvement (17.3%). Among 239 patients who were eligible for r-tPA, 162 (32.8%) patients received r-tPA and 77 (15.6%) did not. Multivariable analysis showed that younger age, shorter time-delay from onset to admission, non-smoker, no history of prior stroke, good pre-stroke functional status and severe initial neurological deficit were independently associated with the decision of r-tPA use in the elderly stroke patients predictors for r-tPA treatment. CONCLUSION: In very elderly patients, mild neurological deficit on arrival and rapid clinical improvement in neurological symptoms were the main reasons for exclusion from thrombolytic therapy.
Aged ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ; Registries ; Stroke ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator

Background: DNA prevalence and type distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) varies geographically. We investigated HPV prevalence and type distribution in Korean women using the MyHPV DNA chip testing. Methods: A total of 2,368 women from five regions of the country underwent Pap smear examination and MyHPV chip testing. Results: Overall HPV positivity was 15.8% and 78.4% in women with normal and abnormal cytology, respectively. High-risk HPV infection was strongly correlated with cytological atypia. In women with abnormal cytology, the five most common HPV types were 16, 58, 18, 52, and 56/53, and HPV16 was significantly the most common type in most geographical regions. After HPV16, HPV58, and 52 were the next most frequently detected types. Women with normal cytology, in contrast, showed heterogeneity in HPV type distribution. High-grade intraepithelial lesions infected with HPV16, 18, 31 or 45 are more likely to progress to carcinoma. Conclusions: The HPV chip test can provide useful data regarding HPV positivity and type. The most common HPV type in Korean women with abnormal cytology is HPV16, with HPV58 and 52 being frequently present. Our data may have important implications for vaccination programs and the development of cervical screening.
Cervix Uteri ; DNA ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Population Characteristics ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea ; Vaccination ; Vaginal Smears

PURPOSE: The incidence of cancer incidence and the rate of mortality are increasing in Korea. Specifically, colorectal cancer in men is one of the most sharply increasing malignancies. The objective of this study was to assess the direct costs for colorectal cancer patients and to identify the factors that influence cancer costs. METHODS: The direct costs of colorectal cancer were examined with a prospective group study at a hospital. The direct costs were assessed every 3 months over a 24-month period through patient interviews, medical records, and claims data. We identified the major factors associated with the cost of colorectal cancer by using a general linear model for the log-transformed data. RESULTS: The group was comprised of 100 patients with colon cancer and 120 patients with rectal cancer. The average costs per patient during the first and the second years after diagnosis were 16,280,000 won and 5,786,000 won respectively. Medical costs accounted for about 68% (11,090,000 won) of the first year's total cost and about 62% (3,602,000 won) of the second year's total cost. National Health Insurance (NHI) paid approximately 50% of the total medical cost. The total cost of colorectal cancer was clearly associated with the stage of the disease at first diagnosis, the cancer site, therapeutic modalities, and recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that colorectal cancer has a heavy financial impact on cancer patients. The total cost of colorectal cancer is clearly associated with the stage of the disease at first diagnosis. Increased efforts in terms of prevention and early detection may assist in reducing the costs.
Cohort Studies ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Linear Models ; Medical Records ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 ; National Health Programs ; Prospective Studies ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Recurrence

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of relating factors on the nutrient intakes in elderly people aged over 85 years residing Namhae Kyungnam. The subject of this study was composed of 24 males and 76 females, the average age being 88.9+/-4.0 years old. The consumption of energy and most other nutrients was higher in females than males. There were significant positive correlations the education level, pocket money, self-perception of health and happiness, frequency and regularity of meal with nutrient intakes in elderly males and females. The smoking was negatively correlated with protein and niacin intakes(p<0.05). The alcohol drinking and sleeping hours were not significantly correlated with nutrient intakes.
Aged* ; Alcohol Drinking ; Education ; Female ; Gyeongsangnam-do ; Happiness ; Humans ; Male ; Meals ; Niacin ; Self Concept ; Smoke ; Smoking

Granular cell tumors are uncommon soft tissue tumors which arise as solitary or multiple masses. Lesionscommonly arise in the head, neck, and chest wall, but can occur in any part of the body. To our knowledge,periurethral granular cell tumor has not been previously reported. We report one such case.
Granular Cell Tumor* ; Head ; Neck ; Thoracic Wall