Background: It is well known that a large number of patients with diabetes also have dyslipidemia, which significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination drugs consisting of metformin and atorvastatin, widely used as therapeutic agents for diabetes and dyslipidemia. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group and phase III multicenter study included adults with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels >7.0% and <10.0%, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >100 and <250 mg/dL. One hundred eighty-five eligible subjects were randomized to the combination group (metformin+atorvastatin), metformin group (metformin+atorvastatin placebo), and atorvastatin group (atorvastatin+metformin placebo). The primary efficacy endpoints were the percent changes in HbA1c and LDL-C levels from baseline at the end of the treatment. Results: After 16 weeks of treatment compared to baseline, HbA1c showed a significant difference of 0.94% compared to the atorvastatin group in the combination group (0.35% vs. −0.58%, respectively; P<0.0001), whereas the proportion of patients with increased HbA1c was also 62% and 15%, respectively, showing a significant difference (P<0.001). The combination group also showed a significant decrease in LDL-C levels compared to the metformin group (−55.20% vs. −7.69%, P<0.001) without previously unknown adverse drug events. Conclusion The addition of atorvastatin to metformin improved HbA1c and LDL-C levels to a significant extent compared to metformin or atorvastatin alone in diabetes and dyslipidemia patients. This study also suggested metformin’s preventive effect on the glucose-elevating potential of atorvastatin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, insufficiently controlled with exercise and diet. Metformin and atorvastatin combination might be an effective treatment in reducing the CVD risk in patients with both diabetes and dyslipidemia because of its lowering effect on LDL-C and glucose.

Purpose: Although proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA; Synthes, Switzerland) has demonstrated satisfactory results when used for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures, mechanical complications may occur. To better quantify the risk of mechanical complications when proximal femoral nail antirotation is used to treat intertrochanteric fractures, this study aimed to: (1) characterize the frequency of mechanical complications and extent of blade sliding and their correlation with reduction quality and (2) identify factors associated with mechanical complications. Materials and Methods: A review of medical records from 93 patients treated for intertrochanteric fractures with a minimum of 6-months of follow-up between February 2014 and February 2019 was conducted. Blade position was evaluated using Tip-apex distance (TAD) and Cleveland index. The extent of blade sliding was evaluated using the adjusted Doppelt’s method for intramedullary nailing. Individuals were classified as having or not having mechanical complications, and reduction quality and radiologic outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: Mechanical complications occurred in 12 of 94 hips (12.8%), with 11 out of 12 being from the intramedullary reduction group. There was no significant difference in TAD between groups; however, there were significant differences were noted in Cleveland index, AO/OTA classification, reduction quality and extent of blade sliding. The mean blade sliding distance was 1.17 mm (anatomical group), 3.28 mm (extramedullary group), and 6.11 mm (intramedullary group), respectively (P<0.001). Data revealed that blade sliding was an associated factor for mechanical complications (odds ratio 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.51). Conclusion The extent of blade sliding determined using the adjusted Doppelt’s method was significantly associated with mechanical complications suggesting that prevention of excessive sliding through proper intraoperative reduction is important to help achieve satisfactory treatment outcomes.

Femoral head fractures combined with hip dislocation are very rare injuries. In most cases, they result from high-energy trauma to the hip or lower extremity during traffic accidents. Various therapy options have been suggested to treat these injuries. Especially, different joint-preserving surgical options have been described for the treatment of traumatic osteochondral injury of the femoral head in young, active patients. In this report, we present a case that a traumatic osteochondral lesion to the femoral head after hip dislocation was treated with osteochondral autografts (OATS) from the non-weight-bearing area of the ipsilateral inferior femoral head through a surgical hip dislocation. After 1 year, the clinical and radiological outcome was satisfactory with no evidence of posttraumatic osteoarthritis and no pain of patients.

Objective: To determine the factors affecting the amount of weight-bearing during gait training in the elderly patients who underwent internal fixation after femur or pelvic fractures and how well they performed the weight-bearing restriction as directed by the physiatrist. Methods: In this retrospective chart review study, we measured the amount of weight-bearing on the affected side in 50 patients undergoing internal fixation surgery and rehabilitation after femur or pelvic fracture using a force plate. Patients receiving non-weight-bearing or partial weight-bearing education were considered to perform weight-bearing restriction well when the amount of weight-bearing was <50 lb. Furthermore, regression analysis was performed to determine the effects of postoperative complications, age, cognitive function, and pain on weightbearing restriction. Results: Variables affecting the amount of weight-bearing were age (r=0.581, p<0.001), weight-bearing education type (r=0.671, p<0.001), manual muscle strength of hip flexion on the non-affected side (r=-0.296, p=0.037), hip abduction (r=-0.326, p=0.021), knee extension (r=-0.374, p=0.007), ankle plantar flexion (r=-0.374, p=0.008), right hand grip strength (r=-0.535, p<0.001), Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (r=-0.496, p<0.001), Clinical Dementia Rating (r=0.308, p=0.03), and pain visual analog scale scores (r=0.318, p=0.024). The significant predictor of the amount of weight-bearing among these variables was age (β=0.448, p=0.001). The weight-bearing restriction adherence rate was significantly lower, at 22%, for patients aged ≥65 years as compared to 73% for those <65 years. Conclusion Age was a major variable affecting the amount of weight-bearing. Compliance with weight-bearing restriction was significantly lower in patients aged ≥65 years than in patients <65 years.

Background: The fatality rate of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) varies among countries owing to demographics, patient comorbidities, surge capacity of healthcare systems, and the quality of medical care. We assessed the clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 during the first wave of the epidemic in Korea. Methods: Using a modified World Health Organization clinical record form, we obtained clinical data for 3,060 patients with COVID-19 treated at 55 hospitals in Korea. Disease severity scores were defined as: 1) no limitation of daily activities; 2) limitation of daily activities but no need for supplemental oxygen; 3) supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula; 4) supplemental oxygen via facial mask; 5) non-invasive mechanical ventilation; 6) invasive mechanical ventilation; 7) multi-organ failure or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy; and 8) death. Recovery was defined as a severity score of 1 or 2, or discharge and release from isolation. Results: The median age of the patients was 43 years of age; 43.6% were male. The median time from illness onset to admission was 5 days. Of the patients with a disease severity score of 3–4 on admission, 65 (71.5%) of the 91 patients recovered, and 7 (7.7%) died due to illness by day 28. Of the patients with disease severity scores of 5–7, 7 (19.5%) of the 36 patients recovered, and 8 (22.2%) died due to illness by day 28. None of the 1,324 patients who were < 50 years of age died; in contrast, the fatality rate due to illness by day 28 was 0.5% (2/375), 0.9% (2/215), 5.8% (6/104), and 14.0% (7/50) for the patients aged 50–59, 60–69, 70–79, and ≥ 80 years of age, respectively. Conclusion In Korea, almost all patients of < 50 years of age with COVID-19 recovered without supplemental oxygen. In patients of ≥ 50 years of age, the fatality rate increased with age, reaching 14% in patients of ≥ 80 years of age.

In the 1960s, Sir John Charnley introduced to clinical practice his concept of low-friction total hip arthroplasty (THA). Although early designs were plagued by poor performance and even failure, there have been steady advances in implant designs, biomaterials, surgical techniques and an understanding of the biomechanical restoration of the hip; these advances have contributed to improvements in implant survival and clinical outcomes of THA in the past three decades. With improved wear resistance and mechanical reliability, a potential to last for at least 25 to 30 years are now available for THA. In this review, we focus on the evolution of THA and review current controversies and future directions of this procedure based on a single surgeon's 29-year of experience at a single institution.
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Biocompatible Materials ; Hip

PURPOSE: This study was performed to compare between open reduction/internal fixation (ORIF) and minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) using a 3-dimensional printing model for displaced clavicular fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, we compared the outcomes of 21 patients treated with MIPO (Group A) with those of 22 patients treated with ORIF (Group B) between January 2013 and December 2015. After the operation, bone union was evaluated using X-ray every 4 weeks. The radiologic outcome (bone union), functional outcome (Korean shoulder scale [KSS], The University of California Los Angeles [UCLA] score), scar length, and degree of satisfaction were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean time to union was 12.1 weeks in Group A and 12.8 weeks in Group B (p=0.524). There was no significant difference in the KSS score and UCLA score between the two groups (p=0.478, p=0.698). The mean length of scar was 4.9 cm (medial 2.6 cm, lateral 2.3 cm) in Group A and 9.7 cm in Group B (p=0.001), and Group A was more satisfied than Group B with respect to scarring (p=0.001). Nonunion developed in one case in each group. Five patients in Group B had skin numbness (1 in Group A, p=0.038). CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in the radiologic and functional results between the two groups with respect to displaced clavicle shaft fracture. However, scar satisfaction was higher in MIPO than in ORIF.
Bone Plates ; California ; Cicatrix ; Clavicle ; Fracture Fixation ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Printing, Three-Dimensional* ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoulder ; Skin

BACKGROUND: The role of antidepressants (ADs) in bipolar disorder is long-standing controversial issue in psychiatry. Many clinicians have used ADs as a treatment for bipolar depression, and the selection of therapeutic agents is very diverse and inconsistent. This study aimed to examine recent AD prescription patterns for patients with bipolar disorder in Korea, using the nationwide, population-based data. METHODS: This study utilized the Korean nationwide, whole population-based registry data of the year 2010, 2011, and 2013. All prescription data of the ADs, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers of the sampled patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder (n = 2,022 [in 2010]; 2,038 [in 2011]; 2,626 [in 2013]) were analyzed for each year. RESULTS: Annual prescription rate of ADs was 27.3%–33.6% in bipolar disorder, which was gradually increasing over the 3-year period. The combination pattern of ADs and antipsychotic drugs tended to increase over 3 years. The proportion of females and the prevalence of comorbid anxiety disorder were significantly higher in AD user group in all three years. Among individual ADs, escitalopram was prescribed most frequently, and fluoxetine and bupropion were prescribed to the next many patients. The mean duration of bipolar depressive episodes was 135.90–152.53 days, of which ADs were prescribed for 115.60–121.98 days. CONCLUSION: Our results show prescription rate of ADs in bipolar disorder was maintained at substantial level and increased in recent 3 years. More empirical data and evidence are needed to establish practical treatment consensuses.
Antidepressive Agents ; Antipsychotic Agents ; Anxiety Disorders ; Bipolar Disorder* ; Bupropion ; Citalopram ; Consensus ; Female ; Fluoxetine ; Humans ; Korea* ; Prescriptions* ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this ex vivo study was to compare the antifungal activity of a synthetic peptide consisting of 15 amino acids at the C-terminus of human β-defensin 3 (HBD3-C15) with calcium hydroxide (CH) and Nystatin (Nys) against Candida albicans (C. albicans) biofilm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C. albicans were grown on cover glass bottom dishes or human dentin disks for 48 hr, and then treated with HBD3-C15 (0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 300 µg/mL), CH (100 µg/mL), and Nys (20 µg/mL) for 7 days at 37℃. On cover glass, live and dead cells in the biomass were measured by the FilmTracer Biofilm viability assay, and observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). On dentin, normal, diminished and ruptured cells were observed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The results were subjected to a two-tailed t-test, a one way analysis variance and a post hoc test at a significance level of p = 0.05. RESULTS: C. albicans survival on dentin was inhibited by HBD3-C15 in a dose-dependent manner. There were fewer aggregations of C. albicans in the groups of Nys and HBD3-C15 (≥ 100 µg/mL). CLSM showed C. albicans survival was reduced by HBD3-C15 in a dose dependent manner. Nys and HBD3-C15 (≥ 100 µg/mL) showed significant fungicidal activity compared to CH group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Synthetic HBD3-C15 peptide (≥ 100 µg/mL) and Nys exhibited significantly higher antifungal activity than CH against C. albicans by inhibiting cell survival and biofilm.
Amino Acids ; Biofilms ; Biomass ; Calcium Hydroxide ; Candida albicans ; Cell Survival ; Dentin ; Glass ; Humans* ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Nystatin

Pnuemocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is one of leading causes of acute respiratory failure in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the mortality rate remains high in mechanically ventilated HIV patients with PJP. There are several reported cases who received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment for respiratory failure associated with severe PJP in HIV-infected patients. We report a patient who was newly diagnosed with HIV and PJP whose condition worsened after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) initiation and progressed to acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring veno-venous ECMO. The patient recovered from PJP and is undergoing treatment with HAART. ECMO support can be an effective life-saving salvage therapy for acute respiratory failure refractory to mechanical ventilation following HAART in HIV-infected patients with severe PJP.
Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active* ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* ; HIV ; Humans ; Mortality ; Pneumocystis jirovecii* ; Pneumocystis* ; Pneumonia* ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult* ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Salvage Therapy