This report presents the latest statistics on the stroke population in South Korea, sourced from the Clinical Research Collaborations for Stroke in Korea-National Institute for Health (CRCS-K-NIH), a comprehensive, nationwide, multicenter stroke registry. The Korean cohort, unlike western populations, shows a male-to-female ratio of 1.5, attributed to lower risk factors in Korean women. The average ages for men and women are 67 and 73 years, respectively.Hypertension is the most common risk factor (67%), consistent with global trends, but there is a higher prevalence of diabetes (35%) and smoking (21%). The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (19%) is lower than in western populations, suggesting effective prevention strategies in the general population. A high incidence of large artery atherosclerosis (38%) is observed, likely due to prevalent intracranial arterial disease in East Asians and advanced imaging techniques.There has been a decrease in intravenous thrombolysis rates, from 12% in 2017–2019 to 10% in 2021, with no improvements in door-to-needle and door-to-puncture times, worsened by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. While the use of aspirin plus clopidogrel for noncardioembolic stroke and direct oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation is well-established, the application of direct oral anticoagulants for non-atrial fibrillation cardioembolic strokes in the acute phase requires further research. The incidence of early neurological deterioration (13%) and the cumulative incidence of recurrent stroke at 3 months (3%) align with global figures. Favorable outcomes at 3 months (63%) are comparable internationally, yet the lack of improvement in dependency at 3 months highlights the need for advancements in acute stroke care.

Objectives: . This study was conducted to evaluate the user satisfaction, efficacy, and safety of round window (RW) vibroplasty using the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) in patients with persistent mixed hearing loss after mastoidectomy. Methods: . The study included 27 patients (mean age, 58.7 years; age range, 28–76 years; 11 men and 16 women) with mixed hearing loss after mastoidectomy from 15 tertiary referral centers in Korea. The VSB was implanted at the RW. The Korean translation of the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire and the Korean version of the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (K-IOI-HA) questionnaire were used to evaluate user satisfaction as the primary outcome. The secondary outcome measures were audiological test results and complication rates. Results: . The mean scores for ease of communication (61.3% to 29.7% to 30.2%), reverberation (62.1% to 43.1% to 37.4%), and background noise (63.3% to 37.7% to 34.3%) subscales of the APHAB questionnaire significantly decreased after VSB surgery. The mean K-IOI-HA scores at 3 and 6 months after surgery were significantly higher than the mean preoperative score (18.6 to 27.2 to 28.1). The postoperative VSB-aided thresholds were significantly lower than the preoperative unaided and hearing aid (HA)-aided thresholds. There was no significant difference between preoperative unaided, preoperative HA-aided, and postoperative VSB-aided maximum phonetically balanced word-recognition scores. None of the 27 patients experienced a change in postoperative bone conduction pure tone average. One patient developed temporary facial palsy and two developed surgical wound infections. Conclusion . RW vibroplasty resulted in improved satisfaction and audiological test results in patients with mixed hearing loss after mastoidectomy, and the complication rate was tolerable.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This nationwide, multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of 10-day concomitant therapy (CT) and 10-day sequential therapy (ST) with 7-day clarithromycin-containing triple therapy (TT) as first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection in the Korean population. METHODS: Patients with H. pylori infection were assigned randomly to 7d-TT (lansoprazole 30 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, and clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily for 7 days), 10d-ST (lansoprazole 30 mg and amoxicillin 1 g twice daily for the first 5 days, followed by lansoprazole 30 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, and metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for the remaining 5 days), or 10d-CT (lansoprazole 30 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, clarithromycin 500 mg, and metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for 10 days). The primary endpoint was eradication rate by intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1,141 patients were included. The 10d-CT protocol achieved a markedly higher eradication rate than the 7d-TT protocol in both the ITT (81.2% vs 63.9%) and PP analyses (90.6% vs 71.4%). The eradication rate of the 10d-ST protocol was superior to that of the 7d-TT protocol (76.3% vs 63.9%, ITT analysis; 85.0% vs 71.4%, PP analysis). No significant differences in adherence or serious side effects were found among the three treatment arms. CONCLUSIONS: The 10d-CT and 10d-ST regimens were superior to the 7d-TT regimen as standard first-line treatment in Korea.
Amoxicillin ; Arm ; Clarithromycin ; Disease Eradication ; Helicobacter pylori ; Helicobacter ; Humans ; Korea ; Lansoprazole ; Metronidazole ; Prospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Patients who survive an acute phase of stroke are at risk of falls and fractures afterwards. However, it is largely unknown how frequent fractures occur in the Asian stroke population. METHODS: Patients with acute (< 7 days) ischemic stroke who were hospitalized between January 2011 and November 2013 were identified from a prospective multicenter stroke registry in Korea, and were linked to the National Health Insurance Service claim database. The incidences of fractures were investigated during the first 4 years after index stroke. The cumulative incidence functions (CIFs) were estimated by the Gray's test for competing risk data. Fine and Gray model for competing risk data was applied for exploring risk factors of post-stroke fractures. RESULTS: Among a total of 11,522 patients, 1,616 fracture events were identified: 712 spine fractures, 397 hip fractures and 714 other fractures. The CIFs of any fractures were 2.63% at 6 months, 4.43% at 1 year, 8.09% at 2 years and 13.00% at 4 years. Those of spine/hip fractures were 1.11%/0.61%, 1.88%/1.03%, 3.28%/1.86% and 5.79%/3.15%, respectively. Age by a 10-year increment (hazard ratio [HR], 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17–1.30), women (HR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.54–1.97), previous fracture (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.54–1.92) and osteoporosis (HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.27–1.63) were independent risk factors of post-stroke fracture. CONCLUSION: The CIFs of fractures are about 8% at 2 years and 13% at 4 years after acute ischemic stroke in Korea. Older age, women, pre-stroke fracture and osteoporosis raised the risk of post-stroke fractures.
Accidental Falls ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Hip Fractures ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; National Health Programs ; Osteoporosis ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Spine ; Stroke

Gliosarcoma (GS) is a rare variant (2%) of glioblastoma (GBM) that poses clinical genomic challenges because of its poor prognosis and limited genomic information. To gain a comprehensive view of the genomic alterations in GS and to understand the molecular etiology of GS, we applied whole-exome sequencing analyses for 28 GS cases (6 blood-matched fresh-frozen tissues for the discovery set, 22 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues for the validation set) and copy-number variation microarrays for 5 blood-matched fresh-frozen tissues. TP53 mutations were more prevalent in the GS cases (20/28, 70%) compared to the GBM cases (29/90, 32%), and the GS patients with TP53 mutations showed a significantly shorter survival (multivariate Cox analysis, hazard ratio=23.9, 95% confidence interval, 2.87–199.63, P=0.003). A pathway analysis showed recurrent alterations in MAPK signaling (EGFR, RASGRF2 and TP53), phosphatidylinositol/calcium signaling (CACNA1s, PLCs and ITPRs) and focal adhesion/tight junction (PTEN and PAK3) pathways. Genomic profiling of the matched recurrent GS cases detected the occurrence of TP53 mutations in two recurrent GS cases, which suggests that TP53 mutations play a role in treatment resistance. Functionally, we found that TP53 mutations are associated with the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process of sarcomatous components of GS. We provide the first comprehensive genome-wide genetic alternation profiling of GS, which suggests novel prognostic subgroups in GS patients based on their TP53 mutation status and provides new insight in the pathogenesis and targeted treatment of GS.
Glioblastoma ; Gliosarcoma* ; Humans ; Prevalence* ; Prognosis

Swelling is a body's natural reaction to foot and ankle injury to mount a healing inflammatory response. To some degree, swelling is necessary for healing and is something that cannot be avoided following injury. However, post-traumatic swelling may have an adverse effect on wound healing and surgery can often be delayed due to preoperative swelling. We report on a unique technique of making multiple meshed stab incisions around the site of injury to reduce soft tissue swelling and promote wound healing.
Ankle Injuries* ; Foot* ; Wound Healing

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the number of distal locking screws affected the final radiologic results after volar plate fixation for distal radius fractures. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 176 patients (male, 36; female, 140; average, 60 years) who had distal radius fractures treated with open reduction and volar plate fixation between 2011 and 2012. The number of screws used for distal fixation was determined according to the surgeon's preference and the type of plate used. Radiologic parameters and their displacements were measured postoperatively and at final follow-up. The results of using 4 or 5 distal locking screws were compared with those of using more than 6 distal locking screws. RESULTS: There was no significant displacement in fracture fragment when using 4 or 5 distal locking screws compared with using more than 6 distal locking screws. Mean displacement in ulnar variance was 0.6 mm in group with less than 5 screws, and the displacement was 0.4 mm in group with more than 6 screws (p=0.772). Secondary displacement was not correlated with fracture type or the number of distal locking screws. There was no fixation failure during the study period. CONCLUSION: It seems that 4 or 5 distal locking screws are strong enough to prevent a significant loss of fracture reduction. Filling every distal screw hole is not recommended to limit cost and avoid extensor tendon complications.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Radius Fractures* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tendons ; Palmar Plate*

PURPOSE: Although laparoscopic appendectomies (LAs) are performed universally, a controversy still exists whether the LA is an appropriate surgical approach to complicated appendicitis (CA). We retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of laparoscopic versus open appendectomies for CA. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 60 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as having CA from July 2009 to January 2011. Outcomes such as operative time, time to soft diet, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in operative time between the LA and the open appendectomy (OA) groups. Return to soft diet was faster in the LA group (2.1 +/- 1.2 vs. 3.5 +/- 1.5 days; P = 0.001). Length of hospital stay was shorter for the LA group (4.4 +/- 2.3 vs. 5.8 +/- 2.9 days; P = 0.045). The overall complication rates showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. In cases involving a periappendiceal abscess, the LA had a significantly higher incidence of intra-abdominal abscess (IAA) and postoperative ileus (PI; P = 0.028). CONCLUSION: The LA showed good results in terms of the time to soft diet, the length of hospital stay, and surgical site infection (SSI) whereas the overall complication rates were similar for the two groups. However, the LA was associated with significantly higher incidence of IAA and PI for the cases with a periappendiceal abscess. Therefore, when using a LA, the surgeon must take great care to minimize the incidence of IAA and PI if a periappendiceal abscess is present.
Abdominal Abscess ; Abscess ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis ; Diet ; Humans ; Ileus ; Incidence ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Clodronate liposomes deplete phagocytic cells, thereby suppressing inflammation after vascular injury. We compared the effect of clodronate liposomes on macrophage depletion and neointimal formation in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice [ApoE (-) mice]. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ApoE (-) mice were randomly assigned to the clodronate liposomes group (Clodronate Group, n=7) and the vehicle liposomes group (Control Group, n=7). Clodronate (0.1 mL/10 g) was injected via the tail vein starting 2 days (d-2) before left common carotid artery injury. RESULTS: The percentage of blood monocytes was subsequently decreased after clodronate injection (14.0+/-7.4% at baseline, 6.8+/-4.9% at 24 hours and 0.7+/-0.3% at 1 week after the clodronate liposome injection). The percentage of macrophages in the plaque area was significantly lower in the clodronate group at week 2 (32.0+/-6.5 vs. 68.7+/-7.6%, respectively, p<0.05) and at week 4 (37.3+/-8.5 vs. 62.6+/-9.4%, respectively, p<0.05). The interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha concentrations were significantly decreased in the clodronate group at week 4 (12.3+/-2.5 vs. 22.9+/-3.5 pg/mL, respectively, p<0.05 for IL-6 and 16.6+/-2.2 vs. 43.6+/-6.1 pg/mL, respectively, p<0.05 for TNF-alpha). The plaque volume was significantly greater in the control group at week 2 (0.345+/-0.063 vs. 0.153+/-0.053 mm2, respectively, p<0.05) and at week 4 (0.320+/-0.027 vs. 0.167+/-0.070 mm2, respectively, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Intravenous administration of clodronate liposomes depleted monocytes and macrophages, and so this reduced the inflammatory markers and neointimal formation in ApoE (-) mice.
Administration, Intravenous ; Animals ; Apolipoproteins ; Apolipoproteins E ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery Injuries ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Clodronic Acid ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Liposomes ; Macrophages ; Mice ; Monocytes ; Phagocytes ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Vascular System Injuries ; Veins

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic self expandable metallic stent (SEMS) has become the palliative treatment of choice for inoperable malignant esophageal stricture. However, covered and uncovered stents carry limitations such as stent migration and tumor ingrowth, respectively. A double esophageal stent has been developed to overcome these problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of double esophageal stent (outer uncovered stent and inner covered stent) for palliation of malignant esophageal stricture. METHODS: Between February 2001 and November 2006, 32 patients with malignant esophageal stricture were treated with double esophageal stents. The patients were retrospectively assessed for the technical outcome, the clinical outcome and the complications of the process. RESULTS: Stent implantation was successful in all 32 patients (100%). The dysphasia score significantly improved from a mean of 3.22 to 1.63 (p<0.001) for all 32 patients. Eight patients had recurrent dysphagia due to stent overgrowth (6/32, 18%), stent migration (1/32, 3%) and tumor ingrowth (1/32, 3%). Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux occurred in six patients (18%). Aspiration pneumonia occurred in two patients (6%). CONCLUSIONS: Double esophageal stent is effective for symptomatic relief of malignant esophageal stricture. It seems to reduce tumor ingrowth and stent migration, but it has limitations such as tumor overgrowth and GERD.
Aphasia ; Deglutition Disorders ; Esophageal Stenosis* ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Palliative Care ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents*