1.Development of a Machine LearningPowered Optimized Lung Allocation System for Maximum Benefits in Lung Transplantation: A Korean National Data
Mihyang HA ; Woo Hyun CHO ; Min Wook SO ; Daesup LEE ; Yun Hak KIM ; Hye Ju YEO
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(7):e18-
Background:
An ideal lung allocation system should reduce waiting list deaths, improve transplant survival, and ensure equitable organ allocation. This study aimed to develop a novel lung allocation score (LAS) system, the MaxBenefit LAS, to maximize transplant benefits.
Methods:
This study retrospectively analyzed data from the Korean Network for Organ Sharing database, including 1,599 lung transplant candidates between September 2009 and December 2020. We developed the MaxBenefit LAS, combining a waitlist mortality model and a post-transplant survival model using elastic-net Cox regression, was assessed using area under the curve (AUC) values and Uno’s C-index. Its performance was compared to the US LAS in an independent cohort.
Results:
The waitlist mortality model showed strong predictive performance with AUC values of 0.834 and 0.818 in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The post-transplant survival model also demonstrated good predictive ability (AUC: 0.708 and 0.685). The MaxBenefit LAS effectively stratified patients by risk, with higher scores correlating with increased waitlist mortality and decreased post-transplant mortality. The MaxBenefit LAS outperformed the conventional LAS in predicting waitlist death and identifying candidates with higher transplant benefits.
Conclusion
The MaxBenefit LAS offers a promising approach to optimizing lung allocation by balancing the urgency of candidates with their likelihood of survival post-transplant. This novel system has the potential to improve outcomes for lung transplant recipients and reduce waitlist mortality, providing a more equitable allocation of donor lungs.
2.Gaps and Similarities in Research Use LOINC Codes Utilized in Korean University Hospitals: Towards Semantic Interoperability for Patient Care
Kuenyoul PARK ; Min-Sun KIM ; YeJin OH ; John Hoon RIM ; Shinae YU ; Hyejin RYU ; Eun-Jung CHO ; Kyunghoon LEE ; Ha Nui KIM ; Inha CHUN ; AeKyung KWON ; Sollip KIM ; Jae-Woo CHUNG ; Hyojin CHAE ; Ji Seon OH ; Hyung-Doo PARK ; Mira KANG ; Yeo-Min YUN ; Jong-Baeck LIM ; Young Kyung LEE ; Sail CHUN
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(1):e4-
Background:
The accuracy of Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) mappings is reportedly low, and the LOINC codes used for research purposes in Korea have not been validated for accuracy or usability. Our study aimed to evaluate the discrepancies and similarities in interoperability using existing LOINC mappings in actual patient care settings.
Methods:
We collected data on local test codes and their corresponding LOINC mappings from seven university hospitals. Our analysis focused on laboratory tests that are frequently requested, excluding clinical microbiology and molecular tests. Codes from nationwide proficiency tests served as intermediary benchmarks for comparison. A research team, comprising clinical pathologists and terminology experts, utilized the LOINC manual to reach a consensus on determining the most suitable LOINC codes.
Results:
A total of 235 LOINC codes were designated as optimal codes for 162 frequent tests.Among these, 51 test items, including 34 urine tests, required multiple optimal LOINC codes, primarily due to unnoted properties such as whether the test was quantitative or qualitative, or differences in measurement units. We analyzed 962 LOINC codes linked to 162 tests across seven institutions, discovering that 792 (82.3%) of these codes were consistent. Inconsistencies were most common in the analyte component (38 inconsistencies, 33.3%), followed by the method (33 inconsistencies, 28.9%), and properties (13 inconsistencies, 11.4%).
Conclusion
This study reveals a significant inconsistency rate of over 15% in LOINC mappings utilized for research purposes in university hospitals, underlining the necessity for expert verification to enhance interoperability in real patient care.
3.Global Burden of Vaccine-Associated Cerebrovascular Venous Sinus Thrombosis, 1968–2024: A Critical Analysis From the WHO Global Pharmacovigilance Database
Jaehyeong CHO ; Hyesu JO ; Hyunjee KIM ; Jaeyu PARK ; Damiano PIZZOL ; Min Seo KIM ; Ho Geol WOO ; Dong Keon YON
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(11):e101-
Despite widespread coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine use, research on the association between vaccines and cerebrovascular venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) in diverse populations is limited. This study aimed to address this gap. Data from the World Health Organization pharmacovigilance database (1968–2024; total reports = 8,909,484) were used.Reporting odds ratios (RORs) and information components (ICs) were calculated to assess the association between each drug and CVST. In total, 851 cases were identified as vaccineassociated CVST, of which 527 (61.93%) occurred in female patients. Only Ad5-vectored COVID-19 vaccines had the highest ROR and IC value with CVST (ROR, 4.78; 95% confidence interval, 4.34–5.28; IC, 2.15). The risk of CVST increased with age, with the 45–64-years age group having an IC of 1.35, while the 65 years and older group had a higher IC of 2.08.The findings highlight the need for clinicians to recognize the potential risks of CVST and prioritize rigorous monitoring and research to ensure patient safety.
4.Efficacy and Safety of Taltirelin Hydrate in Patients With Ataxia Due to Spinocerebellar Degeneration
Jin Whan CHO ; Jee-Young LEE ; Han-Joon KIM ; Joong-Seok KIM ; Kun-Woo PARK ; Seong-Min CHOI ; Chul Hyoung LYOO ; Seong-Beom KOH
Journal of Movement Disorders 2025;18(1):35-44
Objective:
We conducted this study to assess the efficacy and safety of taltirelin hydrate (TH) in patients with ataxia due to spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD).
Methods:
Patients were randomly assigned to either the taltirelin group (5 mg orally, twice daily) or the control group. The primary endpoint was the change in the Korean version of the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (K-SARA) score at 24 weeks. The secondary endpoints included changes in the K-SARA score at 4 and 12 weeks as well as the Clinical Global Impression Scale, the five-level version of the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire, the Tinetti balance test, and gait analysis at 4, 12, and 24 weeks.
Results:
A total of 149 patients (hereditary:nonhereditary=86:63) were enrolled. There were significant differences in the change in the K-SARA score at 24 weeks from baseline between the taltirelin group and the control group (-0.51±2.79 versus 0.36±2.62, respectively; p=0.0321). For the K-SARA items, the taltirelin group had significantly lower “Stance” and “Speech disturbance” subscores than the control group (-0.04±0.89 versus 0.23±0.79 and -0.07±0.74 versus 0.18±0.67; p=0.0270 and 0.0130, respectively). However, there were no significant differences in changes in other secondary efficacy outcome measures at 24 weeks from baseline between the two treatment arms (p>0.05).
Conclusion
Clinicians might consider the use of TH in the treatment of patients with ataxia due to SCD.
5.Effects of Anti-Obesity Strategies on Bone Mineral Density: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Myung Jin KIM ; Seonok KIM ; Han Na JUNG ; Chang Hee JUNG ; Woo Je LEE ; Yun Kyung CHO
Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome 2025;34(1):41-53
Background:
Although an appropriate weight management strategy is essential for obese individuals, weight loss can have adverse effects on bone mineral density (BMD). We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials to evaluate changes in BMD after the implementation of various weight loss strategies.
Methods:
The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to find articles published from database inception until June 2023. Randomized controlled trials of various treatments for obese patients that reported changes in BMD were selected. The primary outcome was BMD of the whole body, lumbar spine, and total hip, measured using dual X-ray absorptiometry.
Results:
Eighteen randomized controlled trials involving 2,510 participants with obesity were included in the analysis. At follow-up examination, the BMD of the lumbar spine decreased significantly after metabolic surgery (mean difference [MD]= –0.40 g/cm2 ; 95% confidence interval [CI], –0.73 to –0.07; I2 = 0%); lifestyle and pharmacological interventions did not result in a significant decrease in BMD at any location. Metabolic surgery also produced the most substantial difference in weight, with an MD of –3.14 (95% CI, –3.82 to –2.47).
Conclusion
This meta-analysis is the first to examine the effects of all categories of anti-obesity strategies, including the use of anti-obesity medications, on BMD. Bariatric metabolic surgery can have adverse effects on BMD. Moreover, medications can be used as a treatment for weight loss without compromising bone quality.
6.Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Nationwide Retrospective Multicenter Study
Donghyeok KIM ; Gwanghui RYU ; Sang Duk HONG ; Shin Hyuk YOO ; Sue Jean MUN ; Eun Jung LEE ; Sung-Jae HEO ; Jin Hyeok JEONG ; Dae Woo KIM ; Hyung-Ju CHO ; Min-Seok RHA ; Yong Min KIM ; Ki-Il LEE ; Ji-Hun MO ;
Journal of Rhinology 2025;32(1):28-35
Background and Objectives:
Pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) significantly affects children’s quality of life and learning abilities. This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for CRS.
Methods:
A retrospective review was conducted on pediatric patients who underwent FESS for CRS at 11 university hospitals. The inclusion criteria were patients under 20 years old with bilateral disease who were operated on between January 2005 and December 2021. The data collected included demographics, clinical history, blood tests, preoperative computed tomography, and preoperative and postoperative symptom control. The Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher exact tests were used to compare the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively.
Results:
In total, 213 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 13.4±3.0 years, and 145 (68.1%) were male. One hundred sixty-four patients (77.0%) had nasal polyps and 33 patients (15.5%) underwent revision FESS. The preoperative symptoms, in order of prevalence, included nasal obstruction (87.8%), rhinorrhea (71.8%), a sense of postnasal drip (58.2%), hyposmia (44.6%), cough (24.4%), and facial fullness (18.3%). These symptoms were significantly alleviated for up to 3 years after surgery (p<0.001). At the time of the last follow-up, 121 patients (56.8%) were controlled, 80 (37.6%) were partly controlled, and 12 (5.6%) were uncontrolled. Patients in the uncontrolled group had higher Lund-Mackay scores, longer follow-up durations, and more instances of revision surgery compared to those in the controlled and partly controlled groups. When age was categorized into three groups, those aged 16 years or older tended to have lower Lund-Mackay scores and better control.
Conclusion
FESS significantly improves both the postoperative symptoms and the long-term quality of life in pediatric CRS patients. Better symptom control is associated with older age and a lower disease burden.
7.Hemicentral Retinal Vein Occlusion: Clinical Outcomes and Visual Prognostic Factors
Dong Woo LEE ; Do Yun SONG ; Mi-Ji KIM ; Yong Wun CHO ; Woong-Sun YOO ; In Young CHUNG
Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2025;66(2):94-100
Purpose:
To confirm the clinical features of hemicentral retinal vein occlusion and identify predictors of visual outcomes.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients diagnosed with hemicentral retinal vein occlusion between January 2018 and December 2022 and followed for more than 6 months. Patients underwent intravitreal injections as necessary for intraretinal edema. Visual acuity, central macular thickness, ellipsoid zone damage, and the location of inner retinal layer edema were assessed. Patients were categorized into groups A and group B based on the visual acuity at 6 months.
Results:
In total, 20 eyes were followed, with 15 eyes observed for up to 12 months. Seven patients (35.0%) had diabetes and 11 (55.0%) had hypertension. There was a correlation between poor vision at 6 months and hypertension (p = 0.033). The visual acuity of all patients improved from a logMAR of 0.96 at the initial visit to a logMAR of 0.35 at 6 months (p = 0.005). In the group with good initial visual acuity, there were no significant changes in visual acuity during the follow-up period (p = 0.444). The group with good visual acuity at 6 months had a lower degree of photoreceptor ellipsoid zone disruption compared to the group with poor initial vision, indicating a normal structure (p = 0.015).
Conclusions
During follow-up of patients with hemicentral retinal vein occlusion, overall visual acuity improved over time. Patients with good initial acuity maintained it. Favorable visual outcomes can be expected if the ellipsoid zone has a normal structure at the time of the first examination.
8.Study on the Necessity and Methodology for Enhancing Outpatient and Clinical Education in the Department of Radiology
Soo Buem CHO ; Jiwoon SEO ; Young Hwan KIM ; You Me KIM ; Dong Gyu NA ; Jieun ROH ; Kyung-Hyun DO ; Jung Hwan BAEK ; Hye Shin AHN ; Min Woo LEE ; Seunghyun LEE ; Seung Eun JUNG ; Woo Kyoung JEONG ; Hye Doo JEONG ; Bum Sang CHO ; Hwan Jun JAE ; Seon Hyeong CHOI ; Saebeom HUR ; Su Jin HONG ; Sung Il HWANG ; Auh Whan PARK ; Ji-hoon KIM
Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology 2025;86(1):199-200
9.Outcomes of Deferring Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Without Physiologic Assessment for Intermediate Coronary Lesions
Jihoon KIM ; Seong-Hoon LIM ; Joo-Yong HAHN ; Jin-Ok JEONG ; Yong Hwan PARK ; Woo Jung CHUN ; Ju Hyeon OH ; Dae Kyoung CHO ; Yu Jeong CHOI ; Eul-Soon IM ; Kyung-Heon WON ; Sung Yun LEE ; Sang-Wook KIM ; Ki Hong CHOI ; Joo Myung LEE ; Taek Kyu PARK ; Jeong Hoon YANG ; Young Bin SONG ; Seung-Hyuk CHOI ; Hyeon-Cheol GWON
Korean Circulation Journal 2025;55(3):185-195
Background and Objectives:
Outcomes of deferring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without invasive physiologic assessment for intermediate coronary lesions is uncertain.We sought to compare long-term outcomes between medical treatment and PCI of intermediate lesions without invasive physiologic assessment.
Methods:
A total of 899 patients with intermediate coronary lesions between 50% and 70% diameter-stenosis were randomized to the conservative group (n=449) or the aggressive group (n=450). For intermediate lesions, PCI was performed in the aggressive group, but was deferred in the conservative group. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE, a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction [MI], or ischemia-driven any revascularization) at 3 years.
Results:
The number of treated lesions per patient was 0.8±0.9 in the conservative group and 1.7±0.9 in the aggressive group (p=0.001). At 3 years, the conservative group had a significantly higher incidence of MACE than the aggressive group (13.8% vs. 9.3%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–2.21; p=0.049), mainly driven by revascularization of target intermediate lesion (6.5% vs. 1.1%; HR, 5.69; 95% CI, 2.20–14.73;p<0.001). Between 1 and 3 years after the index procedure, compared to the aggressive group, the conservative group had significantly higher incidence of cardiac death or MI (3.2% vs.0.7%; HR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.24–15.22; p=0.022) and ischemia-driven any revascularization.
Conclusions
For intermediate lesions, medical therapy alone, guided only by angiography, was associated with a higher risk of MACE at 3 years compared with performing PCI, mainly due to increased revascularization.
10.Comparison of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring between propofol and remimazolam during total intravenous anesthesia in the cervical spine surgery: a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial
Myoung Hwa KIM ; Jinyoung PARK ; Yoon Ghil PARK ; Yong Eun CHO ; Dawoon KIM ; Dong Jun LEE ; Kyu Wan KWAK ; Jongyun LEE ; Dong Woo HAN
Korean Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;78(1):16-29
Background:
Although total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and remifentanil is frequently used to optimize intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM), the exact effect of remimazolam on IONM remains unknown. Here, we compared the effects of propofol and remimazolam along with remifentanil on IONM during TIVA.
Methods:
In this prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 64 patients requiring IONM during cervical spine surgery were administered either propofol (Group P) or remimazolam (Group R). The preoperative latencies of the somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEP; N20 for the median nerve and P37 for the tibial nerve) were measured. SEP latencies and amplitudes and motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes were measured 30 min after anesthetic induction (T1), 30 min after surgical incision (T2), after laminectomy or discectomy (T3), immediately after plate insertion or pedicle screw fixation (T4), and before surgical wound closure (T5). The primary outcome was the between-group difference in the N20 latency changes measured at T1 and preoperatively.
Results:
The change in SEP latencies including N20 and P37 at T1 compared with preoperative time was not significantly different between Groups P and R. Except for the amplitude of the right abductor brevis, there was no significant group-by-time interaction effect for intraoperative MEP amplitudes or SEP latencies and amplitudes.
Conclusions
TIVA with remimazolam and remifentanil for cervical spine surgery yielded stable IONM, comparable to those observed with conventional TIVA with propofol and remifentanil. Further clinical trials are needed in other surgical contexts and with more diverse patient populations to determine the effects of remimazolam on IONM.

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