Background/Aims: We previously reported that patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) often experience common mental disorders (CMDs) such as anxiety and depression, necessitating immediate psychological interventions within the first 4 weeks of diagnosis. In this 3-year follow-up study of the MOSAIK cohort in Korea, we examined the effects of CMDs at initial diagnosis on clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: We examined differences in clinical outcomes (evaluated based on clinical response, relapse, hospitalization, and medication use) and HRQoL (assessed using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire [IBDQ] and Short Form 12 [SF-12]) according to Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores at diagnosis. Results: In a study involving 199 UC patients, 47.7% exhibited significant psychological distress (anxiety and/or depression) at diagnosis. Clinical follow-up showed no major differences in outcomes, including remission rates, response rates, or hospitalization rates, between patients with anxiety or depression at diagnosis and patients without anxiety or depression at diagnosis. The HRQoL at the end of follow-up was notably lower in those with baseline CMDs, particularly anxiety, across all domains of the IBDQ and SF-12. Linear mixed-effect models revealed that higher HADS scores, as well as higher Mayo scores, were independently associated with lower IBDQ scores and both summary domains of the SF-12. Additionally, regular attendance at follow-up visits during the study period was also related to improvements in HRQoL (all p<0.05). Conclusions While CMDs present at the time of UC diagnosis did not influence long-term clinical outcomes, they persistently impaired HRQoL. Our findings support the routine incorporation of psychological interventions into the long-term management of moderate-to-severe UC.

Background/Aims: We previously reported that patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) often experience common mental disorders (CMDs) such as anxiety and depression, necessitating immediate psychological interventions within the first 4 weeks of diagnosis. In this 3-year follow-up study of the MOSAIK cohort in Korea, we examined the effects of CMDs at initial diagnosis on clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: We examined differences in clinical outcomes (evaluated based on clinical response, relapse, hospitalization, and medication use) and HRQoL (assessed using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire [IBDQ] and Short Form 12 [SF-12]) according to Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores at diagnosis. Results: In a study involving 199 UC patients, 47.7% exhibited significant psychological distress (anxiety and/or depression) at diagnosis. Clinical follow-up showed no major differences in outcomes, including remission rates, response rates, or hospitalization rates, between patients with anxiety or depression at diagnosis and patients without anxiety or depression at diagnosis. The HRQoL at the end of follow-up was notably lower in those with baseline CMDs, particularly anxiety, across all domains of the IBDQ and SF-12. Linear mixed-effect models revealed that higher HADS scores, as well as higher Mayo scores, were independently associated with lower IBDQ scores and both summary domains of the SF-12. Additionally, regular attendance at follow-up visits during the study period was also related to improvements in HRQoL (all p<0.05). Conclusions While CMDs present at the time of UC diagnosis did not influence long-term clinical outcomes, they persistently impaired HRQoL. Our findings support the routine incorporation of psychological interventions into the long-term management of moderate-to-severe UC.

Background/Aims: We previously reported that patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) often experience common mental disorders (CMDs) such as anxiety and depression, necessitating immediate psychological interventions within the first 4 weeks of diagnosis. In this 3-year follow-up study of the MOSAIK cohort in Korea, we examined the effects of CMDs at initial diagnosis on clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: We examined differences in clinical outcomes (evaluated based on clinical response, relapse, hospitalization, and medication use) and HRQoL (assessed using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire [IBDQ] and Short Form 12 [SF-12]) according to Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores at diagnosis. Results: In a study involving 199 UC patients, 47.7% exhibited significant psychological distress (anxiety and/or depression) at diagnosis. Clinical follow-up showed no major differences in outcomes, including remission rates, response rates, or hospitalization rates, between patients with anxiety or depression at diagnosis and patients without anxiety or depression at diagnosis. The HRQoL at the end of follow-up was notably lower in those with baseline CMDs, particularly anxiety, across all domains of the IBDQ and SF-12. Linear mixed-effect models revealed that higher HADS scores, as well as higher Mayo scores, were independently associated with lower IBDQ scores and both summary domains of the SF-12. Additionally, regular attendance at follow-up visits during the study period was also related to improvements in HRQoL (all p<0.05). Conclusions While CMDs present at the time of UC diagnosis did not influence long-term clinical outcomes, they persistently impaired HRQoL. Our findings support the routine incorporation of psychological interventions into the long-term management of moderate-to-severe UC.

Background/Aims: We previously reported that patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) often experience common mental disorders (CMDs) such as anxiety and depression, necessitating immediate psychological interventions within the first 4 weeks of diagnosis. In this 3-year follow-up study of the MOSAIK cohort in Korea, we examined the effects of CMDs at initial diagnosis on clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: We examined differences in clinical outcomes (evaluated based on clinical response, relapse, hospitalization, and medication use) and HRQoL (assessed using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire [IBDQ] and Short Form 12 [SF-12]) according to Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores at diagnosis. Results: In a study involving 199 UC patients, 47.7% exhibited significant psychological distress (anxiety and/or depression) at diagnosis. Clinical follow-up showed no major differences in outcomes, including remission rates, response rates, or hospitalization rates, between patients with anxiety or depression at diagnosis and patients without anxiety or depression at diagnosis. The HRQoL at the end of follow-up was notably lower in those with baseline CMDs, particularly anxiety, across all domains of the IBDQ and SF-12. Linear mixed-effect models revealed that higher HADS scores, as well as higher Mayo scores, were independently associated with lower IBDQ scores and both summary domains of the SF-12. Additionally, regular attendance at follow-up visits during the study period was also related to improvements in HRQoL (all p<0.05). Conclusions While CMDs present at the time of UC diagnosis did not influence long-term clinical outcomes, they persistently impaired HRQoL. Our findings support the routine incorporation of psychological interventions into the long-term management of moderate-to-severe UC.

Background/Aims: The prospective Crohn’s Disease Clinical Network and Cohort Study is a nationwide multicenter cohort study of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) in Korea, aiming to prospectively investigate the clinical features and long-term prognosis associated with CD. Methods: Patients diagnosed with CD between January 2009 and September 2019 were prospectively enrolled. They were divided into two cohorts according to the year of diagnosis: cohort 1 (diagnosed between 2009 and 2011) versus cohort 2 (between 2012 and 2019). Results: A total of 1,175 patients were included, and the median follow-up duration was 68 months (interquartile range, 39.0 to 91.0 months). The treatment-free durations for thiopurines (p<0.001) and anti-tumor necrosis factor agents (p=0.018) of cohort 2 were shorter than those of cohort 1. Among 887 patients with B1 behavior at diagnosis, 149 patients (16.8%) progressed to either B2 or B3 behavior during follow-up. Early use of thiopurine was associated with a reduced risk of behavioral progression (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.50 to 0.90), and family history of inflammatory bowel disease was associated with an increased risk of behavioral progression (aHR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.16 to 4.50). One hundred forty-one patients (12.0%) underwent intestinal resection, and the intestinal resection-free survival time was significantly longer in cohort 2 than in cohort 1 (p=0.003). The early use of thiopurines (aHR, 0.35;95% CI, 0.23 to 0.51) was independently associated with a reduced risk of intestinal resection. Conclusions The prognosis of CD in Korea appears to have improved over time, as evidenced by the decreasing intestinal resection rate. Early use of thiopurines was associated with an improved prognosis represented by a reduced risk of intestinal resection.

PURPOSE: Infliximab is currently used for the treatment of active Crohn's disease (CD). We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of infliximab therapy and to determine the predictors of response in Korean patients with CD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 317 patients who received at least one infliximab infusion for active luminal CD (n=198) and fistulizing CD (n=86) or both (n=33) were reviewed retrospectively in 29 Korean referral centers. Clinical outcomes of induction and maintenance therapy with infliximab, predictors of response, and adverse events were evaluated. RESULTS: In patients with luminal CD, the rates of clinical response and remission at week 14 were 89.2% and 60.0%, respectively. Male gender and isolated colonic disease were associated with higher remission rates at week 14. In week-14 responders, the probabilities of sustained response and remission were 96.2% and 93.3% at week 30 and 88.0% and 77.0% at week 54, respectively. In patients with fistulizing CD, clinical response and remission were observed in 85.0% and 56.2% of patients, respectively, at week 14. In week-14 responders, the probabilities of sustained response and remission were 94.0% and 97.1%, respectively, at both week 30 and week 54. Thirty-nine patients (12.3%) experienced adverse events related to infliximab. Serious adverse events developed in 19 (6.0%) patients including seven cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: Infliximab induction and maintenance therapy are effective and well tolerable in Korean patients with luminal and fistulizing CD. However, clinicians must be aware of the risk of rare yet critical adverse events.
Colonic Diseases ; Crohn Disease* ; Humans ; Infliximab* ; Male ; Phenobarbital ; Referral and Consultation ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There is a growing emphasis on quality management in endoscope reprocessing. Previous surveys conducted in 2002 and 2004 were not practitioner-oriented. Therefore, this survey is significant for being the first to target actual participants in endoscope reprocessing in Korea. METHODS: This survey comprised 33 self-filled questions, and was personally delivered to nurses and nursing auxiliaries in the endoscopy departments of eight hospitals belonging to the society. The anonymous responses were collected after 1 week either by post or in person by committee members. RESULTS: The survey included 100 participants. In the questionnaire addressing compliance rates with the reprocessing guideline, the majority (98.9%) had a high compliance rate compared to 27% of respondents in 2002 and 50% in 2004. The lowest rate of compliance with a reprocessing procedure was reported for transporting the contaminated endoscope in a sealed container. Automated endoscope reprocessors were available in all hospitals. Regarding reprocessing time, more than half of the subjects replied that reprocessing took more than 15 minutes (63.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The quality management of endoscope reprocessing has improved as since the previous survey. A national survey expanded to include primary clinics is required to determine the true current status of endoscope reprocessing.
Anonyms and Pseudonyms ; Committee Membership ; Compliance ; Endoscopes* ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Korea ; Nurses' Aides ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In patients with liver cirrhosis, drugs acting on the central nervous system can lead to hepatic encephalopathy and the effects may be prolonged. Recently, misuse of propofol has been reported and the associated risk of death have become an issue. Propofol is commonly used during sedative endoscopy; therefore, its safety in high-risk groups must be further investigated. We performed a pilot study of the safety and efficacy of propofol during endoscopy in Korean patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed under sedation with propofol along with careful monitoring in 20 patients with liver cirrhosis and 20 control subjects. The presence or development of hepatic encephalopathy was assessed using the number connection test and neurologic examination. RESULTS: Neither respiratory depression nor clinically significant hypotension were observed. Immediate postanesthetic recovery at 5 and 10 minutes after the procedure was delayed in the cirrhotic patients compared with the control group; however, at 30 minutes, the postanesthetic recovery was similar in both groups. Baseline psychomotor performance was more impaired in cirrhotic patients, but propofol was not associated with deteriorated psychomotor function even in cirrhotic patients with a minimal hepatic encephalopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Sedation with propofol was well tolerated in cirrhotic patients. No newly developed hepatic encephalopathy was observed.
Adult ; *Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Female ; Hepatic Encephalopathy/chemically induced ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives/*adverse effects ; *Liver Cirrhosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Propofol/*adverse effects ; Republic of Korea

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is gaining popularity for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. However, concerns over endoscope-related nosocomial infections are increasing, together with interest by the general public in safe and efficient endoscopy. For this reason, reprocessing the gastrointestinal endoscope is an important step for effective performance of endoscopy. Disinfectants are essential to the endoscope reprocessing procedure. Before selecting an appropriate disinfectant, their characteristics, limitations and means of use must be fully understood. Herein, we review the characteristics of several currently available disinfectants, including their uses, potency, advantages, and disadvantages. Most disinfectants can be used to reprocess gastrointestinal endoscopes if the manufacturer's guidelines are followed. The selection and use of a suitable disinfectant depends on the individual circumstances of each endoscopy suite.
Cross Infection ; Disinfectants ; Endoscopes ; Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal