Background/Aims: The Korean guidelines for Helicobacter pylori treatment were revised in 2020, however, the extent of adherence to these guidelines in clinical practice remains unclear. Herein, we initiated a prospective, nationwide, multicenter registry study in 2021 to evaluate the current management of H.pylori infection in Korea. Methods: This interim report describes the adherence to the revised guidelines and their impact on firstline eradication rates. Data on patient demographics, diagnoses, treatments, and eradication outcomes were collected using a web-based electronic case report form. Results: A total of 7,261 patients from 66 hospitals who received first-line treatment were analyzed.The modified intention-to-treat eradication rate for first-line treatment was 81.0%, with 80.4% of the prescriptions adhering to the revised guidelines. The most commonly prescribed regimen was the 14-day clarithromycin-based triple therapy (CTT; 42.0%), followed by tailored therapy (TT; 21.2%), 7-day CTT (14.1%), and 10-day concomitant therapy (CT; 10.1%). Time-trend analysis demonstrated significant increases in guideline adherence and the use of 10-day CT and TT, along with a decrease in the use of 7-day CTT (all p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that guideline adherence was significantly associated with first-line eradication success (odds ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.61 to 2.56; p<0.001). Conclusions The revised guidelines for the treatment of H. pylori infection have been increasingly adopted in routine clinical practice in Korea, which may have contributed to improved first-line eradication rates. Notably, the 14-day CTT, 10-day CT, and TT regimens are emerging as the preferred first-line treatment options among Korean physicians.

Background: Barriers to treatment with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in South Korea remain incompletely characterized. We analyze a nationwide prospective cohort to determine patient-level features associated with delayed presentation and non-treatment of potential IVT-eligible patients. Methods: We identified consecutive patients with AIS from 01/2011 to 08/2023 from a multicenter and prospective acute stroke registry in Korea. Patients were defined as IVT candidates if they presented within 4.5 hours from the last known well, had no lab evidence of coagulopathy, and had National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ≥ 4. Multivariable generalized linear mixed regression models were used to investigate the associations between their characteristics and the IVT candidates or the use of IVT among the candidates. Results: Among 84,103 AIS patients, 41.0% were female, with a mean age of 69 ± 13 years and presentation NIHSS of 4 [interquartile range, 1–8]. Out of these patients, 13,757 (16.4%) were eligible for IVT, of whom 8,179 (59.5%) received IVT. Female sex (adjusted risk ratio [RR], 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86–0.94) and lower years of education (adjusted RR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.84–0.97 for 0–3 years, compared to ≥ 13 years) were associated with a decreased likelihood of presenting as eligible for IVT after AIS; meanwhile, young age (adjusted RR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01–1.24 for ≤ 44 years, compared to 75–84 years) was associated with an increased likelihood of being an IVT candidate. Among those who were eligible for IVT, only age was significantly associated with the use of IVT (adjusted RR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.03–1.16 for age 65–74 and adjusted RR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.76–0.90 for ≥ 85 years, respectively). Conclusion Most patients with AIS present outside IVT eligibility in South Korea, and only 60% of eligible patients were ultimately treated. We identified increased age, female sex and lower education as key features on which to focus interventions for improving IVT utilization.

Background: and Purpose To determine whether the RNF213 p.R4810K mutation modifies the number of moyamoya disease manifestations and recurrent strokes in isolated intracranial arterial steno-occlusive disease (ICAD). Methods: This retrospective case–control study analyzed patients who visited the Asan Medical Center with steno-occlusive lesions in the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery and terminal internal carotid artery, and underwent RNF213 genetic testing for screening moyamoya disease between January 2010 and November 2022. Patients with supportive findings of moyamoya disease or moderate-to-severe stenosis in the extracranial arteries were excluded.After matching antiplatelet drugs, the presentation of moyamoya disease and stroke recurrence were analyzed using chi-squared analysis and Kaplan–Meier survival curve analysis. Results: The 1,567 patients who underwent evaluations of RNF213 polymorphisms included 753 with ICAD, among whom females predominated (n=452, 60.0%) and 289 (38.4%) had an RNF213 mutation. The follow-up period was 2.47±3.51 years (mean±standard deviation; median=1.00 year, interquartile range=0–4 years). The risk of progression to moyamoya disease was higher in the RNF213-related-vasculopathy group than the RNF213-negative stenosis group (n=27 [9.3%] versus n=6 [1.3%], p<0.01), as were the risks of ischemic stroke (n=13 [4.5%] versus n=7 [1.5%], p=0.01) and hemorrhagic stroke (n=5 [1.7%] versus n=1 [0.2%], p=0.02, respectively). Furthermore, the presence of an RNF213 mutation was significantly associated with the risk of stroke recurrence (odds ratio=2.34, 95% confidence interval=1.44–3.80, p< 0.01). Conclusions Evaluations of RNF213 polymorphisms may help to identify patients with isolated ICAD at a high risk of progression to moyamoya disease and stroke.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

We updated the Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology (KSGO) practice guideline for the management of ovarian cancer as version 5.1. The ovarian cancer guideline team of the KSGO published announced the fifth version (version 5.0) of its clinical practice guidelines for the management of ovarian cancer in December 2023. In version 5.0, the selection of the key questions and the systematic reviews were based on the data available up to December 2022.Therefore, we updated the guidelines version 5.0 with newly accumulated clinical data and added 5 new key questions reflecting the latest insights in the field of ovarian cancer between 2023 and 2024. For each question, recommendation was provided together with corresponding level of evidence and grade of recommendation, all established through expert consensus.

Background and Objectives: The risk profiles, procedural characteristics, and clinical outcomes for women undergoing bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are not well defined compared to those in men. Methods: COronary BIfurcation Stenting III (COBIS III) is a multicenter, real-world registry of 2,648 patients with bifurcation lesions treated with second-generation drug-eluting stents.We compared the angiographic and procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes based on sex. The primary outcome was 5-year target lesion failure (TLF), a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization. Results: Women (n=635, 24%) were older, had hypertension and diabetes more often, and had smaller main vessel and side branch reference diameters than men. The pre- and post-PCI angiographic percentage diameter stenoses of the main vessel and side branch were comparable between women and men. There were no differences in procedural characteristics between the sexes. Women and men had a similar risk of TLF (6.3% vs. 7.1%, p=0.63) as well as its individual components and sex was not an independent predictor of TLF. This finding was consistent in the left main and 2 stenting subgroups. Conclusions In patients undergoing bifurcation PCI, sex was not an independent predictor of adverse outcome.

Background and Objectives: The Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular UltrasoundGuided Intervention Strategy for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis (FLAVOUR) trial demonstrated non-inferiority of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI. We sought to investigate the cost-effectiveness of FFR-guided PCI compared to IVUS-guided PCI in Korea. Methods: A 2-part cost-effectiveness model, composed of a short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model, was developed for patients who underwent PCI to treat intermediate stenosis (40% to 70% stenosis by visual estimation on coronary angiography).The lifetime healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated from the healthcare system perspective. Transition probabilities were mainly referred from the FLAVOUR trial, and healthcare costs were mainly obtained through analysis of Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Health utilities were mainly obtained from the Seattle Angina Questionnaire responses of FLAVOUR trial participants mapped to EQ-5D. Results: From the Korean healthcare system perspective, the base-case analysis showed that FFR-guided PCI was 2,451 U.S. dollar lower in lifetime healthcare costs and 0.178 higher in QALYs compared to IVUS-guided PCI. FFR-guided PCI remained more likely to be cost-effective over a wide range of willingness-to-pay thresholds in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Conclusions Based on the results from the FLAVOUR trial, FFR-guided PCI is projected to decrease lifetime healthcare costs and increase QALYs compared with IVUS-guided PCI in intermediate coronary lesion, and it is a dominant strategy in Korea.

Background and Objectives: Evidence remains limited on the real-world prescription of very low-dose oral anticoagulation among frail patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We described the practice patterns, effectiveness, and safety of very low-dose edoxaban (15 mg once daily). Methods: Patients with AF prescribed edoxaban 15 mg once daily in 2 tertiary hospitals between 2016 and September 2022 were included. Baseline clinical characteristics and clinical outcomes of interest were thromboembolic and bleeding events. Results: A total of 674 patients were included (mean age 78.3±9.1, 49.7% aged ≥80 years, 49.3% women, median follow-up 1.0±1.2 years). Mean CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score was 3.9±1.6, and the modified HAS-BLED score was 2.0±1.1. Between 2016 and 2022, the number of very lowdose edoxaban prescriptions increased. The main reasons for the prescription of very lowdose were low body weight (55.5% below 60 kg), anaemia (62.8%), chronic kidney disease (40.2%), active cancer (15.3%), concomitant anti-platelet use (26.7%), and prior major bleeding (19.7%). During a median follow-up duration of 8 (interquartile range 3–16) months, overall thromboembolic and bleeding events occurred in 16 (2.3%) and 88 (13.1%) patients, respectively. Compared to the expected event rates on the established risk scoring systems, patients receiving very low-dose edoxaban demonstrated a 61% reduction in ischemic stroke, a 68% reduction of ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack/systemic embolism, whereas a 49% increase in major bleeding. Conclusions The prescription of very low-dose edoxaban was increased over time, attributable to various clinical factors. The use of very low-dose edoxaban reduced the expected risk of thromboembolic events.

This guideline outlines the use of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography / computed tomography for the diagnosis and management of infectious and inflammatory diseases. It provides detailed recommendations for healthcare providers on patient preparation, imaging procedures, and the interpretation of results. Adapted from international standards and tailored to local clinical practices, the guideline emphasizes safety, quality control, and effective use of the technology in various conditions, including spinal infections, diabetic foot, osteomyelitis, vasculitis, and cardiac inflammation. The aim is to assist nuclear medicine professionals in delivering accurate diagnoses and improving patient outcomes while allowing flexibility to adapt to individual patient needs, technological advancements, and evolving medical knowledge. This document is a comprehensive resource for enhancing the quality and safety of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography / computed tomography for the evaluation of infectious and inflammatory diseases.Preamble The Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine (KSNM) was established in 1961 to promote the clinical and technological advancement of nuclear medicine in South Korea, with members that include nuclear medicine physicians and associated scientists. The KSNM regularly formulates and revises procedural guidelines for nuclear medicine examinations to enhance the field and improve the quality of patient care. These guidelines are designed to support healthcare professionals in providing appropriate medical care to patients. However, they are not immutable rules or mandatory requirements for conducting examinations.Therefore, KSNM states that these guidelines should not be used in legal actions challenging a healthcare professional’s medical decisions. The ultimate judgment regarding specific procedures or appropriate measures should be made by nuclear medicine physicians, considering the unique circumstances of each case. Deviation from these guidelines does not imply substandard medical practice. Rather, reasonable judgments differing from the guidelines can be made based on the patient’s condition, available resources, and advancements in knowledge or technology. Due to the diversity and complexity of patients, it is often challenging to predict the most appropriate diagnostic and accurate therapeutic responses. Thus, adherence to these guidelines does not always guarantee an exact diagnosis or successful outcomes.The purpose of this guideline is to assist healthcare providers in making reasonable decisions and conducting effective and safe examinations based on current medical knowledge, available resources, and patient needs when performing 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) examinations for infectious/ inflammatory diseases.

Background/Aims: Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disorder following non-specific triggers. Involvement of immune system is widely accepted for pathogenesis studies have demonstrated importance of gut microbiota in pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) are acid-suppressive drugs widely used for acid related gastrointestinal diseases, and prolonged use has been associated with altered gut microbiota. This study aimed to investigate association between psoriasis and acid suppressing drugs in Korean population. Methods: This study was conducted with 3,662 patients diagnosed with psoriasis between 2002 and 2013 in NHIS-NSC. A total of 14,648 controls were matched at 1:4 based on sex, age, and gastrointestinal disease. ORs were estimated to determine the association between acid suppressing drug use and psoriasis. Results: Our study found a statistically significant association between the prolonged use of acid-suppressive drugs and the development of psoriasis in the Korean population. Specifically, patients with gastrointestinal diseases who used histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RA) or proton pump inhibitors (PPI) for extended periods exhibited a higher risk of developing psoriasis. The adjusted odds ratio for psoriasis was 1.89 (95% CI, 1.66–2.17) with long-term use, indicating a clear dose-response relationship. Conclusions Results from our study indicate that prolonged use of H2RA or PPI is associated with the risk of psoriasis among patients with gastrointestinal diseases in Korean population. The risk was increased in dose-response trend after adjusting for confounding variables. Clinicians should be aware of risks associated with prolonged use of acid suppressing drugs.