PURPOSE: The authors of the present study report treatment experience of acute myopia and branch retinal vein occlusion associated with phendimetrazine, a drug used for weight reduction. CASE SUMMARY: Case 1: A 32-year-old woman, previously devoid of ocular problems, visited our hospital with bilateral visual disturbance after taking phendimetrazine for weight reduction. Ciliochoroidal effusion and anterior shifting of the lens-iris diaphragm were observed, which resulted in a shallow anterior chamber, myopic shifting and an increase in intraocular pressure due to angle closure. The symptoms were relieved by discontinuing the use of phendimetrazine and administration of intraocular pressure-lowering agents. Case 2: A 26-year-old woman, previously devoid of ocular problems, visited our hospital with left superior visual field disturbance after taking phendimetrazine for weight reduction. The examinations revealed papilledema, disc hemorrhage and tortuous vascular changes in her left eye. Fluorescein angiography was performed, and retinal vein occlusion was diagnosed. The patient discontinued weight reduction agents and recovered while under observation. CONCLUSIONS: Phendimetrazine, used for weight reduction, can cause acute myopia via prostaglandin synthesis and retinal venous occlusion due to vascular constriction.
Adult ; Anterior Chamber ; Constriction ; Diaphragm ; Eye ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Glaucoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Morpholines ; Myopia ; Papilledema ; Retinal Vein Occlusion ; Retinaldehyde ; Visual Fields ; Weight Loss

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical features of compound nevus. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of the medical records for 32 eyes of 32 patients who were clinically diagnosed as having a compound nevus from February 2011 to February 2017 was performed. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 21.38 (range, 6–70) months for the 32 patients (9 males and 32 females), and the average age was 21 (range, 7–41) years old. The development or detection of a nevus varied between patients. There were no associated symptoms except for one patient who experienced foreign body sensation. An increase in size was noted in 5 cases (15%). The most common location in the conjunctiva was bulbar in 30 cases (93.8%), and the most common quadrant was temporal in 21 cases (65.6%) followed by nasal conjunctiva in 11 cases (34.4%). The most common locations of anterior margin and posterior margin were on the limbus (56%) and bulbar conjunctiva (92%), respectively. The mean horizontal length was 2.59 ± 1.9 mm and the mean vertical length was 2.62 ± 2.1 mm. All horizontal and vertical lengths were within 5 mm. An elevated nevus was observed in 25 cases (78.1%), and 18 cases (56.3%) had cystic lesions. The color of the nevi were largely brown (26 cases, 81.3%), and 29 cases (90.6%) had feeder vessels. Excisional biopsy and histologic exam were performed in 22 cases (68.8%). The purpose of the treatment was mostly cosmetic (20 cases, 93.8%) or for differential diagnosis with malignant melanoma (2 cases, 6.3%). In the surgery group, no one showed recurrence or any significant complications. CONCLUSIONS: A conjunctival compound nevus is a benign conjunctival mass and can be found in all age groups. Compound nevus can be diagnosed with clinical features, and complete excision with histological exam is an appropriate treatment to differentiate from malignant melanoma.
Biopsy ; Conjunctiva ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Melanoma ; Nevus* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensation

Background/Aims: The Korean Diabetes Association (KDA) guidelines recommend adults aged ≥ 40 years and adults aged ≥ 30 years with diabetes risk factors for diabetes screening. This study aimed to determine the age threshold for diabetes screening in Korean adults. Methods: This study was based on the analyses of Korean adults aged ≥ 20 years using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) and the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC). To evaluate screening effectiveness, we calculated the number needed to screen (NNS). Results: NNS to detect diabetes decreased from 63 to 34 in the KNHANES and from 71 to 42 in the NHIS-NSC between the ages of 30–34 and 35–39. When universal screening was applied to adults aged ≥ 35, the NNS was similar to that of adults aged ≥ 40. Compared to the KDA guidelines, the rate of missed screening positive in adults aged ≥ 20 decreased from 4.0% to 0.2% when the newly suggested screening criteria were applied. Conclusions Universal screening for adults aged ≥ 35 and selective screening for adults aged 20 to 34, considering diabetes risk factors, may be appropriate for detecting prediabetes and diabetes in South Korea.

Objective: This study was conducted to estimate the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) independently from low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol according to triglyceride (TG) levels in young adults. Methods: Subjects aged 30–49 years with data from routine health check-ups provided by the National Health Insurance Service during 2009 were selected. The primary outcome was incident CVD, defined as a composite of ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke during the follow-up period from 2009 to 2018. Results: The mean age of study subjects (n=1,823,537) was 40.1±5.7 years, and the median follow-up period was 8.3 years. The quartiles of serum TG levels at the baseline were calculated: Q1, <74 mg/dL; Q2, 74–108 mg/dL; Q3, 109–166 mg/dL; and Q4: >166 mg/dL.The highest quartile of TG levels (Q4) had a significantly higher risk of the primary outcome than Q1 (hazard ratio [HR], 2.40 [95% confidence interval; CI, 2.33–2.47]). Q2 and Q3 also experienced the primary outcome more frequently than Q1 (HR, 1.37 [95% CI, 1.33–1.42] and HR, 1.80 [95% CI, 1.75–1.86], respectively). Even after adjustment for age, sex, obesity, alcohol drinking amount, smoking, LDL cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, lipidlowering medication use, and family history of CVD, there was a significant dose-response relationship between TG quartiles and the risk of the primary outcome (HR per quartile, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.12–1.14]). Conclusion In conclusion, in the Korean population aged 30–49 years, high TG levels independently increased future CVD risk in both men and women.

Background: Interprofessional education (IPE) is important for collaboration between professionals in the team-based practices of the healthcare field. Objectives: This study aimed to examine pharmacy students across in Korea on the experience of IPE and the perceptions of the importance of interprofessional collaboration (IPC) and the need of IPE. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a 20 questionnaire to pharmacy students nationwide was conducted from March to May 2019. Results: A total of 555 students from 32 pharmacy schools participated. They recognized that the importance of close pharmacist-medical doctor collaboration was an average of 5.38 points (out of 6 points), but the current level of pharmacist-to-medical doctor collaboration was an average of 2.51 points (out of 6 points), and the reasons for the insufficient IPC were the lack of an environment encouraging mutual cooperation (79.5%) and the psychological distance to the other professional (35.3%). They perceived the necessity of IPE between pharmacistmedical doctor was 4.95 points (out of 6 points), with the curriculum including how to cooperate with medical doctors (78.2%), communication skills (51.0%), and understanding of medical doctors’ functions (44.5%), etc. Only 52 respondents (9.4%) had experience in IPE. Respondents who recognized the importance of IPC (≥5 points) showed 4.44-fold higher agreement on the need for IPE than those who did not (≤4 points) (OR 4.44, 95% CI 2.56, 7.68). Conclusions Further attention and discussion to add IPE program in the pharmacy school curriculum is necessary in order to cultivate pharmacists with sufficient professional collaboration capabilities.

Background: Medication’s benefits and harms require careful management. Laws mandate pharmacists to provide essential med-ication details since inadequate counseling may pose risks. This study explores public expectations for pharmacist-provided side effect information to enhance safety. Methods: A self-developed questionnaire was created for participant to self-report, refined through pilot surveys with experts and laypersons. Nineteen items were categorized into four sections, using closed-ended ques-tions. Adults over 20, having obtained prescription medications within the past year, were surveyed via convenience sampling.Data analysis employed descriptive statistics and T-tests using IBM SPSS Statistics 21 and Microsoft Excel. Results: The study involved 189 participants, with a slightly higher proportion of females (59.3%) than males (40.7%), predominantly in their 20s (45.0%) and college graduates (57.1%). Health professionals represented 76.2% of respondents. Over half visited pharmacies at least 5 times yearly for prescriptions. Indirect experience with side effects was more common (30.2%) than direct experience (17.5%). Most (82.0%) showed interest in media-reported side effect events. Satisfaction with pharmacist-provided side effect explanations was low (59.7%), but importance was high (98.9%). Preferences favored combined verbal and written explanations (65.1%), with a majority desiring explanations for common but less serious side effects (82.5%). Healthcare professionals found explanations significantly more sufficient than non-professionals did. Older individuals, those living with elderly, and frequent pharmacy visitors attributed greater importance to pharmacist-provided explanations. Conclusion Koreans view pharmacist-pro-vided medication side effect explanations as vital but find current services lacking. Enhancements in content and delivery meth-ods are needed in pharmacy counseling to meet public expectations.

Background: Medication’s benefits and harms require careful management. Laws mandate pharmacists to provide essential med-ication details since inadequate counseling may pose risks. This study explores public expectations for pharmacist-provided side effect information to enhance safety. Methods: A self-developed questionnaire was created for participant to self-report, refined through pilot surveys with experts and laypersons. Nineteen items were categorized into four sections, using closed-ended ques-tions. Adults over 20, having obtained prescription medications within the past year, were surveyed via convenience sampling.Data analysis employed descriptive statistics and T-tests using IBM SPSS Statistics 21 and Microsoft Excel. Results: The study involved 189 participants, with a slightly higher proportion of females (59.3%) than males (40.7%), predominantly in their 20s (45.0%) and college graduates (57.1%). Health professionals represented 76.2% of respondents. Over half visited pharmacies at least 5 times yearly for prescriptions. Indirect experience with side effects was more common (30.2%) than direct experience (17.5%). Most (82.0%) showed interest in media-reported side effect events. Satisfaction with pharmacist-provided side effect explanations was low (59.7%), but importance was high (98.9%). Preferences favored combined verbal and written explanations (65.1%), with a majority desiring explanations for common but less serious side effects (82.5%). Healthcare professionals found explanations significantly more sufficient than non-professionals did. Older individuals, those living with elderly, and frequent pharmacy visitors attributed greater importance to pharmacist-provided explanations. Conclusion Koreans view pharmacist-pro-vided medication side effect explanations as vital but find current services lacking. Enhancements in content and delivery meth-ods are needed in pharmacy counseling to meet public expectations.

Background: Medication’s benefits and harms require careful management. Laws mandate pharmacists to provide essential med-ication details since inadequate counseling may pose risks. This study explores public expectations for pharmacist-provided side effect information to enhance safety. Methods: A self-developed questionnaire was created for participant to self-report, refined through pilot surveys with experts and laypersons. Nineteen items were categorized into four sections, using closed-ended ques-tions. Adults over 20, having obtained prescription medications within the past year, were surveyed via convenience sampling.Data analysis employed descriptive statistics and T-tests using IBM SPSS Statistics 21 and Microsoft Excel. Results: The study involved 189 participants, with a slightly higher proportion of females (59.3%) than males (40.7%), predominantly in their 20s (45.0%) and college graduates (57.1%). Health professionals represented 76.2% of respondents. Over half visited pharmacies at least 5 times yearly for prescriptions. Indirect experience with side effects was more common (30.2%) than direct experience (17.5%). Most (82.0%) showed interest in media-reported side effect events. Satisfaction with pharmacist-provided side effect explanations was low (59.7%), but importance was high (98.9%). Preferences favored combined verbal and written explanations (65.1%), with a majority desiring explanations for common but less serious side effects (82.5%). Healthcare professionals found explanations significantly more sufficient than non-professionals did. Older individuals, those living with elderly, and frequent pharmacy visitors attributed greater importance to pharmacist-provided explanations. Conclusion Koreans view pharmacist-pro-vided medication side effect explanations as vital but find current services lacking. Enhancements in content and delivery meth-ods are needed in pharmacy counseling to meet public expectations.

Background: Medication’s benefits and harms require careful management. Laws mandate pharmacists to provide essential med-ication details since inadequate counseling may pose risks. This study explores public expectations for pharmacist-provided side effect information to enhance safety. Methods: A self-developed questionnaire was created for participant to self-report, refined through pilot surveys with experts and laypersons. Nineteen items were categorized into four sections, using closed-ended ques-tions. Adults over 20, having obtained prescription medications within the past year, were surveyed via convenience sampling.Data analysis employed descriptive statistics and T-tests using IBM SPSS Statistics 21 and Microsoft Excel. Results: The study involved 189 participants, with a slightly higher proportion of females (59.3%) than males (40.7%), predominantly in their 20s (45.0%) and college graduates (57.1%). Health professionals represented 76.2% of respondents. Over half visited pharmacies at least 5 times yearly for prescriptions. Indirect experience with side effects was more common (30.2%) than direct experience (17.5%). Most (82.0%) showed interest in media-reported side effect events. Satisfaction with pharmacist-provided side effect explanations was low (59.7%), but importance was high (98.9%). Preferences favored combined verbal and written explanations (65.1%), with a majority desiring explanations for common but less serious side effects (82.5%). Healthcare professionals found explanations significantly more sufficient than non-professionals did. Older individuals, those living with elderly, and frequent pharmacy visitors attributed greater importance to pharmacist-provided explanations. Conclusion Koreans view pharmacist-pro-vided medication side effect explanations as vital but find current services lacking. Enhancements in content and delivery meth-ods are needed in pharmacy counseling to meet public expectations.

BACKGROUND: Niacin supplementation improves dyslipidemia and lowers serum phosphorus levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We evaluated whether low-dose niacin supplementation can improve dyslipidemia, lower serum phosphorus levels, and be administered with a low frequency of adverse effects in patients with CKD. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of patients with CKD who had taken niacin from January 2009 to June 2011. We excluded patients with CKD stage 1 and 5. We then enrolled 31 patients with CKD who had taken niacin at a fixed dose of 500mg/day for 6 months. We also randomly selected 30 patients with CKD who had been taking statin for 9 months as a control group. RESULTS: Among the 34 patients with CKD who were prescribed niacin, five (14%) complained of adverse effects, and three (8%) discontinued niacin. The proportion of patients in the niacin group who had been taking a statin or omega-3 fatty acids was 67.7% and 48.8%, respectively. In the niacin group, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was significantly increased and triglyceride level was significantly decreased at 12 and 24 weeks compared with baseline levels (P < 0.05). In the niacin group, phosphorous level (P < 0.05) was significantly decreased, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was significantly increased (P < 0.05) at 24 weeks compared with baseline values. CONCLUSION: Low-dose niacin had a low frequency of adverse effects and also improved dyslipidemia, lowered serum phosphorus level, and increased GFR in patients with CKD. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of low-dose niacin for renal progression of CKD.
Cholesterol ; Dyslipidemias ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Lipoproteins ; Niacin ; Phosphorus ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies