Background: This study aimed to compare the occurrence of adverse events (AEs) and disease flares after vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and influenza in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs). Methods: Between November 2021 and March 2022, a survey was conducted among patients with ARD who received COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations. The questionnaire included 11 mandatory and closed-ended questions, and the following items were collected: medical history, immunization history, type of vaccine, patient-reported AEs, flare-up of the underlying disease after vaccination, and a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 or influenza. We compared the occurrence of vaccine-related adverse reactions to the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines based on the survey results. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors affecting AEs or disease flares and to compare the post-vaccine response to mixed and matched vaccines. Results: We analyzed 601 adults with ARD who received the COVID-19 vaccine, with a mean age of 49.6 years (80.5% female). A total of 255 participants (42.4%) received a complete course of primary vaccination, 342 (56.9%) completed the booster dose, and 132 (38.6%) received a mixed vaccine. The frequencies of AEs (188 [52.2%] vs. 21 [5.8%]; P< 0.001) and disease flares (58 [16.2%] vs. 5 [1.4%]; P < 0.001) after COVID-19 vaccination were significantly higher than those after influenza vaccination. In the risk factor analysis, previous allergic reaction to other vaccines (odds ratio, 1.95; confidence interval, 1.07–3.70; P = 0.034) was the only factor associated with the occurrence of AEs. There was no difference in the post-vaccine responses between the mixed and matched vaccines. Results: We analyzed 601 adults with ARD who received the COVID-19 vaccine, with a mean age of 49.6 years (80.5% female). A total of 255 participants (42.4%) received a complete course of primary vaccination, 342 (56.9%) completed the booster dose, and 132 (38.6%) received a mixed vaccine. The frequencies of AEs (188 [52.2%] vs. 21 [5.8%]; P < 0.001) and disease flares (58 [16.2%] vs. 5 [1.4%]; P < 0.001) after COVID-19 vaccination were significantly higher than those after influenza vaccination. In the risk factor analysis, previous allergic reaction to other vaccines (odds ratio, 1.95; confidence interval, 1.07–3.70; P = 0.034) was the only factor associated with the occurrence of AEs. There was no difference in the post-vaccine responses between the mixed and matched vaccines. Conclusion The results of the survey of patients with ARD revealed that patient-reported AEs and underlying disease flares after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine were significantly higher than those after the influenza vaccine.

Objective: To determine the preventive effect of changing gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) to reduce the recurrence of GBCA-associated acute adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Materials and Methods: This retrospective, observational, single-center study—conducted between January 2016 and December 2021—included 238743 consecutive GBCA-enhanced MRI examinations. We focused on a subgroup of patients who experienced acute GBCA-associated ADRs during any of these examinations and subsequently underwent follow-up GBCAenhanced MRI examinations up until July 2023. The follow-up examinations involved either the same (non-change group) or different (change group) GBCAs compared to the ones that initially caused the acute ADR. Baseline participant characteristics, generic profile of the GBCAs, administration of premedication, history of prior ADR to iodinated contrast media, and symptoms of GBCA-associated acute ADRs were retrospectively analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations and propensity score matching were used. Results: A total of 1042 instances of acute ADRs (0.44%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.41%–0.46%) were reported. Threehundred and seventy-three patients underwent GBCA-enhanced MRI examinations after experiencing GBCA-associated acute ADRs within the study period; 31.9% (119/373) reexperienced acute ADRs at any of the follow-up examinations. The ADR recurrence was significantly lower in the GBCA change group than in the non-change group according to multivariable logistic regression (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.13–0.90; P = 0.03) and analysis with propensity score matching (14.3% [6/42] vs. 36.9% [31/84], respectively; OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.11–0.94; P = 0.04). A history of an ADR to iodinated contrast media (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 0.68–1.90; P = 0.62) and premedication (adjusted OR: 2.09, 95% CI: 0.93–4.68; P = 0.07) were not significantly associated with GBCA-associated acute ADR recurrence. A separate analysis for recurrent allergic-like hypersensitivity reactions demonstrated similar results (adjusted OR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.06–0.65; P < 0.01). Conclusion Changing GBCAs may reduce the risk of GBCA-associated acute ADR recurrence.

Purpose: There has been little information about the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and gastric cancer claims. This study aimed to measure the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on EGD and gastric cancer claims in South Korea. Materials and Methods: This nationwide, population-based study compared the claims data of EGD, gastric cancer, early gastric cancer (EGC), advanced gastric cancer (AGC) and gastric cancer operation in 2020 and 2021 (COVID-19 era) to those in 2019 (before COVID-19 pandemic). Results: The annual claims of EGD, gastric cancer, EGC, and AGC were reduced by 6.3%, 5.0%, 4.7%, and 3.6% in 2020 and by 2.2%, 1.0%, 0.6%, and 1.9% in 2021, respectively, compared to 2019. The amount of annual claims of gastric cancer operation was reduced by 8.8% in 2020, but increased by 0.9% in 2021, compared to those in 2019. The monthly claims of EGD, gastric cancer, EGC, AGC, and gastric cancer operation were mainly reduced in the first epidemic wave of COVID-19, but decreased in the 2nd to 4th epidemic wave. Compared to 2019, the monthly claim of EGD, gastric cancer, EGC, AGC, and gastric cancer operation were reduced by 28.8%, 14.3%, 18.1%, 9.2%, and 5.8% in March 2020 and by 17.2%, 10.8%, 10.3%, 7.2%, and 35.4% in April 2020, respectively. Conclusion Negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on EGD, gastric cancer, EGC, AGC, and gastric cancer operation was worst during the first surge of COVID-19, but decreased in the 2nd to 4th epidemic wave of the disease in 2020 and 2021.

Thromboembolic disease associated with superovulation is extremely rare, but severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is considered as one of the most important risk factors. We recently experienced a case of deep vein thrombosis occurring at left internal jugular, subclavian, and innominate vein combined with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. She experienced a miscarriage, and the thrombi were resolved completely after anticoagulant therapy. Although thromboembolic phenomenon is hard to predict, and occurs in spite of appropriate management of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, the measurement of factors associated with thrombophilia and prophylactic use of low dose heparin are recommended.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Brachiocephalic Veins ; Female ; Heparin ; Humans ; Jugular Veins* ; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome* ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors ; Superovulation ; Thrombophilia ; Thrombosis* ; Venous Thrombosis

PURPOSE: The rapid increase in the incidence of precocious puberty in Korea has clinical and social significance. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test is required to diagnose central precocious puberty (CPP), however this test is expensive and time-consuming. This study aimed to identify factors that can predict a positive response to the GnRH stimulation test. METHODS: Clinical and laboratory parameters, including basal serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol (E2), were measured in 540 girls with clinical signs of CPP. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-nine of 540 girls with suspected CPP had a peak serum LH level higher than 5 IU/L (the CPP group). The CPP group had advanced bone age (P<0.001), accelerated yearly growth rate (P<0.001), increased basal levels of LH (P=0.02), FSH (P<0.001), E2 (P=0.001), and insulin-like growth factor-I levels (P<0.001) compared to the non-CPP group. In contrast, body weight (P<0.001) and body mass index (P<0.001) were lower in the CPP group. Although basal LH was significantly elevated in the CPP group compared to the non-CPP group, there was considerable overlap between the 2 groups. Cutoff values of basal LH (0.22 IU/L) detected CPP with 87.8% sensitivity and 20.9% specificity. CONCLUSION: No single parameter can predict a positive response on the GnRH stimulation test with both high sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, multiple factors should be considered in evaluation of sexual precocity when deciding the timing of the GnRH stimulation test.
Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Diagnosis ; Estradiol ; Female* ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Forecasting ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Puberty, Precocious*