OBJECTIVE: Henoch–Schönlein purpura is the most widespread systemic vasculitis during childhood. This study evaluated the relationship between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and Henoch–Schönlein nephritis, which is important for the long-term prognosis of Henoch–Schönlein purpura. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients diagnosed with Henoch–Schönlein purpura at the Department of Pediatrics of Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital between January 2007 and June 2018. One hundred and twelve patients under the age of 18 who were diagnosed with Henoch–Schönlein purpura according to Henoch–Schönlein purpura diagnostic criteria, European League Against Rheumatism were included in the study. Blood and urine test, gastroscopy and colonoscopy, and abdominal computed tomography performed during the first visit were included. RESULTS: Among 112 Henoch–Schönlein purpura patients, 25 patients were Henoch–Schönlein nephritis. NLR was significantly increased in patients with Henoch–Schönlein nephritis compared to patients without nephritis (P=0.042), which is an independent predictor of Henoch–Schönlein nephritis. CONCLUSION This study showed that NLR could be a useful predictor of Henoch–Schönlein nephritis in patients with Henoch–Schönlein purpura.

Background: This study investigated trends in national expenditures on anticancer and immunomodulating agents from 2013 to 2022. Methods: Information was obtained from the National Health Insurance claims data spanning a period of 10 years, from 2013 to 2022. The subjects of this study are patients diagnosed with cancer who used anticancer agents between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2022. Trends were examined across various categories, including sex, age groups, routes of healthcare use, and types of healthcare institutions. We calculated the compound annual growth rate in both the number of patients and expenditures by year. Results: In 2013, pharmaceutical expenditures amounted to USD 11,984 million, representing 25.5% of the total healthcare expenditures, which were USD 46,984 million.Within this pharmaceutical expenditure, anticancer medications constituted USD 584 million, or 4.9%. By 2022, pharmaceutical expenditures had risen to USD 22,093 million, accounting for 22.8% of the total healthcare expenditures of USD 96,904 million. Of this amount, USD 1,566 million was allocated to anticancer drugs, which represented 7.1% of the total pharmaceutical expenditures. Between 2013 and 2022, total healthcare expenditures experienced a significant increase of 106.2%, reaching USD 49,920 million. Concurrently, pharmaceutical expenditures rose by 91.1% to USD 10,919 million, while expenditures on anticancer drugs surged by 168.2% to USD 982 million. In 2022, the category with the highest expenditures was ATC L01FF, which includes programmed cell death protein 1/death ligand 1 inhibitors such as nivolumab, totaling USD 266.2 million. This was followed by L01FD at USD 198.8 million and L01EA at USD 140.4 million. Since 2018, however, spending on immune checkpoint blockers targeting cell death proteins or ligands has continued to rise and currently ranks first. Conclusion The number of patients using anticancer drugs and the associated drug expenditures have risen between 2013 and 2022. As the share of anticancer drugs in total drug expenditures grows, so too do the overall expenditures. This escalating financial burden highlights the necessity for policymakers to thoroughly understand the appropriate and costeffective usage of anticancer drugs, as it directly influences the affordability and accessibility of healthcare services.

Background: This study investigated trends in national expenditures on anticancer and immunomodulating agents from 2013 to 2022. Methods: Information was obtained from the National Health Insurance claims data spanning a period of 10 years, from 2013 to 2022. The subjects of this study are patients diagnosed with cancer who used anticancer agents between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2022. Trends were examined across various categories, including sex, age groups, routes of healthcare use, and types of healthcare institutions. We calculated the compound annual growth rate in both the number of patients and expenditures by year. Results: In 2013, pharmaceutical expenditures amounted to USD 11,984 million, representing 25.5% of the total healthcare expenditures, which were USD 46,984 million.Within this pharmaceutical expenditure, anticancer medications constituted USD 584 million, or 4.9%. By 2022, pharmaceutical expenditures had risen to USD 22,093 million, accounting for 22.8% of the total healthcare expenditures of USD 96,904 million. Of this amount, USD 1,566 million was allocated to anticancer drugs, which represented 7.1% of the total pharmaceutical expenditures. Between 2013 and 2022, total healthcare expenditures experienced a significant increase of 106.2%, reaching USD 49,920 million. Concurrently, pharmaceutical expenditures rose by 91.1% to USD 10,919 million, while expenditures on anticancer drugs surged by 168.2% to USD 982 million. In 2022, the category with the highest expenditures was ATC L01FF, which includes programmed cell death protein 1/death ligand 1 inhibitors such as nivolumab, totaling USD 266.2 million. This was followed by L01FD at USD 198.8 million and L01EA at USD 140.4 million. Since 2018, however, spending on immune checkpoint blockers targeting cell death proteins or ligands has continued to rise and currently ranks first. Conclusion The number of patients using anticancer drugs and the associated drug expenditures have risen between 2013 and 2022. As the share of anticancer drugs in total drug expenditures grows, so too do the overall expenditures. This escalating financial burden highlights the necessity for policymakers to thoroughly understand the appropriate and costeffective usage of anticancer drugs, as it directly influences the affordability and accessibility of healthcare services.

Background: This study investigated trends in national expenditures on anticancer and immunomodulating agents from 2013 to 2022. Methods: Information was obtained from the National Health Insurance claims data spanning a period of 10 years, from 2013 to 2022. The subjects of this study are patients diagnosed with cancer who used anticancer agents between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2022. Trends were examined across various categories, including sex, age groups, routes of healthcare use, and types of healthcare institutions. We calculated the compound annual growth rate in both the number of patients and expenditures by year. Results: In 2013, pharmaceutical expenditures amounted to USD 11,984 million, representing 25.5% of the total healthcare expenditures, which were USD 46,984 million.Within this pharmaceutical expenditure, anticancer medications constituted USD 584 million, or 4.9%. By 2022, pharmaceutical expenditures had risen to USD 22,093 million, accounting for 22.8% of the total healthcare expenditures of USD 96,904 million. Of this amount, USD 1,566 million was allocated to anticancer drugs, which represented 7.1% of the total pharmaceutical expenditures. Between 2013 and 2022, total healthcare expenditures experienced a significant increase of 106.2%, reaching USD 49,920 million. Concurrently, pharmaceutical expenditures rose by 91.1% to USD 10,919 million, while expenditures on anticancer drugs surged by 168.2% to USD 982 million. In 2022, the category with the highest expenditures was ATC L01FF, which includes programmed cell death protein 1/death ligand 1 inhibitors such as nivolumab, totaling USD 266.2 million. This was followed by L01FD at USD 198.8 million and L01EA at USD 140.4 million. Since 2018, however, spending on immune checkpoint blockers targeting cell death proteins or ligands has continued to rise and currently ranks first. Conclusion The number of patients using anticancer drugs and the associated drug expenditures have risen between 2013 and 2022. As the share of anticancer drugs in total drug expenditures grows, so too do the overall expenditures. This escalating financial burden highlights the necessity for policymakers to thoroughly understand the appropriate and costeffective usage of anticancer drugs, as it directly influences the affordability and accessibility of healthcare services.

Background: This study investigated trends in national expenditures on anticancer and immunomodulating agents from 2013 to 2022. Methods: Information was obtained from the National Health Insurance claims data spanning a period of 10 years, from 2013 to 2022. The subjects of this study are patients diagnosed with cancer who used anticancer agents between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2022. Trends were examined across various categories, including sex, age groups, routes of healthcare use, and types of healthcare institutions. We calculated the compound annual growth rate in both the number of patients and expenditures by year. Results: In 2013, pharmaceutical expenditures amounted to USD 11,984 million, representing 25.5% of the total healthcare expenditures, which were USD 46,984 million.Within this pharmaceutical expenditure, anticancer medications constituted USD 584 million, or 4.9%. By 2022, pharmaceutical expenditures had risen to USD 22,093 million, accounting for 22.8% of the total healthcare expenditures of USD 96,904 million. Of this amount, USD 1,566 million was allocated to anticancer drugs, which represented 7.1% of the total pharmaceutical expenditures. Between 2013 and 2022, total healthcare expenditures experienced a significant increase of 106.2%, reaching USD 49,920 million. Concurrently, pharmaceutical expenditures rose by 91.1% to USD 10,919 million, while expenditures on anticancer drugs surged by 168.2% to USD 982 million. In 2022, the category with the highest expenditures was ATC L01FF, which includes programmed cell death protein 1/death ligand 1 inhibitors such as nivolumab, totaling USD 266.2 million. This was followed by L01FD at USD 198.8 million and L01EA at USD 140.4 million. Since 2018, however, spending on immune checkpoint blockers targeting cell death proteins or ligands has continued to rise and currently ranks first. Conclusion The number of patients using anticancer drugs and the associated drug expenditures have risen between 2013 and 2022. As the share of anticancer drugs in total drug expenditures grows, so too do the overall expenditures. This escalating financial burden highlights the necessity for policymakers to thoroughly understand the appropriate and costeffective usage of anticancer drugs, as it directly influences the affordability and accessibility of healthcare services.

Laryngomalacia, the most common cause of stridor in infants, is characterized by the inward collapse of soft and immature upper laryngeal cartilages during inspiration, resulting in airway obstruction at the supraglottic level. Acquired laryngomalacia is a rare condition that mainly occurs following significant neurological dysfunctions associated with cerebrovascular disease, head and neck surgery, or cervical trauma. We present a case of acquired idiopathic laryngomalacia in a 12-year-old adolescent caused by the prolapse of redundant arytenoid mucosa. The patient exhibited no neurological dysfunctions or laryngeal deformities. However, he had allergic rhinitis accompanied by high serum immunoglobulin E levels. His symptoms worsened after being infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Furthermore, allergic rhinitis or SARS-CoV-2 infection may have worsened preexisting asymptomatic congenital or acquired laryngomalacia through neurological damage. Acquired idiopathic laryngomalacia is rale in children. In cases where children and adolescents present with a sudden onset of inspiratory stridor, it is essential to perform a laryngoscopic examination for identifying potential cases of acquired laryngomalacia.