Several wars and pandemics have demonstrated the serious impacts of infectious diseases on the military, highlighting the importance of infection control. As a national defense organiza-tion, the military operates within specific cultural and environmental contexts distinct from civilian organizations. The unique conditions of war necessitate extensive efforts to prevent in-fections. Therefore, a strategic approach based on the understanding of its unique strengths and challenges is essential for proper infection control in the military. As the military is nationally dispersed and in contact with the surrounding communities, the readiness of this organization,along with its personnel, resources, and operational systems, is crucial for the protection ofsoldiers and civilians during infectious disease outbreaks. Therefore, joint efforts and academic and practical exchanges between the military and civilian sectors based on the comprehensiveunderstanding of the military conditions and operations are necessary for prompt response to and control of infectious diseases.

Several wars and pandemics have demonstrated the serious impacts of infectious diseases on the military, highlighting the importance of infection control. As a national defense organiza-tion, the military operates within specific cultural and environmental contexts distinct from civilian organizations. The unique conditions of war necessitate extensive efforts to prevent in-fections. Therefore, a strategic approach based on the understanding of its unique strengths and challenges is essential for proper infection control in the military. As the military is nationally dispersed and in contact with the surrounding communities, the readiness of this organization,along with its personnel, resources, and operational systems, is crucial for the protection ofsoldiers and civilians during infectious disease outbreaks. Therefore, joint efforts and academic and practical exchanges between the military and civilian sectors based on the comprehensiveunderstanding of the military conditions and operations are necessary for prompt response to and control of infectious diseases.

Several wars and pandemics have demonstrated the serious impacts of infectious diseases on the military, highlighting the importance of infection control. As a national defense organiza-tion, the military operates within specific cultural and environmental contexts distinct from civilian organizations. The unique conditions of war necessitate extensive efforts to prevent in-fections. Therefore, a strategic approach based on the understanding of its unique strengths and challenges is essential for proper infection control in the military. As the military is nationally dispersed and in contact with the surrounding communities, the readiness of this organization,along with its personnel, resources, and operational systems, is crucial for the protection ofsoldiers and civilians during infectious disease outbreaks. Therefore, joint efforts and academic and practical exchanges between the military and civilian sectors based on the comprehensiveunderstanding of the military conditions and operations are necessary for prompt response to and control of infectious diseases.

Several wars and pandemics have demonstrated the serious impacts of infectious diseases on the military, highlighting the importance of infection control. As a national defense organiza-tion, the military operates within specific cultural and environmental contexts distinct from civilian organizations. The unique conditions of war necessitate extensive efforts to prevent in-fections. Therefore, a strategic approach based on the understanding of its unique strengths and challenges is essential for proper infection control in the military. As the military is nationally dispersed and in contact with the surrounding communities, the readiness of this organization,along with its personnel, resources, and operational systems, is crucial for the protection ofsoldiers and civilians during infectious disease outbreaks. Therefore, joint efforts and academic and practical exchanges between the military and civilian sectors based on the comprehensiveunderstanding of the military conditions and operations are necessary for prompt response to and control of infectious diseases.

Background: We aimed to analyze the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax among military members of the Republic of Korea (ROK). Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with P. vivax malaria in 16 military hospitals in the ROK between 2012–2021, excluding other types of malaria, as well as imported cases and those treated in civilian hospitals. Results: In total, 653 patients were treated for P. vivax malaria. Their mean age was 22.0 ± 3.8 years, and their mean body weight was 73.4 ± 10.8 kg. Hospitalization occurred in 92.0% (n = 601) of the cases, with 4.4% (n = 29) recurring. The mean administered dose was 20.7 ± 3.4 mg/kg for the chloroquine (CQ) base and 3.5 ± 1.2 mg/kg for the primaquine (PQ) base.Between 2012–2016 and 2017–2021, the mean patient body weight increased (72.9 ± 11.1 vs.74.3 ± 10.3 kg, P = 0.044). Correspondingly, the total administered doses of CQ (1,476.0 ± 144.0 vs. 1,515.1 ± 155.1 mg, P = 0.010) and PQ (242.6 ± 79.7 vs. 265.7 ± 92.3 mg, P < 0.001) were increased. However, there was no difference in the weight-based dosage of CQ (20.7 ± 3.6 vs. 20.7 ± 3.2 mg/kg, P = 0.580) or PQ (3.33 ± 1.1 vs. 3.64 ± 1.3 mg/kg, P = 0.256), nor in the percentage of patients who received sub-recommended doses. Among the 27 patients who experienced recurrence and had available initial treatment data, the proportion of those prescribed PQ (24 [88.9%] vs. 623 [99.5%], P = 0.001) and the mean PQ dose (2.75 ± 0.7 vs.3.50 ± 1.2 mg/kg, P = 0.003) were significantly lower in the recurrence group. Conclusion Over time, as the body weight of patients with P. vivax malaria in the ROK military has increased, the administered dosages of CQ and PQ have correspondingly risen.However, these dosages often remain suboptimal when compared to the body weightbased recommendations by the World Health Organization. Of particular concern is the continued administration of antimalarial drugs at suboptimal doses, which may contribute to an elevated risk of recurrence. Further education may therefore be beneficial to ensuring appropriate dosing for more effective malaria treatment.

Background: We aimed to analyze the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax among military members of the Republic of Korea (ROK). Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with P. vivax malaria in 16 military hospitals in the ROK between 2012–2021, excluding other types of malaria, as well as imported cases and those treated in civilian hospitals. Results: In total, 653 patients were treated for P. vivax malaria. Their mean age was 22.0 ± 3.8 years, and their mean body weight was 73.4 ± 10.8 kg. Hospitalization occurred in 92.0% (n = 601) of the cases, with 4.4% (n = 29) recurring. The mean administered dose was 20.7 ± 3.4 mg/kg for the chloroquine (CQ) base and 3.5 ± 1.2 mg/kg for the primaquine (PQ) base.Between 2012–2016 and 2017–2021, the mean patient body weight increased (72.9 ± 11.1 vs.74.3 ± 10.3 kg, P = 0.044). Correspondingly, the total administered doses of CQ (1,476.0 ± 144.0 vs. 1,515.1 ± 155.1 mg, P = 0.010) and PQ (242.6 ± 79.7 vs. 265.7 ± 92.3 mg, P < 0.001) were increased. However, there was no difference in the weight-based dosage of CQ (20.7 ± 3.6 vs. 20.7 ± 3.2 mg/kg, P = 0.580) or PQ (3.33 ± 1.1 vs. 3.64 ± 1.3 mg/kg, P = 0.256), nor in the percentage of patients who received sub-recommended doses. Among the 27 patients who experienced recurrence and had available initial treatment data, the proportion of those prescribed PQ (24 [88.9%] vs. 623 [99.5%], P = 0.001) and the mean PQ dose (2.75 ± 0.7 vs.3.50 ± 1.2 mg/kg, P = 0.003) were significantly lower in the recurrence group. Conclusion Over time, as the body weight of patients with P. vivax malaria in the ROK military has increased, the administered dosages of CQ and PQ have correspondingly risen.However, these dosages often remain suboptimal when compared to the body weightbased recommendations by the World Health Organization. Of particular concern is the continued administration of antimalarial drugs at suboptimal doses, which may contribute to an elevated risk of recurrence. Further education may therefore be beneficial to ensuring appropriate dosing for more effective malaria treatment.

Background: We aimed to analyze the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax among military members of the Republic of Korea (ROK). Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with P. vivax malaria in 16 military hospitals in the ROK between 2012–2021, excluding other types of malaria, as well as imported cases and those treated in civilian hospitals. Results: In total, 653 patients were treated for P. vivax malaria. Their mean age was 22.0 ± 3.8 years, and their mean body weight was 73.4 ± 10.8 kg. Hospitalization occurred in 92.0% (n = 601) of the cases, with 4.4% (n = 29) recurring. The mean administered dose was 20.7 ± 3.4 mg/kg for the chloroquine (CQ) base and 3.5 ± 1.2 mg/kg for the primaquine (PQ) base.Between 2012–2016 and 2017–2021, the mean patient body weight increased (72.9 ± 11.1 vs.74.3 ± 10.3 kg, P = 0.044). Correspondingly, the total administered doses of CQ (1,476.0 ± 144.0 vs. 1,515.1 ± 155.1 mg, P = 0.010) and PQ (242.6 ± 79.7 vs. 265.7 ± 92.3 mg, P < 0.001) were increased. However, there was no difference in the weight-based dosage of CQ (20.7 ± 3.6 vs. 20.7 ± 3.2 mg/kg, P = 0.580) or PQ (3.33 ± 1.1 vs. 3.64 ± 1.3 mg/kg, P = 0.256), nor in the percentage of patients who received sub-recommended doses. Among the 27 patients who experienced recurrence and had available initial treatment data, the proportion of those prescribed PQ (24 [88.9%] vs. 623 [99.5%], P = 0.001) and the mean PQ dose (2.75 ± 0.7 vs.3.50 ± 1.2 mg/kg, P = 0.003) were significantly lower in the recurrence group. Conclusion Over time, as the body weight of patients with P. vivax malaria in the ROK military has increased, the administered dosages of CQ and PQ have correspondingly risen.However, these dosages often remain suboptimal when compared to the body weightbased recommendations by the World Health Organization. Of particular concern is the continued administration of antimalarial drugs at suboptimal doses, which may contribute to an elevated risk of recurrence. Further education may therefore be beneficial to ensuring appropriate dosing for more effective malaria treatment.

Background: We aimed to analyze the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax among military members of the Republic of Korea (ROK). Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with P. vivax malaria in 16 military hospitals in the ROK between 2012–2021, excluding other types of malaria, as well as imported cases and those treated in civilian hospitals. Results: In total, 653 patients were treated for P. vivax malaria. Their mean age was 22.0 ± 3.8 years, and their mean body weight was 73.4 ± 10.8 kg. Hospitalization occurred in 92.0% (n = 601) of the cases, with 4.4% (n = 29) recurring. The mean administered dose was 20.7 ± 3.4 mg/kg for the chloroquine (CQ) base and 3.5 ± 1.2 mg/kg for the primaquine (PQ) base.Between 2012–2016 and 2017–2021, the mean patient body weight increased (72.9 ± 11.1 vs.74.3 ± 10.3 kg, P = 0.044). Correspondingly, the total administered doses of CQ (1,476.0 ± 144.0 vs. 1,515.1 ± 155.1 mg, P = 0.010) and PQ (242.6 ± 79.7 vs. 265.7 ± 92.3 mg, P < 0.001) were increased. However, there was no difference in the weight-based dosage of CQ (20.7 ± 3.6 vs. 20.7 ± 3.2 mg/kg, P = 0.580) or PQ (3.33 ± 1.1 vs. 3.64 ± 1.3 mg/kg, P = 0.256), nor in the percentage of patients who received sub-recommended doses. Among the 27 patients who experienced recurrence and had available initial treatment data, the proportion of those prescribed PQ (24 [88.9%] vs. 623 [99.5%], P = 0.001) and the mean PQ dose (2.75 ± 0.7 vs.3.50 ± 1.2 mg/kg, P = 0.003) were significantly lower in the recurrence group. Conclusion Over time, as the body weight of patients with P. vivax malaria in the ROK military has increased, the administered dosages of CQ and PQ have correspondingly risen.However, these dosages often remain suboptimal when compared to the body weightbased recommendations by the World Health Organization. Of particular concern is the continued administration of antimalarial drugs at suboptimal doses, which may contribute to an elevated risk of recurrence. Further education may therefore be beneficial to ensuring appropriate dosing for more effective malaria treatment.

Background: The significance of ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in Korean patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in relation to renal outcome or death remains unclear. We investigated the role of ABP in predicting end-stage renal disease or death in patients with CKD. Methods: We enrolled 387 patients with hypertension and CKD who underwent ABP monitoring and were followed for 1 year. Data on clinical parameters and outcomes from August 2014 to May 2018 were retrospectively collected. The composite endpoint was end-stage renal disease or death. Patients were grouped according to the mean ABP. Results: There were 66 endpoint events, 52 end-stage renal disease cases, and 15 mortalities. Among all patients, one developed end-stage renal disease and died. Mean ABP in the systolic and diastolic phases were risk factors for the development of composite outcome with hazard ratios of 1.03 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.04; P < 0.001) and 1.04 (95% CI, 1.02-1.07; P = 0.001) for every 1 mmHg increase in BP, respectively. Patients with mean ABP between 125/75 and 130/80 mmHg had a 2.56-fold higher risk for the development of composite outcome (95% CI, 0.72-9.12; P = 0.147) as compared to those with mean ABP ≤ 125/75 mmHg. Patients with mean ABP ≥ 130/80 mmHg had a 4.79-fold higher risk (95% CI, 1.68-13.70; P = 0.003) compared to those with mean ABP ≤ 125/75 mmHg. Office blood pressure (OBP) was not a risk factor for the composite outcome when adjusted for covariates. Conclusion In contrast to OBP, ABP was a significant risk factor for end-stage renal disease or death in CKD patients.

Background: Copeptin is secreted in equimolar amounts as arginine vasopressin, main hormone regulating body fluid homeostasis. A recent study reported a copeptin-based classification of osmoregulatory defects in syndromes of inappropriate antidiuresis that may aid in prediction of therapeutic success. We investigated usefulness of copeptin for differentiating etiologies of hyponatremia and predicting efficacy and safety of hypertonic saline treatment in hyponatremic patients. Methods: We performed a multicenter, prospective cohort study of 100 inpatients with symptomatic hyponatremia (corrected serum sodium [sNa] ≤ 125 mmol/L) treated with hypertonic saline. Copeptin levels were measured at baseline and 24 hours after treatment initiation, and patients were classified as being below or above median of copeptin at baseline or at 24 hours, respectively. Correlations between target, under correction, and overcorrection rates of sNa within 24 hours/24–48 hours and copeptin levels at baseline/24 hours were analyzed. Results: Mean sNa and median copeptin levels were 117.9 and 16.9 pmol/L, respectively. Ratio of copeptin-to-urine sodium allowed for an improved differentiation among some (insufficient effective circulatory volume), but not all hyponatremia etiologic subgroups. Patients with below-median copeptin levels at baseline achieved a higher target correction rate in 6/24 hours (odds ratio [OR], 2.97; p = 0.02/OR, 6.21; p = 0.006). Patients with below-median copeptin levels 24 hours after treatment showed a higher overcorrection rate in next 24 hours (OR, 18.00, p = 0.02). Conclusion There is a limited diagnostic utility of copeptin for differential diagnosis of hyponatremia. However, copeptin might be useful for predicting responses to hypertonic saline treatment in hyponatremic patients.