Academic Medical Centers ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; Cross Infection/prevention & control* ; Disinfection ; Hospitals, Isolation ; Humans ; Infection Control/methods* ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional/prevention & control* ; Radiology ; Radiology Department, Hospital/organization & administration* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Singapore

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed to analyze the status and effects of influenza vaccine (IV) and pneumococcal vaccine (PV) in hospitalized patients in a University Hospital with chronic conditions.METHODS: The study is based on the medical records of 3,279 inpatients in pulmonary center of Yeungnam University Medical Center (Korea) between October 2015 and September 2016. The subjects were divided into two groups by age (under 65 years old and over 65 years old), and the preventive effects of IV and PV were analyzed by comparing vaccination rate, hospitalized period, pneumonia attach rate, and mortality rate. Vaccination data were obtained from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web system. The chi-squared test, linear regression analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze factors associated with the types of vaccinations and underlying medial factors.RESULTS: In the group under 65 years old, those without any vaccination had higher mortality rate. In addition, patients with IV vaccination were more likely to have shorter hospitalized periods. On the contrary, a group of people without any vaccination, hospitalized period increased. However, in the group of over 65 years old with various underlying conditions, the mortality rate was higher when IV or both IV and PV were vaccinated.CONCLUSION: The preventive effects show the opposite results in two age groups. This study indicates that the vaccines are more effective in the group under 65 years old than the group over 65 years old with chronic conditions.
Academic Medical Centers ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Influenza Vaccines ; Influenza, Human ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Linear Models ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Pneumococcal Vaccines ; Pneumonia ; Vaccination ; Vaccines

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to describe the diagnostic yield of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in patients with isolated elevated levels of amylase and/or lipase. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted at a large academic medical center from 2000 to 2016. Patients were selected based on having elevated amylase, lipase, or both, but without a diagnosis of pancreatitis or known pancreatobiliary disease. Patients were excluded if they had abnormal liver function tests or abnormal imaging of the pancreas. RESULTS: Of 299 EUS procedures performed, 38 met inclusion criteria. Symptoms were present in 31 patients, most frequently abdominal pain (87%). In 20 patients (53%), initial EUS most commonly found chronic pancreatitis (n=7; 18%), sludge (5; 13%), or new diagnosis of pancreas divisum (3; 8%). In the asymptomatic patients (7), 3 had a finding on EUS, most importantly sludge (2), stone (1), and pancreas divisum (1). No patients were diagnosed with a mass or pancreatic cyst. During the follow up period, 6 patients (22%) had cholecystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: In our study of patients with isolated elevations in amylase and/or lipase without acute pancreatitis who underwent EUS, approximately 50% had a pancreatobiliary finding, most commonly chronic pancreatitis or biliary sludge.
Abdominal Pain ; Academic Medical Centers ; Amylases ; Bile ; Cholecystectomy ; Diagnosis ; Endosonography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lipase ; Liver Function Tests ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Cyst ; Pancreatitis ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies ; Sewage ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVES: Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is a life-saving therapy for patients with terminal liver disease. Many studies have focused on recipients rather than donors. The aim of this study was to assess the emotional status and personality characteristics of LDLT donors. METHODS: We evaluated 218 subjects (126 male, 92 female) who visited Daegu Catholic University Medical Center from August 2012 to July 2018. A retrospective review of their preoperative psychological evaluation was done. We investigated epidemiological data and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 questionnaire. Subanalysis was done depending on whether subjects actually underwent surgery, relationship with the recipient, and their gender. RESULTS: Mean age of subjects was 32.19±10.91 years. 187 subjects received LDLT surgery (actual donors) while 31 subjects didn't (potential donors). Donor-recipient relationship included husband-wife, parent-children, brother-sister etc. Subjects had statistical significance on validity scale L, F, K and all clinical scales compared to the control group. Potential donors had significant difference in F(b), F(p), K, S, Pa, AGGR, PSYC, DISC and NEGE scales compared to actual donors. F, D and NEGE scales were found to be predictive for actual donation. Subanalysis on donor-recipient relationship and gender also showed significant difference in certain scales. CONCLUSIONS: Under-reporting of psychological problems should be considered when evaluating living-liver donors. Information about the donor's overall psychosocial background, mental status and donation process should also be acquired.
Academic Medical Centers ; Daegu ; Donor Selection ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver ; Living Donors ; Male ; Minnesota ; MMPI ; Retrospective Studies ; Tissue Donors ; Weights and Measures

The tripartite mission of 'academic medicine is education, research, and patient care. Academic medical centers (AMCs) are carrying out the mission and ultimately aiming to improve the health of people and communities. Globally, AMCs are facing a tremendous financial risk stemming from the changes in health insurance reimbursement plans and a shortage of human resources. Innovative AMCs in the United States are trying to transform their physician-centered, and siloed structure into a patient-centered, and integrated structure. They are also building integrated systems with primary healthcare groups to provide continuous patient care from primary to tertiary levels and making strategic networks based on value-based payment and the patient-centered model. These changes have been proven to improve outcomes of patient care and increase fiscal revenues, which are both crucial in supporting education and research. To address the shortage of human resources, programs are being built to develop newly appointed faculty for the future. AMCs have different approaches to bringing changes into their organizations; however, there is a common emphasis on 'a patient-centered approach,' which helps them set more explicit organizational values and make strategic decisions based on their values. Korean AMCs are facing similar challenges to AMCs in the United States in spite of many differences between the countries' healthcare systems. The innovative efforts of AMCs in the United States to address the challenges will be helpful, well-worked examples for Korean AMCs with similar challenges.
Academic Medical Centers ; Delivery of Health Care ; Education ; Humans ; Insurance, Health, Reimbursement ; Patient Care ; Patient-Centered Care ; Primary Health Care ; United States

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of postthyroidectomy obesity, and the relationship between the extent of thyroidectomy and obesity. METHODS: A survey conducted at an outpatient clinic from June to October 2014 and retrospective charts for patients undergoing thyroidectomy at Konkuk University Medical Centers from June 2009 to December 2013 were reviewed. We compared clinical characteristics and pre- and postoperative obesity-related factors in 227 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy or lobectomy. RESULTS: Patients included 39 males and 188 females with a mean age of 46.0 ± 11.0 years; the mean follow-up period was 23.9 ± 16.7 months, and 90 of the 227 patients showed postthyroidectomy obesity. In effect of operative extent on postoperative obesity, patients who underwent TT (48.2 years) than those who underwent lobectomy (43.4 years). TT group had longer follow-up and the frequency of menopause was higher than in the lobectomy group. No differences in postthyroidectomy obesity, body weight change, or body mass index (BMI), change among 2 groups. The predictors of postthyroidectomy obesity were older age, female, heavy alcohol consumption (P = 0.029), higher preoperative BMI (P < 0.001), larger postoperative weight gain (P = 0.024), and larger BMI change. However, the extent of thyroidectomy did not affect postthyroidectomy obesity. Preoperative BMI (P < 0.001) and heavy alcohol consumption (P = 0.03) were independent factors of postthyroidectomy obesity. CONCLUSION: The extent of thyroidectomy does not affect postthyroidectomy obesity. Preoperative BMI and heavy alcohol consumption are risk factors for postthyroidectomy obesity. Studies are needed to suggest preoperative life style modification to prevent postthyroidectomy obesity.
Academic Medical Centers ; Alcohol Drinking ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight Changes ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Life Style ; Male ; Menopause ; Obesity ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroidectomy ; Weight Gain

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Surgical resection or ablation is recommended for the treatment of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), whereas transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is frequently used in early HCC ineligible for curative resection. We evaluated the clinical effects and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) shortly after TACE in patients with Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) stage A HCC. METHODS: Sixty-seven BCLC stage A HCC patients who failed to achieve complete response to TACE as either a first line treatment and who subsequently received RFA at the Konkuk University Medical Center from January 2005 to December 2017 were included. Evaluation indices included treatment response, overall survival rate, recurrence-free survival, prognostic factors, and procedure-related complications. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 46.9 months. Fifty-four (80.6%) patients were of Child-Pugh class A, and 13 (19.4%) were of class B. Modified UICC stages were I in 10 (14.9%), II in 46 (68.7%), and III in 11 (16.4%) patients. In the 67 study subjects, cumulative recurrence-free survival rates were 86.8%, 55.9% and 29.7% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively, and overall survival rates were 100%, 93.4%, and 83.5% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Tumor size significantly predicted recurrence. No treatment-related death occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of RFA was an efficient and safe treatment for BCLC stage A HCC patients that failed to achieve complete response to initial TACE. We suggest TACE plus RFA be considered as a curative option for early HCC patients ineligible for curative resection of RFA.
Academic Medical Centers ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Catheter Ablation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Liver ; Recurrence ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: To investigate the overall cancer risk and risk for specific cancers in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in Korea by comparing cancer incidence between RA patients and the general population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Individuals diagnosed with RA between 1996 and 2009 who underwent treatment at the Daegu Catholic University Medical Center were retrospectively examined. 1885 patients with RA were included in the analyses. Occurrence of cancer and death during follow up was ascertained by linking medical records to the Korean Central Cancer Registry and national death certificates. For comparing cancer incidence between RA patients and general population, standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated. The 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of SIRs were calculated using the shortcut method introduced by Vandenbroucke. RESULTS: The total follow-up time was 10218.9 person-years. During follow up, 100 patients (31 men and 69 women) were diagnosed with cancer. Both men and women had greater risks of having malignancy, although cancer risk was greater in men. Men showed increased risks of lung cancer (SIR=5.46, 95% CI: 2.60–9.36) and leukemia (SIR=16.7, 95% CI: 1.58–47.9). Women showed increased risks of thyroid cancer (SIR=1.75, 95% CI: 1.02–2.68), cervical cancer (SIR=3.65, 95% CI: 1.65–6.42), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (SIR=6.47, 95% CI: 2.04–13.4), and gallbladder cancer (SIR=3.87, 95% CI: 1.01–8.60). Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs usage and cancer were not related: the relative risks of developing malignancy were not elevated for each medicine. CONCLUSION: The overall cancer incidence was increased in Korean men and women with RA. Increased risk of specific malignancy differed according to sex.
Academic Medical Centers ; Antirheumatic Agents ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Daegu ; Death Certificates ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gallbladder Neoplasms ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Leukemia ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; Male ; Medical Records ; Methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the long term safety and efficacy of etanercept in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). METHODS: The study subjects were the 90 JIA patients treated with etanercept in the Department of Pediatrics, Hallym University Medical Center between January 2004 and December 2017. We retrospectively reviewed their medical records for age at diagnosis, duration of etanercept treatment, number of active joints, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and adverse events during treatment. RESULTS: Among the 90 patients, 38 (42.0%) were male and 52 (58.0%) were female; 15 (16.7%) had systemic onset, 41 (45.6%) had extended oligoarticular, 14 (15.6%) had rheumatoid factor-positive polyarticular, 18 (20.0%) had rheumatoid factor-negative polyarticular, and 2 (2.1%) had enthesitis-related arthritis. The median age at the start of etanercept treatment was 9 years (range, 3~18 years), and the median duration of etanercept treatment was 6 years (range, 0.5~13 years). The median number of active joints decreased from 9 to 0 after 6 months of etanercept treatment. The median CRP and ESR were within normal range after 3 months of treatment. Six patients experienced recurrence, 9 switched to other medications and 3 discontinued etanercept. Of the 14 reported adverse events, 1 was serious, and there were no tuberculosis infections or malignancies. CONCLUSION: Long-term treatment with etanercept is efficacious and safe for children with JIA. However, those with the systemic onset subtype appear to have low drug survival rate compared to those with other types of JIA.
Academic Medical Centers ; Arthritis ; Arthritis, Juvenile ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Etanercept ; Female ; Humans ; Joints ; Male ; Medical Records ; Pediatrics ; Recurrence ; Reference Values ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To investigate the number and characteristics of patients eligible for endovascular treatment (EVT) determined using three different selection methods: clinical-core mismatch, target mismatch, and collateral status. METHODS: Using the data of consecutive patients from two prospectively maintained registries of university medical centers, the number and characteristics of patients according to the three selection methods were investigated and their correlation was analyzed. Patients with anterior circulation stroke due to occlusion of the middle cerebral and/or internal carotid artery and a National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of ≥6 points, who arrived within 8 hours or between 6 and 12 hours of symptom onset and underwent magnetic resonance imaging prior to EVT, were included. Collateral status was assessed using magnetic resonance perfusion-derived collateral flow maps. RESULTS: Three hundred thirty-five patients were investigated; the proportions of patients who were eligible and ineligible for EVT in all three selection methods were both small (n=85, 25.4%; n=54, 16.1%, respectively). The intercorrelation among the three selection methods was low (κ=0.235). The baseline NIHSS score and onset-to-selection time interval were associated with the presence of clinical-core mismatch, while the penumbra/core volume ratio and onset-to-selection time interval were related to target mismatch; none of these variables were associated with collateral status. The infarct core volume was associated with favorable profiles in all three selection methods. CONCLUSIONS: Although the application of individual selection methods resulted in favorable outcomes after EVT in clinical trials, there is a significant discrepancy in EVT eligibility depending on the selection method used.
Academic Medical Centers ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Methods ; Prospective Studies ; Registries ; Stroke