60 years of age. A total of 588,147 participants were randomly selected for senior cohort using 10% simple random sampling. We identified senile (> 65 years old) patients who underwent hip fracture surgery from January 2005 to December 2014 and those who developed pneumonia during hospitalization from the NHIS-Senior cohort. The index date of hip fracture occurrence was defined as the date of admission to the acute care hospital. The last date of follow-up was defined as the date of death or 31 December 2015, whichever came first. A multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate the effects of pneumonia on all-cause mortality.RESULTS: During the enrollment period, a total of 14,736 patients, who were older than 65 years, underwent hip fracture surgeries. Among them, 1,629 patients (11.05%) developed pneumonia during the hospitalization. The pneumonia incidence was 16.39% (601/3,666) in men patients and 9.29% (1,028/10,042) in women patients. Compared to 13,107 non-pneumonia patients, adjusted relative risk (aRR) of death in pneumonia patients was 2.69 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.14–3.38; P < 0.001) within postoperative 30-day, 3.40 (95% CI, 3.01–3.83; P < 0.001) within postoperative 90-day, 2.86 (95% CI, 2.61–3.15; P < 0.001) within postoperative 180-day and 2.31 (95% CI, 2.14–2.50; P < 0.001) within postoperative 1-year. According to patient's age, the aRR of death in pneumonia patients was 5.75 (95% CI, 2.89–11.43) in adults aged < 70 years, 5.14 (95% CI, 4.08–6.46) in those aged 70–79 years, 3.29 (95% CI, 2.81–3.86) in those aged 80–89 years and 2.02 (95% CI, 1.52–2.69) in those aged ≥ 90 years. The aRR was 3.63 (95% CI, 3.01–4.38) in men pneumonia patients, and 3.27 (95% CI, 2.80–3.83) in women pneumonia patients.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of pneumonia in elderly hip fracture patients was 11.05%. Men had higher incidence (16.39%) than women (9.29%). Compared to non-pneumonia patients, the pneumonia patients had higher 30-day to 1-year mortalities with aRR of 2.31 to 3.40. They had increased mortality in all age groups older than 65 years with aRR of 1.52 to 4.08. Both genders of pneumonia patients had higher risk of mortality (aRR, 3.63 in men and 3.27 in women) compared to non-pneumonia patients.]]>
Adult ; Aged ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality ; National Health Programs ; Pneumonia ; Prevalence ; Proportional Hazards Models

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the fate of abstracts presented at scientific meetings of the Korean College of Rheumatology (KCR). METHODS: This study examined the abstracts presented at annual meetings of the KCR from 2005 to 2014. Only original studies were selected, excluding case reports. A manual search was conducted using PubMed, KoreaMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase to track the published articles. The abstracts were considered to have been published if the authors, title, study design, and results were the same for a published article. In addition, they were considered published if the author and the study design matched, even if the results of the abstract and the results of the published articles were not identical. RESULTS: A total of 928 abstracts from 2005 to 2014 were analyzed. Of the 928 abstracts, 468 (50.43%) abstracts were published in a peer-reviewed journal and the mean time to publication was 19 months. Of the 468 abstracts, 414 were published in a science citation index extended (SCI[E]) journal, and 54 were published in non-SCI(E) journals. The proportion of SCI(E) articles increased annually. The average impact factor for the SCI(E) journals was 2.93. In subgroup analysis, the abstracts that were awarded the best oral or best poster presentation were more likely to be published as full-length articles with a higher impact factor than the abstracts not awarded. CONCLUSION: Half of the abstracts presented in the KCR annual meetings were published in a peer-reviewed journal. Approximately 90% of the articles were published in a SCI(E) journal.
Awards and Prizes ; Korea ; Publications ; Rheumatology*

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine prognostic factors that can affect the fetal survival immediate after fetoscopic laser ablation. METHODS: The study population consisted of consecutive twin pregnant women who underwent fetoscopic laser ablation with the diagnosis of twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) from 2011 to 2018 in Seoul National University Hospital. Fetal survival immediate after procedure was defined as survival to 48 hours after procedure and neonatal survival was defined as survival to 28 days of life. Clinical characteristics and ultrasound findings were compared according to the fetal survival immediate after procedure. RESULTS: A total of 57 pregnant women with TTTS were included, and the overall fetal survival immediate after procedure was 71.1% (81/114) after fetoscopic laser ablation. Fetuses who survived immediate after procedure had higher gestational age at procedure and lower frequency of abnormal Doppler studies than those did not survive. However, the frequency of hydrops was not different between cases with fetal survival and those with fetal death. The earlier gestational age at procedure and the presence of abnormal Doppler studies were significant risk factors for fetal death even after adjustment. CONCLUSION: Based on this data, the fetal survival immediate after procedure (fetoscopic laser treatment) in TTTS can be affected by the gestational age at procedure and the presence of abnormal Doppler studies.
Diagnosis ; Edema ; Female ; Fetal Death ; Fetofetal Transfusion* ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Laser Therapy* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Risk Factors ; Seoul ; Twins* ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Cheilitis ; Methods

PURPOSE: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are common cause of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs). The present study aimed to investigate the characteristics of SCARs induced by NSAIDs in the Korean SCAR registry. METHODS: A retrospective survey of NSAID-induced SCARs recorded between 2010 and 2015 at 27 university hospitals in Korea was conducted. Clinical phenotypes of SCARs were classified into Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), SJS-TEN overlap syndrome and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Causative NSAIDs were classified into 7 groups according to their chemical properties: acetaminophen, and propionic, acetic, salicylic, fenamic and enolic acids. RESULTS: A total of 170 SCARs, consisting of 85 SJS, 32 TEN, 17 SJS-TEN overlap syndrome and 36 DRESS reactions, were induced by NSAIDs: propionic acids (n=68), acetaminophen (n=38), acetic acids (n=23), salicylic acids (n=16), coxibs (n=8), fenamic acids (n=7), enolic acids (n=5) and unclassified (n=5). Acetic acids (22%) and coxibs (14%) accounted for higher portions of DRESS than other SCARs. The phenotypes of SCARs induced by both propionic and salicylic acids were similar (SJS, TEN and DRESS, in order). Acetaminophen was primarily associated with SJS (27%) and was less involved in TEN (10%). DRESS occurred more readily among subjects experiencing coxib-induced SCARs than other NSAID-induced SCARs (62.5% vs. 19.7%, P = 0.013). The mean time to symptom onset was longer in DRESS than in SJS or TEN (19.1 ± 4.1 vs. 6.8 ±1.5 vs. 12.1 ± 3.8 days). SCARs caused by propionic salicylic acids showed longer latency, whereas acetaminophen- and acetic acid-induced SCARs appeared within shorter intervals. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that the phenotypes of SCARs may differ according to the chemical classifications of NSAIDs. To establish the mechanisms and incidences of NSAID-induced SCARs, further prospective studies are needed.
Acetaminophen ; Acetates ; Acetic Acid ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Cicatrix ; Classification ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; Diethylpropion ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome ; Hospitals, University ; Incidence ; Korea ; Phenotype ; Propionates ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Salicylates ; Salicylic Acid ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In the ABC classification system, group A consists of seronegative subjects without gastric corpus atrophy. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of pseudo group A subjects. METHODS: Group A subjects were identified among consecutive Korean adults who underwent a serum anti-Helicobacter pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) test and pepsinogen (PG) assay on the day of endoscopy. Past infection was defined as the presence of either eradication history or endoscopic findings suggesting past infection (i.e., gastric xanthoma, metaplastic gastritis, or advanced atrophy >closed-type 1). RESULTS: Among 2,620 group A subjects, 448 (17.1%) had eradication history, and 133 (5.1%) showed endoscopic findings suggesting past infection. Older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.148; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.067 to 1.236) and earlier year of birth (OR, 1.086; 95% CI, 1.009 to 1.168) were independent risk factors for classification into pseudo group A, with cutoff points at 50.5 years and birth year of 1959.5, respectively. Positive H. pylori test findings were found in 22 subjects (3.1%) among the 715 subjects who underwent the urea breath test or Giemsa staining on the same day. Current infection was positively correlated with PG I and PG II levels (p<0.001) but not with age, anti-H. pylori IgG titer, or classification into pseudo group A. CONCLUSIONS: Among the group A subjects, 22.2% had past infection. The risk was higher in subjects older than 50 years, especially those born before 1960. Furthermore, current infection was found in 3.1% of the subjects and was correlated with increased gastric secretory ability.
Adult ; Atrophy ; Azure Stains ; Breath Tests ; Classification ; Endoscopy ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Parturition ; Pepsinogen A ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Urea ; Xanthomatosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bicarbonate-containing alginate formulations are reported to be effective for controlling reflux symptoms. However, the efficacy of Lamina G alginate without gas production has not been reported. The aim is to evaluate the efficacy of a non-bicarbonate alginate in individuals with reflux symptoms without reflux esophagitis. METHODS: Participants who had experienced heartburn or regurgitation for 7 consecutive days were randomized to one of the following treatment groups: proton pump inhibitors (PPI) plus alginate (combination) or PPI plus placebo (PPI only). In addition, as a reference group, patients received placebo plus alginate (alginate only). The primary endpoint compared the percentage of patients with complete resolution of symptoms for the final 7 days of the treatment. Secondary endpoints compared changes in symptom score, symptom-free days during the treatment period, the Reflux Disease Questionnaire, Patient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders (PAGI)-Quality of Life and PAGI-Symptoms Severity Index scores, the investigator's assessment of symptoms, and incidence of adverse events. RESULTS: Complete resolution of heartburn or regurgitation was not significantly different between the combination and PPI only groups (58.7% vs 57.5%, p=0.903). The secondary endpoints were not significantly different between the two groups. Complete resolution of heartburn or regurgitation, did not differ between the alginate only reference group and the PPI only group (75.0% vs 57.5%, p=0.146). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of non-bicarbonate alginate to PPI was no more effective than PPI alone in controlling reflux symptoms.
Alginates ; Clinical Study ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Heartburn ; Humans ; Incidence ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: This study was performed to analyze the potential impact of cement use and favorable pre-injury activity on clinical outcomes of bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BHA) compared with total hip arthroplasty (THA) in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 clinical studies (5 randomized controlled trials and 7 comparative studies). Subgroup analysis was performed based on type of fixation method (cemented vs. cementless) and in the patient with independent ambulation, respectively. RESULTS: A significantly higher dislocation rate was observed in patients treated with THA compared with those treated with BHA in individuals capable of independent ambulation before injury (odds ratio [OR], 0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.05–0.62; P=0.05, Z=1.98). Also, the dislocation rate was significantly higher in patients treated with cemented THA compared with those treated with cemented BHA (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.05–0.62; P=0.006, Z=2.73). EQ-5D was significantly higher in those treated with cemented THA compared with patients treated with cemented BHA. Lastly, HHS was significantly higher in patients treated with cementless THA compared with those treated with cementless BHA. CONCLUSION: An increase in the dislocation rate was observed when THA was performed in elderly patients with femoral neck fracture and who were pre-injury independent walkers. In addition, cemented THA was associated with a higher dislocation rate compared with cemented BHA. However, the dislocation rate in those treated with cementless THA were similar to patients treated with cementless BHA. With regards to functional score, THA was superior to BHA in both cementless and cemented fixation.
Aged ; Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Butylated Hydroxyanisole ; Dislocations ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; Femur Neck ; Hemiarthroplasty ; Humans ; Methods ; Walkers ; Walking

The active form of vitamin D3, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (aVD₃), is known to exert beneficial effects in the treatment of autoimmune diseases because of its immunosuppressive effects. However, clinical application of aVD₃ remains limited because of the potential side effects, particularly hypercalcemia. Encapsulation of aVD₃ within biodegradable nanoparticles (NPs) would enhance the delivery of aVD₃ to antigen presenting cells, while preventing the potential systemic side effects of aVD₃. In the present study, polymeric NPs containing ovalbumin (OVA) and aVD₃ (NP[OVA+aVD₃]) were prepared via the water-in-oil-in-water double emulsion solvent evaporation method, after which their immunomodulatory effects were examined. Bone marrow-derived immature dendritic cells (DCs) treated with NP(OVA+aVD₃) did not mature into immunogenic DCs but were converted into tolerogenic DCs, which express low levels of co-stimulatory molecules and MHC class II molecules, produce lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines while increasing the production of IL-10 and TGF-β, and induce the generation of Tregs. Intravenous injection with NP(OVA+aVD₃) markedly suppressed the generation of OVA-specific CTLs in mice. Furthermore, OVA-specific immune tolerance was induced in mice orally administered with NP(OVA+aVD₃). These results show that biodegradable NPs encapsulating both antigen and aVD₃ can effectively induce antigen-specific immune suppression.
Animals ; Antigen-Presenting Cells ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Cholecalciferol ; Cytokines ; Dendritic Cells ; Hypercalcemia ; Immune Tolerance ; Injections, Intravenous ; Interleukin-10 ; Methods ; Mice ; Nanoparticles ; Ovalbumin ; Polymers ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Vitamins

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of osteoporotic refractures after proximal humerus fracture in Korean adults aged above 50 years. METHODS: Patients aged 50 years or older with initial proximal humerus fractures reported in 2012 were enrolled and followed up until 2016 using the Korean National Health Insurance data. Based on the last claim date, the refractures were classified as osteoporotic fractures including spine, hip, distal radius, and humerus 6 months after the index fracture involving the proximal humerus. Each osteoprotic fracture was identified using specific International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes and site-specific physician claims for procedures. RESULTS: A total of 5,587 first-time fractures involving proximal humerus were reported in 2012. Among them, a total of 1,018 osteoporotic refractures occured between 2012 and 2016. The total cumulative incidence of osteoporotic refractures was 4.85% (271/5,587) at 1 year, 9.61% (537/5,587) at 2 years, 14.21% (794/5,587) at 3 years, and 18.22% (1,018/5,587) at 4 years. In terms of site by year, the incidence of associated refractures was as follows: spine, 48.62% (495/1,018); hip, 25.83% (263/1,018); wrist 18.57% (189/1,018); and humerus 6.97% (71/1,018) during all the follow-up periods. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the cumulative incidence of osteoporotic refractures following proximal humerus fractures in the elderly population has been increasing over the years. Given that osteoporotic refractures are associated with an increased mortality risk, a public health strategy to prevent the refracture after proximal humerus fracture in the elderly is imperative.
Adult ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; Humerus ; Incidence ; International Classification of Diseases ; Korea ; Mortality ; National Health Programs ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Public Health ; Radius ; Spine ; Wrist