Background: We evaluated changes in glycemic status, over 1 year, of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors with dysglycemia in acute COVID-19. Methods: COVID-19 survivors who had dysglycemia (defined by glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c] 5.7% to 6.4% or random glucose ≥10.0 mmol/L) in acute COVID-19 were recruited from a major COVID-19 treatment center from September to October 2020. Matched non-COVID controls were recruited from community. The 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were performed at baseline (6 weeks after acute COVID-19) and 1 year after acute COVID-19, with HbA1c, insulin and C-peptide measurements. Progression in glycemic status was defined by progression from normoglycemia to prediabetes/diabetes, or prediabetes to diabetes. Results: Fifty-two COVID-19 survivors were recruited. Compared with non-COVID controls, they had higher C-peptide (P< 0.001) and trend towards higher homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (P=0.065). Forty-three COVID-19 survivors attended 1-year reassessment. HbA1c increased from 5.5%±0.3% to 5.7%±0.2% (P<0.001), with increases in glucose on OGTT at fasting (P=0.089), 30-minute (P=0.126), 1-hour (P=0.014), and 2-hour (P=0.165). At baseline, 19 subjects had normoglycemia, 23 had prediabetes, and one had diabetes. Over 1 year, 10 subjects (23.8%; of 42 non-diabetes subjects at baseline) had progression in glycemic status. C-peptide levels remained unchanged (P=0.835). Matsuda index decreased (P=0.007) and there was a trend of body mass index increase from 24.4±2.7 kg/m2 to 25.6±5.2 (P=0.083). Subjects with progression in glycemic status had more severe COVID-19 illness than non-progressors (P=0.030). Reassessment was not performed in the control group. Conclusion Subjects who had dysglycemia in acute COVID-19 were characterized by insulin resistance. Over 1 year, a quarter had progression in glycemic status, especially those with more severe COVID-19. Importantly, there was no significant deterioration in insulin secretory capacity.

Background: Insulin-treated patients with long duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at increased risk of ketoacidosis related to sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i). The extent of circulating ketone elevation in these patients remains unknown. We conducted this study to compare the serum ketone response between dapagliflozin, an SGLT2i, and sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, among insulin-treated T2DM patients. Methods: This was a randomized, open-label, active comparator-controlled study involving 60 insulin-treated T2DM patients. Participants were randomized 1:1 for 24-week of dapagliflozin 10 mg daily or sitagliptin 100 mg daily. Serum β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels were measured at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks after intervention. Comprehensive cardiometabolic assessments were performed with measurements of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), vibration-controlled transient elastography and echocardiography. Results: Among these 60 insulin-treated participants (mean age 58.8 years, diabetes duration 18.2 years, glycosylated hemoglobin 8.87%), as compared with sitagliptin, serum BHB levels increased significantly after 24 weeks of dapagliflozin (P=0.045), with a median of 27% increase from baseline. Change in serum BHB levels correlated significantly with change in free fatty acid levels. Despite similar glucose lowering, dapagliflozin led to significant improvements in body weight (P=0.006), waist circumference (P=0.028), HDL-C (P=0.041), CEC (P=0.045), controlled attenuation parameter (P=0.007), and liver stiffness (P=0.022). Average E/e’, an echocardiographic index of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, was also significantly lower at 24 weeks in participants treated with dapagliflozin (P=0.037). Conclusion Among insulin-treated T2DM patients with long diabetes duration, compared to sitagliptin, dapagliflozin modestly increased ketone levels and was associated with cardiometabolic benefits.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ascites is a fairly common condition, but the clinical features of pseudomembranous colitis with ascites are not well-known. The aim of this study was to determine how the existence of ascites is related to the clinical factors. METHODS: Between March 2002 and June 2006, 67 pseudomembranous colits patients were diagnosed by performing lower endoscopy and biopsy. The patients' ascites was identified by abdominal plain radiography, ultrasonography or computerized tomography. The extension of colitis was evaluated by ultrasonography or computerized tomography. RESULTS: 16 patients (23.9%) had ascites. The serum WBC (p=0.01), hypoalbuminemia (p<0.01), CRP (p<0.01), recurrence (p<0.01), and extension of colitis (p<0.01) were associated with the existence of ascites. The four patients who had undergone paracentesis had a low SAAG level and PMN dominant ascites. CONCLUSIONS: There were correlations of ascities with leukocytosis, hypoalbuminemia, CRP, extension of colitis and recurrence of PMC.
Ascites* ; Biopsy ; Colitis ; Endoscopy ; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous* ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Leukocytosis ; Paracentesis ; Radiography ; Recurrence ; Ultrasonography

In Crohn's disease, neurologic complications such as cerebrovascular accident, headache, peripheral neuropathy have been reported sporadically. The pathogenesis of these neurologic complications is still unknown and controversial. We experienced a 22-year-old man, with Crohn's disease accompanied by optic neuritis. Loss of visual acuity was developed during the worsening course of enterocutaneous fistula. After high dose steroid treatment, his visual acuity and neurologic symptoms improved immediately.
Adult ; Crohn Disease/*complications/drug therapy/pathology ; Humans ; Intestinal Fistula/complications ; Male ; Optic Neuritis/*complications/diagnosis

Biliary complication occurs in 6-34% of all liver transplant patients. Although bile leaks and strictures are relatively common, other biliary complications such as T-tube leak, choledocholithiasis, and biliary cast syndrome can also be observed. The biliary cast syndrome describes the presence of casts causing obstruction with its resultant sequelae of biliary infection, hepatocyte damage secondary to bile stasis and ductal damage, all contributing to cholangiopathy. Because the exact timing of cast formation after orthotopic liver transplantation is not consistent, it is difficult to define the true incidence of biliary cast syndrome without long-term follow-up data. Proposed etiological mechanisms include acute cellular rejection, prolongation of cold ischemic time, infection, biliary drainage tubes, and biliary obstruction. The diagnosis of biliary cast syndrome is usually confirmed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. There have been few published articles about biliary casts in Korea. Herein, we report a case of biliary cast syndrome followed by orthotopic liver transplantation.
Adult ; Bile Duct Diseases/*complications/diagnosis/etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Jaundice, Obstructive/*etiology ; Liver Transplantation/*adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Syndrome

An acinar cell carcinoma of the exocrine pancreas is a rare tumor with reported a incidence of 1% to 2% of pancreatic carcinomas. Cases of acinar cell carcinomas with amphicrine features have been reported in recent decades. However, there are no reports of two simultaneous pancreatic masses: an endocrine tumor and, an exocrine tumor. We encountered a 59-year-old female patient presenting with abdominal pain and melena. The acinar cell carcinoma was a 1x1 cm-sized round solid mass in the head of the pancreas. The islet tumor was a 2.5x1.5 cm-sized round mass in the body of the pancreas. The endocrine tumor was nonfunctioning. Melena resulted from the hemosuccus pancreaticus due to a ductal invasion of the acinar cell carcinoma. The patient had a parathyroid adenoma with hyperparathyroidism. Therefore, both the islet tumor and parathyroid adenoma with hyperparathyroidism were strongly suggestive of a MEN I.
Abdominal Pain ; Acinar Cells ; Carcinoma, Acinar Cell ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Hyperparathyroidism ; Incidence ; Male ; Melena ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 ; Pancreas ; Pancreas, Exocrine ; Parathyroid Neoplasms

Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is a rare but well known cause of acute pancreatitis (AP), which can be a life- threatening complication if the degree of HTG is severe enough. It might be primary in origin or secondary to alcohol abuse, diabetes mellitus, pregnancy, or drugs. A serum triglyceride (TG) level of more than 1,000 to 2,000 mg/dL in patients with type I, IV, or V hyperlipidemia (Fredrickson's classification) is the identifiable risk factor. HTG-induced AP typically presents as an episode of AP or recurrent AP. The clinical course of HTG-induced AP is not different from other causes. Routine management of HTG-induced AP should be similar to other causes. A thorough family history of lipid abnormalities should be obtained, and an attempt to identify secondary causes should be made. The mainstay of treatment includes dietary restriction of fatty meal and lipid-lowering medications (mainly fibric acid derivatives). Although there are limited experiences with plasmapheresis, lipid apheresis, heparinization and insulin application, these can support the treatment of HTG- induced AP. We report two cases of HTG-induced AP which were successfully treated by plasmapheresis.
Acute Disease ; Adult ; Humans ; Hypertriglyceridemia/*complications ; Male ; Pancreatitis/*etiology

Percutaneous approaches, such as percutaneous ethanol injection and radiofrequency ablation, have been most widely used for hepatocellular carcinoma patients who were not eligible for surgery. New technologies to improve the efficacy are currently needed. 166Holmium is a neutron activated radionuclide, and has several beneficial radiophysical characteristics for internal radiation therapy. 166Holmium-Chitosan complex, in which chitosan is chelated with 166Holmium, was developed as a radiopharmaceutical for cancer therapy. We have conducted a pilot study to evaluate the clinical efficacy of transarterial administration of 166Holmium-Chitosan complex in patients with a single and small (< 3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma. 166Holmium-Chitosan complex, at a dose of 20 mCi per cm of tumor mass-diameter, was administered through the artery that directly fed the tumor. Twelve patients were treated with a median follow-up duration of 26 (range: 12-61) months. The tumor diameter ranged between 1.5 and 2.5 cm. Ten patients (83%) had complete response and two (17%) had partial response. The median complete response duration was not reached. The median AFP level declined from 83.8 to 8.3 ng/mL within 2 months after treatment. No grade III/IV toxicity was observed. Grade I and II toxicities were observed in four patients (2 abdominal pain, 1 fever, and 1 AST/ALT elevation). No toxic death occurred. This preliminary study shows a promising and durable complete response rate with an acceptable safety profile. Further studies with greater accrual of patients are warranted.
alpha-Fetoproteins/metabolism ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Radiopharmaceuticals/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Pilot Projects ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology/radiography/*radiotherapy ; Injections, Intra-Arterial ; Humans ; Female ; Chitosan/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology/radiography/*radiotherapy ; Aged ; Adult

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastrointestinal involvement is common in systemic amyloidosis. However, there have not been reports of any specific endoscopic findings which indicate amyloidosis in the gastrointestinal tracts in Korea. We aimed to find out the endoscopic findings and clinical characteristics of gastrointestinal amyloidosis. METHODS: We analyzed seventeen histologic proven amyloidosis cases that all performed the endoscopy in Hanyang Medical Cencer. RESULTS: The main findings of gastroscopy were multiple erosions (5 cases), ulcer (3 cases), nodularities and hyperemic mucosa (1 case). Colonoscopic findings were hyperemic mucosa (8 cases), nodularities (3 cases), hemorrhagic spots (3 cases) and ulcers (3 cases). CONCLUSIONS: When a patient undergoing chronic inflammatory diseases has various abdominal symptoms, endoscopic biopsy should be done in every case because grossly normal looking mucosa dose not preclude the histologic evidence of amyloidosis.
Amyloidosis* ; Biopsy ; Endoscopy ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Korea ; Mucous Membrane ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND: Increase of immunocompromised patients and frequent use of indwelling catheters cause staphylococcal bacteremia, especially due to coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), in contrast with Staphylococcus aureus in the past. And, infections of methicillin-resistant staphylococci have been increasing in number from 1970s. In this study, species of staphylococcal isolates from blood were demonstrated, and their methicillin susceptibilities were evaluated for the empirical choice of antibiotics. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-five staphylococcal strains isolated from blood culture at Pusan National University Hospital during the year 1999 were included. Species identification, susceptibility tests by agar dilution and disk diffusion methods, and mecA gene detection by polymerase chain reaction were performed. RESULTS: S. aureus (41%), S. epidermidis (30%), S. auricuralis, S. intermedius, S. haemolyticus, S. capitis, S. simulans, S. sciuri, S. homis, and S. warneri were identified. Thirty-one stains (43.4%) of S. aureus, 43 stains (83%) of S. epidermidis, and 24 stains (46%) of other CNS are resistant to oxacllin. The results of disk diffusion test were consistant with agar dilution tests in all S. aureus strains and 95.5% of CNS strains. The results of mecA gene detection were consistant with agar dilution methods in 96.8% of S. aureus and 89.6% of CNS. CONCLUSIONS: Not only S. aureus and S. epidermidis but also other various species of staphylococci were recovered from blood, and methicillin-resistant strains reached 43.2% of S. aureus, and 64.4% of CNS. These results would help for physicians to choose primary empirical therapeutic agents of patients who are suggestive of staphylococcal bacteremia.
Agar ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteremia ; Busan ; Catheters, Indwelling ; Coloring Agents ; Diffusion ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Methicillin ; Methicillin Resistance ; Oxacillin* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Staphylococcus ; Staphylococcus aureus