Background: Biologics effectively improve psoriatic skin lesions, but their impact on itch relief remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate itch improvement in severe psoriasis patients treated with ustekinumab or guselkumab. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed patients with severe psoriasis who completed initial efficacy evaluations after treatment with either biologic. Itch severity was assessed using numerical rating scale (NRS), visual analog scale, and verbal rating scale. NRS improvement was evaluated after three injections. Results: Among 108 patients (74 on ustekinumab, 34 on guselkumab), 77 (71.3%) had moderate-to-severe itch (NRS ≥4) at baseline. Of these, 63 (81.8%) achieved an NRS improvement of ≥4 points. Ustekinumab showed greater itch relief compared to guselkumab in NRS (p=0.033). On the other hand, guselkumab showed more reduction for psoriatic skin lesions than ustekinumab in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (p=0.040). In the moderate-to-severe itch group, patients with large plaques experienced significantly greater improvement in NRS than those with small plaques (p=0.012). Conclusion While guselkumab is generally preferred for psoriatic skin lesions, ustekinumab may provide superior itch relief.

Background: Dynapenia is one of several important factors determining the prognosis of patients with diabetes mellitus. The present study aimed to identify factors associated with dynapenia in older Korean adults with diabetes. Methods: Based on information from the 2014–2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, data from 1,769 patients with diabetes ≥65 years of age were analyzed. Dynapenia was defined grip strength <28 kg in males and <18 kg in females. Subjects were divided into a dynapenia group and a normal group according to sex, and logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze factors associated with dynapenia. Results: The prevalence of dynapenia in the entire cohort was 29.8% (n=499), with 21.6% (n=183) of 860 males and 37.2% (n=316) of 909 females. The odds ratio of dynapenia increased with advancing age in both males and females. After multivariable analysis, the factors significantly associated with dynapenia were lack of regular strength exercise (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.188; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.751–5.806) and body mass index (aOR, 0.908 per 1 kg/m 2 ; 95% CI, 0.845–0.975) among male, and lack of regular aerobic exercise (aOR, 1.511; 95% CI, 1.033–2.209) among females. Conclusion Advancing age in Korean adult males and females with diabetes exhibited a statistically significant association with dynapenia. In addition, significant associations with dynapenia were observed in males with lower body mass index and males who did not engage in regular strength exercise. A lack of regular aerobic exercise was statistically associated with dynapenia among females.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Korea and the third leading cause of death from cancer. Treatment outcomes for colon cancer are steadily improving due to national health screening programs with advances in diagnostic methods, surgical techniques, and therapeutic agents.. The Korea Colon Cancer Multidisciplinary (KCCM) Committee intends to provide professionals who treat colon cancer with the most up-to-date, evidence-based practice guidelines to improve outcomes and help them make decisions that reflect their patients’ values and preferences. These guidelines have been established by consensus reached by the KCCM Guideline Committee based on a systematic literature review and evidence synthesis and by considering the national health insurance system in real clinical practice settings. Each recommendation is presented with a recommendation strength and level of evidence based on the consensus of the committee.

Background: Dynapenia is one of several important factors determining the prognosis of patients with diabetes mellitus. The present study aimed to identify factors associated with dynapenia in older Korean adults with diabetes. Methods: Based on information from the 2014–2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, data from 1,769 patients with diabetes ≥65 years of age were analyzed. Dynapenia was defined grip strength <28 kg in males and <18 kg in females. Subjects were divided into a dynapenia group and a normal group according to sex, and logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze factors associated with dynapenia. Results: The prevalence of dynapenia in the entire cohort was 29.8% (n=499), with 21.6% (n=183) of 860 males and 37.2% (n=316) of 909 females. The odds ratio of dynapenia increased with advancing age in both males and females. After multivariable analysis, the factors significantly associated with dynapenia were lack of regular strength exercise (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.188; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.751–5.806) and body mass index (aOR, 0.908 per 1 kg/m 2 ; 95% CI, 0.845–0.975) among male, and lack of regular aerobic exercise (aOR, 1.511; 95% CI, 1.033–2.209) among females. Conclusion Advancing age in Korean adult males and females with diabetes exhibited a statistically significant association with dynapenia. In addition, significant associations with dynapenia were observed in males with lower body mass index and males who did not engage in regular strength exercise. A lack of regular aerobic exercise was statistically associated with dynapenia among females.

Background: Dynapenia is one of several important factors determining the prognosis of patients with diabetes mellitus. The present study aimed to identify factors associated with dynapenia in older Korean adults with diabetes. Methods: Based on information from the 2014–2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, data from 1,769 patients with diabetes ≥65 years of age were analyzed. Dynapenia was defined grip strength <28 kg in males and <18 kg in females. Subjects were divided into a dynapenia group and a normal group according to sex, and logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze factors associated with dynapenia. Results: The prevalence of dynapenia in the entire cohort was 29.8% (n=499), with 21.6% (n=183) of 860 males and 37.2% (n=316) of 909 females. The odds ratio of dynapenia increased with advancing age in both males and females. After multivariable analysis, the factors significantly associated with dynapenia were lack of regular strength exercise (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.188; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.751–5.806) and body mass index (aOR, 0.908 per 1 kg/m 2 ; 95% CI, 0.845–0.975) among male, and lack of regular aerobic exercise (aOR, 1.511; 95% CI, 1.033–2.209) among females. Conclusion Advancing age in Korean adult males and females with diabetes exhibited a statistically significant association with dynapenia. In addition, significant associations with dynapenia were observed in males with lower body mass index and males who did not engage in regular strength exercise. A lack of regular aerobic exercise was statistically associated with dynapenia among females.

Background: Dynapenia is one of several important factors determining the prognosis of patients with diabetes mellitus. The present study aimed to identify factors associated with dynapenia in older Korean adults with diabetes. Methods: Based on information from the 2014–2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, data from 1,769 patients with diabetes ≥65 years of age were analyzed. Dynapenia was defined grip strength <28 kg in males and <18 kg in females. Subjects were divided into a dynapenia group and a normal group according to sex, and logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze factors associated with dynapenia. Results: The prevalence of dynapenia in the entire cohort was 29.8% (n=499), with 21.6% (n=183) of 860 males and 37.2% (n=316) of 909 females. The odds ratio of dynapenia increased with advancing age in both males and females. After multivariable analysis, the factors significantly associated with dynapenia were lack of regular strength exercise (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.188; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.751–5.806) and body mass index (aOR, 0.908 per 1 kg/m 2 ; 95% CI, 0.845–0.975) among male, and lack of regular aerobic exercise (aOR, 1.511; 95% CI, 1.033–2.209) among females. Conclusion Advancing age in Korean adult males and females with diabetes exhibited a statistically significant association with dynapenia. In addition, significant associations with dynapenia were observed in males with lower body mass index and males who did not engage in regular strength exercise. A lack of regular aerobic exercise was statistically associated with dynapenia among females.

Background: Atherogenic dyslipidemia, which is frequently associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and insulin resistance, contributes to the development of vascular complications. Statin therapy is the primary approach to dyslipidemia management in T2D, however, the role of non-statin therapy remains unclear. Ezetimibe reduces cholesterol burden by inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption. Fibrates lower triglyceride levels and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels via peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor alpha agonism. Therefore, when combined, these drugs effectively lower non-HDL-C levels. Despite this, few clinical trials have specifically targeted non-HDL-C, and the efficacy of triple combination therapies, including statins, ezetimibe, and fibrates, has yet to be determined. Methods: This is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, active-comparator controlled trial involving 3,958 eligible participants with T2D, cardiovascular risk factors, and elevated non-HDL-C (≥100 mg/dL). Participants, already on moderate-intensity statins, will be randomly assigned to either Ezefeno (ezetimibe/fenofibrate) addition or statin dose-escalation. The primary end point is the development of a composite of major adverse cardiovascular and diabetic microvascular events over 48 months. Conclusion This trial aims to assess whether combining statins, ezetimibe, and fenofibrate is as effective as, or possibly superior to, statin monotherapy intensification in lowering cardiovascular and microvascular disease risk for patients with T2D. This could propose a novel therapeutic approach for managing dyslipidemia in T2D.

Owing to advances in diagnostics and the increase in invasive procedures, and immunocompromised patients, cutaneous nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection is rising. NTM should be suspected in patients with persistent skin lesions refractory to treatment with a history of immunosuppression or skin injury. A 59-year-old woman presented with a 4-week history of multiple erythematous tender nodules on left arm. A year prior, multiple nodules appeared on left hand dorsum, followed by recurrent suppurative nodules in left arm. She has been taking methotrexate and leflunomide for 7 years due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Skin biopsy revealed granulomatous inflammation, and NTM polymerase chain reaction test was positive. Furthermore, she had cut her left finger with a knife 14 months ago. Based on these findings, cutaneous NTM infection was diagnosed. Herein, we report a case of cutaneous NTM infection in an immunosuppressed patient with RA, emphasizing differentiating subcutaneous nodules from rheumatoid nodules in RA.

Background: Enavogliflozin is a novel sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor currently under clinical development. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of enavogliflozin as an add-on to metformin in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) against dapagliflozin. Methods: In this multicenter, double-blind, randomized, phase 3 study, 200 patients were randomized to receive enavogliflozin 0.3 mg/day (n=101) or dapagliflozin 10 mg/day (n=99) in addition to ongoing metformin therapy for 24 weeks. The primary objective of the study was to prove the non-inferiority of enavogliflozin to dapagliflozin in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) change at week 24 (non-inferiority margin of 0.35%) (Clinical trial registration number: NCT04634500). Results: Adjusted mean change of HbA1c at week 24 was –0.80% with enavogliflozin and –0.75% with dapagliflozin (difference, –0.04%; 95% confidence interval, –0.21% to 0.12%). Percentages of patients achieving HbA1c <7.0% were 61% and 62%, respectively. Adjusted mean change of fasting plasma glucose at week 24 was –32.53 and –29.14 mg/dL. An increase in urine glucose-creatinine ratio (60.48 vs. 44.94, P<0.0001) and decrease in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (–1.85 vs. –1.31, P=0.0041) were significantly greater with enavogliflozin than dapagliflozin at week 24. Beneficial effects of enavogliflozin on body weight (–3.77 kg vs. –3.58 kg) and blood pressure (systolic/diastolic, –5.93/–5.41 mm Hg vs. –6.57/–4.26 mm Hg) were comparable with those of dapagliflozin, and both drugs were safe and well-tolerated. Conclusion Enavogliflozin added to metformin significantly improved glycemic control in patients with T2DM and was non-inferior to dapagliflozin 10 mg, suggesting enavogliflozin as a viable treatment option for patients with inadequate glycemic control on metformin alone.

Background: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of add-on gemigliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had inadequate glycemic control with metformin and dapagliflozin. Methods: In this randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, double-blind, phase III study, 315 patients were randomized to receive either gemigliptin 50 mg (n=159) or placebo (n=156) with metformin and dapagliflozin for 24 weeks. After the 24-week treatment, patients who received the placebo were switched to gemigliptin, and all patients were treated with gemigliptin for an additional 28 weeks. Results: The baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups, except for body mass index. At week 24, the least squares mean difference (standard error) in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) changes was –0.66% (0.07) with a 95% confidence interval of –0.80% to –0.52%, demonstrating superior HbA1c reduction in the gemigliptin group. After week 24, the HbA1c level significantly decreased in the placebo group as gemigliptin was administered, whereas the efficacy of HbA1c reduction was maintained up to week 52 in the gemigliptin group. The safety profiles were similar: the incidence rates of treatment-emergent adverse events up to week 24 were 27.67% and 29.22% in the gemigliptin and placebo groups, respectively. The safety profiles after week 24 were similar to those up to week 24 in both groups, and no new safety findings, including hypoglycemia, were noted. Conclusion Add-on gemigliptin was well tolerated, providing comparable safety profiles and superior efficacy in glycemic control over placebo for long-term use in patients with T2DM who had poor glycemic control with metformin and dapagliflozin.