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: 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: 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: To examine the incidence of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) from all etiologies, we measured and compared the incidence of TSCI from three national or quasinational databases in South Korea, namely, the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), automobile insurance (AUI), and Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI). Methods: We reviewed patients with TSCI reported in the NHIS database between 2009 and 2018, and in the AUI and IACI databases between 2014 and 2018. TSCI patients were defined as those first admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of TSCI according to the International Classification of Diseases (10th revision) criteria. Age-adjusted incidence was calculated using direct standardization using the 2005 South Korean population or the 2000 US population as the standard population. The annual percentage changes (APC) of TSCI incidence were calculated. The Cochrane–Armitage trend test was performed according to the injured body region. Results: In the NHIS database, age-adjusted TSCI incidence using the Korean standard population increased significantly from 2009 to 2018 (from 33.73 per million in 2009 to 38.14 per million in 2018, APC = 1.2%, P = 0.014). Contrarily, age-adjusted incidence in the AUI database significantly decreased from 13.88 per million in 2014 to 11.57 per million in 2018 (APC = – 5.1%, P = 0.009). In the IACI database, the age-adjusted incidence showed no significant difference, while crude incidence showed a significant increase (from 22.02 per million in 2014 to 28.92 per million in 2018, APC = 6.1%, P = 0.038). According to the age group, all the three databases showed high incidences of TSCI in those in their 60s and 70s or older. Among those in their 70s or older, the incidence of TSCI increased dramatically in the NHIS and IACI databases, while no significant trend was found in AUI database. In 2018, the number of TSCI patients was the highest among those over 70 years of age in the NHIS, whereas among those in their 50s were the highest in both AUI and IACI. The proportion of patients with cervical spinal cord injury was the most common in all these databases. Conclusions The differences in trends in the incidence of TSCI may be due to the different etiologies and different characteristics of subjects depending on insurance type. These results imply the need for tailored medical strategies for the different injury mechanisms represented by three national insurance services in South Korea.

Background: The epidemiology of pathogenic bacteria varies according to the socioeconomic status and antimicrobial resistance status. However, longitudinal epidemiological studies to evaluate the changes in species distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria nationwide are lacking. We retrospectively investigated the nationwide trends in species distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria over the last 20 years in Korea. Methods: From 1997 to 2016, annual cumulative antimicrobial susceptibility and species distribution data were collected from 12 university hospitals in five provinces and four metropolitan cities in South Korea. Results: The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus was the highest (13.1%) until 2012 but decreased to 10.3% in 2016, consistent with the decrease in oxacillin resistance from 76.1% in 2008 to 62.5% in 2016. While the cefotaxime resistance of Escherichia coli increased from 9.0% in 1997 to 34.2% in 2016, E. coli became the most common species since 2013, accounting for 14.5% of all isolates in 2016. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii rose to third and fifth places in 2008 and 2010, respectively, while imipenem resistance increased from 13.9% to 30.8% and 0.7% to 73.5% during the study period, respectively.Streptococcus agalactiae became the most common pathogenic streptococcal species in 2016, as the prevalence of Streptococcus pneumoniae decreased since 2010. During the same period, pneumococcal penicillin susceptibility decreased to 79.0%, and levofloxacin susceptibility of S. agalactiae decreased to 77.1% in 2016. Conclusion The epidemiology of pathogenic bacteria has changed significantly over the past 20 years according to trends in antimicrobial resistance in Korea. Efforts to confine antimicrobial resistance would change the epidemiology of pathogenic bacteria and, consequently, the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.

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.