Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand the association between smoking status and adherence to physical activity (PA) guidelines among Korean adults, and the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP). Methods: The data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2014 to 2021. When analyzing the effects of smoking and PA on the AIP, smoking status was classified as nonsmoker, former smoker, and current smoker. Meeting the PA guidelines was categorized as not meeting both the moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and muscle-strengthening activity (MSA) guidelines, meeting only the MVPA guidelines, meeting only the MSA guidelines, and meeting both. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to determine the correlation between smoking status and AIP, whether PA guidelines were met and AIP, and the cross-effects. Results: The risk of AIP was about twice as high in current smokers (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.87–2.14) compared to those who had never smoked. When conducting multiple logistic regression analysis using current smokers who met neither the MVPA nor MSA guidelines as the reference group, the risk of AIP was found to decrease in current smokers who met only the MSA guideline (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72–0.98) or both guidelines (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.51–0.84). Conclusion For the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, it is important to engage in both aerobic and strength exercises that meet the PA guidelines, as well as to quit smoking. PA is thought to be able to buffer the effects of smoking.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of new quantitative parameters of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT), including metabolic tumor volume (MTV), in patients with locally advanced and metastatic gallbladder cancer (GBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 83 patients initially diagnosed with locally advanced and metastatic GBC and who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT at the time of initial diagnosis were retrospectively reviewed. The metabolic volume-based PET parameters of primary tumors and metastatic lesions were measured, including maximum and average standardized uptake values (SUV), MTV, and total lesion glycolysis. An overall survival (OS) analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method with PET and clinical parameters. A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to determine independent prognostic factors. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, pathologic differentiation (p<0.001), performance status (PS; p=0.003), C-reactive protein (CRP) level (p=0.009), and PET-related SUVmt max (the highest SUV among the metastatic lesions) (p=0.040) and MTVtotal (the sum of the MTVs of both the primary and metastatic lesions) (p=0.031), were significant for OS. In multivariate analysis, MTVtotal (hazard ratio: 2.07; 95% confidence interval: 1.23–3.48; p=0.006) remained significant for the prediction of OS, as did differentiation (p=0.001), PS (p=0.001), and CRP (p=0.039). CONCLUSION: In locally advanced and metastatic GBC, volume-based PET/CT parameters of the total tumor burden of malignancy, such as MTVtotal, were found to be useful for the identification of patients with poor prognosis.
C-Reactive Protein ; Diagnosis ; Electrons ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Gallbladder Neoplasms ; Gallbladder ; Glycolysis ; Humans ; Methods ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tumor Burden

PURPOSE: Metastatic biliary tract cancer (mBTC) has a dismal prognosis. In this study, an independent dataset of patients with mBTC was used to implement and validate a routine clinico-laboratory parameter-based scoring model for risk group identification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2006 to February 2015, 482 patients with mBTC were assigned randomly (ratio, 7:3) into investigational (n=340) and validation datasets (n=142). The continuous variables were dichotomized using a normal range or the best cutoff values determined using the Contal and O'Quigley statistical methods. Following a Cox’s proportional hazard model, the scoring model was derived by summing the rounded chi-square scores for the factors identified by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 3-4), hypoalbuminemia (< 3.4 mg/dL), carcinoembryonic antigen (≥ 9 ng/mL), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (≥ 3.0), and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (≥ 120 U/mL) were identified as independent prognosticators (Harrell’s C index, 0.682; integrated area under the curve, 0.653). Survival was clearly correlated with the risk groups (low, intermediate, and high, 14.0, 7.3, and 2.3 months, respectively; p < 0.001). The prognosis was also discriminative in the validation data set (median survival, 16.7, 7.5, and 1.9 months, respectively; p < 0.001). Chemotherapy did not offer any survival benefits for high-risk patients. CONCLUSION: These proposed prognostic criteria for mBTC can facilitate accurate patient risk stratification and treatment-related decision-making.
Biliary Tract Neoplasms* ; Biliary Tract* ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Dataset ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Reference Values ; Social Identification

Filler injection is an extremely popular cosmetic procedure in Korea, but surprisingly few dermatologists are aware of the package inserts in filler products. In the era of legal dispute, it is important that we fully understand the indications, contraindications, and side effects of the individual filler products. The purpose of this paper is to provide a general overview of the contents of package inserts of filler products that are commercially available in Korea, especially in terms of the contraindications of filler injection. The authors emphasize that greater improvement in the Korean package inserts of filler products can be expected. Currently, practicing physicians are usually blamed for filler complications. We also found many significant translational errors. We hope that dermatologists take more interest in filler package inserts by reading this overview.
Dissent and Disputes ; Hope ; Korea* ; Product Labeling*

PURPOSE: This study focused on implementation of a prognostic scoring index based on clinico-laboratory parameters measured routinely on admission in metastatic pancreatic cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records from 403 patients of metastatic disease were analyzed retrospectively. Continuous variables were dichotomized according to the normal range or the best cut-off values statistically determined by Contal and O’Quigley method, and then analyzed in association with prognosis—overall survival (OS), using Cox's proportional hazard model. Scores were calculated by summing the rounded chi-square scores for the factors that emerged in the multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Performance status, hemoglobin, leucocyte count, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and carcinoembryonic antigen were independent factors for OS. When patients were divided into three risk groups according to these factors, median survival was 11.7, 6.2, and 1.3 months for the low, intermediate, and high-risk groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Palliative chemotherapy has a significant survival benefit for low and intermediate-risk patients (median OS; 12.5 months vs. 5.9 months, p < 0.001 and 8.0 months vs. 2.0 months, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: We advocate the use of a multivariable approach with continuous variables for prognostic modeling. Our index is helpful in accurate patient risk stratification and may aid in treatment selection.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Methods ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Reference Values ; Research Design ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: This study was to identify the effect of the experience of diabetes education on knowledge, self-care behavior and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C). Further, this study was held to examine about patient's preferred methods of education and re-education frequency. METHODS: 166 type 2 diabetes patients from two hospitals in Incheon participated in this study. Data were analyzed by using descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's test and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: 72.3% patients needed re-education and the average interval of re-education was 8.53 months. Patients preferred education methods were lectures, practical training, and studying from pamphlet. Depending on the frequency of diabetes education, there were significant differences in the level of diabetes knowledge (F=10.88, p<.001) and self-care behaviors (F=4.59, p=.012), but there was not significant difference with HbA1C (F=1.53, p=.220). As to how much the diabetes education helped managing diabetes, there was a significant difference in the level of self-care behaviors (t=2.01, p=.049), but there were not significant differences in level of knowledge (t=1.10, p=.275) and HbA1C (t=-.33, p=.746). The experience of diabetes education was a significant factor which influenced patient's knowledge (t=3.93, p<.001) and self-care behaviors (t=2.21, p<.001). But HbA1C was not influenced by the experience of diabetes education (t=-1.68, p=.096). CONCLUSION: It is necessary to provide diabetes education with appropriate interval and methods and subjects that reflect the needs of patient through the study results.
Education* ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated* ; Humans ; Incheon ; Lectures ; Pamphlets ; Self Care*

The incidence of overall cancer has increased over time. The incidence of top-ranking cancers has changed in the 1990s and the 2000s. However, few studies have evaluated the trends in metastatic skin cancers during this period. We evaluated the recent trends in incidence, peak age and location of metastatic skin cancers from 1991 to 2010. This 20-yr survey was divided into two decades to determine the trends by comparing the statistics. Out of 694,466 outpatients (1991-2010), 174 (0.025%) were diagnosed with metastatic skin cancer. The incidence of metastatic skin cancer increased significantly from 20.64 per 100,000 outpatients in the 1990s to 28.70 per 100,000 outpatients in the 2000s (P = 0.030). The peak age of skin metastasis shifted from the 40s to the 50s in women, and from the 50s to the 60s in men. The percentage of metastatic skin cancers originating from intra-abdominal organs increased from 10% in the 1990s to 23.1% in the 2000s (P = 0.027). The percentage of metastatic skin cancers located on the abdomen increased from 7.1% in the 1990s to 15.4% in the 2000s (P = 0.011). The higher proportion of metastatic skin cancers located on the abdomen may be related to the increase in skin metastases from intra-abdominal organs.
Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Registries ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Skin Neoplasms/*epidemiology/*secondary ; Young Adult

Leukemia cutis (LC) is defined as a neoplastic leukocytic infiltration of the skin. Few clinical studies are available on recent trends of LC in Korea. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical features and prognosis of LC in Korea and to compare findings with previous studies. We performed a retrospective study of 75 patients with LC and evaluated the patients' age and sex, clinical features and skin lesion distribution according to the type of leukemia, interval between the diagnosis of leukemia and the development of LC, and prognosis. The male to female ratio was 2:1, and the mean age at diagnosis was 37.6 yr. The most common cutaneous lesions were nodules. The most commonly affected site was the extremities in acute myelocytic leukemia and chronic myelocytic leukemia except for acute lymphocytic leukemia. Compared with previous studies, there was an increasing tendency in the proportion of males and nodular lesions, and LC most often occurred in the extremities. The prognosis of LC was still poor within 1 yr, which was similar to the results of previous studies. These results suggest that there is a difference in the clinical characteristics and predilection sites according to type of leukemia.
Adult ; Extremities/pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/*diagnosis/mortality/pathology ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/*diagnosis/mortality/pathology ; *Leukemic Infiltration ; Male ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin/*pathology

No abstract available.
Paget Disease, Extramammary

Mycobacterium fortuitum is one of the rapidly-growing atypical mycobacteria, belonging to Runyon group IV. M. fortuitum infection is usually related to trauma, injections and surgical procedures, and is resistant to treatment with anti-tuberculous agents. Herein, we report on a case of M. fortuitum infection after footbath. A 51-year-old male presented with painful, erythematous nodules and plaques with crust and purulent discharge on the lower legs for 3 months. The skin lesion occurred after two herb and aroma footbaths and leg massage. He went to the massage shop again, and received the footbath one more time. The skin lesion aggravated and he visited a hospital, then the skin biopsy was performed but the result was unremarkable. He was treated with antihistamine and antibiotics but there was no improvement. So he visited our hospital, and culture demonstrated atypical mycobacterium, which was identified as M. fortuitum by polymerase chain reaction. He was treated with oral clarythromycin for 5 months, and the skin lesions have improved.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Biopsy ; Humans ; Leg ; Male ; Massage ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium ; Mycobacterium fortuitum ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Skin