Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease with a wide range of symptoms. Due to the rapidly changing treatment landscape, regular updates to clinical guidelines are needed. Objective: This study aimed to update the guidelines for the treatment of AD to reflect recent therapeutic advances and evidence-based recommendations. Methods: The Patient characteristics, type of Intervention, Control, and Outcome framework was used to determine 48 questions related to AD management. Evidence was graded, recommendations were determined, and, after 2 voting rounds among the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) council members, consensus was achieved. Results: This guideline provides treatment guidance on advanced systemic treatment modalities for AD. In particular, the guideline offers up-to-date treatment recommendations for biologics and Janus-kinase inhibitors used in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe AD.It also provides guidance on other therapies for AD, along with tailored recommendations for children, adolescents, the elderly, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Conclusion KADA’s updated AD treatment guidelines incorporate the latest evidence and expert opinion to provide a comprehensive approach to AD treatment. The guidelines will help clinicians optimize patient-specific therapies.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease with a wide range of symptoms. Due to the rapidly changing treatment landscape, regular updates to clinical guidelines are needed. Objective: This study aimed to update the guidelines for the treatment of AD to reflect recent therapeutic advances and evidence-based practices. Methods: The Patient characteristics, type of Intervention, Control, and Outcome framework was used to determine 48 questions related to AD management. Evidence was graded, recommendations were determined, and, after 2 voting rounds among the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) council members, consensus was achieved. Results: The guidelines provide detailed recommendations on foundational therapies, including the use of moisturizers, cleansing and bathing practices, allergen avoidance, and patient education. Guidance on topical therapies, such as topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, is also provided to help manage inflammation and maintain skin barrier function in patients with AD. Additionally, recommendations on conventional systemic therapies, including corticosteroids, cyclosporine, and methotrexate, are provided for managing moderate to severe AD. Conclusion KADA’s updated AD guidelines offer clinicians evidence-based strategies focused on basic therapies, topical therapies, and conventional systemic therapies, equipping them to enhance quality of care and improve patient outcomes in AD management.

Background: In 2006, the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) working group released the diagnostic criteria for Korean atopic dermatitis (AD). Recently, more simplified, and practical AD diagnostic criteria have been proposed. Objective: Based on updated criteria and experience, we studied to develop and share a consensus on diagnostic criteria for AD in Koreans. Materials and Methods: For the diagnostic criteria, a questionnaire was constructed by searching the English-language literature in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. A modified Delphi method composed of 3 rounds of email questionnaires was adopted for the consensus process. Fifty-four KADA council members participated in the 3 rounds of votes and expert consensus recommendations were established. Results: Diagnostic criteria for AD include pruritus, eczema with age-specific pattern, and chronic or relapsing history. Diagnostic aids for AD encompass xerosis, immunoglobulin E reactivity, hand–foot eczema, periorbital changes, periauricular changes, perioral changes, nipple eczema, perifollicular accentuation, and personal or family history of atopy. Conclusion This study streamlined and updated the diagnostic criteria for AD in Korea, making them more practicable for use in real-world clinical field.

Gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis (GCPM) is a common and lethal manifestation of advanced gastric cancer, with a median survival of only 5-11 months. This consensus was developed by 30 experts from Asia (China, Japan, Korea, and Singapore) using the Delphi method and the GRADE evidence grading system. A total of 29 statements were formulated, covering the diagnosis and assessment of GCPM, indications for laparoscopic exploration and NIPS (normothermic intraperitoneal and systemic treatment), treatment regimens, prevention and management of complications, criteria for conversion surgery, and postoperative intraperitoneal therapy. The consensus aims to standardize clinical practice and improve the prognosis of patients with GCPM.

Background: Hearing level reference values based on the results of recent audiometry have not been established for the general population of South Korea. This study aimed to evaluate the mean hearing levels of each age group and to measure the annual progression of hearing loss. Methods: We used the database of the eighth and ninth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2020 to 2022, and included participants with normal tympanic membranes and without occupational noise exposure. Mean hearing levels were calculated by averaging hearing levels at 0.5 kHz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz. Hearing loss was defined as a hearing level exceeding 25 dB in the better ear, and severity of hearing loss was classified as moderate, moderately severe, severe, and profound, following the World Health Organization classification. Results: Hearing levels and the proportions of patients with hearing loss increased with age. Hearing levels were 9.11 ± 6.28 dB, 13.33 ± 7.85 dB, 19.90 ± 10.30 dB, and 31.95 ± 13.37 dB in those in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s, respectively, and the proportions of patients with hearing loss were 1.81%, 7.51%, 25.32%, and 63.94%, respectively. The annual increase in hearing level was 0.71 dB, and increases were greater at higher frequencies. Hearing loss was also worse in men. Conclusion The present study provides reference values for normal hearing levels by age group, and indirectly reveals the progression of age-related hearing loss. Based on the results, physicians will be able to provide appropriate advice regarding hearing levels and the need for monitoring in the elderly.

Background: Currently, little is known about the relationship between the temporal radiographic latent trajectories, which are based on the extent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia and clinical outcomes. This study aimed to elucidate the differences in the temporal trends of critical laboratory biomarkers, utilization of critical care support, and clinical outcomes according to temporal radiographic latent trajectories. Methods: We enrolled 2,385 patients who were hospitalized with COVID-19 and underwent serial chest radiographs from December 2019 to March 2022. The extent of radiographic pneumonia was quantified as a percentage using a previously developed deep-learning algorithm. A latent class growth model was used to identify the trajectories of the longitudinal changes of COVID-19 pneumonia extents during hospitalization. We investigated the differences in the temporal trends of critical laboratory biomarkers among the temporal radiographic trajectory groups. Cox regression analyses were conducted to investigate differences in the utilization of critical care supports and clinical outcomes among the temporal radiographic trajectory groups. Results: The mean age of the enrolled patients was 58.0 ± 16.9 years old, with 1,149 (48.2%) being male. Radiographic pneumonia trajectories were classified into three groups: The steady group (n = 1,925, 80.7%) exhibited stable minimal pneumonia, the downhill group (n = 135, 5.7%) exhibited initial worsening followed by improving pneumonia, and the uphill group (n = 325, 13.6%) exhibited progressive deterioration of pneumonia. There were distinct differences in the patterns of temporal blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels between the uphill group and the other two groups. Cox regression analyses revealed that the hazard ratios (HRs) for the need for critical care support and the risk of intensive care unit admission were significantly higher in both the downhill and uphill groups compared to the steady group. However, regarding in-hospital mortality, only the uphill group demonstrated a significantly higher risk than the steady group (HR, 8.2; 95% confidence interval, 3.08–21.98). Conclusion Stratified pneumonia trajectories, identified through serial chest radiographs, are linked to different patterns of temporal changes in BUN and CRP levels. These changes can predict the need for critical care support and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 pneumonia.Appropriate therapeutic strategies should be tailored based on these disease trajectories.

Background: Hearing level reference values based on the results of recent audiometry have not been established for the general population of South Korea. This study aimed to evaluate the mean hearing levels of each age group and to measure the annual progression of hearing loss. Methods: We used the database of the eighth and ninth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2020 to 2022, and included participants with normal tympanic membranes and without occupational noise exposure. Mean hearing levels were calculated by averaging hearing levels at 0.5 kHz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz. Hearing loss was defined as a hearing level exceeding 25 dB in the better ear, and severity of hearing loss was classified as moderate, moderately severe, severe, and profound, following the World Health Organization classification. Results: Hearing levels and the proportions of patients with hearing loss increased with age. Hearing levels were 9.11 ± 6.28 dB, 13.33 ± 7.85 dB, 19.90 ± 10.30 dB, and 31.95 ± 13.37 dB in those in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s, respectively, and the proportions of patients with hearing loss were 1.81%, 7.51%, 25.32%, and 63.94%, respectively. The annual increase in hearing level was 0.71 dB, and increases were greater at higher frequencies. Hearing loss was also worse in men. Conclusion The present study provides reference values for normal hearing levels by age group, and indirectly reveals the progression of age-related hearing loss. Based on the results, physicians will be able to provide appropriate advice regarding hearing levels and the need for monitoring in the elderly.

Background: Currently, little is known about the relationship between the temporal radiographic latent trajectories, which are based on the extent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia and clinical outcomes. This study aimed to elucidate the differences in the temporal trends of critical laboratory biomarkers, utilization of critical care support, and clinical outcomes according to temporal radiographic latent trajectories. Methods: We enrolled 2,385 patients who were hospitalized with COVID-19 and underwent serial chest radiographs from December 2019 to March 2022. The extent of radiographic pneumonia was quantified as a percentage using a previously developed deep-learning algorithm. A latent class growth model was used to identify the trajectories of the longitudinal changes of COVID-19 pneumonia extents during hospitalization. We investigated the differences in the temporal trends of critical laboratory biomarkers among the temporal radiographic trajectory groups. Cox regression analyses were conducted to investigate differences in the utilization of critical care supports and clinical outcomes among the temporal radiographic trajectory groups. Results: The mean age of the enrolled patients was 58.0 ± 16.9 years old, with 1,149 (48.2%) being male. Radiographic pneumonia trajectories were classified into three groups: The steady group (n = 1,925, 80.7%) exhibited stable minimal pneumonia, the downhill group (n = 135, 5.7%) exhibited initial worsening followed by improving pneumonia, and the uphill group (n = 325, 13.6%) exhibited progressive deterioration of pneumonia. There were distinct differences in the patterns of temporal blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels between the uphill group and the other two groups. Cox regression analyses revealed that the hazard ratios (HRs) for the need for critical care support and the risk of intensive care unit admission were significantly higher in both the downhill and uphill groups compared to the steady group. However, regarding in-hospital mortality, only the uphill group demonstrated a significantly higher risk than the steady group (HR, 8.2; 95% confidence interval, 3.08–21.98). Conclusion Stratified pneumonia trajectories, identified through serial chest radiographs, are linked to different patterns of temporal changes in BUN and CRP levels. These changes can predict the need for critical care support and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 pneumonia.Appropriate therapeutic strategies should be tailored based on these disease trajectories.