Purpose: We aimed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in intestinal failure (IF) patients after different modes of intestinal rehabilitation. Methods: HRQoL was assessed using the generic 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36, ver. 2) and visual analogue scale (VAS) in 6 different areas: diet, sleep, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain, and other symptoms. Results: Twenty-two patients completed the questionnaires, of which 7 had received intestinal transplant (ITx), 9 were continuing home total parenteral nutrition (HPN), and 6 had tapered off total parenteral nutrition (TPN). SF-36 physical component summary scores were highest in the ITx group (median, 65.6; interquartile range [IQR], 31.6–80.3) compared to the HPN (median, 48.4; IQR, 44.7–66.3) or tapered group (median, 54.2; IQR, 45.2–61.6). Mental component summary scores were lowest in the ITx group (median, 48.8; IQR, 37.1–63.6), compared to the TPN (median, 60.2; IQR, 41.6–78.5) or tapered group (median, 51.0; IQR, 48.8–56.0). Differences were not significant in all items of the SF-36. VAS scores showed that patients in the ITx group showed the best results in diet (0.9), gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (1.4), and musculoskeletal pain (2.4). There was a significant difference in sleep (P = 0.036), with the ITx (1.43) and HPN groups (1.33) showing better outcomes compared with the tapered group (4.67). Patients in the tapered group showed the least favorable results in all performance areas, except GI symptoms. Conclusion SF-36 did not show a significant difference between the ITx, HPN, and tapered groups, but VAS showed a significant difference in sleep between groups. Further studies, including serial data, will allow a better understanding of the effects of different modes of intestinal rehabilitation.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in intestinal failure (IF) patients after different modes of intestinal rehabilitation. Methods: HRQoL was assessed using the generic 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36, ver. 2) and visual analogue scale (VAS) in 6 different areas: diet, sleep, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain, and other symptoms. Results: Twenty-two patients completed the questionnaires, of which 7 had received intestinal transplant (ITx), 9 were continuing home total parenteral nutrition (HPN), and 6 had tapered off total parenteral nutrition (TPN). SF-36 physical component summary scores were highest in the ITx group (median, 65.6; interquartile range [IQR], 31.6–80.3) compared to the HPN (median, 48.4; IQR, 44.7–66.3) or tapered group (median, 54.2; IQR, 45.2–61.6). Mental component summary scores were lowest in the ITx group (median, 48.8; IQR, 37.1–63.6), compared to the TPN (median, 60.2; IQR, 41.6–78.5) or tapered group (median, 51.0; IQR, 48.8–56.0). Differences were not significant in all items of the SF-36. VAS scores showed that patients in the ITx group showed the best results in diet (0.9), gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (1.4), and musculoskeletal pain (2.4). There was a significant difference in sleep (P = 0.036), with the ITx (1.43) and HPN groups (1.33) showing better outcomes compared with the tapered group (4.67). Patients in the tapered group showed the least favorable results in all performance areas, except GI symptoms. Conclusion SF-36 did not show a significant difference between the ITx, HPN, and tapered groups, but VAS showed a significant difference in sleep between groups. Further studies, including serial data, will allow a better understanding of the effects of different modes of intestinal rehabilitation.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in intestinal failure (IF) patients after different modes of intestinal rehabilitation. Methods: HRQoL was assessed using the generic 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36, ver. 2) and visual analogue scale (VAS) in 6 different areas: diet, sleep, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain, and other symptoms. Results: Twenty-two patients completed the questionnaires, of which 7 had received intestinal transplant (ITx), 9 were continuing home total parenteral nutrition (HPN), and 6 had tapered off total parenteral nutrition (TPN). SF-36 physical component summary scores were highest in the ITx group (median, 65.6; interquartile range [IQR], 31.6–80.3) compared to the HPN (median, 48.4; IQR, 44.7–66.3) or tapered group (median, 54.2; IQR, 45.2–61.6). Mental component summary scores were lowest in the ITx group (median, 48.8; IQR, 37.1–63.6), compared to the TPN (median, 60.2; IQR, 41.6–78.5) or tapered group (median, 51.0; IQR, 48.8–56.0). Differences were not significant in all items of the SF-36. VAS scores showed that patients in the ITx group showed the best results in diet (0.9), gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (1.4), and musculoskeletal pain (2.4). There was a significant difference in sleep (P = 0.036), with the ITx (1.43) and HPN groups (1.33) showing better outcomes compared with the tapered group (4.67). Patients in the tapered group showed the least favorable results in all performance areas, except GI symptoms. Conclusion SF-36 did not show a significant difference between the ITx, HPN, and tapered groups, but VAS showed a significant difference in sleep between groups. Further studies, including serial data, will allow a better understanding of the effects of different modes of intestinal rehabilitation.

Background and Objectives: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis that primarily affects children under age 5 years. Approximately 20–25% of untreated children with KD and 3–5% of those treated with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy develop coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs). The prevalence of CAAs is much higher in male than in female patients with KD, but the underlying factors contributing to susceptibility to CAAs in patients with KD remain unclear. This study aimed to identify sex-specific susceptibility loci associated with CAAs in KD patients. Methods: A sex-stratified genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using previously obtained GWAS data from 296 KD patients and a new replication study in an independent set of 976 KD patients by comparing KD patients without CAA (controls) and KD patients with aneurysms (internal diameter ≥5 mm) (cases). Results: Six male-specific susceptibility loci, PDE1C, NOS3, DLG2, CPNE8, FUNDC1, and GABRQ (odds ratios [ORs], 2.25–9.98; p=0.00204–1.96×10−6 ), and 2 female-specific susceptibility loci, SMAD3 (OR, 4.59; p=0.00016) and IL1RAPL1 (OR, 4.35; p=0.00026), were significantly associated with CAAs in patients with KD. In addition, the numbers of CAA risk alleles additively contributed to the development of CAAs in patients with KD. Conclusions A sex-stratified GWAS identified 6 male-specific (PDE1C, NOS3, DLG2, CPNE8, FUNDC1, and GABRQ) and 2 female-specific (SMAD3 and IL1RAPL1) CAA susceptibility loci in patients with KD.

Background and Objectives: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis that primarily affects children under age 5 years. Approximately 20–25% of untreated children with KD and 3–5% of those treated with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy develop coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs). The prevalence of CAAs is much higher in male than in female patients with KD, but the underlying factors contributing to susceptibility to CAAs in patients with KD remain unclear. This study aimed to identify sex-specific susceptibility loci associated with CAAs in KD patients. Methods: A sex-stratified genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using previously obtained GWAS data from 296 KD patients and a new replication study in an independent set of 976 KD patients by comparing KD patients without CAA (controls) and KD patients with aneurysms (internal diameter ≥5 mm) (cases). Results: Six male-specific susceptibility loci, PDE1C, NOS3, DLG2, CPNE8, FUNDC1, and GABRQ (odds ratios [ORs], 2.25–9.98; p=0.00204–1.96×10−6 ), and 2 female-specific susceptibility loci, SMAD3 (OR, 4.59; p=0.00016) and IL1RAPL1 (OR, 4.35; p=0.00026), were significantly associated with CAAs in patients with KD. In addition, the numbers of CAA risk alleles additively contributed to the development of CAAs in patients with KD. Conclusions A sex-stratified GWAS identified 6 male-specific (PDE1C, NOS3, DLG2, CPNE8, FUNDC1, and GABRQ) and 2 female-specific (SMAD3 and IL1RAPL1) CAA susceptibility loci in patients with KD.

Background and Objectives: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis that primarily affects children under age 5 years. Approximately 20–25% of untreated children with KD and 3–5% of those treated with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy develop coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs). The prevalence of CAAs is much higher in male than in female patients with KD, but the underlying factors contributing to susceptibility to CAAs in patients with KD remain unclear. This study aimed to identify sex-specific susceptibility loci associated with CAAs in KD patients. Methods: A sex-stratified genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using previously obtained GWAS data from 296 KD patients and a new replication study in an independent set of 976 KD patients by comparing KD patients without CAA (controls) and KD patients with aneurysms (internal diameter ≥5 mm) (cases). Results: Six male-specific susceptibility loci, PDE1C, NOS3, DLG2, CPNE8, FUNDC1, and GABRQ (odds ratios [ORs], 2.25–9.98; p=0.00204–1.96×10−6 ), and 2 female-specific susceptibility loci, SMAD3 (OR, 4.59; p=0.00016) and IL1RAPL1 (OR, 4.35; p=0.00026), were significantly associated with CAAs in patients with KD. In addition, the numbers of CAA risk alleles additively contributed to the development of CAAs in patients with KD. Conclusions A sex-stratified GWAS identified 6 male-specific (PDE1C, NOS3, DLG2, CPNE8, FUNDC1, and GABRQ) and 2 female-specific (SMAD3 and IL1RAPL1) CAA susceptibility loci in patients with KD.

Background and Objectives: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis that primarily affects children under age 5 years. Approximately 20–25% of untreated children with KD and 3–5% of those treated with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy develop coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs). The prevalence of CAAs is much higher in male than in female patients with KD, but the underlying factors contributing to susceptibility to CAAs in patients with KD remain unclear. This study aimed to identify sex-specific susceptibility loci associated with CAAs in KD patients. Methods: A sex-stratified genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using previously obtained GWAS data from 296 KD patients and a new replication study in an independent set of 976 KD patients by comparing KD patients without CAA (controls) and KD patients with aneurysms (internal diameter ≥5 mm) (cases). Results: Six male-specific susceptibility loci, PDE1C, NOS3, DLG2, CPNE8, FUNDC1, and GABRQ (odds ratios [ORs], 2.25–9.98; p=0.00204–1.96×10−6 ), and 2 female-specific susceptibility loci, SMAD3 (OR, 4.59; p=0.00016) and IL1RAPL1 (OR, 4.35; p=0.00026), were significantly associated with CAAs in patients with KD. In addition, the numbers of CAA risk alleles additively contributed to the development of CAAs in patients with KD. Conclusions A sex-stratified GWAS identified 6 male-specific (PDE1C, NOS3, DLG2, CPNE8, FUNDC1, and GABRQ) and 2 female-specific (SMAD3 and IL1RAPL1) CAA susceptibility loci in patients with KD.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the real-world clinical outcomes of consolidative durvalumab in patients with unresectable locally advanced non–small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) and to explore the role of radiotherapy in the era of immunotherapy. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study assessed 171 patients with unresectable LA-NSCLC who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with or without consolidative durvalumab at Asan Medical Center between May 2018 and May 2021. Primary outcomes included freedom from locoregional failure (FFLRF), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Results: Durvalumab following CCRT demonstrated a prolonged median PFS of 20.9 months (p=0.048) and a 3-year FFLRF rate of 57.3% (p=0.008), compared to 13.7 months and 38.8%, respectively, with CCRT alone. Furthermore, the incidence of in-field recurrence was significantly greater in the CCRT-alone group compared to the durvalumab group (26.8% vs. 12.4%, p=0.027). While median OS was not reached with durvalumab, it was 35.4 months in patients receiving CCRT alone (p=0.010). Patients positive for programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression showed notably better outcomes, including FFLRF, DMFS, PFS, and OS. Adherence to PACIFIC trial eligibility criteria identified 100 patients (58.5%) as ineligible. The use of durvalumab demonstrated better survival regardless of eligibility criteria. Conclusion The use of durvalumab consolidation following CCRT significantly enhanced locoregional control and OS in patients with unresectable LA-NSCLC, especially in those with PD-L1–positive tumors, thereby validating the role of durvalumab in standard care.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the feasibility of Zenith Fenestrated AAA Endovascular Graft (Z-FEN, Cook Medical) from a single Korean institution database by evaluating the vascular anatomy of Korean abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients with hostile aortic neck. Methods: This is a retrospective study on patients with AAA who underwent endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) and open surgery repair between January 2012 and December 2021 (n = 211). The anatomic characteristics of the aortic neck were evaluated using 3-dimensional reconstructed computed tomographic scans. For the juxtarenal AAA patients (n = 39), feasibility of fenestrated stent graft was evaluated under the protocol of fenestrated EVAR. For those who were not suitable for the application of Z-FEN, the reasons for unsuitability were analyzed. Results: Among 211 AAA patients, 108 patients (51.2%) had complex aortic neck, and 39 (18.5%) had insufficient aortic neck length (<15 mm) for conventional EVAR. Of the 39 patients with juxtarenal AAAs, 13 (33.3%) were determined feasible for Z-FEN. Twenty-six patients (66.7%) were noncandidate for Z-FEN due to severe neck angulation, short aortic neck length, inadequate iliac artery anatomy, large aortic neck diameter, and severe calcification and thrombosis. Proximal aortic neck length of the non-feasible group was significantly shorter than that of the feasible group (P = 0.002). Conclusion Z-FEN was applicable to 33.3% of the juxtarenal AAA patients. As recent studies confirm, the effectiveness and safety of fenestrated EVAR, Z-FEN can be an option for AAA patients with short aortic neck.

Purpose: The detection rate of early-stage lung cancer with ground-glass opacity (GGO) has increased, and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has been suggested as an alternative to surgery in inoperable patients. However, reports on treatment results are limited. Therefore, we performed a retrospective study to investigate the clinical outcome after SBRT in patients with early-stage lung cancer with GGO-predominant tumor lesions at a single institution. Materials and Methods: This study included 89 patients with 99 lesions who were treated with SBRT for lung cancer with GGO-predominant lesions that had a consolidation-to-tumor ratio of ≤0.5 at Asan Medical Center between July 2016 and July 2021. A median total dose of 56.0 Gy (range, 48.0–60.0) was delivered using 10.0–15.0 Gy per fraction. Results: The overall follow-up period for the study was median 33.0 months (range, 9.9 to 65.9 months). There was 100% local control with no recurrences in any of the 99 treated lesions. Three patients had regional recurrences outside of the radiation field, and three had distant metastasis. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year overall survival rates were 100.0%, 91.6%, and 82.8%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that advanced age and a low level of diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide were significantly associated with overall survival. There were no patients with grade ≥3 toxicity. Conclusion SBRT is a safe and effective treatment for patients with GGO-predominant lung cancer lesions and is likely to be considered as an alternative to surgery.