1.Persistent influence of past obesity on current adiponectin levels and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes
Min-Ji KIM ; Sung-Woo KIM ; Bitna HA ; Hyang Sook KIM ; So-Hee KWON ; Jonghwa JIN ; Yeon-Kyung CHOI ; Keun-Gyu PARK ; Jung Guk KIM ; In-Kyu LEE ; Jae-Han JEON
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;40(2):299-309
Background/Aims:
Adiponectin, a hormone primarily produced by adipocytes, typically shows an inverse relationship with body mass index (BMI). However, some studies have reported a positive correlation between the two. Thus, this study aimed to examine the relationship between adiponectin level and BMI in diabetic patients, focusing on the impact of past obesity on current adiponectin levels.
Methods:
We conducted an observational study analyzing data from 323 diabetic patients at Kyungpook National University Hospital. Based on past and current BMIs, participants were categorized into never-obese (nn, n = 106), previously obese (on, n = 43), and persistently obese (oo, n = 73) groups based on a BMI threshold of 25 kg/m2. Adiponectin level and BMI were key variables. Kaplan–Meier analysis assessed their impact on all-cause mortality up to August 2023, with survival differences based on adiponectin quartiles and follow-up starting from patient enrollment (2010–2015).
Results:
The analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between adiponectin level and past maximum BMI. The on group exhibited approximately 10% lower adiponectin levels compared to the nn group. This association remained significant after adjusting for current BMI, age, and sex, highlighting the lasting influence of previous obesity on adiponectin levels. Furthermore, survival analysis indicated that patients in the lowest adiponectin quartile had reduced survival, with a statistically significant trend (p = 0.062).
Conclusions
Findings of this study suggest that lower adiponectin levels, potentially reflecting past obesity, are associated with decreased survival in diabetic patients, underscoring a critical role of adiponectin in long-term health outcomes.
2.Persistent influence of past obesity on current adiponectin levels and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes
Min-Ji KIM ; Sung-Woo KIM ; Bitna HA ; Hyang Sook KIM ; So-Hee KWON ; Jonghwa JIN ; Yeon-Kyung CHOI ; Keun-Gyu PARK ; Jung Guk KIM ; In-Kyu LEE ; Jae-Han JEON
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;40(2):299-309
Background/Aims:
Adiponectin, a hormone primarily produced by adipocytes, typically shows an inverse relationship with body mass index (BMI). However, some studies have reported a positive correlation between the two. Thus, this study aimed to examine the relationship between adiponectin level and BMI in diabetic patients, focusing on the impact of past obesity on current adiponectin levels.
Methods:
We conducted an observational study analyzing data from 323 diabetic patients at Kyungpook National University Hospital. Based on past and current BMIs, participants were categorized into never-obese (nn, n = 106), previously obese (on, n = 43), and persistently obese (oo, n = 73) groups based on a BMI threshold of 25 kg/m2. Adiponectin level and BMI were key variables. Kaplan–Meier analysis assessed their impact on all-cause mortality up to August 2023, with survival differences based on adiponectin quartiles and follow-up starting from patient enrollment (2010–2015).
Results:
The analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between adiponectin level and past maximum BMI. The on group exhibited approximately 10% lower adiponectin levels compared to the nn group. This association remained significant after adjusting for current BMI, age, and sex, highlighting the lasting influence of previous obesity on adiponectin levels. Furthermore, survival analysis indicated that patients in the lowest adiponectin quartile had reduced survival, with a statistically significant trend (p = 0.062).
Conclusions
Findings of this study suggest that lower adiponectin levels, potentially reflecting past obesity, are associated with decreased survival in diabetic patients, underscoring a critical role of adiponectin in long-term health outcomes.
3.Persistent influence of past obesity on current adiponectin levels and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes
Min-Ji KIM ; Sung-Woo KIM ; Bitna HA ; Hyang Sook KIM ; So-Hee KWON ; Jonghwa JIN ; Yeon-Kyung CHOI ; Keun-Gyu PARK ; Jung Guk KIM ; In-Kyu LEE ; Jae-Han JEON
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;40(2):299-309
Background/Aims:
Adiponectin, a hormone primarily produced by adipocytes, typically shows an inverse relationship with body mass index (BMI). However, some studies have reported a positive correlation between the two. Thus, this study aimed to examine the relationship between adiponectin level and BMI in diabetic patients, focusing on the impact of past obesity on current adiponectin levels.
Methods:
We conducted an observational study analyzing data from 323 diabetic patients at Kyungpook National University Hospital. Based on past and current BMIs, participants were categorized into never-obese (nn, n = 106), previously obese (on, n = 43), and persistently obese (oo, n = 73) groups based on a BMI threshold of 25 kg/m2. Adiponectin level and BMI were key variables. Kaplan–Meier analysis assessed their impact on all-cause mortality up to August 2023, with survival differences based on adiponectin quartiles and follow-up starting from patient enrollment (2010–2015).
Results:
The analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between adiponectin level and past maximum BMI. The on group exhibited approximately 10% lower adiponectin levels compared to the nn group. This association remained significant after adjusting for current BMI, age, and sex, highlighting the lasting influence of previous obesity on adiponectin levels. Furthermore, survival analysis indicated that patients in the lowest adiponectin quartile had reduced survival, with a statistically significant trend (p = 0.062).
Conclusions
Findings of this study suggest that lower adiponectin levels, potentially reflecting past obesity, are associated with decreased survival in diabetic patients, underscoring a critical role of adiponectin in long-term health outcomes.
4.Use of Miniscrew-assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion in Children: Case Reports
Yoo Jin LEE ; Hyuntae KIM ; Ji-Soo SONG ; Teo Jeon SHIN ; Hong-Keun HYUN ; Young-Jae KIM ; Jung-Wook KIM ; Ki-Taeg JANG
Journal of Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry 2025;52(2):239-252
The use of miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) has yielded successful outcomes in late adolescence and early adulthood, particularly in correcting transverse maxillary discrepancies and enhancing airway expansion. This report presents three cases of children at different dentition stages treated with MARPE. In one patient with severe crowding, MARPE enabled dental alignment without the need for premolar extractions. Additionally, MARPE combined with facemask therapy improved the patient’s facial profile, resulting in high patient and guardian satisfaction. These cases highlight MARPE’s potential as an effective treatment for maxillary discrepancies and severe arch length discrepancies in children.
5.Use of Miniscrew-assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion in Children: Case Reports
Yoo Jin LEE ; Hyuntae KIM ; Ji-Soo SONG ; Teo Jeon SHIN ; Hong-Keun HYUN ; Young-Jae KIM ; Jung-Wook KIM ; Ki-Taeg JANG
Journal of Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry 2025;52(2):239-252
The use of miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) has yielded successful outcomes in late adolescence and early adulthood, particularly in correcting transverse maxillary discrepancies and enhancing airway expansion. This report presents three cases of children at different dentition stages treated with MARPE. In one patient with severe crowding, MARPE enabled dental alignment without the need for premolar extractions. Additionally, MARPE combined with facemask therapy improved the patient’s facial profile, resulting in high patient and guardian satisfaction. These cases highlight MARPE’s potential as an effective treatment for maxillary discrepancies and severe arch length discrepancies in children.
6.Persistent influence of past obesity on current adiponectin levels and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes
Min-Ji KIM ; Sung-Woo KIM ; Bitna HA ; Hyang Sook KIM ; So-Hee KWON ; Jonghwa JIN ; Yeon-Kyung CHOI ; Keun-Gyu PARK ; Jung Guk KIM ; In-Kyu LEE ; Jae-Han JEON
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;40(2):299-309
Background/Aims:
Adiponectin, a hormone primarily produced by adipocytes, typically shows an inverse relationship with body mass index (BMI). However, some studies have reported a positive correlation between the two. Thus, this study aimed to examine the relationship between adiponectin level and BMI in diabetic patients, focusing on the impact of past obesity on current adiponectin levels.
Methods:
We conducted an observational study analyzing data from 323 diabetic patients at Kyungpook National University Hospital. Based on past and current BMIs, participants were categorized into never-obese (nn, n = 106), previously obese (on, n = 43), and persistently obese (oo, n = 73) groups based on a BMI threshold of 25 kg/m2. Adiponectin level and BMI were key variables. Kaplan–Meier analysis assessed their impact on all-cause mortality up to August 2023, with survival differences based on adiponectin quartiles and follow-up starting from patient enrollment (2010–2015).
Results:
The analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between adiponectin level and past maximum BMI. The on group exhibited approximately 10% lower adiponectin levels compared to the nn group. This association remained significant after adjusting for current BMI, age, and sex, highlighting the lasting influence of previous obesity on adiponectin levels. Furthermore, survival analysis indicated that patients in the lowest adiponectin quartile had reduced survival, with a statistically significant trend (p = 0.062).
Conclusions
Findings of this study suggest that lower adiponectin levels, potentially reflecting past obesity, are associated with decreased survival in diabetic patients, underscoring a critical role of adiponectin in long-term health outcomes.
7.Use of Miniscrew-assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion in Children: Case Reports
Yoo Jin LEE ; Hyuntae KIM ; Ji-Soo SONG ; Teo Jeon SHIN ; Hong-Keun HYUN ; Young-Jae KIM ; Jung-Wook KIM ; Ki-Taeg JANG
Journal of Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry 2025;52(2):239-252
The use of miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) has yielded successful outcomes in late adolescence and early adulthood, particularly in correcting transverse maxillary discrepancies and enhancing airway expansion. This report presents three cases of children at different dentition stages treated with MARPE. In one patient with severe crowding, MARPE enabled dental alignment without the need for premolar extractions. Additionally, MARPE combined with facemask therapy improved the patient’s facial profile, resulting in high patient and guardian satisfaction. These cases highlight MARPE’s potential as an effective treatment for maxillary discrepancies and severe arch length discrepancies in children.
8.Persistent influence of past obesity on current adiponectin levels and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes
Min-Ji KIM ; Sung-Woo KIM ; Bitna HA ; Hyang Sook KIM ; So-Hee KWON ; Jonghwa JIN ; Yeon-Kyung CHOI ; Keun-Gyu PARK ; Jung Guk KIM ; In-Kyu LEE ; Jae-Han JEON
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;40(2):299-309
Background/Aims:
Adiponectin, a hormone primarily produced by adipocytes, typically shows an inverse relationship with body mass index (BMI). However, some studies have reported a positive correlation between the two. Thus, this study aimed to examine the relationship between adiponectin level and BMI in diabetic patients, focusing on the impact of past obesity on current adiponectin levels.
Methods:
We conducted an observational study analyzing data from 323 diabetic patients at Kyungpook National University Hospital. Based on past and current BMIs, participants were categorized into never-obese (nn, n = 106), previously obese (on, n = 43), and persistently obese (oo, n = 73) groups based on a BMI threshold of 25 kg/m2. Adiponectin level and BMI were key variables. Kaplan–Meier analysis assessed their impact on all-cause mortality up to August 2023, with survival differences based on adiponectin quartiles and follow-up starting from patient enrollment (2010–2015).
Results:
The analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between adiponectin level and past maximum BMI. The on group exhibited approximately 10% lower adiponectin levels compared to the nn group. This association remained significant after adjusting for current BMI, age, and sex, highlighting the lasting influence of previous obesity on adiponectin levels. Furthermore, survival analysis indicated that patients in the lowest adiponectin quartile had reduced survival, with a statistically significant trend (p = 0.062).
Conclusions
Findings of this study suggest that lower adiponectin levels, potentially reflecting past obesity, are associated with decreased survival in diabetic patients, underscoring a critical role of adiponectin in long-term health outcomes.
9.Efficacy and Safety of Metformin and Atorvastatin Combination Therapy vs. Monotherapy with Either Drug in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Dyslipidemia Patients (ATOMIC): Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial
Jie-Eun LEE ; Seung Hee YU ; Sung Rae KIM ; Kyu Jeung AHN ; Kee-Ho SONG ; In-Kyu LEE ; Ho-Sang SHON ; In Joo KIM ; Soo LIM ; Doo-Man KIM ; Choon Hee CHUNG ; Won-Young LEE ; Soon Hee LEE ; Dong Joon KIM ; Sung-Rae CHO ; Chang Hee JUNG ; Hyun Jeong JEON ; Seung-Hwan LEE ; Keun-Young PARK ; Sang Youl RHEE ; Sin Gon KIM ; Seok O PARK ; Dae Jung KIM ; Byung Joon KIM ; Sang Ah LEE ; Yong-Hyun KIM ; Kyung-Soo KIM ; Ji A SEO ; Il Seong NAM-GOONG ; Chang Won LEE ; Duk Kyu KIM ; Sang Wook KIM ; Chung Gu CHO ; Jung Han KIM ; Yeo-Joo KIM ; Jae-Myung YOO ; Kyung Wan MIN ; Moon-Kyu LEE
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2024;48(4):730-739
Background:
It is well known that a large number of patients with diabetes also have dyslipidemia, which significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination drugs consisting of metformin and atorvastatin, widely used as therapeutic agents for diabetes and dyslipidemia.
Methods:
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group and phase III multicenter study included adults with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels >7.0% and <10.0%, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >100 and <250 mg/dL. One hundred eighty-five eligible subjects were randomized to the combination group (metformin+atorvastatin), metformin group (metformin+atorvastatin placebo), and atorvastatin group (atorvastatin+metformin placebo). The primary efficacy endpoints were the percent changes in HbA1c and LDL-C levels from baseline at the end of the treatment.
Results:
After 16 weeks of treatment compared to baseline, HbA1c showed a significant difference of 0.94% compared to the atorvastatin group in the combination group (0.35% vs. −0.58%, respectively; P<0.0001), whereas the proportion of patients with increased HbA1c was also 62% and 15%, respectively, showing a significant difference (P<0.001). The combination group also showed a significant decrease in LDL-C levels compared to the metformin group (−55.20% vs. −7.69%, P<0.001) without previously unknown adverse drug events.
Conclusion
The addition of atorvastatin to metformin improved HbA1c and LDL-C levels to a significant extent compared to metformin or atorvastatin alone in diabetes and dyslipidemia patients. This study also suggested metformin’s preventive effect on the glucose-elevating potential of atorvastatin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, insufficiently controlled with exercise and diet. Metformin and atorvastatin combination might be an effective treatment in reducing the CVD risk in patients with both diabetes and dyslipidemia because of its lowering effect on LDL-C and glucose.
10.Study Design and Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of a Triple Combination of Ezetimibe, Fenofibrate, and Moderate-Intensity Statin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors (ENSEMBLE)
Nam Hoon KIM ; Juneyoung LEE ; Suk CHON ; Jae Myung YU ; In-Kyung JEONG ; Soo LIM ; Won Jun KIM ; Keeho SONG ; Ho Chan CHO ; Hea Min YU ; Kyoung-Ah KIM ; Sang Soo KIM ; Soon Hee LEE ; Chong Hwa KIM ; Soo Heon KWAK ; Yong‐ho LEE ; Choon Hee CHUNG ; Sihoon LEE ; Heung Yong JIN ; Jae Hyuk LEE ; Gwanpyo KOH ; Sang-Yong KIM ; Jaetaek KIM ; Ju Hee LEE ; Tae Nyun KIM ; Hyun Jeong JEON ; Ji Hyun LEE ; Jae-Han JEON ; Hye Jin YOO ; Hee Kyung KIM ; Hyeong-Kyu PARK ; Il Seong NAM-GOONG ; Seongbin HONG ; Chul Woo AHN ; Ji Hee YU ; Jong Heon PARK ; Keun-Gyu PARK ; Chan Ho PARK ; Kyong Hye JOUNG ; Ohk-Hyun RYU ; Keun Yong PARK ; Eun-Gyoung HONG ; Bong-Soo CHA ; Kyu Chang WON ; Yoon-Sok CHUNG ; Sin Gon KIM
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024;39(5):722-731
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.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail