Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to evaluate differences in carotid atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease severity according to MASLD subtypes using general health screening data from multiple tertiary hospitals. Methods: A total of 3,466 subjects who underwent health check-ups including abdominal ultrasound, carotid ultrasound, and cardiac computed tomography were analyzed. Participants were categorized into non-SLD, MASLD, metabolic dysfunction-associated alcohol-relat-ed liver disease (MetALD), and alcohol-related liver disease. Carotid plaque prevalence and coronary artery stenosis severity were compared across groups and stratified by fibrosis stage using the Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4). Results: Patients with MASLD and MetALD showed a significantly higher prevalence of carotid plaques compared with the non-SLD group. The severity of coronary artery stenosis was also greater in MASLD and MetALD, particularly among those with advanced fibrosis (FIB-4 ≥2.67). Conclusions MASLD and MetALD are associated with increased burden of systemic atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease, especially in patients with advanced fibrosis. These findings highlight the importance of cardiovascular risk assessment in individuals with MASLD and its subtypes.

Chronic constipation is one of the most common digestive diseases encountered in clinical practice. Constipation manifests as a variety of symptoms, such as infrequent bowel movements, hard stools, feeling of incomplete evacuation, straining at defecation, a sense of anorectal blockage during defecation, and use of digital maneuvers to assist defecation. During the diagnosis of chronic constipation, the Bristol Stool Form Scale, colonoscopy, and a digital rectal examination are useful for objective symptom evaluation and differential diagnosis of secondary constipation. Physiological tests for functional constipation have complementary roles and are recommended for patients who have failed to respond to treatment with available laxatives and those who are strongly suspected of having a defecatory disorder. As new evidence on the diagnosis and management of functional constipation emerged, the need to revise the previous guideline was suggested. Therefore, these evidence-based guidelines have proposed recommendations developed using a systematic review and meta-analysis of the treatment options available for functional constipation. The benefits and cautions of new pharmacological agents (such as lubiprostone and linaclotide) and conventional laxatives have been described through a meta-analysis. The guidelines consist of 34 recommendations, including 3 concerning the definition and epidemiology of functional constipation, 9 regarding diagnoses, and 22 regarding managements. Clinicians (including primary physicians, general health professionals, medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals) and patients can refer to these guidelines to make informed decisions regarding the management of functional constipation.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a highly efficacious and safe modality for the treatment of recurrent or refractory Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), with overall success rates of 90%. Thus, FMT has been widely used for 10 years. The incidence and clinical characteristics of CDI, the main indication for FMT, differ between countries. To date, several guidelines have been published. However, most of them were published in Western countries and therefore cannot represent the Korean national healthcare systems. One of the barriers to performing FMT is a lack of national guidelines. Accordingly, multidisciplinary experts in this field have developed practical guidelines for FMT. The purpose of these guidelines is to aid physicians performing FMT, which can be adapted to treat CDI and other conditions.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate nursing students’ learning agility and confirm the mediating effect of self-leadership in the relationship between achievement motivation and learning agility. Methods: The study design was a descriptive survey design. The subjects were third- and fourth-year nursing students attending three universities in one region. Data were collected from November 28, 2019, to May 25, 2020, and a total of 202 data were collected using the scale of achievement motivation, self-leadership, and learning agility. Data analysis included frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, and Pearson's correlation coefficient using SPSS 25.0 statistics 25.0 software. The mediating effect of self-leadership was analyzed through regression analysis and bootstrapping using process macro ver. 3.4.1. Results: Self-leadership’s partial mediating effect was confirmed in achievement motivation and learning agility. Achievement motivation was found to affect directly learning agility, with an indirect effect through self-leadership. Conclusion The study results showed that nursing students could increase their learning agility through self-leadership improvement. Future research should focus on identifying the factors influencing nursing students’ learning agility and develop and apply programs to improve learning agility.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy is used widely for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the present study, the characteristics and outcomes of tuberculosis (TB) in IBD patients treated with anti-TNF therapy were compared with those of non-IBD TB patients.METHODS: Twenty-five IBD patients who initially developed TB during anti-TNF therapy were enrolled in this study. Seventy-five age- and gender-matched non-IBD TB patients were selected as controls in a 1:3 ratio.RESULTS: The proportion of non-respiratory symptoms was higher in the IBD patients than in the non-IBD patients (12 [48.0%] in the IBD patients vs. 15 [20.0%] in the non-IBD patients; p=0.009). Eight (32.0%) IBD patients and 19 (25.3%) non-IBD patients had extra-pulmonary lesions (p=0.516). The frequency of positive smear results for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) was significantly higher in the non-IBD patients than in the IBD patients (three [12.0%] IBD patients vs. 27 [36.0%] non-IBD patients; p=0.023). Active TB was cured in 24 (96.0%) patients in the IBD group and in 70 (93.3%) patients in the non-IBD group (p=0.409). The TB-related mortality rates were 4.0% and 1.3% in the IBD patients and non-IBD patients, respectively (p=0.439).CONCLUSIONS: The rate of extrapulmonary involvement, side effects of anti-TB medications, and clinical outcomes did not differ between the IBD patients who initially developed TB during anti-TNF therapy and non-IBD patients with TB. On the other hand, the IBD patients had a lower rate of AFB smear positivity and a higher proportion of non-respiratory symptoms.
Hand ; Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Mortality ; Necrosis ; Tuberculosis

Managing acute pancreatitis is clinically challenging because of the generally poor patient condition, the variety of treatment options depending on the severity and complications, and the uncertainty of outcomes. Recently, the step-up approach, which involves less invasive initial treatment and more invasive subsequent treatment, where necessary, has been proposed as the mainstay of managing pancreatitis. This paper presents a case of a 57-year-old man with severe acute pancreatitis, who developed an unexpected fistula in the rectum, which was treated successfully using the step-up approach. In managing this case, the authors faced clinical challenges in determining the infection of necrotic tissue in the early phase of the disease, the optimal timing and method of drainage, and the fistula closure or repair technique. Successful management of this case using the step-up approach validated current recommendations and suggests that it is a reasonable treatment strategy for pancreatic-colonic fistulas. This case also highlights the importance of an awareness that pancreatitis-associated complications can develop in an unexpected manner.
Colon ; Drainage ; Fistula ; Humans ; Methods ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis ; Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing ; Rectum ; Uncertainty

Managing acute pancreatitis is clinically challenging because of the generally poor patient condition, the variety of treatment options depending on the severity and complications, and the uncertainty of outcomes. Recently, the step-up approach, which involves less invasive initial treatment and more invasive subsequent treatment, where necessary, has been proposed as the mainstay of managing pancreatitis. This paper presents a case of a 57-year-old man with severe acute pancreatitis, who developed an unexpected fistula in the rectum, which was treated successfully using the step-up approach. In managing this case, the authors faced clinical challenges in determining the infection of necrotic tissue in the early phase of the disease, the optimal timing and method of drainage, and the fistula closure or repair technique. Successful management of this case using the step-up approach validated current recommendations and suggests that it is a reasonable treatment strategy for pancreatic-colonic fistulas. This case also highlights the importance of an awareness that pancreatitis-associated complications can develop in an unexpected manner.
Colon ; Drainage ; Fistula ; Humans ; Methods ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis ; Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing ; Rectum ; Uncertainty

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recently, many studies have reported the incidence of colorectal neoplasm (CRN) to be increased in patients with gastric cancer. Thus preoperative colonoscopy is recommended for the screening of CRN. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of colorectal adenoma and cancer in patients with gastric cancer and evaluate the necessity of preoperative colonoscopy in patients with gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected data from 293 patients who underwent gastrectomy due to gastric cancer at one tertiary institution between January to December 2015. Preoperative colonoscopy was performed in 127 patients of 293 patients. To compare the prevalence of colorectal neoplasm, we selected 900 persons who underwent upper esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy for health screening during 2015. RESULTS: The prevalence of overall CRN was similar in the gastric cancer group and the control group. The prevalence of colorectal advanced adenoma and cancer was higher in the gastric cancer group compared with control group, but it did not show statistical significance. The prevalence of colorectal advanced adenoma was significantly higher in the group of age ≥ years and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of advanced colorectal adenoma increases significantly in patients with old age but not in patients with gastric cancer. We suggest that all patients with gastric cancer might not carry a high risk for advanced colorectal adenoma compared with the normal population. Patients with old age might require surveillance colonoscopy.
Adenoma ; Colonoscopy* ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stomach Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial surveillance is important for providing an up-to-date understanding of the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance and for creating a forum for rational drug development. In this study, we analyzed antimicrobial test data generated in 2011 by hospitals and commercial laboratories participating in the Korean Nationwide Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance program (KONSAR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on the results of susceptibility tests conducted in 32 hospitals and two commercial laboratories were analyzed. Data on isolates from patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) and those admitted to other wards were compared. Intermediate susceptibility was not analyzed and duplicate isolates were excluded. RESULTS: Escherichia coli was the most prevalent organism identified in both the hospital and commercial laboratories. Among the hospital isolates, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), penicillin G-non-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae, and ampicillin-resistant Enterococcus faecium remained as prevalent as they were in 2009. The proportion of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium (VR-EFM) slightly decreased from 29% in 2009 to 23% in 2011. Resistance rates of Klebsiella pneumoniae to ceftazidime, cefoxitin, fluoroquinolone, and amikacin were 24%, 14%, 27%, and 8%, respectively. Resistance rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to fluoroquinolone, ceftazidime, imipenem, and amikacin were 33%, 20%, 22%, and 16%, respectively, whereas those of Acinetobacter spp. resistance were 71%, 66%, 64, and 51%, respectively. The prevalence of oxyimino-cephalosporin-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. and P. aeruginosa, MRSA, and VR-EFM among ICU isolates was higher than those among non-ICU isolates. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae, imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa, and VR-EFM were more prevalent among isolates from commercial laboratories than those from hospitals. Resistance rates of K. pneumoniae to ceftazidime and amikacin decreased from 32% and 24% in 2005 to 24% and 8% in 2011, respectively. The resistance rate of P. aeruginosa to amikacin decreased from 22% in 2005 to 16% in 2011. The proportion of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. increased from 16% in 2005 to 64% in 2011. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MRSA, penicillin G-non-susceptible S. pneumoniae, and ampicillin-resistant E. faecium among clinical isolates tested in laboratories remained high. Multidrug resistance was more prevalent among isolates from ICUs. The prevalence of ceftazidime-resistant and amikacin-resistant K. pneumoniae and amikacin-resistant P. aeruginosa decreased after 2005, while the prevalence of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. increased.
Acinetobacter* ; Amikacin ; Cefoxitin ; Ceftazidime ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Enterococcus faecium ; Epidemiology ; Escherichia coli ; Humans ; Imipenem ; Intensive Care Units ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Korea ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Penicillins ; Pneumonia ; Prevalence* ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Salmonella* ; Staphylococcus ; Streptococcus pneumoniae

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Few studies have assessed the prognostic value of the primary tumor maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) measured by 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose PET-CT for patients with bile duct and gallbladder cancer. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 61 patients with confirmed bile duct and gallbladder cancer who underwent FDG PET-CT in Kangbuk Samsung Medical Center (Seoul, Korea) from April 2008 to April 2011. Prognostic significance of SUVmax and other clinicopathological variables was assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were diagnosed as common bile duct cancer, 17 as hilar bile duct cancer, 12 as intrahepatic bile duct cancer, and nine as gallbladder cancer. In univariate analysis, diagnosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer, mass forming type, poorly differentiated cell type, nonsurgical treatment, advanced American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging and primary tumor SUVmax were significant predictors of poor overall survival. In multivariate analysis adjusted for age and sex, primary tumor SUVmax (hazard ratio [HR], 4.526; 95% CI, 1.813-11.299), advanced AJCC staging (HR, 4.843; 95% CI, 1.760-13.328), and nonsurgical treatment (HR, 6.029; 95% CI, 1.989-18.271) were independently associated with poor overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Primary tumor SUVmax measured by FDG PET-CT is an independent and significant prognostic factor for overall survival in bile duct and gallbladder cancer.
Aged ; Bile Duct Neoplasms/*diagnosis/mortality/radionuclide imaging ; Cholangiocarcinoma/diagnosis/mortality/radionuclide imaging ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/diagnostic use/metabolism/standards ; Gallbladder Neoplasms/*diagnosis/mortality/radionuclide imaging ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis/mortality/radionuclide imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Positron-Emission Tomography/standards ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Radiopharmaceuticals/diagnostic use/metabolism/standards ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/standards