Background and Objectives: The number of people with heart failure (HF) is increasing worldwide, and the social burden is increasing as HF has high mortality and morbidity. We aimed to provide updated trends on the epidemiology of HF in Korea to shape future social measures against HF. Methods: We used the National Health Information Database of the National Health Insurance Service to determine the prevalence, incidence, hospitalization rate, mortality rate, comorbidities, in-hospital mortality, and healthcare cost of patients with HF from 2002 to 2020 in Korea. Results: The prevalence of HF in the total Korean population rose from 0.77% in 2002 to 2.58% (1,326,886 people) in 2020. Although the age-standardized incidence of HF decreased over the past 18 years, the age-standardized prevalence increased. In 2020, the hospitalization rate for any cause in patients with HF was 1,166 per 100,000 persons, with a steady increase from 2002. In 2002, the HF mortality was 3.0 per 100,000 persons, which rose to 15.6 per 100,000 persons in 2020. While hospitalization rates and in-hospital mortality for patients with HF increased, the mortality rate for patients with HF did not (5.8% in 2020), and the one-year survival rate from the first diagnosis of HF improved. The total healthcare costs for patients with HF were approximately $2.4 billion in 2020, a 16-fold increase over the $0.15 billion in 2002. Conclusions The study’s results underscore the growing socioeconomic burden of HF in Korea, driven by an aging population and increasing HF prevalence.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of a nurse shift improvement pilot project on nurses' shift adjustment, work-life balance, and turnover intention, as well as nurses' experiences of participating in the pilot project. Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study was performed. Survey data was collected from a total of 1,051 nurses both in participant and non-participant groups. For the qualitative study, focus group interviews were conducted with 22 nurses who participated in the shift improvement pilot, including 12 staff nurses, 7 nurse managers, and 3 substitute nurses. Results: There were significant positive effects on the key variables of nurses’ shift adjustment, work-life balance, and turnover intention in the group that participated in the nurse shift improvement pilot project. Based on the qualitative study, participants in the shift improvement pilot project indicated that it enabled nurses to recover their circadian rhythm, and achieve a better work-life balance, and they wanted to continue working as a nurse, and hoped expanded application of the pilot project. Conclusion In order for expanded implementation of the pilot project and continued improvement in the shift system, we recommend establishing compensation standard, systematizing the use of substitute nurses, developing guidelines for shift schedules, and expanding the shift improvement pilot project to other departments such as the emergency room.

Background: Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) have been associated with various safety concerns including weight gain, bladder cancer, and congestive heart failure (CHF). This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of lobeglitazone, a novel TZD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in real practice. Methods: In this non-interventional, multi-center, retrospective, and observational study conducted at 15 tertiary or secondary referral hospitals in Korea, a total of 2,228 patients with T2DM who received lobeglitazone 0.5 mg for more than 1 year were enrolled. Results: Overall adverse events (AEs) occurred in 381 patients (17.10%) including edema in 1.97% (n=44). Cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases were identified in 0.81% (n=18) and 0.81% (n=18), respectively. One case of CHF was reported as an AE. Edema occurred in 1.97% (n=44) of patients. Hypoglycemia occurred in 2.47% (n=55) of patients. Fracture occurred in 1.17% (n=26) of all patients. Lobeglitazone significantly decreased HbA1c level, resulting in a mean treatment difference of -1.05%± 1.35% (P<0.001), and decreased total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, it increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, regardless of statin administration. The patients who received lobeglitazone 0.5 mg showed an apparent reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline during the first 6 months of treatment. The HbA1c levels remained stable between months 6 and 42. Conclusion Lobeglitazone has long-term safety profile, good glycemic-lowering effect and long-term durability of glycemic control in real-world clinical settings.

Hyaluronic acid (HA), a ligand of CD44, accumulates in some types of tumors and is responsible for tumor progression. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (NRF2) regulates cytoprotective genes and drug transporters, which promotes therapy resistance in tumors. Previously, we showed that high levels of CD44 are associated with NRF2 activation in cancer stem like-cells. Herein, we demonstrate that HA production was increased in doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer MCF7 cells (MCF7-DR) via the upregulation of HA synthase-2 (HAS2). HA incubation increased NRF2, aldo-keto reductase 1C1 (AKR1C1), and multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1) levels. Silencing of HAS2 or CD44 suppressed NRF2 signaling in MCF7-DR, which was accompanied by increased doxorubicin sensitivity. The treatment with a HAS2 inhibitor, 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU), decreased NRF2, AKR1C1, and MDR1 levels in MCF7-DR. Subsequently, 4-MU treatment inhibited sphere formation and doxorubicin resistance in MCF7-DR. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data analysis across 32 types of tumors indicates the amplification of HAS2 gene is a common genetic alteration and is negatively correlated with the overall survival rate. In addition, high HAS2 mRNA levels are associated with increased NRF2 signaling and poor clinical outcome in breast cancer patients. Collectively, these indicate that HAS2 elevation contributes to chemoresistance and sphere formation capacity of drug-resistant MCF7 cells by activating CD44/ NRF2 signaling, suggesting a potential benefit of HAS2 inhibition.

Purpose: Since 2016, the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) algorithm has been applied to the triage process in the emergency departments (EDs) of Korea. This study aimed to investigate the facilitators of and barriers to a well-run triage function based on how Korean emergency nurses perceived the triage process and their experiences with it. Methods: Data were collected using focus group interviews from June 2018 to January 2019. Twenty emergency nurses were divided into two junior and four senior groups based on their level of clinical experience. All interviews were recorded as they were spoken and transcribed. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The participants recognized the need for the KTAS algorithm to efficiently classify emergency patients and were working on it properly. According to the data, we extracted 4 themes and 20 subthemes. Four themes were as follows: (1) awareness about the necessity of triage, (2) facilitators to triage process, (3) barriers to triage process, and (4) suggestions for the establishment and development of triage. Conclusion From the findings of this study, various vulnerabilities of the triage process were identified, and solutions were suggested from the emergency nurses’ perspective. Educational, staffing, financial support, and periodic updates of the KTAS are needed to promote the triage process in the future.

Objective: Early detection and proper management of mental illness can help to prevent severe deterioration. However, with limited financial and human resources of community mental health services, it is not practical to carry out all conventional screening tools simultaneously. In this study, we aimed to develop and validate a brief but comprehensive screening questionnaire for four common mental illnesses of the elderly. Methods: The brief screening for four mental illnesses of elderly (BS4MI-elderly) is a 14-item binary response questionnaire that covers dementia, depressive disorder, sleep disorder, and hwa-byung. To test validity, we compared conventional scale scores for three groups of participants classified using the BS4MI-elderly. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive value of positive test, likelihood ratio of positive test and internal consistency of the BS4MI-elderly were assessed. Finally, a correlation analysis between the BS4MI-elderly and general mental health scales was conducted. Results: A total of 254 participants aged over 65 years were recruited. The BS4MI-elderly showed moderate to high sensitivity for the test that distinguishes the normal group from the risk and disorder groups (dementia: 0.61, depressive disorder: 0.88, sleep disorder: 0.85, hwa-byung: 0.94) and high specificity for the test that distinguishes the disorder group from the normal and risk groups (dementia: 0.91, depressive disorder: 0.93, hwa-byung: 0.84, sleep disorder: 0.84). The BS4MI-elderly also exhibited good internal consistency and significant correlations with general mental health scales. Conclusion The BS4MI-elderly, a brief but comprehensive screening tool, could be a useful instrument for screening the elderly in community mental health services.

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency is caused by congenital or acquired causes and occurs in childhood or adulthood. GH replacement therapy brings benefits to body composition, exercise capacity, skeletal health, cardiovascular outcomes, and quality of life. Before initiating GH replacement, GH deficiency should be confirmed through proper stimulation tests, and in cases with proven genetic causes or structural lesions, repeated GH stimulation testing is not necessary. The dosing regimen of GH replacement therapy should be individualized, with the goal of minimizing side effects and maximizing clinical improvements. The Korean Endocrine Society and the Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology have developed a position statement on the diagnosis and treatment of GH deficiency. This position statement is based on a systematic review of evidence and expert opinions.

Purpose: This study aimed to update the previously published nursing practice guideline for oral care. Methods: The guideline were updated according to the manuals developed by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), and a Handbook for Clinical Practice Guideline Developer Version 1.0. Results: Updated nursing practice guideline for oral care was consisted of 10 domains and 79 recommendations. The number of recommendations in each domain were: 5 general issues, 2 oral care indications, 9 oral assessment, 16 general oral care, 12 oral care for critically ill patients, 16 oral care for cancer patients, 12 oral care for cancer patients with oral complications, 5 oral care education, 1 oral care referral, and 1 documentation and report. In terms of grades for recommendations, 11.4% was grade A, 17.0% was grade B, and 68.2% was grade C. Twelve new recommendations were developed and 7 previous recommendations were deleted. Conclusion Updated nursing practice guideline for oral care is expected to serve as an evidence-based practice guideline for oral care in South Korea. It is recommended that this guideline be spread to clinical nursing settings nationwide to improve the effectiveness of oral care practice.

Ecthyma gangrenosum (EG) is a rare skin manifestation which starts with a maculopapular eruption and followed by a necrotic ulcer covered with black eschar. EG usually occurs in immunosuppressed patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis. We present a previously healthy 12-month-old girl with EG by P. aeruginosa and agranulocytosis due to influenza A and then rhinovirus infection, without bacteremia. It is important for allergists to culture wound and differentiate EG from other skin disorders including Tsutsugamushi disease and initiate appropriate empiric antipseudomonal antibiotic treatment, and to evaluate for possible immunodeficiency, even in a healthy child.
Agranulocytosis* ; Bacteremia ; Child ; Ecthyma* ; Female* ; Humans ; Infant* ; Influenza, Human ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Rhinovirus ; Scrub Typhus ; Sepsis ; Skin ; Skin Manifestations ; Ulcer ; Wounds and Injuries

Leucocyte extravasation has been known to play an important role in inflammatory reactions including contact dermatitis. Previous studies suggested that CD99 regulates β1 integrin activity and may be a novel therapeutic target molecule for inflammatory diseases. In this study, the effects of CD99-derived peptide, CD99CRIII3, on inflammatory reactions in contact dermatitis mouse model were investigated. CD99CRIII3 decreased β1-integrin activity in human monocytic U937 cells. CD99CRIII3 inhibited the adhesion of U937 monocytes to human umbilical vein endothelial cells and their extravasation through human umbilical vein endothelial cells. CD99CRIII3 reduced inflammation in the phorbol myristate acetate-induced contact dermatitis mice in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that CD99CRIII3 suppresses the extravasation of monocytes and inflammatory reactions in the animal model of the contact dermatitis, suggesting that CD99CRIII3 could be a new drug candidate against inflammatory skin diseases.
Animals ; Dermatitis, Contact* ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Mice* ; Models, Animal ; Monocytes* ; Myristic Acid ; Skin Diseases ; U937 Cells