Background: This study evaluated adherence to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) and Korean guidelines in the prescription patterns of respiratory specialists for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management. Methods: Data were collected on medications from 2011 to 2022 using the Korea COPD Subtype Study (KOCOSS) cohort. Patients were divided into two groups: those registered before and after 2019, and we analyzed the percentage of patients meeting the recommended treatment criteria established by each guideline. Results: Among 3,477 patients, 85.6% received pharmacological therapy, and 81.6% utilized inhaled medications. Compared to patients enrolled before 2019, there was an increase in inhaler prescriptions among those registered after 2019 (79.7% vs. 86.7%), with dual bronchodilators being the predominant therapy prescribed. Of the patients receiving treatment, 56.9% adhered to the Korean 2018 guideline. Compliance with the GOLD 2019 and GOLD 2023 guidelines was observed in 31.3% and 28.0% of cases, respectively. When analyzing inhaler prescription patterns according to both subgroups and considering the Korean 2018, GOLD 2019, and GOLD 2023 guidelines concurrently, the adherence rates were as follows: (56.6%, 37.8%, 24.0%) and (57.7%, 14.0%, 38.6%). Conclusion Adherence rates were higher for the Korean guideline compared to the GOLD recommendations. Furthermore, alignment with both the Korean 2018 and GOLD 2023 guidelines increased among patients enrolled after 2019, compared to those registered earlier. These findings suggest that physicians are modifying their therapeutic strategies to align with both domestic and recent international guidelines.

Background: This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of multidrug-resistant/ rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Data of notified people with tuberculosis between July 2018 and December 2021 were retrieved from the Korea Tuberculosis Cohort database. MDR/RR-TB was further categorized according to isoniazid susceptibility as follows: multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), rifampicin-monoresistant tuberculosis (RMR-TB), and RR-TB if susceptibility to isoniazid was unknown. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with MDR/RR-TB. Results: Between 2018 and 2021, the proportion of MDR/RR-TB cases among all TB cases and TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results was 2.1% (502/24,447). The proportions of MDR/RR-TB and MDR-TB cases among TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results were 3.3% (502/15,071) and 1.9% (292/15,071), respectively. Among all cases of rifampicin resistance, 31.7% (159/502) were RMR-TB and 10.2% (51/502) were RR-TB. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that younger age, foreigners, and prior tuberculosis history were significantly associated with MDR/ RR-TB. Conclusion Rapid identification of rifampicin resistance targeting the high-risk populations, such as younger generations, foreign-born individuals, and previously treated patients are necessary for patient-centered care.

Purpose: Ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection has emerged as a potential non-surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The objective of this research was to offer suggestions for optimizing injectables utilized in hydrodissection for the treatment of CTS through a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched through April 25, 2024. Effect sizes were quantified using standard mean differences within a random-effects model. Effectiveness ranking for each treatment was expressed as the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). Results: Nine studies with 458 patients with CTS were included. According to SUCRA, 5% dextrose (DW) was the most effective option for the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) function at 99.9, 89.8, and 88.8 at 4, 12, and 24 weeks, respectively; for BCTQ symptoms, 5% DW was the most effective option at 99.9 at 4 weeks and platelet-rich plasma at 95.7 and 93.9 at 12 and 24 weeks, respectively. In terms of both BCTQ symptoms and BCTQ function, the 5 cc injection was the most effective, with SUCRA values of 99.5 for both categories. However, the effectiveness of the electrodiagnostic assessment and ultrasound variables was dependent on the type and dose of medication. Conclusion Administration of 5% DW showed better results in terms of initial symptom relief and long-term functional recovery compared to other agents, while platelet-rich plasma showed greater long-term symptom improvement; an injection dose of 5 cc showed the greatest benefit. However, additional research is required to establish precise protocols based on disease severity.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify independent risk factors for middle ear barotrauma (MEB) symptoms in patients undergoing monoplace hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Materials and Methods: We analyzed data from a single-center study involving 296 patients who received monoplace HBOT.Through multivariable logistic regression analysis, we examined the relationship between various factors and the occurrence of MEB to identify significant independent risk factors. Results: The multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that an altered mental state was associated with increased odds of MEB occurrence [odds ratio (OR) 2.50; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–5.51]. Furthermore, patients in the emergency treatment group for HBOT, as defined by the national health insurance in Korea, were found to be 6.75 times more likely to experience MEB (95% CI: 1.33–34.20). Conclusion This study identified altered mental status and classification in the emergency treatment group for monoplace HBOT as independent risk factors for MEB. These findings can aid in developing safer protocols for monoplace HBOT chamber operations.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, disabling, and functional bowel disorder that significantly affects social functioning and reduces quality of life and increases social costs. The Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility published clinical practice guidelines on the management of IBS based on a systematic review of the literature in 2017, and planned to revise these guidelines in light of new evidence on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of IBS. The current revised version of the guidelines is consistent with the previous version and targets adults diagnosed with or suspected of having IBS. These guidelines were developed using a combination of de novo and adaptation methods, with analyses of existing guidelines and discussions within the committee, leading to the identification of key clinical questions. Finally, the guidelines consisted of 22 recommendations, including 3 concerning the definition and risk factors of IBS, 4 regarding diagnostic modalities and strategies, 2 regarding general management, and 13 regarding medical treatment. For each statement, the advantages, disadvantages, and precautions were thoroughly detailed. The modified Delphi method was used to achieve expert consensus to adopt the core recommendations of the guidelines. These guidelines serve as a reference for clinicians (including primary care physicians, general healthcare providers, medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals) and patients, helping them to make informed decisions regarding IBS management.

Background and Objectives: Pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) significantly affects children’s quality of life and learning abilities. This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for CRS. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on pediatric patients who underwent FESS for CRS at 11 university hospitals. The inclusion criteria were patients under 20 years old with bilateral disease who were operated on between January 2005 and December 2021. The data collected included demographics, clinical history, blood tests, preoperative computed tomography, and preoperative and postoperative symptom control. The Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher exact tests were used to compare the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Results: In total, 213 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 13.4±3.0 years, and 145 (68.1%) were male. One hundred sixty-four patients (77.0%) had nasal polyps and 33 patients (15.5%) underwent revision FESS. The preoperative symptoms, in order of prevalence, included nasal obstruction (87.8%), rhinorrhea (71.8%), a sense of postnasal drip (58.2%), hyposmia (44.6%), cough (24.4%), and facial fullness (18.3%). These symptoms were significantly alleviated for up to 3 years after surgery (p<0.001). At the time of the last follow-up, 121 patients (56.8%) were controlled, 80 (37.6%) were partly controlled, and 12 (5.6%) were uncontrolled. Patients in the uncontrolled group had higher Lund-Mackay scores, longer follow-up durations, and more instances of revision surgery compared to those in the controlled and partly controlled groups. When age was categorized into three groups, those aged 16 years or older tended to have lower Lund-Mackay scores and better control. Conclusion FESS significantly improves both the postoperative symptoms and the long-term quality of life in pediatric CRS patients. Better symptom control is associated with older age and a lower disease burden.

Background: and Purpose The Treat Stroke to Target (TST) was a randomized clinical trial involving French and Korean patients demonstrating that a lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, <70 mg/dL) target group (LT) experienced fewer cerebro-cardiovascular events than a higher target (90–110 mg/dL) group (HT). However, whether these results can be applied to Asian patients with different ischemic stroke subtypes remains unclear. Methods: Patients from 14 South Korean centers were analyzed separately. Patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack with evidence of atherosclerosis were randomized into LT and HT groups. The primary endpoint was a composite of ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, coronary or cerebral revascularization, and cardiovascular death. Results: Among 712 enrolled patients, the mean LDL-C level was 71.0 mg/dL in 357 LT patients and 86.1 mg/dL in 355 HT patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 24 (6.7%) of LT and in 31 (8.7%) of HT group patients (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]=0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.45–1.33, P=0.353). Cardiovascular events alone occurred significantly less frequently in the LT than in the HT group (HR 0.26, 95% CI 0.09–0.80, P=0.019), whereas there were no significant differences in ischemic stroke events (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.60–2.10, P=0.712). The benefit of LT was less apparent in patients with small vessel disease and intracranial atherosclerosis than in those with extracranial atherosclerosis. Conclusion In contrast to the French TST, the outcomes in Korean patients were neutral. Although LT was more effective in preventing cardiovascular diseases, it was not so in stroke prevention, probably attributed to the differences in stroke subtypes. Further studies are needed to elucidate the efficacy of statins and appropriate LDL-C targets in Asian patients with stroke.

Background and Objectives: The Korean Organ Transplant Registry (KOTRY) provided data for this third official report on adult heart transplantation (HT), including information from 709 recipients. Methods: Data from HTs performed at seven major centers in Korea between March 2014 and December 2020 were analyzed, focusing on immunosuppression, acute rejection, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), post-transplant survival, and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) usage. Results: The median ages of the recipients and donors were 56.0 and 43.0 years, respectively.Cardiomyopathy and ischemic heart disease were the most common preceding conditions for HT. A significant portion of patients underwent HT at waiting list status 1 and 0. In the multivariate analysis, a predicted heart mass mismatch was associated with a higher risk of 1-year mortality. Patients over 70 years old had a significantly increased risk of 6-year mortality. The risk of CAV was higher for male donors and donors older than 45 years. Acute rejection was more likely in patients with panel reactive antibody levels above 80%, while statin use was associated with a reduced risk. The employment of left ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplantation increased from 2.17% to 22.4%. Pre-transplant extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation was associated with worse post-transplant survival. Conclusions In this third KOTRY report, we analyzed changes in the characteristics of adult HT recipients and donors and their impact on post-transplant outcomes. The most notable discovery was the increased use of MCS before HT and their impact on post-transplant outcomes.

Background and Objectives: Among various emerging catheter-based treatments for severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), the spacer device can reduce the regurgitation orifice without manipulating the valve leaflet. However, its clinical application has been hampered by traumatic anchoring to the myocardium and the coaxial alignment of the balloon resulting in insufficient TR reduction. This study aimed to evaluate the early-stage safety, technical feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of the novel atraumatic vertical spacer in patients with isolated severe TR. Methods: All procedures were guided by fluoroscopy and transthoracic echocardiography.The maximum device placement time with an inflated balloon was 24 hours. Changes in the amount of TR, right ventricular function, and patient hemodynamics were measured during balloon deployment. Results: A total of 7 patients (median age 74), underwent successful device implantation without procedure-related complications. During balloon inflation (median 25 minutes), there were no symptoms or signs indicative of TR intolerance. TR was reduced by 1 grade or greater in all patients, with 2 patients exhibiting a reduction of 3 grades, from torrential TR to a moderate degree. Mild TR after balloon inflation was achieved in 3 patients with baseline severe TR. The TR reduction observed during initial balloon deployment was sustained during the subsequent balloon maintenance period. Conclusions The Pivot-balloon procedure was safe, technically feasible, and effective in reducing TR in patients with severe TR. No periprocedural complications or adverse cardiovascular events were reported during device placement with TR reduction observed in all patients. However, longer-term follow-up is needed to confirm safety and treatment effect.

Background: Skipping breakfast is associated with an increased risk of chronic inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to examine the association between breakfast-eating habits and inflammation, using high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as a marker. Methods: A total of 4,000 Korean adult males with no history of myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, or current smoking were included. Data from the 2016–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used for analysis. The frequency of breakfast consumption was assessed through a questionnaire item in the dietary survey section asking participants about their weekly breakfast consumption routines over the past year. Participants were categorized into two groups, namely “0–2 breakfasts per week” and “3–7 breakfasts per week”; hs-CRP concentrations were measured through blood tests. Results: Comparing between the “infrequent breakfast consumption (0–2 breakfasts per week)” and “frequent breakfast consumption (3–7 breakfasts per week)” groups, the mean hs-CRP was found to be significantly higher in the “infrequent breakfast consumption” group, even after adjusting for age, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol consumption, systolic blood pressure, blood pressure medication, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides (mean hs-CRP: frequent breakfast consumption, 1.36±0.09 mg/L; infrequent breakfast consumption, 1.17±0.05 mg/L; P-value=0.036). Conclusion Less frequent breakfast consumption was associated with elevated hs-CRP levels. Further large-scale studies incorporating adjusted measures of daily eating patterns as well as food quality and quantity are required for a deeper understanding of the role of breakfast in the primary prevention of chronic inflammatory diseases.