Background: To analyze the outcomes of clipping and coiling for ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIAs) based on data from the National Health Insurance Service in South Korea, with a focus on variations according to region and hospital size. Methods: This study analyzed the one-year mortality rates for patients with RIAs who underwent clipping or coiling in 2018. Coiling was further categorized into non-stent assisted coiling (NSAC) and stent assisted coiling (SAC). Hospitals were classified as tertiary referral general hospitals (TRGHs), general hospitals (GHs), or semi-general hospitals (sGHs) based on size. South Korea’s administrative districts were divided into 15 regions for analysis. Results: In 2018, there were 2,194 (33.1%) clipping procedures (TRGH, 985; GH, 827; sGH, 382) and 4,431 (66.9%) coiling procedures (TRGH, 1,642; GH, 2076; sGH, 713) performed for RIAs treatment. Among hospitals performing more than 20 treatments, the one-year mortality rates following clipping or coiling were 11.2% and 16.0%, respectively, with no significant difference observed. However, there was a significant difference in one-year mortality between NSAC and SAC (14.3% vs. 19.5%, P = 0.034), with clipping also showing significantly lower mortality compared to SAC (P = 0.019). No significant differences in other treatment modalities were observed according to hospital size, but clipping at TRGHs had significantly lower mortality than at GHs (P = 0.042). While no significant correlation was found between the number of treatments and outcomes at GHs, at TRGHs, a higher volume of clipping procedures was significantly associated with lower total mortality (P = 0.023) and mortality after clipping (P = 0.022). Conclusion Using Korea NHIS data, mortality rates for RIAs showed no significant variation by hospital size due to coiling’s prevalence. However, differences in clipping outcomes by hospital size and volume in TRGH highlight the need for national efforts to improve clipping skills and standardization. Additionally, the higher mortality rate with SAC emphasizes the importance of precise indications for its application.

OBJECTIVES: We estimated the population prevalence of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including unreported infections, through a Korea Seroprevalence Study of Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Retention and Transmission (K-SEROSMART) in 258 communities throughout Korea. METHODS: In August 2022, a survey was conducted among 10,000 household members aged 5 years and older, in households selected through two stage probability random sampling. During face-to-face household interviews, participants self-reported their health status, COVID-19 diagnosis and vaccination history, and general characteristics. Subsequently, participants visited a community health center or medical clinic for blood sampling. Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to spike proteins (anti-S) and antibodies to nucleocapsid proteins (anti-N) SARS-CoV-2 proteins using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. To estimate the population prevalence, the PROC SURVEYMEANS statistical procedure was employed, with weighting to reflect demographic data from July 2022. RESULTS: In total, 9,945 individuals from 5,041 households were surveyed across 258 communities, representing all basic local governments in Korea. The overall population-adjusted prevalence rates of anti-S and anti-N were 97.6% and 57.1%, respectively. Since the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has reported a cumulative incidence of confirmed cases of 37.8% through July 31, 2022, the proportion of unreported infections among all COVID-19 infection was suggested to be 33.9%. CONCLUSIONS The K-SEROSMART represents the first nationwide, community-based seroepidemiologic survey of COVID-19, confirming that most individuals possess antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and that a significant number of unreported cases existed. Furthermore, this study lays the foundation for a surveillance system to continuously monitor transmission at the community level and the response to COVID-19.

Purpose: This study assessed the results of surgical treatment for Neer type-II and type-V unstable distal clavicle fractures via hybrid fixation with a locking compression plate and finger trap wire. Materials and Methods: From September 2016 to April 2018, 15 patients treated for Neer type-II and type-V unstable distal clavicle fractures using hybrid fixation were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical results were analyzed based on the radiological healing time, range of motion of the shoulder joint, American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) score, and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score. Results: The range of motion of the shoulder joint completely recovered to the normal range within 9.2 weeks on average (6−24 weeks). Furthermore, the follow-up of the clinical trial showed excellent results, including an ASES score of 98.5±2.3 and an UCLA score of 34.2±1.3. In addition, fracture union was successfully achieved in all cases, and was identified during week 15 on average. Conclusion For the treatment of unstable distal clavicle fractures, hybrid fixation is a useful surgical method with excellent clinical outcomes through rapid recovery of the range of motion of the shoulder joint after surgery.

Evidence of the ethical appropriateness and clinical benefits of shared decision-making (SDM) are accumulating. This study aimed to not only identify physicians’ perspectives on SDM, and practices related to end-of-life care in particular, but also to gauge the effect of SDM education on physicians in Korea. Methods: A 14-item questionnaire survey using a modified Delphi process was delivered to nephrologists and internal medicine trainees at 17 university hospitals. Results: A total of 309 physicians completed the survey. Although respondents reported that 69.9% of their practical decisions were made using SDM, 59.9% reported that it is not being applied appropriately. Only 12.3% of respondents had received education on SDM as part of their training. The main obstacles to appropriate SDM were identified as lack of time (46.0%), educational materials and tools (29.4%), and education on SDM (24.3%). Although only a few respondents had received training on SDM, the proportion of those who thought they were using SDM appropriately in actual practice was high; the proportion of those who chose lack of time and education as factors that hindered the proper application of SDM was low. Conclusion: The majority of respondents believed that SDM was not being implemented properly in Korea, despite its use in actual practice. To improve the effectiveness of SDM in the Korean medical system, appropriate training programs and supplemental policies that guarantee sufficient application time are required.

Background: In this study, the usefulness of within-subject biological coefficient of variation (CVI) and reference change values (RCVs) for delta check limits were investigated by comparing the population distributionbased delta check limits. Methods: For six tests, including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase, glucose, creatinine, and hemoglobin, the RCV95%, RCV99%, and RCV99.9% delta limits were obtained. The nonparametric 95% and 99% delta limits were obtained from the population distribution of the delta percentage difference of the health examination group (January 2014 to December 2018) and the outpatient and inpatient groups (January to December 2018). Delta check alerts (%) in total and all three subgroups were examined according to the five different delta check limits. Additionally, we analyzed the correlation of the median CVIF estimates with population-delta check limits for the six tests. Results: The delta percentage difference of the six tests showed a nonnormal distribution, and median value significantly differed among the health examination, outpatient, and inpatient groups (all, P <0.001). The overall delta check alerts of six tests decreased in the order of RCV95%, RCV99%, and RCV99.9%, population distribution -95%, and -99% delta limits; the proportion of the health examination group gradually decreased and that of inpatients increased. A good correlation was observed between median CVI (range, 2.7% to 10.1%) and population distribution delta limits (r =0.96 to 0.99). Conclusions The RCV delta check limits should be applied differently depending on the health and disease group. CVI can be useful for estimating the delta check limits of the population.

Background: High-grade glioma (HGG) with primary leptomeningeal seeding (PLS) at initial diagnosis is rare. The purpose of this study was to identify its clinical features and to describe the clinical treatment outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with HGG (World Health Organization grade III or IV) at our institution between 2004 and 2019, and patients with PLS at the initial diagnosis were enrolled in the study. Clinical features, such as the location of leptomeningeal seeding, surgical methods, and degree of resection, were sorted based on electronic medical records also containing performance scale, and hematological and serological evaluations. Radiological findings and immunohistochemical categories were confirmed. Furthermore, we sought to determine whether controlling intracranial pressure (ICP) via early cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion increases overall survival (OS) after the initial diagnosis. Results: Of the 469 patients with HGG in our institution, less than 2% had PLS at the initial diagnosis. Most patients suffered from headache, diplopia, and dizziness. Pathological findings included 7 glioblastomas and 2 anaplastic astrocytomas. Seven of the 9 patients underwent CSF diversion. All patients were administered concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with temozolomide, 89% of which started adjuvant temozolomide and 33% of which completed the six cycles of adjuvant temozolomide.The OS of patients with HGG and PLS was 8.7 months (range, 4-37), an extremely poor result compared to that of other studies. Also, the 1-year and 2-year OS rates were 44.4% and 16.7%, respectively. Conclusion Diagnosis and treatment of HGG with PLS are challenging. Aggressive control of ICP followed by early initiation of standard CCRT seems to be helpful in improving symptoms. However, despite aggressive treatment, the prognosis is poor. A multicenter trial and research may be necessary to create a standardized protocol for this disease.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the angiographic features and clinical course, including treatment outcomes and the natural course, of fusiform middle cerebral artery aneurysms (FMCAAs) according to their location, size, and configuration.METHODS: We reviewed the literature on adult cases of FMCAAs published from 1980 to 2018; from 25 papers, 112 FMCAA cases, for which the location, size, and configuration could be identified, were included in this study. Additionally, 33 FMCAA cases in our hospital were included, from which 16 were assigned to the observation group. Thus, a total of 145 adult FMCAA cases were included. We classified the FMCAAs according to their location (l-type 1, beginning from prebifurcation; l-type 2, beginning from bifurcation; l-type 3, beginning from postbifurcation), size (small, <10 mm; large, ≥10 mm; giant, ≥25 mm), and configuration (c-type 1, classic dissecting aneurysm; c-type 2, segmental ectasia; c-type 3, dolichoectatic dissecting aneurysm).RESULTS: The c-type 3 was more commonly diagnosed with ischemic symptoms (31.8%) than hemorrhage (13.6%), while 40.9% were found accidentally. In contrast, c-type 2 was more commonly diagnosed with hemorrhagic symptoms (14.9%) than ischemic symptoms (10.6%), and 72.3% were accidentally discovered. According to location, ischemic symptoms and hemorrhage were the most frequent symptoms in l-type 1 (28.6%) and l-type 3 (34.6%), respectively. Most of l-type 2 FMCAAs were found incidentally (68.4%). Based on the size of FMCAAs, only 11.1% of small aneurysms were found to be hemorrhagic, while 18.9% and 26.0% of large and giant aneurysms were hemorrhagic, respectively. Although four aneurysms of the 16 FMCAAs in the observation group increased in size and one aneurysm decreased in size during the observation period, no rupture was seen in any case and there were no significant predictors of aneurysm enlargement. Of 104 FMCAAs treated, 14 cases (13.5%) were aggravated than before surgery and all the aggravated cases were l-type 1.CONCLUSION: While ischemic symptoms occurred more frequently in l-type 1 and c-type 3, hemorrhagic rather than ischemic symptoms occurred more frequently in l-type 3 and c-type 2. In case of l-type 1 FMCAAs, more caution is required in determining the treatment due to the relatively high complication rate.
Adult ; Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; Dilatation, Pathologic ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Natural History ; Rupture

The Committee of Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Korean Diabetes Association revised and updated the 6th Clinical Practice Guidelines in 2019. Targets of glycemic, blood pressure, and lipid control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were updated. The obese and overweight population is increasing steadily in Korea, and half of the Koreans with diabetes are obese. Evidence-based recommendations for weight-loss therapy for obesity management as treatment for hyperglycemia in T2DM were provided. In addition, evidence from large clinical studies assessing cardiovascular outcomes following the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists in patients with T2DM were incorporated into the recommendations.
Blood Pressure ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diagnosis ; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Korea ; Obesity ; Overweight

Since the release of first Korean Clinical Practice Guideline of Stroke in 2009, many important new evidences have emerged in the field of thrombolytic therapy. Among the recent developments are the extended therapeutic time window of intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) up to 4.5 hours after onset, and the efforts for the wider application of IV thrombolysis to patients with minor stroke and elderly patients over 80 years old. Debates about the optimal dose of IV tPA according to the ethnic population is still ongoing. Further evidences for the efficacy of intra-arterial thrombolysis have also accumulated, including the application of various novel mechanical devices with promising results. Thus update of guideline became necessary and we revise the acute stroke management guideline, focusing on the thrombolytic therapy.
Aged ; Humans ; Stroke ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator

Since the publication of the first edition of Korean clinical practice guidelines of secondary stroke prevention, encouraging data from recent large clinical trials and meta-analysis have led us to consider many therapeutic options in the treatment of symptomatic extracranial carotid stenosis. Accordingly, the writing group of Clinical Research Center for Stroke decided to provide recent views on the therapeutic revascularization of extracranial carotid stenosis, and timely evidence-based recommendations. In this updated version, new evidences about carotid angioplasty/stenting, treatment timing, and perioperative preparation are given, and qualifying conditions for operator are elucidated. This refinement was based on current consensus between Korean Society of Intravascular Neurosurgery, Korean Society of Interventional Neuroradiology, and Korean Society of Cerebrovascular Surgery and approved by Korean Stroke Society, Korean Neurological Association, and Korean Society of Geriatric Neurology. These recommendations are subject to future correction based on new evidences from ongoing and future studies.
Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Stenosis ; Consensus ; Endarterectomy, Carotid ; Neurology ; Neurosurgery ; Publications ; Secondary Prevention ; Stroke ; Writing