Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate age- and sex-specific dietary vitamin B12 intake among Koreans, assess adequacy relative to the 2025 Korean Dietary Reference Intakes, and identify major food groups using nationally representative data from the 2022–2024 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: Data from 19,191 participants in the KNHANES 2022–2024 aged1 year and older were analyzed after excluding individuals with extreme energy intake values. Individual vitamin B12 intake was calculated based on 24-hour dietary recall data using the Korean National Standard Food Composition Database (version 10.3). Intake levels were evaluated against age- and sex-specific Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) values. Complex sample general linear models and cross-tabulation analyses were conducted to examine differences in intake and adequacy. Results: The mean vitamin B12 intake of the study population was 8.27 μg/day, exceeding the RNI in most age groups. The proportion of individuals meeting or exceeding the RNI was generally high; however, the prevalence of intake below the EAR increased with age, particularly among older women, approximately 35% of whom were at risk of inadequate intake. Animal-based foods, including fish and shellfish, meat, eggs, and dairy products, were the primary contributors to vitamin B12 intake. Adults and older adults with intake below the RNI consumed significantly lower amounts of these food groups compared with those meeting the RNI. Conclusion Although overall vitamin B12 intake among Koreans appears sufficient, older adults remain at increased risk of insufficient intake. Continuous monitoring of vitamin B12 nutritional status and targeted dietary strategies, with a focus on older populations, is warranted to prevent potential deficiencies.

Background: An epidural blood patch (EBP) is a procedure to treat intracranial hypotension that does not respond to conservative treatment. EBPs are commonly repeated when the symptoms persist. In this study, we used a large single-center retrospective cohort and evaluated the factors associated with repeated EBPs. Methods: From January 2010 to December 2020, a total of 596 patients were treated with EBPs for intracranial hypotension. We evaluated the factors associated with repeated EBPs in the entire population, in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), and in those with available myelographies. Results: In a total of 596 patients, 125 (21.1%) patients required repeated EBPs, and 96/278 (34.5%) in SIH and 29/314 (9.2%) in iatrogenic population. In patients with SIH, international normalized ratio (INR) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage on myelographies consistently exhibited significant associations (odds ratio [OR], 1.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.87; P = 0.043 and OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.28–3.69; P = 0.004). In patients with iatrogenic injury, INR and CSF leakage on myelogram did not show difference in repeated EBPs. Conclusions Repeated EBPs may be more frequently required in patients with SIH.Prolonged INR and CSF leakage were associated with repeated EBPs in patient with SIH. Further studies are needed to determine factors associated with repeated EBP requirements.

Hypernatremia is a common electrolyte disorder in children and elderly people and has high short-term mortality. However, no high-quality studies have examined the correction rate of hypernatremia and the amount of fluid required for correction. Therefore, in this study, we will compare the efficacy and safety of rapid intermittent bolus (RIB) and slow continuous infusion (SCI) of electrolyte-free solution in hypernatremia treatment. Methods: This is a prospective, investigator-initiated, multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled study with two experimental groups. A total of 166 participants with severe hypernatremia will be enrolled and divided into two randomized groups; both the RIB and SCI groups will be managed with electrolyte-free water. We plan to infuse the same amount of fluid to both groups, for 1 hour in the RIB group and continuously in the SCI group. The primary outcome is a rapid decrease in serum sodium levels within 24 hours. The secondary outcomes will further compare the efficacy and safety of the two treatment protocols. Conclusion: This is the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RIB correction compared with SCI in adult patients with severe hypernatremia.

In the PALOMA-3 trial, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was longer among patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2−) advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with palbociclib plus fulvestrant than those treated with placebo plus fulvestrant. This subgroup analysis examined the efficacy and safety of palbociclib among Korean patients enrolled in PALOMA-3 (n = 43 [palbociclib group, n = 24; placebo group, n = 19]). In both groups, > 40% of patients were pre/perimenopausal at enrollment. The median PFS was significantly prolonged with palbociclib vs. placebo (12.3 [95% confidence interval (CI), 9.1–not estimable] vs. 5.4 months [95% CI, 1.9–9.2]; hazard ratio, 0.40 [95% CI, 0.19–0.83]; one-sided p = 0.005), and the confirmed objective response was 21.1% and 11.8%, respectively (odds ratio, 2.0 [95% CI, 0.24–24.8]). Neutropenia was the most common adverse event associated with palbociclib. Overall, palbociclib plus fulvestrant was effective and generally safe among Korean patients with HR+/HER2− ABC, regardless of menopausal status.

In the PALOMA-3 trial, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was longer among patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2−) advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with palbociclib plus fulvestrant than those treated with placebo plus fulvestrant. This subgroup analysis examined the efficacy and safety of palbociclib among Korean patients enrolled in PALOMA-3 (n = 43 [palbociclib group, n = 24; placebo group, n = 19]). In both groups, > 40% of patients were pre/perimenopausal at enrollment. The median PFS was significantly prolonged with palbociclib vs. placebo (12.3 [95% confidence interval (CI), 9.1–not estimable] vs. 5.4 months [95% CI, 1.9–9.2]; hazard ratio, 0.40 [95% CI, 0.19–0.83]; one-sided p = 0.005), and the confirmed objective response was 21.1% and 11.8%, respectively (odds ratio, 2.0 [95% CI, 0.24–24.8]). Neutropenia was the most common adverse event associated with palbociclib. Overall, palbociclib plus fulvestrant was effective and generally safe among Korean patients with HR+/HER2− ABC, regardless of menopausal status.

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is the most common cause of euvolemic hypo-osmotic hyponatremia. There are several etiologies of SIADH including neuroendocrine tumor, pulmonary disease, infection, trauma, and medications. Here, we report a case of SIADH associated with a schwannoma involving the mediastinum in a 75-year-old woman who presented with nausea, vomiting, and general weakness. Laboratory testing showed hypo-osmolar hyponatremia, with a serum sodium level of 102mmol/L, serum osmolality of 221mOsm/kg, urine osmolality of 382mOsm/kg, urine sodium of 55 mmol/L, and plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH) of 4.40 pg/mL. Chest computed tomography identified a 1.5-cm-sized solid enhancing nodule in the right lower paratracheal area. A biopsy specimen was obtained by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, which was diagnosed on pathology as a schwannoma. The hyponatremia was completely resolved after schwannoma resection and plasma ADH level decreased from 4.40 pg/mL to 0.86 pg/mL. This case highlights the importance of suspecting and identifying the underlying cause of SIADH when faced with refractory or recurrent hyponatremia, and that on possibility is mediastinal schwannoma
Aged ; Biopsy ; Female ; Humans ; Hyponatremia ; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome ; Lung Diseases ; Mediastinum ; Nausea ; Neurilemmoma* ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Osmolar Concentration ; Pathology ; Plasma ; Sodium ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Thorax ; Vomiting

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) is a rare entity, defined as a muscle tumor in association with one or more smooth muscle tumor of the uterus and without evidence of any extra uterine primary site. The lung is the most common site of involvement,(2) and the etiology of BML remains unknown. We experienced a case of BML arising in pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes and report with a brief review of literature.
Leiomyoma ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Muscles ; Smooth Muscle Tumor ; Uterus

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infection(UTI) is one of the most common diseases dealt with by primary physicians. UTI is common in the elderly and has a great influence on the quality of the elderly's life. Thus, we conducted a study in one nursing home to find out the prevalence of bacteriuria and epidemiologic characteristics of the elderly. METHODS: The study was performed twice on April 12 and on May 4, 1999 among 108 subjects residing in a nursing home of Hanam City. The authors inquired the subjects pertaining to the history of UTI symptoms, collected urine samples by midstream clean-catch technique and catheterization and performed routine and microscopic urine analysis and urine culture. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of bacteriuria in subjects was 23.1%(25/108) ; 20% (3/15) in males and 23.7%(22/93) in females. The prevalence of the bedrriden subjects was 40.9%(9/22). Among the urine samples of 25 cases which were positive in the urine culture, E. Coli was found in 15 cases(60%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of pyuria for bacteriuria were 44.0%(11/25), 87.9%(73/83), 52.3%(11/21) and 83.9%(73/87), respectively, while those of nitrite test for bacteriuria were 64.0%(16/25), 97.5%(81/83), 88.8%(16/18) and 90.0%(81/90), respectively. The prevalence of bacteriuria increased by 16.23% as age increased by ten years using the Cochran-Armitage's linear trend test. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of bacteriuria in the elderly residing in a nursing home was higher than that of the elderly residing in a community. In the elderly over 60 years old, the prevalence of bacteriuria increased as the age increased. Immobility is considered as a risk factor of bacteriuria. Bacteriuria may be treated by antibiotics focused on E. Coli. Thus, we can expect improvement in the quality of life as well as extension of life span.
Aged* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteriuria* ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nursing Homes* ; Nursing* ; Prevalence ; Pyuria ; Quality of Life ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Urinary Tract

BACKGROUND: About 80 percent of the Korean population over 55 years old show radiographic signs of osteoarthritis. Hence, osteoarthritis has become one of the most important public health problem among the old age. Despite the importance of this disease, proper methods for evaluation and diagnosis of osteoarthritis have not been developed. Authors have investigated the sensitivity and specificity of thermography in diagnosing osteoarthritis. METHODS: Twenty patients who had visited the department of family medicine, Korea University Hospital, with non-traumatic knee pain during the period from April 1 to May 30, 1999, were included in the study. Patients had gone through series of careful history taking, physical examination and laboratory evaluations for clinical evaluation of osteoarthritis of the knee joints. Furthermore, the radiographic and thermographic examination of both knee joints were assessed. RESULTS: Among the twenty patients who have been examined, 15 patients were to have shown radiographic abnormality; on the other hand, 14 patients showed thermographic abnormality. Seventeen patients showed clinical manifestations of osteoarthritis. Twelve patients, among those who had clinical osteoarthritis, were shown to have osteoarthritis in both image studies, i.e. radiographic and thermographic abnormalities. All patients who had not shown clinical osteoarthritis, were normal on both image studies. The sensitivity and specificity of thermography in diagnosing osteoarthritis were 80% and 80%, respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hot spots or asymmetric distribution in the knee joint area of osteoarthritis patients were in thermographic examination. Thermography has shown efficacy in the evaluation of osteoarthritis.
Diagnosis ; Hand ; Humans ; Joints* ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Korea ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee* ; Physical Examination ; Public Health ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thermography*