Objective: Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, comparative analyses regarding their adverse events remain limited. This study aimed to compare the effects of different JAK inhibitors (tofacitinib, baricitinib, and upadacitinib) on hematological parameters in patients with RA in a real-world setting. Methods: This retrospective analysis included 552 patients with RA treated with JAK inhibitors between August 2015 and February 2024. Hematological parameters, including absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and platelet count, were assessed at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate changes over time, and logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with hematologic alterations. Results: The 552 patients were divided into three groups: tofacitinib (n=264), baricitinib (n=143), and upadacitinib (n=145). No significant differences in baseline hematological parameters were observed across the groups. After 6 months, ANC decreased in all groups without significant differences among them (p=0.465). Patients receiving baricitinib had significantly higher platelet counts than those receiving tofacitinib (Pillai’s trace value of 0.063, p<0.001) or upadacitinib (Pillai’s trace value of 0.029, p<0.001).Multivariate analysis revealed that baricitinib was significantly associated with increased platelet counts (odds ratio, 2.009; 95% confidence interval, 1.212~3.331; p=0.007). Conclusion Although all three JAK inhibitors reduced ANC, baricitinib was associated with a substantial increase in platelet counts. These findings highlight the differences in adverse effect profiles among JAK inhibitors, emphasizing the importance of tailored monitoring in RA management.

Pediatric kidney disease has a relatively lower prevalence than do other pediatric conditions and has a notably different etiology from kidney diseases observed in adults. Furthermore, the pediatric population is unique in that they experience ongoing growth and development, distinguishing them from adult patients. Consequently, pediatric patients with kidney disease require more specialized and meticulous nutritional management than do adults. To address this need and promote optimal dietary practices for pediatric patients with kidney disease, pediatric nephrologists from the Korean Society of Pediatric Nephrology and nutritionists from the Korean Society of Clinical Nutrition have collaborated to establish nutritional guidelines specifically tailored to Korean dietary patterns. These guidelines offer detailed, nutrient-specific recommendations covering energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium consumption while providing practical, culturally relevant guidance intended to support both pediatric patients and their caregivers.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the prevalence and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) among Korean males and explore implications for targeted vaccination strategies. Materials and Methods: A total of 44,065 males underwent HPV testing between March 2014 and February 2022 using the Anyplex™ II HPV 28 system, detecting 19 high-risk (HR) and 9 low-risk (LR) HPV types. Additionally, data from 507 male patients at local clinic (2017–2022) were analyzed to compare genotype prevalence between those with (WAT group) and without (WAT X group) genital warts. Results: Overall HPV positivity was 59.1%. HPV 6 (33.3%) and HPV 11 (11.0%) were the most prevalent LR genotypes, while HPV 16 (5.2%) dominated HR infection. Multiple HPV genotype co-infection occurred in 49.3% of positive cases, with 11.3% involving multiple HR types. Younger males (teens, 20s) exhibited higher HR-HPV positivity, although total HPV positivity peaked in the 40s (60.1%). Non–9-valent HR genotypes (HPV 53, 51, 39, 66) accounted for 27.6%–35.0% of infections annually. At local clinic, HPV 43 was significantly associated with genital warts (p=0.017). Conclusions These data support including males in national HPV vaccination strategies using the current 9-valent vaccine and underscore the need for ongoing genotype surveillance to monitor non‑vaccine high‑risk types and inform public health policy, and support inclusion of males in national HPV vaccination strategies using the current 9‑valent vaccine.

Background: Radioactive iodine treatment (RAIT) is an essential therapy for differentiated thyroid cancer. However, unforeseen complications arising during thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) can lead to Cancellation of the scheduled treatment. This study aimed to identify cases in which THW-RAIT was discontinued due to THW-related complications and to explore potentially preventable causes to improve patient management. Methods: Among 4,174 patients who underwent THW-RAIT between 2012 and 2024, 39 did not complete the planned treatment. After excluding Cancellations unrelated to THW, 11 (0.26%) patients with unexpected THW-related medical issues were analyzed. Results: The median age of the included patients was 61 years (range, 23 to 70), and 10 were male. The reasons for THW-RAIT Cancellation were hyponatremia (n=1), abnormal liver function (n=1), renal dysfunction (n=3), and combined liver and renal dysfunction (n=6). The patient with hyponatremia was taking a thiazide diuretic. Most cases of liver dysfunction were associated with prior use of herbal medications, whereas renal dysfunction was linked to diuretic or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, pre-existing conditions such as single kidney or diabetic nephropathy, or inadequate oral intake during low-iodine preparation. Two cases of concurrent liver and renal dysfunction were attributed to rhabdomyolysis following intense exercise or heavy physical labor. Conclusion Enhanced patient education, comprehensive pre-treatment assessment, and careful avoidance of high-risk medications are essential to prevent THW-related complications and minimize disruptions in RAIT.

Objectives: The standard first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection typically involves proton pump inhibitors, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin (PAC), yet the eradication success rates are not entirely satisfactory. Recognizing bismuth’s antibacterial properties and its potential to enhance antibiotic efficacy, this study compared the eradication success rates of a 7-day course of PAC with bismuth (PACB) versus PAC alone in patients with clarithromycin-susceptible H. pylori infections. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review at Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital involving 499 patients with confirmed clarithromycin-susceptible H. pylori infection. These patients were treated either with PACB or PAC for 7 days. Clarithromycin resistance-associated point mutations were evaluated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Successful eradication was confirmed by a negative 13C-urea breath test. Results: Of the patients, 261 received PACB therapy, and 238 received PAC therapy. The intention-to-treat analysis showed eradication success rates of 82.8% (216/261) for PACB and 89.1% (212/238) for PAC (p=0.093). The per-protocol analysis revealed eradication rates of 85.3% (215/252) for PACB and 90.5% (210/232) for PAC (p=0.081). The incidence of adverse effects was similar between the two groups, with 41.3% (104/252) in the PACB group and 34.1% (79/232) in the PAC group (p=0.102). Conclusions Adding bismuth to the standard 7-day PAC regimen did not significantly increase eradication rates in patients with clarithromycin-susceptible H. pylori infections compared to PAC alone.

Purpose: To compare the perioperative and postoperative outcomes between traditional trans-vesical robot-assisted simple prostatectomy (TV-RASP) and the newly introduced urethral-sparing (US) RASP. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 42 patients who underwent TV-RASP (n=22) or US-RASP (n=20) performed by two experienced surgeons at two tertiary centers. Perioperative outcomes including operation time, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, and catheterization time were assessed. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), uroflowmetry parameters, Male Sexual Health Questionnaire-Ejaculation Dysfunction-Short Form (MSHQ-EjD-SF) scores, and maintenance of anterograde ejaculation. Results: This study analyzed 22 and 20 patients who underwent TV-RASP and US-RASP, respectively. Except for the TV-RASP group being older (70.0 years) than the US-RASP group (64.5 years) (p=0.028), no differences among other baseline characteristics existed. Perioperative outcomes indicated that hospital stay and catheterization time were significantly shorter in the US-RASP group than in the TV-RASP group (p<0.001). At postoperative month 1, the median IPSS and QoL scores were significantly better in the US-RASP group than in the TV-RASP group (p=0.001 and p=0.002, respectively). However, at months 6 and 12, no significant differences were noted in IPSS, QoL, maximum flow rate, and postvoid residual urine between the two groups. Sexually active patients in the US-RASP group maintained postoperative MSHQ-EjD functional and bother scores, whereas the TV-RASP group experienced a decline. Notably, 75.0% of patients in the US-RASP group preserved antegrade ejaculation, compared to only 20.0% in the TV-RASP group (p<0.001). Conclusions US-RASP is not inferior to TV-RASP in terms of functional outcomes. In addition, US-RASP yielded more rapid symptom improvements and preserved antegrade ejaculation than TV-RASP. However, larger prospective studies are required to confirm these findings and to further investigate the long-term efficacy and safety of US-RASP.

Objectives: The standard first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection typically involves proton pump inhibitors, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin (PAC), yet the eradication success rates are not entirely satisfactory. Recognizing bismuth’s antibacterial properties and its potential to enhance antibiotic efficacy, this study compared the eradication success rates of a 7-day course of PAC with bismuth (PACB) versus PAC alone in patients with clarithromycin-susceptible H. pylori infections. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review at Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital involving 499 patients with confirmed clarithromycin-susceptible H. pylori infection. These patients were treated either with PACB or PAC for 7 days. Clarithromycin resistance-associated point mutations were evaluated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Successful eradication was confirmed by a negative 13C-urea breath test. Results: Of the patients, 261 received PACB therapy, and 238 received PAC therapy. The intention-to-treat analysis showed eradication success rates of 82.8% (216/261) for PACB and 89.1% (212/238) for PAC (p=0.093). The per-protocol analysis revealed eradication rates of 85.3% (215/252) for PACB and 90.5% (210/232) for PAC (p=0.081). The incidence of adverse effects was similar between the two groups, with 41.3% (104/252) in the PACB group and 34.1% (79/232) in the PAC group (p=0.102). Conclusions Adding bismuth to the standard 7-day PAC regimen did not significantly increase eradication rates in patients with clarithromycin-susceptible H. pylori infections compared to PAC alone.

Purpose: To compare the perioperative and postoperative outcomes between traditional trans-vesical robot-assisted simple prostatectomy (TV-RASP) and the newly introduced urethral-sparing (US) RASP. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 42 patients who underwent TV-RASP (n=22) or US-RASP (n=20) performed by two experienced surgeons at two tertiary centers. Perioperative outcomes including operation time, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, and catheterization time were assessed. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), uroflowmetry parameters, Male Sexual Health Questionnaire-Ejaculation Dysfunction-Short Form (MSHQ-EjD-SF) scores, and maintenance of anterograde ejaculation. Results: This study analyzed 22 and 20 patients who underwent TV-RASP and US-RASP, respectively. Except for the TV-RASP group being older (70.0 years) than the US-RASP group (64.5 years) (p=0.028), no differences among other baseline characteristics existed. Perioperative outcomes indicated that hospital stay and catheterization time were significantly shorter in the US-RASP group than in the TV-RASP group (p<0.001). At postoperative month 1, the median IPSS and QoL scores were significantly better in the US-RASP group than in the TV-RASP group (p=0.001 and p=0.002, respectively). However, at months 6 and 12, no significant differences were noted in IPSS, QoL, maximum flow rate, and postvoid residual urine between the two groups. Sexually active patients in the US-RASP group maintained postoperative MSHQ-EjD functional and bother scores, whereas the TV-RASP group experienced a decline. Notably, 75.0% of patients in the US-RASP group preserved antegrade ejaculation, compared to only 20.0% in the TV-RASP group (p<0.001). Conclusions US-RASP is not inferior to TV-RASP in terms of functional outcomes. In addition, US-RASP yielded more rapid symptom improvements and preserved antegrade ejaculation than TV-RASP. However, larger prospective studies are required to confirm these findings and to further investigate the long-term efficacy and safety of US-RASP.

Background/Aims: The Korean guidelines for Helicobacter pylori treatment were revised in 2020, however, the extent of adherence to these guidelines in clinical practice remains unclear. Herein, we initiated a prospective, nationwide, multicenter registry study in 2021 to evaluate the current management of H.pylori infection in Korea. Methods: This interim report describes the adherence to the revised guidelines and their impact on firstline eradication rates. Data on patient demographics, diagnoses, treatments, and eradication outcomes were collected using a web-based electronic case report form. Results: A total of 7,261 patients from 66 hospitals who received first-line treatment were analyzed.The modified intention-to-treat eradication rate for first-line treatment was 81.0%, with 80.4% of the prescriptions adhering to the revised guidelines. The most commonly prescribed regimen was the 14-day clarithromycin-based triple therapy (CTT; 42.0%), followed by tailored therapy (TT; 21.2%), 7-day CTT (14.1%), and 10-day concomitant therapy (CT; 10.1%). Time-trend analysis demonstrated significant increases in guideline adherence and the use of 10-day CT and TT, along with a decrease in the use of 7-day CTT (all p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that guideline adherence was significantly associated with first-line eradication success (odds ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.61 to 2.56; p<0.001). Conclusions The revised guidelines for the treatment of H. pylori infection have been increasingly adopted in routine clinical practice in Korea, which may have contributed to improved first-line eradication rates. Notably, the 14-day CTT, 10-day CT, and TT regimens are emerging as the preferred first-line treatment options among Korean physicians.

Background: The accuracy of Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) mappings is reportedly low, and the LOINC codes used for research purposes in Korea have not been validated for accuracy or usability. Our study aimed to evaluate the discrepancies and similarities in interoperability using existing LOINC mappings in actual patient care settings. Methods: We collected data on local test codes and their corresponding LOINC mappings from seven university hospitals. Our analysis focused on laboratory tests that are frequently requested, excluding clinical microbiology and molecular tests. Codes from nationwide proficiency tests served as intermediary benchmarks for comparison. A research team, comprising clinical pathologists and terminology experts, utilized the LOINC manual to reach a consensus on determining the most suitable LOINC codes. Results: A total of 235 LOINC codes were designated as optimal codes for 162 frequent tests.Among these, 51 test items, including 34 urine tests, required multiple optimal LOINC codes, primarily due to unnoted properties such as whether the test was quantitative or qualitative, or differences in measurement units. We analyzed 962 LOINC codes linked to 162 tests across seven institutions, discovering that 792 (82.3%) of these codes were consistent. Inconsistencies were most common in the analyte component (38 inconsistencies, 33.3%), followed by the method (33 inconsistencies, 28.9%), and properties (13 inconsistencies, 11.4%). Conclusion This study reveals a significant inconsistency rate of over 15% in LOINC mappings utilized for research purposes in university hospitals, underlining the necessity for expert verification to enhance interoperability in real patient care.