Activities of Daily Living ; Adult ; Cohort Studies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gait ; Geriatric Assessment ; Humans ; Insurance, Long-Term Care ; Long-Term Care ; Mass Screening ; National Health Programs

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colorectal cancer is associated with different anatomical, biological, and clinical characteristics. We determined the impact of the primary tumor location in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). METHODS: Demographic data and clinical information were collected from 1,115 patients from the Republic of Korea, who presented with mCRC between January 2009 and December 2011, using web-based electronic case report forms. Associations between the primary tumor location and the patient's clinical characteristics were assessed, and factors inf luencing overall survival were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: Of the 1,115 patients recruited to the study, 244 (21.9%) had right colon cancer, 483 (43.3%) had left colon cancer, and 388 (34.8%) had rectal cancer. Liver and lung metastases occurred more frequently in patients with left colon and rectal cancer (p = 0.005 and p = 0.006, respectively), while peritoneal and ovarian metastases occurred more frequently in patients with right and left colon cancer (p < 0.001 and p = 0.031, respectively). The median overall survival of patients with tumors originating in the right colon was significantly shorter than that of patients whose tumors had originated in the left colon or rectum (13.7 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 12.0 to 15.5] vs. 18.0 months [95% CI, 16.3 to 19.7] or 19.9 months [95% CI, 18.5 to 21.3], respectively; p = 0.003). Tumor resection, the number of metastatic sites, and primary tumor location correlated with overall survival in the univariate and multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Primary tumor location influences the metastatic sites and prognosis of patients with mCRC.
Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Rectum ; Republic of Korea

PURPOSE: Recently, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), an inflammatory response marker, has been reported to be associated with the prognosis in patients with various type of cancer. However, there have been no studies until now that have explored the prognostic role of combined detection of NLR and CEA in patients with synchronous liver-limited colorectal metastases (sCRLM). METHODS: Eighty-three patients who histologically diagnosed as sCRLM were selected. Their laboratory and clinical data were collected retrospectively. Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the cutoff value of NLR was calculated based on which patients were assigned to a high NLR (more than 1.94) group and low NLR (less than 1.94) group. A cutoff value of 100 ng/mL for serum CEA level was used in light of the previous literature. RESULTS: CEA level and Poorly differentiated histology of colon cancer was significantly correlated with high NLR (P = 0.005 and P = 0.048, respectively). The multivariate analysis identified the high NLR as independent prognostic factors for OS and DFS in all patients (P = 0.010 and P = 0.006, respectively). Patients with both low levels of NLR and CEA had a significantly longer OS and DFS (P = 0.026 and P = 0.009, respectively). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, elevated preoperative NLR is strongly correlated with both survival and recurrence in patients who have been diagnosed with resectable sCRLM. The combination of NLR and CEA level could be a more powerful prognostic marker than NLR alone.
Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Liver ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neutrophils ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve

The first case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the Republic of Korea was confirmed in May 2015 after a traveller returned from the Middle East. There were 186 cases, including 38 deaths, within two months. The potential of a single MERS-confirmed patient to result in such a large MERS outbreak constitutes a serious global health concern.

Though clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are an effective and widely used treatment method worldwide, they are as yet not widely accepted in Korea. Given that cardiovascular (CV) disease is the second leading cause of death in Korea, it is urgent that CR programs be developed. In 2008, the Government of Korea implemented CR programs at 11 university hospitals as part of its Regional Cardio-Cerebrovascular Center Project, and 3 additional medical facilities will be added in 2019. In addition, owing to the promotion of CR nationwide and the introduction of CR insurance benefits, 40 medical institutions nationwide have begun CR programs even as a growing number of medical institutions are preparing to offer CR. The purpose of this research was to develop evidence-based CPGs to support CR implementation in Korea. This study is based on an analysis of CPGs elsewhere in the world, an extensive literature search, a systematic analysis of multiple randomized control trials, and a CPG management, development, and assessment committee comprised of thirty-three authors—primarily rehabilitation specialists, cardiologists, and thoracic surgeons in 21 university hospitals and 2 general hospitals. Twelve consultants, primarily rehabilitation, sports medicine, and preventive medicine specialists, CPG experts, nurses, physical therapists, clinical nutritionists, and library and information experts participated in the research and development of these CPGs. After the draft guidelines were developed, 3 rounds of public hearings were held with staff members from relevant academic societies and stakeholders, after which the guidelines were further reviewed and modified. CR involves a more cost-effective use of healthcare resources relative to that of general treatments, and the exercise component of CR lowers CV mortality and readmission rates, regardless of the type of coronary heart disease and type and setting of CR. Individualized CR programs should be considered together with various factors, including differences in heart function and lifestyle, and doing so will boost participation and adherence with the CR program, ultimately meeting the final goals of the program, namely reducing the recurrence of myocardial infarction and mortality rates.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Cause of Death ; Consultants ; Coronary Disease ; Delivery of Health Care ; Heart ; Hospitals, General ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Insurance Benefits ; Korea ; Life Style ; Methods ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction ; Nutritionists ; Physical Therapists ; Preventive Medicine ; Recurrence ; Rehabilitation ; Secondary Prevention ; Specialization ; Sports Medicine ; Surgeons

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hypertension is becoming one of the most common health conditions in children and adolescents due to increasing childhood obesity. We aimed to provide the auscultatory blood pressure (BP) normative reference values for Korean non-overweight children and adolescents. METHODS: BP measurements in children and adolescents aged 10 to 18 years were performed in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 1998 to 2016. BP was measured using a mercury sphygmomanometer. Sex-, age- and height-specific systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) percentiles were calculated in the non-overweight children (n=10,442). We used the General Additive Model for Location Scale and Shape method to calculate BP percentiles. RESULTS: The 50th, 90th, 95th, and 99th percentiles of SBP and DBP tables and graphs of non-overweight children and adolescents aged 10 to 18 years were presented by age and height percentiles. We found that the SBP and DBP at the 95th percentile were well correlated with height. The BP tables presented by height contained BP values from 124 cm to 190 cm for boys and from 120 cm to 178 cm for girls. Boys had higher SBP and DBP. CONCLUSIONS: We provided the sex-, age- and height-specific auscultatory BP values using the KNHANES big data. These may be useful in diagnosis and treatment of hypertension in Korean children and adolescents.
Adolescent ; Auscultation ; Blood Pressure ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Methods ; Nutrition Surveys ; Pediatric Obesity ; Reference Values ; Sphygmomanometers

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This nationwide, multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of 10-day concomitant therapy (CT) and 10-day sequential therapy (ST) with 7-day clarithromycin-containing triple therapy (TT) as first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection in the Korean population. METHODS: Patients with H. pylori infection were assigned randomly to 7d-TT (lansoprazole 30 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, and clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily for 7 days), 10d-ST (lansoprazole 30 mg and amoxicillin 1 g twice daily for the first 5 days, followed by lansoprazole 30 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, and metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for the remaining 5 days), or 10d-CT (lansoprazole 30 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, clarithromycin 500 mg, and metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for 10 days). The primary endpoint was eradication rate by intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1,141 patients were included. The 10d-CT protocol achieved a markedly higher eradication rate than the 7d-TT protocol in both the ITT (81.2% vs 63.9%) and PP analyses (90.6% vs 71.4%). The eradication rate of the 10d-ST protocol was superior to that of the 7d-TT protocol (76.3% vs 63.9%, ITT analysis; 85.0% vs 71.4%, PP analysis). No significant differences in adherence or serious side effects were found among the three treatment arms. CONCLUSIONS: The 10d-CT and 10d-ST regimens were superior to the 7d-TT regimen as standard first-line treatment in Korea.
Amoxicillin ; Arm ; Clarithromycin ; Disease Eradication ; Helicobacter pylori ; Helicobacter ; Humans ; Korea ; Lansoprazole ; Metronidazole ; Prospective Studies

Legionella species are abundant in the built environment and are increasingly recognized as a cause of Legionnaires' disease (LD). As the number of cases of Legionnaires' disease acquired by local communities in the Seoul metropolitan area in Korea has been increased, there was concern that changes in environmental factors could affect disease outbreaks. We described the association between climatic variables and occurrence of legionellosis in Korea and Legionella detection rate in Seoul area. A total of 418 cases of legionellosis were reported between 2014 and 2017. There was a seasonal peak in summer. LD continuously occurred from early spring to winter every year and rapidly increased in summer. In the regression analysis, the primary variables of interest- PM2.5 (µg/m³), NO₂ (ppb), and a number of the date of issue O₃ warning were not significant except for average temperature (R²=0.8075). The Legionella detection rate in Seoul, Korea showed a trend similar to precipitation (P=0.708, ANOVA). A relatively high proportion of Legionella detection rate was shown, especially cooling tower (17.7%) and public bath (19.3%). This finding is in line with current understanding of the ecological profile of this pathogen and supports the assertion that legionellosis occurs through contamination of water sources.
Baths ; Disease Outbreaks ; Epidemiology ; Korea ; Legionella ; Legionellosis ; Legionnaires' Disease ; Regression Analysis ; Seasons ; Seoul ; Water

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of unilateral nasal packing on the correction of recurred septal deviation after septoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We analyzed 12 patients who had undergone septoplasty and developed septal deviation recurrence. Polyvinylacetate and Vaseline gauze were inserted into the nasal passage on the convex side of the septum for 4 days in order to shift the septum to the midline. We analyzed nasal symptoms, acoustic rhinometric results, and endoscopic findings before and after unilateral packing in order to evaluate the treatment outcomes. RESULTS: Ten (83%) out of 12 patients showed improvements in nasal obstruction, acoustic rhinometric results, and endoscopic findings. The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) score for nasal obstruction was 5.25±1.60 before and 2.08±1.50 after packing (p=0.004). The minimal cross-sectional area (MCA) improved from 0.17±0.14 to 0.27±0.13 (p=0.002), and the mean endoscopic score improved from 2.0±0.43 to 1.08±0.29 (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Unilateral nasal packing was a safe, easy, and effective method for correcting recurred septal deviation after septoplasty.
Acoustics ; Humans ; Methods ; Nasal Obstruction ; Petrolatum ; Recurrence ; Rhinometry, Acoustic

BACKGROUND: Though clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are an effective and widely used treatment method worldwide, they are as yet not widely accepted in Korea. Given that cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in Korea, it is urgent that CR programs be developed. In 2008, the Government of Korea implemented CR programs at 11 university hospitals as part of its Regional Cardio-Cerebrovascular Center Project, and 3 additional medical facilities will be added in 2019. In addition, owing to the promotion of CR nationwide and the introduction of CR insurance benefits, 40 medical institutions nationwide have begun CR programs even as a growing number of medical institutions are preparing to offer CR. The purpose of this research was to develop evidence-based CPGs to support CR implementation in Korea. METHODS: This study is based on an analysis of CPGs elsewhere in the world, an extensive literature search, a systematic analysis of multiple randomized control trials, and a CPG management, development, and assessment committee comprised of 33 authors—primarily rehabilitation specialists, cardiologists, and thoracic surgeons in 21 university hospitals and 2 general hospitals. Twelve consultants, primarily rehabilitation, sports medicine, and preventive medicine specialists, CPG experts, nurses, physical therapists, clinical nutritionists, and library and information experts participated in the research and development of these CPGs. After the draft guidelines were developed, 3 rounds of public hearings were held with staff members from relevant academic societies and stakeholders, after which the guidelines were further reviewed and modified. RESULTS: CR involves a more cost-effective use of healthcare resources relative to that of general treatments, and the exercise component of CR lowers cardiovascular mortality and readmission rates, regardless of the type of coronary heart disease and type and setting of CR. CONCLUSION: Individualized CR programs should be considered together with various factors, including differences in heart function and lifestyle, and doing so will boost participation and adherence with the CR program, ultimately meeting the final goals of the program, namely reducing the recurrence of myocardial infarction and mortality rates.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cause of Death ; Consultants ; Coronary Disease ; Delivery of Health Care ; Heart ; Hospitals, General ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Insurance Benefits ; Korea ; Life Style ; Methods ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction ; Nutritionists ; Physical Therapists ; Preventive Medicine ; Recurrence ; Rehabilitation ; Secondary Prevention ; Specialization ; Sports Medicine ; Surgeons