1.Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level, the Lower the Better? Analysis of Korean Patients in the Treat Stroke to Target Trial
Hanim KWON ; Jae-Chan RYU ; Jae-Kwan CHA ; Sang Min SUNG ; Tae-Jin SONG ; Kyung Bok LEE ; Eung-Gyu KIM ; Yong-Won KIM ; Ji Hoe HEO ; Man Seok PARK ; Kyusik KANG ; Byung-Chul LEE ; Keun-Sik HONG ; Oh Young BANG ; Jei KIM ; Jong S. KIM
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(2):228-236
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.
2.Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level, the Lower the Better? Analysis of Korean Patients in the Treat Stroke to Target Trial
Hanim KWON ; Jae-Chan RYU ; Jae-Kwan CHA ; Sang Min SUNG ; Tae-Jin SONG ; Kyung Bok LEE ; Eung-Gyu KIM ; Yong-Won KIM ; Ji Hoe HEO ; Man Seok PARK ; Kyusik KANG ; Byung-Chul LEE ; Keun-Sik HONG ; Oh Young BANG ; Jei KIM ; Jong S. KIM
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(2):228-236
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.
3.Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level, the Lower the Better? Analysis of Korean Patients in the Treat Stroke to Target Trial
Hanim KWON ; Jae-Chan RYU ; Jae-Kwan CHA ; Sang Min SUNG ; Tae-Jin SONG ; Kyung Bok LEE ; Eung-Gyu KIM ; Yong-Won KIM ; Ji Hoe HEO ; Man Seok PARK ; Kyusik KANG ; Byung-Chul LEE ; Keun-Sik HONG ; Oh Young BANG ; Jei KIM ; Jong S. KIM
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(2):228-236
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.
4.Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of scabies in Korea: Part 2. Treatment and prevention — a secondary publication
Jin PARK ; Soon-Hyo KWON ; Young Bok LEE ; Hei Sung KIM ; Jie Hyun JEON ; Gwang Seong CHOI ;
The Ewha Medical Journal 2024;47(4):e72-
Treatment should be initiated for all suspected, clinical, or confirmed cases of scabies. Patients affected should be adequately isolated, and high-risk groups with close contact histories should be treated regardless of their symptoms. Optimal treatment strategies can be selected based on age, clinical subtype, and the patient's health status. In Korea, commercially available preparations for scabies treatment include topical 5% permethrin, topical 10% crotamiton, and oral ivermectin. Topical 5% permethrin is the first-line selective treatment for both classic and crusted scabies. Alternative treatments include topical 10% crotamiton and oral ivermectin. After completing treatment, followup visits at 2 and 4 weeks are recommended to monitor the therapeutic response. Treatment is considered to have failed if scabies mites or burrows are detected, new clinical characteristics develop, or there is an aggravation of pruritus. Scabies itch should be adequately managed with emollients, oral antihistamines, and topical corticosteroids. Preventive measures, including personal hygiene, patient education, and environmental control, should be implemented to reduce the transmission of scabies.
5.Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of scabies in Korea: Part 1. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis — a secondary publication
Jin PARK ; Soon-Hyo KWON ; Young Bok LEE ; Hei Sung KIM ; Jie Hyun JEON ; Gwang Seong CHOI ;
The Ewha Medical Journal 2024;47(4):e73-
Scabies is a skin disease caused by the parasite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis, which is primarily transmitted via direct skin or sexual contact or, less commonly, via contact with infested fomites. In Korea, the incidence of scabies has decreased from approximately 50,000 cases per year in 2010 to about 30,000 cases per year in 2021. However, outbreaks are consistently observed in residential facilities, such as nursing homes, especially among older adults. The clinical manifestations of scabies vary based on the patient’s age, health status, the number of mites, and the route of transmission.Typical symptoms of classic scabies include intense nocturnal itching and characteristic skin rashes (burrows and erythematous papules), with a predilection for the interdigital web spaces, inner wrists, periumbilical areas, axillae, and genital areas. In contrast, older adults with immunodeficiency or neurological disorders may exhibit hyperkeratotic scaly lesions or an atypical distribution with mild to no itching (crusted scabies). The diagnosis of scabies is based on clinical symptoms and the results of diagnostic tests aimed at identifying the presence of the parasite. While a history of close contact and characteristic clinical findings suggest scabies, confirmation of the diagnosis requires detecting scabies mites, eggs, or scybala. This can be achieved through light microscopy of skin samples, noninvasive dermoscopy, and other high-resolution in vivo imaging techniques.
6.Polysomnographic Phenotype of Positional Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Jae-Seon PARK ; Young Bok KIM ; Il Seok PARK ; Sun A HAN ; Sung Hun KANG ; Kyung Chul LEE ; Seok Jin HONG
Journal of Rhinology 2024;31(3):168-175
Background and Objectives:
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by recurrent upper airway obstruction, leading to disrupted sleep and various health complications. Positional OSA (POSA) refers to patients whose OSA severity is significantly influenced by body position, especially when lying supine. This study aimed to evaluate the polysomnographic characteristics of POSA and non-positional OSA (non-POSA) and to assess their clinical implications.
Methods:
This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with OSA who underwent type 1 polysomnography. Patients were categorized into POSA and non-POSA groups based on whether their apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in the supine position was at least twice as high as that in the lateral position. We collected and analyzed clinical and polysomnographic parameters, including AHI, oxygen desaturation index, arousal index, nadir peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), and sleep position proportions. These were compared across different OSA severity levels—mild, moderate, and severe—to assess differences between the POSA and non-POSA groups.
Results:
In total, 500 patients with OSA were analyzed, of whom 63.4% were classified as having POSA. Patients with POSA exhibited milder disease severity than those without, with an average AHI of 23.3±15.3/h versus 43.9±27.9/h, respectively, and a higher nadir SpO2 of 82.8%±6.6% versus 77.1%±9.8%. POSA was more common in patients with mild OSA (76.5%) and moderate OSA (72.8%), while severe OSA cases were predominantly non-POSA (POSA was 47.4%). Moreover, patients with POSA spent significantly more sleep time in the lateral position (43.8%±22.7%) than non-POSA patients (27.2%±28.2%).
Conclusion
Patients with POSA generally exhibited milder disease and more favorable polysomnographic profiles than non-POSA patients. POSA is prevalent in mild-to-moderate OSA, and identifying it via polysomnography may inform tailored treatment strategies.
7.Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of scabies in Korea: Part 2. Treatment and prevention — a secondary publication
Jin PARK ; Soon-Hyo KWON ; Young Bok LEE ; Hei Sung KIM ; Jie Hyun JEON ; Gwang Seong CHOI ;
The Ewha Medical Journal 2024;47(4):e72-
Treatment should be initiated for all suspected, clinical, or confirmed cases of scabies. Patients affected should be adequately isolated, and high-risk groups with close contact histories should be treated regardless of their symptoms. Optimal treatment strategies can be selected based on age, clinical subtype, and the patient's health status. In Korea, commercially available preparations for scabies treatment include topical 5% permethrin, topical 10% crotamiton, and oral ivermectin. Topical 5% permethrin is the first-line selective treatment for both classic and crusted scabies. Alternative treatments include topical 10% crotamiton and oral ivermectin. After completing treatment, followup visits at 2 and 4 weeks are recommended to monitor the therapeutic response. Treatment is considered to have failed if scabies mites or burrows are detected, new clinical characteristics develop, or there is an aggravation of pruritus. Scabies itch should be adequately managed with emollients, oral antihistamines, and topical corticosteroids. Preventive measures, including personal hygiene, patient education, and environmental control, should be implemented to reduce the transmission of scabies.
8.Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of scabies in Korea: Part 1. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis — a secondary publication
Jin PARK ; Soon-Hyo KWON ; Young Bok LEE ; Hei Sung KIM ; Jie Hyun JEON ; Gwang Seong CHOI ;
The Ewha Medical Journal 2024;47(4):e73-
Scabies is a skin disease caused by the parasite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis, which is primarily transmitted via direct skin or sexual contact or, less commonly, via contact with infested fomites. In Korea, the incidence of scabies has decreased from approximately 50,000 cases per year in 2010 to about 30,000 cases per year in 2021. However, outbreaks are consistently observed in residential facilities, such as nursing homes, especially among older adults. The clinical manifestations of scabies vary based on the patient’s age, health status, the number of mites, and the route of transmission.Typical symptoms of classic scabies include intense nocturnal itching and characteristic skin rashes (burrows and erythematous papules), with a predilection for the interdigital web spaces, inner wrists, periumbilical areas, axillae, and genital areas. In contrast, older adults with immunodeficiency or neurological disorders may exhibit hyperkeratotic scaly lesions or an atypical distribution with mild to no itching (crusted scabies). The diagnosis of scabies is based on clinical symptoms and the results of diagnostic tests aimed at identifying the presence of the parasite. While a history of close contact and characteristic clinical findings suggest scabies, confirmation of the diagnosis requires detecting scabies mites, eggs, or scybala. This can be achieved through light microscopy of skin samples, noninvasive dermoscopy, and other high-resolution in vivo imaging techniques.
9.Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of scabies in Korea: Part 2. Treatment and prevention — a secondary publication
Jin PARK ; Soon-Hyo KWON ; Young Bok LEE ; Hei Sung KIM ; Jie Hyun JEON ; Gwang Seong CHOI ;
The Ewha Medical Journal 2024;47(4):e72-
Treatment should be initiated for all suspected, clinical, or confirmed cases of scabies. Patients affected should be adequately isolated, and high-risk groups with close contact histories should be treated regardless of their symptoms. Optimal treatment strategies can be selected based on age, clinical subtype, and the patient's health status. In Korea, commercially available preparations for scabies treatment include topical 5% permethrin, topical 10% crotamiton, and oral ivermectin. Topical 5% permethrin is the first-line selective treatment for both classic and crusted scabies. Alternative treatments include topical 10% crotamiton and oral ivermectin. After completing treatment, followup visits at 2 and 4 weeks are recommended to monitor the therapeutic response. Treatment is considered to have failed if scabies mites or burrows are detected, new clinical characteristics develop, or there is an aggravation of pruritus. Scabies itch should be adequately managed with emollients, oral antihistamines, and topical corticosteroids. Preventive measures, including personal hygiene, patient education, and environmental control, should be implemented to reduce the transmission of scabies.
10.Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of scabies in Korea: Part 1. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis — a secondary publication
Jin PARK ; Soon-Hyo KWON ; Young Bok LEE ; Hei Sung KIM ; Jie Hyun JEON ; Gwang Seong CHOI ;
The Ewha Medical Journal 2024;47(4):e73-
Scabies is a skin disease caused by the parasite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis, which is primarily transmitted via direct skin or sexual contact or, less commonly, via contact with infested fomites. In Korea, the incidence of scabies has decreased from approximately 50,000 cases per year in 2010 to about 30,000 cases per year in 2021. However, outbreaks are consistently observed in residential facilities, such as nursing homes, especially among older adults. The clinical manifestations of scabies vary based on the patient’s age, health status, the number of mites, and the route of transmission.Typical symptoms of classic scabies include intense nocturnal itching and characteristic skin rashes (burrows and erythematous papules), with a predilection for the interdigital web spaces, inner wrists, periumbilical areas, axillae, and genital areas. In contrast, older adults with immunodeficiency or neurological disorders may exhibit hyperkeratotic scaly lesions or an atypical distribution with mild to no itching (crusted scabies). The diagnosis of scabies is based on clinical symptoms and the results of diagnostic tests aimed at identifying the presence of the parasite. While a history of close contact and characteristic clinical findings suggest scabies, confirmation of the diagnosis requires detecting scabies mites, eggs, or scybala. This can be achieved through light microscopy of skin samples, noninvasive dermoscopy, and other high-resolution in vivo imaging techniques.

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