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/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/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/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.

Objective: In this study, the association between the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) at diagnosis and poor outcomes of atherosclerosis-related antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) during follow-up in patients with AAV was investigated. Methods: This retrospective study included 138 patients diagnosed with AAV. Their comprehensive medical records were meticulously reviewed. All-cause mortality, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were evaluated as atherosclerosis-related poor outcomes of AAV. MHR was obtained by dividing monocyte counts (/mm3 ) by high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (mg/dL) levels. Results: The median age of the 138 patients was 58.3 years with 44 being male (31.9%). Among the 138 patients, 11 (8.0%) died, and 11 (8.0%) and 9 (6.5%) had CVA, and ACS, respectively. MHR at diagnosis was significantly correlated with the Birmingham vasculitis activity score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein at diagnosis. Among the three poor outcomes of AAV, only CVA during follow-up was significantly associated with MHR at diagnosis, and thus, only CVA was considered an atherosclerosis-related poor outcome of AAV. In the multivariable Cox hazards model analysis, MHR (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.195) and serum albumin (HR: 0.203) at diagnosis were independently associated with CVA during follow-up. Additionally, patients with MHR at diagnosis ≥3.0 exhibited a significantly higher risk for CVA and lower cumulative CVA-free survival rate than those with MHR at diagnosis <3.0. Conclusion This study is the first to demonstrate clinical implications of MHR suggesting that MHR at diagnosis is significantly and independently associated with CVA during follow-up in patients with AAV.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether the serum extracellular newly identified receptor for advanced glycation end products binding protein (EN-RAGE) and the soluble form of RAGE (sRAGE) measured at diagnosis are associated with all-cause mortality in patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). Materials and Methods: Serum EN-RAGE and sRAGE were measured in 75 immunosuppressive drug-naïve MPA and GPA patients using an immunoassay, with their clinical and laboratory data reviewed. The optimal cut-off point of EN-RAGE and sRAGE was calculated by finding the threshold with the maximum sum of sensitivity and specificity. In addition, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression was adopted to select variables included in the multivariable Cox proportional hazards (PH) regression model. Results: The median age of the patients was 67.0 years, and 34% were male. Neither serum EN-RAGE nor sRAGE at diagnosis was correlated with the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score. Furthermore, no correlation was observed between serum EN-RAGE and sRAGE. Deceased patients had significantly lower serum EN-RAGE and higher serum sRAGE at diagnosis compared to surviving patients. Patients with serum EN-RAGE at diagnosis ≤84.37 ng/mL and serum sRAGE at diagnosis ≥1.82 ng/mL showed significantly lower survival probabilities compared to those without. In multivariable Cox PH regression model, only serum sRAGE at diagnosis ≥1.82 ng/mL, rather than serum EN-RAGE at diagnosis ≤84.37 ng/mL, was independently associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 7.094). Conclusion This study is the first to demonstrate that serum sRAGE at diagnosis may independently predict all-cause mortality during follow-up in patients with MPA and GPA.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether the serum extracellular newly identified receptor for advanced glycation end products binding protein (EN-RAGE) and the soluble form of RAGE (sRAGE) measured at diagnosis are associated with all-cause mortality in patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). Materials and Methods: Serum EN-RAGE and sRAGE were measured in 75 immunosuppressive drug-naïve MPA and GPA patients using an immunoassay, with their clinical and laboratory data reviewed. The optimal cut-off point of EN-RAGE and sRAGE was calculated by finding the threshold with the maximum sum of sensitivity and specificity. In addition, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression was adopted to select variables included in the multivariable Cox proportional hazards (PH) regression model. Results: The median age of the patients was 67.0 years, and 34% were male. Neither serum EN-RAGE nor sRAGE at diagnosis was correlated with the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score. Furthermore, no correlation was observed between serum EN-RAGE and sRAGE. Deceased patients had significantly lower serum EN-RAGE and higher serum sRAGE at diagnosis compared to surviving patients. Patients with serum EN-RAGE at diagnosis ≤84.37 ng/mL and serum sRAGE at diagnosis ≥1.82 ng/mL showed significantly lower survival probabilities compared to those without. In multivariable Cox PH regression model, only serum sRAGE at diagnosis ≥1.82 ng/mL, rather than serum EN-RAGE at diagnosis ≤84.37 ng/mL, was independently associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 7.094). Conclusion This study is the first to demonstrate that serum sRAGE at diagnosis may independently predict all-cause mortality during follow-up in patients with MPA and GPA.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether the serum extracellular newly identified receptor for advanced glycation end products binding protein (EN-RAGE) and the soluble form of RAGE (sRAGE) measured at diagnosis are associated with all-cause mortality in patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). Materials and Methods: Serum EN-RAGE and sRAGE were measured in 75 immunosuppressive drug-naïve MPA and GPA patients using an immunoassay, with their clinical and laboratory data reviewed. The optimal cut-off point of EN-RAGE and sRAGE was calculated by finding the threshold with the maximum sum of sensitivity and specificity. In addition, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression was adopted to select variables included in the multivariable Cox proportional hazards (PH) regression model. Results: The median age of the patients was 67.0 years, and 34% were male. Neither serum EN-RAGE nor sRAGE at diagnosis was correlated with the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score. Furthermore, no correlation was observed between serum EN-RAGE and sRAGE. Deceased patients had significantly lower serum EN-RAGE and higher serum sRAGE at diagnosis compared to surviving patients. Patients with serum EN-RAGE at diagnosis ≤84.37 ng/mL and serum sRAGE at diagnosis ≥1.82 ng/mL showed significantly lower survival probabilities compared to those without. In multivariable Cox PH regression model, only serum sRAGE at diagnosis ≥1.82 ng/mL, rather than serum EN-RAGE at diagnosis ≤84.37 ng/mL, was independently associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 7.094). Conclusion This study is the first to demonstrate that serum sRAGE at diagnosis may independently predict all-cause mortality during follow-up in patients with MPA and GPA.

Background/Aims: This study applied the 2022 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) criteria for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) to patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and investigated the frequency of overlap syndrome of SSc and AAV (SSc-AAV-OS). Methods: Among the 232 patients diagnosed with SSc, 105 with signs suggestive of small- or medium-vessel vasculitis, which were defined as the present of interstitial lung disease (ILD), peripheral neuropathy, or suspected renal vasculitis, were included in this study and analyzed. Results: Among the 105 SSc patients, the detection rate of ANCA was 19.0%. When the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria were applied, the frequency of SSc-AAV-OS was 20.0%, which was much higher than 1.7% reported with previous criteria for AAV. ANCA positivity contributed to the reclassification of SSc-AAV-OS more than ANCA negativity in SSc patients with signs suggestive of small- or medium-vessel vasculitis. Conclusions The frequency of SSc-AAV-OS in SSc patients with signs suggestive of small- or medium-vessel vasculitis at diagnosis was 20.0%. Therefore, we suggest that physicians should perform ANCA tests in SSc patients exhibiting signs suggestive of small- or medium-vessel vasculitis and apply the new criteria for AAV.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether the serum extracellular newly identified receptor for advanced glycation end products binding protein (EN-RAGE) and the soluble form of RAGE (sRAGE) measured at diagnosis are associated with all-cause mortality in patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). Materials and Methods: Serum EN-RAGE and sRAGE were measured in 75 immunosuppressive drug-naïve MPA and GPA patients using an immunoassay, with their clinical and laboratory data reviewed. The optimal cut-off point of EN-RAGE and sRAGE was calculated by finding the threshold with the maximum sum of sensitivity and specificity. In addition, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression was adopted to select variables included in the multivariable Cox proportional hazards (PH) regression model. Results: The median age of the patients was 67.0 years, and 34% were male. Neither serum EN-RAGE nor sRAGE at diagnosis was correlated with the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score. Furthermore, no correlation was observed between serum EN-RAGE and sRAGE. Deceased patients had significantly lower serum EN-RAGE and higher serum sRAGE at diagnosis compared to surviving patients. Patients with serum EN-RAGE at diagnosis ≤84.37 ng/mL and serum sRAGE at diagnosis ≥1.82 ng/mL showed significantly lower survival probabilities compared to those without. In multivariable Cox PH regression model, only serum sRAGE at diagnosis ≥1.82 ng/mL, rather than serum EN-RAGE at diagnosis ≤84.37 ng/mL, was independently associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 7.094). Conclusion This study is the first to demonstrate that serum sRAGE at diagnosis may independently predict all-cause mortality during follow-up in patients with MPA and GPA.