Postoperative colorectal imaging studies play an important role in the detection of surgical complications and disease recurrence. In this pictorial essay, we briefly describe methods of surgery, imaging findings of their early and late complications, and postsurgical recurrence of cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVES: This study developed an algorithm for identifying pregnancy episodes and estimating the last menstrual period (LMP) in an administrative claims database and applied it to investigate the use of pregnancy-incompatible immunosuppressants among pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: An algorithm was developed and applied to a nationwide claims database in Korea. Pregnancy episodes were identified using a hierarchy of pregnancy outcomes and clinically plausible periods for subsequent episodes. The LMP was estimated using preterm delivery, sonography, and abortion procedure codes. Otherwise, outcome-specific estimates were applied, assigning a fixed gestational age to the corresponding pregnancy outcome. The algorithm was used to examine the prevalence of pregnancies and utilization of pregnancy-incompatible immunosuppressants (cyclophosphamide [CYC]/mycophenolate mofetil [MMF]/methotrexate [MTX]) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during pregnancy in SLE patients. RESULTS: The pregnancy outcomes identified in SLE patients included live births (67%), stillbirths (2%), and abortions (31%). The LMP was mostly estimated with outcome-specific estimates for full-term births (92.3%) and using sonography procedure codes (54.7%) and preterm delivery diagnosis codes (37.9%) for preterm births. The use of CYC/MMF/MTX decreased from 7.6% during preconception to 0.2% at the end of pregnancy. CYC/MMF/MTX use was observed in 3.6% of women within 3 months preconception and 2.5% during 0-7 weeks of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS This study presents the first pregnancy algorithm using a Korean administrative claims database. Although further validation is necessary, this study provides a foundation for evaluating the safety of medications during pregnancy using secondary databases in Korea, especially for rare diseases.

Postoperative colorectal imaging studies play an important role in the detection of surgical complications and disease recurrence. In this pictorial essay, we briefly describe methods of surgery, imaging findings of their early and late complications, and postsurgical recurrence of cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.

Smile design has transitioned from traditional analog methods to modern digital techniques. This case report presents a smile design technique using a digital workflow facilitated by an application on smart devices as a reference. This approach enables real-time chairside modifications, incorporating the patient’s preferences. Furthermore, it improves communication among the patient, clinician, and dental technician, providing an efficient solution for prosthetic rehabilitation.

Smile design has transitioned from traditional analog methods to modern digital techniques. This case report presents a smile design technique using a digital workflow facilitated by an application on smart devices as a reference. This approach enables real-time chairside modifications, incorporating the patient’s preferences. Furthermore, it improves communication among the patient, clinician, and dental technician, providing an efficient solution for prosthetic rehabilitation.

Smile design has transitioned from traditional analog methods to modern digital techniques. This case report presents a smile design technique using a digital workflow facilitated by an application on smart devices as a reference. This approach enables real-time chairside modifications, incorporating the patient’s preferences. Furthermore, it improves communication among the patient, clinician, and dental technician, providing an efficient solution for prosthetic rehabilitation.

Smile design has transitioned from traditional analog methods to modern digital techniques. This case report presents a smile design technique using a digital workflow facilitated by an application on smart devices as a reference. This approach enables real-time chairside modifications, incorporating the patient’s preferences. Furthermore, it improves communication among the patient, clinician, and dental technician, providing an efficient solution for prosthetic rehabilitation.

Postoperative colorectal imaging studies play an important role in the detection of surgical complications and disease recurrence. In this pictorial essay, we briefly describe methods of surgery, imaging findings of their early and late complications, and postsurgical recurrence of cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Limited data are available on the mortality rates of patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to analyze the relationship between COVID-19 and clinical outcomes for patients receiving ECMO. Methods: We retrospectively investigated patients with COVID-19 pneumonia requiring ECMO in 19 hospitals across Korea from January 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021. The primary outcome was the 90-day mortality after ECMO initiation. We performed multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of 90-day mortality. Survival differences were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier (KM) method. Results: Of 127 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who received ECMO, 70 patients (55.1%) died within 90 days of ECMO initiation. The median age was 64 years, and 63% of patients were male. The incidence of ECMO was increased with age but was decreased after 70 years of age. However, the survival rate was decreased linearly with age. In multivariate analysis, age (OR, 1.048; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.010–1.089; P = 0.014) and receipt of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) (OR, 3.069; 95% CI, 1.312–7.180; P = 0.010) were significantly associated with an increased risk of 90-day mortality. KM curves showed significant differences in survival between groups according to age (65 years) (log-rank P = 0.021) and receipt of CRRT (log-rank P = 0.004). Conclusion Older age and receipt of CRRT were associated with higher mortality rates among patients with COVID-19 who received ECMO.

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) in managing fatigue in Korean patients with rheumatic diseases Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to KRG (2 g/day, n = 60) or placebo (n = 60) groups for 12 weeks of blind phase and then open-label KRG from weeks 12 to 24 (placebo-KRG, continuous-KRG). The primary outcome was the improvement rate in fatigue, defined by an increase in Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue scores at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included changes in FACIT-Fatigue and fatigue visual analog scale (VAS) between 0 and 12 weeks and those changes in both indices at 24 weeks. Results: The study enrolled 120 patients (Sjogren syndrome [n = 53], rheumatoid arthritis [n = 43], or both diseases [n = 24]). The mean age was 50.9 ± 11.6 years, with 97.5% being female. Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. The improvement rate in FACIT-Fatigue after 12 weeks was higher in the KRG group than in the placebo group, but the difference was statistically insignificant (38.3% vs. 26.7%, p = 0.242). Improvement in fatigue was observed in both groups by increases in FACIT-F (4.6 vs. 4.0) and reductions in fatigue VAS (-16.0 vs. -12.2) scores at 12 weeks. The most frequently reported adverse events during KRG use were pruritus and urticarial, with no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions Both KRG and placebo groups showed significant reductions in fatigue. KRG treatment for 24 weeks did not reduce fatigue symptoms more than the placebo in patients with rheumatic diseases.