Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease with a wide range of symptoms. Due to the rapidly changing treatment landscape, regular updates to clinical guidelines are needed. Objective: This study aimed to update the guidelines for the treatment of AD to reflect recent therapeutic advances and evidence-based recommendations. Methods: The Patient characteristics, type of Intervention, Control, and Outcome framework was used to determine 48 questions related to AD management. Evidence was graded, recommendations were determined, and, after 2 voting rounds among the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) council members, consensus was achieved. Results: This guideline provides treatment guidance on advanced systemic treatment modalities for AD. In particular, the guideline offers up-to-date treatment recommendations for biologics and Janus-kinase inhibitors used in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe AD.It also provides guidance on other therapies for AD, along with tailored recommendations for children, adolescents, the elderly, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Conclusion KADA’s updated AD treatment guidelines incorporate the latest evidence and expert opinion to provide a comprehensive approach to AD treatment. The guidelines will help clinicians optimize patient-specific therapies.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease with a wide range of symptoms. Due to the rapidly changing treatment landscape, regular updates to clinical guidelines are needed. Objective: This study aimed to update the guidelines for the treatment of AD to reflect recent therapeutic advances and evidence-based practices. Methods: The Patient characteristics, type of Intervention, Control, and Outcome framework was used to determine 48 questions related to AD management. Evidence was graded, recommendations were determined, and, after 2 voting rounds among the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) council members, consensus was achieved. Results: The guidelines provide detailed recommendations on foundational therapies, including the use of moisturizers, cleansing and bathing practices, allergen avoidance, and patient education. Guidance on topical therapies, such as topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, is also provided to help manage inflammation and maintain skin barrier function in patients with AD. Additionally, recommendations on conventional systemic therapies, including corticosteroids, cyclosporine, and methotrexate, are provided for managing moderate to severe AD. Conclusion KADA’s updated AD guidelines offer clinicians evidence-based strategies focused on basic therapies, topical therapies, and conventional systemic therapies, equipping them to enhance quality of care and improve patient outcomes in AD management.

Background: In 2006, the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) working group released the diagnostic criteria for Korean atopic dermatitis (AD). Recently, more simplified, and practical AD diagnostic criteria have been proposed. Objective: Based on updated criteria and experience, we studied to develop and share a consensus on diagnostic criteria for AD in Koreans. Materials and Methods: For the diagnostic criteria, a questionnaire was constructed by searching the English-language literature in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. A modified Delphi method composed of 3 rounds of email questionnaires was adopted for the consensus process. Fifty-four KADA council members participated in the 3 rounds of votes and expert consensus recommendations were established. Results: Diagnostic criteria for AD include pruritus, eczema with age-specific pattern, and chronic or relapsing history. Diagnostic aids for AD encompass xerosis, immunoglobulin E reactivity, hand–foot eczema, periorbital changes, periauricular changes, perioral changes, nipple eczema, perifollicular accentuation, and personal or family history of atopy. Conclusion This study streamlined and updated the diagnostic criteria for AD in Korea, making them more practicable for use in real-world clinical field.

Background: Recently, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in the elderly has increased and has been reported to be as high as 4%, emphasizing its clinical significance. Treating pruritus in elderly patients can be challenging due to the high prevalence of comorbidities and adverse events associated with conventional systemic medications.Dupilumab has demonstrated favorable safety and effectiveness across all age groups, making it a promising treatment option for the elderly population. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dupilumab in elderly patients with AD or other pruritic conditions. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective, real-world study on the efficacy and safety of dupilumab was conducted in patients aged 65 years or older. Patients with AD and other pruritic conditions were assessed separately for dupilumab efficacy using objective and subjective scores. The patients who received regular injections were evaluated at 16 and 40 weeks after treatment. Results: Forty-seven patients participated in the study, of whom 37 were diagnosed with AD and 10 were classified as having other pruritic conditions. In patients with AD, there was a 78.6% reduction in the mean Eczema Area and Severity Index score at week 16 compared with baseline. All patients with other pruritic conditions demonstrated a decrease in the Investigator’s Global Assessment score of at least 2 points or a Numerical Rating Score reduction of at least 4 points. Adverse events occurred in five patients, but no serious adverse reactions were observed. Conclusion Dupilumab can be considered a safe and effective treatment for elderly patients with AD and other pruritic conditions.

This case report aims to document and analyze a unique instance of functional dysphonia with diminished vocal cord movement observed in a patient following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. The study focuses on the outcomes of a one-month voice treatment regimen administered to alleviate the dysphonic symptoms. The findings provide valuable insights into the management of post-COVID-19 vocal impairments and contribute to the growing body of knowledge on the varied manifestations of this viral infection.

Incidence of depression increases in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). We evaluated the association between depression and mortality among older patients with ESKD, which has not been studied previously. Methods: This nationwide prospective cohort study included 487 patients with ESKD aged >65 years, who were categorized into minimal, mild-to-moderate, and severe depression groups based on their Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) scores. Predisposing factors for high BDI-II scores and the association between the scores and survival were analyzed. Results: The severe depression group showed a higher modified Charlson comorbidity index value and lower serum albumin, phosphate, and uric acid levels than the other depression groups. The Kaplan-Meier curve revealed a significantly lower survival in the severe depression group than in the minimal and mild-to-moderate depression groups (p = 0.011). Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that severe depression was an independent risk factor for mortality in the study cohort (hazard ratio, 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.91; p = 0.041). Additionally, BDI-II scores were associated with modified Charlson comorbidity index (p = 0.009) and serum albumin level (p = 0.004) in multivariate linear regression. Among the three depressive symptoms, higher somatic symptom scores were associated with increased mortality. Conclusion: Severe depression among older patients with ESKD increases mortality compared with minimal or mild-to-moderate depression, and patients with concomitant somatic symptoms require careful management of their comorbidities and nutritional status.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and clinical course of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) following pancreaticoduodenectomy, focusing on the role of adjuvant chemotherapy and other metabolic changes. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 189 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2013 and 2016. NAFLD was diagnosed using computed tomography (CT) imaging, defined as a liver-tospleen attenuation ratio <0.9. Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity were assessed using preoperative CT scans. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for NAFLD development. Results: The cumulative incidence of NAFLD increased over time, with rates of 15.9% at one year, 20.4% at three years, and 35.2% at five years post-pancreaticoduodenectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy was identified as the only significant independent predictor of NAFLD development (odds ratio, 2.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-6.70; P=0.023). No significant associations were found between NAFLD and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), sarcopenia, or sarcopenic obesity. Serial analysis of NAFLD status in long-term survivors revealed dynamic changes, with some patients experiencing spontaneous remission or recurrence. Conclusion NAFLD is a common, progressive complication following pancreaticoduodenectomy, particularly in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Although no significant associations with PERT or sarcopenia were observed, these areas warrant further investigation. Long-term monitoring and targeted management strategies are recommended to address NAFLD in this population. Future prospective studies are needed to elucidate the natural history and contributing factors of NAFLD after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and clinical course of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) following pancreaticoduodenectomy, focusing on the role of adjuvant chemotherapy and other metabolic changes. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 189 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2013 and 2016. NAFLD was diagnosed using computed tomography (CT) imaging, defined as a liver-tospleen attenuation ratio <0.9. Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity were assessed using preoperative CT scans. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for NAFLD development. Results: The cumulative incidence of NAFLD increased over time, with rates of 15.9% at one year, 20.4% at three years, and 35.2% at five years post-pancreaticoduodenectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy was identified as the only significant independent predictor of NAFLD development (odds ratio, 2.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-6.70; P=0.023). No significant associations were found between NAFLD and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), sarcopenia, or sarcopenic obesity. Serial analysis of NAFLD status in long-term survivors revealed dynamic changes, with some patients experiencing spontaneous remission or recurrence. Conclusion NAFLD is a common, progressive complication following pancreaticoduodenectomy, particularly in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Although no significant associations with PERT or sarcopenia were observed, these areas warrant further investigation. Long-term monitoring and targeted management strategies are recommended to address NAFLD in this population. Future prospective studies are needed to elucidate the natural history and contributing factors of NAFLD after pancreaticoduodenectomy.