Background: This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of multidrug-resistant/ rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Data of notified people with tuberculosis between July 2018 and December 2021 were retrieved from the Korea Tuberculosis Cohort database. MDR/RR-TB was further categorized according to isoniazid susceptibility as follows: multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), rifampicin-monoresistant tuberculosis (RMR-TB), and RR-TB if susceptibility to isoniazid was unknown. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with MDR/RR-TB. Results: Between 2018 and 2021, the proportion of MDR/RR-TB cases among all TB cases and TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results was 2.1% (502/24,447). The proportions of MDR/RR-TB and MDR-TB cases among TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results were 3.3% (502/15,071) and 1.9% (292/15,071), respectively. Among all cases of rifampicin resistance, 31.7% (159/502) were RMR-TB and 10.2% (51/502) were RR-TB. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that younger age, foreigners, and prior tuberculosis history were significantly associated with MDR/ RR-TB. Conclusion Rapid identification of rifampicin resistance targeting the high-risk populations, such as younger generations, foreign-born individuals, and previously treated patients are necessary for patient-centered care.

Background: This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of multidrug-resistant/ rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Data of notified people with tuberculosis between July 2018 and December 2021 were retrieved from the Korea Tuberculosis Cohort database. MDR/RR-TB was further categorized according to isoniazid susceptibility as follows: multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), rifampicin-monoresistant tuberculosis (RMR-TB), and RR-TB if susceptibility to isoniazid was unknown. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with MDR/RR-TB. Results: Between 2018 and 2021, the proportion of MDR/RR-TB cases among all TB cases and TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results was 2.1% (502/24,447). The proportions of MDR/RR-TB and MDR-TB cases among TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results were 3.3% (502/15,071) and 1.9% (292/15,071), respectively. Among all cases of rifampicin resistance, 31.7% (159/502) were RMR-TB and 10.2% (51/502) were RR-TB. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that younger age, foreigners, and prior tuberculosis history were significantly associated with MDR/ RR-TB. Conclusion Rapid identification of rifampicin resistance targeting the high-risk populations, such as younger generations, foreign-born individuals, and previously treated patients are necessary for patient-centered care.

Background: This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of multidrug-resistant/ rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Data of notified people with tuberculosis between July 2018 and December 2021 were retrieved from the Korea Tuberculosis Cohort database. MDR/RR-TB was further categorized according to isoniazid susceptibility as follows: multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), rifampicin-monoresistant tuberculosis (RMR-TB), and RR-TB if susceptibility to isoniazid was unknown. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with MDR/RR-TB. Results: Between 2018 and 2021, the proportion of MDR/RR-TB cases among all TB cases and TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results was 2.1% (502/24,447). The proportions of MDR/RR-TB and MDR-TB cases among TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results were 3.3% (502/15,071) and 1.9% (292/15,071), respectively. Among all cases of rifampicin resistance, 31.7% (159/502) were RMR-TB and 10.2% (51/502) were RR-TB. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that younger age, foreigners, and prior tuberculosis history were significantly associated with MDR/ RR-TB. Conclusion Rapid identification of rifampicin resistance targeting the high-risk populations, such as younger generations, foreign-born individuals, and previously treated patients are necessary for patient-centered care.

Background: This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of multidrug-resistant/ rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Data of notified people with tuberculosis between July 2018 and December 2021 were retrieved from the Korea Tuberculosis Cohort database. MDR/RR-TB was further categorized according to isoniazid susceptibility as follows: multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), rifampicin-monoresistant tuberculosis (RMR-TB), and RR-TB if susceptibility to isoniazid was unknown. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with MDR/RR-TB. Results: Between 2018 and 2021, the proportion of MDR/RR-TB cases among all TB cases and TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results was 2.1% (502/24,447). The proportions of MDR/RR-TB and MDR-TB cases among TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results were 3.3% (502/15,071) and 1.9% (292/15,071), respectively. Among all cases of rifampicin resistance, 31.7% (159/502) were RMR-TB and 10.2% (51/502) were RR-TB. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that younger age, foreigners, and prior tuberculosis history were significantly associated with MDR/ RR-TB. Conclusion Rapid identification of rifampicin resistance targeting the high-risk populations, such as younger generations, foreign-born individuals, and previously treated patients are necessary for patient-centered care.

Background: This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of multidrug-resistant/ rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Data of notified people with tuberculosis between July 2018 and December 2021 were retrieved from the Korea Tuberculosis Cohort database. MDR/RR-TB was further categorized according to isoniazid susceptibility as follows: multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), rifampicin-monoresistant tuberculosis (RMR-TB), and RR-TB if susceptibility to isoniazid was unknown. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with MDR/RR-TB. Results: Between 2018 and 2021, the proportion of MDR/RR-TB cases among all TB cases and TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results was 2.1% (502/24,447). The proportions of MDR/RR-TB and MDR-TB cases among TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results were 3.3% (502/15,071) and 1.9% (292/15,071), respectively. Among all cases of rifampicin resistance, 31.7% (159/502) were RMR-TB and 10.2% (51/502) were RR-TB. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that younger age, foreigners, and prior tuberculosis history were significantly associated with MDR/ RR-TB. Conclusion Rapid identification of rifampicin resistance targeting the high-risk populations, such as younger generations, foreign-born individuals, and previously treated patients are necessary for patient-centered care.

Background/Aims: We investigated sex- and stage-specific associations of body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) with gastric cancer. Methods: In total, 3,382 patients with gastric cancer and 19,609 healthy controls were enrolled. BMI was categorized into five groups. HDL-C was classified as low (< 40 and < 50 mg/ dl in males and females, respectively) and normal (≥ 40 and ≥ 50 mg/dl in males and females, respectively). Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: After adjustment, low BMI (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.13–1.84), low HDL levels (OR, 2.28;95% CI, 2.07–2.50), and high fasting glucose levels (OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 2.22–2.99) were associated with gastric cancer, whereas high BMI (OR, 0.61–0.81) was inversely associated with gastric cancer. In sex-specific analysis, BMI was inversely associated with gastric cancer only in males (trend: p < 0.001). Low serum HDL and high fasting glucose levels were strongly associated with gastric cancer in both males and females. The effect of high glucose content was more pronounced in females (OR, 4.02) than in males (OR, 2.58). BMI was inversely associated with both AGC (trend: p < 0.001) and EGC (trend: p = 0.001). Low serum HDL and high fasting glucose levels were strongly associated with gastric cancer in EGC and AGC. Conclusions The effect of BMI on gastric cancer varies by sex and stage, whereas low HDL levels are associated with gastric cancer regardless of these factors.

Background/Aims: We investigated sex- and stage-specific associations of body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) with gastric cancer. Methods: In total, 3,382 patients with gastric cancer and 19,609 healthy controls were enrolled. BMI was categorized into five groups. HDL-C was classified as low (< 40 and < 50 mg/ dl in males and females, respectively) and normal (≥ 40 and ≥ 50 mg/dl in males and females, respectively). Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: After adjustment, low BMI (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.13–1.84), low HDL levels (OR, 2.28;95% CI, 2.07–2.50), and high fasting glucose levels (OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 2.22–2.99) were associated with gastric cancer, whereas high BMI (OR, 0.61–0.81) was inversely associated with gastric cancer. In sex-specific analysis, BMI was inversely associated with gastric cancer only in males (trend: p < 0.001). Low serum HDL and high fasting glucose levels were strongly associated with gastric cancer in both males and females. The effect of high glucose content was more pronounced in females (OR, 4.02) than in males (OR, 2.58). BMI was inversely associated with both AGC (trend: p < 0.001) and EGC (trend: p = 0.001). Low serum HDL and high fasting glucose levels were strongly associated with gastric cancer in EGC and AGC. Conclusions The effect of BMI on gastric cancer varies by sex and stage, whereas low HDL levels are associated with gastric cancer regardless of these factors.

Background/Aims: We investigated sex- and stage-specific associations of body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) with gastric cancer. Methods: In total, 3,382 patients with gastric cancer and 19,609 healthy controls were enrolled. BMI was categorized into five groups. HDL-C was classified as low (< 40 and < 50 mg/ dl in males and females, respectively) and normal (≥ 40 and ≥ 50 mg/dl in males and females, respectively). Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: After adjustment, low BMI (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.13–1.84), low HDL levels (OR, 2.28;95% CI, 2.07–2.50), and high fasting glucose levels (OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 2.22–2.99) were associated with gastric cancer, whereas high BMI (OR, 0.61–0.81) was inversely associated with gastric cancer. In sex-specific analysis, BMI was inversely associated with gastric cancer only in males (trend: p < 0.001). Low serum HDL and high fasting glucose levels were strongly associated with gastric cancer in both males and females. The effect of high glucose content was more pronounced in females (OR, 4.02) than in males (OR, 2.58). BMI was inversely associated with both AGC (trend: p < 0.001) and EGC (trend: p = 0.001). Low serum HDL and high fasting glucose levels were strongly associated with gastric cancer in EGC and AGC. Conclusions The effect of BMI on gastric cancer varies by sex and stage, whereas low HDL levels are associated with gastric cancer regardless of these factors.

Background: According to international pediatric urinary tract infection (UTI) guidelines, selecting ampicillin/ sulbactam or amoxicillin/clavulanate is recommended as the first-line treatment for pediatric UTI. In Korea, elevated resistance to ampicillin and ampicillin/sulbactam has resulted in the widespread use of third-generation cephalosporins for treating pediatric UTIs. This study aims to compare the efficacy of piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP) and cefotaxime (CTX) as first-line treatments in hospitalized children with UTIs. Materials and Methods: The study, conducted at Jeju National University Hospital, retrospectively analyzed medical records of children hospitalized for febrile UTIs between 2014 and 2017. UTI diagnosis included unexplained fever, abnormal urinalysis, and the presence of significant uropathogens. Treatment responses, recurrence, and antimicrobial susceptibility were assessed. Results: Out of 323 patients, 220 met the inclusion criteria. Demographics and clinical characteristics were similar between TZP and CTX groups. For children aged ≥3 months, no significant differences were found in treatment responses and recurrence. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-positive strains were associated with recurrence in those <3 months. Conclusion In Korea, escalating resistance to empirical antibiotics has led to the adoption of broad-spectrum empirical treatment. TZP emerged as a viable alternative to CTX for hospitalized children aged ≥3 months with UTIs.Consideration of ESBL-positive strains and individualized approaches for those <3 months are crucial.

Differentiated thyroid cancer demonstrates a wide range of clinical presentations, from very indolent cases to those with an aggressive prognosis. Therefore, diagnosing and treating each cancer appropriately based on its risk status is important. The Korean Thyroid Association (KTA) has provided and amended the clinical guidelines for thyroid cancer management since 2007. The main changes in this revised 2024 guideline include 1) individualization of surgical extent according to pathological tests and clinical findings, 2) application of active surveillance in low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, 3) indications for minimally invasive surgery, 4) adoption of World Health Organization pathological diagnostic criteria and definition of terminology in Korean, 5) update on literature evidence of recurrence risk for initial risk stratification, 6) addition of the role of molecular testing, 7) addition of definition of initial risk stratification and targeting thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations according to ongoing risk stratification (ORS), 8) addition of treatment of perioperative hypoparathyroidism, 9) update on systemic chemotherapy, and 10) addition of treatment for pediatric patients with thyroid cancer.