Background: Respiratory infections play a major role in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). This study assessed the prevalence of bacterial and viral pathogens and their clinical impact on patients with AECOPD. Methods: This retrospective study included 1,186 patients diagnosed with AECOPD at 28 hospitals in South Korea between 2015 and 2018. We evaluated the identification rates of pathogens, basic patient characteristics, clinical features, and the factors associated with infections by potentially drug-resistant (PDR) pathogens using various microbiological tests. Results: Bacteria, viruses, and both were detected in 262 (22.1%), 265 (22.5%), and 129 (10.9%) of patients, respectively. The most common pathogens included Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17.8%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (11.2%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (9.0%), influenza A virus (19.0%), rhinovirus (15.8%), and respiratory syncytial virus (6.4%). Notably, a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (odds ratio [OR], 1.66; p=0.046), bronchiectasis (OR, 1.99; p=0.032), and the use of a triple inhaler regimen within the past 6 months (OR, 2.04; p=0.005) were identified as significant factors associated with infection by PDR pathogens. Moreover, patients infected with PDR pathogens exhibited extended hospital stays (15.9 days vs. 12.4 days, p=0.018) and higher intensive care unit admission rates (15.9% vs. 9.5%, p=0.030). Conclusion This study demonstrates that a variety of pathogens are involved in episodes of AECOPD. Nevertheless, additional research is required to confirm their role in the onset and progression of AECOPD.

Background: Respiratory infections play a major role in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). This study assessed the prevalence of bacterial and viral pathogens and their clinical impact on patients with AECOPD. Methods: This retrospective study included 1,186 patients diagnosed with AECOPD at 28 hospitals in South Korea between 2015 and 2018. We evaluated the identification rates of pathogens, basic patient characteristics, clinical features, and the factors associated with infections by potentially drug-resistant (PDR) pathogens using various microbiological tests. Results: Bacteria, viruses, and both were detected in 262 (22.1%), 265 (22.5%), and 129 (10.9%) of patients, respectively. The most common pathogens included Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17.8%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (11.2%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (9.0%), influenza A virus (19.0%), rhinovirus (15.8%), and respiratory syncytial virus (6.4%). Notably, a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (odds ratio [OR], 1.66; p=0.046), bronchiectasis (OR, 1.99; p=0.032), and the use of a triple inhaler regimen within the past 6 months (OR, 2.04; p=0.005) were identified as significant factors associated with infection by PDR pathogens. Moreover, patients infected with PDR pathogens exhibited extended hospital stays (15.9 days vs. 12.4 days, p=0.018) and higher intensive care unit admission rates (15.9% vs. 9.5%, p=0.030). Conclusion This study demonstrates that a variety of pathogens are involved in episodes of AECOPD. Nevertheless, additional research is required to confirm their role in the onset and progression of AECOPD.

Background: Respiratory infections play a major role in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). This study assessed the prevalence of bacterial and viral pathogens and their clinical impact on patients with AECOPD. Methods: This retrospective study included 1,186 patients diagnosed with AECOPD at 28 hospitals in South Korea between 2015 and 2018. We evaluated the identification rates of pathogens, basic patient characteristics, clinical features, and the factors associated with infections by potentially drug-resistant (PDR) pathogens using various microbiological tests. Results: Bacteria, viruses, and both were detected in 262 (22.1%), 265 (22.5%), and 129 (10.9%) of patients, respectively. The most common pathogens included Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17.8%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (11.2%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (9.0%), influenza A virus (19.0%), rhinovirus (15.8%), and respiratory syncytial virus (6.4%). Notably, a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (odds ratio [OR], 1.66; p=0.046), bronchiectasis (OR, 1.99; p=0.032), and the use of a triple inhaler regimen within the past 6 months (OR, 2.04; p=0.005) were identified as significant factors associated with infection by PDR pathogens. Moreover, patients infected with PDR pathogens exhibited extended hospital stays (15.9 days vs. 12.4 days, p=0.018) and higher intensive care unit admission rates (15.9% vs. 9.5%, p=0.030). Conclusion This study demonstrates that a variety of pathogens are involved in episodes of AECOPD. Nevertheless, additional research is required to confirm their role in the onset and progression of AECOPD.

Background: Respiratory infections play a major role in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). This study assessed the prevalence of bacterial and viral pathogens and their clinical impact on patients with AECOPD. Methods: This retrospective study included 1,186 patients diagnosed with AECOPD at 28 hospitals in South Korea between 2015 and 2018. We evaluated the identification rates of pathogens, basic patient characteristics, clinical features, and the factors associated with infections by potentially drug-resistant (PDR) pathogens using various microbiological tests. Results: Bacteria, viruses, and both were detected in 262 (22.1%), 265 (22.5%), and 129 (10.9%) of patients, respectively. The most common pathogens included Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17.8%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (11.2%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (9.0%), influenza A virus (19.0%), rhinovirus (15.8%), and respiratory syncytial virus (6.4%). Notably, a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (odds ratio [OR], 1.66; p=0.046), bronchiectasis (OR, 1.99; p=0.032), and the use of a triple inhaler regimen within the past 6 months (OR, 2.04; p=0.005) were identified as significant factors associated with infection by PDR pathogens. Moreover, patients infected with PDR pathogens exhibited extended hospital stays (15.9 days vs. 12.4 days, p=0.018) and higher intensive care unit admission rates (15.9% vs. 9.5%, p=0.030). Conclusion This study demonstrates that a variety of pathogens are involved in episodes of AECOPD. Nevertheless, additional research is required to confirm their role in the onset and progression of AECOPD.

Background: Respiratory infections play a major role in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). This study assessed the prevalence of bacterial and viral pathogens and their clinical impact on patients with AECOPD. Methods: This retrospective study included 1,186 patients diagnosed with AECOPD at 28 hospitals in South Korea between 2015 and 2018. We evaluated the identification rates of pathogens, basic patient characteristics, clinical features, and the factors associated with infections by potentially drug-resistant (PDR) pathogens using various microbiological tests. Results: Bacteria, viruses, and both were detected in 262 (22.1%), 265 (22.5%), and 129 (10.9%) of patients, respectively. The most common pathogens included Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17.8%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (11.2%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (9.0%), influenza A virus (19.0%), rhinovirus (15.8%), and respiratory syncytial virus (6.4%). Notably, a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (odds ratio [OR], 1.66; p=0.046), bronchiectasis (OR, 1.99; p=0.032), and the use of a triple inhaler regimen within the past 6 months (OR, 2.04; p=0.005) were identified as significant factors associated with infection by PDR pathogens. Moreover, patients infected with PDR pathogens exhibited extended hospital stays (15.9 days vs. 12.4 days, p=0.018) and higher intensive care unit admission rates (15.9% vs. 9.5%, p=0.030). Conclusion This study demonstrates that a variety of pathogens are involved in episodes of AECOPD. Nevertheless, additional research is required to confirm their role in the onset and progression of AECOPD.

Purpose: This study examined the prevalence and severity of symptoms and symptom clusters and the relationship between symptom clusters and quality of life (QoL) in people with long COVID. Methods: This descriptive study analyzed data from 220 adults with at least one symptom of long COVID for at least 4 weeks through an online survey from August 18 to September 5, 2022. Results: The most frequent symptoms of long COVID were fatigue (94.5%), sore throat (89.1%), post-exertional malaise (88.2%), cough (88.2%), and fever (85.5%), and the most severe symptoms were fatigue (6.21±2.31), sore throat (5.78±2.78), cough (5.64±2.84), post-exertional malaise (5.46±2.64), and fever (5.21±2.90). Exploratory factor analysis revealed five distinct symptom clusters: digestivecognitive, respiratory-fatigue, pain-dermatological, sensory, and emotional clusters. The QoL of the highersymptom group was lower than that of the lower-symptom group (t=2.34; p=.020). Furthermore, the symptom clusters experienced by people with long COVID were associated with QoL. Conclusion Healthcare providers must recognize symptom clusters and intervene accordingly, and nursing interventions should be developed to effectively care for individuals in these symptom clusters.

Background: The positive effects of technology-lipid-colloid (TLC) dressings impregnated with nano-oligosaccharide factors (NOSF) have been well documented. However, there is insufficient study on the specific impact of TLC-NOSF dressings on epithelization in patients with diabetes who have partial-thickness wounds. This article presents the results of a pilot clinical trial conducted to address the aforementioned issue. Methods: Twenty patients with diabetes who underwent split-thickness skin grafting were enrolled in this study. Half of the donor site was covered with a TLC-NOSF dressing, whereas the other half was covered with a TLC dressing. The ratio of complete epithelialization within 14 days postoperatively was compared between the two groups. Furthermore, progress of epithelialization was assessed to determine whether the TLC or TLC-NOSF dressing promoted more rapid epithelialization. Results: Seventeen patients completed the study. The percentages of complete epithelialization in the TLC and TLC-NOSF dressing groups were 41% (7/17) and 53% (9/17), respectively (P = 0.49). Regarding the degree of epithelialization, the differences between the TLC-NOSF and TLC dressing were not statistically significant. The TLC-NOSF dressing was superior in nine patients, while the TLC dressing was superior in two patients. Six patients demonstrated “no significant difference” (P = 0.11). Conclusion Based on the current results alone, it is difficult to definitively conclude that TLC-NOSF dressings are superior to TLC dressings. However, these findings suggest a potential positive effect of TLC-NOSF dressings. Further large-scale studies are required to validate these results.

Purpose: This study examined the prevalence and severity of symptoms and symptom clusters and the relationship between symptom clusters and quality of life (QoL) in people with long COVID. Methods: This descriptive study analyzed data from 220 adults with at least one symptom of long COVID for at least 4 weeks through an online survey from August 18 to September 5, 2022. Results: The most frequent symptoms of long COVID were fatigue (94.5%), sore throat (89.1%), post-exertional malaise (88.2%), cough (88.2%), and fever (85.5%), and the most severe symptoms were fatigue (6.21±2.31), sore throat (5.78±2.78), cough (5.64±2.84), post-exertional malaise (5.46±2.64), and fever (5.21±2.90). Exploratory factor analysis revealed five distinct symptom clusters: digestivecognitive, respiratory-fatigue, pain-dermatological, sensory, and emotional clusters. The QoL of the highersymptom group was lower than that of the lower-symptom group (t=2.34; p=.020). Furthermore, the symptom clusters experienced by people with long COVID were associated with QoL. Conclusion Healthcare providers must recognize symptom clusters and intervene accordingly, and nursing interventions should be developed to effectively care for individuals in these symptom clusters.

Purpose: This study examined the prevalence and severity of symptoms and symptom clusters and the relationship between symptom clusters and quality of life (QoL) in people with long COVID. Methods: This descriptive study analyzed data from 220 adults with at least one symptom of long COVID for at least 4 weeks through an online survey from August 18 to September 5, 2022. Results: The most frequent symptoms of long COVID were fatigue (94.5%), sore throat (89.1%), post-exertional malaise (88.2%), cough (88.2%), and fever (85.5%), and the most severe symptoms were fatigue (6.21±2.31), sore throat (5.78±2.78), cough (5.64±2.84), post-exertional malaise (5.46±2.64), and fever (5.21±2.90). Exploratory factor analysis revealed five distinct symptom clusters: digestivecognitive, respiratory-fatigue, pain-dermatological, sensory, and emotional clusters. The QoL of the highersymptom group was lower than that of the lower-symptom group (t=2.34; p=.020). Furthermore, the symptom clusters experienced by people with long COVID were associated with QoL. Conclusion Healthcare providers must recognize symptom clusters and intervene accordingly, and nursing interventions should be developed to effectively care for individuals in these symptom clusters.

Purpose: Despite the increasing use of immediate breast reconstruction (IBR), its oncologic safety in the setting of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) needs to be comprehensively clarified in breast cancer management. The objective of the present study was to analyze the oncologic safety of IBR following NACT. Methods: In total, 587 patients with breast cancer who underwent a total mastectomy (TM) with IBR after NACT between 2008 and 2017 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. The reviewed patients with IBR following skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) or nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) were matched 1:3 to patients who underwent TM alone after NACT. Matching variables included age, clinical T and N stages before NACT, response to NACT, pathologic T and N stages, and molecular subtypes. Results: After propensity score matching, 95 patients who underwent IBR following SSM/ NSM after NACT (IBR group) and 228 patients who underwent TM alone after NACT (TM group) were selected. The median follow-up period was 73 (range, 5–181) months after matching. After matching, there were no significant differences between the two groups in 5-year locoregional recurrence-free survival (88.8% vs. 91.2%, p = 0.516), disease-free survival (67.3% vs. 76.6%, p = 0.099), distant metastasis-free survival (71.9% vs. 81.9%, p = 0.057), or overall survival (84.1% vs. 91.5, p = 0.061) rates. In multivariate analyses, conducting IBR was not associated with increased risks for locoregional recurrence, any recurrence, distant metastasis, or overall death. Conclusion Our findings suggest that IBR following SSM/NSM elicits comparable long-term oncologic outcomes to those of TM alone in the setting of NACT.