Background: Primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders (pcCD30-LPDs) are a diseases with various clinical and prognostic characteristics. Objective: Increasing our knowledge of the clinical characteristics of pcCD30-LPDs and identifying potential prognostic variables in an Asian population. Methods: Clinicopathological features and survival data of pcCD30-LPD cases obtained from 22 hospitals in South Korea were examined. Results: A total of 413 cases of pcCD30-LPDs (lymphomatoid papulosis [LYP], n=237; primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma [C-ALCL], n=176) were included. Ninety percent of LYP patients and roughly 50% of C-ALCL patients presented with multiple skin lesions. Both LYP and C-ALCL affected the lower limbs most frequently. Multiplicity and advanced T stage of LYP lesions were associated with a chronic course longer than 6 months. Clinical morphology with patch lesions and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase were significantly associated with LPDs during follow-up in LYP patients. Extracutaneous involvement of C-ALCL occurred in 13.2% of patients. Lesions larger than 5 cm and increased serum lactate dehydrogenase were associated with a poor prognosis in C-ALCL. The survival of patients with C-ALCL was unaffected by the anatomical locations of skin lesions or other pathological factors. Conclusion The multiplicity or size of skin lesions was associated with a chronic course of LYP and survival among patients with C-ALCL.

Background: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) triglyceride testing changed from the glycerol blanking method (2005–2021) to the glycerol nonblanking method (2022). We converted triglyceride data from 2005–2021 to that obtained since 2022 with different analytical methods. Methods: To develop a conversion equation, 98 fresh serum specimen pairs were compared using Passing–Bablok regression analysis. Implications of the conversion equation on epidemiological data were evaluated using KNHANES data from 2019–2021. Bias estimations determined using the Lipid Standardization Program (LSP) of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) enhanced the accuracy and comparability of the triglyceride results. Results: Triglyceride concentrations measured via the glycerol non-blanking method were 10.7 mg/dL (0.12 mmol/L, 10.0%) higher than those from the glycerol blanking method, with a 9.9 mg/dL (0.11 mmol/L, 5.0%) difference at a concentration of 200 mg/dL (2.26 mmol/L, N = 98). The conversion equation y (glycerol non-blanking, 2022) = 11.94+0.99x (glycerol blanking, 2005–2021) changed the mean triglyceride concentrations of the KNHANES 2019–2021 data (N = 16,015) from 123.7 mg/dL (1.40 mmol/L, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 122.2–125.1 mg/dL [1.38–1.41 mmol/L]) to 134.3 mg/dL (1.52 mmol/L, 95% CI: 132.9–135.8 mg/dL [1.50–1.53 mmol/L]). Since 2022, bias monitoring using the CDC’s LSP has remained within a 5.0% limit. Conclusions KNHANES triglyceride values in 2022 (non-blanking) were substantially higher than those from 2005–2021 (blanking). Conversion equations helped effectively adjust 2005–2021 data. Researchers should consider adjusting the KNHANES triglyceride data based on their study characteristics.

Background: Genetic alterations play a pivotal role in multiple myeloma (MM) development and therapeutic resistance. Traditionally, the genetic profiling of MM requires invasive bone marrow (BM) procedures; however, these procedures are associated with patient discomfort and cannot fully capture the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the disease.Therefore, we investigated the clinical implications of liquid biopsy using targeted deep sequencing. Methods: We analyzed the genetic profiles of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) by targeted deep sequencing from 102 patients, including those with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS, N = 7), smoldering MM (N = 6), and symptomatic MM (N = 89). Results: The number of ctDNA mutations increased with disease progression from MGUS to MM, with averages of 1.0 mutations in MGUS, 1.8 mutations in smoldering MM, and 1.9 mutations in MM, respectively. Shared mutations between BM and ctDNA were more prevalent in MM (68.9%) than in MGUS (25.0%). RAS/RAF and TP53 mutations were significantly enriched in MM ctDNA. Specific mutations were associated with clinical features in patients with MM: hypercalcemia and TET2 (P = 0.006), renal insufficiency and NRAS (P = 0.012), paramedullary myeloma and TP53(P = 0.02), and extramedullary myeloma and NRAS (P = 0.007). TET2 mutations significantly affected 2-yr progression-free survival (hazard ratio = 7.11, P = 0.003). Serial ctDNA profiling accurately predicted treatment response in patients with MM. Conclusions Our findings highlight the potential of liquid biopsy for understanding MM progression and prognosis utilizing a minimally invasive approach, paving the way for its integration into personalized treatment strategies and real-time disease monitoring.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the risk factors for peripheral intravenous catheter-related phlebitis in hospitalized neurosurgery patients. Methods: This study involved 443 neurosurgery patients who were admitted to a general hospital in Seoul. The analysis included 982 intravenous lines. Data were retrospectively extracted from electronic medical records for the period between November 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, x 2 test, and logistic regression. Results: The incidence rate of phlebitis was 13.6%, with the majority of cases classified as grade 2. Gender, present diseases, length of hospital stay, needle gauge size, and cardiovascular drugs were identified as risk factors for phlebitis in neurosurgery patients. Conclusion This study is significant as it provides basic data for the prevention and management of peripheral phlebitis in hospitalized neurosurgery patients. The risk factors identified in this study should be incorporated into nursing education to implement a systematic peripheral intravenous management program, and appropriate peripheral intravenous catheter-related nursing interventions are necessary based on the characteristics of each patient.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of a self-management education program on dietary self-care behaviors, patient role performance, self-efficacy, and physiological indicators in hemodialysis patients. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted from February to May 2024 with 43 hemodialysis patients(22 experimental, 21 control at the artificial kidney units of Hospital A and Hospital Y in K region. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, achi-square test, and ANCOVA with SPSS/WIN 26.0. The reliability of the measurement tools was assessed using Cronbach’s ⍺. Results: The experimental group that participated in the self-management education program showed significant improvements in dietary self-care behavior (t=81.87, p=.011), patient role performance (t=27.86, p=.035), and self-efficacy (t=17.88, p=.003) compared to the control group. However, no significant differences were observed in serum potassium (F=0.06, p=.813) and phosphorus (F=0.02, p=.903) levels. In contrast, serum protein (F=6.94, p=.012) and albumin (F=8.05, p=.007) levels significantly increased in the experimental group. Conclusion The self-management education program was effective in improving dietary self-care behaviors, patient role performance, and self-efficacy among hemodialysis patients. However, its impact on physiological indicators was limited to specific parameters. Therefore, this program may be effectively implemented in clinical settings to enhance self-care adherence, improve patient role performance, and ultimately reduce complications in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Despite the considerable disease burden due to trauma injury, sufficient effort has not been made for the assessment of nationwide trauma care status in Korea. We explored the feasibility of a diagnosis code-based injury severity measuring method in light of its realworld usage. Methods: We used datasets from the National Emergency Department Information System to calculate the survival risk ratios (SRRs) and the Korean Trauma Data Bank to predict models, respectively. The target cohort was split into training and validation datasets using stratified random sampling in an 8:2 ratio. We established six major mortality prediction models depending on the included parameters: 1) the Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) (age, sex, original Revised Trauma Score [RTS], Injury Severity Score [ISS]), 2) extended International Classification of Diseases-based Injury Severity Score (ICISS) 1 (age, sex, original RTS, ICISS using international SRRs), 3) extended ICISS 2 (age, sex, original RTS, ICISS using Korean SRRs based on 4-digit diagnosis codes), 4) extended ICISS 3 (age, sex, original RTS, ICISS using Korean SRRs based on full-digit diagnosis codes), 5) extended ICISS 4 (age, sex, modified RTS, and ICISS using Korean SRRs based on 4-digit diagnosis codes), 6) extended ICISS 5 (age, sex, modified RTS, and ICISS using Korean SRRs based on full-digit diagnosis codes). We estimated the model using training datasets and fitted it to the validation datasets. We measured the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for discriminative ability. Overall performance was also evaluated using the Brier score. Results: We observed the feasibility of the extended ICISS models, though their performance was slightly lower than the TRISS model (training cohort, AUC 0.936–0.938 vs. 0.949).Regarding SRR calculation methods, we did not find statistically significant differences.The alternative use of the Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive Scale instead of the Glasgow Coma Scale in the RTS calculation did not degrade model performance. Conclusion The availability of the practical ICISS model was observed based on the model performance. We expect our ICISS model to contribute to strengthening the Korean Trauma Care System by utilizing mortality prediction and severity classification.

South Korea’s current vaccination policies leave a surveillance gap for non-National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines. In this study, we proposed a sentinel surveillance approach for monitoring the safety of non-NIP vaccines. Vaccination data were collected retrospectively among patients hospitalized with pre-defined adverse events of special interest (AESI) by reviewing electronic medical records in five university hospitals. This approach incorporates expert assessment to determine the causal relationship. We confirmed that 16 patients had received non-NIP vaccines among 860 patients diagnosed with AESI.We concluded one case of preeclampsia was possibly related to tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination. We propose a multi-hospital-based, retrospective assessment system for predefined AESIs as an alternative to active vaccine safety monitoring method. These efforts are expected to enhance both the accuracy and timeliness of safety monitoring in South Korea.

Background: Tinnitus is a multifactorial condition with no universally accepted assessment guidelines. The Korean Tinnitus Study Group previously established consensus statements on the definition, classification, and diagnostic tests for tinnitus. As a continuation of this effort, this study aims to establish expert consensus on tinnitus assessment and treatment outcome evaluation, specifically tailored to the Korean clinical context. Methods: A modified Delphi method involving 26 otology experts from across Korea was used. A two-round Delphi survey was conducted to evaluate statements related to tinnitus assessment before and after treatment. Statements were rated on a scale of 1 to 9 for the level of agreement. Consensus was defined as ≥ 70% agreement (score of 7–9) and ≤ 15% disagreement (score of 1–3). Statistical measures such as content validity ratio and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance (W) were calculated to assess agreement levels. Results: Of the 46 assessment-related statements, 17 (37%) reached consensus, though overall pre-treatment assessments showed weak agreement (Kendall’s W = 0.319). Key areas of agreement included the use of the visual analogue scale, numeric rating scale, and validated questionnaires for pre-treatment evaluation. Five statements, such as the use of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography for diagnosing pulsatile tinnitus, achieved over 90% agreement. For treatment outcome measurements, 8 of 12 statements (67%) reached a consensus, with moderate agreement (Kendall’s W = 0.513). Validated questionnaires and psychoacoustic tests were recommended for evaluating treatment effects within 12 weeks. While standardized imaging for pulsatile tinnitus and additional clinical tests were strongly recommended, full consensus was not achieved across all imaging modalities. Conclusion This study provides actionable recommendations for tinnitus assessment and treatment evaluation, emphasizing the use of standardized tools and individualized approaches based on patient needs. These findings offer a practical framework to enhance consistency and effectiveness in tinnitus management within Korean clinical settings.

Background: The accuracy of Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) mappings is reportedly low, and the LOINC codes used for research purposes in Korea have not been validated for accuracy or usability. Our study aimed to evaluate the discrepancies and similarities in interoperability using existing LOINC mappings in actual patient care settings. Methods: We collected data on local test codes and their corresponding LOINC mappings from seven university hospitals. Our analysis focused on laboratory tests that are frequently requested, excluding clinical microbiology and molecular tests. Codes from nationwide proficiency tests served as intermediary benchmarks for comparison. A research team, comprising clinical pathologists and terminology experts, utilized the LOINC manual to reach a consensus on determining the most suitable LOINC codes. Results: A total of 235 LOINC codes were designated as optimal codes for 162 frequent tests.Among these, 51 test items, including 34 urine tests, required multiple optimal LOINC codes, primarily due to unnoted properties such as whether the test was quantitative or qualitative, or differences in measurement units. We analyzed 962 LOINC codes linked to 162 tests across seven institutions, discovering that 792 (82.3%) of these codes were consistent. Inconsistencies were most common in the analyte component (38 inconsistencies, 33.3%), followed by the method (33 inconsistencies, 28.9%), and properties (13 inconsistencies, 11.4%). Conclusion This study reveals a significant inconsistency rate of over 15% in LOINC mappings utilized for research purposes in university hospitals, underlining the necessity for expert verification to enhance interoperability in real patient care.