1.Tailored Surveillance Strategies for Pancreatic Cancer in Patients with Chronic Pancreatitis
Journal of Digestive Cancer Research 2024;12(2):102-105
Chronic pancreatitis, a significant risk factor for pancreatic cancer, necessitates monitoring for pancreatic cancer development. Chronic pancreatitis can be broadly categorized into hereditary and sporadic. Given the variability in the risk for pancreatic cancer based on the presence and type of genetic mutations, it is crucial to establish and be aware of guidelines for screening and surveillance tailored to each risk level. In cases of hereditary chronic pancreatitis with PRSS1 mutations, patients demonstrated a high incidence of pancreatic cancer, justifying the rationale for screening and surveillance. However, the incidence of pancreatic cancer is relatively low in hereditary chronic pancreatitis with other genetic mutations and sporadic chronic pancreatitis;thus, precise screening and periodic surveillance are not recommended. For individuals with PRSS1 mutation-related hereditary chronic pancreatitis, surveillance may be considered from the age of 40 years. While computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is suitable for pancreatic cancer screening, endoscopic ultrasonography is not recommended because of parenchymal inflammation, fibrosis, and calcification. However, in cases of sporadic chronic pancreatitis where various risk factors for pancreatic cancer coexist, the incidence of pancreatic cancer significantly increases. Therefore, in 5 years after the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, the pancreatic cancer incidence has been observed to continuously increase. In such cases, individualized screening tests and surveillance based on the patient’s symptoms and specific circumstances must be considered.
2.Sex differences in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease characteristics: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2018
Moon Seong BAEK ; Haegwang SHIN ; Kang-Mo GU ; Hae In JUNG ; Won Young KIM ; Jae-Woo JUNG ; Jong-Wook SHIN ; Sun-Young JUNG ; Jae-Yeol KIM
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine 2024;39(1):137-147
Background/Aims:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is less prevalent in females than males, but it affects mortality in females. There may be sex differences in the clinical characteristics of COPD.
Methods:
We analyzed the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey dataset from 2007 to 2018. We compared the clinical characteristics and comorbidities in subjects with COPD according to sex. We adjusted the multivariate logistic regression of lung cancer prevalence according to COPD and sex by age and smoking amount.
Results:
Females with COPD tended to be older than males with COPD (64.1 ± 0.4 yr vs. 62.3 ± 0.2 yr, respectively, p < 0.001). Approximately 89% of males with COPD had a smoking history, while 86% of females with COPD were non-smokers (p < 0.001). Household income was lower (p < 0.001) and asthma and overall malignancy were more prevalent in females with COPD than males with COPD (25.5 vs. 11.6%, respectively, p < 0.001; (6.3 vs. 5.4%, respectively, p < 0.001). However, lung cancer was more common in males with COPD than females with COPD (0.9 vs. 0.1%, respectively, p < 0.001). Lung cancer prevalence increased in males with moderate COPD compared to subjects without COPD (OR, 4.409; 95% CI, 1.741–9.419).
Conclusions
Females with COPD had a lower smoking rate, household income, and lung cancer prevalence than males with COPD. More active COPD screening is needed for women of low socioeconomic status, even if they do not smoke.

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