Background: and Purpose We aimed to determine the proportion of Korean patients with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) who are eligible to receive lecanemab based on the United States Appropriate Use Recommendations (US AUR), and also identify the barriers to this treatment. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 6,132 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment or mild amnestic dementia at 13 hospitals from June 2023 to May 2024. Among them, 2,058 patients underwent amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) and 1,199 (58.3%) of these patients were amyloid-positive on PET. We excluded 732 patients who did not undergo brain magnetic resonance imaging between June 2023 and May 2024. Finally, 467 patients were included in the present study. Results: When applying the criteria of the US AUR, approximately 50% of patients with early AD were eligible to receive lecanemab treatment. Among the 467 included patients, 36.8% did not meet the inclusion criterion of a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of ≥22. Conclusions Eligibility for lecanemab treatment was not restricted to Korean patients with early AD except for those with an MMSE score of ≥22. The MMSE criteria should therefore be reconsidered in areas with a higher proportion of older people, who tend to have lower levels of education.

Background: The nipple is a potential source of pathogens because its lactiferous ducts act as direct conduits from the nipple–areolar complex to the breast parenchyma. Our previous studies identified breast microbiota as a factor in postoperative complications following immediate breast reconstruction using silicone implants and acellular dermal matrix. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between preoperative nipple swab microbiota and the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) after autologous breast reconstruction. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent autologous breast reconstruction following total mastectomy. Preoperative nipple swab cultures were obtained. Patient demographics, surgical characteristics, and complication rates were compared between culture-positive and culture-negative groups. Microbiological data, including antibiotic‑resistance profiles, were collected. Results: Among 39 reconstructed breasts, 18 (46.9%) had positive preoperative nipple cultures. The mean duration of drain placement was significantly longer in the culture‑positive group (14.39±3.96 days) than in the culture‑negative group (12.14±2.76 days, P=0.045). Methicillin‑susceptible Staphylococcus epidermidis accounted for 55.0% of isolates. Of the four SSIs observed, three occurred in patients with positive preoperative cultures. Conclusions Although pathogen strains differed between preoperative and postoperative settings, obtaining preoperative nipple microflora cultures and determining antibiotic‑resistance profiles can guide immediate antibiotic selection for SSIs and enhance postoperative management.

Background: and Purpose We aimed to determine the proportion of Korean patients with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) who are eligible to receive lecanemab based on the United States Appropriate Use Recommendations (US AUR), and also identify the barriers to this treatment. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 6,132 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment or mild amnestic dementia at 13 hospitals from June 2023 to May 2024. Among them, 2,058 patients underwent amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) and 1,199 (58.3%) of these patients were amyloid-positive on PET. We excluded 732 patients who did not undergo brain magnetic resonance imaging between June 2023 and May 2024. Finally, 467 patients were included in the present study. Results: When applying the criteria of the US AUR, approximately 50% of patients with early AD were eligible to receive lecanemab treatment. Among the 467 included patients, 36.8% did not meet the inclusion criterion of a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of ≥22. Conclusions Eligibility for lecanemab treatment was not restricted to Korean patients with early AD except for those with an MMSE score of ≥22. The MMSE criteria should therefore be reconsidered in areas with a higher proportion of older people, who tend to have lower levels of education.

Background: The nipple is a potential source of pathogens because its lactiferous ducts act as direct conduits from the nipple–areolar complex to the breast parenchyma. Our previous studies identified breast microbiota as a factor in postoperative complications following immediate breast reconstruction using silicone implants and acellular dermal matrix. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between preoperative nipple swab microbiota and the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) after autologous breast reconstruction. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent autologous breast reconstruction following total mastectomy. Preoperative nipple swab cultures were obtained. Patient demographics, surgical characteristics, and complication rates were compared between culture-positive and culture-negative groups. Microbiological data, including antibiotic‑resistance profiles, were collected. Results: Among 39 reconstructed breasts, 18 (46.9%) had positive preoperative nipple cultures. The mean duration of drain placement was significantly longer in the culture‑positive group (14.39±3.96 days) than in the culture‑negative group (12.14±2.76 days, P=0.045). Methicillin‑susceptible Staphylococcus epidermidis accounted for 55.0% of isolates. Of the four SSIs observed, three occurred in patients with positive preoperative cultures. Conclusions Although pathogen strains differed between preoperative and postoperative settings, obtaining preoperative nipple microflora cultures and determining antibiotic‑resistance profiles can guide immediate antibiotic selection for SSIs and enhance postoperative management.

Background: and Purpose We aimed to determine the proportion of Korean patients with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) who are eligible to receive lecanemab based on the United States Appropriate Use Recommendations (US AUR), and also identify the barriers to this treatment. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 6,132 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment or mild amnestic dementia at 13 hospitals from June 2023 to May 2024. Among them, 2,058 patients underwent amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) and 1,199 (58.3%) of these patients were amyloid-positive on PET. We excluded 732 patients who did not undergo brain magnetic resonance imaging between June 2023 and May 2024. Finally, 467 patients were included in the present study. Results: When applying the criteria of the US AUR, approximately 50% of patients with early AD were eligible to receive lecanemab treatment. Among the 467 included patients, 36.8% did not meet the inclusion criterion of a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of ≥22. Conclusions Eligibility for lecanemab treatment was not restricted to Korean patients with early AD except for those with an MMSE score of ≥22. The MMSE criteria should therefore be reconsidered in areas with a higher proportion of older people, who tend to have lower levels of education.

Background: The nipple is a potential source of pathogens because its lactiferous ducts act as direct conduits from the nipple–areolar complex to the breast parenchyma. Our previous studies identified breast microbiota as a factor in postoperative complications following immediate breast reconstruction using silicone implants and acellular dermal matrix. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between preoperative nipple swab microbiota and the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) after autologous breast reconstruction. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent autologous breast reconstruction following total mastectomy. Preoperative nipple swab cultures were obtained. Patient demographics, surgical characteristics, and complication rates were compared between culture-positive and culture-negative groups. Microbiological data, including antibiotic‑resistance profiles, were collected. Results: Among 39 reconstructed breasts, 18 (46.9%) had positive preoperative nipple cultures. The mean duration of drain placement was significantly longer in the culture‑positive group (14.39±3.96 days) than in the culture‑negative group (12.14±2.76 days, P=0.045). Methicillin‑susceptible Staphylococcus epidermidis accounted for 55.0% of isolates. Of the four SSIs observed, three occurred in patients with positive preoperative cultures. Conclusions Although pathogen strains differed between preoperative and postoperative settings, obtaining preoperative nipple microflora cultures and determining antibiotic‑resistance profiles can guide immediate antibiotic selection for SSIs and enhance postoperative management.

Objective: This study was conducted to examine the trends in patient visits to the emergency departments (EDs) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and analyze the changes in the pattern of ED utilization over time. Methods: We analyzed the National Emergency Department Information System data on ED visits for 3 years, from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. Results: A total of 25,260,790 patients visited the ED during the study period. There was a notable 23.3% decrease in visits in 2020 during the pandemic compared to the preceding year. The number of patients visiting the ED appeared to decrease in response to the increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases. In 2020, a total of 13,801 patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the ED, accounting for 22.7% of the confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country. In 2018, 2019, and 2020, ED visitors presenting with respiratory symptoms as their chief complaint numbered 1,438,137 (15.5%), 1,605,551 (17.7%), and 1,019,314 (14.7%), respectively. The length of stay of these patients increased at the regional and local emergency centers. However, a reverse trend was observed at local emergency medical agencies. Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, patient visits to the ED decreased, irrespective of patient’s health status. The concentration of emergency and isolation-requiring patients at regional emergency medical centers and local emergency medical centers led to an increase in the length of stay. Further analysis and research are needed to assess the role of the local emergency medical agencies in the response to infectious diseases in the future.

Objective: This study was conducted to examine the trends in patient visits to the emergency departments (EDs) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and analyze the changes in the pattern of ED utilization over time. Methods: We analyzed the National Emergency Department Information System data on ED visits for 3 years, from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. Results: A total of 25,260,790 patients visited the ED during the study period. There was a notable 23.3% decrease in visits in 2020 during the pandemic compared to the preceding year. The number of patients visiting the ED appeared to decrease in response to the increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases. In 2020, a total of 13,801 patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the ED, accounting for 22.7% of the confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country. In 2018, 2019, and 2020, ED visitors presenting with respiratory symptoms as their chief complaint numbered 1,438,137 (15.5%), 1,605,551 (17.7%), and 1,019,314 (14.7%), respectively. The length of stay of these patients increased at the regional and local emergency centers. However, a reverse trend was observed at local emergency medical agencies. Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, patient visits to the ED decreased, irrespective of patient’s health status. The concentration of emergency and isolation-requiring patients at regional emergency medical centers and local emergency medical centers led to an increase in the length of stay. Further analysis and research are needed to assess the role of the local emergency medical agencies in the response to infectious diseases in the future.

Objective: This study was conducted to examine the trends in patient visits to the emergency departments (EDs) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and analyze the changes in the pattern of ED utilization over time. Methods: We analyzed the National Emergency Department Information System data on ED visits for 3 years, from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020. Results: A total of 25,260,790 patients visited the ED during the study period. There was a notable 23.3% decrease in visits in 2020 during the pandemic compared to the preceding year. The number of patients visiting the ED appeared to decrease in response to the increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases. In 2020, a total of 13,801 patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the ED, accounting for 22.7% of the confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country. In 2018, 2019, and 2020, ED visitors presenting with respiratory symptoms as their chief complaint numbered 1,438,137 (15.5%), 1,605,551 (17.7%), and 1,019,314 (14.7%), respectively. The length of stay of these patients increased at the regional and local emergency centers. However, a reverse trend was observed at local emergency medical agencies. Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, patient visits to the ED decreased, irrespective of patient’s health status. The concentration of emergency and isolation-requiring patients at regional emergency medical centers and local emergency medical centers led to an increase in the length of stay. Further analysis and research are needed to assess the role of the local emergency medical agencies in the response to infectious diseases in the future.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Korea and the third leading cause of death from cancer. Treatment outcomes for colon cancer are steadily improving due to national health screening programs with advances in diagnostic methods, surgical techniques, and therapeutic agents.. The Korea Colon Cancer Multidisciplinary (KCCM) Committee intends to provide professionals who treat colon cancer with the most up-to-date, evidence-based practice guidelines to improve outcomes and help them make decisions that reflect their patients’ values and preferences. These guidelines have been established by consensus reached by the KCCM Guideline Committee based on a systematic literature review and evidence synthesis and by considering the national health insurance system in real clinical practice settings. Each recommendation is presented with a recommendation strength and level of evidence based on the consensus of the committee.