Background: The World Health Organization has declared the end of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency. However, this did not indicate the end of COVID-19. Several months after the infection, numerous patients complain of respiratory or nonspecific symptoms; this condition is called long COVID. Even patients with mild COVID-19 can experience long COVID, thus the burden of long COVID remains considerable. Therefore, we conducted this study to comprehensively analyze the effects of long COVID using multi-faceted assessments. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study involving patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between February 2020 and September 2021 in six tertiary hospitals in Korea. Patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after discharge. Long COVID was defined as the persistence of three or more COVID-19-related symptoms. The primary outcome of this study was the prevalence of long COVID after the period of COVID-19. Results: During the study period, 290 patients were enrolled. Among them, 54.5 and 34.6% experienced long COVID within 6 months and after more than 18 months, respectively. Several patients showed abnormal results when tested for post-traumatic stress disorder (17.4%) and anxiety (31.9%) after 18 months. In patients who underwent follow-up chest computed tomography 18 months after COVID-19, abnormal findings remained at 51.9%. Males (odds ratio [OR], 0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.05–0.53; P=0.004) and elderly (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00–1.09; P=0.04) showed a significant association with long COVID after 12–18 months in a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Conclusion Many patients still showed long COVID after 18 months post SARS-CoV-2 infection. When managing these patients, the assessment of multiple aspects is necessary.

Background/Aims: The Korean guidelines for Helicobacter pylori treatment were revised in 2020, however, the extent of adherence to these guidelines in clinical practice remains unclear. Herein, we initiated a prospective, nationwide, multicenter registry study in 2021 to evaluate the current management of H.pylori infection in Korea. Methods: This interim report describes the adherence to the revised guidelines and their impact on firstline eradication rates. Data on patient demographics, diagnoses, treatments, and eradication outcomes were collected using a web-based electronic case report form. Results: A total of 7,261 patients from 66 hospitals who received first-line treatment were analyzed.The modified intention-to-treat eradication rate for first-line treatment was 81.0%, with 80.4% of the prescriptions adhering to the revised guidelines. The most commonly prescribed regimen was the 14-day clarithromycin-based triple therapy (CTT; 42.0%), followed by tailored therapy (TT; 21.2%), 7-day CTT (14.1%), and 10-day concomitant therapy (CT; 10.1%). Time-trend analysis demonstrated significant increases in guideline adherence and the use of 10-day CT and TT, along with a decrease in the use of 7-day CTT (all p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that guideline adherence was significantly associated with first-line eradication success (odds ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.61 to 2.56; p<0.001). Conclusions The revised guidelines for the treatment of H. pylori infection have been increasingly adopted in routine clinical practice in Korea, which may have contributed to improved first-line eradication rates. Notably, the 14-day CTT, 10-day CT, and TT regimens are emerging as the preferred first-line treatment options among Korean physicians.

Symmetric drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema (SDRIFE) is a rare drug-induced skin reaction characterized by distinctive rashes. It presents as sharply demarcated erythema in “V” shape on the flexural areas such as the buttocks and the groin. Additionally, it can affect other flexural regions such as the axillae, popliteal fossae, and antecubital fossae. SDRIFE typically occurs within a few days following systemic drug exposure, without prior cutaneous sensitization. It is generally associated with a favorable prognosis with no systemic involvement. Consequently, treatment usually involves discontinuation of the offending drug and symptomatic management with antihistamines, with systemic corticosteroids rarely necessary. Herein, we report a case of severe SDRIFE that developed six weeks after denosumab administration and required long-term systemic corticosteroids.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Purpose: This study aimed to report a series of cases of cytomegalovirus retinitis reactivation in immunocompromised patients, focusing on the characteristic clinical and laboratory findings associated with reactivation.Case summary: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with cytomegalovirus retinitis at our clinic between January 2012 and November 2023. We analyzed ophthalmologic clinical findings and diagnostic test results, including quantitative cytomegalovirus polymerase chain reaction (CMV PCR). Reactivation was defined as the resolution or stabilization of the overall lesions on fundus examination, followed by the identification of new retinitis or vitreitis findings. The analysis excluded patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis resistant to ganciclovir or foscarnet. Among 24 patients (34 eyes) treated for cytomegalovirus retinitis, four showed reactivation, and the remaining 20 patients showed improvement with initial treatment. Recurrence occurred at an average of 24.8 days (18–35) after discontinuation of ganciclovir maintenance treatment, and in all cases, new lesions were discovered at the border of existing lesions. The CMV PCR test value tended to increase an average of 8 days (4–14) before recurrence was observed on fundus examination, and declined absolute neutrophil count preceded the increase in CMV PCR by an average of 12.8 days (6–26). Conclusions Monitoring quantitative CMV PCR tests in immunocompromised patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis could be helpful in predicting reactivation.

Background/Aims: The Korean guidelines for Helicobacter pylori treatment were revised in 2020, however, the extent of adherence to these guidelines in clinical practice remains unclear. Herein, we initiated a prospective, nationwide, multicenter registry study in 2021 to evaluate the current management of H.pylori infection in Korea. Methods: This interim report describes the adherence to the revised guidelines and their impact on firstline eradication rates. Data on patient demographics, diagnoses, treatments, and eradication outcomes were collected using a web-based electronic case report form. Results: A total of 7,261 patients from 66 hospitals who received first-line treatment were analyzed.The modified intention-to-treat eradication rate for first-line treatment was 81.0%, with 80.4% of the prescriptions adhering to the revised guidelines. The most commonly prescribed regimen was the 14-day clarithromycin-based triple therapy (CTT; 42.0%), followed by tailored therapy (TT; 21.2%), 7-day CTT (14.1%), and 10-day concomitant therapy (CT; 10.1%). Time-trend analysis demonstrated significant increases in guideline adherence and the use of 10-day CT and TT, along with a decrease in the use of 7-day CTT (all p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that guideline adherence was significantly associated with first-line eradication success (odds ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.61 to 2.56; p<0.001). Conclusions The revised guidelines for the treatment of H. pylori infection have been increasingly adopted in routine clinical practice in Korea, which may have contributed to improved first-line eradication rates. Notably, the 14-day CTT, 10-day CT, and TT regimens are emerging as the preferred first-line treatment options among Korean physicians.

Symmetric drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema (SDRIFE) is a rare drug-induced skin reaction characterized by distinctive rashes. It presents as sharply demarcated erythema in “V” shape on the flexural areas such as the buttocks and the groin. Additionally, it can affect other flexural regions such as the axillae, popliteal fossae, and antecubital fossae. SDRIFE typically occurs within a few days following systemic drug exposure, without prior cutaneous sensitization. It is generally associated with a favorable prognosis with no systemic involvement. Consequently, treatment usually involves discontinuation of the offending drug and symptomatic management with antihistamines, with systemic corticosteroids rarely necessary. Herein, we report a case of severe SDRIFE that developed six weeks after denosumab administration and required long-term systemic corticosteroids.

Symmetric drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema (SDRIFE) is a rare drug-induced skin reaction characterized by distinctive rashes. It presents as sharply demarcated erythema in “V” shape on the flexural areas such as the buttocks and the groin. Additionally, it can affect other flexural regions such as the axillae, popliteal fossae, and antecubital fossae. SDRIFE typically occurs within a few days following systemic drug exposure, without prior cutaneous sensitization. It is generally associated with a favorable prognosis with no systemic involvement. Consequently, treatment usually involves discontinuation of the offending drug and symptomatic management with antihistamines, with systemic corticosteroids rarely necessary. Herein, we report a case of severe SDRIFE that developed six weeks after denosumab administration and required long-term systemic corticosteroids.