Background/Aims: Fexuprazan, a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker, was developed for treating acid-related disorders. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of fexuprazan, unlike those of proton pump inhibitors, are independent of food effect. This study aims to evaluate differences in efficacy and safety of fexuprazan in patients with erosive esophagitis (EE) according to the timing of dosing. Methods: In this multicenter, open-label noninferiority study, patients who had typical reflux symptoms with endoscopically confirmed EE were randomized 1:1 to receive fexuprazan 40 mg daily 30 minutes before or after meal. Treatment was completed after 2 weeks or 4 weeks when healing was endoscopically confirmed. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with healed EE confirmed by endoscopy up to week 4. Safety endpoints included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Results: In the prior-to-meal group (n = 89) and after-meal group (n = 86), 4-week EE healing rates were 98.77% and 100.00% (difference, 0.01%; 95% CI, –0.01% to 0.04%) and 2-week EE healing rates were 95.77% and 97.14% (difference, 0.01%; 95% CI, –0.05% to 0.07%), respectively. TEAEs were 9.78% and 8.70% in the prior-to-meal group and the after-meal group, respectively. Conclusions Non-inferiority analysis revealed that taking fexuprazan after meal was non-inferior to taking fexuprazan before meals in patients with EE. The frequency of adverse events was similar between the 2 study groups. The drug is safe and effective for healing EE regardless of the timing of dosing.

Background: This study aimed to assess the severity of postoperative delirium (PD) in elderly patients who underwent reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears (mRCTs) under general anesthesia (GA) compared to those under interscalene block (IB). Methods: Forty elderly patients aged 65 years or older diagnosed with an irreparable mRCT who underwent rTSA were included in the prospective case-controlled study. Of these, 20 patients were operated under GA and the other 20 under IB. The average age was 77.1 years (range, 65–95 years). The severity of delirious symptoms was evaluated by the Delirium Rating Scale–revised–98 (DRS) score from the patients or guardians before the surgery and at 0, 3, and 7 days and 1, 3, and 6 months after the surgery and compared between the 2 groups. Results: Immediately after surgery, the visual analog scale score difference between the groups was statistically significant, with the GA group at 6.25 (standard deviation, ± 0.85) and the IB group at 3.80 (± 0.62) (p < 0.001). On the day of operation, the mean DRS score in the GA and IB groups were 9.10 (± 5.63) and 6.60 (± 5.33), respectively (p = 0.157). On day 3 of surgery, the mean DRS score in the GA group peaked to 9.95 (± 8.73), while in the IB group, it declined to 6.40 (±5.81) (p = 0.138). After 3 days, DRS scores showed a decreasing trend in both groups. When comparing the mean change (∆) from the preoperative baseline scores to the postoperative values, the ∆DRS score was significantly higher with 4.15 (± 4.53) points in the GA group as compared to 1.30 (± 1.92) in the IB group (p = 0.014). Conclusions IB can be an attractive and efficient anesthetic choice in preventing PD for elderly patients undergoing rTSA for irreparable mRCTs. The IB group showed lower DRS scores and a peak on day 0 compared to the higher DRS scores and peak on day 3 in the GA group. Additionally, IB showed less pain than GA.

Background: This study aimed to assess the severity of postoperative delirium (PD) in elderly patients who underwent reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears (mRCTs) under general anesthesia (GA) compared to those under interscalene block (IB). Methods: Forty elderly patients aged 65 years or older diagnosed with an irreparable mRCT who underwent rTSA were included in the prospective case-controlled study. Of these, 20 patients were operated under GA and the other 20 under IB. The average age was 77.1 years (range, 65–95 years). The severity of delirious symptoms was evaluated by the Delirium Rating Scale–revised–98 (DRS) score from the patients or guardians before the surgery and at 0, 3, and 7 days and 1, 3, and 6 months after the surgery and compared between the 2 groups. Results: Immediately after surgery, the visual analog scale score difference between the groups was statistically significant, with the GA group at 6.25 (standard deviation, ± 0.85) and the IB group at 3.80 (± 0.62) (p < 0.001). On the day of operation, the mean DRS score in the GA and IB groups were 9.10 (± 5.63) and 6.60 (± 5.33), respectively (p = 0.157). On day 3 of surgery, the mean DRS score in the GA group peaked to 9.95 (± 8.73), while in the IB group, it declined to 6.40 (±5.81) (p = 0.138). After 3 days, DRS scores showed a decreasing trend in both groups. When comparing the mean change (∆) from the preoperative baseline scores to the postoperative values, the ∆DRS score was significantly higher with 4.15 (± 4.53) points in the GA group as compared to 1.30 (± 1.92) in the IB group (p = 0.014). Conclusions IB can be an attractive and efficient anesthetic choice in preventing PD for elderly patients undergoing rTSA for irreparable mRCTs. The IB group showed lower DRS scores and a peak on day 0 compared to the higher DRS scores and peak on day 3 in the GA group. Additionally, IB showed less pain than GA.

Background: This study aimed to assess the severity of postoperative delirium (PD) in elderly patients who underwent reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears (mRCTs) under general anesthesia (GA) compared to those under interscalene block (IB). Methods: Forty elderly patients aged 65 years or older diagnosed with an irreparable mRCT who underwent rTSA were included in the prospective case-controlled study. Of these, 20 patients were operated under GA and the other 20 under IB. The average age was 77.1 years (range, 65–95 years). The severity of delirious symptoms was evaluated by the Delirium Rating Scale–revised–98 (DRS) score from the patients or guardians before the surgery and at 0, 3, and 7 days and 1, 3, and 6 months after the surgery and compared between the 2 groups. Results: Immediately after surgery, the visual analog scale score difference between the groups was statistically significant, with the GA group at 6.25 (standard deviation, ± 0.85) and the IB group at 3.80 (± 0.62) (p < 0.001). On the day of operation, the mean DRS score in the GA and IB groups were 9.10 (± 5.63) and 6.60 (± 5.33), respectively (p = 0.157). On day 3 of surgery, the mean DRS score in the GA group peaked to 9.95 (± 8.73), while in the IB group, it declined to 6.40 (±5.81) (p = 0.138). After 3 days, DRS scores showed a decreasing trend in both groups. When comparing the mean change (∆) from the preoperative baseline scores to the postoperative values, the ∆DRS score was significantly higher with 4.15 (± 4.53) points in the GA group as compared to 1.30 (± 1.92) in the IB group (p = 0.014). Conclusions IB can be an attractive and efficient anesthetic choice in preventing PD for elderly patients undergoing rTSA for irreparable mRCTs. The IB group showed lower DRS scores and a peak on day 0 compared to the higher DRS scores and peak on day 3 in the GA group. Additionally, IB showed less pain than GA.

Background/Aims: Fexuprazan, a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker, was developed for treating acid-related disorders. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of fexuprazan, unlike those of proton pump inhibitors, are independent of food effect. This study aims to evaluate differences in efficacy and safety of fexuprazan in patients with erosive esophagitis (EE) according to the timing of dosing. Methods: In this multicenter, open-label noninferiority study, patients who had typical reflux symptoms with endoscopically confirmed EE were randomized 1:1 to receive fexuprazan 40 mg daily 30 minutes before or after meal. Treatment was completed after 2 weeks or 4 weeks when healing was endoscopically confirmed. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with healed EE confirmed by endoscopy up to week 4. Safety endpoints included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Results: In the prior-to-meal group (n = 89) and after-meal group (n = 86), 4-week EE healing rates were 98.77% and 100.00% (difference, 0.01%; 95% CI, –0.01% to 0.04%) and 2-week EE healing rates were 95.77% and 97.14% (difference, 0.01%; 95% CI, –0.05% to 0.07%), respectively. TEAEs were 9.78% and 8.70% in the prior-to-meal group and the after-meal group, respectively. Conclusions Non-inferiority analysis revealed that taking fexuprazan after meal was non-inferior to taking fexuprazan before meals in patients with EE. The frequency of adverse events was similar between the 2 study groups. The drug is safe and effective for healing EE regardless of the timing of dosing.

Background: This study aimed to assess the severity of postoperative delirium (PD) in elderly patients who underwent reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears (mRCTs) under general anesthesia (GA) compared to those under interscalene block (IB). Methods: Forty elderly patients aged 65 years or older diagnosed with an irreparable mRCT who underwent rTSA were included in the prospective case-controlled study. Of these, 20 patients were operated under GA and the other 20 under IB. The average age was 77.1 years (range, 65–95 years). The severity of delirious symptoms was evaluated by the Delirium Rating Scale–revised–98 (DRS) score from the patients or guardians before the surgery and at 0, 3, and 7 days and 1, 3, and 6 months after the surgery and compared between the 2 groups. Results: Immediately after surgery, the visual analog scale score difference between the groups was statistically significant, with the GA group at 6.25 (standard deviation, ± 0.85) and the IB group at 3.80 (± 0.62) (p < 0.001). On the day of operation, the mean DRS score in the GA and IB groups were 9.10 (± 5.63) and 6.60 (± 5.33), respectively (p = 0.157). On day 3 of surgery, the mean DRS score in the GA group peaked to 9.95 (± 8.73), while in the IB group, it declined to 6.40 (±5.81) (p = 0.138). After 3 days, DRS scores showed a decreasing trend in both groups. When comparing the mean change (∆) from the preoperative baseline scores to the postoperative values, the ∆DRS score was significantly higher with 4.15 (± 4.53) points in the GA group as compared to 1.30 (± 1.92) in the IB group (p = 0.014). Conclusions IB can be an attractive and efficient anesthetic choice in preventing PD for elderly patients undergoing rTSA for irreparable mRCTs. The IB group showed lower DRS scores and a peak on day 0 compared to the higher DRS scores and peak on day 3 in the GA group. Additionally, IB showed less pain than GA.

Background/Aims: Fexuprazan, a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker, was developed for treating acid-related disorders. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of fexuprazan, unlike those of proton pump inhibitors, are independent of food effect. This study aims to evaluate differences in efficacy and safety of fexuprazan in patients with erosive esophagitis (EE) according to the timing of dosing. Methods: In this multicenter, open-label noninferiority study, patients who had typical reflux symptoms with endoscopically confirmed EE were randomized 1:1 to receive fexuprazan 40 mg daily 30 minutes before or after meal. Treatment was completed after 2 weeks or 4 weeks when healing was endoscopically confirmed. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with healed EE confirmed by endoscopy up to week 4. Safety endpoints included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Results: In the prior-to-meal group (n = 89) and after-meal group (n = 86), 4-week EE healing rates were 98.77% and 100.00% (difference, 0.01%; 95% CI, –0.01% to 0.04%) and 2-week EE healing rates were 95.77% and 97.14% (difference, 0.01%; 95% CI, –0.05% to 0.07%), respectively. TEAEs were 9.78% and 8.70% in the prior-to-meal group and the after-meal group, respectively. Conclusions Non-inferiority analysis revealed that taking fexuprazan after meal was non-inferior to taking fexuprazan before meals in patients with EE. The frequency of adverse events was similar between the 2 study groups. The drug is safe and effective for healing EE regardless of the timing of dosing.

Although WHO declared the end of the public health emergency for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2), XBB lineages continue to evolve and emerge globally. In particular, XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16 are raising concerns because of their high immune evasion, leading to apprehensions regarding vaccine efficacy reduction and potential reinfection. We aimed to investigate the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea and predict the likelihood of reinfection by testing neutralizing activity against live viruses from the S clade and 19 Omicron sublineages.We found a significant risk of infection with the currently prevalent XBB lineage for individuals who were either vaccinated early or infected during the initial Omicron outbreak. Vaccinated individuals were better equipped than unvaccinated individuals to produce neutralizing antibodies for other SARS-CoV-2 variants upon infection. Therefore, unvaccinated individuals do not easily develop neutralizing activity against other variants and face the highest risk of reinfection by the XBB lineage. Our study provides important information to facilitate the development of strategies for monitoring populations that would be the most susceptible to new COVID-19 outbreaks.

Background: It is well known that a large number of patients with diabetes also have dyslipidemia, which significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination drugs consisting of metformin and atorvastatin, widely used as therapeutic agents for diabetes and dyslipidemia. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group and phase III multicenter study included adults with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels >7.0% and <10.0%, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >100 and <250 mg/dL. One hundred eighty-five eligible subjects were randomized to the combination group (metformin+atorvastatin), metformin group (metformin+atorvastatin placebo), and atorvastatin group (atorvastatin+metformin placebo). The primary efficacy endpoints were the percent changes in HbA1c and LDL-C levels from baseline at the end of the treatment. Results: After 16 weeks of treatment compared to baseline, HbA1c showed a significant difference of 0.94% compared to the atorvastatin group in the combination group (0.35% vs. −0.58%, respectively; P<0.0001), whereas the proportion of patients with increased HbA1c was also 62% and 15%, respectively, showing a significant difference (P<0.001). The combination group also showed a significant decrease in LDL-C levels compared to the metformin group (−55.20% vs. −7.69%, P<0.001) without previously unknown adverse drug events. Conclusion The addition of atorvastatin to metformin improved HbA1c and LDL-C levels to a significant extent compared to metformin or atorvastatin alone in diabetes and dyslipidemia patients. This study also suggested metformin’s preventive effect on the glucose-elevating potential of atorvastatin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, insufficiently controlled with exercise and diet. Metformin and atorvastatin combination might be an effective treatment in reducing the CVD risk in patients with both diabetes and dyslipidemia because of its lowering effect on LDL-C and glucose.

Background: The association between low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in different age groups within the diabetes mellitus (DM) population remains unclear. The cohort study was conducted to investigate this relationship. Methods: We assessed the 2009 to 2012 Korean National Health Screening and National Health Insurance Service records, with follow-up to the primary outcome (myocardial infarction [MI] or stroke) or December 2018. After excluding the participants with a history of MI or stroke, 2,227,394 participants with DM were included and categorized according to baseline LDL-C levels and age. Cox proportional hazards modeling was conducted. The CVD risk of age <40 years and LDL-C <70 mg/dL was set as the reference. In each age group, LDL-C <70 mg/dL was used as a reference for the subgroup analysis. Results: The cut-off LDL-C value for increased MI risk in each age group varied (<40 years old, LDL-C ≥160 mg/dL: hazard ratios [HR], 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.644 to 2.506) (40–49-year-old, LDL-C <115 mg/dL: HR, 1.245; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.489) (50–59-year-old, LDL-C <115 mg/dL: HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.014 to 1.445) (60-69-year-old, LDL-C <145 mg/dL: HR, 1.229; 95% CI, 1.022 to 1.479) (≥70 years old group, LDL-C <100 mg/dL: HR, 1.238; 95% CI, 1.018 to 1.504). The cut-off LDL-C values for increased stroke risk varied in each age subgroup (<40 years old, LDL-C ≥160 mg/dL: HR, 1.395; 95% CI, 1.094 to 1.779) (40–49-year-old, LDL-C <145 mg/dL: HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.019 to 1.253) (50–59-year-old, LDL-C <160 mg/dL: HR, 1.079; 95% CI, 1.008 to 1.154) (60–69-year-old, LDL-C <130 mg/dL: HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.022 to 1.119) (≥70 years old, LDL-C <115 mg/dL: HR, 1.064; 95% CI, 1.019 to 1.112). Conclusion The effect of LDL-C on the risk of CVD differs depending on the age of the population with DM.