Background: Limited data are available on the mortality rates of patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to analyze the relationship between COVID-19 and clinical outcomes for patients receiving ECMO. Methods: We retrospectively investigated patients with COVID-19 pneumonia requiring ECMO in 19 hospitals across Korea from January 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021. The primary outcome was the 90-day mortality after ECMO initiation. We performed multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of 90-day mortality. Survival differences were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier (KM) method. Results: Of 127 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who received ECMO, 70 patients (55.1%) died within 90 days of ECMO initiation. The median age was 64 years, and 63% of patients were male. The incidence of ECMO was increased with age but was decreased after 70 years of age. However, the survival rate was decreased linearly with age. In multivariate analysis, age (OR, 1.048; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.010–1.089; P = 0.014) and receipt of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) (OR, 3.069; 95% CI, 1.312–7.180; P = 0.010) were significantly associated with an increased risk of 90-day mortality. KM curves showed significant differences in survival between groups according to age (65 years) (log-rank P = 0.021) and receipt of CRRT (log-rank P = 0.004). Conclusion Older age and receipt of CRRT were associated with higher mortality rates among patients with COVID-19 who received ECMO.

Oral and maxillofacial infection is a common complication in patients undergoing chemotherapy. The treatment of oral diseases in such patients differs from that administered to healthy patients. This paper reports a case of acute osteomyelitis of odontogenic origin following a recent chemotherapy session. The patient’s condition was life-threatening because of neutropenic fever and sepsis that developed during the inpatient supportive care. However, the patient showed prompt recovery within 40 days following the use of appropriate antibiotics and routine dressing, without the requirement for surgical treatment, except tooth extraction. As seen in this case, patients undergoing chemotherapy are more susceptible to rapid progression of infections in the oral and maxillofacial areas. Therefore, accurate diagnosis through prompt clinical and radiological examination, identification of the extent of infection, and assessment of the patient’s immune system are crucial for favorable outcomes.It is also necessary to eliminate the source of infection through appropriate administration of antibiotics. In particular, a broad-spectrum antibiotic with anti-pneumococcal activity is essential. Proper antibiotic administration and wound dressing are essential for infection control. Furthermore, close consultation with a hemato-oncologist is necessary for effective infection management based on the professional evaluation of patients’ immune mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy is a very effective and essential examination to diagnose colorectal cancer; however, many patients experience discomfort due to post-examination abdominal pain, which reduces colonoscopy compliance. This study was conducted to determine methods for reducing post-colonoscopic abdominal pain. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled study of 405 male and female adults who visited Hana General Hospital in Cheongju. We surveyed general characteristics, history of colonoscopy, and other related factors, then categorized examinees into 5 groups (0-5) according to the site of scope reinsertion. Pain was measured using a numeric rating scale (NRS). RESULTS: The mean age of examinees in this study was 47.8 years, and 210 participants had prior experience of colonoscopy. No significant difference was observed between variables, with the exception of reinsertion duration (P=0.005). Pain scores were different between performing physicians (P=0.006), and were higher when the subjective level of procedure difficulty was low (P=0.026) in univariate analysis. Pain scores decreased as the reinsertion site became closer to the proximal colon (P<0.001), but there was no significant difference between groups 3 and 4. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis, including univariate analysis, showed that group 1 had 0.48 times, group 2 had 0.38 times, group 3 had 0.09 times, and group 4 had 0.03 times odds ratio (moderate-to-severe pain, NRS ≥4) than control group 0. CONCLUSION: Air decompression by scope reinsertion is an effective way to reduce abdominal pain after colonoscopy. Removing air when the reinserted scope approaches the hepatic flexure seems to be the most effective method to reduce post-colonoscopic pain.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Colon ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Compliance ; Decompression* ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Methods ; Odds Ratio

PURPOSE: Although home renovation exposure during childhood has been identified as a risk factor for the development of allergy, there is limited information on the association between prenatal exposure to home renovation and cord blood (CB) IgE response. The aims of this study were to identify the effect of prenatal exposure to home renovation on CB IgE levels, and to investigate whether this exposure interacts with neonatal genes and whether the effect can be modified by maternal atopy. METHODS: This study included 1,002 mother-neonate pairs from the COhort for Childhood Origin of Asthma and allergic diseases (COCOA). Prenatal environmental factors were collected using a questionnaire. The levels of CB IgE were measured by the ImmunoCAP system, and DNA was extracted from CB. RESULTS: Exposure to home renovation during the prenatal period was associated with significantly higher levels of CB IgE only in neonates from atopic mothers, and the effect of renovation exposure on CB IgE levels persisted from 31 months before birth. Furthermore, prenatal exposure to home renovation increased the risk of CB IgE response interacting with polymorphisms of NRF2 and GSTP1 genes only in neonates from atopic mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal atopy modified the effect of prenatal exposure to home renovation on CB serum IgE response as well as the interaction between the exposure and neonatal genes involved in the oxidative stress pathway. These findings suggest that the genetically susceptible offspring of atopic mothers may be more vulnerable to the effect of prenatal exposure to home renovation on the development of allergy.
Asthma ; Cohort Studies ; DNA ; Fetal Blood* ; Gene-Environment Interaction ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Infant, Newborn ; Mothers ; Oxidative Stress ; Parturition ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Reactive Oxygen Species* ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Dengue fever is one of the most dominant vector-borne diseases, putting approximately 3.9 billion people at risk worldwide. While it is generally vector-borne, other routes of transmission such as needlestick injury are possible. Laboratory workers can be exposed to dengue virus transcutaneously by needlestick injury. This is the first case, to our knowledge, of dengue virus infection by needlestick injury in a laboratory environment. This paper evaluates the risk and related health concerns of laboratory workers exposed to dengue virus. CASE PRESENTATION: We evaluated a 30-year-old female laboratory worker exposed to the dengue virus by needlestick injury while conducting virus filtering. During admission, she showed symptoms of fever, nausea, myalgia, and a characteristic maculopapular rash with elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of 235 IU/L and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of 269 IU/L. She had been diagnosed by a positive nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) antigen (Ag) rapid test one day prior to symptom onset along with positive immunoglobulin M (IgM) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on the ninth day of symptom onset. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), also conducted on the ninth day, was negative. After proper symptomatic treatment, she recovered without any sequelae. As a result of thorough epidemiologic investigation, it was determined that she had tried to recap the needle during the virus filtering procedure and a subsequent needlestick injury occurred. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of health promotion of laboratory workers, we suggest that the laboratory biosafety manual be revised and reinforced, and related prevention measures be implemented. Furthermore, health authorities and health care providers in Korea should be fully informed of proper dengue fever management.
Adult ; Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Dengue Virus* ; Dengue* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Exanthema ; Female ; Fever ; Health Personnel ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Korea* ; Myalgia ; Nausea ; Needles ; Needlestick Injuries* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcription

BACKGROUND: Prealbumin, a sensitive marker for protein–energy status, is also known as an independent risk factor for mortality in hemodialysis patients. We investigated the impact of prealbumin on survival in incident peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. METHODS: In total, 136 incident PD patients (mean age, 53.0 ± 15.8 years) between 2002 and 2007 were enrolled in the study. Laboratory data, dialysis adequacy, and nutritional parameters were assessed 3 months after PD initiation. Patients were classified into 2 groups according to prealbumin level: high prealbumin (≥ 40 mg/dL) and low prealbumin (< 40 mg/dL). RESULTS: The patients in the low-prealbumin group were older and had more comorbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases compared with the patients in the high-prealbumin group. Mean subjective global assessment scores were lower, and the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were higher in the low-prealbumin group. Serum creatinine, albumin, and transferrin levels; percent lean body mass; and normalized protein catabolic rate were positively associated, whereas subjective global assessment scores and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were negatively associated with prealbumin concentration. During the median follow-up of 49 months, patients in the lower prealbumin group had a higher mortality rate. Multivariate analysis revealed that prealbumin < 40 mg/dL (hazard ratio, 2.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.14–4.64) was an independent risk factor for mortality. In receiver operating characteristic curves, the area under the curve of prealbumin for mortality was the largest among the parameters. CONCLUSION: Prealbumin levels were an independent and sensitive predictor for mortality in incident PD patients, showing a good correlation with nutritional and inflammatory markers.
C-Reactive Protein ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Comorbidity ; Creatinine ; Dialysis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Mortality* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Peritoneal Dialysis* ; Prealbumin* ; Renal Dialysis ; Risk Factors ; ROC Curve ; Transferrin

PURPOSE: To assess long-term clinical outcomes and factors influencing refractive change after implantation of hydrophilic (Akreos AO) and hydrophobic (Acrysof IQ) acrylic intraocular lens. METHODS: After phacoemulsification, intraocular lens was inserted in the bag (Akreos AO for 84 eyes and Acrysof IQ for 19 eyes). Uncorrected visual acuities (UCVA), refraction in both spherical equivalent (SE) and astigmatism were compared longitudinally in more than 2 years follow-up. Factors associated with SE change > or =0.5 diopter (D) after Akreos AO implantation were analyzed with logistic regression. RESULTS: Although Akreos AO showed hyperopic change mainly within 6 months, UCVA and astigmatism change were not statistically significant during follow up (+0.15 +/- 0.43 D, p = 0.027). UCVA, SE, astigmatism were not changed after Acrysof IQ implantation and not significantly different between two groups during follow up. Preoperative anterior chamber depth was a sole factor associated with SE change > or =0.5 D after Akreos AO implantation (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Possible hyperopic shift after Akreos AO implantation should be considered in setting target diopter, especially in eye with shallow anterior chamber.
Anterior Chamber ; Astigmatism ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hyperopia ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Logistic Models ; Phacoemulsification ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with pseudophakic negative dysphotopsia after cataract surgery and to analyze the risk factors of pseudophakic negative dysphotopsia as well as the postoperative effects on patient's satisfaction. METHODS: This study included 1,020 eyes of 690 patients who underwent phacoemulsification and posterior chamber lens insertion between January 2010 and March 2012. Retrospective chart review was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of negative dysphotopsia according to the site of clear corneal incision during cataract surgery and the type of implanted intraocular lens (IOL). The clinical outcome of Neodymium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser anterior capsulotomy in negative dysphotopsia patients was evaluated. Using a telephone survey, patients were asked to subjectively answer 18 questions regarding satisfaction after cataract surgery, the severity of visual symptoms and the effect of negative dysphotopsia in their daily life. RESULTS: Negative dysphotopsia developed in patients who underwent uneventful cataract surgery and successful implantation of IOL in the bag. The patients' vision was corrected up to 20/20 (0.00 log MAR) and HVF P60-4 showed no abnormality in their visual field. There were significantly more patients with the SN60WF IOL who reported negative dysphotopsia but no other factors associated with the prevalence of negative dysphotopsia. During the telephone survey, patients complained of difficulties in their daily life related to the negative dysphotopsia symptoms and reported decreased satisfaction after cataract surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Although negative dysphotopsia can decrease the patient's satisfaction after cataract surgery, the genesis of negative dysphotopsia and an objective method to test for negative dysphotopsia is necessary. Therefore, a prospective large study should be conducted to evaluate the cause and treatment of negative dysphotopsia.
Cataract ; Humans ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Phacoemulsification ; Prevalence ; Pseudophakia ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Telephone ; Visual Fields

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with pseudophakic negative dysphotopsia after cataract surgery and to analyze the risk factors of pseudophakic negative dysphotopsia as well as the postoperative effects on patient's satisfaction. METHODS: This study included 1,020 eyes of 690 patients who underwent phacoemulsification and posterior chamber lens insertion between January 2010 and March 2012. Retrospective chart review was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of negative dysphotopsia according to the site of clear corneal incision during cataract surgery and the type of implanted intraocular lens (IOL). The clinical outcome of Neodymium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser anterior capsulotomy in negative dysphotopsia patients was evaluated. Using a telephone survey, patients were asked to subjectively answer 18 questions regarding satisfaction after cataract surgery, the severity of visual symptoms and the effect of negative dysphotopsia in their daily life. RESULTS: Negative dysphotopsia developed in patients who underwent uneventful cataract surgery and successful implantation of IOL in the bag. The patients' vision was corrected up to 20/20 (0.00 log MAR) and HVF P60-4 showed no abnormality in their visual field. There were significantly more patients with the SN60WF IOL who reported negative dysphotopsia but no other factors associated with the prevalence of negative dysphotopsia. During the telephone survey, patients complained of difficulties in their daily life related to the negative dysphotopsia symptoms and reported decreased satisfaction after cataract surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Although negative dysphotopsia can decrease the patient's satisfaction after cataract surgery, the genesis of negative dysphotopsia and an objective method to test for negative dysphotopsia is necessary. Therefore, a prospective large study should be conducted to evaluate the cause and treatment of negative dysphotopsia.
Cataract ; Humans ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Phacoemulsification ; Prevalence ; Pseudophakia ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Telephone ; Visual Fields

PURPOSE: Previous studies suggest that the concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in cord blood may show an inverse association with respiratory tract infections (RTI) during childhood. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of 25(OH)D concentrations in cord blood on infant RTI in a Korean birth cohort. METHODS: The levels of 25(OH)D in cord blood obtained from 525 Korean newborns in the prospective COhort for Childhood Origin of Asthma and allergic diseases were examined. The primary outcome variable of interest was the prevalence of RTI at 6-month follow-up, as diagnosed by pediatricians and pediatric allergy and pulmonology specialists. RTI included acute nasopharyngitis, rhinosinusitis, otitis media, croup, tracheobronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. RESULTS: The median concentration of 25(OH)D in cord blood was 32.0 nmol/L (interquartile range, 21.4 to 53.2). One hundred and eighty neonates (34.3%) showed 25(OH)D concentrations less than 25.0 nmol/L, 292 (55.6%) showed 25(OH)D concentrations of 25.0-74.9 nmol/L, and 53 (10.1%) showed concentrations of > or =75.0 nmol/L. Adjusting for the season of birth, multivitamin intake during pregnancy, and exposure to passive smoking during pregnancy, 25(OH)D concentrations showed an inverse association with the risk of acquiring acute nasopharyngitis by 6 months of age (P for trend=0.0004). CONCLUSION: The results show that 89.9% of healthy newborns in Korea are born with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency (55.6% and 34.3%, respectively). Cord blood vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency in healthy neonates is associated with an increased risk of acute nasopharyngitis by 6 months of age. More time spent outdoors and more intensified vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women may be needed to prevent the onset of acute nasopharyngitis in infants.
Asthma ; Bronchiolitis ; Cohort Studies* ; Croup ; Fetal Blood* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Nasopharyngitis ; Otitis Media ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Respiratory System Abnormalities* ; Respiratory Tract Infections* ; Seasons ; Specialization ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; Vitamin D