Rare endocrine diseases are complex conditions that require lifelong specialized care due to their chronic nature and associated long-term complications. In Korea, a lack of nationwide data on clinical practice and outcomes has limited progress in patient care. Therefore, the Multicenter Networks for Ideal Outcomes of Pediatric Rare Endocrine and Metabolic Disease (OUTSPREAD) study was initiated. This study involves 30 centers across Korea. The study aims to improve the long-term prognosis of Korean patients with rare endocrine diseases by collecting comprehensive clinical data, biospecimens, and patient-reported outcomes to identify complications and unmet needs in patient care. Patients with childhood-onset pituitary, adrenal, or gonadal disorders, such as craniopharyngioma, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and Turner syndrome were prioritized. The planned enrollment is 1,300 patients during the first study phase (2022–2024). Clinical, biochemical, and imaging data from diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up during 1980–2023 were retrospectively reviewed. For patients who agreed to participate in the prospective cohort, clinical data and biospecimens will be prospectively collected to discover ideal biomarkers that predict the effectiveness of disease control measures and prognosis. Patient-reported outcomes, including quality of life and depression scales, will be evaluated to assess psychosocial outcomes. Additionally, a substudy on CAH patients will develop a steroid hormone profiling method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to improve diagnosis and monitoring of treatment outcomes. This study will address unmet clinical needs by discovering ideal biomarkers, introducing evidence-based treatment guidelines, and ultimately improving long-term outcomes in the areas of rare endocrine and metabolic diseases.

Rare endocrine diseases are complex conditions that require lifelong specialized care due to their chronic nature and associated long-term complications. In Korea, a lack of nationwide data on clinical practice and outcomes has limited progress in patient care. Therefore, the Multicenter Networks for Ideal Outcomes of Pediatric Rare Endocrine and Metabolic Disease (OUTSPREAD) study was initiated. This study involves 30 centers across Korea. The study aims to improve the long-term prognosis of Korean patients with rare endocrine diseases by collecting comprehensive clinical data, biospecimens, and patient-reported outcomes to identify complications and unmet needs in patient care. Patients with childhood-onset pituitary, adrenal, or gonadal disorders, such as craniopharyngioma, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and Turner syndrome were prioritized. The planned enrollment is 1,300 patients during the first study phase (2022–2024). Clinical, biochemical, and imaging data from diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up during 1980–2023 were retrospectively reviewed. For patients who agreed to participate in the prospective cohort, clinical data and biospecimens will be prospectively collected to discover ideal biomarkers that predict the effectiveness of disease control measures and prognosis. Patient-reported outcomes, including quality of life and depression scales, will be evaluated to assess psychosocial outcomes. Additionally, a substudy on CAH patients will develop a steroid hormone profiling method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to improve diagnosis and monitoring of treatment outcomes. This study will address unmet clinical needs by discovering ideal biomarkers, introducing evidence-based treatment guidelines, and ultimately improving long-term outcomes in the areas of rare endocrine and metabolic diseases.

Rare endocrine diseases are complex conditions that require lifelong specialized care due to their chronic nature and associated long-term complications. In Korea, a lack of nationwide data on clinical practice and outcomes has limited progress in patient care. Therefore, the Multicenter Networks for Ideal Outcomes of Pediatric Rare Endocrine and Metabolic Disease (OUTSPREAD) study was initiated. This study involves 30 centers across Korea. The study aims to improve the long-term prognosis of Korean patients with rare endocrine diseases by collecting comprehensive clinical data, biospecimens, and patient-reported outcomes to identify complications and unmet needs in patient care. Patients with childhood-onset pituitary, adrenal, or gonadal disorders, such as craniopharyngioma, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and Turner syndrome were prioritized. The planned enrollment is 1,300 patients during the first study phase (2022–2024). Clinical, biochemical, and imaging data from diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up during 1980–2023 were retrospectively reviewed. For patients who agreed to participate in the prospective cohort, clinical data and biospecimens will be prospectively collected to discover ideal biomarkers that predict the effectiveness of disease control measures and prognosis. Patient-reported outcomes, including quality of life and depression scales, will be evaluated to assess psychosocial outcomes. Additionally, a substudy on CAH patients will develop a steroid hormone profiling method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to improve diagnosis and monitoring of treatment outcomes. This study will address unmet clinical needs by discovering ideal biomarkers, introducing evidence-based treatment guidelines, and ultimately improving long-term outcomes in the areas of rare endocrine and metabolic diseases.

Background: Atherogenic dyslipidemia, which is frequently associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and insulin resistance, contributes to the development of vascular complications. Statin therapy is the primary approach to dyslipidemia management in T2D, however, the role of non-statin therapy remains unclear. Ezetimibe reduces cholesterol burden by inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption. Fibrates lower triglyceride levels and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels via peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor alpha agonism. Therefore, when combined, these drugs effectively lower non-HDL-C levels. Despite this, few clinical trials have specifically targeted non-HDL-C, and the efficacy of triple combination therapies, including statins, ezetimibe, and fibrates, has yet to be determined. Methods: This is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, active-comparator controlled trial involving 3,958 eligible participants with T2D, cardiovascular risk factors, and elevated non-HDL-C (≥100 mg/dL). Participants, already on moderate-intensity statins, will be randomly assigned to either Ezefeno (ezetimibe/fenofibrate) addition or statin dose-escalation. The primary end point is the development of a composite of major adverse cardiovascular and diabetic microvascular events over 48 months. Conclusion This trial aims to assess whether combining statins, ezetimibe, and fenofibrate is as effective as, or possibly superior to, statin monotherapy intensification in lowering cardiovascular and microvascular disease risk for patients with T2D. This could propose a novel therapeutic approach for managing dyslipidemia in T2D.

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that open bronchi within target pulmonary lesions are associated with percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB)-related hemoptysis. We sought to analyze and compare patient characteristics and target features as well as biopsy-related factors between patients with and without PTNB-related hemoptysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 1484 patients (870 males and 614 females; median age, 66 years) who had undergone 1569 cone-beam CT (CBCT)-guided PTNBs. Patient characteristics (sex, age, and pathologic diagnosis), nodule features (nodule type, size, location, and presence of an open bronchus in target nodules), and biopsy-related factors (biopsy needle size, pleura-to-target distance, blood test results, open bronchus unavoidability [OBU] index, etc.) were investigated. OBU index, which was assessed using the pre-procedural CBCT, was a subjective scoring system for the probability of needle penetration into the open bronchus. Univariate analysis and subsequent multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted to reveal the independent risk factors for PTNB-related hemoptysis. For a subgroup of nodules with open bronchi, a trend analysis between the occurrence of hemoptysis and the OBU index was performed. RESULTS: The independent risk factors for hemoptysis were sex (female; odds ratio [OR], 1.918; p < 0.001), nodule size (OR, 0.837; p < 0.001), open bronchus (OR, 2.101; p < 0.001), and pleura-to-target distance (OR, 1.135; p = 0.003). For the target nodules with open bronchi, a significant trend between hemoptysis and OBU index (p < 0.001) was observed. CONCLUSION: An open bronchus in a biopsy target is an independent predictor of hemoptysis, and careful imaging review may potentially reduce PTNB-related hemoptysis.
Biopsy* ; Biopsy, Needle ; Bronchi* ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Female ; Hematologic Tests ; Hemoptysis* ; Humans ; Image-Guided Biopsy ; Logistic Models ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Needles ; Odds Ratio ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors*

PURPOSE: This retrospective study was aimed to determine if appendiceal perforation identified pathologically but not surgically is clinically meaningful. METHODS: The study consists of 2 parts. First, we reviewed 74 studies addressing appendiceal perforation published in 2012 and 2013. Second, in a cross-sectional study, we classified 1,438 adolescents and adults (mean age, 29.3 ± 8.4 years; 785 men) with confirmed appendicitis as “nonperforation” (n = 1,083, group 1), “pathologically-identified perforation” (n = 55, group 2), “surgically-identified perforation” (n = 202, group 3), or “pathologically- and surgically-identified perforation” (n = 98, group 4). The 4 groups were compared for the frequency of laparoscopic appendectomy and the length of hospital stay using multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The reference standard for appendiceal perforation was frequently missing or inconsistent in the previous studies. Laparoscopic appendectomies were less frequent in groups 3 (52.5%, P = 0.001) and 4 (65%, P = 0.040) than in group 1 (70.7%), while group 2 (73%, P = 0.125) did not significantly differ from group 1. Median hospital stays were 2.9, 3.0, 5.1, and 6.0 days for groups 1–4, respectively. Prolonged hospital stay (≥3.7 days) was more frequent in groups 3 (77.7%, P < 0.001) and 4 (89%, P < 0.001) than in group 1 (23.4%), while group 2 (35%, P = 0.070) did not significantly differ from group 1. CONCLUSION: We recommend using surgical rather than pathologic findings as the reference standard for the presence of appendiceal perforation in future investigations.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Logistic Models ; Pathology* ; Retrospective Studies

Type 1 endoleak of common iliac artery (type Ib endoleak) should be treated during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). An 86-year-old female was diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurysm measuring 6.6 cm in diameter and right internal iliac artery aneurysm measuring 4.0 cm in diameter. She underwent EVAR after right internal iliac artery embolization. There was type Ib endoleak, which was repaired by balloon-expandable stent, Palmaz XL stent (Cordis). We report successful treatment of type Ib endoleak with Palmaz XL stent, which may be considered as an alternative option for type Ib endoleak after EVAR.
Aged, 80 and over ; Aneurysm ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; Endoleak ; Endovascular Procedures ; Female ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; Stents

PURPOSE: Acute thrombosis of arteriovenous graft (AVG) has been treated by surgical thrombectomy; however, endovascular treatment became an alternative treatment option recently. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of endovascular treatment for acute thrombosis of AVG (EndoAVG) by primary endovascular treatment strategy. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent EndoAVG from January 2003 to December 2010 in Inha University Hospital. The patients' clinical characteristics and EndoAVG procedures were reviewed by electronic charts and X-ray films. Clinical success was defined as the residual stenosis below 30% or success of hemodialysis. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were enrolled. The mean age was 64+/-15.4 years in the success group and 58+/-17.2 years in the failed group. The mean duration from AVG formation to endovascular thrombectomy was 19.2+/-29.5 months. The success rate of EndoAVG was 84.2% (32/38). There were three complications after EndoAVG: two brachial artery thromboses and one rupture of a vein at the ballooning site. Six months, twelve months and twenty-four months secondary patency rate were 77.5%, 65.5%, and 42.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The success rate of EndoAVG was 84.2%. Its result is compatible with open thrombectomy and can be a good alternative option for the treatment of acute thrombosis of AVG. Larger number of cases is required for stronger study.
Arteriovenous Fistula ; Brachial Artery ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Humans ; Renal Dialysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Thrombectomy ; Thrombosis ; Transplants ; Veins ; X-Ray Film

Powered by compressed air, a nail gun is an essential alternative tool to a hammer on any construction site. This useful machine launches nails at high speed, automatically embedding them in a piece of wood in only a fraction of a second. In spite of its convenience, life-threatening and fatal nail gun injuries can occur when a nail gun is misused, such as in a suicide attempt, or when the operator has insufficient training because combustion nail guns are capable of firing projectiles at velocities higher than 150 m per second. Although injuries by nail guns are rarely reported, there have been reports of nail gun injuries to the head and the trachea in Korea. In the emergency room, the authors experienced a patient injured by an accidental shooting of a nail gun while working in construction. In that accident, a nail penetrated the patient's cervical vertebra through the left cheek. This report is aimed at studying medical treatment for patients with penetrating injuries caused by nail guns.
Cheek ; Compressed Air ; Emergencies ; Firearms ; Fires ; Head ; Humans ; Korea ; Nails ; Neck ; Neck Injuries ; Spine ; Suicide ; Trachea ; Wood

BACKGROUND: Although many anti-diabetic drugs have been used to control hyperglycemia for decades, the efficacy of commonly-used oral glucose-lowering agents in Korean type 2 diabetic patients has yet to be clearly demonstrated. METHODS: We evaluated the efficacy of glimepiride, metformin, and rosiglitazone as initial treatment for drug-naive type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in a 48-week, double-blind, randomized controlled study that included 349 Korean patients. Our primary goal was to determine the change in HbA1c levels from baseline to end point. Our secondary goal was to evaluate changes in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels, body weight, frequency of adverse events, and the proportion of participants achieving target HbA1c levels. RESULTS: HbA1c levels decreased from 7.8% to 6.9% in the glimepiride group (P<0.001), from 7.9% to 7.0% in the metformin group (P<0.001), and from 7.8% to 7.0% (P<0.001) in the rosiglitazone group. Glimepiride and rosiglitazone significantly increased body weight and metformin reduced body weight during the study period. Symptomatic hypoglycemia was more frequent in the glimepiride group and diarrhea was more frequent in the metformin group. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of glimepiride, metformin, and rosiglitazone as antidiabetic monotherapies in drug-naive Korean type 2 diabetic patients was similar in the three groups, with no statistical difference. This study is the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of commonly-used oral hypoglycemic agents in Korean type 2 diabetic patients. An additional subgroup analysis is recommended to obtain more detailed information.
Body Weight ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diarrhea ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Hypoglycemia ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; Metformin ; Plasma ; Sulfonylurea Compounds ; Thiazolidinediones