Background: The accuracy-based creatinine (ABCr) proficiency testing (PT) program by the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service evaluates bias and acceptability in participating laboratories using target values assigned by the primary reference measurement procedure (RMP). This study evaluated the impact of type A standard measurement uncertainty (MU) in the primary RMP on bias and acceptability assessments. Methods: ABCr PT data from 2020 to 2021 were analyzed. Using the target mean, standard deviation, and number of replicates provided by the Reference Material Institute for Clinical Chemistry Standards laboratory (Japan), the type A MU for each sample was calculated using a bottom-up approach. Bias and acceptability of creatinine assays were compared with and without the inclusion of type A MU when assigning target values. Results: The type A MU of the primary RMP for the creatinine assays ranged from 0.01 to 0.02 mg/dL depending on the sample. Without type A MU, the mean bias of creatinine assay ranged from −2.9% to 6.5%. Incorporating type A MU into target values, adjusted the mean bias to −3.2% to 5.3% (with addition) and −2.6% to 7.8% (with subtraction). Acceptability rates ranged from 69.2% to 95.0% without type A MU and shifted to 70.1% to 95.1% (with addition) and 68.5% to 95.4% (with subtraction). Conclusions The inclusion of type A MU in the primary RMP affects bias and acceptability assessment, highlighting its significance in the interpretation of ABCr PT results.

This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.

Background: Syphilis, an infectious and chronic disease primarily transmitted through sexual contact, is caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum. Although the introduction of penicillin has significantly reduced its incidence, syphilis continues to have a substantial impact on public health. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate trends in syphilis and to analyze its epidemiologic, clinical, and serologic characteristics. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 330 patients who tested positive for the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test, including 192 patients who received a diagnosis of syphilis and who visited the Dermatology Department of Gachon University Gil Medical Center between 2000 and 2023. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate trends in syphilis incidence and related variable factors, such as sex, age, and serological results. Results: The average age of the 192 syphilis patients was 34.18±15.81 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.2. The most prevalent age group was 20∼29 years, comprising 71 patients (37.0%). Over time, the incidence of syphilis demonstrated a decreasing trend (p＜0.001). A total of 105 patients (54.7%) were diagnosed with symptomatic syphilis, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.5:1. The proportion of symptomatic syphilis patients tended to decrease with increasing age (p＜0.05). Maculopapular syphilis was the most frequently observed presentation in secondary syphilis (36.2%). The proportion of symptomatic syphilis patients significantly increased with higher VDRL titers (p＜0.001). Conclusion The incidence of syphilis has shown a consistent decline over the past two decades. However, the relatively higher prevalence among younger age groups indicates the need for continued public health efforts.

Regorafenib is an oral multikinase inhibitor used to treat advanced solid tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and colorectal cancer. Adverse dermatological reactions are common after regorafenib treatment. The most frequent cutaneous adverse reaction is hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR). Compared to HFSR, reports on adverse reactions on the scrotum associated with regorafenib are limited. Only a few cases of adverse reactions on the scrotum associated with HFSR have been reported. We present the case of a 55-year-old male patient with a 1-year history of scrotal dermatitis and HFSR, who had been undergoing treatment for HCC.One year after administration of oral regorafenib (160 mg/d), multiple vesicles, pustules, desquamation, and hyperkeratosis developed on both hands and feet, accompanied by scaly erythematous plaques around the scrotum.The lesions improved after two weeks of treatment with topical and systemic steroids. Herein, we report a rare case of scrotal dermatitis associated with regorafenib-induced HFSR.

Vaccine-induced hypermetabolic lymph nodes have been clinically observed following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccination. Specifically, the booster dose of the mRNA vaccines, produced by Pfizer and Moderna, has been linked to a relatively high incidence of lymphadenopathy. We present the case of a kidney transplant recipient who developed an enlarged abdominal mass after receiving a booster dose of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. This mass occupied the retroperitoneal space, infiltrated the psoas muscle, and resulted in ureteric compression and hydronephrosis. Percutaneous drainage and analysis of the perirenal fluid revealed the presence of lymphatic fluid. In summary, lymphadenopathy is a recognized adverse reaction to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Patients with compromised immune systems should be informed about the incidence and potential severity of lymphadenopathy following booster vaccination.

Purpose: The long-term outcomes and efficacy of partial stapled hemorrhoidopexy (PSH) compared with those of conventional hemorrhoidectomy (CH) are not fully understood. This study aimed to introduce a modified PSH (mPSH) and compare its clinical efficacy and safety with those of CH. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. This study was performed at a single hospital and involved 6 colorectal surgeons. In total, 110 patients were enrolled between July 2019 and September 2020. Patients were randomly assigned to undergo either mPSH group (n=55) or CH group (n=55). The primary outcome was to compare postoperative average pain and postoperative peak pain using visual analog scale score between the 2 groups. Results: The required duration of analgesia was shorter in the mPSH group than in the CH group, although the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.096). However, the laxative requirement duration (P<0.010), return to work (P<0.010), satisfaction score (P<0.010), and Vaizey score (P=0.014) were significantly better in the mPSH group. The average and peak postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the mPSH group during the 15 days after surgery (P<0.001). The overall complication rate in both groups was 9.1%, with no significant difference between the groups (P=0.867). Conclusion The mPSH group demonstrated better improvement in symptoms, lower pain scores, and greater patient early satisfaction after surgery than the CH group. Therefore, this surgical technique appears to be a safe and effective alternative for CH.

Background: The accuracy-based creatinine (ABCr) proficiency testing (PT) program by the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service evaluates bias and acceptability in participating laboratories using target values assigned by the primary reference measurement procedure (RMP). This study evaluated the impact of type A standard measurement uncertainty (MU) in the primary RMP on bias and acceptability assessments. Methods: ABCr PT data from 2020 to 2021 were analyzed. Using the target mean, standard deviation, and number of replicates provided by the Reference Material Institute for Clinical Chemistry Standards laboratory (Japan), the type A MU for each sample was calculated using a bottom-up approach. Bias and acceptability of creatinine assays were compared with and without the inclusion of type A MU when assigning target values. Results: The type A MU of the primary RMP for the creatinine assays ranged from 0.01 to 0.02 mg/dL depending on the sample. Without type A MU, the mean bias of creatinine assay ranged from −2.9% to 6.5%. Incorporating type A MU into target values, adjusted the mean bias to −3.2% to 5.3% (with addition) and −2.6% to 7.8% (with subtraction). Acceptability rates ranged from 69.2% to 95.0% without type A MU and shifted to 70.1% to 95.1% (with addition) and 68.5% to 95.4% (with subtraction). Conclusions The inclusion of type A MU in the primary RMP affects bias and acceptability assessment, highlighting its significance in the interpretation of ABCr PT results.

This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.

Background: The accuracy-based creatinine (ABCr) proficiency testing (PT) program by the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service evaluates bias and acceptability in participating laboratories using target values assigned by the primary reference measurement procedure (RMP). This study evaluated the impact of type A standard measurement uncertainty (MU) in the primary RMP on bias and acceptability assessments. Methods: ABCr PT data from 2020 to 2021 were analyzed. Using the target mean, standard deviation, and number of replicates provided by the Reference Material Institute for Clinical Chemistry Standards laboratory (Japan), the type A MU for each sample was calculated using a bottom-up approach. Bias and acceptability of creatinine assays were compared with and without the inclusion of type A MU when assigning target values. Results: The type A MU of the primary RMP for the creatinine assays ranged from 0.01 to 0.02 mg/dL depending on the sample. Without type A MU, the mean bias of creatinine assay ranged from −2.9% to 6.5%. Incorporating type A MU into target values, adjusted the mean bias to −3.2% to 5.3% (with addition) and −2.6% to 7.8% (with subtraction). Acceptability rates ranged from 69.2% to 95.0% without type A MU and shifted to 70.1% to 95.1% (with addition) and 68.5% to 95.4% (with subtraction). Conclusions The inclusion of type A MU in the primary RMP affects bias and acceptability assessment, highlighting its significance in the interpretation of ABCr PT results.

This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.