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.

“Clinical Practice Guideline for Stroke Rehabilitation in Korea 2016” is the 3rd edition of clinical practice guideline (CPG) for stroke rehabilitation in Korea, which updates the 2nd edition published in 2014. Forty-two specialists in stroke rehabilitation from 21 universities and 4 rehabilitation hospitals and 4 consultants participated in this update. The purpose of this CPG is to provide optimum practical guidelines for stroke rehabilitation teams to make a decision when they manage stroke patients and ultimately, to help stroke patients obtain maximal functional recovery and return to the society. The recent two CPGs from Canada (2015) and USA (2016) and articles that were published following the 2nd edition were used to develop this 3rd edition of CPG for stroke rehabilitation in Korea. The chosen articles' level of evidence and grade of recommendation were decided by the criteria of Scotland (2010) and the formal consensus was derived by the nominal group technique. The levels of evidence range from 1++ to 4 and the grades of recommendation range from A to D. Good Practice Point was recommended as best practice based on the clinical experience of the guideline developmental group. The draft of the developed CPG was reviewed by the experts group in the public hearings and then revised. “Clinical Practice Guideline for Stroke Rehabilitation in Korea 2016” consists of ‘Chapter 1; Introduction of Stroke Rehabilitation’, ‘Chapter 2; Rehabilitation for Stroke Syndrome, ‘Chapter 3; Rehabilitation for Returning to the Society’, and ‘Chapter 4; Advanced Technique for Stroke Rehabilitation’. “Clinical Practice Guideline for Stroke Rehabilitation in Korea 2016” will provide direction and standardization for acute, subacute and chronic stroke rehabilitation in Korea.
Canada ; Consensus ; Consultants ; Humans ; Korea* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Rehabilitation* ; Scotland ; Specialization ; Stroke*

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the disease severity of children suffering from gastroenteritis using different scales. The results are compared and subsequently classified on the basis of the type of virus causing the disease in order to investigate the differences in clinical characteristics and disease severity according to pathogen. METHOD: This study was conducted prospectively with patients under 5 years of age diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis and hospitalized at 9 medical institutions in 8 regions across the Republic of Korea. Disease severity was evaluated using the Vesikari Scale, the Clark Scale, and the modified Flores Scale. Fecal samples collected from patients were used to detect rotavirus and enteric adenovirus by enzyme immunoassay, and for RT-PCR of norovirus, astrovirus, and sapovirus. RESULTS: There were a total of 214 patients with a male : female ratio of 1.58 : 1, of which 35 were under the age of 6 months (16.4%), 105 were aged 6-23 months (49.1%), and 74 were aged 24-59 months (34.5%). The rate of concordance between the Vesikari and Clark Scales was 0.521 (P<0.001) and, in severe cases, the Vesikari Scale was 60.7% and Clark Scale was 2.3%, indicating that the Clark Scale was stricter in the evaluation of severe cases. CONCLUSIONS: In children with gastroenteritis, there were differences in disease severity based on the scale used. Therefore, to achieve consistent results among researchers, either only a single scale or a measure of all scales should be used to determine disease severity.
Adenoviridae ; Child* ; Female ; Gastroenteritis* ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Male ; Norovirus ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea ; Rotavirus ; Sapovirus ; Weights and Measures*

This research focuses on four cases of patients having undergone eximer laser photorefractive surgery who were diagnosed with adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis during the postoperative period and who later developed epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC)-like keratitis. Two of the patients had undergone laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK), one had undergone laser in situ keratomileusis and one had photorefractive keratectomy. After the surgery adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis and recurrent late-developing EKC-like keratitis were observed in the patients. Recurrent late-developing EKC-like keratitis occurred in one of the patients, who had received LASEK as many as three times. The others had only one or two episodes.The corneal infiltrates of keratitis mainly occurred in the central cornea. Successful resolution of recurrent late-developing EKC-like keratitis was achieved through the use of topical steroids without sequelae and the final best-corrected visual acuity was as good as the base line. These keratitis infiltrates have been presumed to represent an immune response to the suspected adenoviral antigens deposited in corneal stroma during the primary adenoviral infection. Previous reports argued that patients with a history of adenoviral ketatoconjunctivitis were succeptible to adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis becoming reactivated; however, in our research, our patients had their first adenoviral infections after the eximer laser photorefractive surgery and reactivation was confirmed. We recommend that attention be paid to adenoviral infection after laser refractive operations, because these patients seem to have more frequent recurrences.
Adenovirus Infections, Human/diagnosis/drug therapy/*etiology ; Adult ; Conjunctivitis, Viral/diagnosis/drug therapy/*etiology ; *Corneal Surgery, Laser ; Eye Infections, Viral/diagnosis/drug therapy/*etiology ; Female ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted ; Keratitis/diagnosis/drug therapy/*etiology ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; Lasers, Excimer/therapeutic use ; Photorefractive Keratectomy ; *Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: The increasing rate of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is a threat to the public health and TB control. In Korea, about 75~80% of TB patients are treated in private hospitals and the rate has been continuously increasing since 2000. METHODS: On a retrospective basis, we enrolled 170 newly diagnosed with or retreated for multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) in 2004 from 21 private hospitals. We extracted the following demographics and treatment history from patient medical records: initial treatment outcomes, cumulative survival rates, treatment outcomes, and prognostic factors. RESULTS: Of the 170 patients, the majority were male (64.1%), the mean age was 44.5 years old, and mean body-mass-index was 20.2 kg/m2. None of the patients tested positive for HIV. Eleven (6.5%) were confirmed to have extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) at treatment initiation. Treatment success rates were not different between XDR-TB (36.4%, 4/11) and non-XDR MDR-TB (51.6%, 82/159). Default rate was high, 21.8% (37/170). Far advanced disease on X-ray was a significant negative predictor of treatment success; advanced disease and low BMI were risk factors for all-cause mortality. CONCLUSION: In private hospitals in Korea, the proportion of XDR-TB in MDR-TB was comparable to previous data. The treatment success rate of MDR-/XDR-TB remains poor and the failure rate was quite high. Adequate TB control policies should be strengthened to prevent the further development and spread of MDR-/XDR-TB in Korea.
Demography ; Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis ; HIV ; Hospitals, Private ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Public Health ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of scleral buckling (SB) and primary pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for treatment of simple rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD). METHODS: One hundred and fifteen Eyes undergoing SB or PPV for the treatment of simple rhegmatogenous RD were prospectively identified and followed up at least six months. Anatomic results, functional outcomes and complications were compared between eyes treated with SB and eyes treated with PPV. RESULTS: We detected no significant differences in overall success rates or final vision quality between the two treatment groups. However, the final vision quality of pseudophakic patients treated with PPV was significantly better than the final vision quality of pseudophakic patients treated with SB. Two treatment goups experienced similar rates of intraocular pressure elevation and proliferative vitreoretinopathy development. In phakic patients, the rates of cataract progression were higher in patients treated with PPV than in patients treated with SB. CONCLUSIONS: PPV can be an effective method for the treatment of simple rhegmatogenous RD, and maybe considered as a viable alternative to SB for simple cases. However, in phakic patients treated with PPV, simultaneous or follow-up cataract surgery should be considered as adjuvant treatments.
Cataract ; Eye ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Prospective Studies ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinaldehyde ; Scleral Buckling ; Vision, Ocular ; Vitrectomy ; Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify psychosocial factors associated with biological markers in Korean patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. METHODS: 50 patients with HIV infection were enrolled. We administered Stress Response Inventory (SRI), the Coping Scale, and the Korean version of Smithklein Beecham quality of life scale (QOL) to the 50 patients and measured CD4+ cell count and HIVRNA copies. RESULTS: Simple correlation analysis showed significant correlation between psychosocial factors and CD4+ cell count. Tension, aggression, depression, frustration subscale in SRI and distancing, self controlling in coping scale had negative correlation with CD4+ cell count, whereas QOL showed positive correlation. Multiple regression analysis showed significant negative association between distancing and CD4+ cell count. There were no differences in CD4+ cell count and HIVRNA between homosexual patients and heterosexual patients. However, aggression, confrontation in SRI, and distancing in coping scale scored significantly higher in heterosexual patients than homosexual patients. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that CD4+ cell count may be associated with psychosocial factors in Korean patients with HIV infection, and passive coping strategy like distancing may be one of important factors in the progression of HIV infection. These findings also suggest that psychosocial intervention programs are needed for Korean patients with HIV infection.
Aggression ; Biomarkers* ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Depression ; Frustration ; Heterosexuality ; HIV Infections ; HIV* ; Homosexuality ; Humans ; Humans* ; Psychology* ; Quality of Life

The major causes of small bowel obstruction are postoperative adhesion, hernia, intussusception and malignancies. However, in cases of uncommon causes of small bowel obstruction, surgeons are in a dilemma because the preoperative diagnosis and making a decision to operate are frequently difficult and delayed. Phytobezoars are unusual cause of small bowel obstruction. They are mostly due to ingestion of stringent immature fruits following gastric surgery. They are usually formed in stomach and do not migrate to the other intestinal tract, but can lead to the serious complication of acute small bowel obstruction. We are reporting a case of acute small bowel obstruction due to phytobezoar about 2x2x3 cm3 size in a 90 year old female.
Aged* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bezoars ; Diagnosis ; Eating ; Female ; Fruit ; Hernia ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction* ; Intussusception ; Stomach

Toxoplasma lymphadenitis is the most common clinical manifestation of toxoplasmosis in an immunocompetent host. The cervical lymph nodes are the most commonly involved, whereas systemic manifestations are rare. The most common clinical presentations are asymptomatic or subclinical, with fever, maculopapular rash, and general malaise. In immunocompromised patients, the presentations may be devastating with disseminated disease resulting in encephalitis, myocarditis, and pneumonia. We are reporting a case of toxoplasma lymphadenitis in an immunocompetent host diagnosed by histologic and serologic evaluation.
Encephalitis ; Exanthema ; Fever ; Immunocompromised Host ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphadenitis* ; Myocarditis ; Pneumonia ; Toxoplasma ; Toxoplasmosis*

BACKGROUND: This study compared the bronchodilator efficacy and safety of tiotropium inhalation capsules (18microgram once daily) with a ipratropium metered dose inhaler (2 puffs of 20microgram q.i.d.) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHOD: After the initial screening assessment and a two-week run-in period, patients received either tiotropium 18microgram once daily or ipratropium 40microgram four times daily over a period of 4 weeks in a double blind, double dummy, parallel group study. The outcome measures were the lung function, the daily records of the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), the patients' questionnaire, and the use of concomitant salbutamol. The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and the forced vital capacity (FVC) were measured 5 minutes before inhalation, and 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 hours after inhaling the study drug on days 0, 14 and 28. RESULT: In 16 centers, 134 patients with a mean (SD) age of 66 (7) years and a predicted FEV1 of 42 (12)% were analyzed. The trough FEV1 response was significantly higher in the tiotropium group than in the ipratropium group after a four-week treatment period. The weekly mean morning PEFR of the tiotropium group was consistently higher than that of the ipratropium group during the 4-week treatment period with differences ranging from 12.52 to 13.88 l/min, which were statistically significant. Tiotropium was well tolerated by the COPD patients during the 4-week treatment period and had a similar safety profile to ipratropium. CONCLUSION: This study shows that tiotropium administrated once daily has a superior bronchodilator effect with a similar safety profile in treating COPD patients compared with ipratropium, inhaled four times daily.
Adult* ; Albuterol ; Bronchodilator Agents ; Capsules ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Ipratropium* ; Lung ; Mass Screening ; Metered Dose Inhalers ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vital Capacity ; Tiotropium Bromide