Purpose: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are frequently employed to counteract the detrimental effects of proteinuria on glomerular diseases. However, the effects of ARBs remain poorly examined in pediatric patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy. Herein, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of losartan, an ARB, in pediatric IgA nephropathy with proteinuria. Methods: This prospective, single-arm, multicenter study included children with IgA nephropathy exhibiting proteinuria. Changes in proteinuria, blood pressure, and kidney function were prospectively evaluated before and 4 and 24 weeks after losartan administration. The primary endpoint was the difference in proteinuria between baseline and 24 weeks. Results: In total, 29 patients were enrolled and received losartan treatment. The full analysis set included 28 patients who received losartan at least once and had pre- and post-urinary protein to creatinine ratio measurements (n=28). The per-protocol analysis group included 22 patients who completed all scheduled visits without any serious violations during the study period. In both groups, the mean log (urine protein to creatinine ratio) value decreased significantly at 6 months. After 24 weeks, the urinary protein to creatinine ratio decreased by more than 50% in approximately 40% of the patients. The glomerular filtration rate was not significantly altered during the observation period. Conclusions Losartan decreased proteinuria without decreasing kidney function in patients with IgA nephropathy over 24 weeks. Losartan could be safely employed to reduce proteinuria in this patient population. ClinicalTrials.gov trial registration (NCT0223277)

Background: The clinical features of pediatric rhabdomyolysis differ from those of the adults with rhabdomyolysis; however, multicenter studies are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of pediatric rhabdomyolysis and reveal the risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) in such cases. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of children and adolescents diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis at 23 hospitals in South Korea between January 2007 and December 2016. Results: Among 880 patients, those aged 3 to 5 years old composed the largest subgroup (19.4%), and all age subgroups were predominantly male. The incidence of AKI was 11.3%. Neurological disorders (53%) and infection (44%) were the most common underlying disorder and cause of rhabdomyolysis, respectively. The median age at diagnosis in the AKI subgroup was older than that in the non-AKI subgroup (12.2 years vs. 8.0 years). There were no significant differences in body mass index, myalgia, dark-colored urine, or the number of causal factors between the two AKI-status subgroups. The multivariate logistic regression model indicated that the following factors were independently associated with AKI: multiorgan failure, presence of an underlying disorder, strong positive urine occult blood, increased aspartate aminotransferase and uric acid levels, and reduced calcium levels. Conclusions Our study revealed characteristic clinical and laboratory features of rhabdomyolysis in a Korean pediatric population and highlighted the risk factors for AKI in these cases. Our findings will contribute to a greater understanding of pediatric rhabdomyolysis and may enable early intervention against rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI.

Background: Only limited data are available regarding postural stability between anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-injured patients with medial meniscus (MM) tear and those with lateral meniscus (LM) tear. The purpose of this study was to compare preoperative postural stability for both involved and uninvolved knees in ACL rupture combined with MM and LM tears. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant difference in postural stability between these two groups. Methods: Ninety-three ACL-injured patients (53 combined with MM tears vs. 40 combined with LM tears) were included. Static and dynamic postural stability were evaluated with the overall stability index (OSI), anterior– posterior stability index (APSI), and medial–lateral stability index (MLSI) using stabilometry. Knee muscle strength was evaluated using an isokinetic testing device. Results: In the static postural stability test, none of the stability indices showed significant differences between the two groups for both knees (p > 0.05). In the dynamic postural stability test for involved side knees, the OSI and APSI were significantly higher in the LM tear group compared to the MM tear group (OSI: 2.0 ± 0.8 vs. 1.6 ± 0.5, p = 0.001; APSI:1.5 ± 0.6 vs. 1.3 ± 0.5, p = 0.023), but not the MLSI ( p > 0.05). In the static and dynamic postural stability tests in each group, there were no significant differences between the involved and uninvolved side knees ( p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the knee muscle strength between the two groups ( p > 0.05). All postural stability showed no significant correlation with knee muscle strength ( p > 0.05). Conclusion Dynamic postural stability was poorer in patients with ACL rupture combined with LM tear than in those with MM tear. Therefore, close monitoring for postural stability would be necessary during preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation, especially for patients with ACL rupture combined with LM tear.Level of evidence: Level III:

PURPOSE: Although few hepatectomy patients develop unexpected early diffuse and multinodular recurrence in the remnant liver, the prognosis in such cases is often dismal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors of early disseminated multinodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence within 3 months after liver resection for solitary HCC. METHODS: Eighty-four patients who were diagnosed with recurrent HCC within 3 months after hepatectomy for solitary HCC were retrospectively reviewed. Disseminated HCC recurrence was defined as more than 10 tumors in both lobes and total tumor size >10 cm. RESULTS: Preoperative α-FP level, incidence of poor tumor grade, and presence of portal vein tumor thrombosis were higher in the patients with disseminated HCC recurrence than in those without disseminated HCC recurrence (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that α-FP >1,000 ng/dL was a predisposing factor of disseminated HCC recurrence within 3 months after liver resection. The overall survival rate for patients without disseminated HCC recurrence was higher than that for patients with disseminated HCC recurrence (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Early disseminated multinodular HCC recurrence in hepatectomy patients was associated with preoperative α-FP >1,000 ng/dL. Such patients should be frequently evaluated for the early detection of recurrent HCC for early intervention.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Causality ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Portal Vein ; Prognosis ; Recurrence* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate ; Thrombosis

PURPOSE: The proportion of liver recipients with HCV is gradually increasing in Korea. Limited data are available regarding the efficacy of direct antiviral agents (DAAs) in liver transplant recipients in Asia. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of DAAs in HCV-infected liver recipients in Korea. METHODS: Forty HCV-infected patients from 2 centers received DAAs in the pretransplant or posttransplant period between May 2015 and November 2016. RESULTS: DAA was administered in the pretransplant period in 6 patients and the posttransplant period in 34 patients. Dalastavir and asunaprevir (n = 2) and sofosbuvir/ledipasvir and ribvarin (n = 4) were used in the pretransplant period. HCV RNA was not detected before liver transplantation in all patients. Sustained virological response (SVR) at 12 and 24 weeks after liver transplantation was 100%. In the posttransplant period, 33 of 34 patients received sofosfovir-based therapy. SVR at 12 weeks in those patients was 94%. Recurrent virologic relapse developed in 2 patients because of HCC recurrence or treatment failure. Adverse events included anemia (n = 2) and abdominal discomfort (n = 1). CONCLUSION: DAAs are an effective and well-tolerated treatment for HCV-infected recipients in Korea.
Anemia ; Antiviral Agents* ; Asia ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver* ; Recurrence ; RNA ; Transplant Recipients* ; Treatment Failure ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: There is no consensus regarding the difference in outcomes of HCV in patients who receive living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) or compared to deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). The aims of this study were to compare characteristics between LDLT and DDLT groups and to identify risk factors affecting patient survival. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the multicenter records of 192 HCV RNA-positive patients who underwent liver transplantation. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients underwent DDLT, and 146 underwent LDLT. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival rates were 66.7%, 63.0%, and 63.0% in the DDLT group and 86.1%, 82.3%, and 79.5% in the LDLT group (P = 0.024), respectively. After propensity matching, the patient survival curve of the LDLT group was higher than that of the DDLT group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in patient survival between the 2 groups (P = 0.061). Recipient age ≥ 60 years, LDLT, and use of tacrolimus were positively associated with patient survival in multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: LDLT appears to be suitable for HCV-infected patients if appropriate living donor is available.
Case-Control Studies* ; Consensus ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver* ; Living Donors* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Propensity Score* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate ; Tacrolimus ; Tissue Donors

PURPOSE: There is no consensus regarding the difference in outcomes of HCV in patients who receive living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) or compared to deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). The aims of this study were to compare characteristics between LDLT and DDLT groups and to identify risk factors affecting patient survival. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the multicenter records of 192 HCV RNA-positive patients who underwent liver transplantation. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients underwent DDLT, and 146 underwent LDLT. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival rates were 66.7%, 63.0%, and 63.0% in the DDLT group and 86.1%, 82.3%, and 79.5% in the LDLT group (P = 0.024), respectively. After propensity matching, the patient survival curve of the LDLT group was higher than that of the DDLT group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in patient survival between the 2 groups (P = 0.061). Recipient age ≥ 60 years, LDLT, and use of tacrolimus were positively associated with patient survival in multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: LDLT appears to be suitable for HCV-infected patients if appropriate living donor is available.
Case-Control Studies* ; Consensus ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver* ; Living Donors* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Propensity Score* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate ; Tacrolimus ; Tissue Donors

PURPOSE: HCV-related liver disease is the most common indication for liver transplantation (LT) in Western countries, whereas HCV LT is rare in Korea. We conducted a survey of HCV RNA-positive patients who underwent LT and investigated the prognostic factors for patient survival and the effects of immunosuppression. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the multicenter records of 192 HCV RNA-positive patients who underwent LT. RESULTS: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 78.8%, 75.3%, and 73.1%, respectively. Excluding the cases of hospital mortality (n = 23), 169 patients were evaluated for patient survival. Most patients were genotype 1 (n = 111, 65.7%) or genotype 2 (n = 42, 24.9%). The proportion of living donors for LT (n = 135, 79.9%) was higher than that of deceased donors (deceased donor liver transplantation [DDLT], n = 34, 20.1%). The median donor and recipient ages were 32 years and 56 years, respectively. Twenty-eight patients (16.6%) died during the observation period. Seventy-five patients underwent universal prophylaxis and 15 received preemptive therapy. HCV recurrence was detected in 97 patients. Recipients who were older than 60, received DDLT, used cyclosporine, or suffered acute rejection had lower rates of survival. CONCLUSION: Patent survival rates of HCV patients after LT in Korea were comparable with other countries.
Cyclosporine ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Korea* ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Transplantation* ; Liver* ; Living Donors ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tacrolimus ; Tissue Donors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether an elevated homocysteine (Hcy) level is associated with a worse prognosis in Korean patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 5839 patients (60.4% male, mean age 61.3±11.2 years) with CAD were enrolled from 2000 to 2010 at Gangnam Severance Hospital. CAD was diagnosed by invasive coronary angiography. Laboratory values including Hcy level were obtained on the day of coronary angiography and analyses were performed shortly after sampling. Patients were divided into two groups according to their Hcy levels. Baseline risk factors, coronary angiographic findings, length of follow-up, and composite endpoints including cardiac death (CD) and non-fatal myocardial infarction (NFMI) were recorded. 1:1 propensity score matched analysis was also performed. RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up period of 4.4±2.5 years, there were 132 composite endpoints (75 CD and 57 NFMI) with an event rate of 2.3%. Mean Hcy level was 9.9±4.3 µmol/L (normal Hcy 7.9±1.5 µmol/L and elevated Hcy 13.9±5.1 µmol/L). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed an association of elevated Hcy level with worse prognosis (p<0.0001). In addition, a multivariate Cox regression analysis showed an association of elevated Hcy level with worse prognosis for both the entire cohort (hazard ratio [HR] 2.077, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.467-2.941, p<0.0001) and the propensity score matched cohort (HR 1.982, 95% CI 1.305-3.009, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Elevated Hcy level is associated with worse outcomes in Korean patients with CAD.
Cohort Studies ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Death ; Follow-Up Studies ; Homocysteine* ; Humans ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; Prognosis ; Propensity Score* ; Risk Factors

The indication for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is expanding in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Early detection and effective management of recurrence has become an important issue in LDLT for HCC. This study aimed to find an optimal screening protocol in terms of screening interval and screening tools by analyzing recurrence pattern after LDLT for HCC. A total of 205 LDLT patients in two centers from February 1999 to October 2010 was reviewed. Recurrence appeared in 55 cases. Six risk factors for recurrence were identified: preoperative alpha-fetoprotein >400, Edmonson grade 3 or 4, tumor size >7 cm, tumor number > or =7, minimal tumor necrosis in the transarterial chemoembolization group and positive micro-vascular invasion. Four groups with different ranges of index scores showed different recurrence-free survival and median time to recurrence. Group I showed low and late recurrence. Groups II and III showed linearly increased rate of recurrence until 18 months. Group IV showed very early recurrence within 6 months. Across the groups, extra-hepatic recurrence developed in more than 40% of cases and multi-organ recurrence rate was 20%. The screening interval should be different based on the risk of recurrence. Screening should include work-up for extra-hepatic recurrence as well as intra-hepatic recurrence.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology/*surgery ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic/adverse effects ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology/*surgery ; *Liver Transplantation ; Living Donors ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/*pathology ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome