Background: Worldwide, sepsis is the leading cause of death in hospitals. If mortality rates in patients with sepsis can be predicted early, medical resources can be allocated efficiently. We constructed machine learning (ML) models to predict the mortality of patients with sepsis in a hospital emergency department. Methods: This study prospectively collected nationwide data from an ongoing multicenter cohort of patients with sepsis identified in the emergency department. Patients were enrolled from 19 hospitals between September 2019 and December 2020. For acquired data from 3,657 survivors and 1,455 deaths, six ML models (logistic regression, support vector machine, random forest, extreme gradient boosting [XGBoost], light gradient boosting machine, and categorical boosting [CatBoost]) were constructed using fivefold cross-validation to predict mortality. Through these models, 44 clinical variables measured on the day of admission were compared with six sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) components (PaO 2 /FIO 2 [PF], platelets (PLT), bilirubin, cardiovascular, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and creatinine).The confidence interval (CI) was obtained by performing 10,000 repeated measurements via random sampling of the test dataset. All results were explained and interpreted using Shapley’s additive explanations (SHAP). Results: Of the 5,112 participants, CatBoost exhibited the highest area under the curve (AUC) of 0.800 (95% CI, 0.756–0.840) using clinical variables. Using the SOFA components for the same patient, XGBoost exhibited the highest AUC of 0.678 (95% CI, 0.626–0.730). As interpreted by SHAP, albumin, lactate, blood urea nitrogen, and international normalization ratio were determined to significantly affect the results. Additionally, PF and PLTs in the SOFA component significantly influenced the prediction results. Conclusion Newly established ML-based models achieved good prediction of mortality in patients with sepsis. Using several clinical variables acquired at the baseline can provide more accurate results for early predictions than using SOFA components. Additionally, the impact of each variable was identified.

Purpose: Although osimertinib is the standard-of-care treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation–positive non–small cell lung cancer, real-world evidence on the efficacy of osimertinib is not enough to reflect the complexity of the entire course of treatment. Herein, we report on the use of osimertinib in patients with EGFR T790M mutation–positive non–small cell lung cancer who had previously received EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment in Korea. Materials and Methods: Patients with confirmed EGFR T790M after disease progression of prior EGFR-TKI were enrolled and administered osimertinib 80 mg daily. The primary effectiveness outcome was progression-free survival, with time-to-treatment discontinuation, treatment and adverse effects leading to treatment discontinuation, and overall survival being the secondary endpoints. Results: A total of 558 individuals were enrolled, and 55.2% had investigator-assessed responses. The median progression-free survival was 14.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.0 to 16.4), and the median time-to-treatment discontinuation was 15.0 months (95% CI, 14.1 to 15.9). The median overall survival was 36.7 months (95% CI, 30.9 to not reached). The benefit with osimertinib was consistent regardless of the age, sex, smoking history, and primary EGFR mutation subtype. However, hepatic metastases at the time of diagnosis, the presence of plasma EGFR T790M, and the shorter duration of prior EGFR-TKI treatment were poor predictors of osimertinib treatment. Ten patients (1.8%), including three with pneumonitis, had to discontinue osimertinib due to severe adverse effects. Conclusion Osimertinib demonstrated its clinical effectiveness and survival benefit for EGFR T790M mutation–positive in Korean patients with no new safety signals.

Objective: Dysphagia is a common clinical condition characterized by difficulty in swallowing. It is sub-classified into oropharyngeal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the mouth and pharynx, and esophageal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the esophageal body and esophagogastric junction. Dysphagia can have a significant negative impact one’s physical health and quality of life as its severity increases. Therefore, proper assessment and management of dysphagia are critical for improving swallowing function and preventing complications. Thus a guideline was developed to provide evidence-based recommendations for assessment and management in patients with dysphagia. Methods: Nineteen key questions on dysphagia were developed. These questions dealt with various aspects of problems related to dysphagia, including assessment, management, and complications. A literature search for relevant articles was conducted using Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and one domestic database of KoreaMed, until April 2021. The level of evidence and recommendation grade were established according to the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Results: Early screening and assessment of videofluoroscopic swallowing were recommended for assessing the presence of dysphagia. Therapeutic methods, such as tongue and pharyngeal muscle strengthening exercises and neuromuscular electrical stimulation with swallowing therapy, were effective in improving swallowing function and quality of life in patients with dysphagia. Nutritional intervention and an oral care program were also recommended. Conclusion This guideline presents recommendations for the assessment and management of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia, including rehabilitative strategies.

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been used frequently, and its use continues to increase in lung cancer patients, despite insufficient scientific of its efficacy. To investigate this situation, we analyzed the current awareness and use of CAM in Korean lung-cancer patients. Methods: This prospective survey–based study was performed at seven medical centers in South Korea between August and October 2019. The survey assessed general patient characteristics and the awareness and use of CAM. We analyzed differences in the clinical parameters of patients aware and not aware of CAM and of CAM non-users and users. Results: Of the 434 patients included in this study, 68.8% responded that they were aware of CAM and 30.9% said they had experienced it. In univariate analysis, the patients aware of CAM were younger with poor performance status, had advanced-stage lung cancer, received more systemic therapy, and received concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). By multiple logistic regression, younger age, poor performance status, advanced stage, and prior CCRT were identified as independent risk factors for CAM awareness. There were no significant differences in the general characteristics and cancer-associated clinical parameters of CAM non-users and users. Conclusion Specific clinical parameters were associated with patients’ awareness of CAM, although there were no significantly different characteristics between CAM users and non-users.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of treating choroidal melanoma and cancer that has metastasized to the choroid with gamma knife radiosurgery (GKR). Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review that included 10 eyes of eight patients with a diagnosis of choroidal tumors who underwent GKR between January 2016 and February 2019 and who had at least one month follow-up visit. Results: The mean patient age was 57.9 ± 14.6 years (range, 32-83 years). The choroidal tumor group included six choroidal metastases and four choroidal melanomas. The mean follow-up period after GKR was 7.0 ± 4.3 months (range, 2-13 months). The mean cumulative marginal dose was 25.36 ± 7.35 Gy (range, 16-45 Gy). Pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging revealed a reduction in tumor volume in eight of the 10 eyes and five of them presented with improved visual symptoms. One patient showed increased tumor volume; however, a new choroidal lesion was not observed. Another patient showed no reduction in tumor size; however, the pain had worsened, and the eye was enucleated. The mean maximum tumor diameter decreased from 1.60 ± 0.37 cm before to 1.22 ± 0.47 cm after GKR (p = 0.004), and the mean minimum diameter decreased from 0.62 ± 0.27 cm before to 0.38 ± 0.35 cm after GKR (p = 0.031). No radiation-induced optic neuropathy, retinopathy, or cataracts was observed in any of the cases during the follow-up period. Conclusions GKR was shown to be safe for choroidal lesions identified in orbital magnetic resonance imaging with a reduction in the size of choroidal tumors and eyeball preservation expected with this treatment approach.

Purpose: To describe the surgical technique and clinical outcome of autologous retinal free flap transplantation for recurrent giant macular hole retinal detachment (MH RD) in a high myopia patient.Case summary: A 71-year-old female had undergone pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), internal limiting membrane peeling, and endolaser photocoagulation at the margin of the hole with silicone oil tamponade for repair of myopic MH RD. Silicone oil was removed at postoperative 4 months and the retina was properly attached. Unfortunately, the retina redetached with a large MH, which developed 8 years after surgery. The patient underwent 3-port PPV under general anesthesia. A retinal flap was harvested from the mid-periphery of the superior detached retina. The retina was cut along the marked edge of the retinal flap except for a small attachment part (hinge). After fluid-air exchange, the hinge of the retinal free flap was gently dissected and then placed on the macular area with a drop of viscoelastics. Endolaser treatment was performed around the retinal flap harvest site and silicone oil was injected at the end of surgery. The 1 week postoperative optical coherence tomography showed MH closure, which was stable at postoperative 9 months. Conclusions Autologous retinal free flap transplantation is an effective method as a surgical option for recurrent giant MH RD in high myopia patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of treating choroidal melanoma and cancer that has metastasized to the choroid with gamma knife radiosurgery (GKR). Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review that included 10 eyes of eight patients with a diagnosis of choroidal tumors who underwent GKR between January 2016 and February 2019 and who had at least one month follow-up visit. Results: The mean patient age was 57.9 ± 14.6 years (range, 32-83 years). The choroidal tumor group included six choroidal metastases and four choroidal melanomas. The mean follow-up period after GKR was 7.0 ± 4.3 months (range, 2-13 months). The mean cumulative marginal dose was 25.36 ± 7.35 Gy (range, 16-45 Gy). Pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging revealed a reduction in tumor volume in eight of the 10 eyes and five of them presented with improved visual symptoms. One patient showed increased tumor volume; however, a new choroidal lesion was not observed. Another patient showed no reduction in tumor size; however, the pain had worsened, and the eye was enucleated. The mean maximum tumor diameter decreased from 1.60 ± 0.37 cm before to 1.22 ± 0.47 cm after GKR (p = 0.004), and the mean minimum diameter decreased from 0.62 ± 0.27 cm before to 0.38 ± 0.35 cm after GKR (p = 0.031). No radiation-induced optic neuropathy, retinopathy, or cataracts was observed in any of the cases during the follow-up period. Conclusions GKR was shown to be safe for choroidal lesions identified in orbital magnetic resonance imaging with a reduction in the size of choroidal tumors and eyeball preservation expected with this treatment approach.

Background: Evidence regarding the association between variabilities in obesity measures and health outcomes is limited. We aimed to examine the association between variabilities in obesity measures and cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality. Methods: We identified 4,244,460 individuals who underwent health examination conducted by the Korean National Health Insurance Service during 2012, with ≥3 anthropometric measurements between 2009 and 2012. Variabilities in body weight (BW) and waist circumference (WC) were assessed using four indices including variability independent of the mean (VIM). We performed multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. Results: During follow-up of 4.4 years, 16,095, 18,957, and 30,200 cases of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and all-cause mortality were recorded. Compared to individuals with the lowest quartiles, incrementally higher risks of study outcomes and those of stroke and all-cause mortality were observed among individuals in higher quartiles of VIM for BW and VIM for WC, respectively. The multivariable adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals comparing the highest versus lowest quartile groups of VIM for BW were 1.17 (1.12 to 1.22) for MI, 1.20 (1.16 to 1.25) for stroke, and 1.66 (1.60 to 1.71) for all-cause mortality; 1.07 (1.03 to 1.12) for stroke and 1.29 (1.25 to 1.33) for all-cause mortality regarding VIM for WC. These associations were similar with respect to the other indices for variability. Conclusion This study revealed positive associations between variabilities in BW and WC and cardiovascular outcomes and allcause mortality. Our findings suggest that variabilities in obesity measures are associated with adverse health outcomes in the general population.

Minimally invasive treatment of symptomatic thyroid nodules is now commonplace. Ethanol ablation (EA) of thyroid cystic nodules has been performed since the 1990s, but there is no global consensus or guideline. Although various limitations of EA have been described, recommendations for practical application are necessary. Therefore, the Task Force Committee of the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology initiated the present consensus statement and here we provide recommendations for the role of EA in the management of symptomatic thyroid nodules. These recommendations are based on evidence to date from the literature and expert opinion.
Advisory Committees ; Consensus ; Ethanol ; Expert Testimony ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroid Nodule

The treatment of advanced prostate cancer has rapidly evolved. Androgen deprivation therapy is recognized as the first-line therapy for metastatic disease; however, a substantial proportion of patients will eventually progress to develop castration-resistance. For the past several years, docetaxel-based chemotherapy has shown significant therapeutic benefit in castration-resistant prostate cancer. Over the last 5 years, several new agents such as the enzalutamide, abiraterone, cabazitaxel, and 223radium have been developed which have all been associated with improved quality of life, pain palliation, and an increase in survival. Unfortunately, there are no Korean treatment guideline for metastatic prostate cancer and/or castration-resistant prostate cancer which has been developed based on adequate review and assessment of evidences. Thus, a guideline adequate for domestic circumstances is eagerly needed. The Korean Association for Clinical Oncology, the Korean Prostate Society, the Korean Urological Oncology Society, and the Korean Society of Pathologists reviewed and endorsed the guidelines.
Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Oncology ; Prostate ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Quality of Life