• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제73권1호
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• pp.48-55
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• 2012

Background: The epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) has been assessed based on the data of the analysis of TB patients notified to the surveillance system in Korea. However, the national status of TB is not validated through this surveillance system. The objective is to determine the epidemiology of TB and to understand the accurate status of TB patients treated in private institutions. Methods: Medical records of 53,579 patients who had been diagnosed with TB in 2008 were analyzed. Results: Among 53,579 patients, the number of sputum smear positive cases was 15,639(29.2%) and the number of new cases was 39,191 (73.1%). The drug resistance rate of new cases was 5.3%, while the rate stood at 13.3% for TB patients with treatment history. The number of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) patients was 2,472 (4.6%), which consists of 2.9% of new cases and 9.3% of TB patients with prior treatment history. The number of extensively drug-resistant TB patients was 749 (1.4%), consisting of 1.1% of new cases and 2.2% of TB patients with prior treatment history. In terms of treatment outcomes, 66.4% of all TB patients, 70.5% of new cases, 64.4% of relapse cases, and 46.8% of MDR-TB cases were cured or completed. It was inferred that in 2008, the total number of TB patients reached 70,767, 145.6 per 100,000 people (95% confidence interval, 145.5~145.7). Conclusion: We conclude that the medical records review of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) data can be very effective in promoting the understanding of the current status of TB in private institutions.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.105-110
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• 2016

Purpose: In the Adjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Stomach Tumors (ARTIST) trial, we investigated whether chemoradiotherapy after D2 gastrectomy reduces the rate of recurrence. Recently, the ratio of metastatic lymph nodes to examined lymph nodes (N ratio) has been proposed as an independent prognostic factor in gastric cancer (GC). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the metastatic N ratio and prognosis of GC after curative D2 surgery. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 458 ARTIST patients who underwent D2 gastrectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy (XP, n=228) or chemoradiotherapy (XPRT, n=230). The disease-free survival (DFS) rates of patients were used to evaluate the influence of N ratio on the treatment outcome. To achieve this, 4 different N ratio categories (0%, 1%~9%, 10%~25%, and >25%) were compared on the basis of their influence on the treatment outcome. Results: On multivariate analysis, the N ratio remained an independent prognostic factor for DFS. The hazard ratios (HRs) for the N ratio categories of 0%, 1%~9%, 10%~25%, and >25% were 1, 1.061, 1.202, and 3.571, respectively. In patients having N ratio >25%, the 5-year DFS rates were 55% and 28% for the XPRT and XP arms, respectively (HR, 0.527; 95% confidence interval, 0.307~0.904; P=0.020). Conclusions: In patients with curatively resected GC, the N ratio was independently associated with DFS. Although this finding warrants further investigation in future prospective studies, the benefit of chemoradiotherapy for D2 resected GC appears to be more beneficial in cancers having N ratios >25%.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.427-437
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• 2019

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of microsatellite instability in early gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: The microsatellite instability status of resected early gastric tumors was evaluated using two mononucleotide repeat markers (BAT25 and BAT26) and three dinucleotide repeat markers (D5S346, D2S123, and D17S250). Tumors with instability in two or more markers were defined as microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) and others were classified as microsatellite stable (MSS). Results: Overall, 1,156 tumors were included in the analysis, with 85 (7.4%) classified as MSI-H compared with MSS tumors. For MSI-H tumors, there was a significant correlation with the female sex, older age, tumor location in the lower gastric body, intestinal histology, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and submucosal invasion (P<0.05). There was also a trend toward an association with lymph node (LN) metastasis (P=0.056). In mucosal gastric cancer, there was no significant difference in MSI status in tumors with LN metastasis or tumors with LVI. In submucosal gastric cancer, LVI was more frequently observed in MSI-H than in MSS tumors (38.9% vs. 25.0%, P=0.027), but there was no difference in the presence of LN metastases. The prognosis of MSI-H tumors was similar to that of MSS tumors (log-rank test, P=0.797, the hazard ratio for MSI-H was adjusted by age, sex, pT stage, and the number of metastatic LNs, 0.932; 95% confidence interval, 0.423-2.054; P=0.861). Conclusions: MSI status was not useful in predicting prognosis in early gastric cancer. However, the frequent presence of LVI in early MSI-H gastric cancer may help guide the appropriate treatment for patients, such as endoscopic treatment or limited LN surgical dissection.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.44-50
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• 2011

Background: Cardiovascular complications are major causes of morbidity and mortality following non-cardiac thoracic operations. Recent studies have demonstrated that elevation of N-Terminal Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels can predict cardiac complications following non-cardiac major surgery as well as cardiac surgery. However, there is little information on the correlation between lung resection surgery and NT-proBNP levels. We evaluated the role of NT-proBNP as a potential marker for the risk stratification of cardiac complications following lung resection surgery. Material and Methods: Prospectively collected data of 98 patients, who underwent elective lung resection from August 2007 to February 2008, were analyzed. Postoperative adverse cardiac events were categorized as myocardial injury, ECG evidence of ischemia or arrhythmia, heart failure, or cardiac death. Results: Postoperative cardiac complications were documented in 9 patients (9/98, 9.2%): Atrial fibrillation in 3, ECG-evidenced ischemia in 2 and heart failure in 4. Preoperative median NT-proBNP levels was significantly higher in patients who developed postoperative cardiac complications than in the rest (200.2 ng/L versus 45.0 ng/L, p=0.009). NT-proBNP levels predicted adverse cardiac events with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.76 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.545~0.988, p=0.01]. A preoperative NT-proBNP value of 160 ng/L was found to be the best cut-off value for detecting postoperative cardiac complication with a positive predictive value of 0.857 and a negative predictive value of 0.978. Other factors related to cardiac complications by univariate analysis were a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, a higher NYHA functional class and a history of hypertension. In multivariate analysis, however, high preoperative NT-proBNP level (>160 ng/L) only remained significant. Conclusion: An elevated preoperative NT-proBNP level is identified as an independent predictor of cardiac complications following lung resection surgery.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.210-217
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• 2018

Purpose: Pancreatic cancer (PC) has not changed overall survival in recent years despite therapeutic efforts. Surgery with curative intent has shown the best long-term oncological results. However, 80%-85% of patients with these tumors are unresectable at the time of diagnosis. In those patients, first therapeutic attempts are minimally invasive or surgical procedures to alleviate symptoms. The addition of radiotherapy (RT) to standard chemotherapy, ergo chemoradiation, in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is still controversial. The study aims to compare outcomes in patients with a double bypass surgery due to LAPC treated or not with RT. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients with double bypass for LAPC were registered and divided into two groups: treated or not with postoperative RT. Baseline characteristics, postoperative complications, those related to RT and their relation to the main event (mortality) were compared. Results: Seventy-four patients were included. Surgical complications between the groups did not offer significant differences. Complications related to RT were mostly mild, and 86% of patients completed the treatment. Overall survival at 1 and 2 years for patients in the exposed group was 64% and 35% vs. 50% and 28% in the non-exposed group, respectively (p = 0.11; power 72%; hazard ratio = 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.24-1.18). Conclusion: We observed a tendency for survival improvement in patients with postoperative RT. However, we've not had enough power to demonstrate this difference, possibly due to the small sample size. It is indispensable to develop randomized and prospective trials to guide more specific treatment lines in this patients.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.87-94
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• 2017

목적: 상기도 감염인 소아에게 항생제를 처방하는 것은 아직도 많은 진료실에서 이루어지고 있다. 이 연구는 역전사 중합효소연쇄반응 검사로 호흡기 바이러스가 확인된 이후에도 항생제를 사용한 소아 환자들의 임상적 특징을 조사하고자 하였다. 방법: 2013년 1월부터 2014년 11월에 고신대학교 복음병원 소아청소년과에 상기도 감염으로 입원한 환자 중 역전사 중합효소연쇄반응을 시행한 환자들을 대상으로 후향적 의무기록 분석을 통해 평가하였다. 결과: 상기도 감염으로 진단받은 393명 중 전체 환자 연령의 중앙값은 23개월이었다. 입원 당시 항생제를 처방받은 환자(79명, 20.1%)와 항생제를 처방받지 않은 환자들의 임상적 요인을 비교할 때, 중이염 또는 부비동염의 동반, 높은 고감도 C-반응단백질의 수치가 항생제 처방과 의미 있게 관련 있었다(P<0.001). 입원하여 항생제를 사용하던 중 역전사 중합효소연쇄반응 방법으로 호흡기 바이러스가 확인되었지만, 항생제를 계속 사용한 환자는 44명 중 28명(63.6%)이었다. 항생제를 계속 사용한 환자는 항생제를 중단한 환자와 비교할 때 중이염 동반 비율이 유의하게 높았다(75% vs. 25%, P=0.002). 결론: 본 연구에서 상기도 감염의 원인이 바이러스임을 확인된 소아 환자에게서도 항생제를 지속한 주된 이유는 중이염이 동반되었기 때문이었다. 중이염을 정확하게 진단하고 그 중 항생제가 꼭 필요한 경우를 가려낸다면 소아 상기도 감염에서 불필요한 항생제 사용을 줄이는 데 도움이 될 것으로 생각된다.

• 대한핵의학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.143-150
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• 1987

To assess the analytic performance of immunoradiometric TSH assay (IRMA TSH), assay precision determined by intra and interassay variance, assay accuracy determined by dilution and recovery study, were evaluated by using two commercial kit $(Abott^{(R)}\;and\;Daichi^{(R)})$. Normal range of basal serum TSH and TRH stimulated TSH increment were also determined in 234 healthy subjects (male 110, female 124; age 20-70) and 30 voluteers (male 10, female 20; age 21-26). In addition, basal TSH levels of 70 patients with untreated hyperthyroidism, 50 untreated hypothyroidism, and 60 euthyroidism were measured to assess the clinical utility of IRMA TSH. The detection limit of IRMA TSH was 0.04 mU/l and 0.08 mU/l by Abott Kit and Daichi kit respectively. Using Abott kit, intra assay variance were 2.0, 3.1 and 1.4% in mean TSH concentration 2.4, 31.6 and 98.2 mU/l repectively and interassay variance were 2.0 and 3.2% in mean TSH concentration 2.3 and 31.3 mU/l. Mean recovery rate was 92.5% and dilution study showed nearly straight line. When Daichi kit was used, intrasssay variance were 5.6, 5.2 and 6.2% in mean TSH concentration of 2.4, 31.6 and 98.2 mU/l respectively and interassay variance were 7.1 and 7.4% in mean TSH of 2.3 and 31.3 mU/l. Mean recoveray rate was 89.9%. Normal range of basal TSH and TRH stimulated peak TSH were 0.38-4.02 mU/l and 2.85-30.8 mU/l repectively (95% confidence interval, Abott kit used). Sensitivity and specificity of basal TSH levels for diagnosing hypothyroidism as well as specificity for diagnosing hyperthyroidism were 100% by using both kit. Sensitivity of basal TSH level for diagnosing hyperthyroidism was 100% when TSH levels were measured by Abott kit while that was 80.9% when measured by Daichi kit. These results suggest that IRMA TSH was very precise and accurate method and might be used as a first line test in the evaluation of thyroid function.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.40-49
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• 2018

본 연구는 SELEN 코호트 연구의 기반조사 자료를 활용하였으며, 성인 남녀의 발톱 크롬 수준에 독립적으로 영향을 미치는 결정요인을 파악하고, 크롬 수준과 이상지질혈증과의 관련성을 규명하고자 하였다. 그 결과, 면류, 채소류, 과일류가 발톱 크롬 수준에 독립적으로 영향을 주었으며, 교란인자를 보정한 후 크롬 수준과 주요 이상지질혈증간의 유의적인 연관성을 보이지 않았다. 그러나 발톱 크롬 농도에 독립적으로 영향을 미치는 요인을 찾아내어 제시하게 된 바, 한국인을 대상으로 한 최초의 크롬 관련 영양 역학연구의 결과로서 그 의의가 크다. 또한 국내 연구가 부족한 상황에서 본 연구 결과는 크롬의 한국인 영양 섭취 기준 개정 시 기초자료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대한다. 향후 크롬 섭취 및 체내 크롬 농도와 이상지질혈증과의 명확한 관련성을 규명하기 위하여 한국인 크롬 식이 데이터베이스를 구축하고, 대규모 코호트 연구와 임상시험연구가 진행되어야 할 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한불안의학회지
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.53-62
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• 2018

Objective : The Korean Association of Anxiety Disorders developed Korean guidelines for treatment of panic disorder (PD) 2018. In this paper, we discussed the consensus among psychiatrists, regarding initial and maintenance treatment strategies for pharmacological treatment of PD in Korea. Methods : Based on current treatment guidelines published by the American Psychiatric Association, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, and the Canadian Psychiatric Association, we developed questionnaires pertinent to initial and maintenance treatment strategies for pharmacological treatment of PD. Seventy-two experts in PD answered questionnaires. We classified expert opinions into three categories, first, second, and third-line treatment strategies, by analyzing the 95% confidence interval. Results : Antidepressants, benzodiazepine anxiolytics, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) were recommended as treatments of choice (ToC), and first-line strategies for initial treatment of PD. Escitalopram, paroxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine were preferred from among many anti-panic drugs. Mean starting dose of anti-panic drugs for initial treatment of PD was relatively lower, than that for other psychiatric illnesses such as major depressive disorder. In the case of maintenance treatment of PD, antidepressants and CBT were selected as ToC and first-line strategies. Patients were typically examined every four weeks during treatment, to review effectiveness and side effects of the drug. Pharmacotherapy was generally continued for one year or more. Conclusion : This study provides information about consensus among Korean experts regarding pharmacological treatment strategies for patients with panic disorder.

• Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.356-365
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• 2018

Background: Woman kidney donors face obstetric complication risks after kidney donation, such as gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. Studies on childbirth-related complications among Asian women donors are scarce. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included woman donors aged 45 years or younger at the time of kidney donation in a single tertiary hospital between 1985 and 2014. Pregnancy associated complications were investigated using medical records and telephone questionnaires for 426 pregnancies among 225 donors. Matched non-donor controls were selected by propensity score and the maternal and fetal outcomes were compared with those of donors. Primary outcomes were differences in maternal complications, and secondary outcomes were fetal outcomes in pregnancies of the donor and control groups. Results: A total of 56 cases had post-donation pregnancies. The post-donation pregnancies group was younger at the time of donation and older at the time of delivery than the pre-donation pregnancies group, and there were no differences in primary outcomes between the groups except the proportion receiving cesarean section. Comparison of the complication risk between post-donation pregnancies and non-donor matched controls showed no significant differences in gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, or composite outcomes after propensity score matching including age at delivery, era at pregnancy, systolic blood pressure, body weight, and estimated glomerular filtration ratio (odds ratio, 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.19-2.14; P = 0.724). Conclusion: This study revealed that maternal and fetal outcomes between woman kidney donors and non-donor matched controls were comparable. Studies with general population pregnancy controls are warranted to compare pregnancy outcomes for donors.