• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 2018

Purpose: The Korean government approved selected nonprescription drugs (Over-The-Counter drug; OTC drug) to be distributed in convenience stores from 15. Nov. 2012. This study examined the changes in the incidence and the clinical outcome of acute pharmaceutical drug poisoning after the deregulation of OTC drug sales. Methods: This study analyzed the data of Emergency Department based Injury In-depth Injury Surveillance (EDIIS), Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2011 to 2014. The following items were examined: age, gender, intention, alcohol association, pharmaceutical drugs resulting acute poisoning, the clinical outcomes in emergency department, and the admission rate of intensive care unit (ICU). This is a retrospective cross section observational study. Results: A total of 10,162 patients were subject to pharmaceutical drug poisoning. Acute poisoning by acetaminophen and other drugs were 1,015 (10.0%) and 9,147 (90.0%) patients, respectively. After the deregulation of OTC drug sales, acute poisoning by other drugs increased from 4,385 to 4,762 patients but acute poisoning by acetaminophen decreased from 538 to 477 patients (p<0.05). The rate of admission of acetaminophen poisoning increased from 36.1% (194/538) to 46.8% (223/477). The admission rate to the ICU by acetaminophen poisoning increased from 4.6% (25/538) to 11.3% (54/477) after the deregulation of OTC drug sales (p<0.05). Conclusion: Since the deregulation of OTC drugs sales, pharmaceutical drug poisoning has increased but acetaminophen poisoning has decreased. The rate of hospitalization and ICU admission by pharmaceutical drug poisoning with or without acetaminophen has also increased.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2019

Purpose: Campylobacter species are common causes of bacterial enteritis. There is limited knowledge on its prevalence and clinical features because of its fastidious culture conditions. The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical features of Campylobacter enteritis in children. Methods: We obtained stool specimens from patients diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis in the Department of Pediatrics, Nowon Eulji Medical Center (NEMC) and identified the pathogens by performing cultures or polymerase chain reactions (PCR). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with Campylobacter enteritis at NEMC between January 2012 and December 2017. Results: Overall, 123 patients were diagnosed with Campylobacter enteritis (60 by culture and PCR in EnterNet and 110 by multiplex PCR). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of patients was 12 years (IQR, 8 to 16 years). The disease occurred all year round, but 69.9% from June to September. Symptoms included diarrhea (97.6%), fever (96.7%), abdominal pain (94.3%), vomiting (37.4%), and headache (34.1%). Compared with other treatments, treatment with azithromycin was associated with a shorter hospitalization period (P<0.05). Conclusions: Campylobacter enteritis is common during summer and mostly infects adolescent patients. It causes severe abdominal pain and fever preceding the onset of diarrhea. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate use of antibiotics reduces the duration of the disease.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.671-678
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• 2018

Objective: This study examined the predictive factors for prolonged length of stays of adult patients with acute appendicitis (AA) in an emergency department (ED). Methods: This was a retrospectively clinical study including patients in an ED. All patients were diagnosed from the clinical symptoms and a typical physical examination, and had undergone a computed tomography (CT) evaluation on the ED visiting date. All data were collected from the electrical medical records. The clinical parameters analyzed were the laboratory data, including the white blood cell count with differential values, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, initial vital signs, duration of admission, coexisting perforation of the appendix in the CT findings. The relationship between the clinical parameters and length of stay was assessed. Results: A total of 547 patients with AA were enrolled in this study. Among them, there were 270 male patients with a mean age of $40.7{\pm}15.8years$. The baseline characteristics, initial clinical features, laboratory, and imaging studies results of 129 patients in the prolonged length of stay (pLOS) group, and 418 patients of the non-pLOS group in AA were compared. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed the predictive factors related to pLOS in AA to be as follows: age 40 years or older, body temperature over $37.3^{\circ}C$, CRP level greater than 5.0 mg/dL, and evidence of perforation in CT findings (P<0.001). Conclusion: If we check age, fever, CRP level and find evidence of perforation, it might be helpful for predicting the increasing period of length of hospital stay for patients with AA in ED.

• Journal of Korean Society of Health-System Pharmacists
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.409-417
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• 2018

Background : Febrile neutropenia (FN) is one of the side effects in the patients treated with chemotherapy, and the patients who have FN generally need immediate treatment with extended-spectrum antibiotics and hospitalization. Pegfilgrastim and pegteograstim, which are used for the prevention of FN as a granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), have been granted insurance coverage in the Republic of Korea for certain breast cancer patients using doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) from September 2016. Methods : The data of the patients with breast cancer using AC regimen and G-CSF were collected retrospectively. This study involves cost-utility analysis of pegfilgrastim and pegteograstim. In this study, we constructed a simple decision tree model for short-term observation and calculated quality-adjusted life year (QALY) and the direct medical costs from the medical provider's perspective. Results : From September 2016 to May 2017, 15 patients were treated with pegfilgrastim and 15 patients were treated with pegteograstim. As a result of dividing the average cost by QALY for each treatment group, it was observed that pegfilgrastim and pegteograstim were consumed 24,923,384 won and 22,808,336 won per 1QALY, respectively. Consequently, incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) showed 2,115,048 won more per pegfilgrastim than pegteograstim per 1QALY, and the cost per 1QALY of both the drugs was lower than 30,500,000 won; the Koreans were willing to pay this amount. Conclusions : This study suggests that pegfilgrastim and pegteograstim can be used to improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients undergoing AC therapy. Among the two drugs, pegteograstim seems to be more cost-effective. However, since this study was conducted as a retrospective observation method on a small scale, it is associated with many limitations. Therefore, a long-term prospective cohort study is needed to supplement the present findings.

• Journal of Rhinology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.75-79
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• 2018

Background and Objectives: To investigate the common site of recurrent epistaxis after initial intervention such as packing and cauterization had failed and to evaluate the efficacy of surgical endoscopic electrocautery. Subjects and Method: Retrospective review of 47 patients with recurrent and uncontrolled idiopathic epistaxis between October 1995 and March 2016. All patients underwent endoscopic examination in the operating room after hospitalization. We performed electrocautery when a bleeding site was found. Results: The most common sites of bleeding were the inferior meatus (28%), sphenoethmoid recess (23%), superior septum around the olfactory cleft (13%), and the posterior end of the middle turbinate (15%). There was no serious complication during the one week after surgery. In 46 (98%) patients, refractory epistaxis was successfully controlled. One patient had recurrent epistaxis after electrocautery and underwent endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation. Conclusion: In patients with refractory idiopathic epistaxis after failure of first-line treatment, endoscopic examination through a surgical approach and electrocautery for suspected bleeding are effective.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.467-475
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• 2021

Purpose: When a patient with acute deterioration occurs in a ward, the decision to transfer to intensive care unit (ICU) is critical to improve the patient's outcomes. However, when available ICU resources limited, it is difficult to determine which of the deteriorating ward patients to transfer to the ICU. Therefore the purpose of this study was to identify risk factors in predicting deteriorating ward patients transferred to intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: We reviewed retrospectively clinical data of 2,945 deteriorating ward patients who referred medical emergency team. Data were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression. Results: The solid cancer that diagnosed at hospitalization (odds ratio[OR] 0.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32-0.47), when the cause of deterioration was respiratory problem (1.51; 95% CI 1.17-1.95), high MEWS (1.22; 1.17-1.28) and SpO2/FiO2 score (2.41; 2.23-2.60) were predictive of ICU transfer. Conclusion: These findings suggest that early prediction and treatment of patients with high risk of ICU transfer may improve the prognosis of patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.2
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• pp.134-139
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• 2021

Background: Intrapleural urokinase is one of the most widely used fibrinolytic agents in the treatment of complicated parapneumonic effusion (CPPE). However, little research has been performed on the optimal urokinase dosage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment efficacy of half dose urokinase compared with conventional dose urokinase. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 92 patients with CPPE or empyema who underwent intrapleural urokinase treatment at two tertiary hospitals. Patients received antibiotics, chest tube drainage, and other treatments as part of routine care. The primary outcome was the treatment success rate in the half dose urokinase group (50,000 IU daily for maximal 6 days) and the conventional dose urokinase group (100,000 IU daily). Treatment success was defined as clinical and radiological improvements without surgical treatment or re-admission within one month. Results: Forty-four patients received half dose urokinase, whereas 48 patients were treated with conventional dose urokinase. Both groups were relatively well matched at baseline, excluding higher serum white blood cell count and higher empyema prevalence in the half dose urokinase group. The treatment success rate was not different between the two groups (p=0.048). There were no differences in the rate of in-hospital death and surgical treatment, hospitalization duration, and indwelling catheter duration. In the multivariate analysis, urokinase dose was not a predictor of treatment success. Conclusion: Half dose intrapleural urokinase is equally effective conventional dose urokinase in treating patients with CPPE or empyema.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.94-102
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• 2020

Purposes: The purpose of this study was to analyze the trends of hospitalization and emergency room visits of asthma patients over the three years in 25 districts of Seoul. And analyzed the relationship between preventable hospital service uses and number of clinics for asthma patients. Methods: Data was collected from a customized database of the NHI(National Health Insurance) for 2016 to 2018. The number of clinics means Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Ear-Nose-Throat, and Family Medicine clinics. The hospital service means the number of adults admission for asthma and the number of total asthma emergency visits. This study used kappa analysis to assess the agreements of indicators between years, and structural equation modeling analysis was applied to analyze the relationship. Findings: The kappa value of the number of adults admission for asthma was compared between 2016 and 2017(kappa score=0.68), and was lowered when compared between 2016 and 2018(kappa score=0.26). And the value of kappa in the number of total asthma emergency visits due to asthma between 2016 and 2017(kappa score=0.51) was lower than that of between 2016 and 2018(kappa score=0.60). And the results showed that the number of clinics significantly negatively related to the uses of hospital services in asthmatic patients(β=-0.5, p=0.005). Practical Implication: This research could provide policy implications for strengthening primary care services that can contribute to the reduction of preventable hospital services.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.110-115
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• 2020

Purpose: Acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with glyphosate poisoning has a poor prognosis. This study aimed to predict the risk factors for AKI in patients with glyphosate poisoning at the emergency department (ED). Methods: Clinical data on glyphosate poisoning patients at ED who were older than 18 years were collected retrospectively between January 2013 and December 2019. The clinical characteristics and clinical outcomes of the AKI group in patients with glyphosate poisoning were compared with the non-AKI (NAKI) group. Results: Of 63 glyphosate poisoning patients, AKI was observed in 15 (23.8%). The AKI patients group showed the following: old age (p=0.038), low systolic blood pressure (p=0.021), large amount of ingestion (p=0.026), delayed hospital visits (p=0.009), high white blood cells (WBC) (p<0.001), high neutrophil counts (p<0.001), high neutrophil-lymphocyte (LN) ratios (p<0.001), high serum potassium (p=0.005), low arterial blood pH (p=0.015), and low pO2 (p=0.021), low bicarbonate (p=0.009), and high Poisoning Severity Score (PSS) (p<0.001). AKI patients required hemodialysis, ventilator care (p<0.001, p=0.002), and inotropics (p<0.001). They also showed more intensive care unit admission (p<0.001), longer hospitalization (p<0.001), and high mortality (p<0.001). Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that high WBCs (OR, 1.223) and increased LN ratios (OR, 1.414) were independently associated with the occurrence of AKI. Conclusion: In patients with glyphosate poisoning at ED, high WBCs and increased LN ratios can help predict the occurrence of AKI.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.78-84
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• 2020

Purpose: In acute acetaminophen poisoning, the administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can effectively treat the main complications, such as kidney injury and liver failure. In the current situation, measurements of the acetaminophen concentration are not checked in the usual medical facilities. Therefore, this study examined the factors of determining the administration of NAC in addition to the stated amount of intake. Methods: The medical records of patients who visited Ajou University Hospital emergency center with acetaminophen poisoning from January 2015 to December 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. One hundred and seventy-nine patients were initially included. Among these patients, 82 patients were finally selected according to the inclusion criteria in the study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: patients who were 15 years of age or older; those whose ingested dose, ingested time, and body weight were clearly identified; and patients whose acetaminophen sampling time was within 24 hours. Patients were divided into two groups: NAC administered vs. non-NAC administered. The following variables were compared in these two groups: ingested dose, ingested dose per body weight, hospital arrival time after ingestion, suicide attempt history, psychiatric disease history, classification of toxic/non-toxic groups, duration of hospitalization, and laboratory results. Results: Univariate analysis revealed the ingested dose per body weight, hospital arrival time after ingestion, suicide attempt history, and psychiatric disease history to be the determining factors in administering NAC. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that the ingested dose per body weight was the only significant factor leading to an NAC treatment decision. (Odds ratio=1.039, 95% Confidential interval=1.009-1.070, p=0.009) Conclusion: The ingested dose per body weight was the only determining factor for administering NAC in patients with acute acetaminophen poisoning. On the other hand, additional criteria or indicators for the NAC administration decision will be necessary considering the inaccuracy of the ingested dose per body weight and the efficiency of NAC administration.