Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) leads to increased vascular resistance and progressive right heart failure resulting from occlusion of proximal pulmonary arteries by fibrotic intravascular material. The elective surgical treatment for CTEPH is pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA), which involves removal of the chronic thromboembolic material from the entire pulmonary arterial tree. This study aimed to verify the effects of acute and subacute postoperative rehabilitation on the functional exercise capacity, dyspnea, and quality of life (QoL) of patients with CTEPH undergoing PEA. This was a systematic review of seven primary databases. At the end of the selection process, five documents were included in the final analysis. Three of these five studies were conducted in Italy, one in Korea, and one in Germany. Of 204 patients, 95 (47%) were male. This systematic review determined that in patients with CTEPH pre-PEA, the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) ranged between 284.7 m and 371.95 m and that at 6 to 12 weeks post-PEA, after having attended postoperative rehabilitation, the 6MWD was 434.1 m to 483.6 m. The Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire was administered to evaluate QoL 3 and 22 weeks after PEA. At 22 weeks, the SF-36 physical component summary score improved from baseline (42.78±18.37 points) by 19.55±19.42 points (p=0.001), and the SF-36 mental component summary score improved from baseline (55.76±23.94 points) by 6.36±20.44 points (p=0.137).
Background Chronic periodontitis is associated with various systemic inflammatory diseases; however, research on its association with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is relatively limited. Because both conditions share common risk factors, systemic inflammation plays a key role in the progression of these diseases. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in chronic inflammatory diseases and is a potential biomarker. This study aimed to measure salivary Gal-3 levels in patients with periodontitis and CKD to better understand their association and evaluate Gal-3 as a diagnostic biomarker for these conditions.
Methods Seventy-five patients were categorized into three groups: Group I, patients with CKD and periodontitis (n=25); Group II, patients with chronic periodontitis who were systemically healthy (n=25); and Group III, patients with CKD without chronic periodontitis (n=25). Demographic characteristics and periodontal and renal parameters were recorded for each patient. Saliva samples were collected to evaluate Gal-3 levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results Patients with chronic periodontitis and CKD and those with chronic periodontitis alone (Groups I and II, respectively) showed significantly higher salivary Gal-3 levels than patients with CKD alone (Group III) (p<0.001). Bivariate correlation analysis indicated a strong relationship between clinical parameters and Gal-3 levels across all three groups.
Conclusion Salivary Gal-3 level is a valuable early diagnostic marker of chronic periodontitis and CKD.
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) typically progresses from a chronic phase to an accelerated phase, and eventually to a blast crisis, often involving the bone marrow and peripheral blood, if left untreated. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is an uncommon manifestation of CML, particularly as an isolated CNS relapse. Here, we present a rare case of CML in lymphoid blast crisis with an isolated CNS relapse. A 46-year-old female with underlying CML in lymphoid blast crisis, previously treated with chemotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, presented with visual disturbances. Imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis confirmed leukemic infiltration of the CNS without evidence of a systemic disease. Isolated CNS involvement is an atypical complication of CML and presents significant therapeutic challenges owing to the blood-brain barrier, which limits the efficacy of systemic therapies. Subsequently, the patient was treated with intrathecal chemotherapy targeting the CNS. Despite aggressive treatment, CNS relapse remains a major concern due to the limited penetration of standard therapies into the CNS. This case underscores the importance of early recognition of CNS symptoms in CML patients, particularly in those with blast crisis, and highlights the need for tailored therapeutic strategies to manage this rare and challenging manifestation.
Digital therapeutics (DTx) are emerging as a transformative innovation in healthcare offering evidence-based digital interventions for the treatment, management, and prevention of various diseases and disorders. In Korea, DTx have gained significant attention as potential solutions to the increasing burden of chronic diseases and mental health conditions. However, the Korean DTx market faces several challenges that hinder its widespread adoption and integration into the national healthcare system. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the DTx market in Korea, identifies the key challenges impeding its growth, and proposes strategies for overcoming these obstacles. This study utilized a literature review and market analysis approach to examine the latest research, industry reports, and regulatory documents related to DTx. The analysis focused on three primary areas: (1) the current regulatory landscape, (2) technological advancements and challenges, and (3) economic and commercial factors influencing DTx adoption in Korea. A comparative analysis of global regulatory practices was also conducted to identify best practices. The findings revealed that while Korea has made significant strides in supporting DTx development, the market remains in its early stages. The key challenges include underdeveloped regulatory frameworks, issues with data quality and security, and a lack of established reimbursement pathways. We recommend developing tailored regulatory frameworks for DTx, enhancing policy support for small and medium-sized enterprises involved in DTx development, and increasing investments in technological infrastructure. By addressing these challenges, Korea could position itself as a leader in the global DTx market, delivering innovative and effective treatments to enhance patient care and outcomes.
Amid the worldwide increase in spinal surgery rates, a significant proportion of patients continue to experience refractory chronic pain, resulting in reduced quality of life and escalated healthcare demands. Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a clinical condition characterized by persistent or recurrent pain after one or more spinal surgeries. The diverse characteristics and stigmatizing descriptions of FBSS necessitate a reevaluation of its nomenclature to reflect its complexity more accurately. Accurate identification of the cause of FBSS is hampered by the complex nature of the syndrome and limitations of current diagnostic labels. Management requires a multidisciplinary approach that may include pharmacological treatment, physical therapy, psychological support, and interventional procedures, emphasizing realistic goal-setting and patient education. Further research is needed to increase our understanding, improve diagnostic accuracy, and develop more effective management strategies.
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Using Key Predictors in an SVM Model for Differentiating Spinal Fractures and Herniated Intervertebral Discs in Preoperative Anesthesia Evaluation Shih-Ying Yang, Shih-Yen Hsu, Yi-Kai Su, Nan-Han Lu, Kuo-Ying Liu, Tai-Been Chen, Kon-Ning Chiu, Yung-Hui Huang, Li-Ren Yeh Diagnostics.2024; 14(21): 2456. CrossRef
Background Statins reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although diabetes mellitus (DM) is a reported side effect of statin treatment, some studies have indicated that pitavastatin does not cause DM. The present study investigated the effect of pitavastatin on the fatty acid (FA) content of erythrocyte membranes, which affects the occurrence of DM and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, changes in adiponectin and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were evaluated after pitavastatin treatment.
Methods A total of 45 patients were enrolled, 28 of whom completed the study. Over 24 weeks, 16 patients received 2 mg pitavastatin and 12 patients received 10 mg atorvastatin. Dosages were adjusted after 12 weeks if additional lipid control was required. There were 10 and nine patients with DM in the pitavastatin and atorvastatin groups, respectively. Erythrocyte membrane FAs and adiponectin levels were measured using gas chromatography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.
Results In both groups, saturated FAs, palmitic acid, trans-oleic acid, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower than those at baseline. The arachidonic acid (AA) content in the erythrocyte membrane increased significantly in the pitavastatin group, but adiponectin levels were unaffected. HbA1c levels decreased in patients treated with pitavastatin. No adverse effects were associated with statin treatment.
Conclusion Pitavastatin treatment in patients with CKD may improve glucose metabolism by altering erythrocyte membrane AA levels. In addition, pitavastatin did not adversely affect glucose control in patients with CKD and DM.
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a severe neuropsychiatric abnormality in patients with either acute or chronic liver failure. Typical brain magnetic resonance imaging findings of HE are bilateral basal ganglia high signal intensities due to manganese deposition in chronic liver disease and hyperintensity in T2, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, or diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with hemispheric white matter changes including the corticospinal tract. Low values on apparent diffusion coefficient mapping of the affected area on DWI, indicating cytotoxic edema, can be observed in acute HE. However, neuropsychological impairment in HE ranges from mild deficits in psychomotor abilities affecting quality of life to stupor or coma with higher grades of hepatic dysfunction. In particular, the long-lasting compensatory mechanisms for the altered metabolism in chronic liver disease make HE imaging results variable. Therefore, the clinical relevance of imaging findings is uncertain and differentiating HE from other metabolic diseases can be difficult. The recent introduction of concepts such as “acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF),” a new clinical entity, has led to a change in the clinical view of HE. Accordingly, there is a need to establish a corresponding concept in the field of neuroimaging diagnosis. Herein, we review HE from a historical and etiological perspective to increase understanding of brain imaging and help establish an imaging approach for advanced new concepts such as ACLF. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide an understanding of HE by reviewing neuroimaging findings based on pathological and clinical concepts of HE, thereby assisting in neuroimaging interpretation.
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Physical therapy, Sports Therapy, and Rehabilitation
Advances in perinatal and pediatric intensive care and recent advances in mechanical ventilation during the last two decades have resulted in an exponential increase in the number of children undergoing home mechanical ventilation (HMV) treatment. Although its efficacy in chronic respiratory failure is well established, HMV in children is more complex than that in adults, and there are more considerations. This review outlines clinical considerations for HMV in children. The goal of HMV in children is not only to correct alveolar hypoventilation but also to maximize development as much as possible. The modes of ventilation and ventilator settings, including ventilation masks, tubing, circuits, humidification, and ventilator parameters, should be tailored to the patient’s individual characteristics. To ensure effective HMV, education for the parent and caregiver is important. HMV continues to change the scope of treatment for chronic respiratory failure in children in that it decreases respiratory morbidity and prolongs life spans. Further studies on this topic with larger scale and systemic approach are required to ensure the better outcomes in this population.
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Background Despite the recent increasing trend in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes among older individuals, the relationship between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in these patients remains unclear. This study investigated the severity of renal dysfunction according to the degree of DR in older patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods A total of 116 patients with diabetes and CKD stage ≥3 who visited both the nephrology and ophthalmology outpatient departments between July 2021 and January 2022 were screened. There were 53 patients in the no DR group, 20 in the nonproliferative DR (NPDR) group, and 43 in the proliferative DR (PDR) group.
Results DR severity was related to the deterioration of renal function. The proportion of patients with advanced CKD significantly increased with DR severity (p for trend <0.001). In the multivariate regression model adjusted for age of ≥80 years, male sex, poorly controlled diabetes, macroalbuminuria, insulin use, diabetes duration of ≥10 years, cerebrovascular accident, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease history, the odds ratio compared with the no DR group was approximately 4.6 for the NPDR group and approximately 11.8 for the PDR group, which were both statistically significant (p=0.025 and p<0.001, respectively).
Conclusion DR severity in older patients with diabetes may be associated with deterioration of renal function and high prevalence of advanced CKD. Therefore, periodic examination for DR in older patients with diabetes is important for predicting renal function deterioration and CKD progression.
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Background Chronic infectious, inflammatory, or neoplastic disorders are associated with anemia of chronic disease. Chronic inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis may contribute to masked anemia, especially in smokers. This study was aimed at verifying and comparing the efficacy of nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) for improving anemia among chronic periodontitis patients with and without the habit of smoking.
Methods Thirty systemically healthy individuals with chronic periodontitis were divided into two groups of 15 each, smokers (group A) and nonsmokers (group B). The groups were compared based on hematological parameters such as serum erythropoietin (SE) and serum ferritin (SF) levels at baseline and 3 months after NSPT for anemia evaluation.
Results The baseline SE levels in groups A and B were 11.84 and 15.19 mIU/mL (p=0.031), respectively; the corresponding levels at 3 months after NSPT were 13.00 and 17.74 mIU/mL (p=0.022). The baseline SF levels in groups A and B were 95.49 and 44.86 ng/mL (p=0.018), respectively; the corresponding levels at 3 months after NSPT were 77.06 and 39.05 ng/mL (p=0.009). Group B showed a significant increase and decrease in the SE and SF levels, respectively, at 3 months after NSPT (p=0.035 and p=0.039, respectively), whereas group A showed insignificant changes (p=0.253 and p=0.618, respectively).
Conclusion NSPT led to an improvement in anemia among chronic periodontitis patients. However, the improvement is less in smokers compared to that in nonsmokers. Furthermore, SF and SE levels might serve as effective biomarkers for assessing anemia in smokers and nonsmokers with chronic periodontitis.
Case report
Physical therapy, Sports Therapy, and Rehabilitation
Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a potentially life-threatening condition that is caused by the administration of drugs that increase serotonergic activity in the central nervous system. We report a case of serotonin syndrome in a patient with chronic pain who was taking analgesic drugs. A 36-year-old female with chronic pain in the lower back and right buttock area had been taking tramadol hydrochloride 187.5 mg, acetaminophen 325 mg, pregabalin 150 mg, duloxetine 60 mg, and triazolam 0.25 mg daily for several months. After amitriptyline 10 mg was added to achieve better pain control, the patient developed SS, which was mistaken for psychogenic nonepileptic seizure. However, her symptoms completely disappeared after discontinuation of the drugs that were thought to trigger SS and subsequent hydration with normal saline. Various drugs that can increase serotonergic activity are being widely prescribed for patients with chronic pain. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for the occurrence of SS when prescribing pain medications to patients with chronic pain.
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Background Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are thought to modify systemic inflammation. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between PUFA intake, lung function, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Methods In this study, we used the dataset of 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, in which, a total of 22,948 individuals including 573 participants with a high probability of developing COPD were enrolled. Participants with missing data for the investigated variables were excluded. Linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between PUFA intake (omega-3 [N3], omega-6 [N6], and total) with lung function, and HRQoL. HRQoL was determined according to the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D). Subgroup analysis of older patients was performed. Age, sex, body mass index, smoking, alcohol, education, residence, total calorie intake, and predicted FEV1% were adjusted in all analyses.
Results Although lung function was not associated with PUFA intake, EQ-5D index was remarkably associated with N3, N6, and total PUFA intake in a dose-dependent manner. This association was more pronounced in elderly COPD patients. Mean levels of N3, N6, and total PUFA intake were significantly higher in patients having better HRQoL with respect to mobility, self-care, and usual activities.
Conclusion Our results suggest that N3, N6, and total PUFA intake are associated with HRQoL in COPD patients. This association may be attributed to mobility, self-care, and usual activities. Further longitudinal study is required to clarify this relationship.
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Review article
Public Health, Environmental, and Occupational Health
The number of people with chronic diseases has been increasing steadily but the indicators for the management of chronic diseases have not improved significantly. To improve the existing chronic disease management system, a new policy will be introduced, which includes the establishment of care plans for hypertension and diabetes patients by primary care physicians and the provision of care coordination services based on these plans. Care coordination refers to a series of activities to assist patients and their families and it has been known to be effective in reducing medical costs and avoiding the unnecessary use of the hospital system by individuals. To offer well-coordinated and high-quality care services, it is necessary to develop a service quality assurance plan, track and manage patients, provide patient support, agree on patient referral and transition, and develop an effective information system. Local governance should be established for chronic disease management, and long-term plans and continuous quality improvement are necessary.
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Coordenação do cuidado nos sistemas de saúde a usuários com diabetes e hipertensão: uma revisão de escopo Virgílio Luiz Marques de Macedo, Naira Pereira de Sousa, Ana Cristina dos Santos, Walterlânia Santos, Marina Morato Stival, Tânia Cristina Morais Santa Barbara Rehem Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Coordinación del cuidado en los sistemas de salud para usuarios con diabetes e hipertensión: una revisión de alcance Virgílio Luiz Marques de Macedo, Naira Pereira de Sousa, Ana Cristina dos Santos, Walterlânia Santos, Marina Morato Stival, Tânia Cristina Morais Santa Barbara Rehem Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Personalized, interdisciplinary patient pathway for cross-sector care of multimorbid patients (eliPfad trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial Christoph Heinrich Lindemann, Volker Burst, Linus Alexander Völker, Sebastian Brähler, Dusan Simic, Ingrid Becker, Martin Hellmich, Clarissa Kurscheid, Nadine Scholten, Ruben Krauspe, Kerstin Leibel, Stephanie Stock, Paul Thomas Brinkkoetter Trials.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Evaluation of the Implementation of Integrated Primary Care for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension in Belgium, Cambodia, and Slovenia Nataša Stojnić, Monika Martens, Edwin Wouters, Savina Chham, Josefien van Olmen, Katrien Danhieux, Nina Ružić Gorenjec, Ir Por, Antonija Poplas-Susič, Zalika Klemenc-Ketiš International Journal of Integrated Care.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is present in a high proportion of patients with kidney transplantation. Compared with uninfected kidney transplant recipients, HCV infected kidney recipient have higher prevalence of liver disease and worse allograft survival after transplantation. Interferon monotherapy before transplantation is standard therapy for HCV-infected kidney transplant candidates. If HCV infection is discovered after transplantation, interferon monotherapy is considered due to the limited critical situation. However, in this patient, who was a kidney recipient, HCV infection was treated after kidney transplantation with peginterferon-α and rivabirin. As a result, the patient achieved sustained virologic response.
Spontaneous intramuscular hematoma of the abdominal wall is a rare condition characterized by acute abdominal pain. It is often misdiagnosed as a surgical condition. It used to be associated with risk factors such as coughing, pregnancy, and anticoagulant therapy. Most cases of abdominal wall hematomas were rectus sheath hematomas caused by the rupture of either the superior or inferior epigastric artery, but spontaneous internal oblique hematoma was extremely rare. In this report, we present a case of spontaneous internal oblique hematoma in a 69-year-old man with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease who was taking cilostazol. The patient complained of abrupt abdominal pain with a painful palpable lateral abdominal mass while sleeping. The abdominal computed tomography showed an 8 cm-sized mass in the patient's left internal oblique muscle. The administration of cilostazol was immediately stopped, and the intramuscular hematoma of the lateral oblique muscle disappeared with conservative management.
Systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) is an unusual entity characterized by hypovolemic shock, hemoconcentration, and hypo-albuminemia associated with paraproteinemia as a result of marked capillary hyperpermeability. Complications of this syndrome can include compartment syndromes, pulmonary edema, thrombosis, and acute kidney injury. This paper reports a case of severe SCLS accompanied by acute tubular necrosis caused by hypoperfusion and myoglobinuria secondary to rhabdomyolysis, which resulted in chronic kidney disease that necessitated hemodialysis. However, there have been rare data of residual end-organ damage after acute attacks in Korea. Therefore, this paper reports a case of complicated SCLS enough to hemodialysis and that developed into chronic kidney disease.
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Due to its efficacy and tolerability, low dose oral methotrexate(MTX) therapy has been widely used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA). However, it can rarely cause serious, life-threatening hematologic toxicities, such as pancytopenia. We report here on two patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD), who developed severe pancytopenia after 5 years (cumulative dose 1,240mg) and 4 years(cumulative dose 1,320mg) of low dose MTX therapy for treatment of RA, respectively. Both patients presented with renal insufficiency, hypoalbuminemia, concurrent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and elevated mean corpuscular volume of red blood cells(RBCs), all of which are known as risk factors of MTX-induced pancytopenia. Despite receiving treatment, which included RBC and platelet transfusions, antibiotic therapy, granulocyte colony stimulating factor, and leucovorin rescue, one patient died of sepsis. Based on our case study, prompt investigation of risk factors associated with MTX toxicity is required for all patients receiving MTX therapy. MTX treatment, even at a low dose, should be discontinued in patients with advanced CKD.
Venous insufficiency can be divided into primary venous insufficiency and chronic venous insufficiency. The latter is characterized by advanced skin changes of hyperpigmentation, edema, ulceration, scarring from healed ulcers or open ulcerations. Pretreatment evaluation is done with a standing ultrasound reflux examination. Thorough mapping of extremity reflux is desirable. Physiologic tests of venous function, such as plethysmography, are unnecessary. Treatment is directed at closing refulxing axial veins as well as controlling those perforating veins with outward flow. Varicose veins contribute to axial reflux and must be obliterated. In performing ablation of saphenous vein reflux, techniques include high ligation with strrpping, radiofrequency ablation, endovenous laser therapy, and foam sclerotherapy. Initial treatment of severe chronic venous insufficiency is usually carried out by controlling the edema with elastic bandaging or nonelastic support, such as Unna boot or the CircAid dressing. Incompetent perforation interruption can be accomplished surgically by subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) or controlled sclerotherapy using ultrasound.. Surgical intervention has been successful but the advent of foam sclerotherapy has proven to be an attractive alternative to surgery and has added a new tool for the treatment of severe chronic venous insufficiency.1)
The chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (abbreviated CFIDS or CFS) is a disorder characterized by debilitating fatigue(over 6 months), along with cognitive, musculoskeletal, and sleep abnormalities. The etiology of this illness is unlikely to be a single agent. Findings to date suggest that physiological and psychological factors work together to predispose and perpetuate the illness. Diagnosis is made difficult by the nonspecific clinical findings and no available diagnostic testing. With no known cause or cure for the chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome, treatment is based on relieving symptoms and improving the quality of life of affected patients. There is emerging evidence that chronic fatigue syndrome may be familial. In the future, studies will examine the extent to which genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of chronic fatigue syndrome. Most patients with CFS have psychiatric problems such as a generalized anxiety disorder, or major or minor depression, therefore, these mental health disorders may be correlated with the pathophysiology of the CFS. The treatment for CFS must be individualized, due to the heterogeneity of the CFS population. Also the treatment of CFS is built on a foundation of patient-physician relationship, respect and advocacy.
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Consumptive Disease and Chronic Fatigue Improved by Nokyonggunbi-tang and Other Korean Medical Treatments: A Case Report Mu-jin Park, So-ri Jin, Eun-jae Oh, Woo-sub Song, Hyun-seok Lee, Kyu-hyun Hwang, Seung-ju Oh, Ah-ra Ju, Su-in Baek The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine.2021; 42(5): 738. CrossRef
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by a not entirely reversible limitation in the airflow. An airflow limitation is progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lung to gases and harmful particles. In COPD, the weight loss is commonly observed and there is a negative impact on the respiratory as well as skeletal muscle function. The pathophysiological mechanisms that result in weight loss in COPD are not fully understood. However, the mechanisms of weight loss in COPD may be the result of an increased energy expenditure unbalanced by an adequate dietary intake. The commonly occurring weight loss and muscle wasting in COPD patients adversely affect the respiratory and peripheral muscle function, the exercise capacity, the health status, and even the survival rates. Therefore, it is very valuable to include management strategies that the increase energy balance in order to increase the weight and fat free mass. A Better understanding of the molecular and cellular pathological mechanisms of COPD can improve the many new directions for both the basic and clinical investigations. The Nutritional supply is an important components of a multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation program. Future studies combining an exercise program, the role of anabolic steroids, nutritional individualization, a more targeted nutritional therapy, and the development of new drugs including anti-cytokines is needed for the effective management of COPD.
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Nutrient intake and dietary quality of Korean adults according to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Based on the 2012~2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Bo Mi Kang, Hae Ryun Park, Young Mi Lee, Kyung Hee Song Journal of Nutrition and Health.2017; 50(6): 585. CrossRef
BACKGROUND Chronic paranasal sinusitis is one of the most common disease in the otorhinolaryngologic field. Endoscopic sinus surgery is treatment of choice in chronic paranasal sinusitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate objective and subjective treatment outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery in adult chronic paranasal sinusitis with or without polyp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 84 adult patients underwent endoscopic sinus surgery by one surgeon from June 1999 to June 2000, prospectively. We analyzed preoperative and postoperative subjective symptom scores and acoustic rhinometric results. RESULTS: Fifty cases were male and thirty four cases female. The average age was of 33 year-old (range: 17 to 66 years). There was significantly improvement of symptom scores in postoperative 3 months and 6 months compared with preoperative symptom scores. There was significantly increased postoperative total volume of nasal cavity. When we compared high score group with low score group, there was statistically significant improvement of symptom scores between preoperative stage and postoperative 3 months in radiologic grading group. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic sinus surgery is considered to be effective for the treatment of chronic paranasal sinusitis. It seems to be helpful to employ subjective symptom score system and objective total volume change of nasal cavity through acoustic rhinometric test to analyze effectiveness of endoscopic sinus surgery. In this study, the most important preoperative factor of sinus surgery outcomes is radiologic grading system.
BACKGROUND Anemia in chronic renal failure plays an important rolr in increasing morbidity of dialysis patients. The causes of the anemia are multifactorial. With using of erythropoietin(EPO), most of uremia-induced anemia can be overcome. However, about 10% of renal failure patients shows EPO-resistant anemia. Hyporesponsiveness to EPO has been realted to many factors: iron deficiency, aluminum intoxication, inflammations, malignancies and secondary hyperparathyroidism. So I evailuated the improvement of EPO responsiveness after correction of above several factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two patients on hemodialysis over 6 months were treated with intravenous ascorbic acid(IVAA, 300 mg t.i.w. for 12 weeks). After administration of IVAA for 12 weeks,patients were classified into several groups according to iron status, serum aluminum levels and i-PTH levels. Indivisualized treatments were performed; increased iron supplement for absolute iron deficiency, active vitamin D3 for secondary hyperparathyroidism and desferrioxamine(DFO, 5 mg/kg t.i.w.) for aluminum intoxication or hyperferritinemia. RESULTS: 1) Results of IVAA therapy for 12 weeks on all patients(n=72) Hemoglobin levels at 2,4,6 week were significantly elevated compared to baseline. but those of hemoglobin at 8, 10, 12 week were not significantly different. 2) Result of IVAA therapy for 20 weeks on patients with 100 microgram/1< or =ferritin<500 microgram/1 and transferrin saturation(Tsat) below 30%(n=30) After treatment of IVAA for 12 weeks, patients were evaluated the response of therapy according to iron status. Patient with 100 microgram/1< or =ferritin?500 microgram/1 and Tsat below 30% showed the most effective response. These patients were treated further for 8 weeks. Hemoglobin levels at 2, 4 week were significantly increased compared to baseline with significantly reduced doses of EPO at 2, 4, 10, 12, 16, 20 week. Concomitantly significantly improvement of Tsat at 2, 6, 16, 20 week compared to baseline were identified. 3) Result of IVAA therapy for 12 weeks followed by DFO therapy for 8 weeks on patients with serume aluminum above 4 microgram/1(n=12) Hemoglobin levels were not significantly increased during IVAA therapy for 12 weeks but dosages of EPO were significantly decreased at 2, 4, 6, 8 week during DFO therapy compared to pre-treatment status. CONCLUSION: IVAA can be helpful for the treatment of the anemia caused by functional iron deficiency and can reduce the dosage of EPO for anemia correction. And administration of low dose DFO, in cases of increased serum aluminum level, can reduce the requirment of EPO.
There are several factors concerning to anemia in chronic renal failure patients. But when rHuEPO is used, most of these factors can be overcome, and the levels of hemoglobin are increased, However, about 10% of the renal failure patients represent rHuEPO-resistant anemia eventhough high dosage of rHuEPO. For these cases, desferrioxamine can be applied to correct rHuEPO resistnacy, and many mechanism og DFO are arguing. So we are going to know whether DFO can applied to correct anemia of the such patients, how long its effect can continued. The seven patients as experimental group(DFO+EPO) who represent refractoriness to rHuEPO and the other seven patients as control group(EPO) were included. Experimental group has lower than 9 g/dL of hemoglobin levels despite high rHuEPO dosage (more than 4000U/Wk) and showed normochromic anemia. There were no definitive causes of anemia such as hemorrhage or iron deficiency. Control group patients has similar characteristics in age, mean dialysis duration but showed adequate response to rHuEPO. DFO was administered to experimental group for 8 weeks along with rHuEPO(the rHuEPO individual mean dosage had been determined by mean dosage of the previous 6 months. Total mean dosage; 123.5 U/Kg/Wk). After 8 weeks of DFO administration, the hemoglobin and rHuEPO dosage levels were checked for 15 consecutive months. It should be noted that the patients determined their own rHuEPO dosage levels according to hemoglobin levels and economic status. In control group, rHuEPO was administered by the same method used in experimental group without DFO through the same period. Fifteen months of ovservation period after DFO trial were divided as Time I(7 months after DFO trial) and Times II(8 months after Time I). The results are as follows: Before DFO trial, mean hemoglobin level of experimental group was 7.8 g/dL, which is similar level(p>0.05) to control group(mean Hb; 8.2 g/dL). But in experimental group, significantly(p<0.05) higher dosages of rHuEPO(mean; 123.5 U/Kg/Wk) than control group (mean;41.6 U/Kg/Wk) had been used. It means resistancy to rHuEPO of experimental group. But after DFO trial, the hemoglobin levels of the experimental group were increased significantly(p<0.05), and these effect were continued to II.(Time I; mean 8.6g/dL, Time II; mean 8.6g/dL) The effects of DFO to hemoglobin were continued for 15 months after DFO trial with simiral degree through Time I, Time II. Also, rHuEPO dosage used in the experimental group were decreased to simiral levels of the control group after DFO trial and these effect were also continued for 15 months(Time I; mean 48.1 U/Kg/Wk. Time II; mean 51.8 U/Kg/Wk). In the same period, hemoglobin levels and rHuEPO dosages used in the control group were not changed significantly. Notibly, hemoglobin increment and rHuEPO usage decrement in experimental group were showed maxilly in the 1st month after DFO trial. That is, after the use of DFO, erythropoiesis was enhanced with a reduced rHuEPO dosage. So we think rHuEPO reisistancy can be overcome by DFO therapy. In conclusion, the DFO can improve the anemia caused by chronic renal failure at least over 1 year, and hence, can reduce the dosage of rHuEPO for anemia correction. Additional studies in order to determined the mechanism of DFO on erythropoiesis and careful attention to potential side effects DFO will be needed.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of clarithromycin in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, we administered clarithromycin(250mg) twice in a day in 30 patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from September to November in 1996. Twenty eight eases of 30 patients were cured(93.4%) and 2 cases(6.7%) show clinical improvement. Three cases were improved within 3 days of treatment and 24 cases were improved between 5 days and 12 days of treatment. There were no significant side effects. These results suggest that clarithromycin will be effective as a first line therapy in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Four subtypes of hepatitis B surface antigen are useful in the epidemiologic studies of the route of virus transmission and clinical significance of simultaneous occurance of hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen in the same serum as well as useful marker for population migration. The sera were obtained from 214 HBs Ag positive patients who are diagnosed as chronic liver disease and following up in the Yeungnam university hospital. The subtypes were determined by solid-phase sandwich EM using monoclonal antibodies. Among 214 specimens, the subtype adr was 93.9%, adw was 2.8%, ayr was 0.9%, ar was 0.9%, adwr was 1.4% and ayw was not detected. There were no correlation between subtype pattern and disease. In summary, the subtype adr was prominent in our study and the difference of subtype pattern by severity of disease was not significant. However, to determine the prognostic value of HBs Ag subtype and relationship between subtype and disease progression, long-term follow up will be needed.
The prognosis of chronic hepatitis C is very variable. In some, the disease is progressive and cirrhosis can develop from chronic hepatitis C. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) may act as a trigger towards hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis. Interferon has been used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in abroad. 16 patients with chronic C liver disease were treated with alpha-interferon (alfa-2b : "Intron A" Schering Corp. Kenilworth, NJ). All patients were given alpha-interferon in subcutaneous doses of 3 million units three times weekly for 1 to 9 months. During therapy, CBC and ALT levels were checked weakly to monthly. After therapy,. patients were followed for 1 to 8 months. Among 16 patients treated with alpha-interferon, progressive decrease of ALT levels was observed in 14 (87.5%). In 11 patients (68.8%), ALT levels fell into the normal range during therapy, and in 9 of 11, within one month after therapy. 6 months after the completion of therapy in 4 of 9 patients (44.4%) whose ALT levels were in the normal range. alpha-interferon seems to have effect in controlling disease activity in patients with chronic hepatitis C. But the changes in the usage of alpha-interferon, dose and duration, long term follow up and more convenient and simple tests for HCV detection are recommended for the better effect and the exact evaluation on the effect of alpha-interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
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Chronic hepatitis C healed by peginterferon-α and rivabirin treatment after kidney transplantation Min Gue Seok, Tae Hee Lee, Sung Ro Yun, Won Min Hwang, Se Hee Yoon, In Soo Choe, Seong Joo Kang, Ju Young Hong, Dae Sung Kim Yeungnam University Journal of Medicine.2016; 33(2): 150. CrossRef