The High Prevalence of Sarcopenia in Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Korean Population: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) includes musculoskeletal symptoms that lead to disuse atrophy of muscles and changes in body composition. Musculoskeletal symptoms and loss of physical function may be associated with sarcopenia, which is characterized by muscle loss. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia and its association with RA in a Korean population.

Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are both chronic inflammatory diseases; the prevalence of COPD in RA patients is known to be high. However, the prevalence of both RA and COPD differs according to sex; the relationship between RA and COPD may also vary according to sex. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of COPD and its association in patients with RA in Korea by sex.

Evaluating the effect of a smartphone app-based self-management program for people with COPD: A randomized controlled trial.

Aim: To examine the effect of a 6-month, smartphone app-based self-management program for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Background: Technological interventions have been used for chronic disease management, but the effect of a self-management program using a smartphone app has not been evaluated in people with COPD.

Methods: For this randomized controlled trial, patients with COPD (N = 44) were recruited in pulmonary medicine outpatient clinics at two, metropolitan, tertiary care, academic hospitals.

Clinical Findings of Ankylosing Spondylitis With and Without Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-B27 and HLA-B51.

Introduction: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and Behçet's disease are known to be associated with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 and HLA-B51 genes, respectively. However, many of their clinical findings-including articular and extra-articular symptoms-are similar, making diagnosis a challenge in the early stage of the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in clinical findings of AS patients with and without the HLA-B27 gene.

Relationship between coffee consumption and serum uric acid level in the general Korean population: A nationwide cross-sectional study.

Objective: Coffee is one of the world's most consumed beverages, and its consumption is increasing. Serum uric acid levels are affected by dietary factors, and increased levels can cause a variety of diseases, including gout. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between coffee consumption and serum uric acid levels in the general Korean population.

Association between interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha polymorphisms and juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a meta-analysis.

Introduction: In juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) are associated with development and progression of JIA. We investigated whether IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to JIA.

Evidence Acquisition: A meta-analysis was conducted on the associations between IL-1α-899 C/T, IL-1β-511 C/T, IL-6-174 G/C, and TNF-α-308 G/A and -238 G/A polymorphisms, and JIA (PubMed and Embase).

Knee osteoarthritis and menopausal hormone therapy in postmenopausal women: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

Objective: The incidence of osteoarthritis (OA) increases after menopause, and may be related to hormonal changes in women. Estrogen deficiency is known to affect the development of OA, and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is suggested to be related to the development of OA. However, the relationship between knee OA and MHT remains controversial.

Tumour necrosis factor alpha gene polymorphisms in women with recurrent pregnancy loss: a meta-analysis.

Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) concentration is associated with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Moreover, TNF-α promoter polymorphisms affect cellular TNF-α concentrations. Although several studies on TNF-α polymorphisms have been reported, these studies only define specific loci and result in conflicting conclusions.

Is knee osteoarthritis related to coffee drinking? A nationwide cross-sectional observational study.

Aims: Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages globally, and coffee consumption is increasing. Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common musculoskeletal disease in the elderly, is also becoming more prevalent. Coffee is associated with various diseases, but there has not yet been a study of the relationship between coffee and knee OA.

Risk factors and outcomes of sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction and stress-induced cardiomyopathy in sepsis or septic shock: A comparative retrospective study.

While both sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD) and stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SICMP) are common in patients with sepsis, the pathogenesis of the 2 diseases is different, and they require different treatment strategies. Thus, we aimed to investigate risk factors and outcomes between the 2 diseases.This retrospective study enrolled patients diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock, admitted to intensive care unit via emergency department in Korea University Anam Hospital, and who underwent transthoracic echocardiography within the first 24 hours of admission.