Predictive Factors and Clinical Impacts of Delayed Isolation of Tuberculosis during Hospital Admission.

Delayed isolation of tuberculosis (TB) can cause unexpected exposure of healthcare workers (HCWs). This study identified the predictive factors and clinical impact of delayed isolation. We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of index patients and HCWs who underwent contact investigation after TB exposure during hospitalization at the National Medical Center, between January 2018 and July 2021.

Efficacy and safety of prone position in COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Prone position has already been demonstrated to improve survival in non-COVID acute respiratory distress syndrome and has been widely performed in COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure, both in non-intubated and intubated patients. However, the beneficial effect of the prone position in COVID-19 pneumonia still remains controversial. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the prone position compared with the non-prone in non-intubated and intubated COVID-19 patients, respectively.

Patient and hospital characteristics predict prolonged emergency department length of stay and in-hospital mortality: a nationwide analysis in Korea.

Background: Prolonged emergency department length of stay (EDLOS) in critically ill patients leads to increased mortality. This nationwide study investigated patient and hospital characteristics associated with prolonged EDLOS and in-hospital mortality in adult patients admitted from the emergency department (ED) to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the National Emergency Department Information System.

Early intubation and clinical outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Evidence regarding the timing of the application of mechanical ventilation among patients with severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is insufficient. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of early intubation compared to late intubation in patients with severe and critical COVID-19.

Methods: For this study, we searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases as well as one Korean domestic database on July 15, 2021.

Prognostic Factors for Pulmonary Fibrosis Following Pneumonia in Patients with COVID-19: A Prospective Study.

The frequency and clinical manifestation of lung fibrosis accompanied by coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are not well-established. We aimed to identify the factors attributed to post-COVID-19 fibrosis. This single-center prospective study included patients diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia from 12 April to 22 October 2021 in the Republic of Korea.

Association between Comorbidities and Preserved Ratio Impaired Spirometry: Using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV-VI.

Background: Preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) patients have more frequent respiratory symptoms and an increased risk of mortality. However, studies on comorbidities in these patients are lacking.

Objectives: We investigated the association between PRISm and comorbidities using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).

The Ability of Different Scoring Systems to Predict Mortality in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of mortality, therefore the prediction of mortality in COPD patients is crucial. In the current study, the abilities of different categorization systems to predict mortality in stable COPD patients from a prospective cohort were compared.

Methods: The ability to predict mortality was compared in terms of discrimination by Harrell's C (HC) index and calibration using graphical comparison among the GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) 2011, GOLD 2017, GOLD grade, BODE (BMI, Airflow Obstruction, Dyspnea, Exercise), updated BODE, BODEx (BMI, Airflow Obstruction, Dyspnea, Exacerbation), e-BODE (Exacerbation and BODE), ADO (Age, Dyspnea, Airflow Obstruction), COPD prognostic index (CPI), and simplified/optimized B-AE-D (BMI, Acute Exacerbation, Dyspnea) indexes.

Acute Exacerbation According to GOLD 2017 Categories in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Introduction: The association between GOLD categorizations and future exacerbations has not been fully investigated. This study elucidates whether the GOLD 2017 classification is associated with different future exacerbation risk in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared with the previous GOLD categorization. Another objective was to investigate the impacts of the symptoms and FEV1 on the predicted future exacerbation independently of previous exacerbation history.

Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration for Re-biopsy in Previously Treated Lung Cancer.

Purpose: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is widely used for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. However, evidence of its usefulness for re-biopsy in treated lung cancer, especially according to the previous treatment, is limited. We evaluated the role of EBUS-TBNA for re-biopsy and its diagnostic values in patients with different treatment histories.

Effect of Antihypertensive Medications on Sepsis-Related Outcomes: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Objectives: Although the effect of antihypertensive agents on sepsis has been studied, evidence for survival benefit was limited in the literature. We investigated differences in sepsis-related outcomes depending on the antihypertensive drugs given prior to sepsis in patients with hypertension.

Design: Population-based cohort study.

WITHDRAWN:The Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration for Re-biopsy in Previously Treated Lung Cancer.

Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher.

The Burden of Modifiable Risk Factors in Newly Defined Categories of Blood Pressure.

Background: The 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guideline introduced new categories of high blood pressure. The vast majority of individuals in these newly defined categories are recommended for nonpharmacological intervention rather than antihypertensive therapy. This study sought to determine the burden of potentially modifiable risk factors of hypertension among untreated adults in the newly defined categories of blood pressure.

Effect of Renin-Angiotensin System Blockage in Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Retrospective Case Control Study.

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a life-threatening disease. Many patients with ARDS do not recover fully, and progress to terminal lung fibrosis. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor is known to modulate the neurohormonal system to reduce inflammation and to prevent tissue fibrosis.

Effect of drug resistance on negative conversion of sputum culture in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Objective: Negative conversion of sputum culture is a useful marker for predicting treatment outcome and relapse of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The effect of drug resistance on negative conversion of sputum culture with treatment was evaluated in this study.

Methods: A total of 535 patients with culture-proven pulmonary TB were classified into three groups: drug-susceptible (DS), other drug-resistant (ODR), and multidrug-resistant/extensively drug-resistant (MDR/XDR).

FDG PET-CT in the Diagnosis of Takayasu Arteritis Presenting as Fever of Unknown Origin: A Case Report.

Takayasu arteritis is a chronic vasculitis involving the large vessels. At diagnosis, ischemic symptom are usually present in the affected vessels. However, fever of unknown origin (FUO) is rare as an initial presentation and renders the condition difficult to diagnose.

Lung function decline rates according to GOLD group in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Since the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) groups A-D were introduced, the lung function changes according to group have been evaluated rarely.

Objective: We investigated the rate of decline in annual lung function in patients categorized according to the 2014 GOLD guidelines.

Methods: Patients with COPD included in the Korean Obstructive Lung Disease (KOLD) prospective study, who underwent yearly postbronchodilator spirometry at least three times, were included.

Changes in Diagnostic Methods for Pulmonary Tuberculosis between 2005 and 2013.

Background: Diagnostic methods for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) have recently advanced. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in TB diagnostic tests that prompted the initiation of anti-TB treatment over time in South Korea, an industrialized country with an intermediate TB burden.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with pulmonary TB in the first halves of 2005 and 2013 at a tertiary referral hospital were included.

Bacterial pericarditis as a fatal complication after endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a safe and effective diagnostic tool for mediastinal evaluation. The guidelines for mediastinal evaluation of lung cancer were recently revised for both endoscopic procedures and surgical medical staging, and EBUS-TBNA is expected to be used more often in lung cancer diagnosis and staging. The major complication rate reported in previous meta-analyses is very low at 0.