Association between constipation and incident chronic kidney disease in the UK Biobank study.

Despite previous studies supporting a close relationship between constipation and chronic kidney disease (CKD), the potential impact of constipation on incident CKD and the role of laxatives remains uncertain. We analyzed longitudinal data from the UK Biobank, which links baseline assessment data with follow-up data from hospital episode statistics and general practice records. Constipation was defined with diagnostic codes or regular use of laxatives at baseline as reported in the questionnaire.

Real-world evidence of constipation and laxative use in the Korean population with chronic kidney disease from a common data model.

Constipation is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal disorder in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, our understanding of its epidemiology and management in CKD is limited. We aimed to explore real-world data on constipation and laxative use in patients with CKD in a nationwide population-based cohort from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment-National Patient Sample database.

The Effect of Induction Therapy on Antibody-Mediated Rejection in Kidney Transplantation: A Network Meta-Analysis Using Recent Data.

Background: Various induction regimens are available for kidney transplantation (KT); however, which is superior remains unclear. Moreover, although the induction regimens are effective and important for reducing side effects, their respective relationships with antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) after transplantation remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the most effective induction regimen for AMR reduction through network analysis.

High-Dose Intravenous Immunoglobulin to Treat Anti-Thymocyte Globulin Induction-Related BK Virus and Cytomegalovirus Infection in Patients with ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplantation.

Background: ABO-incompatible (ABOi) transplantation is a novel method transplantation method that carries a heightened risk of infection caused by the use of high immunosuppressant doses. This elevated risk is particularly concerning for viral infections, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) and the BK virus (BKV) increases. Herein, we present a case where high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was effective in treating viral infections after transplantation.

Effect of Plasmapheresis on the Efficacy of Rituximab in Antibody-Mediated Rejection Patients.

Background: Rituximab and plasmapheresis (PP) suppress and eliminate antibody production in patients experiencing antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). Herein, we discuss a case where rituximab was less effective after PP for treating AMR.

Case: A 55-year-old male patient underwent kidney transplantation.

Effect of Induction Therapy Dose on Survival in Abo-Incompatible Kidney Transplantation: A Network Meta-Analysis Using Recent Data.

Background: Rituximab is an essential induction immunosuppressant for ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation (KT) (ABOi-KT). However, studies on the optimal dose of rituximab are insufficient, and there are dosage differences between transplant centers and countries. Therefore, we conducted a study to determine the survival outcomes of patients receiving the most effective and safe dose of rituximab during ABOi-KT.

Factors for predicting recurrence after burr hole drainage for chronic subdural hematoma: a retrospective study.

Chronic subdural hematoma (SDH) is a common disease in the neurosurgical field, and hematoma drainage through burr hole trephination has been widely considered the optimal treatment for SDH. Despite numerous investigations aimed at predicting recurrence rates and associated factors, studies have demonstrated inconsistent results. In this study, we aimed to comprehensively determine the predictive factors of chronic SDH recurrence in surgically treated patients.

The Sagittal Balance of Cervical Spine : Comprehensive Review of Recent Update.

The cervical spine plays a critical role in supporting the skull, maintaining horizontal gaze, and facilitating walking. Its unique characteristics, including the widest range of motion among spinal segments, have led to extensive research on cervical sagittal alignment. Various parameters have been proposed to evaluate cervical alignment, with studies investigating their clinical significance, correlation with symptoms, and implications for surgical interventions.

A higher probability of subsequent stroke and ischemic heart disease in migraine patients: a longitudinal follow-up study in Korea.

Background: Whether migraine is related to the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted a longitudinal follow-up study to address the association between migraine and the development of CVDs in Korea.

Methods: Using data from the national health screening cohort, we included 45,246 patients diagnosed with migraine between 2002 and 2019 and age-, sex-, income-, and residential region-matched nonmigraine participants at a ratio of 1:4.

Longitudinal follow-up study of the association with gout and Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease in Korea.

To date, no clear conclusion on the relationships of gout with the occurrence of typical neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), has been reached. This study aimed to determine whether the patients with gout are at a lower or higher probability of developing AD or PD than those without gout. Longitudinal follow-up data of a representative sample of Korean adults were assessed.

Potassium Channel Syndrome Caused by Nicorandil in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Nicorandil is an anti-anginal drug that is commonly used in the treatment of ischemic heart disease. Nicorandil acts as a nitrate donor and ATP-sensitive potassium channel agonist, inducing coronary artery vasodilation. Potassium efflux through ATP-sensitive potassium channels activated by nicorandil can cause refractory hyperkalemia, particularly in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Changes in the Incidence of Cardiovascular Diseases during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea.

There is scarcity in the evidence addressing the indirect impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology of CVDs. In this study we aimed to examine possible changes in the incidence of CVDs in Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic. ICD-10 codes of six common CVDs (cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, cardiac failure, and arrhythmia) were collected from clinical visits between January 2018 and March 2021 using the National Health Insurance service database, which stores data on all citizens of Korea (~50 million people).

Significance of Measuring Lumbar Spine 3-Dimensional Computed Tomography Hounsfield Units to Predict Screw Loosening.

Background: Osteoporosis is a well-known risk factor of screw loosening. Classically, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan is an easy and cost-effective method of detecting bone mineral density (BMD). However, T-score on DEXA scan can be overestimated in patients with degenerative changes of the spine.

Depressive Symptoms, Subjective Cognitive Decline, and Subjective Sleep Quality Are Associated with Slips and Falls: Data from the Community Health Survey in Korean Adults.

Background: Identifying the risk factors for falls among the elderly population is arguably one of the most imperative public health issues in the current aging society.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the associations between depressive symptoms, subjective cognitive decline (SCD), and poor subjective sleep quality and the risk of slips/falls in a Korean older population.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 228,340 elderly individuals living in Korea.

Multiple Gouty Arthritis With Tophi Formation in a Patient With End-Stage Kidney Disease Treated After Kidney Transplant.

Background: Hyperuricemia is a common condition in patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease. It occurs even after kidney transplant because of the use of calcineurin inhibitors and transplanted kidney failure. We describe the case of a patient with end-stage kidney disease who had multiple gouty arthritis with tophi formation despite receiving appropriate treatment but was successfully cured after kidney transplant.

Acute Anti-A/B Antibody-Mediated Rejection After ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplantation Treated With Bortezomib and Plasmapheresis: A Case Report.

Background: ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation (KTP) is effective for avoiding transplantation-related issues. It is a viable alternative to ABO-compatible KTP, as both techniques have similar patient and graft survival rates. However, anti-A/B antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) can occur, resulting in poor long-term graft survival.

Cancer Diagnosis During Kidney Donor Evaluation.

Donor evaluation is important to ensure that life threatening diseases like cancer can be prevented from getting passed on to the recipient. The donor patient described in our report showed normal parameters in blood and urine biochemistry analysis. Additionally, kidney ultrasonography and renal artery CT showed no indications of any abnormalities.

Antibiotic use in nasal bone fracture: a single-center retrospective study.

Background: Prophylactic antibiotics are used to prevent surgical wound infection; however, proper indications must be followed with careful consideration of the risks and benefits, especially in clean or clean-contaminated wounds. Nasal bone fractures are the most common type of facial bone fracture. The most common method for treating nasal bone fracture is closed reduction, which is performed inside the nasal cavity without an incision.

Antibiotic use in nasal bone fracture: a nationwide population-based cohort study in Korea.

Background: Prophylactic antibiotics are commonly used in craniofacial surgeries. Despite the low risk of surgical site infection after nasal surgery, a lack of consensus regarding the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in the closed reduction of nasal bone fractures has led to inappropriate prescribing patterns. Through this study, we aimed to investigate the status of prophylactic antibiotic use in closed reductions of nasal bone fractures in Korea.

Transvenous coil embolization of hypoglossal canal dural arteriovenous fistula using detachable coils: A case report.

The hypoglossal canal (HC) is an unusual location of the posterior fossa dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF), which usually occurs in the transverse or sigmoid sinus. Herein, we report a case of HC dural AVF successfully treated with transvenous coil embolization using detachable coils in a 68-year-old woman who presented with headache and left pulsatile tinnitus for 2 months. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cerebral angiography revealed left HC dural AVF.

Clinical and radiographic factors involved in achieving a hematoma evacuation rate of more than 70% through minimally invasive catheter drainage for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

Although stereotactic or neuronavigation-guided hematoma drainage for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is widely used, its clinical efficacy and factors for predictive results remain to be fully elucidated. This study sought to determine the efficacy of hematoma evacuation for spontaneous ICH, in addition to the factors affecting it. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent stereotactic or neuronavigation-guided catheter insertion for spontaneous ICH at our institute between April 2010 and December 2019.

Comparison of Long-Term Angiographic Results of Wide-Necked Intracranial Aneurysms : Endovascular Treatment with Single-Microcatheter Coiling, Double-Microcatheter Coiling, and Stent-Assisted Coiling.

Objective: Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms is challenging in case of wide-necked aneurysms because coils are prone to herniate into the parent artery, causing thromboembolic events or vessel occlusion. This study aims to compare long-term angiographic results of wide-necked aneurysms treated by stent-assisted, double-microcatheter, or single-microcatheter groups.

Methods: Between January 2003 and October 2016, 108 aneurysms that were treated with endovascular coil embolization with a neck size wider than 4 mm and a follow-up period of more than 3 years were selected.