Nationwide study of chronic codeine use and its impact on cough related diseases in South Korea.

Codeine is widely used to control coughs, although concerns about its overuse arise due to its side-effects. This study aimed to evaluate the status of codeine usage according to various medical conditions. The Korean National Health Insurance Service sample cohort was analyzed.

ECMO is associated with decreased hospital mortality in COVID-19 ARDS.

This study determined whether compared to conventional mechanical ventilation (MV), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is associated with decreased hospital mortality or fibrotic changes in patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome. A cohort of 72 patients treated with ECMO and 390 with conventional MV were analyzed (February 2020-December 2021). A target trial was emulated comparing the treatment strategies of initiating ECMO vs no ECMO within 7 days of MV in patients with a PaO/FiO < 80 or a PaCO ≥ 60 mmHg.

Risk of loss to follow-up among tuberculosis patients in South Korea: whom should we focus on?

Introduction: In South Korea, public-private mix (PPM) has been a key strategy in national tuberculosis (TB) control program. This study aimed to identify rate of loss to follow-up (LTFU) among TB patients in nationwide PPM institutions and their risk factors.

Methods: A nationwide prospective observational study including drug susceptible TB patients diagnosed from the 1st day to the 10th day of every month between July 2018 and December 2020 in PPM institutions was designed.

Comparison of safety and efficacy between therapeutic or intermediate versus prophylactic anticoagulation for thrombosis in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections often have macrovascular or microvascular thrombosis and inflammation, which are known to be associated with a poor prognosis. Heparin has been hypothesized that administration of heparin with treatment dose rather than prophylactic dose for prevention of deep vein thrombosis in COVID-19 patients.

Methods: Studies comparing therapeutic or intermediate anticoagulation with prophylactic anticoagulation in COVID-19 patients were eligible.

Two Years of Experience and Methodology of Korean COVID-19 Living Clinical Practice Guideline Development.

Background: In Korea, during the early phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we responded to the uncertainty of treatments under various conditions, consistently playing catch up with the speed of evidence updates. Therefore, there was high demand for national-level evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for clinicians in a timely manner. We developed evidence-based and updated living recommendations for clinicians through a transparent development process and multidisciplinary expert collaboration.

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.

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.

Early Bactericidal Activity of Delpazolid (LCB01-0371) in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Delpazolid, an oxazolidinone, has been studied in non-clinical studies of efficacy and toxicity and Phase 1 clinical studies. Delpazolid has activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This study evaluated the bactericidal activity, safety, and pharmacokinetics of delpazolid in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).

Dose-Response Relationship between Environmental Exposure to Nickel and Pulmonary Function in the Korean General Population Aged 40 or Older.

Nickel is a well-known skin allergen; however, few studies to date have investigated the association between nickel exposure and lung function impairment. The present study, therefore, evaluated the relationship between blood nickel concentrations and lung function profiles in the Korean general population ( = 1,098). Dose-response relationships between blood nickel quartiles and pulmonary function were assessed by sex in multivariate models, after adjustment for potentially confounding factors such as age, height, and smoking status.

Different therapeutic associations of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors with coronavirus disease 2019 compared with usual pneumonia.

Background/aims: Although it is near concluded that renin-angiotensin system inhibitors do not have a harmful effect on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there is no report about whether angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) offer any protective role. This study aimed to compare the association of ARBs and ACEIs with COVID-19-related mortality.

Methods: All patients with COVID-19 in Korea between January 19 and April 16, 2020 were enrolled.

Beneficial Effect of Statins in COVID-19-Related Outcomes-Brief Report: A National Population-Based Cohort Study.

Objective: Although statins are widely prescribed lipid-lowering drugs, there are concerns about the safety of their use in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), since statins increase the expression of ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2). This study aimed to disclose the association between statins and 60-day COVID-19 mortality. Approach and Results: All patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled in this study from January 19 to April 16, 2020, in Korea.

Usefulness of the IgA and IgG Responses to Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor for the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis.

Serological tests offer the potential in order to improve the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) plays a protective role in infection control in TB; however, to date, no studies on antibody responses to MIF have been reported. We measured immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG responses to MIF in individuals with either active tuberculosis (ATB; = 65), latent tuberculosis (LTBI; = 53), or in non-infected individuals (NI; = 62).

Characteristics of a new respiratory syndrome associated with the use of a humidifier disinfectant: humidifier disinfectant-related respiratory syndrome (HDRS).

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to characterize a new respiratory syndrome associated with exposure to a humidifier disinfectant (HD) in South Korea that is distinct from the well-known HD-related lung injury (HDLI). The authors identified this condition in 24 study subjects who were family members of patients with definite or probable HDLI (referred to as index cases), and were exposed to HD in the same room as the index cases.

Material And Methods: The authors reviewed medical records of 236 family members in 110 families who were exposed to HD in the same rooms and residences as the index cases.

Impact of Housing Provision Package on Treatment Outcome Among Homeless Tuberculosis Patients in South Korea.

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of a housing provision package on treatment outcomes among homeless South Korean tuberculosis (TB) patients. We conducted a prospective, single-arm, community-based study with historical controls as follows: community-based intervention group (COM), who were provided housing, nutrition, and case management, and received directly observed therapy services; a first historical control that was treated as usual (TAU); and a second historical control that comprised homeless TB patients residing in long-term TB-care facility (FAC). A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to identify predictors associated with treatment success among homeless TB patients.

Substitution of ethambutol with linezolid during the intensive phase of treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis: a prospective, multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase 2 trial.

Background: Linezolid improves the treatment outcomes of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis substantially. We investigated whether use of linezolid instead of ethambutol increases the proportion of sputum culture conversion at 8 weeks of treatment in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Methods: We did a phase 2, multicentre, randomised, open-label trial for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis at the three affiliated hospitals to Seoul National University and National Medical Center (Seoul-Seongnam, South Korea).

Immune Responses to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus During the Acute and Convalescent Phases of Human Infection.

Background: An understanding of immune responses against the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is important for the development of treatments and preventive measures. Here, we investigated the spectrum of immune responses occurring in patients with MERS during the early period of infection.

Methods: We obtained peripheral blood samples from 27 hospitalized patients recruited during the epidemic that occurred in 2015 in South Korea.

Correlation between Pneumonia Severity and Pulmonary Complications in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.

This nationwide, prospective cohort study evaluated pulmonary function and radiological sequelae according to infection severity in 73 survivors from the 2015 Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreak in Korea. Patients with severe pneumonia in MERS-coronavirus infection had more impaired pulmonary function than those with no or mild pneumonia at the 1-year follow-up, which was compatible with the radiological sequelae. Severe pneumonia significantly impairs pulmonary function and makes long radiological sequelae in MERS.

A Middle East respiratory syndrome screening clinic for health care personnel during the 2015 Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak in South Korea: A single-center experience.

Background: Transmission of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) to health care personnel (HCP) is a major concern. This study aimed to review cases of MERS-related events, such as development of MERS-like symptoms or exposure to patients.

Methods: A MERS screening clinic (MSC) for HCP was setup in the National Medical Center during the MERS outbreak in 2015.

The clinical and virological features of the first imported case causing MERS-CoV outbreak in South Korea, 2015.

Background: In 2015, the largest outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection outside the Middle East occurred in South Korea. We summarized the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory findings of the first Korean case of MERS-CoV and analyzed whole-genome sequences of MERS-CoV derived from the patient.

Case Presentation: A 68-year-old man developed fever and myalgia 7 days after returning to Korea, following a 10-day trip to the Middle East.