Eupatilin Alleviates Hyperlipidemia in Mice by Inhibiting HMG-CoA Reductase.

(family ) is a natural product broadly used as an antioxidative, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory agent in East Asia. In the present study, eupatilin, the main constituent of , was investigated as an antihyperlipidemic agent. Eupatilin inhibited 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase (HCR), an enzyme that is a therapeutic target for hyperlipidemia, in an assay using rat liver.

Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Human Breast Milk Improve Colitis Induced by 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid by Inhibiting NF-κB Signaling in Mice.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic inflammatory disease, results from dysregulation of the immune responses. Some lactic acid bacteria (LAB), including , alleviate IBD through immunomodulation. In this study, the anti-colitis effect of LAB isolated from human breast milk was investigated in a mouse model induced acute colitis with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS).

The Impact of Inhaled Corticosteroids on the Prognosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: A comprehensive analysis of the effects of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on COPD in a real-world setting is required due to safety concerns regarding ICS in COPD. This study aimed to explore the impact of ICS on the prognosis of Asian COPD patients in the real-life world.

Methods: We examined 978 COPD patients registered in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) database and with their data linked to Health Insurance and Review Assessment (HIRA) data.

Increased hospitalizations and economic burden in COPD with bronchiectasis: a nationwide representative study.

With the increasing use of computed tomography, bronchiectasis has become a common finding in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the clinical aspects and medical utilization of COPD with bronchiectasis (BE) remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the BE effect on prognosis and medical utilization in patients with COPD.

Does the Use of Asthma-Controller Medication in Accordance with Guidelines Reduce the Incidence of Acute Exacerbations and Healthcare Costs?

Background: In asthma, consistent control of chronic airway inflammation is crucial, and the use of asthma-controller medication has been emphasized. Our purpose in this study is to compare the incidence of acute exacerbation and healthcare costs related to the use of asthma-controller medication.

Methods: By using data collected by the National Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, we compared one-year clinical outcomes and medical costs from July 2014 to June 2015 (follow-up period) between two groups of patients with asthma who received different prescriptions for recommended asthma-controller medication (inhaled corticosteroids or leukotriene receptor antagonists) at least once from July 2013 to June 2014 (assessment period).

Effect of low protein intake on acute exacerbations in mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: data from the 2007-2012 KNHANES.

Background: Several researchers have reported that the amount of protein intake is associated with lung function and airflow obstruction. However, few studies have investigated the effect of low protein intake on acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study aimed to investigate the effect of low protein intake on exacerbations in mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Is Not Associated with a Poor Prognosis in COVID-19.

Background: The effect of underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during a pandemic is controversial. The purpose of this study was to examine the prognosis of COVID-19 according to the underlying COPD.

Methods: COVID-19 patients were assessed using nationwide health insurance data.

Inhaled corticosteroid is not associated with a poor prognosis in COVID-19.

Inhaled corticosteroid is not associated with a poor prognosis in COVID-19.

Frequent Outpatient Visits Prevent Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory airway disease requiring frequent outpatient visits and lifelong management. We aimed to evaluate the roles of frequent outpatient visits in prognosis of COPD. We used claims data in the national medical insurance review system provided by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of Korea from May 1, 2014 to April 30, 2015.

Prescription Status and Clinical Outcomes of Methylxanthines and Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists in Mild-to-Moderate Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Methylxanthines and leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA) are not a first-line medical treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but are frequently prescribed despite limited evidence. We aimed to elucidate the real prescribing status and clinical impacts of these agents in early COPD patients.

Methods: Patients with mild-to-moderate COPD (FEV>50%) were selected from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data between 2007 and 2012.

Significant predictors of medically diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients with preserved ratio impaired spirometry: a 3-year cohort study.

Background: Preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) is an incompletely understood respiratory condition. We investigated the incidence and significant predictive factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in PRISm patients.

Methods: From 11,922 subjects registered in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, never or light smokers, young subjects, and those already medically diagnosed with COPD (defined by ICD-10 code and prescribed medication) were excluded.

Comparative Effectiveness of Abdominal versus Laparoscopic Radical Hysterectomy for Cervical Cancer in the Postdissemination Era.

Purpose: Despite the benefits of minimally invasive surgery for cervical cancer, there are a lack of randomized trials comparing laparoscopic radical hysterectomy and abdominal radical hysterectomy. We compared morbidity, cost of care, and survival between abdominal radical hysterectomy and laparoscopic radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer.

Materials And Methods: We used the Korean nationwide database to identify women with cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014.

Impact of BMI on exacerbation and medical care expenses in subjects with mild to moderate airflow obstruction.

Background And Objective: The rate of obesity is increasing in Asia, but the clinical impact of body mass index (BMI) on the outcome of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains unknown. We aimed to assess this impact while focusing on the risk of exacerbation, health-care utilization, and medical costs.

Methods: We examined 43,864 subjects registered in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) database from 2007 to 2012, and linked the data of COPD patients who had mild to moderate airflow obstruction (n = 1,320) to National Health Insurance (NHI) data.

Regular follow-up visits reduce the risk for asthma exacerbation requiring admission in Korean adults with asthma.

Background: Asthma requires regular follow-up visits and sustained medication use. Although several studies have reported the importance of adherence to medication and compliance with the treatment, none to date have reported the importance of regular follow-up visits. We investigated the effects of regular clinical visits on asthma exacerbation.

Comparative study on medical utilization and costs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with good lung function.

Introduction: Patients with mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are underdiagnosed and undertreated due to the asymptomatic nature of the disease. Previous studies on patients with mild COPD have focused on symptomatic patients. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the treatment status of patients with early COPD in Korea.

Socioeconomic impact of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome.

Background: Asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap syndrome (ACOS) is defined as having both features of asthma and COPD, which are airway hyper-responsiveness and incompletely reversible airway obstruction. However, socioeconomic impact of ACOS have not been well appreciated.

Methods: Adults with available wheezing history and acceptable spirometry were selected from the fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV) in 2007-2009.

Identification of subtypes in subjects with mild-to-moderate airflow limitation and its clinical and socioeconomic implications.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify subtypes in patients with mild-to-moderate airflow limitation and to appreciate their clinical and socioeconomic implications.

Methods: Subjects who were aged ≥20 years and had forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV) ≥60% predicted and FEV/forced vital capacity <0.7 were selected from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) in 2007-2012.

Natural course of early COPD.

Background And Objective: Few studies have examined the natural course of early COPD. The aim of this study was to observe the natural course of early COPD patients. We also aimed to analyze medical utilization and costs for early COPD during a 6-year period.

Patterns and determinants of COPD-related healthcare utilization by severity of airway obstruction in Korea.

Background: We investigated patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to analyze patterns and identify determinants of healthcare use, according to the severity of airflow obstruction. We used retrospective cohort data from a combination of the 4th Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES) and Korean National Health Insurance (NHI) claims.

Methods: Demographic and medical claims data were retrospectively analyzed from the 4th KNHANES along with NHI claims.

The health care burden of high grade chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Korea: analysis of the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service data.

Background: Patients with high grade chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD) account for much of the COPD-related mortality and incur excessive financial burdens and medical care utilization. We aimed to determine the characteristics and medical care use of such patients using nationwide data from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service in 2009.

Materials And Methods: Patients with COPD were identified by searching with the International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision for those using medication.

Medical utilization and cost in patients with overlap syndrome of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.

Background: Little information is available regarding medical utilization and cost in patients with overlap syndrome of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The purpose of this study is to analyze medical utilization and cost in patients with overlap syndrome and to compare them to COPD patients without asthma.

Methods: Using the 2009 Korean National Health Insurance (NHI) database, COPD patients were identified.

The association between inhaled long-acting bronchodilators and less in-hospital care in newly-diagnosed COPD patients.

Background: Although the efficacy of inhaled long-acting bronchodilators has been well documented in randomised controlled studies, whether similar effects are obtained in real-life clinical practice is not clear. In this study, we analysed the effect of inhaled long-acting bronchodilators in newly-diagnosed COPD patients.

Methods: The Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service databases were used.

Association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a national cross-sectional cohort study.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common causes of chronic cough and a potential risk factor for exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of GERD in patients with COPD and association between GERD and COPD exacerbation.

Methods: Data were collected from the National Health Insurance Database of Korea.

Inhaled corticosteroid use and risks of lung cancer and laryngeal cancer.

Background: Chronic inflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several cancers, including lung and laryngeal cancer. The objective of the study is to elucidate the association between ICS use and diagnosis of lung and laryngeal cancer.

Methods: A nested case-control study based on the Korean national claims database included new adult users of inhaled medications between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2010.