Publications by authors named "N G Kwak"
Background: The microbiota is a potential source of biomarkers for clinical outcomes in chronic respiratory conditions, but its role in Mycobacterium abscessus pulmonary disease (PD) remains unexplored. We aimed to identify microbial signatures in fecal and sputum microbiotas associated with treatment response in patients with M. abscessus PD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD) is a chronic lung condition with rapidly increasing prevalence worldwide. Macrolides like azithromycin and clarithromycin are the backbone of long-term antibiotic therapy for progressive MAC-PD. The impact of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), especially within the susceptible range, for macrolides on treatment responses remains unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To analyze the clinical and economic consequences of the progression to castration-resistant status for patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in South Korea.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted using National Health Insurance claims data from 2013 to 2021. Patients defined as newly diagnosed with mHSPC had an index date of first claim for metastatic PC between 2015 and 2016 and no exposure to CRPC medicines during the washout period.
Article Synopsis
- Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is a serious lung disease that is becoming more common around the world.
- This study looked at data from 453 patients with NTM-PD to see how other bacteria in their lungs (like Pseudomonas) affected their treatment and health outcomes.
- The results showed that having certain bacteria made it more likely for patients to start treatment, but having Pseudomonas was linked to a higher risk of dying.
High-Dose Rifampicin for 3 Months after Culture Conversion for Drug-Susceptible Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
Tuberc Respir Dis (Seoul)
January 2025
Article Synopsis
- - The study investigated if a shorter, high-dose rifampicin treatment for tuberculosis is as effective as the standard 6-month regimen.
- - A total of 76 participants were enrolled, but the results showed a higher percentage of unfavorable outcomes in the investigational group compared to the control group, indicating the shorter regimen was not non-inferior.
- - Despite failing to prove non-inferiority, the shorter regimen did have a similar safety profile compared to the standard treatment.