Isolated respiratory tract microorganisms and clinical characteristics in asthma exacerbation of obese patients: a multicenter study.

Background: Viral infection is a risk factor for asthma exacerbation (AE). However, bacterial infections related to AE in adults are poorly known. On the other hand, obese patients with asthma have their own clinical and biological characteristics compared with non-obese patients.

A novel gene mutation causing Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome in a Korean family.

Spontaneous pneumothorax is a common manifestation of Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome, an inherited disorder caused by mutation of the () gene. A 44-year-old female with a history of breast cancer was diagnosed with recurrent pneumothorax. Chest CT showed multiple cysts with left lung pneumothorax, and she received surgery for the diagnosis.

Impact of COPD Treatment on Survival in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the impact of COPD treatment on the survival of patients with advanced NSCLC remains uncertain. We retrospectively investigated COPD patients among patients newly diagnosed with advanced NSCLC between September 2005 and August 2019 at a university hospital.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes among older nursing home residents hospitalized with pneumonia.

Background: Due to population aging, the number of cases of pneumonia in nursing homes in South Korea has been increasing. This study investigated the characteristics and clinical outcomes in nursing home residents with pneumonia admitted to a tertiary hospital.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients transferred to the tertiary hospital from nursing homes between August 2009 and October 2016.

Comparison of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors for patients with lung adenocarcinoma harboring different epidermal growth factor receptor mutation types.

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer predict sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). EGFR mutation types are associated with efficacy of EGFR TKIs. We investigated the clinical outcomes of afatinib, erlotinib, and gefitinib according to EGFR mutation type in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Impact of right ventricular systolic pressure in elderly patients admitted to intensive care unit after femur fracture surgery: A retrospective observational study.

The number of femoral fractures is expected to continue to increase as the size of the older population rapidly grows. However, old age is accompanied by various comorbidities and is an important postoperative risk factor in itself, meaning that patients who undergo surgery for a femur fracture may require admission to an ICU. We investigated pulmonary complications in patients over the age of 65 admitted to the ICU after femur fracture surgery.

Diagnostic yield of additional conventional transbronchial lung biopsy following radial endobronchial ultrasound lung biopsy for peripheral pulmonary lesions.

Background: Radial endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS) transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) improves the diagnostic yield from peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs). However, the small specimens obtained using small forceps through a guide sheath (GS) may impede diagnosis and molecular analysis. Here, we investigated the diagnostic significance of additional conventional TBLB with standard forceps after R-EBUS-GS-guided TBLB.

Clinical significance of EGFR mutation types in lung adenocarcinoma: A multi-centre Korean study.

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of non-small cell lung cancer. Some causative genomic alterations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), including deletions in exon 19 (E19 dels) and a point mutation in E21, are known to have favourable prognoses due to sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors; however, the prognoses of other uncommon mutations are unclear. This study analysed the clinical significance of EGFR mutation types in lung adenocarcinoma.

Hemoptysis requiring bronchial artery embolization in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease.

Background: Although infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are increasing in prevalence, there are few data about hemoptysis in patients with NTM lung disease. This study investigated the characteristics and prognosis of hemoptysis secondary to NTM infection.

Methods: Following a retrospective review of cases managed between 2006 and 2016, 183 patients with NTM lung disease were enrolled and analyzed.

Risk factors associated with an increase in the size of ground-glass lung nodules on chest computed tomography.

Background: The detection rate of ground-glass nodules (GGNs) in the lung has increased with the increased use of low-dose computed tomography (CT) of the chest for cancer screening; however, limited data is available on the natural history, follow-up, and treatment of GGNs. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with an increase in the size of GGNs.

Methods: A total of 338 patients (mean ages, 59.

Long-Term Mortality and Prognostic Factors in Aspiration Pneumonia.

Objectives: Aspiration pneumonia is a leading cause of death among older patients; however, little is known about the long-term mortality in aspiration pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term mortality and its associated factors in patients with aspiration pneumonia.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Adenovirus pneumonia treated with Cidofovir in an immunocompetent high school senior.

Most adenovirus infections are self-limiting in immunocompetent individuals. Here, we report a case of adenovirus pneumonia in a 17-year-old immunocompetent male. He was admitted to our emergency room complaining of a febrile sense, cough, and diarrhea for four days.

Combined silicosis and mixed dust pneumoconiosis with rapid progression: A case report and literature review.

Background: Rapidly progressive pneumoconiosis (RPP) occasionally occurs in coal workers, particularly those with high exposure to silica. Here, we report the case of a 64-year-old male miller with RPP.

Case Summary: The patient had a persistent cough for one month and had been clinically diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis in 2011.

Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors in patients directly transferred to the intensive care unit from long-term care beds in institutions and hospitals: a retrospective clinical study.

Background: There has been a steady increase in the aging population and an increase in the need for long-term care beds in institutions and hospitals (LTCHs) in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate prognosis and to identify factors contributing to mortality of critically ill patients with respiratory problems who were directly transferred to intensive care units (ICU) from LTCHs.

Methods: Following a retrospective review of clinical data and radiographic findings between July 2009 and September 2016, we included 111 patients with respiratory problems who had visited the emergency room (ER) transferred from LTCHs due to respiratory symptoms and who were then admitted to the ICU.

Clinical features and outcomes in patients with pulmonary complications during pregnancy and peripartum.

The aim of this study was to investigate clinical features and identify maternal factors contributing to prognosis in women with pulmonary complications during pregnancy and the peripartum period. Following a retrospective review of clinical data and radiographic findings between January 2006 and January 2016, 126 women diagnosed with pulmonary complications during pregnancy ( = 79) and peripartum within the first 4 weeks after delivery ( = 47) were enrolled in this study. Of the 126 patients, 113 (89.

Clinical characteristics of patients with newly developed acute cholecystitis after admission to the intensive care unit.

Introduction: Critical care patients have many risk factors for acute cholecystitis (AC). However, less data are available regarding newly developed AC in critically ill patients.

Objectives: To investigate the clinical features of AC occurring in critically ill patients after admission to an intensive care unit (ICU).

High blood neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio associated with poor outcomes in miliary tuberculosis.

Background: It is difficult to predict the prognosis of miliary tuberculosis (TB). We hypothesized that blood neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an indicator of inflammatory status to reflect independent prognostic significance in patients with miliary TB. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between NLR and outcome in miliary TB.

Increased Risk of Exacerbation in Asthma Predominant Asthma-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap Syndrome.

Background: Obstructive airway disease patients with increased variability of airflow and incompletely reversible airflow obstruction are often categorized as having asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap syndrome (ACOS). ACOS is heterogeneous with two sub-phenotypes: asthma-ACOS and COPD-ACOS. The objective of this study was to determine the difference in risk of exacerbation between the two sub-phenotypes of ACOS.

Diagnosis of small pulmonary lesions by transbronchial lung biopsy with radial endobronchial ultrasound and virtual bronchoscopic navigation versus CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Advances in bronchoscopy and CT-guided lung biopsy have improved the evaluation of small pulmonary lesions (PLs), leading to an increase in preoperative histological diagnosis. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transbronchial lung biopsy using radial endobronchial ultrasound and virtual bronchoscopic navigation (TBLB-rEBUS&VBN) and CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsy (CT-TNB) for tissue diagnosis of small PLs.

Methods: A systematic search was performed in five electronic databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Scopus, for relevant studies in May 2016; the selected articles were assessed using meta-analysis.

Hand grip strength and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Korea: an analysis in KNHANES VI.

Background: Muscle mass is known to be associated with mortality in elderly adults. Because hand grip strength (HGS) is known as a simple assessment tool for muscular strength, many researchers have studied the association between HGS and disease. However, empirical evidence for the relationship between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and HGS is still controversial.

Risk factors associated with treatment refusal in lung cancer.

Background: The incidence of lung cancer is increasing with longer life expectancy. Refusal of active treatment for cancer is prone to cause patients to experience more severe symptoms and shorten survival. The purpose of this study was to define the factors related to refusal or abandonment of active therapy in lung cancer.

The Need for a Well-Organized, Video-Assisted Asthma Education Program at Korean Primary Care Clinics.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of our new video-assisted asthma education program on patients' knowledge regarding asthma and asthma control.

Methods: Adult asthmatics who were diagnosed by primary care physicians and followed for at least 1 year were educated via smart devices and pamphlets. The education sessions were carried out three times at 2-week intervals.

The effect of diabetes control status on treatment response in pulmonary tuberculosis: a prospective study.

Background: Uncontrolled diabetes, unlike controlled diabetes, is associated with an impaired immune response. However, little is known about the impact of the status of diabetes control on clinical features and treatment outcomes in patients with pulmonary TB (PTB). We conducted this study to evaluate whether the status of diabetes control influences clinical manifestations and treatment responses in PTB.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease: Clinicians' Perspectives.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are emerging pathogens that affect both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. The incidence and prevalence of NTM lung disease are increasing worldwide and rapidly becoming a major public health problem. For the diagnosis of NTM lung disease, patients suspected to have NTM lung disease are required to meet all clinical and microbiologic criteria.

Choice between Levofloxacin and Moxifloxacin and Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes.

Rationale: We previously showed that the choice of levofloxacin or moxifloxacin for the treatment of patients with fluoroquinolone-sensitive multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) did not affect sputum culture conversion at 3 months of treatment.

Objectives: To compare final treatment outcomes between patients with MDR-TB randomized to levofloxacin or moxifloxacin.

Methods: A total of 151 participants with MDR-TB who were included for the final analysis in our previous trial were followed through the end of treatment.