Identifying pregnancy episodes and estimating the last menstrual period using an administrative database in Korea: an application to patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: This study developed an algorithm for identifying pregnancy episodes and estimating the last menstrual period (LMP) in an administrative claims database and applied it to investigate the use of pregnancy-incompatible immunosuppressants among pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: An algorithm was developed and applied to a nationwide claims database in Korea. Pregnancy episodes were identified using a hierarchy of pregnancy outcomes and clinically plausible periods for subsequent episodes.

Medications influencing the risk of fall-related injuries in older adults: case-control and case-crossover design studies.

Background: Medications influencing the risk of fall-related injuries (FRIs) in older adults have been inconsistent in previous guidelines. This study employed case-control design to assess the association between FRIs and medications, and an additional case-crossover design was conducted to examine the consistency of the associations and the transient effects of the medications on FRIs.

Methods: This study was conducted using a national claims database (2002-2015) in Korea.

Cost Effectiveness of Allogeneic Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the cost effectiveness of allogeneic umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells with sodium hyaluronate (hUCB-MSC) compared with microfracture in patients with knee cartilage defects caused by osteoarthritis (OA) in South Korea.

Methods: A partitioned survival model approach was taken consisting of five mutually exclusive health states: excellent, good, fair, poor, and death over a 20-year time horizon. Utility values were obtained from a randomized clinical trial.

Osteoporotic Fractures of the Spine, Hip, and Other Locations after Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy with Aromatase Inhibitors in Breast Cancer Patients: a Meta-analysis.

Background: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) play an important role in the endocrine therapy of postmenopausal breast cancer patients, with a recent tendency to extend the duration of their use. However, AIs may increase the risk of osteoporotic bone fractures. This meta-analysis evaluated the risk of osteoporotic fractures of the hip, spine, and other locations in breast cancer patients using AIs.

The risk of vancomycin toxicity in patients with liver impairment.

Background: The influence of liver disease on the pharmacokinetic profile, the risk of acute kidney injury, and excessive drug exposure in patients treated with vancomycin was examined.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed with patients discharged from a medical center between January 2011 and June 2018 who received vancomycin therapy. Patients were stratified according to liver dysfunction (no to mild liver dysfunction (NMLD) and moderate to severe liver dysfunction (MSLD) based on the Child-Pugh score.

The clinical trial transparency in oncology significantly increased over the recent years.

Objective: Persistent efforts have been made to promote clinical trial transparency, which included encouraging trial registration and prospective registration, as well as protocol disclosure. This study aims to analyze the extent of registration, prospective registration and protocol disclosure in oncology clinical trials and their changing trends.

Study Design And Setting: All phase II and phase III oncology clinical trials published in 5 major journals, the Annals of Oncology, the Journal of Clinical Oncology, JAMA Oncology, The Lancet Oncology, and The New England Journal of Medicine, between January 2013 and December 2017, were included.

Clinical significance of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mRNA and protein expression in patients with sporadic gastric cancer.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the clinical significance of BRCA1/BRCA2 DNA repair associated () gene expression in patients with sporadic gastric cancer (GC) who had received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Breast cancer type 1 and 2 susceptibility protein (BRCA1 and BRCA2) expression and mRNA expression were evaluated using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and hybridization (ISH) on tissue GC microarray tissues, in addition to reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The results were analyzed for clinicopathological associations.

Complaints addressed by regulatory authorities in drug advertising targeted at consumers: Cases across three, different countries.

Background: Misleading advertisements can affect behavior of both consumers and prescribers and may lead to inappropriate use of medications.

Objective: To analyze the complaints upheld by regulatory authorities in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia regarding pharmaceutical advertising directed at consumers.

Methods: Complaints addressed between January 2014 and June 2017 were retrieved from the websites of regulatory authorities.

The risk of cardiac events in patients who received concomitant levofloxacin and amiodarone.

Objectives: Levofloxacin and amiodarone are both known to prolong the QT interval. This study was conducted to estimate the risk of cardiac events in patients receiving concomitant levofloxacin and amiodarone.

Methods: The study included patients who were admitted to a large academic community medical center from 1/2012 to 12/2015 and received both levofloxacin and amiodarone at some point during their hospitalization.

Steroid phobia among general users of topical steroids: a cross-sectional nationwide survey.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess steroid phobia among general users of topical corticosteroids and to analyze factors associated with steroid phobia.

Methods: A cross-sectional nationwide survey was conducted using an online panel with participants stratified by age, sex, and region. Those aged 18-65 years with experience of topical steroid use within the past 1 year were included.

Comparative effectiveness of lipid-lowering treatments to reduce cardiovascular disease.

Introduction: The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor is a new treatment option for patients with hypercholesterolemia. The objective of this study was to systematically review the cost-effectiveness of lipid-lowering agents.

Areas Covered: Based on Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, we identified 29 relevant articles.

Physicians' and pharmacists' perceptions on real-time drug utilization review system: a nationwide survey.

Objective: To identify healthcare providers' experience and satisfaction for the drug utilization review (DUR) system, their impact on prescription changes following alerts, and difficulties experienced in the system by surveying primary healthcare centers and pharmacies.

Design: A cross-sectional nationwide survey.

Setting And Participants: Approximately 2000 institutions were selected for the survey by a simple random sampling of nationwide primary healthcare centers and community pharmacy approximately practices, and 358 replied.

Pediatric fluoroquinolone prescription in South Korea before and after a regulatory intervention: A nationwide study, 2007-2015.

Objective: To investigate the impact of national implementation of age restriction on fluoroquinolone prescription in children and adolescents.

Methods: Data collected from the database of Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service in South Korea, a national health insurance system to analyze fluoroquinolone prescribing practice in children and adolescents younger than 18 years, between 2007 and 2015. The age restriction was implemented in December 2009.

The significance of the trial outcome was associated with publication rate and time to publication.

Objectives: This study aims to comprehensively assess the publication of clinical trial results and factors associated with their publication.

Study Design And Setting: Phase II and III trials of advanced breast cancer registered on ClinicalTrials.gov between October 1, 2000, and September 30, 2012, were identified.

Risk of hospitalization for hypoglycemia among older Korean people with diabetes mellitus: Interactions between treatment modalities and comorbidities.

The objective of this study was to carry out a large population-based study to understand the factors associated with hypoglycemia-related hospitalizations among older Korean adults with diabetes mellitus.This study analyzed data from a subset of the 2013 Health Insurance and Review and Assessment service-Adult Patient Sample. A total of 307,170 subjects, comprising 41.

Cost-effectiveness of cetuximab for colorectal cancer.

Cetuximab is a novel biological agent with superior therapeutic efficacy for colorectal cancer treatment. This study aimed to systematically review the existing evidence related to the cost-effectiveness of cetuximab. Areas covered: Using Medline and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, a total of 12 articles were identified.

The Impact of Green Tea Consumption on the Prevention of Hemorrhagic Stroke.

Background: Different types of tea may have varying effects on the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, but previous studies have generated inconsistent results. We performed a nationwide, multi-center, case-control study to evaluate the association between the consumption of tea and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke.

Methods: This study included 940 patients aged 30 to 84 with non-traumatic acute hemorrhagic stroke who did not have a history of stroke or hemorrhage-prone brain lesions, as well as 940 community controls and 940 hospital controls matched to each patient by age and gender.

Scopoletin from Cirsium setidens Increases Melanin Synthesis via CREB Phosphorylation in B16F10 Cells.

In this study, we isolated scopoletin from Cirsium setidens Nakai (Compositae) and tested its effects on melanogenesis. Scopoletin was not toxic to cells at concentrations less than 50 µM and increased melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. As melanin synthesis increased, scopoletin stimulated the total tyrosinase activity, the rate-limiting enzyme of melanogenesis.

Caffeine-containing medicines increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke.

Background And Purpose: Research on the relationship between caffeine-containing medicines (CCMs) and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (HS) is sparse. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between CCMs and the risk of HS.

Methods: We performed a multicenter case-control study in South Korea, from 2002 to 2004.

Factors associated with warfarin discontinuation, including bleeding patterns, in atrial fibrillation patients.

Objective: To determine risk factors for both warfarin discontinuation and bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Data from the MarketScan database (January 2005-June 2008) were retrospectively analyzed for patients ≥18 years old who used warfarin continuously (≥2 prescriptions for 6 months) subsequent to an AF diagnosis. Patients were followed until one of the following endpoints occurred: warfarin discontinuation or end of the 30 month study period (whichever happened first).

Risk of hemorrhage and treatment costs associated with warfarin drug interactions in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Drug interactions with warfarin are common and may be responsible for increased patient morbidity and treatment costs.

Objectives: To assess the usage patterns of drugs that potentiate warfarin's anticoagulant activity and discuss their associated relationship with both risk of hemorrhage and treatment costs among warfarin users with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: A nested case-control study of long-term warfarin-treated AF patients was conducted using a health insurance claims database.

Cost-effectiveness of insulin detemir: a systematic review.

The prevalence of diabetes and cost of associated treatment are steadily increasing, as is the resulting burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Current treatment recommendations for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes advise a prominent role for basal insulin. We examined the published health-economic literature pertaining to the basal insulin analog insulin detemir (IDet) to determine whether IDet is a cost-saving and/or cost-effective treatment for suboptimally controlled Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.