A Multi-Center, Prospective, Observational Study to Evaluate the Therapeutic Effectiveness and Safety of an Olmesartan/Amlodipine Plus Rosuvastatin Combination Treatment in Patients with Concomitant Hypertension and Dyslipidemia.

This study assessed the therapeutic effectiveness of a single-pill combination (SPC) of olmesartan/amlodipine plus rosuvastatin for blood pressure (BP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia. Adult patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia who were decided to be treated with the study drug were eligible. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved BP, LDL-C and both BP and LDL-C treatment goals at weeks 24-48.

Emergency department visits for patients with end-stage kidney disease in Korea: registry data from the National Emergency Department Information System 2019-2021.

Background: Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) frequently visit the emergency department (ED) due to complications from comorbidities and dialysis. This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes and patterns of ED visits, hospitalizations, and in-hospital mortality among ED visits by ESKD patients in South Korea.

Methods: This study utilized data from the National Emergency Department Information System from 2019 to 2021.

Safety Profile of Biportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery Compared to Conventional Microscopic Approach: A Pooled Analysis of 2 Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objective: To compare the safety profiles of biportal endoscopic spinal surgery (BESS) and microscopic spinal surgery (MSS) for lumbar disc herniation and spinal stenosis by analyzing the associated adverse events.

Methods: We pooled data from 2 prospective randomized controlled trials involving 220 patients (110 in each group) who underwent single-level lumbar surgery. Participants aged 20-80 years with radiating pain due to lumbar disc herniation or spinal stenosis were included in this study.

Clinical significance of various pathogens identified in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD: a multi-center study in South Korea.

Background: Respiratory infection is a major cause of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). We investigated the presence of bacterial and viral pathogens and clinical features in patients with AECOPD.

Methods: This retrospective study included 1,186 patients diagnosed with AECOPD from 28 hospitals in South Korea between 2015-2018.

Prognostic Impact of Multiple Synchronous T1 Breast Cancer.

: The reported incidence of multiple breast cancers varies widely, ranging from 6 to 60%, depending on the definitions used and methods of detection. With advancements in preoperative imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging, the detection of multiple breast cancers has improved. However, the clinical significance of multiple breast cancers remains controversial, with conflicting results regarding their impact on prognosis.

Optimal Long-term Antiplatelet Regimen for Patients with High Ischaemic and Bleeding Risks After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Aim To assess an optimal long-term antiplatelet strategy in patients at both high ischaemic and bleeding risks after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods and results Patients both at high ischaemic and bleeding risks were eligible for inclusion. We excluded patients with any ischaemic and major bleeding complications during the mandatory period of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT).

The risk of pregnancy-related adverse outcomes after COVID-19 vaccination: Propensity score-matched analysis with influenza vaccination.

Introduction: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination rates in pregnant women remain low owing to safety concerns. When evaluating vaccine safety, comparisons with unvaccinated individuals may lead to healthy vaccinee bias. This study aimed to investigate the association between mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy-related adverse outcomes compared with influenza vaccination.

Lecanemab: Appropriate Use Recommendations by Korean Dementia Association.

Lecanemab (product name Leqembi®) is an anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody treatment approved for use in Korea for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. The Korean Dementia Association has created recommendations for the appropriate use of lecanemab to assist clinicians. These recommendations include selecting patients for administration, necessary pre-administration tests and preparations, administration methods, monitoring for amyloid related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), and communication with patients and caregivers.

Efficacies of different treatment strategies for infants hospitalized with acute bronchiolitis.

Background: Acute bronchiolitis is a common cause of hospitalization during infancy that carries significant morbidity and mortality rates.

Purpose: This study compared the efficacy of different treatment modalities for infants with bronchiolitis in terms of hospital stay and clinical severity scores.

Methods: The PubMed database was searched for relevant studies.

Long-Term Mental Health Outcomes of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Neonates: An 18-Year National Cohort Study.

Objective: To evaluate the association between neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia and the subsequent development of mental health conditions in children and adolescents.

Study Design: This was a retrospective cohort study, utilizing data from individuals born in South Korea between 2002 and 2005 and followed up until 2021, using the National Health Insurance Database. The cohort included 1 893 314 participants born during that period, with 927 diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia during the neonatal period (the exposed cohort).

Implications of Global Lung Function Initiative Spirometry Reference Equations in Northeast Asian Patients With COPD.

Background: Accurate spirometry interpretation is critical in the diagnosis and management of COPD. With increasing efforts for a unified approach by the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI), this study evaluated the application of race-specific 2012 GLI and race-neutral 2022 GLI reference equations compared with Choi's reference equations, which are derived and widely used in South Korea, for spirometry interpretation in Northeast Asian patients with COPD.

Research Question: What are the effects of applying race-specific 2012 GLI, race-neutral 2022 GLI, and Choi's reference equations on the diagnosis, severity grade, and clinical outcome associations of COPD?

Study Design And Methods: Serial spirometry data from the Korea COPD Subgroup Study (KOCOSS) consisting of 3,477 patients were used for reanalysis using 2012 GLI, 2022 GLI, and Choi's reference equations.

Optimal sequential therapy using tyrosine kinase inhibitors as the first-line treatment in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: A nationwide multicenter study.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to identify the best sequence of therapy beginning with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) as the first-line therapy for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in terms of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and rates of discontinuation and adverse effects during the treatment period.

Methods: This is a retrospective, nationwide multicenter study of patients with mRCC after diagnosis at 10 different tertiary medical centers in Korea from January 1992 to December 2017. We focused on patients at either "favorable" or "intermediate" risk according to the International mRCC Database Consortium criteria, and they were followed up (median 335 days).

Doctor shopping trend of patients before undergoing rotator cuff repair in Korea: a multicenter study.

Background: This study aims to investigate the trend of doctor shopping among patients with rotator cuff tear (RCT) before undergoing surgery and to examine the relevance of these findings to the public.

Methods: A survey was conducted of 326 patients from 10 hospitals (male, 176; female, 150) who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) for symptomatic RCT between September 2019 and February 2020. A questionnaire was used to obtain data regarding the type of medical care service, medical institutions visited before surgery, number of treatments received, and cost of treatment.

Comparative analysis of the incidence and mortality of COVID-19 in Korean end-stage kidney disease patients: hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and transplantation.

Background: Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are more susceptible to viral epidemics and are known to have higher incidence and death rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared to the general population. We determined COVID-19 incidence and mortality among chronic hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD), and kidney transplantation (KT) patients in Korea.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study and data regarding Korean ESKD adults (aged ≥18 years) were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service of Korea from October 2020 to December 2021.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectiveness and clinical outcomes in hemodialysis patients: the NHIS-COVID-19 cohort study in South Korea.

Background: Patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) have a high risk of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and poor clinical outcomes. This study aimed to investigate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine effectiveness against infection and deaths in the South Korean population undergoing HD.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to compare the incidence of COVID-19 and post-diagnosis mortality between patients who were either never vaccinated or fully or partially vaccinated.

Different association of atherogenic index of plasma with the risk of high platelet reactivity according to the presentation of acute myocardial infarction.

This study evaluated the association of atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) with platelet reactivity and clinical outcomes according to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The composite of 3-year adverse outcomes of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and cerebrovascular accident was evaluated in 10,735 patients after successful percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents. AIP was defined as the base 10 logarithm of the ratio of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration.