Long-term efficacy and safety of perampanel monotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed or currently untreated recurrent focal-onset seizures: Results from the open-label extension phase of FREEDOM (Study 342).

Objective: FREEDOM (Study 342; NCT03201900) assessed the long-term treatment effect of perampanel monotherapy in adolescent and adult patients (12-74 years of age) with untreated focal-onset seizures (FOS), with or without focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (FBTCS).

Methods: In the Core Study, after a 4-week Pretreatment Phase, perampanel was up-titrated to 4 mg/day during a 6-week Titration Period followed by a 26-week Maintenance Period. Patients experiencing seizure(s) during the 4-mg/day Maintenance Period could have perampanel up-titrated to 8 mg/day over 4 weeks then could enter the 26-week 8-mg/day Maintenance Period.

Cohort profile: Multicenter Networks for Ideal Outcomes of Rare Pediatric Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases in Korea (OUTSPREAD study).

Rare endocrine diseases are complex conditions that require lifelong specialized care due to their chronic nature and associated long-term complications. In Korea, a lack of nationwide data on clinical practice and outcomes has limited progress in patient care. Therefore, the Multicenter Networks for Ideal Outcomes of Pediatric Rare Endocrine and Metabolic Disease (OUTSPREAD) study was initiated.

Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Foraminotomy for Iatrogenic Foraminal Stenosis Following Vertebroplasty.

We present a case of iatrogenic lumbar foraminal stenosis caused by bone-cement leakage during vertebroplasty, successfully managed using transforaminal endoscopic lumbar foraminotomy (TELF). Vertebroplasty is an effective treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs); however, complications such as bone-cement leakage can lead to vascular or neurological issues, including lumbar radiculopathy. TELF is a minimally invasive surgical option for addressing various forms of lumbar foraminal stenosis.

Study Design and Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial of Enavogliflozin to Evaluate Cardiorenal Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes (ENVELOP).

Background: The novel sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor enavogliflozin effectively lowers glycosylated hemoglobin levels and body weights without the increased risk of serious adverse events; however, the long-term clinical benefits of enavogliflozin in terms of cardiovascular and renal outcomes have not been investigated.

Methods: This study is an investigator-initiated, multicenter, randomized, pragmatic, open-label, active-controlled, non-inferiority trial. Eligible participants are adults (aged ≥19 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who have a history of, or are at risk of, cardiovascular disease.

Improved Glycemic Control in Insulin-Treated Individuals With Poorly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes Through Combined Structured Education With Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring.

Background: We evaluated the efficacy of structured individualized education combined with real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rt-CGM, Dexcom G6) in improving glycemic outcomes in insulin-treated adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: This multicenter, 16-week, single-arm study included 66 adults with T2D (multiple daily insulin [MDI]: 33; basal insulin: 33) with a ≥7.8%.

Risk of Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID) and Proton Pump Inhibitor Users Compared with NSAID-Only Users: A Common Data Model Analysis.

Background/aims: Recent studies have shown an increased risk of lower gastrointestinal bleeding in patients who use both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). We analyzed the risk of lower gastrointestinal bleeding and compared this risk between NSAID+PPI users and NSAID-only users.

Methods: In this retrospective, observational study, data from five hospitals were analyzed using a common data model to determine the risk of lower gastrointestinal bleeding and compare this risk between NSAID+PPI users (target cohort) and NSAID-only users (comparative cohort).

Survey of the Actual Practices Used for Endoscopic Removal of Colon Polyps in Korea: A Comparison with the Current Guidelines.

Background/aims: We investigated the clinical practice patterns of Korean endoscopists for the endoscopic resection of colorectal polyps.

Methods: From September to November 2021, an online survey was conducted regarding the preferred resection methods for colorectal polyps, and responses were compared with the international guidelines.

Results: Among 246 respondents, those with <4 years, 4-9 years, and ≥10 years of experience in colonoscopy practices accounted for 25.

Measuring Medical Waste from Gastrointestinal Endoscopies in South Korea to Estimate Their Carbon Footprint.

Background/aims: Although gastrointestinal endoscopy (GIE) is a major contributor to the carbon footprint of national healthcare, the amount of medical waste generated by GIE procedures is not reported in South Korea. This study aimed to measure the amount of medical waste generated from GIE procedures in South Korea.

Methods: We conducted a 5-day audit of medical waste generated during GIEs at seven hospitals.

Vidian Nerve Schwannoma Extending Into the Foramen Rotundum in a Female Patient: A Case Report.

Schwannomas are benign tumors that can develop in any part of a nerve containing Schwann cells. Skull base schwannomas are rare, representing approximately 4% of extracranial schwannomas. Among these, vidian nerve schwannomas are particularly uncommon, with only a few documented cases.

Assessing Hwa-byung Vulnerability Using the Hwa-byung Personality Scale: a comparative study of machine learning approaches.

Objectives: To develop and compare machine learning models to classify individuals vulnerable to Hwa-byung (HB) using an existing HB personality scale and to evaluate the efficacy of these models in predicting HB vulnerability.

Methods: We analyzed data from 500 Korean adults (aged 19-44) using HB personality and symptom scales. We used various machine learning techniques, including the random forest classifier (RFC), XGBoost classifier, logistic regression, and their ensemble method (RFC-XGC-LR).

Epidemiological insights into chronic urticaria, vitiligo, alopecia areata, and herpes zoster following COVID-19 infection: A nationwide population-based study.

The long-term complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continue to cause global concern. This study aimed to estimate the incidence and risk of chronic urticaria, vitiligo, alopecia areata, and herpes zoster following COVID-19 infection. Only participants confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction tests to have COVID-19 were enrolled in the COVID-19 group.

Discordance Between Spine-Hip and Paretic-Nonparetic Hip Bone Mineral Density in Hemiplegic Stroke Patients: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Objective: To identify the prevalence and factors associated with T-score discordance between the spine and hip, as well as between the paretic and non-paretic hips in hemiplegic stroke patients, this study investigated bone mineral density (BMD) patterns. Bone loss predominantly affects the paretic hip after a stroke, and typical clinical assessments using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) that scan the lumbar spine (LS) and a single hip may overlook an osteoporosis diagnosis. This oversight could potentially lead to suboptimal treatment for stroke patients.

Prediction of Phenoconversion into Alpha-Synucleinopathy in Patients with isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Using Event-Related Potentials During Visuospatial Attention Tasks.

Study Objectives: Isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) is recognized as a prodromal stage of alpha-synucleinopathies. Predicting phenoconversion in iRBD patients remains a key challenge. We aimed to investigate whether event-related potentials (ERPs) recorded during visuospatial attention task can serve as predictors of phenoconversion in iRBD patients.

Comparison of preference-based health-related quality of life measures for chronic neck pain: a pooled analysis of data from three RCTs.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify a preference-based health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measure that best reflects disease-specific features in patients with neck pain by comparing the characteristics of the instruments.

Design: Pooled data from three multicentre randomised controlled clinical trials (RCTs) on neck pain were included for analysis in this study.

Setting: All three RCTs were conducted between 2017 and 2020 in Korea, and patients were recruited from four hospitals and one university teaching hospital.

Characteristics of Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis at Diagnosis in Korea: Results From a Multicenter, Registry-Based, Inception Cohort Study.

Background: We aimed to investigate the characteristics of pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) at diagnosis in Korea.

Methods: This was a multicenter, registry-based, inception cohort study conducted in Korea between 2021 and 2023. Children and adolescents newly diagnosed with UC < 18 years were included.

Outcomes and management of invasive procedures in participants with hemophilia A post gene therapy: a post hoc analysis of the GENEr8-1 phase III trial.

Background: Hemophilia A is caused by coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency and increases bleeding risk during invasive procedures.

Objectives: To investigate FVIII concentrate use and bleeding outcomes for invasive procedures after valoctocogene roxaparvovec gene transfer.

Design: This manuscript presents post hoc analysis of the phase III GENEr8-1 trial.

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of controlled-release phentermine/topiramate in adults with obesity in Korea: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 4 trial (QUEEN's study).

Aims: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a combination of phentermine and delayed-release topiramate (PHEN/TPM CR) versus placebo as an adjunct to standard lifestyle recommendations in Korean adults.

Materials And Methods: This 56-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 4 trial enrolled adults (age 19-70 years) with obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m) at eight sites in South Korea. After a 12-week lifestyle programme, participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive PHEN/TPM CR or placebo.

Efficacy of Oral Sulfate Tablet and 2 L-Polyethylene Glycol With Ascorbic Acid for Bowel Preparation: A Prospective Randomized KASID Multicenter Trial.

Background: Oral sulfate tablets (OSTs) are bowel preparation agents that combine oral sulfate solution and simethicone. This study compared the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of OST compared to 2 L-polyethylene glycol plus ascorbic acid (2 L-PEG/ASC).

Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blinded, multicenter, noninferiority trial enrolled 211 healthy adults who underwent colonoscopy between May 2020 and September 2022 at 13 university hospitals.

Safety of Thread-Embedding Acupuncture: A Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Pilot Study.

: Thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) is widely used for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes; however, its safety profile, particularly in real-world clinical settings, remains under-researched. This study aimed to evaluate the safety profile of TEA through a prospective, observational analysis and confirm the feasibility of the study design for future studies involving larger patient populations. : A multicenter, prospective observational study was conducted involving 100 patients who received TEA.

Development of a Standard Tool of Pattern Identification for Functional Dyspepsia: A Cross-Sectional Study from Korea.

Background/objective: The diagnosis and treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD) require a systematic and tailored approach. In traditional Korean medicine (TKM), pattern-identification tools help analyze clinical information and guide treatment. This study aimed to develop a Korean version of the standard tool of pattern identification for functional dyspepsia (STPI-FD) and subsequently assess its reliability and validity.

Efficacy of ETB-F01, Heat-Killed Strain EB-AMDK19, in Patients with Respiratory Symptoms: A Multicenter Clinical Trial.

Respiratory symptoms are prevalent in the general population, and they are associated with a decline in lung function and increased mortality. The gut-lung connection suggests intestinal dysbiosis may impact lung diseases, with showing promise in regulating extraintestinal diseases. However, its application in patients with respiratory symptoms lacks clinical trial evidence.

Characteristics of glomerulonephritis with dominant C1q precipitation compared to corresponding glomerulonephritis without C1q staining on immunofluorescent examination.

Background: The clinical significance and renal outcomes of C1q nephropathy (C1qN) are unclear; therefore, the implications of C1qN as a new pathological entity are uncertain. We compared the clinical characteristics of glomerulonephritis reclassified into cases that meet the definition of C1qN and glomerulonephritis not included in the definition of C1qN.

Methods: In total, 21,697 patients who underwent native kidney biopsy at 18 hospitals throughout Korea between 1979 and 2018 were retrospectively enrolled.