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Psoriasis is a common immune-mediated skin disease. Myasthenia gravis and Graves’ disease are autoimmune diseases caused by autoantibodies against receptors located at the neuromuscular junction and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor, respectively. A 29-year-old male presented with recurrent multiple erythematous scaly papules and plaques on his legs that had persisted for 3 years. A diagnosis of plaque psoriasis was made based on clinicopathological findings. The patient had a 26-year history of ocular myasthenia gravis, for which he had not been received any specific treatment. He also had a long history of Graves’ disease. To the best of our knowledge, psoriasis with myasthenia gravis and Graves’ disease has not been reported previously in the literature. Herein, we describe our examination of the causes of concurrent psoriasis, myasthenia gravis, and Graves’ disease.
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Background@#Risankizumab, human immunoglobulin G1λ monoclonal antibody, selectively blocks the p19 subunit of interleukin-23-mediated signaling pathway. Risankizumab has emerged as an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic option for moderate-to-severe psoriasis. However, real-world data on treatment outcomes of risankizumab in Korean patients with psoriasis are limited. @*Objective@#To investigate the efficacy and safety of risankizumab in Korean patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who were treated with risankizumab in our hospital from July 2020 to December 2022. A total of 45 patients with psoriasis who were treated with risankizumab for at least 16 weeks were included in this study. Patient demographics, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores, Investigator’s Global Assessment scores, and adverse events were assessed. @*Results@#The mean baseline PASI score (13.1±7.7) was significantly decreased after 16 weeks of risankizumab treatment (0.9±1.4) (p＜0.05). Of the 45 patients, 40 showed a PASI 90 response at the last follow-up visit. No serious adverse events were observed. Three patients (6.7%) experienced mild adverse events such as injection site reaction, easy bruising, and headache. @*Conclusion@#Our real-world data demonstrated that risankizumab treatment is effective and safe in Korean patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
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Background@#Dupilumab is a human monoclonal antibody against interleukin-4 receptor α. Several clinical trials have demonstrated the rapid and excellent therapeutic effects of dupilumab. Although a growing number of studies have reported data on the real-world efficacy and safety of dupilumab for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, data on real-world experiences in Korea are limited. @*Objective@#To evaluate the real-world efficacy and safety of dupilumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in Korean patients. @*Methods@#This was a retrospective, single-center study. A total of 179 patients treated with dupilumab for at least 16 weeks were enrolled in this study. Based on electronic medical records, the clinical characteristics, Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score, and adverse events were investigated. @*Results@#The mean baseline EASI score (26.5±7.2) significantly decreased at weeks 16, 40, 52, and 112 (p＜0.05). All and 55.2% of patients achieved EASI75 and EASI90 responses at week 52, and all and 75.0% of patients achieved EASI75 and EASI90 responses at week 112, respectively. Common adverse events were facial erythema (31.8%), conjunctivitis (24.0%), and herpes simplex virus infection (11.2%). Three serious adverse events of severe conjunctivitis, mycosis fungoides, and mesenteric venous thrombosis resulted in discontinuation of dupilumab. @*Conclusion@#Dupilumab was effective in real-world clinical practice with a favorable safety profile in Korean patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.
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Psoriasis is a common immune-mediated, inflammatory skin disease. However, unilateral psoriasis is rare and few cases have been reported. A 59-year-old male with a polio-affected right leg presented with exfoliative skin on the left leg for three months. He had been treated under the diagnosis of contact dermatitis with secondary infection. After the exfoliative skin lesions improved, psoriatic papules were noted, which was ultimately diagnosed as psoriasis and successfully treated with topical steroid and vitamin D agents. We propose that the Koebner phenomenon has acted as the triggering and aggravating factor of unilateral psoriasis in this patient.
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Background@#Currently, there is no consensus on the treatment of psoriasis in Korean patients. @*Objective@#This study aimed to establish a consensus on the basic therapeutic principles for Korean patients with plaque psoriasis. @*Methods@#Using the modified Delphi method, a steering committee proposed 53 statements for the first Delphi round, which covered five subjects: (1) the goal of treatment and evaluation of disease severity, (2) topical therapy, (3) phototherapy, (4) conventional systemic therapy, and (5) biologic therapy. The panel of dermatologists scored the level of agreement for each statement on a ten-point scale with scores ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 10 (strongly agree). After discussing the results of the first round, the committee reformulated 41 statements. Finally, consensus was defined as more than 70% of the second round scores being ≥7. @*Results@#The panel participants strongly agreed that the ideal treatment goals for Korean patients with plaque psoriasis should include complete skin clearance and high dermatological quality of life. A strong consensus was also reached on the use of topical agents for psoriasis of any severity, the consideration of phototherapy before biologics therapy, the conventional systemic agents for moderate-to-severe psoriasis, and the recommendation of biologic for retractable psoriasis to conventional systemic therapy and phototherapy. @*Conclusion@#This modified Delphi panel established an expert consensus on the therapeutic approach for Korean patients with plaque psoriasis. This consensus may improve the treatment outcomes for psoriasis in Korea.
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Background@#Scar sarcoidosis (SS), a rare form of cutaneous sarcoidosis, develops from preexisting scars. Owing to its rarity, the clinicopathologic features and its significance in clinical prognosis have been obscure. @*Objective@#This study aimed to investigate clinical, laboratory and histopathologic findings and to clarify characteristics associated with the development of SS and systemic involvement. @*Methods@#We retrospectively assessed clinical, laboratory and histopathologic findings of SS. Clinical factors including demographics, anatomic area, number of lesion (single, multiple), presence of symptoms, latent period, injury types related to scar and the proportion of systemic involvement were investigated. @*Results@#Of the 21 patients with SS, skin lesions appeared predominantly in females (85.7%) and in the head and neck (57.1%). The mean latent period was 163.5 months and 13 patients (61.9%) had multiple lesions. Injury types were varied, with no specific type identified as associated with SS. Histologically, discrete sarcoidal granulomas surrounded by densely packed collagen bundles with a thickening of numerous fibers were observed. Ten patients (47.6%) had systemic involvement and showed significantly more of the multiple lesions, longer latent period and higher level of mean serum angiotensin-converting enzyme than those without systemic involvement. @*Conclusion@#Various causes of scar were related to SS, but no specific injury type was identified as leading to SS. Although the exact pathomechanism remains unclear, the possibility of systemic involvement could be considered when the patients have multiple lesions, longstanding scars, and elevated serum angiotensin-converting enzyme.
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Background@#Ustekinumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23. Although popular, data on its long-term efficacy and safety in Korean patients with psoriasis are limited. @*Objective@#To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of ustekinumab in Korean patients with psoriasis. @*Methods@#A retrospective study in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who had been treated with ustekinumab for at least 5 years was conducted. The sex, age, body mass index, medical records, previous psoriasis therapy, psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scores, and adverse events were evaluated. @*Results@#Twenty-five patients (median age 47.00 years) had been treated with ustekinumab for 5 years. The mean duration of psoriasis was 19.12±8.45 years, and the treatment duration with ustekinumab was 285.12±8.48 weeks. The baseline PASI was 17.52±7.38. PASI75 was achieved in 84% of the patients at week 28, and 96% of the patients maintained PASI75 during the 5-year follow-up period. Furthermore, 56% of patients reached PASI90 at 28 weeks, and 48% of patients maintained PASI90 for 5 years. No unexpected adverse events other than herpes zoster, herpes simplex, or elevated liver enzymes were reported. @*Conclusion@#Ustekinumab demonstrated long-lasting efficacy with an acceptable safety profile in Korean patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.
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Large-cell transformation of mycosis fungoides (LCT-MF) is an advanced stage of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with a poor prognosis. Therapeutic options for these patients are often limited, and so far, they are not promising. An 81-year-old woman with a previous history of mycosis fungoides presented with aggravation of generalized erythematous scaly patches and new onset of ulcerated tumor on the abdomen for 3 months.Histopathological examination revealed a dense dermal infiltrate composed of atypical large lymphocytes. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for CD30 expression. A diagnosis of CD30＋ LCT-MF was established. She was intensively treated with methotrexate (1 month), acitretin (1 month), and rituximab with dose-modified cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone (1 cycle). Despite such treatments, the improvement was minimal. Subsequently, the patient was started on brentuximab vedotin, 1.8 mg/kg intravenously once every 3weeks. She responded well to brentuximab therapy, and the skin lesions completely subsided within 12 weeks of treatment.
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Background@#Cyclosporine is a recommended third-line treatment for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) that is resistant to H1-antihistamines according to the EAACI/GA 2 LEN/EDF/WAO guidelines for management of urticaria. However, some patients with refractory urticaria do not respond to cyclosporine or antihistamines. Omalizumab, a humanized anti-immunoglobulin E antibody, has been shown to be effective and safe for antihistamine-resistant CSU. However, there are few reports on the efficacy of omalizumab in patients with CSU who are resistant to cyclosporine. @*Objective@#To evaluate the efficacy of omalizumab in patients with cyclosporine-resistant CSU. @*Methods@#Recalcitrant CSU patients who had symptoms (seven-day urticaria activity score, UAS7≥7) despite being administered cyclosporine (3∼5 mg/kg/day) and H1-antihistamine at up to a four-fold increased dose for 4 weeks were included in this study. Omalizumab was administered at 150 mg or 300 mg by subcutaneous injection every 4 weeks. Efficacy was assessed using UAS7 12 weeks after the initial administration of omalizumab. @*Results@#A total of 28 patients (18 women, 10 men) with an average age of 43.8 years were included in the study. The mean duration of CSU was 40.0 (2∼288) months, and the mean UAS7 at baseline was 14.2 (9∼35) months. Overall, 22 patients (78.6%) showed a complete (UAS7=0) or partial response (0＜UAS7≤6) at 12 weeks. Patients who were administered 300 mg of omalizumab had a more complete response (9/15, 60%) than those who were treated with 150 mg (3/13, 23.1%). @*Conclusion@#Omalizumab is an effective therapy for CSU patients who do not respond to cyclosporine.
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Renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML) is a rare variant of angiomyolipoma (AML), with a prominent epithelioid component. EAML usually presents as a large heterogeneous soft tissue lesion with intratumoral hemorrhage and variable necrosis or cystic changes. We present a case of multiloculated cystic renal EAML mimicking renal cell carcinoma in a 64-year-old female.Intracystic massive hemorrhage, hyperattenuating wall and septa on an unenhanced study, and enlarged intratumoral vessels can be helpful imaging features for distinguishing renal EAML from renal cell carcinoma.
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Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease is a systemic disease characterized by dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates with abundant IgG4-positive plasma cells and fibroblast proliferation. The retroperitoneal involvement of IgG4-related disease usually appears as a soft-tissue mass covering the abdominal aorta or entrapping the ureters, resulting in hydronephrosis. Here, we present a case of IgG4-related disease with retroperitoneal involvement in a 75-yearold woman with an unusual manifestation. A preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan revealed an irregular infiltrative retroperitoneal mass invading the normal anatomic barriers, raising the suspicion of malignancy or inflammation. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed a homogeneous progressive enhancement of the mass.
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Background@#Cyclosporine is a recommended third-line treatment for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) that is resistant to H1-antihistamines according to the EAACI/GA 2 LEN/EDF/WAO guidelines for management of urticaria. However, some patients with refractory urticaria do not respond to cyclosporine or antihistamines. Omalizumab, a humanized anti-immunoglobulin E antibody, has been shown to be effective and safe for antihistamine-resistant CSU. However, there are few reports on the efficacy of omalizumab in patients with CSU who are resistant to cyclosporine. @*Objective@#To evaluate the efficacy of omalizumab in patients with cyclosporine-resistant CSU. @*Methods@#Recalcitrant CSU patients who had symptoms (seven-day urticaria activity score, UAS7≥7) despite being administered cyclosporine (3∼5 mg/kg/day) and H1-antihistamine at up to a four-fold increased dose for 4 weeks were included in this study. Omalizumab was administered at 150 mg or 300 mg by subcutaneous injection every 4 weeks. Efficacy was assessed using UAS7 12 weeks after the initial administration of omalizumab. @*Results@#A total of 28 patients (18 women, 10 men) with an average age of 43.8 years were included in the study. The mean duration of CSU was 40.0 (2∼288) months, and the mean UAS7 at baseline was 14.2 (9∼35) months. Overall, 22 patients (78.6%) showed a complete (UAS7=0) or partial response (0＜UAS7≤6) at 12 weeks. Patients who were administered 300 mg of omalizumab had a more complete response (9/15, 60%) than those who were treated with 150 mg (3/13, 23.1%). @*Conclusion@#Omalizumab is an effective therapy for CSU patients who do not respond to cyclosporine.
ABSTRACT
Renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML) is a rare variant of angiomyolipoma (AML), with a prominent epithelioid component. EAML usually presents as a large heterogeneous soft tissue lesion with intratumoral hemorrhage and variable necrosis or cystic changes. We present a case of multiloculated cystic renal EAML mimicking renal cell carcinoma in a 64-year-old female.Intracystic massive hemorrhage, hyperattenuating wall and septa on an unenhanced study, and enlarged intratumoral vessels can be helpful imaging features for distinguishing renal EAML from renal cell carcinoma.
ABSTRACT
Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease is a systemic disease characterized by dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates with abundant IgG4-positive plasma cells and fibroblast proliferation. The retroperitoneal involvement of IgG4-related disease usually appears as a soft-tissue mass covering the abdominal aorta or entrapping the ureters, resulting in hydronephrosis. Here, we present a case of IgG4-related disease with retroperitoneal involvement in a 75-yearold woman with an unusual manifestation. A preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan revealed an irregular infiltrative retroperitoneal mass invading the normal anatomic barriers, raising the suspicion of malignancy or inflammation. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed a homogeneous progressive enhancement of the mass.
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No abstract available.
Subject(s)
Neck , Neoplasm Metastasis , Thyroid Gland , Thyroid Neoplasms , ThyroidectomyABSTRACT
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists are highly effective treatments for psoriasis. These agents provide the opportunity to improve disease activity and achieve clinical remission. Despite its efficacy, long-term use of biologics is associated with high financial costs and possibly life-threatening adverse events. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in discontinuing TNF antagonists in patients with psoriasis who have achieved a positive clinical response. However, there is a paucity of data and clinical guidelines concerning the cessation TNF antagonists in psoriasis treatment. Several factors, including cost, subsequent treatment efficacy, relative risks, and tolerability, should be considered before the decision is made to discontinue TNF antagonists. Well-designed clinical trials are necessary to identify factors that may trigger disease exacerbation after medication discontinuation in order to recognize the potential disadvantages of discontinuing treatment in patients who are previously successfully managed on TNF antagonists.
Subject(s)
Humans , Biological Products , Disease Progression , Psoriasis , Treatment Outcome , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alphaABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between self-leadership, team trust, organizational commitment and identify the influencing factors on organizational commitment. METHODS: The subjects in the study were 296 conveniently selected general nurses at 2 general hospitals in Chungbuk Province. The measurements included the self-leadership, organizational trust inventory (OTI), and organizational commitment. RESULTS: The mean score for self-leadership was 3.40, the mean score for OTI was 3.61, and the mean score for organizational commitment was 3.07. There were significant correlations among self-leadership, team trust and organizational commitment. Self-leadership had significant correlation with team trust (r=.25, p<.001). Also, self-leadership (r=.34, p<.001) and team trust (r=.31, p<.001) showed significant correlation with organizational commitment. In stepwise multiple regression analysis, age, self-leadership and team trust were included in the factors affecting organizational commitment of clinical nurses. These variables explained 20% of organizational commitment. CONCLUSION: The results confirmed that nurses' self-leadership and team trust affects significant influences on organizational commitment. Accordingly, in order to enhance nurses' organizational commitment, it is necessary to build effective strategies to enhance self-leadership and team trust for nurses. Such strategies will be able to improve the goal achievement of nursing unit.
Subject(s)
Hospitals, General , Leadership , Nursing , Personnel ManagementABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine correlations between nurses' self-leadership and individual work role performance and correlations between self-leadership in nursing units and team members' work role performance. METHODS: Participants were 202 conveniently selected general nurses from 5 general hospitals in Korea. The study was carried out on 35 nursing units. Data were collected during February 2015 with self-report questionnaires. RESULTS: For factors affecting individual work role performance, self-expectation, self-goal setting, constructive thought, clinical career in the present nursing unit and marital status accounted for 44.0% of proficiency, while self-expectation, self-goal setting, constructive thought, and marital status accounted for 42.3% of adaptivity. Self-expectation, self-goal setting, constructive thought, self-reward, clinical career in the present nursing unit and position accounted for 26.4% of proactivity. In terms of team members' work role performance, self-reward and self-expectation in nursing units explained 29.0% of team members' proficiency. Self-reward and self-expectation in nursing units explained 31.6% of team members' adaptivity, and self-reward in nursing units explained 16.8% of team members' proactivity. CONCLUSION: The results confirm that nurses' self-leadership affects not only individual self-leadership but also team members' work role performance. Accordingly, to improve nurses' work role performance in nursing units of nursing organizations, improvement in nursing environment based on self-leadership education is necessary and nurses' tasks rearranged so they can appreciate work-autonomy and challenges of work.
Subject(s)
Education , Hospitals, General , Korea , Leadership , Marital Status , Nursing , Patient Care Team , Task Performance and AnalysisABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the differences and the profiles of cognitive deficits in remitted patients with schizophrenia and first-degree relatives of schizophrenic probands. METHODS: A total of 26 remitted states of schizophrenia patients were included in the study and the same number of unaffected first-degree relatives of schizophrenic probands and healthy controls were matched for age, sex, years of education. Cognitive function of all participants was measured by using the Digit span test, the Continuous performance test, the Rey auditory & visual learning test, the Complex figure test, the Verbal fluency test, the Wisconsin card sorting test and the Finger tapping test. The effects of subsyndromal symptomatology and general intelligence score were controlled. RESULTS: Schizophrenia patients' group showed more significant impairment than other groups in verbal memory (learning, immediate recall, delayed recall), visual memory (copy, immediate recall, delayed recall) and cognitive flexibility domains. The family group and the patient group commonly performed significantly worse than healthy controls in working memory and verbal fluency (category) tests. There were no differences in sustained attention, psychomotor performance. CONCLUSIONS: Our research shows that the deficit in working memory and verbal fluency could be strong candidates of endophenotypic marker in schizophrenia.
Subject(s)
Humans , Education , Endophenotypes , Fingers , Intelligence , Learning , Memory , Memory, Short-Term , Pliability , Psychomotor Performance , Schizophrenia , WisconsinABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the patient safety culture in Korean nursing homes using the Nursing Home Survey Patient Safety Culture (NHS-PC), a valid tool, provided by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and to compare the results with AHRQ data. METHODS: Administrators and staff (N=151) of six nursing homes in Seoul, Busan, Kyeonggi Province and Gyeongsangnam Province completed the survey in July, 2010. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, positive response rate, t-test, ANOVA, DUNCAN, Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: The total mean (SD) positive response rate for patient safety culture was not significantly different from the AHRQ data. For composite levels, the results of 'handoffs' were significantly higher, and the results of 'feedback and communication about incidents' and 'nonpunitive responses to mistakes' were significantly lower than the AHRQ data. CONCLUSION: More effective strategies related to nonpunitive responses to mistakes and management activities for patient safety are needed to improve patient safety culture in nursing homes.