Development and Validation of a Simple Index Based on Non-Enhanced CT and Clinical Factors for Prediction of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

OBJECTIVE: A widely applicable, non-invasive screening method for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is needed. We aimed to develop and validate an index combining computed tomography (CT) and routine clinical data for screening for NAFLD in a large cohort of adults with pathologically proven NAFLD.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 2218 living liver donors who had undergone liver biopsy and CT within a span of 3 days. Donors were randomized 2:1 into development and test cohorts. CT(L-S) was measured by subtracting splenic attenuation from hepatic attenuation on non-enhanced CT. Multivariable logistic regression analysis of the development cohort was utilized to develop a clinical-CT index predicting pathologically proven NAFLD. The diagnostic performance was evaluated by analyzing the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The cutoffs for the clinical-CT index were determined for 90% sensitivity and 90% specificity in the development cohort, and their diagnostic performance was evaluated in the test cohort.RESULTS: The clinical-CT index included CT(L-S), body mass index, and aspartate transaminase and triglyceride concentrations. In the test cohort, the clinical-CT index (AUC, 0.81) outperformed CT(L-S) (0.74; p < 0.001) and clinical indices (0.73–0.75; p < 0.001) in diagnosing NAFLD. A cutoff of ≥ 46 had a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 41%, whereas a cutoff of ≥ 56.5 had a sensitivity of 57% and a specificity of 89%.CONCLUSION: The clinical-CT index is more accurate than CT(L-S) and clinical indices alone for the diagnosis of NAFLD and may be clinically useful in screening for NAFLD.

Impact of Diabetes Control on Subclinical Atherosclerosis: Analysis from Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography Registry

Background@#There are limited data on the impact of diabetes control on the risk of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis. @*Methods@#We analyzed 6,434 consecutive asymptomatic individuals without previous history of coronary artery disease who underwent coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) (mean age, 53.7±7.6 years and 4,694 men [73.0%]). The degree and extent of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis were assessed by CCTA, and ≥50% diameter stenosis was defined as significant. A cardiac event was defined as a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or coronary revascularization. Study participants were categorized as normal (n=5,319), controlled diabetes (glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c] <7%, n=747), or uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c ≥7%, n=368), respectively. @*Results@#Compared with normal individuals, there were no statistically significant differences in the risk of for any atherosclerotic plaque (odds ratio [OR], 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98 to 1.38; p=0.086) and significant coronary artery stenosis (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.42; p=0.583) in controlled diabetic individuals. In contrast, uncontrolled diabetic individuals had consistently higher risks of any atherosclerotic plaque (OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.70 to 2.75; p<0.001) and significant coronary artery stenosis (OR, 3.34; 95% CI, 2.52 to 4.43; p<0.001) than normal individuals. During a follow-up of median 5.4 years, there was no significant difference in cardiac events between normal and controlled diabetic individuals (p=0.365). However, uncontrolled diabetes was associated with an increased risk of cardiac events compared with normal individuals (P<0.001) and controlled diabetic individuals (p=0.023). @*Conclusion@#Asymptomatic uncontrolled diabetes was associated with significant subclinical coronary atherosclerosis with subsequent high risk for cardiac events.

Mediation effect of herpes zoster derived by statin use on cardiovascular disease risk

Background/Aims@#Although statins are widely used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) including stroke and myocardial infarction (MI), it is reported that statin use increases the incidence of herpes zoster (HZ) that is associated with increased risk of CVD. So, we evaluated the mediation effect of HZ caused by statin use on CVD. @*Methods@#We analyzed a prospective cohort from the National Health Insurance Service-database of South Korea. All individuals received a medical check-up and were followed-up from 2002 to 2013. @*Results@#A total of 275,382 individuals > 40 years old were followed up for 11 years from 2003. Of these, 11,415 people (4%) were classified as statin users and 263,967 (96%) as non-statin users. Those who used statins had significantly lower risks of cardiovascular events, stroke, and MI compared with non-statin users; the adjusted hazard ratios in the multivariate analysis were 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82 to 0.98), 0.88 (95% CI, 0.80 to 0.98), and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.79 to 1.07), respectively. When we calculated the mediating effect of cardiovascular events by statin use through HZ, 11.6% of the total beneficial effect of cardiovascular events by statin use was mitigated through the occurrence of HZ caused by statin use. This mediating effect was higher in the younger age group (< 60 years). @*Conclusions@#This study showed that statin use reduced CVD by 10%, but the protective effect of statin use against CVD was mitigated by approximately 10% through the development of HZ caused by statin use.

How much have the perinatal outcomes of triplet pregnancies improved over the last two decades?

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to demonstrate the temporal trends in perinatal outcomes of triplet pregnancies over the last two decades. METHODS: The medical records of patients with triplet pregnancies at two Korean tertiary-care hospitals from 1992 to 2012 were retrospectively reviewed in regard to maternal and neonatal outcomes. The study was divided into two periods for analysis: period I (1992–2001) and period II (2003–2012). RESULTS: Over a 21-year period, 65 women with triplet pregnancies and 185 neonates were analyzed. Period II, when compared with period I, was associated with improved maternal outcomes, characterized by a decreased incidence of preeclampsia (31.8% vs. 2.3%, P=0.002) and anemia (68.2% vs. 30.2%, P=0.003) during pregnancy. Regarding neonatal aspects, the composite morbidity of period II was significantly decreased compared with that of period I, as assessed with a generalized estimating equation for logistic regression (26.2% vs. 8.1%, P=0.03). Multivariable analysis revealed that the gestational age at delivery and the period were significantly associated with the composite neonatal morbidity (P<0.001 and 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION: Improved neonatal morbidity was associated with a higher gestational age at delivery and with the more recent decade.

Progressive Optic Disc Tilt in Young Myopic Glaucomatous Eyes

PURPOSE: To explore the progressive change and associated factors of optic disc tilt in young myopic glaucomatous eyes by analyzing long-term follow-up data.METHODS: Optic disc images were obtained from spectral-domain optical coherence tomography enhanced depth imaging from at least five different visits. At each visit, the disc tilt angle (DTA), defined as the angle between the Bruch's membrane opening plane and the optic canal plane, was estimated at the central frame that passes through the optic disc. Glaucoma progression was assessed on the basis of changes noted on serial optic disc and retinal nerve fiber layer photographs or changes in the visual field (VF). A linear mixed effect model was used to assess the influence of parameters (age, sex, baseline and follow-up intraocular pressure, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, VF mean deviation, axial length, central corneal thickness), and presence of glaucomatous progression upon DTA change.RESULTS: A total of 26 eyes of 26 young myopic primary open-angle glaucoma patients (axial length >24.0 mm; mean age, 25.1 ± 4.0 years; mean follow-up, 3.3 ± 0.9 years) were included. DTA was 7.0 ± 3.4 degrees at baseline and 8.3 ± 3.8 degrees at last visit, which represents a significant difference (p < 0.001). Worse VF mean deviation (p < 0.001) and longer axial length (p = 0.006) were significantly associated with DTA increase.CONCLUSIONS: Young myopic glaucomatous eyes showed progressive optic disc tilting. Progressive optic disc tilting in young myopic glaucomatous eyes may be related to either continuous axial myopic shift or glaucomatous structural change.

Beta-Blockers in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Results from The Korea Acute Heart Failure (KorAHF) Registry

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Beta-blockers are indicated in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction. However, their efficacy in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is uncertain. We investigated the hypothesis that beta-blockers are associated with reduced adverse events in patients with HFpEF. METHODS: The Korea Acute Heart Failure (KorAHF) is a prospective observational multicentre cohort study. The 5,625 patients hospitalized for acute HF syndrome in 10 tertiary university hospitals across the country have been consecutively enrolled between March 2011 and February 2014. Of these patients, 2,152 patients with HFpEF (ejection fraction ≥40%) were investigated. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality according to beta-blocker use. RESULTS: During a median follow-up duration of 807 days, 702 patients died. In Cox proportional hazards model beta-blocker use was associated with a 14% reduced all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR], 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75–0.98), but not with reduce rehospitalization (HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.85–1.27). In the propensity-score matched population, beta-blockers were also associated with reduced all-cause death (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.69–0.94) but not with reduced rehospitalization (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.87–1.33). CONCLUSIONS: In Korean patients with HFpEF, use of beta-blockers is associated with reduced all-cause death but not with reduced rehospitalization.

Beta-Blockers in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Results from The Korea Acute Heart Failure (KorAHF) Registry

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES@#Beta-blockers are indicated in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction. However, their efficacy in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is uncertain. We investigated the hypothesis that beta-blockers are associated with reduced adverse events in patients with HFpEF.@*METHODS@#The Korea Acute Heart Failure (KorAHF) is a prospective observational multicentre cohort study. The 5,625 patients hospitalized for acute HF syndrome in 10 tertiary university hospitals across the country have been consecutively enrolled between March 2011 and February 2014. Of these patients, 2,152 patients with HFpEF (ejection fraction ≥40%) were investigated. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality according to beta-blocker use.@*RESULTS@#During a median follow-up duration of 807 days, 702 patients died. In Cox proportional hazards model beta-blocker use was associated with a 14% reduced all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR], 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75–0.98), but not with reduce rehospitalization (HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.85–1.27). In the propensity-score matched population, beta-blockers were also associated with reduced all-cause death (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.69–0.94) but not with reduced rehospitalization (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.87–1.33).@*CONCLUSIONS@#In Korean patients with HFpEF, use of beta-blockers is associated with reduced all-cause death but not with reduced rehospitalization.

Comparison of District-level Smoking Prevalence and Their Income Gaps from Two National Databases: the National Health Screening Database and the Community Health Survey in Korea, 2009–2014

BACKGROUND: We compared age-standardized prevalence of cigarette smoking and their income gaps at the district-level in Korea using the National Health Screening Database (NHSD) and the Community Health Survey (CHS). METHODS: Between 2009 and 2014, 39,049,485 subjects participating in the NHSD and 989,292 participants in the CHS were analyzed. The age-standardized prevalence of smoking and their interquintile income differences were calculated for 245 districts of Korea. We examined between-period correlations for the age-standardized smoking prevalence at the district-level and investigated the district-level differences in smoking prevalence and income gaps between the two databases. RESULTS: The between-period correlation coefficients of smoking prevalence for both genders were 0.92–0.97 in NHSD and 0.58–0.69 in CHS, respectively. When using NHSD, we found significant income gaps in all districts for men and 244 districts for women. However, when CHS was analyzed, only 167 and 173 districts for men and women, respectively, showed significant income gaps. While correlation coefficients of district-level smoking prevalence from two databases were 0.87 for men and 0.85 for women, a relatively weak correlation between income gaps from the two databases was found. CONCLUSION: Based on two databases, income gaps in smoking prevalence were evident for nearly all districts of Korea. Because of the large sample size for each district, NHSD may provide stable district-level smoking prevalence and its income gap and thus should be considered as a valuable data source for monitoring district-level smoking prevalence and its socioeconomic inequality.

Prevalence of Overweight and Income Gaps in 245 Districts of Korea: Comparison Using the National Health Screening Database and the Community Health Survey, 2009–2014

BACKGROUND: We compared age-standardized overweight prevalence and their income gaps at the level of district in Korea using the National Health Screening Database (NHSD) and the Community Health Survey (CHS). METHODS: We analyzed 39,093,653 subjects in the NHSD and 926,580 individuals in the CHS between 2009 and 2014. For the comparison of body mass index (BMI) distributions, data from 26,100 subjects in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were also analyzed. We calculated the age-standardized overweight prevalence and its interquintile income gap at the district level. We examined the magnitudes of the between-period correlation for age-standardized overweight prevalence. The differences in overweight prevalence and its income gap between the NHSD and the CHS were also investigated. RESULTS: The age-adjusted mean BMI from the CHS was lower than those from the NHSD and the KNHANES. The magnitudes of the between-period correlation for overweight prevalence were greater in the NHSD compared to the CHS. We found that the district-level overweight prevalence in the NHSD were higher in all districts of Korea than in the CHS. The correlation coefficients for income gaps in overweight prevalence between the two databases were relatively low. In addition, when using the NHSD, the district-level income inequalities in overweight were clearer especially among women than the inequalities using the CHS. CONCLUSION: The relatively large sample size for each district and measured anthropometric data in the NHSD are more likely to contribute to valid and reliable measurement of overweight inequality at the district level in Korea.

Using the National Health Information Database of the National Health Insurance Service in Korea for Monitoring Mortality and Life Expectancy at National and Local Levels

This study explores whether the National Health Information Database (NHID) can be used to monitor health status of entire population in Korea. We calculated the crude mortality rate and life expectancy (LE) at birth across the national, provincial, and municipal levels using the NHID eligibility database from 2004 to 2015, and compared the results with the corresponding values obtained from the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) of Statistics Korea. The study results showed that the ratio of crude mortality rate between the two data was 0.99. The absolute difference between the LE of the two data was not more than 0.5 years, and did not exceed 0.3 years in gender specific results. The concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) between the crude mortality rates from NHID and the rates from KOSIS ranged 0.997–0.999 among the municipalities. For LE, the CCC between the NHID and KOSIS across the municipalities were 0.990 in 2004–2009 and 0.985 in 2010–2015 among men, and 0.952 in 2004–2009 and 0.914 in 2010–2015 among women, respectively. Overall, the NHID was a good source for monitoring mortality and LE across national, provincial, and municipal levels with the population representativeness of entire Korean population. The results of this study indicate that NHID may well contribute to the national health promotion policy as a part of the health and health equity monitoring system.

Income gaps in self-rated poor health and its association with life expectancy in 245 districts of Korea / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: To examine the income gaps associated with self-rated poor health at the district level in Korea and to identify the geographical correlations between self-rated poor health, life expectancy, and the associated income gaps. METHODS: We analyzed data for 1,578,189 participants from the Community Health Survey of Korea collected between 2008 and 2014. The age-standardized prevalence of self-rated poor health and the associated income gaps were calculated. Previously released data on life expectancy and the associated income gaps were also used. We performed correlation and regression analyses for self-rated poor health, life expectancy, and associated income gaps. RESULTS: Across 245 districts, the median prevalence of self-rated poor health was 15.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.6 to 16.8%), with interquartile range (IQR) of 3.1 percentage points (%p). The median interquintile gaps in the prevalence of self-rated poor health was 11.1%p (95% CI, 8.1 to 14.5%p), with IQR of 3.6%p. Pro-rich inequalities in self-rated health were observed across all 245 districts of Korea. The correlation coefficients for the association between self-rated poor health and the associated income gaps, self-rated poor health and life expectancy, and income gaps associated with self-rated poor health and life expectancy were 0.59, 0.78 and 0.55 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Income gaps associated with self-rated poor health were evident across all districts in Korea. The magnitude of income gaps associated with self-rated poor health was larger in the districts with greater prevalence of self-rated poor health. A strong correlation between self-rated poor health and life expectancy was also observed.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting vs. Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation for Multivessel Disease in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is currently a limited amount of data that demonstrate the optimal revascularization strategy for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). We compared the long-term outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES) versus coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) for multivessel CAD in patients with CKD. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 2108 CKD patients (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m²) with multivessel CAD that were treated with PCI with DES (n=1165) or CABG (n=943). The primary outcome was a composite of all causes of mortality, myocardial infarction, or stroke. The mean age was 66.9±9.1 years. RESULTS: Median follow-up duration was 41.4 (interquartile range 12.1-75.5) months. The primary outcome occurred in 307 (26.4%) patients in the PCI group compared with 304 (32.2%) patients in the CABG group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.941; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79–1.12; p=0.493). The two groups exhibited similar rates of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.77–1.09; p=0.295), myocardial infarction (adjusted HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 0.85–4.07; p=0.120) and stroke (3.2% vs. 4.8%; HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.57–1.61; p=0.758). However, PCI was associated with significantly increased rates of repeat revascularization (adjusted HR, 4.72; 95% CI, 3.20–6.96; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Among patients with CKD and multivessel CAD, PCI with DES when compared with CABG resulted in similar rates of composite outcome of mortality from any cause, MI, or stroke; however, a higher risk of repeat revascularization was observed.

Income Differences in Smoking Prevalences in 245 Districts of South Korea: Patterns by Area Deprivation and Urbanity, 2008-2014 / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to measure income differences in smoking prevalence at the district level and to investigate correlations among area deprivation, smoking prevalence, and income differences in smoking prevalence, stratified by urbanity. METHODS: Data were pooled from the Community Health Survey data of South Korea between 2008 and 2014. The age-standardized prevalence of smoking and its interquintile income differences were calculated. We conducted correlation analyses to investigate the association of the deprivation index with smoking prevalence and interquintile differences in smoking prevalence. RESULTS: Across 245 districts, the median prevalence of smoking in men was 45.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 43.4 to 48.5%), with an interquartile range (IQR) of 4.6% points. In women, the median prevalence was 3.0% (95% CI, 2.4 to 3.6%) and IQR was 1.6% points. The median interquintile difference in smoking prevalence was 7.4% points (95% CI, 1.6 to 13.2% points) in men and 2.7% points (95% CI, 0.5 to 4.9% points) in women. The correlation coefficients for the association between the deprivation index and smoking prevalence was 0.58, 0.15, -0.22 in metropolitan, urban, and rural areas, respectively, among men, and 0.54, -0.33, -0.43 among women. No meaningful correlation was found between area deprivation and interquintile difference in smoking prevalence. The correlation between smoking prevalence and interquintile difference in smoking prevalence was more evident in women than in men. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence of geographical variations in smoking prevalence and interquintile difference in smoking prevalence. Neither smoking prevalence nor the deprivation index was closely correlated with interquintile income difference in smoking prevalence. Measuring inequalities in smoking prevalence is crucial to developing policies aimed at reducing inequalities in smoking.

Income gaps in self-rated poor health and its association with life expectancy in 245 districts of Korea / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: To examine the income gaps associated with self-rated poor health at the district level in Korea and to identify the geographical correlations between self-rated poor health, life expectancy, and the associated income gaps.METHODS: We analyzed data for 1,578,189 participants from the Community Health Survey of Korea collected between 2008 and 2014. The age-standardized prevalence of self-rated poor health and the associated income gaps were calculated. Previously released data on life expectancy and the associated income gaps were also used. We performed correlation and regression analyses for self-rated poor health, life expectancy, and associated income gaps.RESULTS: Across 245 districts, the median prevalence of self-rated poor health was 15.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.6 to 16.8%), with interquartile range (IQR) of 3.1 percentage points (%p). The median interquintile gaps in the prevalence of self-rated poor health was 11.1%p (95% CI, 8.1 to 14.5%p), with IQR of 3.6%p. Pro-rich inequalities in self-rated health were observed across all 245 districts of Korea. The correlation coefficients for the association between self-rated poor health and the associated income gaps, self-rated poor health and life expectancy, and income gaps associated with self-rated poor health and life expectancy were 0.59, 0.78 and 0.55 respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Income gaps associated with self-rated poor health were evident across all districts in Korea. The magnitude of income gaps associated with self-rated poor health was larger in the districts with greater prevalence of self-rated poor health. A strong correlation between self-rated poor health and life expectancy was also observed.

Clinical and Anterior Segment Anatomical Features in Primary Angle Closure Subgroups Based on Configurations of Iris Root Insertion

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical and anterior segment anatomical features in primary angle closure sub-groups based on configurations of iris root insertion. METHODS: Primary angle closure patients were imaged using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Anterior chamber depth, iris curvature, iris thickness (IT) at the scleral spur and 500, 750, and 1,500 µm from the scleral spur (IT(0), IT(500), IT(750), and IT(1500)), lens vault, iris area, angle opening distance (AOD(500)), angle recess area (ARA(750)), and trabecular iris space area (TISA(750)) were measured. Iris root insertion was categorized into a non-basal insertion group (NBG) and basal insertion group (BG). RESULTS: In total, 43 eyes of 39 participants belonged to the NBG and 89 eyes of 53 participants to the BG. The mean age of participants was greater in the NBG than the BG (62.7 ± 5.7 vs. 59.8 ± 7.3 years, p = 0.043), and the baseline intraocular pressure was higher in the BG than the NBG (16.4 ± 4.4 vs. 14.9 ± 3.3 mmHg, p = 0.037). The BG showed a greater IT(0) (0.265 ± 0.04 vs. 0.214 ± 0.03 mm, p < 0.001) and iris area (1.59 ± 0.24 vs. 1.52 ± 0.27 mm2, p = 0.045), lower ARA(750) (0.112 ± 0.08 vs. 0.154 ± 0.08 mm2, p = 0.017) and AOD(500) (0.165 ± 0.07 vs. 0.202 ± 0.08 mm, p = 0.014) compared to the NBG. CONCLUSIONS: The BG had a narrower anterior chamber angle, thicker peripheral iris, and higher pretreatment intraocular pressure.

Long-Term Results of Early Surgery versus Conventional Treatment for Infective Endocarditis Trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Compared with conventional treatment, early surgery significantly reduced the composite end point of all-cause death and embolic events during hospitalization, but long-term data in this area are lacking. This study sought to compare long-term outcomes of early surgery with a conventional treatment strategy in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) and large vegetations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The Early Surgery versus Conventional Treatment in Infective Endocarditis (EASE) trial randomly assigned patients with left-sided IE, severe valve disease and large vegetation to early surgery (37 patients) or conventional treatment groups (39 patients). The pre-specified end points were all-cause death, embolic events, recurrence of IE and repeat hospitalizations due to the development of congestive heart failure occurring during follow-up. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the early surgery and the conventional treatment group in all-cause mortality at 4 years (8.1% and 7.7%, respectively; hazard ratio [HR] 1.04; 95% CI, 0.21 to 5.15; p=0.96). The rate of the composite end point of death from any cause, embolic events or recurrence of IE at 4 years was 8.1% in the early surgery group and 30.8% in the conventional treatment group (HR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.06-0.78; p=0.02). The estimated actuarial rate of end points at 7 years was significantly lower in the early surgery group than in the conventional treatment group (log-rank p=0.007). CONCLUSION: There was a substantial benefit in having early surgery for patients with IE and large vegetations whose health was sustained up to 7 years, and late clinical outcome after surgery was excellent in survivors of IE. (EASE clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00750373)

Reduction of Midline Shift Following Decompressive Hemicraniectomy for Malignant Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction / 대한뇌졸중학회지

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hemicraniectomy is a decompressive surgery used to remove a large bone flap to allow edematous brain tissue to bulge extracranially. However, early indicators of the decompressive effects of hemicraniectomy are unclear. We investigated whether reduction of midline shift following hemicraniectomy is associated with improved consciousness and survival in patients with malignant middle cerebral artery infarctions. METHODS: We studied 70 patients with malignant middle cerebral artery infarctions (MMI) who underwent hemicraniectomies. Midline shift was measured preoperatively and postoperatively using computed tomography (CT). Consciousness level was evaluated using the Glasgow Coma Scale on postoperative day 1. Patient survival was assessed six months after stroke onset. RESULTS: The median time interval between preoperative and postoperative CT was 8.3 hours (interquartile range, 6.1–10.2 hours). Reduction in midline shift was associated with higher postoperative Glasgow Coma Scale scores (P<0.05). Forty-three patients (61.4%) were alive at six months after the stroke. Patients with reductions in midline shifts following hemicraniectomy were more likely to be alive at six months post-stroke than those without (P<0.001). Reduction of midline shift was associated with lower mortality at six months after stroke, after adjusting for age, sex, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, and preoperative midline shift (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.62–0.81; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Reduction in midline shift following hemicraniectomy was associated with improved consciousness and six-month survival in patients with MMI. Hence, it may be an early indicator of effective decompression following hemicraniectomy.

The Risk of Colorectal Neoplasia in Patients with Gallbladder Diseases

Cholecystectomy is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, but little is known about the relationship between gallbladder disease and colorectal adenoma. Gallbladder polyps and colorectal neoplasia (CRN) share several risk factors such as obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, which might account for their association. In this study, we investigated whether asymptomatic patients with gallbladder disease are at increased risk of CRN and identified the factors to their association. The study population consisted of 4,626 consecutive, asymptomatic individuals drawn from a prospective health check-up cohort who underwent both ultrasonography and colonoscopy screening. The prevalence of CRNs in patients with gallbladder polyps or gallstones was significantly higher than that in the control group (32.1% vs. 26.8%; P = 0.032, 35.8% vs. 26.9%; P = 0.020). A multivariate regression analysis showed that gallbladder polyps were an independent risk factor for CRN [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.03-1.62] whereas gallstones were not (adjusted OR: 1.14; 95% CI: 0.79-1.63). The adjusted OR for the risk of CRN was 1.12 for gallbladder polyps or = 5 mm (95% CI, 1.15-2.77). The prevalence of CRN increased with increasing polyp size (P trend = 0.022). Our results suggest that colorectal neoplasia is significantly related to gallbladder polyps, especially those > or = 5 mm.

Effects of MR Parameter Changes on the Quantification of Diffusion Anisotropy and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in Diffusion Tensor Imaging: Evaluation Using a Diffusional Anisotropic Phantom

OBJECTIVE: To validate the usefulness of a diffusional anisotropic capillary array phantom and to investigate the effects of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameter changes on diffusion fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) using the phantom. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diffusion tensor imaging of a capillary array phantom was performed with imaging parameter changes, including voxel size, number of sensitivity encoding (SENSE) factor, echo time (TE), number of signal acquisitions, b-value, and number of diffusion gradient directions (NDGD), one-at-a-time in a stepwise-incremental fashion. We repeated the entire series of DTI scans thrice. The coefficients of variation (CoV) were evaluated for FA and ADC, and the correlation between each MR imaging parameter and the corresponding FA and ADC was evaluated using Spearman's correlation analysis. RESULTS: The capillary array phantom CoVs of FA and ADC were 7.1% and 2.4%, respectively. There were significant correlations between FA and SENSE factor, TE, b-value, and NDGD, as well as significant correlations between ADC and SENSE factor, TE, and b-value. CONCLUSION: A capillary array phantom enables repeated measurements of FA and ADC. Both FA and ADC can vary when certain parameters are changed during diffusion experiments. We suggest that the capillary array phantom can be used for quality control in longitudinal or multicenter clinical studies.

Meta-Analysis of First-Line Triple Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Korea: Is It Time to Change?

Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple therapy consisting of PPI, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin, is the recommended first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection. However, the eradication rate of triple therapy has declined over the past few decades. We analyzed the eradication rate and adverse events of triple therapy to evaluate current practices in Korea. A comprehensive literature search was performed up to August 2013 of 104 relevant studies comprising 42,124 patients. The overall eradication rate was 74.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 72.1%-77.2%) by intention-to-treat analysis and 82.0% (95% CI, 80.8%-83.2%) by per-protocol analysis. The eradication rate decreased significantly from 1998 to 2013 (P < 0.001 for both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses). Adverse events were reported in 41 studies with 8,018 subjects with an overall incidence rate of 20.4% (95% CI, 19.6%-21.3%). The available data suggest that the effectiveness of standard triple therapy for H. pylori eradication has decreased to an unacceptable level. A novel therapeutic strategy is warranted to improve the effectiveness of first-line treatment for H. pylori infection in Korea.