Adverse Drug Events Associated With Remdesivir in Real-World Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19, Including Vulnerable Populations: A Retrospective Multicenter Study

Background@#Remdesivir is a US Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Clinical trials were conducted under strictly controlled situations for a selected population, and their reported adverse events may not fully represent conditions in real-world patients. We aimed to estimate the incidence of adverse drug events (ADEs) associated with remdesivir in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, including vulnerable subpopulations, such as those with impaired renal or hepatic function and pregnant women. @*Methods@#This retrospective observational study included hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 treated with remdesivir between January and December 2021 at ten hospitals. ADEs and severe ADEs (Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events grade ≥ 3) were operationally defined and analyzed through laboratory investigations. The incidence of ADEs was compared with that of each matched control in subpopulations with renal or hepatic impairment and pregnant women. @*Results@#Among 2,140 patients, 1,416 (66.2%) and 295 (13.8%) experienced at least one ADE and severe ADE, respectively. The most frequent ADE was 'hepatic injury' (42.9%), followed by anemia (27.6%). The most common severe ADEs were 'hypokalemia' (5.3%), 'hepatic injury' (2.9%), and 'anemia' (3.6%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of ADEs in patients relative to their respective matched-control groups, including those with renal impairment (80.0% vs. control 71.8%, P = 0.063), hepatic impairment (70.4% vs. control 75.0%, P = 0.623) and pregnant women (78.6% vs. control 63.7%, P = 0.067). However, severe ADE incidence was significantly higher in patients with renal impairment (40.8% vs. 16.0%, P < 0.001). The most common severe ADEs in those were 'anemia' (15.3%), 'hypokalemia' (10.5%), and 'thrombocytopenia' (8.9%). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of severe ADEs in patients with hepatic impairment or in pregnancy (P = 0.230; P = 0.085). @*Conclusion@#A significant proportion of patients with COVID-19 treated with remdesivir experienced ADEs and severe ADEs. Given the high incidence of severe ADEs, caution is required in patients with renal impairment. Further studies are needed to investigate ADEs in pregnant women and patients with hepatic impairment.

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor-Related Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Accuracy Verification of Operational Definition

Background@#The most important aspect of a retrospective cohort study is the operational definition (OP) of the disease. We developed a detailed OP for the detection of sodiumglucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) related to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The OP was systemically verified and analyzed. @*Methods@#All patients prescribed SGLT2i at four university hospitals were enrolled in this experiment. A DKA diagnostic algorithm was created and distributed to each hospital;subsequently, the number of SGLT2i-related DKAs was confirmed. Then, the algorithm functionality was verified through manual chart reviews by an endocrinologist using the same OP. @*Results@#A total of 8,958 patients were initially prescribed SGLT2i. According to the algorithm, 0.18% (16/8,958) were confirmed to have SGLT2i-related DKA. However, based on manual chart reviews of these 16 cases, there was only one case of SGLT2i-related DKA (positive predictive value = 6.3%). Even after repeatedly narrowing the diagnosis range of the algorithm, the effect of a positive predictive value was insignificant (6.3–10.0%, P > 0.999). @*Conclusion@#Owing to the nature of electronic medical record data, we could not create an algorithm that clearly differentiates SGLT2i-related DKA despite repeated attempts. In all retrospective studies, a portion of the samples should be randomly selected to confirm the accuracy of the OP through chart review. In retrospective cohort studies in which chart review is not possible, it will be difficult to guarantee the reliability of the results.

A 10-Year Single-Center Experience of Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring / 대한내과학회지

Background/Aims@#Despite proper use of pharmaceuticals, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) can lead to problems related to patient safety. We analyzed the characteristics of ADRs, particularly serious adverse events (SAEs), in a single tertiary medical institution. @*Methods@#Spontaneous ADR report data collected from 2010 to 2019 in Seoul National University Hospital were assessed. Causality was evaluated according to the World Health Organization-Uppsala Monitoring Centre criteria. Age, sex, onset, severity, seriousness, and system organ class (SOC) of ADRs and SAEs were analyzed. @*Results@#During the study period, a total of 49,955 individual case safety reports were assessed as possible, probable, or certain. Although the number of gastrointestinal ADR reports was high (25.9%), severe cases were uncommon (2.6%). By contrast, the number of hematologic disorders was low (6.6%) but 39.2% of them were severe. Among ADRs, 10.2% were assessed as SAEs, the proportion of which was high at extreme ages and in males. Body as a whole-general disorders were the most frequently reported SOC for SAEs, followed by skin and appendage disorders. Antineoplastic agents and antibiotics were the most common causative agents of SAEs and ADRs. Anaphylactic reaction was the most frequent SAE (6.5%). @*Conclusions@#The proportion of SAE differs according to SOC and drug. Attention should be paid to SAEs in children and older adults because the rate of SAEs is significantly higher at extreme ages.

A 10-Year Single-Center Experience of Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring / 대한내과학회지

Background/Aims@#Despite proper use of pharmaceuticals, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) can lead to problems related to patient safety. We analyzed the characteristics of ADRs, particularly serious adverse events (SAEs), in a single tertiary medical institution. @*Methods@#Spontaneous ADR report data collected from 2010 to 2019 in Seoul National University Hospital were assessed. Causality was evaluated according to the World Health Organization-Uppsala Monitoring Centre criteria. Age, sex, onset, severity, seriousness, and system organ class (SOC) of ADRs and SAEs were analyzed. @*Results@#During the study period, a total of 49,955 individual case safety reports were assessed as possible, probable, or certain. Although the number of gastrointestinal ADR reports was high (25.9%), severe cases were uncommon (2.6%). By contrast, the number of hematologic disorders was low (6.6%) but 39.2% of them were severe. Among ADRs, 10.2% were assessed as SAEs, the proportion of which was high at extreme ages and in males. Body as a whole-general disorders were the most frequently reported SOC for SAEs, followed by skin and appendage disorders. Antineoplastic agents and antibiotics were the most common causative agents of SAEs and ADRs. Anaphylactic reaction was the most frequent SAE (6.5%). @*Conclusions@#The proportion of SAE differs according to SOC and drug. Attention should be paid to SAEs in children and older adults because the rate of SAEs is significantly higher at extreme ages.

Adverse Drug Reactions to First-line Anti-tubercular Drugs Based on Individual Case Safety Report in a Single Tertiary Hospital / 대한내과학회지

Background/Aims@#Tuberculosis has incidence and mortality rates that are among the highest for all communicable diseases. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to anti-tubercular drugs are common, and have a major impact on treatment maintenance and prognosis. It is important to understand the characteristics of ADRs and establish a suitable management plan. @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed patients with ADRs during treatment with first-line antitubercular drugs such as isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide from 2009 to 2018. Age, sex, and total treatment period, and the onset, severity, seriousness, and system organ class of ADRs, were analyzed to understand the characteristics of first-line anti-tubercular drug-related ADRs. @*Results@#A total of 1,606 of 5,482 patients (29.3%) experienced ADRs after administration of first-line anti-tubercular drugs. The incidence of ADRs related to isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide was 22.2%, 21.3%, 24.5%, and 29.6%, respectively. A total of 2,098 ADR reports were made (mean of 1.3 ± 0.6 per patient). The rates of mild, moderate, and severe ADRs were 32.4%, 61.1%, and 6.5%, respectively. There were 127 reports (6.1%) of serious ADRs. Skin and appendage disorders were most frequently reported (27.5%), followed by gastrointestinal disorders (17.5%), and liver and biliary system disorders (13.1%). The total treatment period was longer in patients who experienced ADRs (224.0 ± 3.1 days vs. 247.0 ± 4.7 days, p = 0.009). @*Conclusions@#The incidence of ADRs to first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs was 29.3%, and 6.5% were severe ADRS. ADRs prolonged the overall treatment duration, indicating the importance of their detection and management.

Comparison of one-bag and multibag desensitization protocols for the prevention of rituximab hypersensitivity

Purpose@#Rituximab is prone to infusion-related reactions, which commonly requires desensitization to maintain its administration. Conventional desensitization protocols are using multistep infusion by diluting solutions. However, the process of diluting drugs and stepwise delivery needs additional time and effort. The objective of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of a nondiluting, one-bag protocol of rituximab desensitization. @*Methods@#A retrospective study was performed by reviewing the medical records of patients who underwent rituximab desensitization between 2009 and 2018. The completion rate, occurrence and severity of breakthrough reactions (BTR), and time required to complete the therapy were compared between one-bag protocol and multibag protocol. Results were analyzed by generalized estimation equation method, and odds ratios (ORs) of completion rate and BTR incidence were estimated. @*Results@#Total 190 cases of desensitization therapy were performed in 49 patients; the incidence of BTR was 16.84% and the overall completion rate was 96.32%. No significant difference in completion rate was found (OR, 3.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79– 16.38) and there was no significant difference in BTR incidence (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.23–2.82) in one-bag protocol. BTR in the one-bag protocol tended to occur even through entire steps, whereas most of the BTR in the multibag protocol occurred at later steps of the process. The average time spent in the desensitization was 60 minutes shorter in the one-bag than the multibag protocol (258.15 minutes vs. 329.81 minutes, P< 0.001). @*Conclusion@#One-bag desensitization protocol showed no significant difference in safety and efficiency compared to the conventional multibag protocol, with shortening the time required for completion.

Educating Healthcare Professionals in Pharmacovigilance: Global Trends and Korea’s Status / 의학교육논단

This narrative review introduces global trends in pharmacovigilance (PV) education for healthcare professionals and the status of PV education in Korea. Proactive participation of healthcare professionals, including physicians, pharmacists, and nurses in reporting suspected adverse events is the main driving force for effective operation of the spontaneous adverse event reporting system database, which in turn facilitates early safety signal detection of otherwise unknown suspected adverse events. The World Health Organization recognizes PV education curriculum as a key aspect in promoting awareness of PV and adverse event reporting among healthcare professionals, and multiple studies have demonstrated that PV educational interventions for healthcare professionals have increased overall adverse event reporting. Considering the global trends in PV education, the curriculum in Korean universities still has room for improvement in promoting PV obligation among future healthcare professionals. Further research is needed to develop PV education curriculum. We suggest a three-step project for innovating PV education in Korea to meet the global PV educational standards: a survey to gauge current PV competencies among healthcare professionals, reform of current PV academic curriculum, and evaluation and fine-tuning of the reformed curriculum.

Analysis of individual case safety reports of drug-induced anaphylaxis to the Korea Adverse Event Reporting System

PURPOSE: To identify causative agents of the drug-induced anaphylaxis (DIA) by using the Korea Institute of Drug Safety & Risk Management-Korea Adverse Event Reporting System (KIDS-KAERS) database (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) in Korea and to check their labeling information regarding anaphylaxis.METHODS: Among Individual Case Safety Reports from January, 2008 to December 2017, cases of DIA were analyzed for demographics, causative agents and fatal cases resulting in death. The domestic drug labeling, Micromedex and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug package insert, were reviewed to check if the labeling information on suspected causative agents contains anaphylaxis.RESULTS: A total of 4,700 cases of DIA were analyzed. The mean age was 49.85±18.32 years, and 2,642 patients (56.2%) were females. Among 8,664 drugs reported as causative agents, antibiotics (27.4%) accounted for the largest portion. There were 18 fatal cases: antibiotics (7 cases), antineoplastic agents (4 cases) were the major causative drugs for the mortality cases. Of 513 drugs reported as suspected causative agents, 103 (20.1%) did not list anaphylaxis as an adverse effect on domestic drug labeling and 16 (3.1%) did not reflect anaphylaxis in any of 3 adverse drug information.CONCLUSION: Analysis of 10-year data showed that antibiotics were the main cause of DIA and the mortality rate was 0.7%. In 3.1% of suspected drugs, there was no description of anaphylaxis in any of the drug labeling.

Management of Adverse Reactions to Iodinated Contrast Media for Computed Tomography in Korean Referral Hospitals: A Survey Investigation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the current status of managing adverse reactions to iodinated contrast media (ICM) for computed tomography in referral hospitals in South Korea compared with hospitals in other countries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This survey investigation involved 59 Korean and 15 overseas hospitals using guideline-based questionnaires consisting of 24 items in 7 main categories related to managing adverse reactions to ICM. RESULTS: Informed written consent with risk factor evaluation was appropriately performed in most of the Korean hospitals. There was considerable variability in assessing renal function across the hospitals; serum creatinine level was used as a reference in 76.4% of Korean hospitals. The Korean hospitals preferred a more stringent approach to determining normal renal function (p = 0.01), withholding metformin (p = 0.01), and fasting before ICM exposure (p < 0.001) compared with overseas hospitals. All the Korean hospitals had an emergency protocol and in-hospital system for adverse reactions to ICM. The Korean (87.7%) and overseas hospitals (100%) were similarly equipped with epinephrine (p = 0.332), but only 38.6% of Korean hospitals were equipped with a bronchodilator (p = 0.004). For patients with a previous hypersensitivity reaction to ICM, 62.3% of Korean hospitals pre-medicated with anti-histamine and corticosteroid according to the severity of the previous reaction, and changed the culprit ICM in 52.8%, while skin test was performed in 17%. CONCLUSION: In general, Korean referral hospitals were well-prepared regarding informed consent, protocol, and an in-hospital system for managing adverse reactions to ICM. Nevertheless, there was considerable variability in details and management, thus requiring standardization by reflecting current guidelines.

A case of rapid desensitization for rituximab-induced delayed hypersensitivity reaction

Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody used for the treatment of B-cell malignancies, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Infusion-related hypersensitivity reactions to rituximab is well known, and delayed hypersensitivity reactions to rituximab are also reported. Desensitization is commonly used to prevent immediate hypersensitivity reactions, but recently there have been cases of successful desensitization therapy for delayed hypersensitivity reactions. A 66-year-old patient who underwent rituximab treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma showed repeated rituximab-induced delayed hypersensitivity reactions with whole body rashes. Intravenous rapid desensitization was performed by using a 1-bottle, 11-step protocol for 6 cycles and thereafter hypersensitivity reaction did not recur. We herein reported a case of delayed hypersensitivity reaction caused by rituximab, which was successfully desensitized using our 11-step protocol.

Adverse drug reactions

There are no drugs without the risk of potential adverse reactions. All pharmacologically active substances can cause adverse drug reactions (ADRs). This paper aims at introducing recent trends in pharmacosurveillance systems for ADRs, which can be broadly classified into type A and B reactions. Since type A reactions are associated with drug pharmacology, they are usually dose-dependent and predictable. Whereas, type B reactions occur in some susceptible individuals, regardless of the pharmacological action of drug. Drug hypersensitivity reactions are typical examples of type B reactions and are subclassified according to the underlying pathomechanism. Recent advancements in pharmacogenomics have enlightened the understanding of individual differences in drug efficacy and susceptibility to ADRs. Therefore, expectations for safe personalized medicines are higher than ever before. However, premarketing clinical trials are too small and too short to uncover rare but serious ADRs and detect long-standing ADRs. In the past, post-marketing surveillance systems mainly focused on passive ADR monitoring systems, based on spontaneous reports. Recently, the importance of active pharmacovigilance systems, which use big data, is growing with recent advancements in medical informatics. Thus, regarding ADRs, suspecting and detecting the causative drug using causality assessment based on data science may contribute to decrease suffering induced by ADRs.

The Infectivity of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Korean Army Units: Evidence from Outbreak Investigations / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) causes substantial health burden to the Korean military. This study aims to assess the impact of infectious TB cases on close and casual contacts in the Korean Army settings based on contact investigation data. METHODS: Six Army units with infectious TB cases from September 2012 to May 2013 were enrolled in the study. We analyzed the clinical data from close and casual contacts screened using the tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube to identify latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) cases. For the control group, 286 military conscripts with no reported TB exposure were tested by TST only. RESULTS: Of the 667 contacts of index cases, LTBI cases identified were as follows: 21.8% of close contacts of smear-positive cases (71/326), 8.5% of casual contacts of smear-positive cases (26/305), and 2.8% of close contacts of smear-negative cases (1/36). In the control group, 16.8% showed positivity in TST. In a multivariate analysis, having stayed in the same room or next room with TB patients was identified as a risk factor of LTBI. CONCLUSION: Using the data from TB contact investigations in the Korean Army units, we found an overall LTBI rate of 14.7% among the contacts screened. This study demonstrates that contacts living in the same building, especially the same room or next room, with TB patients are at a high risk of acquiring LTBI, serving as additional evidence for defining close and casual contacts of a TB patient with regard to Army barrack settings.

Adverse drug reactions

There are no drugs without the risk of potential adverse reactions. All pharmacologically active substances can cause adverse drug reactions (ADRs). This paper aims at introducing recent trends in pharmacosurveillance systems for ADRs, which can be broadly classified into type A and B reactions. Since type A reactions are associated with drug pharmacology, they are usually dose-dependent and predictable. Whereas, type B reactions occur in some susceptible individuals, regardless of the pharmacological action of drug. Drug hypersensitivity reactions are typical examples of type B reactions and are subclassified according to the underlying pathomechanism. Recent advancements in pharmacogenomics have enlightened the understanding of individual differences in drug efficacy and susceptibility to ADRs. Therefore, expectations for safe personalized medicines are higher than ever before. However, premarketing clinical trials are too small and too short to uncover rare but serious ADRs and detect long-standing ADRs. In the past, post-marketing surveillance systems mainly focused on passive ADR monitoring systems, based on spontaneous reports. Recently, the importance of active pharmacovigilance systems, which use big data, is growing with recent advancements in medical informatics. Thus, regarding ADRs, suspecting and detecting the causative drug using causality assessment based on data science may contribute to decrease suffering induced by ADRs.

Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions to Antiepileptic Drugs: A Nationwide Registry-Based Study in Korea

PURPOSE: Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) to antiepileptic drug (AED), are rare, but result in significant morbidity and mortality. We investigated the major culprit drugs, clinical characteristics, and clinical course and outcomes of AED-induced SCARs using a nationwide registry in Korea. METHODS: A total of 161 patients with AED-induced SCARs from 28 referral hospitals were analyzed. The causative AEDs, clinical characteristics, organ involvements, details of treatment, and outcomes were evaluated. We compared the clinical and laboratory parameters between SJS/TEN and DRESS according to the leading causative drugs. We further determined risk factors for prolonged hospitalization in AED-induced SCARs. RESULTS: Carbamazepine and lamotrigine were the most common culprit drugs causing SCARs. Valproic acid and levetiracetam also emerged as the major causative agents. The disease duration and hospital stay in carbamazepine-induced SJS/TEN were shorter than those in other AEDs (P< 0.05, respectively). In younger patients, lamotrigine caused higher incidences of DRESS than other drugs (P= 0.045). Carbamazepine, the most common culprit drug for SCARs, was associated with a favorable outcome related with prolonged hospitalization in SJS (odds ratio, 0.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.63, P= 0.12), and thrombocytopenia was found to be a risk factor for prolonged hospitalization in DRESS. CONCLUSION: This was the first large-scale epidemiological study of AED-induced SCARs in Korea. Valproic acid and levetiracetam were the significant emerging AEDs causing SCARs in addition to the well-known offending AEDs such as carbamazepine and lamotrigine. Carbamazepine was associated with reduced hospitalization, but thrombocytopenia was a risk factor for prolonged hospitalization. Our results suggest that the clinical characteristics and clinical courses of AED-induced SCARs might vary according to the individual AEDs.

Analysis of Individual Case Safety Reports of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions in Korea

PURPOSE: Despite morbidities and fatalities, nationwide epidemiologic data for severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), are not widely available. We aimed to investigate SCAR epidemiology over the last two decades in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed individual case safety reports (ICSRs) of SCARs in the Korea Adverse Event Reporting System from 1988 to 2013. Administered drugs, demographic profiles, and causality assessment according to the World Health Organization-Uppsala Monitoring Center system were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 755 SCAR cases (508 SJS/TEN, 247 DRESS) were reported. The number of SCAR ICSRs has been increasing with increasing ICSRs for overall adverse drug events. Since 2010, the number of SCAR ICSRs has increased up to 100 cases/year. Allopurinol was the most common causative drug (SJS/TEN: 10.2%; DRESS: 11.3%; SCAR ICSRs: 10.6%), followed by carbamazepine (SJS/TEN: 8.7%; DRESS: 9.7%; SCAR ICSRs: 8.6%). Regarding drug groups, antiepileptics (19.5%) and antibiotics for systemic use (12.7%) were common causative drug groups. Twenty SCAR-related deaths were recorded. Antibacterials were the most common causes of deaths (8 cases), followed by antiepileptics (5 cases). The potential risk of SCARs was not specified in the drug information leaflet for 40.2% of drugs causing SJS/TEN and 82.5% causing DRESS syndrome in Korea. CONCLUSION: The number of SCAR ICSRs has increased rapidly with recent active pharmacovigilance programs in Korea. Allopurinol and antiepileptics are the most common individual and categorical causative agents, respectively.

Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions in Korean Pediatric Patients: A Study From the Korea SCAR Registry

PURPOSE: Although severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCARs) are rare, they are associated with high morbidity and mortality, and thus early diagnosis and treatment are critical for improving prognoses. However, few studies have reported the characteristics of SCARs in children. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, current management and prognosis of pediatric SCARs. METHODS: We analyzed pediatric data in the Korean SCARs registry, which was built retrospectively in 2016 with SCAR cases treated in 34 tertiary referral university hospitals during 2010–2015. Using these cases, we descriptively analyzed detailed data regarding etiology, clinical and laboratory features, treatment strategies, and prognosis. RESULTS: Forty-seven pediatric SCAR cases from 15 tertiary referral hospitals were included. The median patient age was 10 (interquartile range, 3-15.5) years and 68.1% (n = 32) were males. The culprit drug was identified in 95.7% (n = 45) of the patients; antibiotics (44.7%) and antiepileptic drugs (19.1%) were the most common and second most common culprits, respectively. Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) cases presented with the largest area of skin involvement without permanent sequelae. Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) cases involved relatively small areas of skin but serious sequelae in two children. Of 4 patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), 1 died. Of all patients assessed, 36 (76.6%) received systemic steroids and 21 (44.7%) received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Thirteen (27.7%) received both systemic steroids and IVIG. Cyclosporine was administered to only 1 patient along with a systemic steroid. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with pediatric SCARs, including those with DRESS, SJS and TEN, clinical presentations were variable. Thus, there was no clear continuous disease spectrum. Although the mortality rate was low (2.1%), clinical suspicion may be the best tool for proactive SCAR management.

The Infectivity of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Korean Army Units: Evidence from Outbreak Investigations / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND@#Tuberculosis (TB) causes substantial health burden to the Korean military. This study aims to assess the impact of infectious TB cases on close and casual contacts in the Korean Army settings based on contact investigation data.@*METHODS@#Six Army units with infectious TB cases from September 2012 to May 2013 were enrolled in the study. We analyzed the clinical data from close and casual contacts screened using the tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube to identify latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) cases. For the control group, 286 military conscripts with no reported TB exposure were tested by TST only.@*RESULTS@#Of the 667 contacts of index cases, LTBI cases identified were as follows: 21.8% of close contacts of smear-positive cases (71/326), 8.5% of casual contacts of smear-positive cases (26/305), and 2.8% of close contacts of smear-negative cases (1/36). In the control group, 16.8% showed positivity in TST. In a multivariate analysis, having stayed in the same room or next room with TB patients was identified as a risk factor of LTBI.@*CONCLUSION@#Using the data from TB contact investigations in the Korean Army units, we found an overall LTBI rate of 14.7% among the contacts screened. This study demonstrates that contacts living in the same building, especially the same room or next room, with TB patients are at a high risk of acquiring LTBI, serving as additional evidence for defining close and casual contacts of a TB patient with regard to Army barrack settings.

Clinical characteristics of adverse reaction to radiocontrast media in children - A single center experience

PURPOSE: Radiocontrast media are widely used in medical imaging to improve diagnostic accuracy. However, studies on the adverse reactions of radiocontrast media in children are limited. We aimed to describe the characteristics of adverse reactions to radiocontrast media among children who had a computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging in a tertiary university hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data on adverse reactions to radiocontrast media by the reporting system of a tertiary university hospital. We selected data from children under the age of 19 from July 2011 to December 2017 and analyzed their characteristics. We focused mainly on the characteristics of the index case which is defined by the first adverse event of each subject. RESULTS: During the period, a total of 88,050 radiocontrast media-enhanced imaging studies were performed and 184 cases of adverse reactions were reported. A total of 71 were identified as index cases. Forty-nine (69.0%) were male and the mean age was 12.7±3.2 years. The incidence of radiocontrast media-related adverse reactions was 0.09% and severe reactions were 0.002%. The most common clinical feature was skin manifestations (54.9%), followed by gastrointestinal symptoms (40.8%) and neuropsychiatric symptoms (7.4%). CONCLUSION: Adverse reactions to radiocontrast media rarely occur in children and the incidence of severe reactions is low. Most reactions are mild and are related to the skin and gastrointestinal system. This report would provide good evidence for establishing a management strategy in children scheduled for imaging studies using radiocontrast media.

Optimal methods to detect DRESS (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) syndrome by electronic medical records

PURPOSE: Since drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptom (DRESS) syndrome is very rare and difficult to diagnose, its exact epidemiology is still unknown. If screening tools based on laboratory results or electronic medical records are available, the occurrence of DRESS syndrome can be monitored in real time. METHODS: To screen cases with DRESS syndrome, all the results of both eosinophil and alanine transaminase (ALT) level from July 2014 to June 2015 were analyzed by 36 searching conditions for the signal detection of 7 definite DRESS cases among 199,924 patients during the study period. Those searching conditions were diverse combinations of different cutoff levels of eosinophil and ALT with or without nursing records presenting skin symptoms. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value were calculated for individual searching conditions. RESULTS: As cutoff levels of eosinophil and ALT for screening DRESS increased from 3% to 5% and 40 U/L to 300 U/L, respectively, the sensitivity decreased from 100% to 42.9% and the PPV increased from 0.06% to 13.0%. A combination of eosinophil >10% and ALT >300 U/L which had the highest PPV among 36 search conditions could detect DRESS syndrome by sensitivity 42.9% and PPV 13.0%. When nursing records for skin symptoms were added, PPV was augmented to 21.4%. CONCLUSION: A combination of eosinophil and ALT levels is a useful search condition for the screening of DRESS syndrome. Nursing records can provide an additional increment in PPV.

Past, present, and future of pharmacovigilance in Korea

As an essential part of patient safety, pharmacovigilance is of worldwide interest and should expand its scope and focus on new emerging issues. South Korea has been making continuous efforts in the field of pharmacovigilance for the last 3 decades since voluntary adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting system was first launched in 1988. Korea joined the World Health Organization Program for International Drug Monitoring in 1992, and the activities of Pharmacovigilance Research Network, Korean Society for Pharmacoepidemiology and Risk Management, and Regional Pharmacovigilance Center (RPVC) have contributed to the remarkable progress in the pharmacovigilance area and global status. RPVCs have played pivotal roles in establishment of pharmacovigilance system in Korea by monitoring voluntary ADR reports. RPVCs started with 3 hospitals in 2006 and have now expanded to 27 hospitals nationwide. The Korea Institute of Drug Safety & Risk Management was established in 2012 and in charge of operating the decentralized national pharmacovigilance system. The voluntary report of ADR, which is the basis of current pharmacovigilance system, has various limitations and an active surveillance system can be the overarching alternative. This change in pharmacovigilance paradigm is a global trend and Korea has excellent infrastructure such as broad distribution of electronic medical recording systems and a nationwide single healthcare insurance. As a result, the pharmacovigilance in Korea is now expected to progress to a new active surveillance system from traditional spontaneous reporting system.