Erratum: Validation of a Web-Based Tool to Predict the Ipsilateral Breast Tumor Recurrence (IBTR! 2.0) after Breast-Conserving Therapy for Korean Patients / 한국유방암학회지

This article was published with a misspelled the date of acceptance. The date of acceptance should be corrected as “March 7, 2013”.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Alone after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Initial Cytology-Proven Axillary Node Metastasis / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been recently used to downstage breast cancer. However, in patients with initial axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis, ALN dissection regardless of the NAC response remains the standard treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify the feasibility and accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) after NAC in patients with ALN metastasis at diagnosis. METHODS: From January 2007 to August 2013, data of patients who were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and ALN metastasis and treated with NAC followed by definitive surgery in two centers were collected retrospectively. A total of 386 patients were enrolled and classified into five groups according to surgical procedure for the ALNs and pathologic results. RESULTS: At SLNB after NAC, sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) that stained blue or were hot, including suspicious nodes, were identified; the SLN identification and false-negative rates was 96% and 10%, respectively. There was no difference in the overall survival among the groups. For patients who revealed a pathologic complete node response, there was a significant difference in the disease-free survival rate between the SLNB only and complete ALN dissection groups (p=0.031). However, the rate of axillary recurrence demonstrated no significant differences among the groups (p>0.050). CONCLUSION: SLNB after NAC in breast cancer patients with initial ALN metastasis may help identify downstaging to negative nodal status and thereby reduce the surgical morbidity by avoiding standard ALN dissection.

Proportion and Clinical Outcomes of Postoperative Radiotherapy Omission after Breast-Conserving Surgery in Women with Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: The present study was conducted to investigate the proportion and clinical outcomes of breast cancer patients who did not receive postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS). METHODS: This retrospective study included all breast cancer patients received curative BCS without PORT between 2003 and 2013. In the PORT omission group, characteristics and local recurrence differences were compared between the recommended group and the refused group. To compare the local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) of the PORT omission group and the control group who received PORT, subjects were selected by using the pooled data of patients treated between 1994 and 2007. RESULTS: During the study period, 96 patients did not receive PORT among a total of 6,680 patients who underwent BCS. Therefore, the overall rate of PORT omission was 1.4%. Among the 96 patients, 20 were recommended for PORT omission (recommended group) and 76 refused PORT (refused group). The median follow-up period of all study participants was 19.3 months (range, 0.3-115.1 months). Patients in the recommended group were older (p=0.004), were more likely to be postmenopausal (p=0.013), and had more number of positive prognostic factors compared with the refused group. Overall, 12 cases of disease recurrence, including 11 cases of local recurrence, developed in the PORT-refused group. The LRFS of the PORT-omission group was significantly inferior to that of patients who received PORT after BCS (p<0.001). In the PORT-omission group, significant favorable prognostic factors for LRFS were having histologic grade 1 or 2 disease (p=0.023), having no axillary lymph node metastasis (p=0.039), receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy (p=0.046), and being in the recommended group (p=0.026). CONCLUSION: The rate of PORT omission in the present study is very low among women who underwent surgery compared to that of other studies worldwide. PORT omission is significantly related to a high local recurrence rate.

Retraction note to: "Clinical Significance of the Axillary Arch in Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy" / 한국유방암학회지

All authors would like to withdraw the article because they have found a mistake in selecting subjects for this study.

Comparison of Clinicopathological Features and Treatment Results between Invasive Lobular Carcinoma and Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and to compare the clinicopathological features and treatment results after breast conserving surgery (BCS) followed by radiotherapy between ILC and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). METHODS: A total of 1,071 patients who underwent BCS followed by radiotherapy were included in the study. Medical records and pathological reports were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The incidence of ILC was 5.2% (n=56). Bilateral breast cancer, lower nuclear grade, and hormone receptor-positive breast cancer were more frequent in patients with ILC than in those with IDC. There were no cases of lymphovascular invasion or the basal-like subtype in patients with ILC. There were no statistically significant differences in patterns of failure or treatment outcomes between patients with ILC and those with IDC. The development of metachronous contralateral breast cancer was more frequent in patients with IDC (n=27). Only one patient with ILC developed contralateral breast cancer, with a case of ductal carcinoma in situ. CONCLUSION: The incidence of ILC was slightly higher in our study than in previous Korean studies, but was lower than the incidences reported in Western studies. The differences we observed in clinico pathological features between ILC and IDC were similar to those described elsewhere in the literature. Although there were no statistically significant differences, there was a trend toward better disease-specific survival and disease-free survival rates in patients with ILC than in those with IDC.

Clinical Significance of the Axillary Arch in Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: The axillary arch is an anomalous muscle that is not infrequently encountered during axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) of breast cancer patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate how often the axillary arch is found during SLNB and whether it affects the intraoperative sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification rate. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the correlation between the presence of the axillary arch and the SLN sampling failure rate during SLNB in 1,069 patients who underwent axillary SLNB for invasive breast cancer. RESULTS: Of 1,069 patients who underwent SLNB, 79 patients (7.4%) had the axillary arch present. The SLNB failure rate was high when the patient's body mass index was > or =25 (p=0.026), when a single SLN mapping technique was used (p=0.012), and when the axillary arch was present (p<0.001). These three factors were also found to be statistically significant by multivariate analysis, and of these three factors, presence of the axillary arch most significantly increased the SLNB failure rate (hazard ratio, 10.96; 95% confidence interval, 4.42-27.21; p<0.001). Additionally, if the axillary arch was present, the mean operative time of SLNB was 20.8 minutes, compared to 12.5 minutes when the axillary arch was not present (p<0.001). If the axillary arch was present, the SLN was often located in a high axillary region (67%) rather than in a general low axillary location. CONCLUSION: The axillary arch was found to be a significant factor affecting intraoperative SLN failure rate. It is necessary to keep in mind that carefully checking the high axillar region during SLNB in breast cancer patients with the axillary arch is important for reducing SLN sampling failure.

Breast Cancer Screening Knowledge and Perceived Health Beliefs among Immigrant Women in Korea / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Recently, through international marriage, immigrant women have rapidly increased throughout Korea. This study was performed to identify health beliefs and practices related to breast cancer screening in immigrant women in Korea. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out between March and July 2012, and study population included immigrant females from six other Asian countries (Cambodia, China, Japan, Mongolia, Vietnam, and the Philippines). We surveyed 197 women and categorized them into four groups according to home countries. The questionnaire consisted of 55 items, including demographic and socioeconomic factors, breast cancer-related knowledge regarding risk factors and symptoms, beliefs and attitudes towards health and breast cancer, perceived susceptibility, barriers, and benefits of screening. RESULTS: Japanese participants were significantly older and had resided in Korea for more years than other country-of-origin groups (all p<0.001), and showed higher screening rates without statistical significance (p=0.392). In multivariate analysis, country of origin showed a significant correlation with knowledge (p=0.001), positive beliefs (p=0.002), and perceived benefits (p=0.025) of breast cancer screening. The group with the lowest household income showed a significantly lower score of perceived benefits (p=0.022). Through analysis to identify factors affecting participation in screening mammography, we found that education level (p=0.009), occupation status (p=0.006), and Korean language fluency (p=0.002) were independent predictors for screening behavior. CONCLUSION: This study identified conditions related to breast cancer screening knowledge, perception, and behavior of immigrant women in Korea. The results reflect the need for increased social aids to remove barriers to medical services and more educational programs to facilitate higher rates of screening.

Surgical Approach of the Rare Benign Adrenal Tumor / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: Benign adrenal tumors other than hyper-functioning tumor and non-functioning cortical adenoma are extremely rare. The purpose of this study is to review the clinical features of these rare benign adrenal tumors and to analyze their prevalence and the proper surgical approach for them. METHODS: Among patients who underwent adrenalectomy in Samsung Medical Center, between 1997 and 2013, patients with benign adrenal tumor except non-functioning cortical adenoma, malignancy, and hyper-functioning tumor such as pheochromocytoma, aldosteronoma, and cortisol producing tumor were included. Clinical details, radiologic findings and pathologic findings as well as data associated with the surgical procedure were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The percentage of these tumors among 703 surgically removed adrenal tumors was 10.7% (75 cases). They included 30 adrenal cysts, 18 ganglioneuromas, 11 myelolipomas, seven schwannomas, and the other six were rare adrenal tumors. Approximately 40% of the patients were operated under a diagnosis different from original tumors. Operation time and hospital stay of patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy were shorter than those of patients who underwent open adrenalectomy. CONCLUSION: These benign adrenal tumors are very rare and difficult to diagnose preoperatively. For the surgical treatment of these tumors, laparoscopic adrenalectomy is more preferable to conventional open adrenalectomy.

Anticancer effect of silibinin on the xenograft model using MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to know whether silibinin has an anticancer effect on triple negative breast cancer xenograft model using MDA-MB-468 cells. METHODS: To establish the xenograft model, we injected the MDA-MB-468 cells into female Balb/c-nude mice. After establishing a xenograft model, oral silibinin was administered to the tested mice in the way of 200 mg/kg for 45 days. The difference of mean tumor volume between silibinin fed mice and control mice was analyzed. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation in MDA-MB-468 cells was analyzed by Western blotting. The expression of VEGF, COX-2, and MMP-9 genes in tumor tissue was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: In the xenograft model using MDA-MB-468 cells, we found that oral administration of silibinin significantly suppressed the tumor volume (silibinin treated mice vs. control mice; 230.3 +/- 61.6 mm3 vs. 435.7 +/- 93.5 mm3, P < 0.001). The phosphorylation of EGFR in MDA-MB-468 cells was inhibited by treatment with 50 microg/mL of silibinin. In real time-PCR analysis of tumor tissue obtained from sacrificed mice, the gene expression of MMP-9, VEGF, and COX-2 was 51.8%-80% smaller in silibinin group than that of control group and we can also verify the similar result using Western blotting analysis. CONCLUSION: We verified that silibinin had anticancer effect on xenograft model of MDA-MB-468 cells in the way of preventing the phosphorylation of EGFR and eventually suppressed the production of COX-2, VEGF, and MMP-9 expression. Finally, the tumor volume of xenograft models was decreased after administration of Silibinin.

Role of Interleukin-28B Genetic Polymorphisms in Korean Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study investigated the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the interleukin-28B (IL28B) gene with respect to clinical outcomes and the antiviral response in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to suggest the practical utility of IL28B genotyping in Korea. METHODS: Two SNPs near IL28B, rs12979860 and rs8099917, were analyzed using an allelic discrimination assay in a total of 454 individuals, including 147 health-check examinees and 307 patients with HCV infection. RESULTS: The CC genotype frequency was significantly higher in the spontaneous recovery group than in the chronic infection group and was higher in the chronic hepatitis group than in the liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma group, suggesting its favorable role in the clinical outcome. Multivariate analysis revealed that the rs12979860 CC genotype was an independent predictor of sustained virologic response (SVR) in genotype 1 HCV infection. During the currently used response-guided therapy, IL28B genotyping was most helpful for the patients who exhibit early virologic responses without rapid virologic responses, as those patients exhibiting the non-CC type did not achieve SVR, although they represented approximately one-third of the total patients. CONCLUSIONS: The IL28B SNP is an independent predictor of SVR. Our results may be helpful if the findings are carefully applied to select patients in Korea.

Polyostotic Fibrous Dysplasia Mimicking Multiple Bone Metastases in a Patient with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ / 한국유방암학회지

Whole-body bone scans and whole body 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomographic/computed tomographic scans are sensitive for detecting bone metastasis in patients with breast cancer. However, it is often difficult to discriminate between bone metastasis and other nonmalignant bone lesions. Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia is a rare disorder characterized by the osteoid medullary cavity filling with fibrous tissue causing bony expansion. We report the case of a 42-year-old female patient with ductal carcinoma in situ, which appeared to have multiple bone metastases on initial work-up images. Subsequently, the bone metastases were identified as polyostotic fibrous dysplasia. The patient underwent modified radical mastectomy and subsequently visited for a second opinion regarding the bony metastases. She underwent right ilium computed tomography-guided biopsy. Pathology was consistent with fibrous dysplasia. This patient received only adjuvant tamoxifen, and 1.5 years later, there was no evidence of recurrence.

Aromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal symptoms: incidence and associated factors / 대한외과학회지

PURPOSE: Arthralgia is the most common side effect in breast cancer patients receiving aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy. Few studies have evaluated the risk factors, onset, and incidence of musculoskeletal pain in these patients. This study identifies the risk factors of AI-related severe arthralgia and their prevalence. METHODS: All the clinical and pathological records of postmenopausal patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer using AI at Samsung Medical Center from January 2005 to November 2007 were reviewed. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the risk factors of AI-associated musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS) and factors associated with AI discontinuance. RESULTS: Among 299 patients, 69 patients (23%) experienced musculoskeletal symptoms attributed to AI use. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, no statistically significant outcome was found to confirm the risk factors for the development of AIMSS. Among the 69 patients who experienced AI-associated musculoskeletal symptoms, 29 (39.7%) discontinued AI use. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed an association of prior tamoxifen use with discontinuance of AI (P < 0.01; odds ratio, 4.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.74 to 10.50). CONCLUSION: Prior use of tamoxifen is related to discontinuation of AI due to AI-associated severe arthralgia. Special monitoring and proper pain control for these patients should be considered during the treatment period.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Korean patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 6

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes varies geographically. In Korea, genotypes 1 and 2 comprise more than 90% of HCV infections, while genotype 6 is very rare. This study compared the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with genotype 6 HCV infection with those infected with HCV genotypes 1 and 2. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter HCV cohort study that enrolled 1,173 adult patients, of which 930 underwent HCV genotype analysis, and only 9 (1.0%) were found to be infected with genotype 6 HCV. The clinical and epidemiological parameters of the genotypes were compared. RESULTS: The patients with genotype 6 HCV had a mean age of 41.5 years, 77.8% were male, and they had no distinct laboratory features. A sustained virologic response (SVR) was observed in four (67%) of six patients who received antiviral therapy. Risk factors such as the presence of a tattoo (n=6, 66.7%), more than three sexual partners (n=3, 33.3%), and injection drug use (n=3, 33.3%) were more common among genotype 6 patients than among genotypes 1 or 2. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiology and treatment response of patients infected with genotype 6 HCV differed significantly from those with genotypes 1 or 2, warranting continuous monitoring.

Validation of a Web-Based Tool to Predict the Ipsilateral Breast Tumor Recurrence (IBTR! 2.0) after Breast-Conserving Therapy for Korean Patients / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: IBTR! 2.0 is a web-based nomogram that predicts the 10-year ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) rate after breast-conserving therapy. We validated this nomogram in Korean patients. METHODS: The nomogram was tested for 520 Korean patients, who underwent breast-conserving surgery followed by radiation therapy. Predicted and observed 10-year outcomes were compared for the entire cohort and for each group, predefined by nomogram-predicted risks: group 1, 10%. RESULTS: In overall patients, the overall 10 year predicted and observed estimates of IBTR were 5.22% and 5.70% (p=0.68). In group 1, (n=124), the predicted and observed estimates were 2.25% and 1.80% (p=0.73), in group 2 (n=177), 3.95% and 3.90% (p=0.97), in group 3 (n=181), 7.14% and 8.80% (p=0.42), and in group 4 (n=38), 11.66% and 14.90% (p=0.73), respectively. CONCLUSION: In a previous validation of this nomogram based on American patients, nomogram-predicted IBTR rates were overestimated in the high-risk subgroup. However, our results based on Korean patients showed that the observed IBTR was higher than the predicted estimates in groups 3 and 4. This difference may arise from ethnic differences, as well as from the methods used to detect IBTR and the healthcare environment. IBTR! 2.0 may be considered as an acceptable nomogram in Korean patients with low- to moderate-risk of in-breast recurrence. Before widespread use of this nomogram, the IBTR! 2.0 needs a larger validation study and continuous modification.

Association between BRCA Mutation Status, Pathological Findings, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features in Patients with Breast Cancer at Risk for the Mutation / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: We investigated the relationship between BRCA mutations, pathological findings, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features in patients with breast cancer at risk for the mutation. METHODS: Genetic testing for BRCA mutations was performed in 275 breast cancer patients with at least one risk factor for the mutation. Using the breast imaging reporting and data system MR lexicon, morphological and kinetic features were reviewed on MRI scans of 230 tumors in 209 patients. The relationship between BRCA mutations, pathologic findings, and MRI data was examined, and disease recurrence was estimated. RESULTS: BRCA mutations were detected in 48 patients (23.0%), of which 21 (10.0%) were in BRCA1, and 25 (12.0%) in BRCA2. Additionally, two patients (1.0%) had mutations in both genes. Cancers in patients with BRCA1 mutations more frequently showed a higher nuclear grade (p=0.0041), and triple-negative (TN) phenotype (p<0.0001). On MRI scans, the cancers were seen as mass-type in 182 out of 230 lesions (79.1%), and nonmass type in 48 cases (20.9%). Among the features indentified by MRI, rim enhancement was significantly associated with molecular subtypes based on immunohistochemistry (p<0.0001), and nuclear grade (p=0.0387) in multiple logistic regression analysis. Rim enhancement on MRI, along with advanced pathologic N stage, was associated with increased disease recurrence (p=0.0023) based on multivariate analysis. However, the proportion of mass and nonmass tumors, and the distribution of morphological shape, margin, internal enhancement, and kinetic features assessed by MRI were not different according to BRCA mutation status. CONCLUSION: BRCA1 mutations were associated with aggressive pathological characteristics, and the TN phenotype. Rim enhancement was frequently seen on MRI scans of high-grade cancers and in the TN phenotype. And it was a significant predictor of disease recurrence. However, a direct association with BRCA mutations was not observed.

Breast Metastasis from Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Anus in an Adolescent Female / 한국유방암학회지

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) of the breast is rare and there is scant information about the clinical behavior and treatment strategies. We report an adolescent female patient with metastatic RMS of the breast from the anus. An 18-year-old female patient was referred to our clinic due to palpable mass in the left breast. At age seven, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and treated with chemoradiation therapy. After 10 years of complete remission state, she presented with anal mass which was diagnosed as RMS and she received chemoradiation therapy. After 1 year of complete remission state, she noticed a palpable mass in her left breast. The breast mass was diagnosed as metastatic RMS based on core needle biopsy specimen. The RMS in breast was excised for the decreasing tumor burden despite of another metastatic lesion. Although rarely reported, metastasis of RMS should be considered as a cause of breast mass. Tissue biopsy is recommended when clinically suspected lesion is detected.

Tubular Carcinoma of the Breast: Clinicopathologic Features and Survival Outcome Compared with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Tubular carcinoma (TC) of the breast is an uncommon histological subtype of invasive breast cancer with an excellent prognosis compared with standard invasive ductal carcinoma. Recent studies suggested a possible precursor role for low grade ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in the development of TC. The goal of this analysis was to understand the clinicopathologic features and outcomes of TC by comparing TC with DCIS. METHODS: A retrospective review identified 70 patients with TC and 1,106 patients with DCIS between 1995 and 2011. Student t-test and Fisher exact test were used to compare the clinicopathologic characteristics of TC patients with those of DCIS patients. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were used to determine disease-free survival (DFS) rates. RESULTS: Compared to DCIS, TC exhibited favorable clinicopathologic characteristics such as a lower nuclear grade (92.3%), higher expression of hormonal receptors (estrogen receptor-positive, 92.9%; progesterone receptor-positive, 87.0%), and less frequent overexpression of human epidermal growth receptor 2 (12.9%). DFS did not differ significantly between the TC and DCIS groups (5-year DFS, 100% vs. 96.7%; 10-year DFS, 92.3% vs. 93.3%; p=0.324), and cancer-specific deaths were not noted in either group. However, axillary lymph node involvement was observed in six (8.6%) of the 70 patients with TC. Three of these patients had small tumors (< or =1 cm). CONCLUSION: In our study cohort, TC was associated with an excellent prognosis and a low rate of lymph node metastasis. However, lymph nodes metastases were found even in patients with small tumors (< or =1 cm). Axillary staging must be considered for all patients with TC of the breast.

Comparison of the Characteristics of Medullary Breast Carcinoma and Invasive Ductal Carcinoma / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Medullary breast carcinomas (MBC) have been known to represent a rare breast cancer subtype associated with a more favorable prognosis than invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC). The purpose of this study was to compare the clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes of MBC with those of IDC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients with invasive breast cancer who were managed surgically from August 1995 to June 2010. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were identified with MBC and 5,716 patients were identified with IDC. The clinicopathologic features, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) of patients with MBC were compared with those of patients with IDC. The MBC group presented at a younger age (p=0.005) and had a significant association with a higher histological grade (p=0.003) and nuclear grade (p<0.001) as well as negative estrogen receptor (p<0.001) and progesterone receptor (p<0.001) status. Lymphatic invasion was absent (p<0.001) and lymph node metastasis was rare (p<0.001). The DFS and OS did not differ significantly between the two groups (5-year DFS: 88.0% vs. 89.2%, p=0.920; 5-year OS: 93.4% vs. 94.4%, p=0.503). In multivariate analysis, the factors associated with DFS and OS were nuclear grade, histological grade, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, estrogen receptor status, progesterone receptor status, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. However, DFS and OS were not significantly different between IDC and MBC according to histological type itself (DFS: hazard ratio 0.85, 95% confidence interval 0.12-6.05, p=0.866; OS: hazard ratio 1.49, 95% confidence interval 0.21-10.77, p=0.692). CONCLUSION: Although MBC has specific clinicopathologic features, its prognosis does not differ from IDC and is determined by prognostic factors such as tumor size and lymph node metastasis. Therefore, patients with MBC also require the same intensive treatment provided for IDC.

Behavioral and Healthcare-Associated Risk Factors for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Korea

The risk factors related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection showed geographic and temporal differences. We investigated HCV-related risk factors in Korea where intravenous drug use (IVDU) is uncommon. The HCV-related risk factors were investigated in a prospective, multicenter chronic HCV cohort (n = 711) using a standardized questionnaire in four university hospitals. The results were compared with those of 206 patients with chronic liver diseases not related to either of HCV or hepatitis B virus infection (comparison group). The IVDU was found in 3.9% and remote blood transfusion (> or = 20 yr ago) in 18.3% in HCV cohort group, while that in comparison group was in none and 5.3%, respectively. In a multivariate logistic analysis, transfusion in the remote past (odds ratio [OR], 2.99), needle stick injury (OR, 4.72), surgery (OR, 1.89), dental procedures (OR, 2.96), tattooing (OR, 2.07), and multiple sexual partners (2-3 persons; OR, 2.14, > or = 4 persons; OR, 3.19), were independent risk factors for HCV infection. In conclusion, the major risk factors for HCV infection in Korea are mostly related to conventional or alterative healthcare procedures such as blood transfusion in the remote past, needle stick injury, surgery, dental procedure, and tattooing although multiple sex partners or IVDU plays a minor role.

Behavioral and Healthcare-Associated Risk Factors for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Korea

The risk factors related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection showed geographic and temporal differences. We investigated HCV-related risk factors in Korea where intravenous drug use (IVDU) is uncommon. The HCV-related risk factors were investigated in a prospective, multicenter chronic HCV cohort (n = 711) using a standardized questionnaire in four university hospitals. The results were compared with those of 206 patients with chronic liver diseases not related to either of HCV or hepatitis B virus infection (comparison group). The IVDU was found in 3.9% and remote blood transfusion (> or = 20 yr ago) in 18.3% in HCV cohort group, while that in comparison group was in none and 5.3%, respectively. In a multivariate logistic analysis, transfusion in the remote past (odds ratio [OR], 2.99), needle stick injury (OR, 4.72), surgery (OR, 1.89), dental procedures (OR, 2.96), tattooing (OR, 2.07), and multiple sexual partners (2-3 persons; OR, 2.14, > or = 4 persons; OR, 3.19), were independent risk factors for HCV infection. In conclusion, the major risk factors for HCV infection in Korea are mostly related to conventional or alterative healthcare procedures such as blood transfusion in the remote past, needle stick injury, surgery, dental procedure, and tattooing although multiple sex partners or IVDU plays a minor role.