Phlebosclerotic Colitis in a Healthy Young Female with Long-term Herbal Medicine Use / 대한소화기학회지

Phlebosclerotic colitis is a rare form of intestinal ischemia. It is caused by calcified peripheral mesenteric veins and a thickened colonic wall. These characteristic findings can be identified on CT and colonoscopy. A 37-year-old female with a history of long-term herbal medicine use presented with acute lower abdominal pain and vomiting of sudden onset. Colonoscopic findings showed dark-blue discolored edematous mucosa and multiple ulcers from the ascending colon to the sigmoid colon. Abdominal CT findings showed diffuse thickening of the colonic wall and calcifications of the peripheral mesenteric veins from the ascending colon to the sigmoid colon. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with phlebosclerotic colitis. We report this rare case of phlebosclerotic colitis in a healthy young female patient with a history of long-term herbal medicine use and include a review of the relevant literature.

Natural Killer-cell Enteropathy of the Stomach in an Elderly Woman: A Case Report / 대한소화기학회지

Natural killer (NK) cell enteropathy is not well understood. Although NK-cell enteropathy is typically benign, aggressive NK-cell lymphoma is an important differential diagnosis. This paper reports a rare case of NK-cell enteropathy of the stomach presenting with dyspepsia and weight loss. In this case, upper endoscopy revealed an ulcer-like lesion (approximately 7 mm) surrounded by erythema, edema, and mucosal hemorrhage. The biopsy revealed atypical lymphocyte cells expressing CD56 without an Epstein-Barr virus infection, which is consistent with NK-cell enteropathy. Follow-up endoscopy 2 months later revealed lesion regression with mild erythema. The patient was observed closely for 6 months, with no evidence of lymphoma.

Subjective Needs and Thoughts for the Treatment of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Applying Q Methodology / 대한소화기학회지

Background/Aims@#Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that requires lifetime management. Many studies have attempted to establish questionnaires and/or parameters to assess the quality of care for IBD patients. However, no study to date has investigated patients using the Q-methodology, which is subjective and has been studied systematically, to identify and categorize their opinions and subjective thinking about their disease and treatment. We have therefore aimed here to conduct a preliminary study of the Q-methodology to investigate the subjective thinking of IBD patients in Korea. @*Methods@#Q-methodology, a method of analyzing the subjectivity of questionnaire items, was examined in this study. Inputs from 50 IBD patients were classified into 34 normalized statements using a 9-point scale with a normal distribution. The collected data were analyzed using the QUANL PC program. @*Results@#Using the Q-methodology, IBD patients were classified into type I, II, III, and IV treatment needs: medical staff-dependent, relationship-oriented, information-driven, and social awareness, respectively. @*Conclusions@#The subjective needs of IBD patients and their thoughts about the treatment can be classified into four types. Our findings suggest that we can establish a systematic strategy for personalized care according to patient type.

Efficacy and Safety of Biphenyl Dimethyl Dicarboxylate and Ursodeoxycholic Acid Combination in Chronic Hepatitis Related to Metabolic Syndrome Components / 대한소화기학회지

Background/Aims@#Steatohepatitis related to metabolic syndrome is a chronic liver disease prevalent in patients not only with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis but also with alcoholic liver disease and chronic viral hepatitis. On the other hand, there is limited data on the effects of hepatotonic agents in these patients. Therefore, this study evaluated the efficacy of a combined hepatotonic agent in this population. @*Methods@#Thirty-three adults with chronic hepatitis and one or more components of metabolic syndrome were assigned randomly to receive biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate/ursodeoxycholic acid or a placebo for 24 weeks. The primary outcome was the normalization of ALT (≤40 U/L). The secondary outcomes were the change in controlled attenuation parameter, transient elastography, and Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire score. @*Results@#The 33 patients were assigned randomly to two groups. Eight (50%) of 16 patients who received the intervention drug showed the normalization of ALT, whereas only one (6%) of 17 patients in the placebo group did so. In contrast, the change in controlled attenuation, transient elastography, and Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire were similar in the two groups. ALT was changed significantly during the four assessment periods, and this change was affected by the group. The interaction between the group and time was also significant. AST was changed significantly during the same period. This change was not affected by the group. @*Conclusions@#Biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate/ursodeoxycholic acid combination reduced ALT in chronic liver disease related to metabolic syndrome. On the other hand, there is no evidence that this leads to improved hepatic steatosis and fibrosis within 6 months.

Trends in epidemiologic characteristics of end-stage renal disease from 2019 Korean Renal Data System (KORDS)

Background@#The Korean Society of Nephrology (KSN) has maintained a nationwide end-stage renal disease (ESRD) registry data from Korean Renal Data System (KORDS) since 1985, as the representative registry of ESRD patients in Korea. This review is aimed to update the status of domestic ESRD and to provide evidence on the direction of dialysis therapy. @*Methods@#The KORDS Committee of KSN has collected data on dialysis centers and patients through an online registry program, and the data from 1986 to 2019 were analyzed. @*Results@#The incidence and prevalence of ESRD patients in Korea are increasing. The ESRD population numbered more than 100,000 in 2019, doubling during the 10 years since 2010. The proportion of diabetes mellitus as a major cause of ESRD seems to have reached a plateau. The increasing number of elderly dialysis patients is a constant trend, with more than half for the proportion of patients older than 65 years old in 2019. All-cause mortality decreased for the last approximately 20 years, regardless of sex, age, and cause of ESRD. The 5-year patient survival rate in both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis increased from 2001 to 2013. Since 2013, the patient survival rates in peritoneal dialysis were similar to those in hemodialysis. Cardiovascular complications were the leading cause of death in ESRD patients. @*Conclusions@#The incidence and prevalence of Korean ESRD patients have increased over time, although patient survival has also steadily increased. The establishment of a surveillance method to address the major cause of mortality in ESRD patients will help improve outcomes.

Cap-assisted Endoscopic Mucosal Resection of Rectal Perineurioma Mimicking a Neuroendocrine Tumor / 대한소화기학회지

Colorectal perineuriomas are benign mucosal-based mesenchymal tumors composed of perineurial cells and show serrated or hyperplastic crypts in epithelium on histopathological evaluation. Most perineuriomas are usually presented as sessile polyps and often as subepithelial tumors. In this case, colonoscopy revealed a rectal subepithelial tumor (measuring approximately 7 mm) with yellowish-colored normal mucosa. A rectal neuroendocrine tumor was suspected, and cap-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection was performed. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen revealed bland spindle cells showing immunopositivity for CD34.The patient was finally diagnosed with rectal perineurioma

Subjective Needs and Thoughts for the Treatment of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Applying Q Methodology / 대한소화기학회지

Background/Aims@#Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that requires lifetime management. Many studies have attempted to establish questionnaires and/or parameters to assess the quality of care for IBD patients. However, no study to date has investigated patients using the Q-methodology, which is subjective and has been studied systematically, to identify and categorize their opinions and subjective thinking about their disease and treatment. We have therefore aimed here to conduct a preliminary study of the Q-methodology to investigate the subjective thinking of IBD patients in Korea. @*Methods@#Q-methodology, a method of analyzing the subjectivity of questionnaire items, was examined in this study. Inputs from 50 IBD patients were classified into 34 normalized statements using a 9-point scale with a normal distribution. The collected data were analyzed using the QUANL PC program. @*Results@#Using the Q-methodology, IBD patients were classified into type I, II, III, and IV treatment needs: medical staff-dependent, relationship-oriented, information-driven, and social awareness, respectively. @*Conclusions@#The subjective needs of IBD patients and their thoughts about the treatment can be classified into four types. Our findings suggest that we can establish a systematic strategy for personalized care according to patient type.

Efficacy and Safety of Biphenyl Dimethyl Dicarboxylate and Ursodeoxycholic Acid Combination in Chronic Hepatitis Related to Metabolic Syndrome Components / 대한소화기학회지

Background/Aims@#Steatohepatitis related to metabolic syndrome is a chronic liver disease prevalent in patients not only with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis but also with alcoholic liver disease and chronic viral hepatitis. On the other hand, there is limited data on the effects of hepatotonic agents in these patients. Therefore, this study evaluated the efficacy of a combined hepatotonic agent in this population. @*Methods@#Thirty-three adults with chronic hepatitis and one or more components of metabolic syndrome were assigned randomly to receive biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate/ursodeoxycholic acid or a placebo for 24 weeks. The primary outcome was the normalization of ALT (≤40 U/L). The secondary outcomes were the change in controlled attenuation parameter, transient elastography, and Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire score. @*Results@#The 33 patients were assigned randomly to two groups. Eight (50%) of 16 patients who received the intervention drug showed the normalization of ALT, whereas only one (6%) of 17 patients in the placebo group did so. In contrast, the change in controlled attenuation, transient elastography, and Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire were similar in the two groups. ALT was changed significantly during the four assessment periods, and this change was affected by the group. The interaction between the group and time was also significant. AST was changed significantly during the same period. This change was not affected by the group. @*Conclusions@#Biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate/ursodeoxycholic acid combination reduced ALT in chronic liver disease related to metabolic syndrome. On the other hand, there is no evidence that this leads to improved hepatic steatosis and fibrosis within 6 months.

Trends in epidemiologic characteristics of end-stage renal disease from 2019 Korean Renal Data System (KORDS)

Background@#The Korean Society of Nephrology (KSN) has maintained a nationwide end-stage renal disease (ESRD) registry data from Korean Renal Data System (KORDS) since 1985, as the representative registry of ESRD patients in Korea. This review is aimed to update the status of domestic ESRD and to provide evidence on the direction of dialysis therapy. @*Methods@#The KORDS Committee of KSN has collected data on dialysis centers and patients through an online registry program, and the data from 1986 to 2019 were analyzed. @*Results@#The incidence and prevalence of ESRD patients in Korea are increasing. The ESRD population numbered more than 100,000 in 2019, doubling during the 10 years since 2010. The proportion of diabetes mellitus as a major cause of ESRD seems to have reached a plateau. The increasing number of elderly dialysis patients is a constant trend, with more than half for the proportion of patients older than 65 years old in 2019. All-cause mortality decreased for the last approximately 20 years, regardless of sex, age, and cause of ESRD. The 5-year patient survival rate in both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis increased from 2001 to 2013. Since 2013, the patient survival rates in peritoneal dialysis were similar to those in hemodialysis. Cardiovascular complications were the leading cause of death in ESRD patients. @*Conclusions@#The incidence and prevalence of Korean ESRD patients have increased over time, although patient survival has also steadily increased. The establishment of a surveillance method to address the major cause of mortality in ESRD patients will help improve outcomes.

Pyogenic Liver Abscess or Liver Cyst Infection after Colonoscopic Polypectomy / 대한소화기학회지

A pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) mostly occurs in association with biliary tract disease, but some PLAs have no apparent underlying cause, i.e., they are cryptogenic. The authors experienced three cases of PLA or liver cyst infection after colon polypectomy without other distinct etiologies. These cases suggest that colonoscopic polypectomy can cause a mucosal defect that provides a route for bacteria to invade the portal system or spread intraperitoneally to the liver. Colonoscopic polypectomy should be considered as a procedure that might cause PLA. Moreover, clinicians should be aware of this possibility if a patient complains of fever or abdominal pain after a colonoscopic polypectomy.

Current Status of Amebic Liver Abscess in Korea Comparing with Pyogenic Liver Abscess / 대한소화기학회지

Background/Aims@#With the improvement of hygiene, the incidence of amebic liver abscess is decreasing in South Korea. On the other hand, there is little data on the status of amebic liver abscess compared to pyogenic liver abscess. @*Methods@#Patients with an amebic liver abscess, in whom Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) IgG was positive, were identified retrospectively in a university hospital. The clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of amebic liver abscess were compared with those of pyogenic liver abscess in the same period. @*Results@#Between March 2010 and October 2016, 413 patients with a liver abscess were identified. Among them, the serologic test for E. histolytica was performed in 209 patients. Fifteen (7.2%) were classified as an amebic liver abscess, and the remainder were diagnosed with a pyogenic liver abscess. The age, gender, white blood cell, and CRP was comparable between the two groups. Procalcitonin was lower in amebic liver abscess than the pyogenic one. On CT, peripheral rim enhancement was more frequent, but cluster signs were not observed in amebic liver abscess compared to pyogenic liver abscess. None of the patients with amebic liver abscess died. In contrast, the mortality of pyogenic liver abscess was 4.7%. @*Conclusions@#Amebic liver abscess should still be considered as one of the causes of liver abscess in Korea. It is difficult to discriminate an amebic liver abscess from a pyogenic liver abscess only according to the clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a serologic test for E. histolytica for a precise evaluation of liver abscess in a high-risk group.

Gastric Adenocarcinoma Arising from Heterotopic Pancreas Presenting as Gastric Outlet Obstruction 10 Years after the First Diagnosis / 대한소화기학회지

Gastric heterotopic pancreas is a relatively uncommon incidental finding. On the other hand, the presentation of gastric adenocarcinoma arising from a heterotopic pancreas is rare. This paper reports a case of gastric adenocarcinoma arising from a heterotopic pancreas that presented as a gastric outlet obstruction 10 years after the initial diagnosis of a suspicious submucosal tumor. Endoscopy revealed a pyloric stricture with prepyloric wall thickening and a complete gastric outlet obstruction. Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography exposed a severely distended gastric lumen at the antrum with heterogeneously enhancing circumferential wall thickening in the prepyloric antrum and pylorus. Because conservative treatment was ineffective and a malignancy could not be excluded, laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy with a gastrojejunostomy was performed for histological confirmation and treatment. The histopathology diagnosis was advanced gastric carcinoma arising from heterotopic pancreatic tissue.

Trends in the prevalence of chronic liver disease in theKorean adult population, 1998–2017

Background/Aims@#Data on the trends in the prevalence of chronic liver disease (CLD) in Korea are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate whether the CLD prevalence changed between 1998–2001 and 2016–2017. @*Methods@#Data were extracted from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1998–2001 to 2016– 2017; n=25,893). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was defined as a hepatic steatosis index >36 in the absence of any other evidence of CLD. The definition of alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) was excessive alcohol consumption (≥210 g/week for men and ≥140 g/week for women) and an ALD/NAFLD index >0. @*Results@#The prevalence of NAFLD increased from 18.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.8–19.5%) in 1998–2001 to 21.5% (95% CI, 20.6–22.6%) in 2016–2017. During the same time period, increases were observed in the prevalence of obesity (27.0 vs. 35.1%), central obesity (29.4 vs. 36.0%), diabetes (7.5 vs. 10.6%), and excessive drinking (7.3 vs. 10.5%). ALD prevalence also increased from 3.8% (95% CI, 3.4–4.2%) to 7.0% (95% CI, 6.4–7.6%). In contrast, chronic hepatitis B decreased from 5.1% (95% CI, 4.6–5.5%) to 3.4% (95% CI, 3.0–3.8%). The prevalence of chronic hepatitis C was approximately 0.3% in 2016–2017. @*Conclusions@#The prevalence of NAFLD and ALD increase among Korean adults. Our results suggest potential targets for interventions to reduce the future burden of CLD.

Endoscopic Management of Benign Colonic Obstruction and Pseudo-Obstruction

There are a variety of causes of intestinal obstruction, with the most common cause being malignant diseases; however, volvulus, inflammatory bowel disease or diverticulitis, radiation injury, ischemia, and pseudo-obstruction can also cause colonic obstruction. These are benign conditions; however, delayed diagnosis of acute intestinal obstruction owing to these causes can cause critical complications, such as perforation. Therefore, high levels of clinical suspicion and appropriate treatment are crucial. There are variable treatment options for colonic obstruction, and endoscopic treatment is known to be a less invasive and an effective option for such. In this article, the authors review the causes of benign colonic obstruction and pseudo-obstruction and the role of endoscopy in treating them.

A Validation Study of the Inbrain CST: a Tablet Computer-based Cognitive Screening Test for Elderly People with Cognitive Impairment

Background@#Computerized versions of cognitive screening test could have advantages over pencil-and-paper versions by eliminating rater-dependent factors and saving the time required to score the tests and report the results. We developed a computerized cognitive screening test (Inbrain Cognitive Screening Test [Inbrain CST]) that takes about 30 minutes to administer on a touchscreen computer and is composed of neuropsychological tests already shown to be sensitive in detecting early cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aims of this study were to 1) introduce normative data for Inbrain CST, 2) verify its reliability and validity, 3) assess clinical usefulness, and 4) identify neuroanatomical correlates of Inbrain CST. @*Methods@#The Inbrain CST runs on the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system and comprises 7 subtests that encompass 5 cognitive domains: attention, language, visuospatial, memory, and executive functions. First, we recruited 480 cognitively normal elderly people (age 50–90) from communities nationwide to establish normative data for Inbrain CST.Second, we enrolled 97 patients from our dementia clinic (26 with subjective cognitive decline [SCD], 42 with amnestic mild cognitive impairment [aMCI], and 29 with dementia due to AD) and investigated sensitivity and specificity of Inbrain CST for discriminating cognitively impaired patients from those with SCD using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. Third, we compared the Inbrain CST scores with those from another neuropsychological test battery to obtain concurrent validity and assessed test–retest reliability. Finally, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based cortical thickness analyses were performed to provide anatomical substrates for performances on the Inbrain CST. @*Results@#First, in the normative sample, the total score on the Inbrain CST was significantly affected by age, years of education, and gender. Second, Inbrain CST scores among the three patient groups decreased in the order of SCD, aMCI, and AD dementia, and the ROC curve analysis revealed that Inbrain CST had good discriminative power for differentiating cognitively impaired patients from those with SCD. Third, the Inbrain CST subtests had high concurrent validity and test–retest reliability. Finally, in the cortical thickness analysis, each cognitive domain score and the total score of Inbrain CST showed distinct patterns of anatomical correlates that fit into the previously known brain–behavior relationship. @*Conclusion@#Inbrain CST had good validity, reliability, and clinical usefulness in detecting cognitive impairment in the elderly. Furthermore, it showed neuroanatomical validity through MRI cortical thinning patterns. These results suggest that Inbrain CST is a useful cognitive screening tool with efficiency and validity to detect mild impairments in cognition in clinical settings.

Clinical comparison of low-volume agents (oral sulfate solution and sodium picosulfate with magnesium citrate) for bowel preparation: the EASE study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study compared the efficacy, compliance, and safety of bowel preparation between sodium picosulfate with magnesium citrate (SPMC) and oral sulfate solution (OSS). METHODS: A prospective randomized multicenter study was performed. Split preparation methods were performed in both groups; the SPMC group, 2 sachets on the day before, and 1 sachet on the day of the procedure, the OSS group, half of the OSS with 1 L of water on both the day before and the day of the procedure. The adenoma detection rate (ADR), adequacy of bowel preparation using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) score, patient satisfaction on a visual analog scale (VAS), and safety were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: This study analyzed 229 patients (121 in the SPMC group and 108 in the OSS group). ADR showed no differences between 2 groups (51.7% vs. 41.7%, P>0.05). The mean total BBPS score (7.95 vs. 8.11, P>0.05) and adequate bowel preparation rate (94.9% vs. 96.3%, P>0.05) were similar between the 2 groups. The mean VAS score for taste (7.62 vs. 6.87, P=0.006) was significantly higher in the SPMC group than in the OSS group. There were no significant differences in any other safety variables between the 2 groups except nausea symptom (36.1% vs. 20.3%, P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Bowel preparation for colonoscopy using low volume OSS and SPMC yielded similar ADRs and levels of efficacy. SPMC had higher levels of satisfaction for taste and feeling than did OSS.

Safety and Efficacy of Low-Volume Preparation in the Elderly: Oral Sulfate Solution on the Day before and Split-Dose Regimens (SEE SAFE) Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The use of a low-volume bowel cleansing agent is associated with a greater willingness to undergo repeat colonoscopy. Oral sulfate solution (OSS) is a recently approved low-volume agent; however, its efficacy and safety in the elderly population remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and acceptability of the OSS preparation, in comparison to those of a standard polyethylene glycol (PEG; 4 L) preparation, in elderly patients. METHODS: A multicenter, randomized, investigator-blinded study was conducted. Participants were randomized to receive OSS or 4-L PEG with a split-dose regimen. Bowel cleansing efficacy was assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). Acceptance, satisfaction, and preparation-related symptoms were recorded. Additionally, blood parameters were analyzed for electrolyte abnormalities and nephrotoxicity. RESULTS: A total of 193 patients were analyzed. No group differences in overall bowel cleansing efficacy were observed, with “adequate” preparations achieved in 95.9% (93/97) and 94.8% (91/96) of patients in the OSS and 4L PEG groups, respectively (p=0.747). However, mean BBPS scores for the entire (p=0.010) and right colon (p=0.001) were significantly higher in the OSS group than in the 4-L PEG group. The severity of clinical adverse events and frequency of acute kidney injury were similarly low, and no clinically meaningful electrolyte changes were identified. Self-reported scores regarding amount (p<0.001) and feeling (p=0.007), as well as overall satisfaction (p=0.001) and willingness to repeat the preparation (92.8% vs 67.7%, p<0.001), were significantly better in the OSS group than in the 4-L PEG group. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly individuals, OSS with a split-dose regimen has greater acceptability and comparable efficacy in bowel cleansing compared to 4-L PEG. (Clinical trials registration number: NCT03112967)

Serum Aminotransferase Level in Rhabdomyolysis according to Concurrent Liver Disease / 대한소화기병학회잡지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The serum aminotransferase level is usually elevated in rhabdomyolysis, and these enzymes originate from the skeletal muscle. On the other hand, there is limited data showing whether the degree of elevation of these enzymes differs according to the concurrent liver disease. METHODS: Patients with rhabdomyolysis were selected when their serum creatinine kinase level was >1,000 U/L. They were categorized as the group with and without concurrent liver disease. The AST and ALT levels in both groups were compared. In addition, the aminotransferase level was compared between those with rhabdomyolysis and those with alcoholic liver disease. RESULTS: Among the 165 patients with rhabdomyolysis, 19 had concurrent liver disease. The median peak AST was higher in the group with concurrent liver disease (332 U/L [interquartile range (IQR), 127–1,604] vs. 219 U/L [IQR, 115–504]). In addition, the median peak ALT was higher in the group with concurrent liver disease (107 U/L [IQR, 74–418] vs. 101 U/L [IQR, 56–218]). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in both enzymes between the two groups. The median peak AST level was significantly higher in those with rhabdomyolysis than in those with alcoholic liver disease (221 U/L [IQR, 118–553] vs. 103 U/L [IQR, 59–206]), but the median peak ALT was not significantly different (102 U/L [IQR, 58–222] vs. 51 U/L [IQR, 26–117]). CONCLUSIONS: Rhabdomyolysis showed an elevated AST-dominant aminotransferase level, which is not different according to concurrent liver disease. Therefore, it is recommended that rhabdomyolysis be considered first in cases of elevated aminotransferase levels in patients with a suspicious skeletal muscle injury.

Serum Aminotransferase Level in Rhabdomyolysis according to Concurrent Liver Disease / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The serum aminotransferase level is usually elevated in rhabdomyolysis, and these enzymes originate from the skeletal muscle. On the other hand, there is limited data showing whether the degree of elevation of these enzymes differs according to the concurrent liver disease.METHODS: Patients with rhabdomyolysis were selected when their serum creatinine kinase level was >1,000 U/L. They were categorized as the group with and without concurrent liver disease. The AST and ALT levels in both groups were compared. In addition, the aminotransferase level was compared between those with rhabdomyolysis and those with alcoholic liver disease.RESULTS: Among the 165 patients with rhabdomyolysis, 19 had concurrent liver disease. The median peak AST was higher in the group with concurrent liver disease (332 U/L [interquartile range (IQR), 127–1,604] vs. 219 U/L [IQR, 115–504]). In addition, the median peak ALT was higher in the group with concurrent liver disease (107 U/L [IQR, 74–418] vs. 101 U/L [IQR, 56–218]). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in both enzymes between the two groups. The median peak AST level was significantly higher in those with rhabdomyolysis than in those with alcoholic liver disease (221 U/L [IQR, 118–553] vs. 103 U/L [IQR, 59–206]), but the median peak ALT was not significantly different (102 U/L [IQR, 58–222] vs. 51 U/L [IQR, 26–117]).CONCLUSIONS: Rhabdomyolysis showed an elevated AST-dominant aminotransferase level, which is not different according to concurrent liver disease. Therefore, it is recommended that rhabdomyolysis be considered first in cases of elevated aminotransferase levels in patients with a suspicious skeletal muscle injury.

A case of pemphigus vulgaris associated with ulcerative colitis

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune bullous disorder characterized by the production of autoantibodies against the intercellular space of the epithelium. It has rarely been reported in association with inflammatory bowel disease. Ulcerative colitis is one of the forms of inflammatory bowel disease. A 62-year-old woman who had been treated for ulcerative colitis for 16 years developed pruritic bullae on the skin of her face and body. Histological findings and direct immunofluorescence examination of the skin showed pemphigus vulgaris. She was treated with systemic steroids, mesalazine, and azathioprine. Her cutaneous lesions have remained in remission and her ulcerative colitis has remained well-controlled. The relationship between pemphigus vulgaris and ulcerative colitis is unclear. An autoimmune response has been suspected in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. Pemphigus vulgaris is also associated with an autoimmune mechanism. To our knowledge, this is the first case of ulcerative colitis associated with pemphigus vulgaris reported in Korea. The association may be causal.