Image-Guided Versus Conventional Brachytherapy for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: Experience of Single Institution with the Same Practitioner and Time Period / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#This study aimed to compare treatment outcomes and toxicity profile between imaged-guided brachytherapy (IGBT) versus conventional brachytherapy (CBT) performed by the same practitioner during the same time period. @*Materials and Methods@#Medical records of 104 eligible patients who underwent brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Fifty patients (48.1%) underwent IGBT, and 54 (51.9%) patients underwent CBT. All patients underwent concurrent chemoradiation with cisplatin. High-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy with dose prescription of 25-30 Gy in 4-6 fractions was performed for all patients. Late lower gastrointestinal (GI) and urinary toxicities occurred more than 3 months after the end of brachytherapy were included for comparative and dosimetric analyses. @*Results@#The median follow-up period was 18.33 months (range, 3.25 to 38.43 months). There were no differences in oncologic outcomes between the two groups. The IGBT group had lower rate of actuarial grade ≥ 3 toxicity than the CBT group (2-year, 4.5% vs. 25.7%; p=0.030). Cumulative equieffective D2cc of sigmoid colon was significantly correlated with grade ≥ 2 lower GI toxicity (p=0.033), while equieffective D2cc of rectum (p=0.055) and bladder (p=0.069) showed marginal significance with corresponding grade ≥ 2 toxicities in the IGBT group. Half of grade ≥ 3 lower GI toxicities impacted GI tract above the rectum. Optimal thresholds of cumulative D2cc of sigmoid colon and rectum were 69.7 Gy and 70.8 Gy, respectively, for grade ≥ 2 lower GI toxicity. @*Conclusion@#IGBT showed superior toxicity profile to CBT. Evaluating the dose to the GI tract above rectum by IGBT might prevent some toxicities.

The 2022 Annual Report on Toxicology Surveillance and Severe Poisoning Cases at Emergency Departments in Korea

Purpose@#This study investigated the actual incidence of acute poisoning in Korea on a nationwide scale, with the aim of laying the groundwork for future initiatives in prevention, strategic antidote distribution, and the development of effective emergency treatment for acute poisoning. @*Methods@#The study analyzed data from 3,038 patients who presented to emergency departments with poisoning-related conditions from June 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 at 10 sites in nine cities across the country. We extracted data on general characteristics of the poisoning cases, including demographic characteristics (age and gender), place of exposure, reason for poisoning, route of exposure, and the substance involved in the poisoning incident. Age-related patterns in reasons for poisoning, medical outcomes, frequent and primary poisoning substances, and deaths were also analyzed. @*Results@#The population analyzed in our study was predominantly female, with women constituting 54.74% of all cases. Among infants and children, non-intentional poisoning due to general accidents was the most common cause, accounting for 71.43% of cases. Conversely, suicidal poisoning was more prevalent among teenagers and adults over 20. Fifty-two patients died during the study period, with males comprising approximately two-thirds (67.31%) of these fatalities. Pesticides were the most common poisoning substance among those who died, accounting for 55.77% of such cases. Notably, a significant majority of the victims were elderly individuals aged 60 and above. @*Conclusion@#This study holds substantial significance, since it represents the first comprehensive investigation and analysis of the symptoms, treatment, and causes of death due to poisoning in Korea on a national scale. By substantially expanding the range and types of poisonous substances examined, we were able to more precisely identify the characteristics and clinical patterns of poisoning cases nationwide.

Changes in Subjective Outcomes during the Early Period after Septoturbinoplasty

Purpose@#Septoturbinoplasty is frequently performed to correct nasal obstruction; however, there is still a lack of research on changes in nasal and nose-related symptoms early after septoturbinoplasty. Therefore, we aimed to investigate changes in subjective outcomes within 6 months after septoturbinoplasty. @*Materials and Methods@#The medical records of patients who underwent septoturbinoplasty at Gangnam Severance Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Symptom scores were evaluated using the Sino-nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and obstruction scores.The SNOT-22 and obstruction scores were investigated before surgery and at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. @*Results@#We noted significant decreases in both SNOT-22 and obstruction scores at 1 month after surgery, compared to those before surgery (p<0.001). However, there were no significant changes at 3 and 6 months after surgery, compared to scores at 1 month after surgery. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, a larger difference between SNOT-22 scores preoperatively and 1 month after surgery was significantly associated with a significant improvement in symptoms at 3 or 6 months after septoturbinoplasty (p=0.029). @*Conclusion@#These results imply that subjective outcomes and degree of improvement in the first month after septoturbinoplasty can be used as a predictor of the results thereof and for counseling patients about its progress.

A quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment–negative result at triage is associated with low compliance with sepsis bundles: a retrospective analysis of a multicenter prospective registry

Objective@#We investigated the effects of a quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA)–negative result (qSOFA score <2 points) at triage on the compliance with sepsis bundles among patients with sepsis who presented to the emergency department (ED). @*Methods@#Prospective sepsis registry data from 11 urban tertiary hospital EDs between October 2015 and April 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who met the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock criteria were included. Primary exposure was defined as a qSOFA score ≥2 points at ED triage. The primary outcome was defined as 3-hour bundle compliance, including lactate measurement, blood culture, broad-spectrum antibiotics administration, and 30 mL/kg crystalloid administration. Multivariate logistic regression analysis to predict 3-hour bundle compliance was performed. @*Results@#Among the 2,250 patients enrolled in the registry, 2,087 fulfilled the sepsis criteria. Only 31.4% (656/2,087) of the sepsis patients had qSOFA scores ≥2 points at triage. Patients with qSOFA scores <2 points had lower lactate levels, lower SOFA scores, and a lower 28-day mortality rate. Rates of compliance with lactate measurement (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29–0.75), antibiotics administration (aOR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.52–0.78), and 30 mL/kg crystalloid administration (aOR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.49–0.77) within 3 hours from triage were significantly lower in patients with qSOFA scores <2 points. However, the rate of compliance with blood culture within 3 hours from triage (aOR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.33–2.08) was higher in patients with qSOFA scores <2 points. @*Conclusion@#A qSOFA-negative result at ED triage is associated with low compliance with lactate measurement, broad-spectrum antibiotics administration, and 30 mL/kg crystalloid administration within 3 hours in sepsis patients.

Who Will Benefit from Charged-Particle Therapy? / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Charged-particle therapy (CPT) such as proton beam therapy (PBT) and carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) exhibit substantial physical and biological advantages compared to conventional photon radiotherapy. As it can reduce the amount of radiation irradiated in the normal organ, CPT has been mainly applied to pediatric cancer and radioresistent tumors in the eloquent area. Although there is a possibility of greater benefits, high set-up cost and dearth of high level of clinical evidence hinder wide applications of CPT. This review aims to present recent clinical results of PBT and CIRT in selected diseases focusing on possible indications of CPT. We also discussed how clinical studies are conducted to increase the number of patients who can benefit from CPT despite its high cost.

Who Will Benefit from Charged-Particle Therapy? / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Charged-particle therapy (CPT) such as proton beam therapy (PBT) and carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) exhibit substantial physical and biological advantages compared to conventional photon radiotherapy. As it can reduce the amount of radiation irradiated in the normal organ, CPT has been mainly applied to pediatric cancer and radioresistent tumors in the eloquent area. Although there is a possibility of greater benefits, high set-up cost and dearth of high level of clinical evidence hinder wide applications of CPT. This review aims to present recent clinical results of PBT and CIRT in selected diseases focusing on possible indications of CPT. We also discussed how clinical studies are conducted to increase the number of patients who can benefit from CPT despite its high cost.

Copeptin with high-sensitivity troponin at presentation is not inferior to serial troponin measurements for ruling out acute myocardial infarction

Objective@#We aimed to compare the multi-marker strategy (copeptin and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I [hs-cTnI]) with serial hs-cTnI measurements to rule out acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with chest pain. @*Methods@#This prospective observational study was performed in a single emergency department. To test the non-inferiority margin of 4% in terms of negative predictive value (NPV) between the multi-marker strategy (0 hour) and serial hs-cTnI measurements (0 and 2 hours), 262 participants were required. Samples for copeptin and hs-cTnI assays were collected at presentation (0 hour) and after 2 hours. The measured biomarkers were considered abnormal when hs-cTnI was >26.2 ng/L and when copeptin was >10 pmol/L. @*Results@#AMI was diagnosed in 28 patients (10.7%). The NPV of the multi-marker strategy was 100% (160/160; 95% confidence interval [CI], 97.7% to 100%), which was not inferior to that of serial hs-cTnI measurements (201/201; 100%; 95% CI, 98.2% to 100%). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of the multi-marker strategy were 100% (95% CI, 87.7% to 100%), 68.1% (95% CI, 61.7% to 74.0%), and 27.2% (95% CI, 18.9% to 36.8%), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of serial hs-cTnI measurements were 100% (95% CI, 87.7% to 100%), 85.5% (95% CI, 80.4% to 89.8%), and 45.2% (95% CI, 32.5% to 58.3%), respectively. @*Conclusion@#The multi-marker strategy (copeptin and hs-cTnI measurement) was not inferior to serial hs-cTnI measurements in terms of NPV for AMI diagnosis, with a sensitivity and NPV of 100%. Copeptin may help in the early rule-out of AMI in patients with chest pain.

Effect of the end-of-life care law on life-sustaining treatment in emergency patients with advanced malignancy: a retrospective before-after study

Objective@#This study examined the effects of the new law on life-sustaining treatment (LST) in emergency patients with advanced malignancy. @*Methods@#This was a retrospective before-after study performed at a single hospital. The enrollment criteria were as follows: patients who visited the emergency department during the study period, age ≥18 years, Korean Triage and Acuity Scale 1-2 to enroll severely ill patients requiring LST, solid malignancy with metastasis, and admitted to the study hospital. The after group was defined as those enrolled in May 2018, and the before group was defined as those enrolled in May 2017. The primary outcomes were defined as LST, including intensive care unit (ICU) admission, renal replacement therapy, mechanical ventilation, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Secondary outcomes were defined as each component of the primary outcomes, hospital length of stay, cost, and mortality. @*Results@#Ninety-seven patients were enrolled (before group [n=46], after group [n=51]). LST was provided more frequently in the after group (19.6% vs. 47.1%, P=0.004). The ICU admission rate was higher (19.6% vs. 43.1%, P=0.013), and mechanical ventilation was applied more frequently (6.5% vs. 21.6%, P=0.044) in the after group. Furthermore, the median hospital length of stay (six-day vs. 11-day, P=0.016) was longer, and the median hospital cost was higher (3,777 USD vs. 7,882 USD, P<0.001) in the after group. Hospital mortality did not differ (19.6% vs. 35.3%, P=0.084). @*Conclusion@#New end-of-life care law increased the rate of LST in emergency patients with advanced malignancy regardless of the improved survival rate.

Effect of the end-of-life care law on life-sustaining treatment in emergency patients with advanced malignancy: a retrospective before-after study

Objective@#This study examined the effects of the new law on life-sustaining treatment (LST) in emergency patients with advanced malignancy. @*Methods@#This was a retrospective before-after study performed at a single hospital. The enrollment criteria were as follows: patients who visited the emergency department during the study period, age ≥18 years, Korean Triage and Acuity Scale 1-2 to enroll severely ill patients requiring LST, solid malignancy with metastasis, and admitted to the study hospital. The after group was defined as those enrolled in May 2018, and the before group was defined as those enrolled in May 2017. The primary outcomes were defined as LST, including intensive care unit (ICU) admission, renal replacement therapy, mechanical ventilation, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Secondary outcomes were defined as each component of the primary outcomes, hospital length of stay, cost, and mortality. @*Results@#Ninety-seven patients were enrolled (before group [n=46], after group [n=51]). LST was provided more frequently in the after group (19.6% vs. 47.1%, P=0.004). The ICU admission rate was higher (19.6% vs. 43.1%, P=0.013), and mechanical ventilation was applied more frequently (6.5% vs. 21.6%, P=0.044) in the after group. Furthermore, the median hospital length of stay (six-day vs. 11-day, P=0.016) was longer, and the median hospital cost was higher (3,777 USD vs. 7,882 USD, P<0.001) in the after group. Hospital mortality did not differ (19.6% vs. 35.3%, P=0.084). @*Conclusion@#New end-of-life care law increased the rate of LST in emergency patients with advanced malignancy regardless of the improved survival rate.

A Case of Achieving Partial Remission with the Combination of Sorafenib and Nivolumab in a Patient with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Showing Disease Progression after Nivolumab Therapy

Sorafenib is a well-known approved systemic therapeutic agent used in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Regorafenib and nivolumab are approved as second-line therapeutic drugs in patients showing disease progression after sorafenib therapy. However, there is no established third- or fourth-line therapy in patients with progression after regorafenib or nivolumab treatment. Recently, the combination of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPIs) has been attempted as a first-line treatment strategy in advanced HCC patients based on the hypothesis that combination therapy may overcome resistance in ICPI monotherapy. On the basis of this suggestion, we herein describe the case of an HCC patient demonstrating macrovascular invasion, whereby partial remission was achieved via the combination of sorafenib and nivolumab following disease progression after nivolumab therapy. Further studies on the combination of TKIs and ICPIs are necessary to determine ways to manage HCC patients showing disease progression after ICPI therapy.

Quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment score is not sensitive enough to predict 28-day mortality in emergency department patients with sepsis: a retrospective review

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that the quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score, derived from vital signs taken during triage and recommended by current sepsis guidelines for screening patients with infections for organ dysfunction, is not sensitive enough to predict the risk of mortality in emergency department (ED) sepsis patients.METHODS: Patients diagnosed with severe sepsis and septic shock using the old definition between May 2014 and April 2015 were retrospectively reviewed in three urban tertiary hospital EDs. The sensitivities of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria, qSOFA, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores ≥2 were compared using McNemar’s test. Diagnostic performances were evaluated using specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value.RESULTS: Among the 928 patients diagnosed with severe sepsis or septic shock using the old definition, 231 (24.9%) died within 28 days. More than half of the sepsis patients (493/928, 53.1%) and more than one-third of the mortality cases (88/231, 38.1%) had a qSOFA score <2. The sensitivity of a qSOFA score ≥2 was 61.9%, which was significantly lower than the sensitivity of SIRS ≥2 (82.7%, P<0.001) and SOFA ≥2 (99.1%, P<0.001). The specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of a qSOFA score ≥2 for 28-day mortality were 58.1%, 32.9%, and 82.2%, respectively.CONCLUSION: The current clinical criteria of the qSOFA are less sensitive than the SIRS assessment and SOFA to predict 28-day mortality in ED patients with sepsis.

Association between the simultaneous decrease in the levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and S100 protein and good neurological outcomes in cardiac arrest survivors

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether simultaneous decreases in the serum levels of cell adhesion molecules (intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1], vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM-1], and E-selectin) and S100 proteins within the first 24 hours after the return of spontaneous circulation were associated with good neurological outcomes in cardiac arrest survivors. METHODS: This retrospective observational study was based on prospectively collected data from a single emergency intensive care unit (ICU). Twenty-nine out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors who were admitted to the ICU for post-resuscitation care were enrolled. Blood samples were collected at 0 and 24 hours after ICU admission. According to the 6-month cerebral performance category (CPC) scale, the patients were divided into good (CPC 1 and 2, n=12) and poor (CPC 3 to 5, n=17) outcome groups. RESULTS: No difference was observed between the two groups in terms of the serum levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, and S100 at 0 and 24 hours. A simultaneous decrease in the serum levels of VCAM-1 and S100 as well as E-selectin and S100 was associated with good neurological outcomes. When other variables were adjusted, a simultaneous decrease in the serum levels of VCAM-1 and S100 was independently associated with good neurological outcomes (odds ratio, 9.285; 95% confidence interval, 1.073 to 80.318; P=0.043). CONCLUSION: A simultaneous decrease in the serum levels of soluble VCAM-1 and S100 within the first 24 hours after the return of spontaneous circulation was associated with a good neurological outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors.

The Relationship between the Causative Allergens of Allergic Diseases and Environments in Korea Over a 8-Year-Period: Based on Skin Prick Test from 2006 to 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluated the results of skin prick test using 55 allergens at 20 centers in the Republic of Korea in 2006, 2010, and 2014–2015. The aim was to assess changes in the positive rate of allergens according to temporal, regional, and environmental factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 20 hospitals were selected based on the population distribution in the Republic of Korea. A skin prick test panel comprising 55 aeroallergens was distributed to 18 hospitals for this prospective study. The 2006 and 2010 skin prick test results were collected and analyzed retrospectively from 20 hospitals, while the 2014/2015 skin prick test results (from June 2014 to May 2015) were collected prospectively from 18 hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 14,897 SPT test results were analyzed: 4,319 in 2006, 7,431 in 2010, and 1,852 in 2014/2015. The overall rate of skin prick test positivity to more than two allergens was significantly higher in males than females. The positive rates of alder pollens and birch, oak and ragweed pollen positivity were increased in older patients. Several positive rates were increased according to the temperature in spring. The positive rates for beech pollen, birch pollen, hazel pollen, oak pollen, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, mugwort, cat, Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae were significantly increased, while those of Cult rye pollen and dandelion were significantly decreased over the three test periods. The overall positive rate for allergens in Jeju province varied significantly from Seoul and other cities. CONCLUSION: Change in the positive rate of multiple aeroallergens was evaluated in the Republic of Korea over time. Our findings can be used to recommend aeroallergens suitable for inclusion in skin prick test panels in the Republic of Korea and will facilitate further investigation of changes in the patterns of allergic diseases.

Postoperative Chemoradiotherapy for R1 Resected Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigative the potential role of postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) after R1 resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC). METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2012, medical records of 18 patients who underwent curative surgery with R1 resection for IHCC were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Median age was 68 years and 12 patients (66.7%) were male. Median tumor size was 5.0 cm (range, 2.2–11.0) and 12 patients (66.7%) had T3 or higher disease. Lymph nodes were involved in four patients (22.2%). Vascular invasion and perineural invasion were present in 10 (55.6%) and 12 patients (66.7%), respectively. Postoperative CCRT given with 5-fluorouracil or gemcitabine were delivered to 7 patients (38.9%). Median radiation dose was 50.4 Gy (range, 45-54). Univariate analysis showed that median loco-regional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were prolonged for patients treated with CCRT (median LRRFS; 5.6 months vs. not reached, P < 0.001, median PFS; 5.6 vs. 8.3 months, P=0.047, median OS; 15.0 vs. 26.6 months, P=0.064). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative CCRT improved the loco-regional control and PFS in IHCC patients with R1 resection. Further study is warranted to validate the role of postoperative CCRT for these patients.

Monomorphic ventricular tachycardia due to protease inhibitor intoxication by atazanavir

Atazanavir is a protease inhibitor approved for use in combination with other antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Atazanavir and other protease inhibitors can sometimes induce corrected QT prolongation and ventricular arrhythmia. A 40-year-old man with no comorbidities, except human immunodeficiency virus 1 infection, presented with palpitations 3 days after an overdose of 150 caps of atazanavir, with suicidal intent. His initial electrocardiogram showed monomorphic ventricular tachycardia, and hyperbilirubinemia was observed in his initial blood test. Immediately after magnesium sulfate infusion, his ventricular tachycardia was converted into junctional bradycardia with prolonged corrected QT. After 3 days of close observation in the intensive care unit, the corrected QT prolongation and hyperbilirubinemia were normalized.

Transcultural Adaptation and Validation of the Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit Questionnaire in a Korean Sample / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: A number of questionnaires designed for analyzing family members' inconvenience and demands in intensive care unit (ICU) care have been developed and validated in North America. The family satisfaction in the intensive care Unit-24 (FS-ICU-24) questionnaire is one of the most widely used of these instruments. This study aimed to translate the FS-ICU-24 questionnaire into Korean and validate the Korean version of the questionnaire. METHODS: The study was conducted in the medical, surgical, and emergency ICUs at three tertiary hospitals. Relatives of all patients hospitalized for at least 48 hours were enrolled for this study participants. The validation process included the measurement of construct validity, internal consistency, and interrater reliability. The questionnaire consists of 24 items divided between two subscales: satisfaction with care (14 items) and satisfaction with decision making (10 items). RESULTS: In total, 200 family members of 176 patients from three hospitals completed the FS-ICU-24 questionnaire. Construct validity for the questionnaire was superior to that observed for a visual analog scale (Spearman's r = 0.84, p < 0.001). Cronbach's αs were 0.83 and 0.80 for the satisfaction with care and satisfaction with decision making subscales, respectively. The mean (± standard deviation) total FS-ICU-24 score was 75.44 ± 17.70, and participants were most satisfied with consideration of their needs (82.13 ± 21.03) and least satisfied with the atmosphere in the ICU waiting room (35.38 ± 34.84). CONCLUSIONS: The Korean version of the FS-ICU-24 questionnaire demonstrated good validity and could be a useful instrument with which to measure family members' satisfaction about ICU care.

Admission levels of high-density lipoprotein and apolipoprotein A-1 are associated with the neurologic outcome in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA1), after the return of spontaneous circulation, can predict the neurologic outcome in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study conducted in a single tertiary hospital intensive care unit. All adult OHCA survivors with admission lipid profiles were enrolled from March 2013 to December 2015. Good neurologic outcome was defined as discharge cerebral performance categories 1 and 2. RESULTS: Among 59 patients enrolled, 13 (22.0%) had a good neurologic outcome. Serum levels of HDL (56.7 vs. 40 mg/dL) and ApoA1 (117 vs. 91.6 mg/dL) were significantly higher in patients with a good outcome. Areas under the HDL and ApoA1 receiver operating curves to predict good outcomes were 0.799 and 0.759, respectively. The proportion of good outcome was significantly higher in patients in higher tertiles of HDL and ApoA1 (test for trend, both P=0.003). HDL (P=0.018) was an independent predictor in the multivariate logistic regression model. CONCLUSION: Admission levels of HDL and ApoA1 are associated with neurologic outcome in patients with OHCA. Prognostic and potential therapeutic values of HDL and ApoA1 merit further evaluation in the post-cardiac arrest state, as in other systemic inflammatory conditions such as sepsis.

Transcultural Adaptation and Validation of the Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit Questionnaire in a Korean Sample / 대한중환자의학회지

BACKGROUND: A number of questionnaires designed for analyzing family members' inconvenience and demands in intensive care unit (ICU) care have been developed and validated in North America. The family satisfaction in the intensive care Unit-24 (FS-ICU-24) questionnaire is one of the most widely used of these instruments. This study aimed to translate the FS-ICU-24 questionnaire into Korean and validate the Korean version of the questionnaire. METHODS: The study was conducted in the medical, surgical, and emergency ICUs at three tertiary hospitals. Relatives of all patients hospitalized for at least 48 hours were enrolled for this study participants. The validation process included the measurement of construct validity, internal consistency, and interrater reliability. The questionnaire consists of 24 items divided between two subscales: satisfaction with care (14 items) and satisfaction with decision making (10 items). RESULTS: In total, 200 family members of 176 patients from three hospitals completed the FS-ICU-24 questionnaire. Construct validity for the questionnaire was superior to that observed for a visual analog scale (Spearman's r = 0.84, p < 0.001). Cronbach's αs were 0.83 and 0.80 for the satisfaction with care and satisfaction with decision making subscales, respectively. The mean (± standard deviation) total FS-ICU-24 score was 75.44 ± 17.70, and participants were most satisfied with consideration of their needs (82.13 ± 21.03) and least satisfied with the atmosphere in the ICU waiting room (35.38 ± 34.84). CONCLUSIONS: The Korean version of the FS-ICU-24 questionnaire demonstrated good validity and could be a useful instrument with which to measure family members' satisfaction about ICU care.

Change in Patient's Ages Who Took an Adenoidectomy for 30 Years

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Controversy remains regarding whether the age at which patients undergo adenoidectomy is increasing or decreasing. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze patient age at adenoidectomy over the past 30 years. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Retrospective analysis of adenoidectomy patients treated between 1984 and 2013 who were confirmed to have adenoid hypertrophy on physical examination and radiologic findings was performed. Patients were divided into three groups by decade, the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. The numbers of patients, mean/median age, maximum age, and sex ratio were analyzed for each group. RESULTS: A total of 2,450 patients were enrolled, including 466 cases in the 1980s, 946 in the 1990s, and 1,038 in the 2000s. The mean age of patients was 7.38 years in the 1980s, 8.16 in the 1990s, and 8.37 in the 2000s and has significantly increased since the 1990s (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The mean age of patients who underwent adenoidectomy has increased over the past 30 years. Therefore, adenoid hypertrophy needs to be considered in children of all ages who visit otorhinolaryngologic departments.

Impact of Resection Margin Distance on Survival of Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: While curative resection is the only chance of cure in pancreatic cancer, controversies exist about the impact of surgical margin status on survival. Non-standardized pathologic report and different criteria on the R1 status made it difficult to implicate adjuvant therapy after resection based on the margin status. We evaluated the influence of resection margins on survival by meta-analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We thoroughly searched electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. We included studies reporting survival outcomes with different margin status: involved margin (R0 mm), margin clearance with ≤ 1 mm (R0-1 mm), and margin with > 1 mm (R>1 mm). Hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival was extracted, and a random-effects model was used for pooled analysis. RESULTS: A total of eight retrospective studies involving 1,932 patients were included. Pooled HR for overall survival showed that patients with R>1 mm had reduced risk of death than those with R0-1 mm (HR, 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61 to 0.88; p=0.001). In addition, patients with R0-1 mm had reduced risk of death than those with R0 mm (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.72 to 0.91; p < 0.001). There was no heterogeneity between the included studies (I2 index, 42% and 0%; p=0.10 and p=0.82, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that stratification of the patients based on margin status is warranted in the clinical trials assessing the role of adjuvant treatment for pancreatic cancer.