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Background/Aims@#Smoking is considered a risk factor for the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the association of a weight change after a change in smoking status and the risk of NAFLD remains undetermined. @*Methods@#This study used the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort. Based on the first (2009 to 2010) and second (2011 to 2012) health examination periods, 139,180 adults aged at least 40 years were divided into nonsmoking, smoking cessation, smoking relapse, and sustained smoking groups. NAFLD was operationally defined using the fatty liver index. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression. @*Results@#Compared to nonsmoking with no body mass index (BMI) change, the risk of NAFLD was significantly increased among subjects with BMI gain and nonsmoking (aOR, 4.07; 95% CI, 3.77 to 4.39), smoking cessation (aOR, 5.52; 95% CI, 4.12 to 7.40), smoking relapse (aOR, 7.51; 95% CI, 4.81 to 11.72), and sustained smoking (aOR, 6.65; 95% CI, 5.33 to 8.29), whereas the risk of NAFLD was reduced among participants with BMI loss in all smoking status groups. In addition, smoking cessation (aOR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.35 to 2.29) and sustained smoking (aOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.39 to 1.94) were associated with higher risk of NAFLD among participants with no BMI change.The liver enzyme levels were higher among participants with smoking cessation and BMI gain. @*Conclusions@#Monitoring and management of weight change after a change in smoking status may be a promising approach to reducing NAFLD.
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Objective@#The objectives of this study were to investigate the suicide risk in diabetes patients and evaluate the variations in suicide risk by the duration of diabetes using a large population sample in South Korea. @*Methods@#Data from 6,296 adults in the 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included. The suicidal ideation, suicide plans, and suicidal behavior of diabetes patients were compared to the general population. After classifying the patients into ≤1 year, 2 to 9 years, and ≥10 years of diabetes duration, we evaluated the relationship between the duration of diabetes and the suicide risk. @*Results@#Diabetes patients had higher prevalences of suicidal ideation (9.1%, p<0.001) and suicide plans (3.6%, p<0.001) than the general population. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, suicide plans (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.926, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.325–6.463) were significantly associated with diabetes. In the 2 to 9 years group of diabetes patients, we found an increase in the risk of suicidal ideation (aOR=2.035, 95% CI=1.129–3.670), suicide plans (aOR=3.507, 95% CI=1.538–7.996), and suicidal behavior (aOR=7.130, 95% CI=2.035–24.978) after adjusting for the covariates. However, no increases in suicide risk were observed ≤1 year and ≥10 years after diabetes diagnosis. @*Conclusion@#In adults, diabetes is associated with an increase in suicide risk. Suicide risk in diabetes patients showed an inverted U-shaped depending upon the duration of diabetes.
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Objective@#Recently data has been accumulated regarding the role of coping strategies in the relationship between stress and sleep quality. Therefore, we set out to identify the mediating effects of coping strategies between stress and sleep quality. @*Methods@#A online-based cross-sectional study was performed using the Perceived Stress Scale-10, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and a simplification of the 60-item Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief COPE) inventory in the nonclinical adult sample. The 24 items of Brief COPE were categorized into four factors (social support, problem solving, avoidance, positive thinking). Then, we used the PROCESS macro to conduct the multiple mediation analysis for the four coping styles as potential mediators in the relationship between stress and sleep quality, and an additional subgroup analysis was examined to identify a gender difference for the mediation effect. @*Results@#As a group, four coping styles mediated significantly the association between perceived stress and poor sleep quality. And avoidance has maintained its significance thought all regression analyses. Finally, this results remained as same in the females. @*Conclusion@#The effect of perceived stress on poor sleep quality was mediated by coping strategies, especially by avoidance. Thus, further research should consider the coping styles of individuals to reduce the influence of stress on sleep quality.
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Background/Aims@#Metabolic dysfunction (MD)-associated fatty liver disease is a new positive diagnostic criterion based on hepatic steatosis and MD. However, a comprehensive evaluation on the association of MD and hepatic steatosis with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) has yet to be performed. @*Methods@#This retrospective cohort study included 333,389 participants from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database who received a health examination between 2009 and 2010. Hepatic steatosis was defined using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-derived nonalcoholic fatty liver disease scoring system. Cox proportional hazards regression was adopted to determine the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for CVD according to the presence of hepatic steatosis and MD, as well as the composite term. @*Results@#This study included 179,437 men and 153,952 women with a median age of 57 years.Hepatic steatosis with MD (aHR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.89 to 2.13) and without MD (aHR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.54) significantly increased the risk of CVD compared to no steatosis without MD (reference). However, steatosis revealed no significant difference in the risk of CVD compared to no steatosis among participants with one MD (aHR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.91 to 1.30). In participants with steatosis, the presence of one and ≥2 MDs had aHR values of 1.25 (95% CI, 0.87 to 1.79) and 1.71 (95% CI, 1.22 to 2.41), respectively, compared to no MD. @*Conclusions@#Combined consideration of hepatic steatosis and MD was significantly associated with increased CVD risk and showed better predictive performance for CVD than hepatic steatosis or MD alone.
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Background/Aims@#Accumulating evidence suggests a link between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and brain health. However, population-based evidence on the association between NAFLD and dementia remains unclear. This study was conducted to determine the association between NAFLD and incident dementia. @*Methods@#The study population included 608,994 adults aged ≥60 years who underwent health examinations between 2009 and 2010. Data were collected from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. NAFLD was assessed using the fatty liver index (FLI). A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to determine the association between NAFLD and dementia. @*Results@#During the 6,495,352 person-years of follow-up, 48,538 participants (8.0%) developed incident dementia. The participants were classified into low (FLI <30), intermediate (FLI ≥30 and <60), and high (FLI ≥60) groups. In the overall study population, the FLI groups were associated with a risk of dementia (P for trend <0.001). After propensity score matching, a low FLI was associated with a reduced risk of dementia (adjusted hazard ration [aHR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93–0.98; P=0.002), whereas a high FLI (NAFLD) was associated with an increased risk of dementia (aHR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02–1.08; P=0.001). A higher risk of dementia in the high FLI group than in the intermediate FLI group was attributed to Alzheimer’s disease (aHR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01–1.07; P=0.004) rather than vascular dementia (aHR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.75–1.18; P=0.602). @*Conclusions@#NAFLD was associated with an increased risk of dementia, which was attributed to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
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Methods@#This retrospective study included 238 patients with AS who underwent surgical correction for thoracolumbar kyphosis. Of these, 80 patients with complete subaxial ankylosis were selected and divided into two groups: groups 1 (consisting of 28 patients with anterior bony resorption) and 2 (consisting of 52 patients without anterior resorption). Cervical sagittal parameters were analyzed and compared between the two groups. @*Results@#The average lateral diameter measured in patients with C5 anterior resorption was 84.2%±7.8% (62.4%–96.8%). Cervical lordosis was 8.7°±13.4° and 10.9°±11.5° in groups 1 and 2 (p=0.556), respectively. No significant differences were noted between the two groups on spinopelvic alignment in the T1 slope (52.2°±11.1° and 53.3°±9.9° in groups 1 and 2, respectively; p=0.742), C2–C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA; 6.2±1.7 cm and 6.2±1.8 cm in groups 1 and 2, respectively; p=0.978), C7 SVA (14.3±4.9 cm and 14.6±6.2 cm in groups 1 and 2, respectively; p=0.823), or T1 pelvic angle (27.1°±8.9° and 31.6°±11.2° in groups 1 and 2, respectively; p=0.382). Correlation analyses were significant between the extent of anterior resorption and sagittal parameters, C2–C7 lordosis (R2=−0.428, p=0.021), and T1–T4 kyphosis (R2=−0.375, p=0.045). @*Conclusions@#Anterior bony resorption could develop by stress concentration. However, the development was not related to the sagittal alignment. The particular segments involved in developing anterior resorption varied, possibly because of their dependence on the preceding pattern of ankylosis.
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Background@#This study aimed to assess the clinical characteristics of patients with major depressive disorder who were rehospitalized within 1 year and to determine whether the 1-year rehospitalization rate varied depending on the type of medication and treatment method. @*Methods@#Clinical characteristics of 531 patients hospitalized for major depressive disorder were assessed. The use and type of antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and hypnotics were also evaluated. @*Results@#Of the 531 subjects, 68 (12.8%) were rehospitalized within a year. The number of past depressive episodes (1.56±2.67 vs. 0.90±1.18) (p=0.048) and the number of previous psychiatric hospitalizations (0.82±1.93 vs. 0.29±0.83 times) (p=0.029) were high in the 1-year rehospitalization group. The rate of family history of mood disorder (25.0% vs. 13.6%) (p=0.014) and the rate of comorbid personality disorder (16.2% vs. 8.6%) (p=0.049) were also high in the 1-year rehospitalization group. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the number of previous psychiatric hospitalizations affected the rate of 1-year rehospitalization (p=0.003). @*Conclusion@#The number of previous psychiatric hospitalizations could be used to predict rehospitalizations of patients with major depressive disorder within 1 year. In addition, family history of mood disorders and comorbidity of personality disorders may affect rehospitalization of such patients.
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Methods@#Multimodality IONM data, including somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEP) and motor-evoked potentials (MEP), were reviewed in 64 patients who underwent three-column spinal surgery from 2011 to 2015. Surgical procedures included posterior vertebral column resection, pedicle subtraction osteotomy, total en bloc spondylectomy, piecemeal spondylectomy, and corpectomy with laminectomy (n=27) in three cervical, 34 thoracic, and 31 lumbar procedures. @*Results@#Significant IONM signal changes occurred in 11 of 64 (17.1%) patients. SSEP and MEP were changed in 11 patients. Postoperative neurologic deterioration occurred in 54.5% (6 of 11) of the patients, and two of them were permanent. There was no postoperative neurologic deterioration in patients without significant signal change. Suspected causes of IONM data changes are as follows: adhesion/tethering, translation, contusion, and perfusion. @*Conclusions@#Based on the results of this study, to enhance neurologic safety in three-column spinal surgery, surgeons should pay attention to protect the spinal cord from mechanical insult, especially when the spinal column was totally destabilized during surgery, and not to compromise perfusion to the spinal cord in close cooperation with a neurologist and anesthesiologist.
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Background@#Canine adipose-derived stem cells (cADSCs) exhibit various differentiation properties and are isolated from the canine subcutaneous fat. Although cADSCs are valuable as tools for research on adipogenic differentiation, studies focusing on adipogenic differentiation methods and the underlying mechanisms are still lacking. @*Objectives@#In this study, we aimed to establish an optimal method for adipogenic differentiation conditions of cADSCs and evaluate the role of peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and estrogen receptor (ER) signaling in the adipogenic differentiation. @*Methods@#To induce adipogenic differentiation of cADSCs, 3 different adipogenic medium conditions, MDI, DRI, and MDRI, using 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (M), dexamethasone (D), insulin (I), and rosiglitazone (R) were tested. @*Results@#MDRI, addition of PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone to MDI, was the most significantly facilitated cADSC into adipocyte. GW9662, an antagonist of PPARγ, significantly reduced adipogenic differentiation induced by rosiglitazone. Adipogenic differentiation was also stimulated when 17β-estradiol was added to MDI and DRI, and this stimulation was inhibited by the ER antagonist ICI182,780. @*Conclusions@#Taken together, our results suggest that PPARγ and ER signaling are related to the adipogenic differentiation of cADSCs. This study could provide basic information for future research on obesity or anti-obesity mechanisms in dogs.
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Clinical scales are important tools for quantitatively evaluating impairments and disabilities related to diseases. Clinical scales are also used in many clinical studies to assess therapeutic effects. Spinal cord disorders cause neurological deterioration, which leads to functional and social disabilities. For many neurological disorders that cause myelopathy, including multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory demyelinating diseases, numerous drugs are being developed and studied for clinical use. Thus, clinical scales for myelopathy are important for both the medical field and general public. This review article describes the clinical scales for myelopathy, especially those that are widely used and established. We expect that this review will help readers choose the scales appropriate for their purposes.
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Background@#Canine adipose-derived stem cells (cADSCs) exhibit various differentiation properties and are isolated from the canine subcutaneous fat. Although cADSCs are valuable as tools for research on adipogenic differentiation, studies focusing on adipogenic differentiation methods and the underlying mechanisms are still lacking. @*Objectives@#In this study, we aimed to establish an optimal method for adipogenic differentiation conditions of cADSCs and evaluate the role of peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and estrogen receptor (ER) signaling in the adipogenic differentiation. @*Methods@#To induce adipogenic differentiation of cADSCs, 3 different adipogenic medium conditions, MDI, DRI, and MDRI, using 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (M), dexamethasone (D), insulin (I), and rosiglitazone (R) were tested. @*Results@#MDRI, addition of PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone to MDI, was the most significantly facilitated cADSC into adipocyte. GW9662, an antagonist of PPARγ, significantly reduced adipogenic differentiation induced by rosiglitazone. Adipogenic differentiation was also stimulated when 17β-estradiol was added to MDI and DRI, and this stimulation was inhibited by the ER antagonist ICI182,780. @*Conclusions@#Taken together, our results suggest that PPARγ and ER signaling are related to the adipogenic differentiation of cADSCs. This study could provide basic information for future research on obesity or anti-obesity mechanisms in dogs.
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Clinical scales are important tools for quantitatively evaluating impairments and disabilities related to diseases. Clinical scales are also used in many clinical studies to assess therapeutic effects. Spinal cord disorders cause neurological deterioration, which leads to functional and social disabilities. For many neurological disorders that cause myelopathy, including multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory demyelinating diseases, numerous drugs are being developed and studied for clinical use. Thus, clinical scales for myelopathy are important for both the medical field and general public. This review article describes the clinical scales for myelopathy, especially those that are widely used and established. We expect that this review will help readers choose the scales appropriate for their purposes.
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Background@#The purpose of this study was to measure several mental health variables according to HbA1c level and examine their relationship among diabetic patients. @*Methods@#Total 89 outpatients who attended diabetes education program at St. Vincent’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, were enrolled this study. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Stress Response Inventory (SRI), abbreviated version of World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument (WHOQOL-BREF), Insomnia Severity Index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were administered to all patients. Significant differences between groups were assessed by t-test and chi-squared test. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify the variables that affect HbA1c levels. @*Results@#The well-controlled group had a significantly lower BDI score than the poorly controlled group. The wellcontrolled group also showed significantly lower SRI and ESS. HbA1c, BDI, SRI, and ESS were positively correlated. Duration and BDI were the only variables affecting HbA1c levels. @*Conclusion@#Emphasis should be given to the identification and management of mental health problems, including especially depressive symptoms in patients with diabetes.
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Cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs) are simple carbohydrates linked to amino acid chains; they are found in pollens, vegetable foods, insect, and Hymenoptera venoms and are broadly cross-reactive with CCD-specific IgE antibodies. A man in his fifties was evaluated using a multiple allergen simultaneous test–immunoblot assay. On the PROTIA Allergy-Q 64 inhalant panel (ProteomeTech, Korea), reactions to 37 of 59 antigens were observed except mammalian antigens, and cross-reactivity owing to anti-CCD antibodies was suspected. After ProGlycAn CCD-blocker (ProGlycAn, Austria) treatment, the patient exhibited no response to CCD allergens, and the number of allergens showing positive reactions was reduced to 15. We further tested a total of 7 samples from patients who were suspected to have CCD-related cross-reactivity. For these 8 patients, the average number of positive reactions to allergens was reduced from 33 (range 24-36) to 8 (range 0-19) after CCD-blocker treatment. We concluded that CCD-blocker treatment in sample with anti-CCD antibodies can reduce the false positive reponse and provide more specific information about allergens.
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Objective@#Sleep affects systemic inflammation and amyloid deposition, and sleep disturbance is known to be a risk factor for cognitive decline. To date, literatures on the relationship between peripheral inflammatory markers and sleep in Alzheimer’s de-mentia and mild cognitive impairment patients have been scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between sleep and C-reactive protein (CRP) in Alzheimer’s dementia and amnestic mild cognitive impairment patients. @*Methods@#A total of 81 patients were divided in to four groups: amyloid negative healthy control, amyloid negative amnestic mild cognitive impairment, amyloid positive amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and amyloid positive Alzheimer’s dementia.Demographic data and cognitive measurement through the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease were conducted. Amyloid positivity status was attained through positron emission tomography scans using [18F]-flutemetamol. The quality of sleep was evaluated by the sleep item of Korean Neuropsychiatric Inventory (K-NPI-SLEEP), and peripheral blood tests were conducted to measure CRP. @*Results@#There was no statistically difference in CRP levels or K-NPI-SLEEP scores among four groups. Moreover, there was no association between K-NPI-SLEEP and CRP in four groups. @*Conclusion@#Since K-NPI-SLEEP score shows overall, subjective sleep problems, further follow-up studies in consideration for objective sleep studies to unravel the relationship of peripheral inflammatory markers and sleep in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s dementia patients.
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Background@#Abnormal chest radiographs are frequently encountered in patients with scrub typhus. This study aimed to investigate whether chest radiography on admission is significant as a predictive factor for acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with scrub typhus. @*Methods@#From 2010 to 2016, 467 patients were diagnosed with scrub typhus in our hospital. We divided the patients into two groups: normal chest radiograph (NCR) and abnormal chest radiograph (AbNCR), based on chest radiography findings. The incidence, clinical characteristics, and severity of AKI were compared between AKI and non- AKI groups according to the RIFLE classification. @*Results@#Of the 467 patients, 96 (20.6%) constituted the AbNCR group. Compared with NCR patients, AbNCR patients were older (71 ± 11 vs. 62 ± 13 years, P < 0.001) and had higher total leukocyte counts (9.43 × 103/mL vs. 6.98 × 103/mL, P < 0.001). The AbNCR group had significantly longer duration of hospital stay (8.9 ± 5.5 vs. 6.3 ± 2.8 days, P < 0.001) and higher incidence of AKI (46.9% vs. 15.1%, P < 0.001). The common abnormal chest radiographic findings were pulmonary abnormalities, such as pulmonary congestion and pleural effusion. The overall AKI incidence was 21.6%, of which 12.4%, 7.9%, and 1.3% cases were classified as risk, injury, and failure, respectively. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis for association with AKI, old age, presence of chronic kidney disease or hypertension, leukocytosis, hypoalbuminemia, and chest radiographic abnormalities on admission were significant predictors of AKI. @*Conclusion@#Chest radiographic abnormalities on admission were independently associated with AKI in patients with scrub typhus.
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Background@#Osteoporosis is characterized by a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) and increased risk of fragility fractures. Serum iron level may interact with bone health status. This study investigated the correlations of BMD with serum iron level, hemoglobin level, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). @*Methods@#We performed a retrospective analysis of data from the medical records of premenopausal women in South Korea. The women’s BMDs and the Z scores of the BMDs were verified using dual-energy X-ray absorption. The participants were stratified into quartiles for analyses of the associations of BMD with serum iron level, TIBC, and hemoglobin level. @*Results@#A simple linear regression analysis revealed associations of changes in BMD with iron level (β=-0.001, standard error [SE]=0.001, P<0.001), hemoglobin level (β=0.015, SE=0.003, P<0.001), and TIBC (β=0.001, SE=0.001, P<0.001). This pattern was also observed in a multiple linear regression analysis. A multivariate logistic regression analysis of iron level and TIBC for low BMD revealed odds ratios of 1.005 (P<0.001) and 0.995 (P<0.001), respectively. @*Conclusion@#This study demonstrated clear relationships of changes in BMD with serum iron level and TIBC, and thus confirms the usefulness of these markers in the clinical evaluation of iron storage and BMD in younger women.
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Background@#Physicians and caregivers are conflicted over whether to inform patients that their disease is terminal. Studies examining the effect of awareness of prognosis on the survival and quality of life of terminally ill cancer patients report conflicting results. This study aimed to assess the effects of prognosis awareness on the survival time and psychological health of terminally ill cancer patients. @*Methods@#Patients in the hospice wards of two general hospitals were asked to complete a questionnaire. All were mentally alert and could express themselves clearly. Awareness of prognosis was defined as knowing both the diagnosis and exact prognosis. Survival time was defined as the time from hospital admission to death. Multiple psychological examinations were conducted to verify the effect of prognosis awareness on psychological health. @*Results@#Of the 98 subjects who met the inclusion criteria, 65 (66.3%) were aware of their terminal status. The patients’ awareness was significantly related to survival time after adjusting for clinical variables with a hazard ratio of 1.70 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–2.86). Furthermore, the unaware group had a higher risk of cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination <24; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.65; 95% CI, 1.26–10.59) and a poorer quality of life (physical component summary of the Short Form 36-item Health Survey <20; aOR, 3.61; 95% CI, 1.12– 11.60) than the aware group. @*Conclusion@#Knowledge of the exact prognosis might have a positive effect on the survival and quality of life of terminally ill cancer patients.
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Background@#While many studies have investigated the epidemiology and clinical features of female pattern hair loss (FPHL), few of these are long-term studies. @*Objective@#This study evaluated and compared a large cohort of long-term FPHL patients to short-term FPHL patients from other studies. @*Methods@#A retrospective chart review was conducted at the Alopecia Clinic of the Department of Dermatology in Myongji Hospital of 982 FPHL patients during a 10-year period from March 2007 to February 2017. @*Results@#The 3,549 alopecia patients included 2,342 (66.0%) with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) patients; among them, 982 (27.7%) had FPHL. Patients in their 30s (24.6%) were the most affected group of FPHL patients, followed by those in their 20s (21.7%), 40s (20.3%), 50s (13.8%), and teenagers (9.2%). The FPHL patients included 301 (30.5%) with a paternal familial predisposition, 136 (13.7%) with a maternal familial predisposition, and 70 (7.0%) with both familial predispositions. The FPHL patients were classified according to the Ludwig classification as type 1 (62.7%), type 2 (33.2%), or type 3 (3.9%). Abnormalities in serum total cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels were observed in 70 (14.3%) of 488 patients, and in 49 (21.2%) of 231 patients, respectively. The most common comorbid conditions were seborrheic dermatitis, followed by hypertension, hyperlipidemia, thyroid diseases, diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and anemia. When seborrheic dermatitis is excluded, thyroid diseases and PCOS were most common in patients in their 20s and 30s. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus were most common in patients in their 40s. @*Conclusion@#Compared to studies from 20∼30 years ago, the proportion of FPHL patients among total alopecia patients appeared to increase significantly. In addition, the proportion of teenage patients has also increased, likely due to early puberty.
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Background@#Both direct microscopic examination and fungal culture are standard diagnostic methods for tinea unguium diagnosis. However, the accuracy of these tests is low and the results tend to be dependent on the skills of the performer. The Dermatophyte Test Strip, a newly developed diagnostic tool that is used to detect dermatophytes, facilitates the diagnosis of tinea unguium using immunochromatography.Objective We compared the diagnostic capacity of the Dermatophyte Test Strip and conventional diagnostic methods for the detection of dermatophytes in clinically suspected tinea unguium specimens in Korea. @*Methods@#Direct microscopic examination and the Dermatophyte Test Strip were performed on all specimens. If the results differed between the two methods, we used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis to confirm the dermatophyte presence. @*Results@#Of the 120 specimens, 77 (64.2%) showed positive results on the Dermatophyte Test Strip and 66 (55.0%) on the direct microscopic examination. PCR analysis was performed on the 27 specimens whose results differed between the two tests, and all these specimens showed positive results on PCR analysis. When comparing the results of direct microscopy adjusted with PCR with those of the Dermatophyte Test Strip, the positiveegative/overall concordance rates were 100%, 81.4%, and 93.3%, respectively, while the kappa coefficient was 0.85 (95% confidence interval, 0.75∼0.95). @*Conclusion@#This study suggests that the Dermatophyte Test Strip, a practical diagnostic kit that detects dermatophytes without using other technical instruments, may be a valuable diagnostic tool for tinea unguium and may reduce the unnecessary use of antifungal agents.