Clinical features and management analysis of 11 cases of laryngocele / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To summarize clinical features and our experience of the diagnosis and treatment of laryngocele. Methods: Clinical data of 11 laryngocele patients in department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2012 to December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed, including 9 men and 2 women, aged from 12 to 75 years, with median age of 56 years. Electronic laryngoscope was performed in 10 of all patients, laryngeal CT in 10 and cervical color ultrasound in 5 before operation.All the operations were performed under general anesthesia, and the external cervical approach was used for external and combined laryngocele. The internal laryngocele was resected by low temperature plasma through transoral endoscopy. Patients were followed up regularly after operation to evaluate the effect. Clinical feature, types of lesions, imaging findings, surgical approaches and follow-up results were analyzed through descriptive statistical method. Results: Eleven laryngocele patients were divided into mixed type (n=6), internal type (n=4) and external type (n=1).Nine patients presented with hoarseness or dysphonia, 7 with cervical mass and 1 with airway obstruction. Surgical resections were done through external cervical approach (n=7)or transoral endoscopic approach (n=4). All the operations were successful and no complication occurred. All cases were followed up from 17 to 110 months. No recurrence was encountered. Conclusions: Laryngocele is a rare lesion with atypical clinical presentation. Preoperative imaging including CT scan and electronic laryngoscope is essential to evaluate the location, and extent of the lesion, and to make the surgical plan.Complete surgical excision is required. Surgical resection is the only effective method for the treatment of laryngocele.

A medium term analysis on of therapeutic effects of bio-lengthend stem hemiarthroplasty in the treatment of unstable osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To retrospectively study medium term follow up outcomes effects of effect of bio-lengthend stem hemiarthroplasty in the treatment of unstable osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients.@*METHODS@#Total of 32 elderly patients with the osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures were treated with bio-lengthend stem hemiarthroplasty from Jan. 2016 to Jan. 2019 including 14 males and 22 females, aged from 85 to 95 years old with an average of (89.5±4.5) years old. According to classification of Evans, there were 12 cases with type Ⅲ, 11 with type Ⅳ and 9 with type Ⅳ. The time from injury to operation ranged from 0.5 to 9 days with an average of (4.5±3.9) days. The operation time, blood loss and postoperative complications were analyzed. Functional outcome was assessed by Parker Palmer mobility score(PPMS) and Harris hip score.@*RESULTS@#Four patients died within one year after operation, and the mortality was 12.5%. The follow up time for the rest 28 patients ranged from 24 to 60 months with an average of (28.5±4.5) months. The mean operative time was (54.2±22.5) min;the mean blood loss (hidden blood loss+obvious blood loss) was (450±140) ml;the first weight bearing was (3.35±1.35) days. No perioperative death occurred. PPMS were(6.63±1.25), (6.94±1.18), (7.11±0.83), (7.32±1.11) and Harris scores were(67.85±6.19), (71.42±5.57), (73.41±5.62), (77.32±5.24) respectively at 1, 3, 6 months and the final follow-up after operation. There were no significant difference in PPMS and Harris score at 1, 3, 6 months after operation and the final follow-up(P>0.05). There were no complications such as joint dislocation and prosthesis loosening occure at the final follow-up.@*CONCLUSION@#On the premise of strictly mastering the case selection criteria, the bio-lengthend stem hemiarthroplasty in the treatment of unstable osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients has a satisfied medium term follow-up outcomes. It can restore hip function in the early stage and improve the quality of life of patients.

Efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir–velpatasvir and sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir for hepatitis C in Korea: a Phase 3b study

Despite the availability of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Korea, need remains for pangenotypic regimens that can be used in the presence of hepatic impairment, comorbidities, or prior treatment failure. We investigated the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir–velpatasvir and sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir for 12 weeks in HCV-infected Korean adults. Methods: This Phase 3b, multicenter, open-label study included 2 cohorts. In Cohort 1, participants with HCV genotype 1 or 2 and who were treatment-naive or treatment-experienced with interferon-based treatments, received sofosbuvir–velpatasvir 400/100 mg/day. In Cohort 2, HCV genotype 1 infected individuals who previously received an NS5A inhibitor-containing regimen ≥ 4 weeks received sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir 400/100/100 mg/day. Decompensated cirrhosis was an exclusion criterion. The primary endpoint was SVR12, defined as HCV RNA < 15 IU/mL 12 weeks following treatment. Results: Of 53 participants receiving sofosbuvir–velpatasvir, 52 (98.1%) achieved SVR12. The single participant who did not achieve SVR12 experienced an asymptomatic Grade 3 ASL/ALT elevation on day 15 and discontinued treatment. The event resolved without intervention. All 33 participants (100%) treated with sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir achieved SVR 12. Overall, sofosbuvir–velpatasvir and sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir were safe and well tolerated. Three participants (5.6%) in Cohort 1 and 1 participant (3.0%) in Cohort 2 had serious adverse events, but none were considered treatment-related. No deaths or grade 4 laboratory abnormalities were reported. Conclusions: Treatment with sofosbuvir–velpatasvir or sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir was safe and resulted in high SVR12 rates in Korean HCV patients.

Safety and Efficacy of Intravenous Thrombolysis in the 3- to 4.5-hour Window in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Who Have Both Diabetes Mellitus and History of Prior Stroke

Background@#For acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with history of prior stroke (PS) and diabetes mellitus (DM), intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) therapy in the 3- to 4.5-hour window is off-label in Korea. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of IV-tPA in these patients. @*Methods@#Using data from a prospective multicenter stroke registry between January 2009 and March 2021, we identified AIS patients who received IV-tPA in the 3- to 4.5-hour window, and compared the outcomes of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH), 3-month mortality, 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0-1 and 3-month mRS distribution between patients with both PS and DM (PS/DM, n=56) versus those with neither PS nor DM, or with only one (non-PS/DM, n=927). @*Results@#The PS/DM group versus the non-PS/DM group was more likely to have a prior disability, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease and less likely to have atrial fibrillation. The PS/DM and the non-PS/DM groups had comparable rates of SICH (0% vs. 1.7%; p>0.999) and 3-month mortality (10.7% vs. 10.2%; p=0.9112). The rate of 3-month mRS 0-1 was non-significantly lower in the PS/DM group than in the non-PS/DM group (30.4% vs. 40.7%; adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.81 [0.41-1.59]). @*Conclusions@#In the 3- to 4.5-hour window, AIS patients with PS/DM, as compared to those with non-PS/DM, might benefit less from IV-tPA. However, given the similar risks of SICH and mortality, IV-tPA in the late time window could be considered in patients with both PS and DM.

Prognostic and Safety Implications of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibitors in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Real-World Observation Over 2,000 Patients

Background and Objectives@#The prognostic or safety implication of renin-angiotensinaldosterone system inhibitors (RASi) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are not well established, mainly due to concerns regarding left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction aggravation. We investigated the implications of RASi in a sizable number of HCM patients. @*Methods@#We enrolled 2,104 consecutive patients diagnosed with HCM in 2 tertiary university hospitals and followed up for five years. RASi use was defined as the administration of RASi after diagnostic confirmation of HCM. The primary and secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality and hospitalization for heart failure (HHF). @*Results@#RASi were prescribed to 762 patients (36.2%). During a median follow-up of 48.1months, 112 patients (5.3%) died, and 94 patients (4.5%) experienced HHF. Patients using RASi had less favorable baseline characteristics than those not using RASi, such as older age, more frequent history of comorbidities, and lower ejection fraction. Nonetheless, there was no difference in clinical outcomes between patients with and without RASi use (log-rank p=0.368 for all-cause mortality and log-rank p=0.443 for HHF). In multivariable analysis, patients taking RASi showed a comparable risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43–1.14, p=0.150) and HHF (HR, 1.03, 95% CI, 0.63–1.70, p=0.900). In the subgroup analysis, there was no significant interaction of RASi use between subgroups stratified by LVOT obstruction, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, or maximal LV wall thickness. @*Conclusions@#RASi use was not associated with worse clinical outcomes. It might be safely administered in patients with HCM if clinically indicated.

Clinical applications of next-generation sequencing in the diagnosis of genetic disorders in Korea: a narrative review

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have revolutionized genetic testing and enabled efficient screening of various genetic conditions in clinical settings. However, the clinical application of genetic test results presents numerous significant challenges. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of key concepts for the clinical application of NGS, including (1) technical aspects and limitations, (2) variant classification, (3) clinical interpretation, (4) familial testing and genetic counseling, and (5) ethical considerations.Current Concepts: In short-read-based NGS, several limitations exist in detecting genomic variations, including repetitive sequences or complex structural variations. The variant classification process can be influenced by suspected genomic conditions and the accessibility of genomic databases. Therefore, the final genetic diagnosis depends on the physician’s discretion, which relies on the genotype-phenotype correlations and reverse phenotyping through additional evaluations. Familial testing can help trace the origin of variants and allele segregation and aid in variant interpretation, risk assessment, disease prevention, and family planning. In addition to addressing the clinical impact of genetic results, genetic counselors should also consider potential consequences related to ethical, legal, and social issues, including family dynamics.Discussion and Conclusion: NGS-based genetic testing is a promising diagnostic tool for genetic disorders, but proper variant interpretation and clinical evaluation are crucial for optimal clinical practice. Notably, ethical considerations and regulatory measures are required to prepare for the next era of genomic medicine.

Utilization of the Unlinked Case Proportion to Control COVID-19: A Focus on the Non-pharmaceutical Interventional Policies of the Korea and Japan / 예방의학회지

Objectives@#Korea and Japan have managed the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) using markedly different policies, referred to as the “3T” and “3C” strategies, respectively. This study examined these differences to assess the roles of active testing and contact tracing as non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). We compared the proportion of unlinked cases (UCs) and test positivity rate (TPR) as indicators of tracing and testing capacities. @*Methods@#We outlined the evolution of NPI policies and investigated temporal trends in their correlations with UCs, confirmed cases, and TPR prior to the Omicron peak. Spearman correlation coefficients were reported between the proportion of UCs, confirmed cases, and TPR. The Fisher r-to-z transformation was employed to examine the significance of differences between correlation coefficients. @*Results@#The proportion of UCs was significantly correlated with confirmed cases (r=0.995, p<0.001) and TPR (r=0.659, p<0.001) in Korea and with confirmed cases (r=0.437, p<0.001) and TPR (r=0.429, p<0.001) in Japan. The Fisher r-to-z test revealed significant differences in correlation coefficients between the proportion of UCs and confirmed cases (z=16.07, p<0.001) and between the proportion of UCs and TPR (z=2.12, p=0.034) in Korea and Japan. @*Conclusions@#Higher UCs were associated with increases in confirmed cases and TPR, indicating the importance of combining testing and contact tracing in controlling COVID-19. The implementation of stricter policies led to stronger correlations between these indicators. The proportion of UCs and TPR effectively indicated the effectiveness of NPIs. If the proportion of UCs shows an upward trend, more testing and contact tracing may be required.

Correlation of Sarcopenic Obesity on Various Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Fracture Risk in Mid-Aged Korean Women

Objectives@#This study aimed to investigate the correlation of sarcopenic obesity with various cardiometabolic risk factors and fracture risk in middle-aged Korean women. @*Methods@#In this cross-sectional study, the medical records of 1,775 women who had visited Pusan National University Hospital for routine health screenings from 2010 to 2016 were reviewed. The patients were divided into four groups as follows: group 1, nonsarcopenic, nonobese (NS-NO); group 2, nonsarcopenic, obese (NS-O); group 3, sarcopenic, nonobese (S-NO); and group 4, sarcopenic, obese (S-O). Each patient was assessed based on self-reported questionnaires and individual interviews with a healthcare provider. The Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) was used to assess bone fracture risk. @*Results@#Postmenopausal women accounted for 68.5% of the total patient population. The proportion of each group was as follows:NS-NO, 71.2%; NS-O, 17.9%; S-NO, 10.2%; and S-O, 0.7%. Statistical analysis of various parameters associated with metabolic and cardiovascular risks revealed that the S-O group had more patients with hypertension, diabetes, osteopenia, and metabolic syndrome.The FRAX scores were significantly higher in the S-O group than in other groups. @*Conclusions@#Middle-aged women with obesity and reduced muscle mass, known as sarcopenic obesity, are at increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, sarcopenic obesity, individual cardiometabolic risks, and menopause can increase the bone fracture risk.

Dyslipidemia Fact Sheet in South Korea, 2022

Objective@#This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and status of dyslipidemia management among South Korean adults, as performed by the Korean Society of Lipid and Atherosclerosis under the name Dyslipidemia Fact Sheet 2022. @*Methods@#We analyzed the lipid profiles, age-standardized and crude prevalence, management status of hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia, and health behaviors among Korean adults aged ≥20 years, using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data between 2007 and 2020. @*Results@#In South Korea, the crude prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol ≥240 mg/dL or use of a lipid-lowering drug) in 2020 was 24%, and the age-standardized prevalence of hypercholesterolemia more than doubled from 2007 to 2020. The crude treatment rate was 55.2%, and the control rate was 47.7%. The crude prevalence of dyslipidemia (more than one out of three conditions [low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ≥160 or the use of a lipid-lowering drug, triglycerides ≥200, or high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (men and women) <40 mg/ dL]) was 40.2% between 2016 and 2020. However, it increased to 48.2% when the definition of hypo-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterolemia in women changed from <40 to <50 mg/dL. @*Conclusion@#Although the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia has steadily increased in South Korea, the treatment rate remains low. Therefore, continuous efforts are needed to manage dyslipidemia through cooperation between the national healthcare system, patients, and healthcare providers.

Public Awareness of Dyslipidemia Among the Korean Population:A Survey Study

Objective@#We aimed to assess the level of public awareness regarding dyslipidemia and its management among the Korean population. @*Methods@#We conducted a web- or mobile-based survey study targeting the general population, using various recruitment methods, between July 25, 2022 and August 26, 2022.The questionnaire consisted of 12 questions designed to collect demographic information and evaluate participants’ awareness and knowledge about dyslipidemia. @*Results@#In total, 2,882 participants who completed the survey were included in the analysis.Among the participants, a substantial majority (89.1%) were familiar with the concepts of “good cholesterol” and “bad cholesterol,” while a comparatively lower percentage (just 46.7%) were acquainted with the term “dyslipidemia.” Noticeable variations in understanding were observed when examining specific aspects of dyslipidemia management, including diet, exercise, and pharmacotherapy. @*Conclusion@#The results of this survey underscore the significance of enhancing public awareness about dyslipidemia within the context of health literacy, demonstrating the necessity for a more comprehensive approach that includes education and policymaking to effectively manage dyslipidemia.

Socioeconomic Factors and Abortive Outcomes of Clinical Pregnancy After Embryo Transfer in the Setting of Universal Health Insurance Coverage of IVF

Background@#In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), an expensive option for infertile couples, started to be fully covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI) from October 2017 in South Korea. We investigated the association between woman’s socioeconomic status (SES) and abortive outcomes in pregnancies after IVF-ET in the setting of universal coverage of the treatment. @*Methods@#Using the NHI database in South Korea, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of all women who achieved clinical pregnancy after ET between October 2017 and February 2019. A total of 44,038 clinical pregnancy episodes of 29,847 women who underwent ET were analyzed. We used employment status, income in percentiles, and living in the Seoul capital area as indicators of SES. Relative risks (RRs) for abortive pregnancy outcomes were calculated for each socioeconomic stratum, using log-binomial regression models included woman’s age, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, fresh ET, month of ET, and history of smoking. @*Results@#While most pregnancy outcomes were live births (n = 30,783, 69.9%), 11,215 (25.5%) cycles ended with abortion or early pregnancy loss, 1,779 (4.0%) cycles were ectopic pregnancy, 45 (0.1%) were coded as molar pregnancy, and 224 (0.5%) were fetal death in utero or stillbirth. The risk of overall abortive outcomes was higher when a woman was unemployed (adjusted RR, 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–1.11) or living in a nonSeoul capital area (1.11; 95% CI, 1.08–1.14). The association between relative income level and abortive outcomes was close to null. Living outside Seoul capital area was associated with the greater risk of abortive outcomes especially in younger women. @*Conclusion@#Unemployment and living in non-capital areas were associated with a higher risk of abortive outcomes among pregnancies after ET, even in the setting of universal coverage of IVF-ET. This suggests potential impact of socioeconomic position on the IVF-ET pregnancy.

Effect of oral health behaviors as risk factors for cardio-cerebrovascular diseases / 대한구강보건학회지

Objectives@#Cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death in advanced countries due to their upward-trending incidence rates. Preventing CVDs is imperative to ensure a healthy elderly life and prepare for an aging society. Considering the relationship between oral health and systemic health, effective oral health management will have an important role in preventing CVDs. This study aimed to examine the influence of oral health behaviors as risk factors for CVDs. @*Methods@#A custom database combining data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service and the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2010 to 2017 was analyzed. The study included participants aged 35 or over (n=14,492) with recorded responses on oral health behaviors. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between oral health behaviors and CVDs. @*Results@#The CVDs group was shown to practice inappropriate oral health management. In comparison to the non-CVDs group, the CVDs group showed a significantly higher rate of 8.0% in ‘once or less’ of toothbrushing frequency (P<0.001). Moreover, the percentage of individuals who did not use oral hygiene supplements was 13.8% higher (P<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the ‘use of dental floss and/or interdental brush’ was associated with a 16% lower risk for CVDs (P<0.05). Additionally, ‘twice’ and ‘three or more’ of toothbrushing frequency were associated with a 19% and 23% lower risk for CVDs, respectively (P<0.05). @*Conclusions@#The frequency of daily toothbrushing and the utilization of dental floss or interdental brush were significantly associated with CVDs. Therefore, there is a need to consistently emphasize the relationship between oral health and systemic diseases, along with the importance of oral hygiene management.

Dyslipidemia Fact Sheet in South Korea, 2022

Background@#This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and status of dyslipidemia management among South Korean adults, as performed by the Korean Society of Lipid and Atherosclerosis under the name Dyslipidemia Fact Sheet 2022. @*Methods@#We analyzed the lipid profiles, age-standardized and crude prevalence, management status of hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia, and health behaviors among Korean adults aged ≥20 years, using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data between 2007 and 2020. @*Results@#In South Korea, the crude prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol ≥240 mg/dL or use of a lipid-lowering drug) in 2020 was 24%, and the age-standardized prevalence of hypercholesterolemia more than doubled from 2007 to 2020. The crude treatment rate was 55.2%, and the control rate was 47.7%. The crude prevalence of dyslipidemia—more than one out of three conditions (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥160 or the use of a lipid-lowering drug, triglycerides ≥200, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] [men and women] <40 mg/dL)—was 40.2% between 2016 and 2020. However, it increased to 48.2% when the definition of hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia in women changed from <40 to <50 mg/dL. @*Conclusion@#Although the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia has steadily increased in South Korea, the treatment rate remains low. Therefore, continuous efforts are needed to manage dyslipidemia through cooperation between the national healthcare system, patients, and healthcare providers.

Usefulness of a new polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (PVA-H)-based simulator for endoscopic submucosal dissection training: a pilot study

Background/Aims@#We developed a new endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) simulator and evaluated its efficacy and realism for use training endoscopists. @*Methods@#An ESD simulator was constructed using polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel sheets and compared to a previous ESD simulator. Between March 1, 2020, and December 30, 2021, eight expert endoscopists from three different centers analyzed the procedure-related factors of the simulator. Five trainees performed gastric ESD exercises under the guidance of these experts. @*Results@#Although the two ESD simulators provided overall favorable outcomes in terms of ESD-related factors, the new simulator had several benefits, including better marking of the target lesion’s limits (p<0.001) and overall handling (p<0.001). Trainees tested the usefulness of the new ESD simulator. The complete resection rate improved after 3 ESD training sessions (9 procedures), and the perforation rate decreased after 4 sessions (12 procedures). @*Conclusions@#We have developed a new ESD simulator that can help beginners achieve a high level of technical experience before performing real-time ESD procedures in patients.

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats genotyping of Yersinia pestis in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To learn about the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) genotyping of Yersinia pestis in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (Yushu for short), Qinghai Province, and to explore its genetic characteristics. Methods:In this study, 44 representative strains isolated from local natural plague focus in Yushu from 1963 to 2007 were selected as experimental objects to extract DNA. Primers targeting the three CRISPR loci (YPa, YPb, and YPc) were designed for PCR amplification. The amplified products were sequenced and analyzed to identify the CRISPR spacer, and to determine the CRISPR genotypes and clusters.Results:Twenty-three spacers including 14 of YPa, 6 of YPb and 3 of YPc were observed among 44 strains, of which 2 spacers (a106 and a107) were firstly identified. According to the spacer arrays, the strains were divided into 15 CRISPR genotypes and classified into 6 CRISPR clusters which were Cb4, Cc3', Ca7, Ca7', CaΔ5' and Ca35', respectively. Among them, Ca7 was the most epidemic dominant cluster (34 strains) in Yushu.Conclusion:The CRISPR loci of Yersinia pestis in Yushu have multiple genotypes, high genetic polymorphism, and complex population structure.

Quality of Acute Stroke Care within Emergency Medical Service System in Korea: Proposal for Severe Emergency Medical Center

Background@#Korea recently established 70 emergency medical service areas. However, there are many concerns that medical resources for stroke could not be evenly distributed through the country. We aimed to compare the treatment quality and outcomes of acute stroke among the emergency medical service areas. @*Methods@#This study analyzed the data of 28,800 patients admitted in 248 hospitals which participated in the 8th acute stroke quality assessment by Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Individual hospitals were regrouped into emergency service areas according to the address of the location. Assessment indicators and fatality were compared by the service areas. We defined the appropriate hospital by the performance of intravenous thrombolysis. @*Results@#In seven service areas, there were no hospitals which received more than 10 stroke patients for 6 months. In nine service areas, there were no patients who underwent intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). Among 167 designated emergency medical centers, 50 hospitals (29.9%) responded that IVT was impossible 24 hours a day. There are 97 (39.1%) hospitals that meet the definitions of appropriate hospital. In 23 service areas (32.9%) had no appropriate or feasible hospitals. The fatality of service areas with stroke centers were 6.9% within 30 days and 15.6% within 1 year from stroke onset than those without stroke centers (7.7%, 16.9%, respectively). @*Conclusions@#There was a wide regional gap in the medical resource and the quality of treatments for acute stroke among emergency medical service areas in Korea. The poststroke fatality rate of the service areas which have stroke centers or appropriate hospitals were significantly low.

Discrete-time Survival Analysis of Risk Factors for Early Menarche in Korean Schoolgirls / 예방의학회지

Objectives@#The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of body weight status and sleep duration on the discrete-time hazard of menarche in Korean schoolgirls using multiple-point prospective panel data. @*Methods@#The study included 914 girls in the 2010 Korean Children and Youth Panel Study who were in the elementary first-grader panel from 2010 until 2016. We used a Gompertz regression model to estimate the effects of weight status based on age-specific and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) percentile and sleep duration on an early schoolchild’s conditional probability of menarche during a given time interval using general health condition and annual household income as covariates. @*Results@#Gompertz regression of time to menarche data collected from the Korean Children and Youth Panel Study 2010 suggested that being overweight or sleeping less than the recommended duration was related to an increased hazard of menarche compared to being average weight and sleeping 9 hours to 11 hours, by 1.63 times and 1.38 times, respectively, while other covariates were fixed. In contrast, being underweight was associated with a 66% lower discrete-time hazard of menarche. @*Conclusions@#Weight status based on BMI percentiles and sleep duration in the early school years affect the hazard of menarche.

De Novo Crescentic Glomerulonephritis Following COVID-19 Infection:A Pediatric Case Report

As the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to sweep across the globe, reports of kidney involvement in adult patients infected with COVID-19 have been documented, and recently, cases in the pediatric population have also been reported.This report highlights the case of an 11-year-old boy who developed acute kidney injury presenting as gross hematuria, proteinuria, and hypertension immediately after a COVID-19 infection. A renal biopsy allowed us to diagnose the patient with post-COVID-19 infectionassociated de novo crescentic immune-mediated glomerulonephritis. Oral prednisolone and cyclophosphamide treatments were initiated after methylprednisolone pulse therapy administration. Currently, the patient is receiving medical treatment for five weeks, and his renal function is gradually recovering. Previous studies have suggested that, although quite rare, a variety of kidney complications can occur after COVID-19 infection or vaccination, and it is recommended to monitor renal function through evaluation. Herein, we report a pediatric case of post-COVID-19 infection-associated de novo crescentic immune-mediated glomerulonephritis consistent with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis.

The Need for Joint IRB in Multi-Clinical Trials and Searching for A Systemization Strategy for IRB Review / 의료커뮤니케이션

Purpose@#: Recently, with the development of science and technology and the expansion of research scale, the number of multicenter clinical trials involving more than one institution is increasing. Accordingly, by establishing a standard and computerized system for IRB examination, we intend to present a strategy that can be expected to shorten the examination period and reduce examination costs with an efficient examination system. @*Methods@#: The necessity of joint IRB and regulations for operation were reviewed. The points to be considered for the establishment of the e-IRB system were reviewed. @*Results@#: It confirmed that the need for a joint IRB was clear. Problems and solutions to be solved for the concrete realization of the joint IRB were presented. Functions and interlocking methods for reviewing domestic and foreign regulations and system construction were presented. @*Conclusion@#: Through this paper, it is expected that medical institutions will become aware of the importance and necessity of an efficient and flexible joint IRB in line with the rapidly changing medical industry. In fact, it is expected that it will be able to contribute to understanding the precautions on how to organize and operate a joint IRB.

Use of Coronary CT Angiography as a Screening Tool for Coronary Artery Disease in Asymptomatic Healthy Individuals or Patients

Early detection of potential asymptomatic coronary artery disease is very important, as patients with sudden cardiac death often do not show symptoms such as chest pain or motor dyspnea. Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) has long been unjustified as a screening tool for asymptomatic patients because of the risks posed by radiation exposure. However, there are still various opinions regarding the usefulness of CCTA for screening for coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic healthy individuals or patients. This review investigated the usefulness of coronary artery calcium score and CCTA as screening tests for CAD in asymptomatic healthy individuals or patients through various literature reviews. With the development of CT technology, recent studies have been conducted in asymptomatic CAD patients with a reduced radiation dose of less than 1 mSv. A total of 2.6% of asymptomatic subjects on CCTA found significant CAD over 70%, and it was concluded that screening CCTA for CAD showed prognostic power in predicting the future occurrence of CAD in asymptomatic people. However, after the completion of the current NIH SCOT-HEART 2 study, it may be possible to determine whether CCTA is appropriate as a screening tool for CAD in asymptomatic healthy individuals.