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Background@#/Aim: Abdominal ultrasonography (USG) is recommended as a surveillance test for high-risk groups for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to analyze the current status of the national cancer surveillance program for HCC in South Korea and investigate the effects of patient-, physician-, and machine-related factors on HCC detection sensitivity. @*Methods@#This multicenter retrospective cohort study collected surveillance USG data from the high-risk group for HCC (liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B or C >40 years of age) at eight South Korean tertiary hospitals in 2017. @*Results@#In 2017, 45 experienced hepatologists or radiologists performed 8,512 USG examinations. The physicians had a mean 15.0±8.3 years of experience; more hepatologists (61.4%) than radiologists (38.6%) participated. Each USG scan took a mean 12.2±3.4 minutes. The HCC detection rate by surveillance USG was 0.3% (n=23). Over 27 months of follow-up, an additional 135 patients (0.7%) developed new HCC. The patients were classified into three groups based on timing of HCC diagnosis since the 1st surveillance USG, and no significant intergroup difference in HCC characteristics was noted. HCC detection was significantly associated with patient-related factors, such as old age and advanced fibrosis, but not with physician- or machine-related factors. @*Conclusions@#This is the first study of the current status of USG as a surveillance method for HCC at tertiary hospitals in South Korea. It is necessary to develop quality indicators and quality assessment procedures for USG to improve the detection rate of HCC.
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Background@#Exchange nailing is a standard treatment for femoral shaft nonunion after intramedullary nailing. However, substantial uncertainty and controversy remain regarding the mode of interlocking fixation. This study aimed to compare the success rate and time to union of exchange nailing based on interlocking modes. @*Methods@#We retrospectively analyzed all consecutive patients who underwent exchange nailing for aseptic femoral shaft nonunion between February 2000 and February 2021. Patients who underwent exchange nailing using the dynamically locked mode and statically locked mode constituted the dynamic group and static group, respectively. We compared the success rates of the index surgery and the time to union between the groups and measured the extent of interlocking screw migration on the dynamic oblong hole in the dynamic group. @*Results@#The dynamic group and static group comprised 17 patients and 18 patients, respectively. All patients in the dynamic group achieved bone union, whereas 5 patients in the static group did not and underwent additional intervention. The success rate of the index surgery was significantly higher in the dynamic group than in the static group (100% vs. 72.2%, p = 0.045). Four of the 5 failed unions in the static group achieved bone union after dynamization. The median time to union was significantly shorter in the dynamic group than in the static group (6.0 months [range, 4.0–6.0] vs. 12.0 months [range, 3.7–21.7], p= 0.035). In the dynamic group, 3 of 17 patients exhibited interlocking screw migration ranging from 1.1 to 4.1 mm. @*Conclusions@#Exchange nailing with dynamic mode yields a higher success rate and shorter time to union in aseptic femoral shaft nonunion than that with static mode, without the risk of excessive shortening.
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Background/Aims@#Some management strategies for acute colonic diverticulitis remain controversial in Korean real-world practice because their clinical features differ from those in the West. This study aimed to investigate the opinions of Korean physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of acute diverticulitis. @*Methods@#A web-based survey was conducted among gastroenterologists specializing on treating lower gastrointestinal disorders. The questionnaires concerned overall management strategies for colonic diverticulitis, including diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. @*Results@#In total, 209 gastroenterologists responded to the survey. Less than one-fourth of the respondents (23.6%) answered that left-sided colonic diverticulitis is more likely to be complicated than right-sided colonic diverticulitis. Most respondents agreed that immunocompromised patients with diverticulitis have worse clinical outcomes than immunocompetent patients (71.3%). Computed tomography was the most preferred tool for diagnosing diverticulitis (93.9%). Approximately 89% of the respondents answered that they believed antibiotic treatment is necessary to treat acute uncomplicated diverticulitis. Most respondents (92.6%) agreed that emergency surgery is not required for diverticulitis with an abscess or microperforation without panperitonitis. Further, 94.7% of the respondents agreed that colon cancer screening is necessary in patients aged ≥ 50 years with diverticulitis after they have recovered from acute illness. Many respondents (71.4%) agreed that surgery for recurrent diverticulitis should be individualized. @*Conclusions@#Opinions regarding management strategies for colonic diverticulitis among Korean gastroenterologists were well agreed upon in some areas but did not agree well in other areas. Evidence-based guidelines that meet the practical needs of the Korean population should be developed.
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Recent studies have shown that coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection increased risk of stroke. Significant differences have been identified between the general population and COVID-19 stroke patients. There are unusual patterns of stroke occurred in COVID-19 patient are reported. Pathophysiologic theories about the relationship of COVID-19 infection and stroke are being published. Herein we report a rare case of stroke in a young COVID-19 patient, considered to be the result of vasculitis, and vessel changes that might have been caused by vasospasm based on serial brain imaging follow-up data. And we interpret this case based on pathophysiological characteristics of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
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Background@#A previous national study found that Korean children who were breastfed for at least one year had lesser weight gain, lower protein, calcium, and iron intake relative to calories, and different dietary patterns in the second year of life, compared with children weaned before 12 months of age or those who were never breastfed. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether growth status, dietary and nutrient intake patterns differed by prolonged breastfeeding (PBF) experience even in the third year of life, when weaning is considered complete. @*Methods@#This cross-sectional study was based on the data of children aged 24 to 35 months from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010–2020). Data on anthropometry, dietary behavior, food and nutrient intake, maternal education, and household income were extracted to analyze the association between PBF and growth, dietary and nutrient intake patterns. @*Results@#In the final analysis, 31.6% of the 931 children with a birth weight of ≥ 2.5 kg continued to breastfeed for at least 12 months of age, and their mean breastfeeding (BF) duration was 15.9 months. Children with PBF had significantly less postnatal weight gain than those without (P = 0.006). Regarding food group intake, PBF was significantly associated with lower legume and soy product intake (β [95% confidence interval], −10.688 [−19.314, −2.062], P = 0.015) and higher fruit intake (32.978 [3.349, 62.608], P = 0.029), after adjusting for sex, age in month, total caloric intake, maternal education and household income. Regarding nutrient intake, after adjusting for these variables, PBF had significantly associated with higher dietary fiber (β [95% CI], 1.607 [0.218, 2.996], P = 0.023), iron (0.848 [0.317, 1.380], P = 0.002) and niacin (0.728 [0.222, 1.235], P = 0.005) intake and was significantly associated with lower saturated fatty acid intake (−1.217 [−2.364, −0.071], P = 0.037) and percentage of energy from fat (−1.351 [−2.666, −0.035], P = 0.044). @*Conclusion@#Even in the third year of life, children who have been breastfed for over one year continue to have relatively slow growth. However, they do appear to have better intake of some beneficial nutrients, which may be attributed to healthier dietary intake patterns in children with PBF. The results of this study can be used to support the recommendation of long-term BF for Korean infants and toddlers.
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Background@#International authorities recommend prolonged breastfeeding (PBF) for 12–24 months or more with 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). Based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data, this study attempted to help encourage and educate breastfeeding (BF) over 1 year by investigating long-term BF trends and related factors in Korean infants and their mothers. @*Methods@#This cross-sectional study was based on data on children aged 12–23 months and their mothers from 2010 to 2020. BF rates were compared between KNHANES V (2010– 2012), KNHANES VI (2013–2015), KNHANES VII (2016–2018), and part of KNHANES VIII (2019–2020). In addition, data related to mothers and infants, including demographics, socioeconomic, educational, and health status, were collected, and their association with BF status was analyzed. @*Results@#Of the 933 infants included in the study, the proportions achieving full BF at 6 months of age and PBF at 12 and 18 months were 34.8%, 33.7%, and 7.1%, respectively.Over the past 10 years, the trends of all three BF practices have significantly decreased since 2016 (P < 0.001). Of the 849 infants whose maternal data were available, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that EBF for 6 months (defined as full BF at 1, 3, and 6 months of age) positively correlated with maternal and infants’ factors such as unemployed status, past BF experience, no history of drinking, and infants’ birth weight of ≥ 2.5 kg. The mother’s education level, particularly the nutrition label impact, current employment status, and smoking and drinking status, were significantly associated with PBF for ≥ 12 months but were not related to PBF for ≥ 18 months, except for drinking status. @*Conclusions@#In Korea, the long-term BF rate of ≥ 12 months has declined in the past 10 years, and BF becomes rare after 18 months. Higher maternal interest in nutrition information appears to be driving access to PBF over 12 months than EBF for 6 months or PBF over 18 months. To promote PBF over 12 months in Korea, it may be helpful to strengthen nutrition education that specifically emphasizes the benefits of PBF along with EBF, especially during infant health examinations.
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Background/Aims@#Immunocompromised patients with acute colonic diverticulitis are at high risk for complications and failure of non-surgical treatment. However, evidence on the comparative outcomes of immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients with diverticulitis is lacking. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the outcomes of medical treatment in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients with diverticulitis. @*Methods@#A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Studies comparing the clinical outcomes of immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients with diverticulitis were included. @*Results@#A total of 10 studies with 1,946,461 subjects were included in the quantitative synthesis. The risk of emergency surgery and postoperative mortality after emergency surgery was significantly higher in immunocompromised patients than in immunocompetent patients with diverticulitis (risk ratio [RR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31–2.38 and RR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.70–5.45, respectively). Overall risk of complications associated with diverticulitis was non-significantly higher in immunocompromised than in immunocompetent patients (RR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.95–1.63). Overall mortality irrespective of surgery was significantly higher in immunocompromised than in immunocompetent patients with diverticulitis (RR, 3.65; 95% CI, 1.73–7.69). By contrast, postoperative mortality after elective surgery was not significantly different between immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients with diverticulitis. In subgroup analysis, the risk of emergency surgery and recurrence was significantly higher in immunocompromised patients with complicated diverticulitis, whereas no significant difference was shown in mild disease. @*Conclusions@#Immunocompromised patients with diverticulitis should be given the best medical treatment with multidisciplinary approach because they had increased risks of surgery, postoperative morbidity, and mortality than immunocompetent patients.
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Recently, ex-vivo gene therapy has emerged as a promising approach to enhance the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by introducing functional genes in vitro. Here, we explored the need of using selection markers to increase the gene delivery efficiency and evaluated the potential risks associated with their use in the manufacturing process. We used MSCs/CD that carry the cytosine deaminase gene (CD) as a therapeutic gene and a puromycin resistance gene (PuroR) as a selection marker. We evaluated the correlation between the therapeutic efficacy and the purity of therapeutic MSCs/CD by examining their anti-cancer effect on co-cultured U87/GFP cells. To simulate in vivo horizontal transfer of the PuroR gene in vivo, we generated a puromycin-resistant
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Therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is determined by biodistribution and engraftment in vivo.Compared to intravenous infusion, biodistribution of locally transplanted MSCs are partially understood. Here, we performed a pharmacokinetics (PK) study of MSCs after local transplantation. We grafted human MSCs into the brains of immune-compromised nude mice. Then we extracted genomic DNA from brains, lungs, and livers after transplantation over a month. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction with human Alu-specific primers, we analyzed biodistribution of the transplanted cells. To evaluate the role of residual immune response in the brain, MSCs expressing a cytosine deaminase (MSCs/CD) were used to ablate resident immune cells at the injection site. The majority of the Alu signals mostly remained at the injection site and decreased over a week, finally becoming undetectable after one month. Negligible signals were transiently detected in the lung and liver during the first week. Suppression of Iba1-positive microglia in the vicinity of the injection site using MSCs/CD prolonged the presence of the Alu signals.After local transplantation in xenograft animal models, human MSCs remain predominantly near the injection site for limited time without disseminating to other organs. Transplantation of human MSCs can locally elicit an immune response in immune compromised animals, and suppressing resident immune cells can prolong the presence of transplanted cells. Our study provides valuable insights into the in vivo fate of locally transplanted stem cells and a local delivery is effective to achieve desired dosages for neurological diseases.
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Background/Aims@#To eliminate hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria in 2021, this study investigated the national core indicators representing the current status of viral hepatitis B and C in South Korea. @*Methods@#We analyzed the incidence, linkage-to-care, treatment, and mortality rates of HBV and HCV infection using the integrated nationwide big data of South Korea. @*Results@#According to data from 2018–2020, the incidence of acute HBV infection in South Korea was 0.71 cases per 100,000 population; tthe linkage-to-care rate was only 39.4%. Among those who need hepatitis B treatment, the treatment rate was 67.3%, which was less than 80% reported in the WHO program index. The annual liver-related mortality due to HBV was 18.85 cases per 100,000 population, exceeding the WHO target of four; the most frequent cause of death was liver cancer (54.1%). The annual incidence of newly diagnosed HCV infection was 11.9 cases per 100,000 population, which was higher than the WHO impact target of five. Among HCV-infected patients, the linkage-to-care rate was 65.5% while the treatment rate was 56.8%, which were below the targets of 90% and 80%, respectively. The liver-related annual mortality rate due to HCV infection was 2.02 cases per 100,000 population. @*Conclusions@#Many of the current indicators identified in the Korean population did not satisfy the WHO criteria for validation of viral hepatitis elimination. Hence, a comprehensive national strategy should be urgently developed with continuous monitoring of the targets in South Korea.
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Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral infectious disease that occurs in children under 5 years of age. Its main causes are coxsackievirus (CV) and enterovirus (EV). Since there are no efficient therapeutics for HFMD, vaccines are effective in preventing the disease. To develop broad coverage against CV and EV, the development of a bivalent vaccine form is needed. The Mongolian gerbil is an efficient and suitable animal model of EV71 C4a and CVA16 infection used to investigate vaccine efficacy following direct immunization. In this study, Mongolian gerbils were immunized with a bivalent inactivated EV71 C4a and inactivated CVA16 vaccine to test their effectiveness against viral infection. Bivalent vaccine immunization resulted in increased Ag-specific IgG antibody production; specifically, EV71 C4a-specific IgG was increased with medium and high doses and CVA16-specific IgG was increased with all doses of immunization. When gene expression of T cell-biased cytokines was analysed, Th1, Th2, and Th17 responses were found to be highly activated in the high-dose immunization group. Moreover, bivalent vaccine immunization mitigated paralytic signs and increased the survival rate following lethal viral challenges. When the viral RNA content was determined from various organs, all three doses of bivalent vaccine immunization were found to significantly decrease viral amplification. Upon histologic examination, EV71 C4a and CVA16 induced tissue damage to the heart and muscle. However, bivalent vaccine immunization alleviated this in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the bivalent inactivated EV71 C4a/CVA16 vaccine could be a safe and effective candidate HFMD vaccine.
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Background@#Although the optimal duration of breastfeeding remains unclear, breastfeeding is generally recommended exclusively for the first 6 months of life, which continues into late infancy. However, the awareness regarding the effects of long-term breastfeeding is relatively low compared with that of breastfeeding in early infancy. We aimed to investigate the growth and nutritional characteristics of the children with prolonged breastfeeding (PBF) over 1 year. @*Methods@#This cross-sectional study was based on the data of children aged 12 to 23 months from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010–2020) conducted by the Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Data on anthropometric measurements, dietary behavior, and food and nutrient intake were extracted, and the association between PBF and growth, nutritional status, and dietary patterns were analyzed. @*Results@#Of the 872 children with a birth weight of ≥ 2.5 kg in the final analysis, 34.2% continued breastfeeding over 12 months of age, and their median breastfeeding duration was 14.2 months. Children with PBF were more likely to have lower current body weight (P < 0.001) and weight gain (P < 0.001), lower daily protein (P = 0.012), calcium (P < 0.001), and iron (P < 0.001) intake per calorie compared with children weaned by 12 months of age or those who were never breastfed. Furthermore, they were started on complementary food at 6 months or later rather than 4–5 months (P < 0.001), consumed cow’s milk earlier (P = 0.012), and consumed probiotics as dietary supplements (P < 0.001) significantly less commonly. When comparing the intake of food groups, children with PBF had a significantly higher intake of cereals and grains (P = 0.023) and fruits (P = 0.020) and a significantly lower intake of bean products (P = 0.020) and milk and dairy products (P = 0.003). @*Conclusion@#Korean children who continued breastfeeding over 12 months of age showed distinct characteristics in terms of growth, nutritional status, and dietary patterns in the second year of life compared to children who did not. Long-term additional research on their growth and nutritional status may be needed; however, these findings are significant as important fundamental data for nutritional counseling to establish healthy PBF.
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Purpose@#Esophageal atresia (EA) with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a congenital anomaly that can cause frequent digestive and nutritional problems, even after repair. The most common complication is anastomotic stricture, for which reoperation or balloon dilatation is performed. This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative complications of EA and the role of endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) in cases of anastomotic stricture. @*Methods@#We retrospectively analyzed patients diagnosed with EA with or without TEF between January 2000 and February 2021. Patients’ baseline characteristics, associated anomalies, and postoperative complications were reviewed. @*Results@#Among 26 patients, 14 (53.8%) were male, 12 (46.2%) had coexisting anomalies, and the median follow-up was 6.1 years (range, 1.2–15.7 years). In univariate analysis, prematurity, low birth weight, and long-gap EA were associated with postoperative complications in 12 (46.2%) patients. Among the 10 (38.5%) patients with anastomotic stricture, nine (90.0%) required EBD. Regarding the first EBD, it was performed at a median of 3.3 months (range, 1.2–7.6 months) post-repair, while the average patient weight was 4.6 kg. The mean diameter ranged from 3.3 to 9.1 mm without major complications. In univariate analysis, long-gap EA alone was significantly associated with EBD. @*Conclusion@#Approximately half of the patients experienced complications after EA repair.In particular, patients with a long-gap EA had a significantly increased risk of complications, such as anastomotic strictures. EBD can be safely used, even in infants.
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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the second most common cause of chronic liver disease in South Korea, with a prevalence ranging from 0.6% to 0.8%, and HCV infection incidence increases with age. The anti-HCV antibody test, which is cheaper than the HCV RNA assay, is widely used to screen for HCV infections; however, the underdiagnosis of HCV is a major barrier to the elimination of HCV infections. Although several risk factors have been associated with HCV infections, including intravenous drug use, blood transfusions, and hemodialysis, most patients with HCV infections present with no identifiable risk factors. Universal screening for HCV in adults has been suggested to improve the detection of HCV infections. We reviewed the cost-effectiveness of HCV screening and the methodologies used to perform screening. Recent studies have suggested that universal HCV screening and treatment using direct-acting antivirals represent cost-effective approaches to the prevention and treatment of HCV infection. However, the optimal timing and frequency of HCV screening remain unclear, and further studies are necessary to determine the best approaches for the elimination of HCV infections.
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the novel coronavirus, is threatening global health worldwide with unprecedented contagiousness and severity. The best strategy to overcome COVID-19 is a vaccine. Various vaccines are currently being developed, and mass vaccination is in progress. Despite the very encouraging clinical trial results of these vaccines, there is insufficient information on the safety and efficacy of vaccines for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients facing various issues. After reviewing current evidence and international guidelines, the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases developed an expert consensus statement on COVID-19 vaccination issues for Korean IBD patients. This expert consensus statement emphasizes that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccination be strongly recommended for IBD patients, and it is safe for IBD patients receiving immunomodulatory therapy.
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A diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) can be made after excluding secondary causes. As stenosis of transverse sinuses is often revealed with IIH patients, transverse sinus stenting is used to release intracranial hypertension. It is rare to find a case of leukoencephalopathy secondary to IIH. Herein, we describe a case of diffuse leukoencephalopathy with IIH, which improved after stent insertion in the transverse sinus.
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Background@#and Purpose Ischemic stroke recurs despite the use of antiplatelet agents. Various mechanisms are involved in recurrence due to intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) and extracranial atherosclerosis (ECAS). High-on-aspirin platelet reactivity (HAPR) may differ between recurrent stroke due to ICAS and ECAS. @*Methods@#Patients with recurrent ischemic stroke as a result of large-artery atherosclerosis despite taking aspirin were enrolled consecutively. Ischemic stroke was classified as stroke due to ICAS or ECAS according to the location of the culprit stenosis. An aspirin reaction units (ARU) value of >550 IU was defined as HAPR. HAPR and its associated factors were compared between the two groups and also considering the mechanism of stroke. @*Results@#Among the 190 patients with recurrent stroke (111 with ICAS and 79 with ECAS), 36 (18.3%) showed HAPR. The ARU value was higher in the ECAS than the ICAS group (492± 83 vs. 465±78, mean±standard deviation; p=0.028), as was the proportion of patients with HAPR (27.8% vs. 12.6%, p=0.008). Being male and having stroke due to ECAS (reference = stroke due to ICAS: odds ratio=5.760; 95% confidence interval=2.154–15.403; p<0.001) was independently associated with HAPR. The ARU value differed according to the stroke mechanism, and was highest in those with artery-to-artery embolism. Artery-to-artery embolism was independently associated with HAPR in both the ICAS and ECAS groups. @*Conclusions@#Recurrent stroke due to ECAS was more strongly associated with HAPR and insufficient antiplatelet inhibition than was that due to ICAS. Artery-to-artery embolism was associated with HAPR in recurrent ischemic stroke as a result of ICAS or ECAS.
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The global burden of chronic liver disease (CLD) is substantial. Due to the limited indication of and accessibility to antiviral therapy in viral hepatitis and lack of effective pharmacological treatment in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the beneficial effects of antidiabetics and non–antidiabetics in clinical practice have been continuously investigated in patients with CLD. In this narrative review, we focused on non-antidiabetic drugs, including ursodeoxycholic acid, silymarin, dimethyl4,4’-dimethoxy-5,6,5’,6’-dimethylenedixoybiphenyl-2,2’-dicarboxylate, L-ornithine L-aspartate, branched chain amino acids, statin, probiotics, vitamin E, and aspirin, and summarized their beneficial effects in CLD. Based on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties, and regulatory functions in glucose or lipid metabolism, several non–antidiabetic drugs have shown beneficial effects in improving liver histology, aminotransferase level, and metabolic parameters and reducing risks of hepatocellular carcinoma and mortality, without significant safety concerns, in patients with CLD. Although the effect as the centerpiece management in patients with CLD is not robust, the use of these non-antidiabetic drugs might be potentially beneficial as an adjuvant or combined treatment strategy.
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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has reduced the ability to prevent or control chronic disease due to the concerns about safety in accessing health care. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition requiring long- term sustained treatment, which is difficult in the current panedemic situation. The Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases (KASID) has developed an expert consensus statement on the clinical practice management of adult inflammatory bowel disease during the COVID-19 pandemic. This expert consensus statement is based on guidelines and clinical reports from several countries around the world. It provides recommendations to deal with the risk of COVID-19 and medication use in IBD patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and emphasizes the importance of right treatment approach to avoid worsening of the disease condition in IBD patients.
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the novel coronavirus, is threatening global health worldwide with unprecedented contagiousness and severity. The best strategy to overcome COVID-19 is a vaccine. Various vaccines are currently being developed, and mass vaccination is in progress. Despite the very encouraging clinical trial results of these vaccines, there is insufficient information on the safety and efficacy of vaccines for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients facing various issues. After reviewing current evidence and international guidelines, the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases (KASID) developed an expert consensus statement on COVID-19 vaccination issues for Korean IBD patients. This expert consensus statement emphasizes that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination be strongly recommended for IBD patients, and it is safe for IBD patients receiving immunomodulatory therapy.