Adult dental epithelial stem cell-derived organoids deposit hydroxylapatite biomineral / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

Ameloblasts are specialized cells derived from the dental epithelium that produce enamel, a hierarchically structured tissue comprised of highly elongated hydroxylapatite (OHAp) crystallites. The unique function of the epithelial cells synthesizing crystallites and assembling them in a mechanically robust structure is not fully elucidated yet, partly due to limitations with in vitro experimental models. Herein, we demonstrate the ability to generate mineralizing dental epithelial organoids (DEOs) from adult dental epithelial stem cells (aDESCs) isolated from mouse incisor tissues. DEOs expressed ameloblast markers, could be maintained for more than five months (11 passages) in vitro in media containing modulators of Wnt, Egf, Bmp, Fgf and Notch signaling pathways, and were amenable to cryostorage. When transplanted underneath murine kidney capsules, organoids produced OHAp crystallites similar in composition, size, and shape to mineralized dental tissues, including some enamel-like elongated crystals. DEOs are thus a powerful in vitro model to study mineralization process by dental epithelium, which can pave the way to understanding amelogenesis and developing regenerative therapy of enamel.

Validation and Reliability of the Cataract-related Visual Function Questionnaire (CVFQ)

Purpose@#To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Cataract-related Visual Function Questionnaire (CVFQ). @*Methods@#A prospective cross-sectional study of 141 cataract patients was conducted from March 2022 to June 2022. The questionnaire was created based on a literature review and advice from an expert panel. This study determined its construct validity, criterion validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. @*Results@#The CVFQ consists of 15 items distributed among five categories: overall visual quality, overall visual function, distance vision, near vision, and glare. In the exploratory factor analysis of validity, the first three principal components explained 77.8% of the variance. The p-values in the Spearman correlation test comparing the pre- and postoperative total CVFQ score and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were 0.006 and 0.004, respectively. In the reliability analysis, Cronbach’s alpha was > 0.9 for internal consistency and the p-values of each subcategory were all significant in the analysis of test-retest reliability. @*Conclusions@#Our results indicate that the CVFQ is useful for measuring the visual quality and visual function of cataract patients in Korea.

Migrated coil and damaged stent removal during coil embolization, using an additional, retrievable stent: A case report

One of the common complications that can occur during coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms, is migration of coil lump alone. The removal of these migrated coils has been reported on a few occasions. On the other hand, rare complications would include the migration of the coil with subsequent stent dislocation. Currently, there is no standardized method to correct the complications of stent dislocation, and very few instances of this complication have been reported previously. In this report, we introduce a case of coil migration combined with stent dislocation. This occurred during coil embolization of an unruptured aneurysm of the distal, left internal carotid artery for a 52-year old woman. We retrieved both the damaged stent and migrated coil using another retrievable stent successfully with no more further complications. In the present report, we describe in detail how we corrected the complication successfully stent, and we discuss why this rescue maneuver is reasonable option for the complication mentioned above.

Adverse events of sugammadex that occurred in a Korean population

With increasing use, the incidence of adverse events associated with sugammadex, a neuromuscular blockade reverser, is increasing. This study aimed to identify and analyze cases of adverse events caused by sugammadex reported in Korean population. Methods: Out of a total of 12 cases detected using various keywords in the Korean Journal of Anesthesia, Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (Seoul), KoreaMed, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library-CENTRAL from 2013 to December 2020, 10 cases directly associated with sugammadex were selected. Results: Adverse events included five cases of anaphylaxis, one case of cardiac arrest, one case of profound bradycardia, one case of negative pressure pulmonary edema, and two cases of incomplete recovery. Three patients had American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status ≥ 3, two had emergency surgery, and two had a history of allergic reaction. Neuromuscular monitoring was applied in nine cases. The average dose of sugammadex was 2.87 mg/kg, and there were six cases in which one full vial was used, regardless of the state of neuromuscular recovery. Sugammadex was administered immediately after surgery in two cases, at train of four (TOF) 0 in four cases, at TOF 3 in one case, and after evaluation of the clinical signs only with no neuromuscular monitoring in one case. Conclusions: Even with neuromuscular monitoring, an excessive dose of sugammadex was observed. Given that adverse events tend to occur within 10 min of administration, continuous monitoring is important even after administration.

Regional Comparison of Imaging Biomarkers in the Striatum between Early- and Late-onset Alzheimer’s Disease

Striatal changes in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is not fully understood yet. We compared structural and functional image differences in the striatum between patients with early onset AD (EOAD) and late onset AD (LOAD) to investigate whether EOAD harbors autosomal dominant AD like imaging findings. The clinical, neuropsychological and neuroimaging biomarkers of 77 probable AD patients and 107 elderly subjects with normal cognition (NC) from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)-2 dataset were analyzed. Enrolled each subject completed a 3-Tesla MRI, baseline 18F-FDG-PET, and baseline 18F-AV-45 (Florbetapir) amyloid PET studies. AD patients were divided into two groups based on the onset age of clinical symptoms (EOAD <65 yrs; LOAD ≥65 yrs). A standardized uptake value ratio of the striatum and subcortical structures was obtained from both amyloid and FDG-PET scans. Structural MR imaging analysis was conducted using a parametric boundary description protocol, SPHARM-PDM. Of the 77 AD patients, 18 were EOAD and 59 were LOAD. Except for age of symptom onset, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in demographics and detailed neuropsychological test results. 18F-AV-45 amyloid PET showed marked β-amyloid accumulation in the bilateral caudate nucleus and left pallidum in the EOAD group. Intriguingly, the caudate nucleus and putamen showed maintained glucose metabolism in the EOAD group compared to the LOAD group. Our image findings in the striatum of EOAD patients suggest that sporadic EOAD may share some pathophysiological changes noted in autosomal dominant AD.

Informed consent forms for gynecologic cancer surgery: recommendations from the Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology

The sociomedical environment is changing. In the traditional physician-patient relationship, the physician was authoritative and the patient was obedient. The contractual relationship featured patient consent to the physician’s decision. Today, the physician must explain fully the planned medical treatment, and any alternative, to the patient, who has the right to choose her treatment after considering the benefits and side-effects. The Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology thus decided to standardize the surgical consent forms to meet the legal requirements of modern medicine, improve patient understanding of the surgical details, and protect medical staff from legal disputes. To determine the format and content, subcommittees for each cancer type collected and reviewed all relevant articles and the current consent forms of domestic medical institutions. After several meetings, 16 basic items to be included for each type of gynecologic cancer were selected. Also, to help patients understand the surgical details, figures were included. The revised forms were legally reviewed in terms of the appropriateness of the format and content. We also developed English versions to provide adequate information for foreign patients. We hope that these efforts will promote trust between patients and physicians, and contribute to effective treatment by laying a foundation of mutual respect.

Clinical assessment and management of auricular arteriovenous malformation: retrospective study

Background@#Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) which is a high-blood-flow lesion with connections between arteries and veins without an intervening capillary bed, is difficult to manage. The ear is the second most common site of extracranial AVM. However, studies regarding the management of this condition remain lacking. The purpose of this study was to share managing experiences in our center and to investigate the treatment effect through a retrospective analysis of cases. @*Methods@#Among 265 patients with AVM treated in our vascular anomalies center between January 2008 and January 2021, 10 patients with auricular AVM were included in the study to investigate the lesion distribution, clinical stage, and treatment methods by performing a retrospective evaluation. @*Results@#Among 10 patients, five patients had AVMs distributed in the upper half of the ear, one patient in the lower half of the ear, and four patients in whole ear, respectively. Seven patients had Schobinger stage II, and three had stage III. One patient received surgical treatment only, four patients received sclerotherapy only, and five patients received both surgical treatment and sclerotherapy. The posttreatment status was checked as controlled in two patients, improved in seven patients, persistent in one patient. There were no worsening patients. @*Conclusion@#Auricular AVM is a disease that is difficult to manage by one specific department, thus requiring a collaborative management effort from multidisciplinary team.

Comparisons of survival outcomes between bevacizumab and olaparib in BRCA-mutated, platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer: a Korean Gynecologic Oncology Group study (KGOG 3052) / 부인종양

Objective@#To compare survival outcomes between bevacizumab (BEV) and olaparib (OLA) maintenance therapy in BRCA-mutated, platinum-sensitive relapsed (PSR) high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). @*Methods@#From 10 institutions, we identified HGSOC patients with germline and/or somatic BRCA1/2 mutations, who experienced platinum-sensitive recurrence between 2013 and 2019, and received second-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients were divided into BEV (n=29), OLA (n=83), and non-BEVon-OLA users (n=36). The OLA and non-BEVon-OLA users were grouped as the OLA intent group. We conducted 1:2 nearest neighbor-matching between the BEV and OLA intent groups, setting the proportion of OLA users in the OLA intent group from 65% to 100% at 5% intervals, and compared survival outcomes among the matched groups. @*Results@#Overall, OLA users showed significantly better progression-free survival (PFS) than BEV users (median, 23.8 vs. 17.4 months; p=0.004). Before matching, PFS improved in the OLA intent group but marginal statistical significance (p=0.057). After matching, multivariate analyses adjusting confounders identified intention-to-treat OLA as an independent favorable prognostic factor for PFS in the OLA 65P (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]=0.505; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.280−0.911; p=0.023) to OLA 100P (aHR=0.348; 95% CI=0.184−0.658; p=0.001) datasets. The aHR of intention-to-treat OLA for recurrence decreased with increasing proportions of OLA users. No differences in overall survival were observed between the BEV and OLA intent groups, and between the BEV and OLA users. @*Conclusion@#Compared to BEV, intention-to-treat OLA and actual use of OLA maintenance therapy were significantly associated with decreased disease recurrence risk in patients with BRCA-mutated, PSR HGSOC.

Endovascular management of cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas: Overall review and considerations

Cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas (CSDAVFs) are arteriovenous shunts between small dural branches arising from the external and/or internal carotid arteries and the cavernous sinus (CS). And now a days, endovascular treatment is the treatment of choice in CSDAVF. We review the anatomy and classifications of CSDAVFs, discussing and detailing these considerations in the treatment of CSDAVFs, theoretically and in the light of recent literatures.

Long-Term Glycaemic Durability of Early Combination Therapy Strategy versus Metformin Monotherapy in Korean Patients with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

We assessed the glycaemic durability with early combination (EC; vildagliptin+metformin [MET], n=22) versus MET monotherapy (n=17), among newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) enrolled (between 2012 and 2014) in the VERIFY study from Korea (n=39). Primary endpoint was time to initial treatment failure (TF) (glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c] ≥7.0% at two consecutive scheduled visits after randomization [end of period 1]). Time to second TF was assessed when both groups were receiving and failing on the combination (end of period 2). With EC the risk of initial TF significantly reduced by 78% compared to MET (n=3 [15%] vs. n=10 [58.7%], P=0.0228). No secondary TF occurred in EC group versus five patients (29.4%) in MET. Patients receiving EC treatment achieved consistently lower HbA1c levels. Both treatment approaches were well tolerated with no hypoglycaemic events. In Korean patients with newly diagnosed T2DM, EC treatment significantly and consistently improved the long-term glycaemic durability as compared with MET.

The effects of surgical treatment and sclerotherapy for intramuscular venous malformations: a comparative clinical study

Background@#Venous malformations (VMs) are the most common type of vascular malformations. Intramuscular venous malformations (IMVMs) are lesions involving the muscles, excluding intramuscular hemangiomas. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between patients with IMVMs who were treated with sclerotherapy and those who were treated with surgical excision. @*Methods@#Of 492 patients with VMs treated between July 2011 and August 2020 at a single medical center for vascular anomalies, 63 patients diagnosed with IMVM were retrospectively reviewed. Pain, movement limitations, swelling, and quality of life (QOL) were evaluated subjectively, while radiological outcomes were assessed by qualified radiologists at the center. Complication rates were also evaluated, and radiological and clinical examinations were used to determine which treatment group (sclerotherapy or surgical excision) exhibited greater improvement. @*Results@#Although there were no significant differences in pain (P=0.471), swelling (P=0.322), or the occurrence of complications (P=0.206) between the two treatment groups, the surgical treatment group exhibited significantly better outcomes with regard to movement limitations (P=0.010), QOL (P=0.013), and radiological outcomes (P=0.017). Moreover, both duplex ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging showed greater improvements in clinical outcomes in the surgical excision group than in the sclerotherapy group. @*Conclusions@#Although several studies have examined IMVM treatment methods, no clear guidelines for treatment selection have been developed. Based on the results of this study, surgical excision is strongly encouraged for the treatment of IMVMs.

Effectiveness and Safety of Two Different Formulations of Oral Propranolol Treatment for 375 Cases of Infantile Hemangioma: A Korean Single-center Experience / 대한피부과학회지

Background@#Oral propranolol has recently been introduced as a successful treatment for infantile hemangioma (IH).Though, there are limited reports on this treatment including large number of Korean patients with IH covering a long-term powder and solution formulation period. @*Objective@#We investigated the effectiveness and side effects of two different formulations of oral propranolol treatment in patients with IH at a Korean tertiary university hospital. @*Methods@#From June 2011 to October 2019, 375 patients were treated with powder- or solution-type oral propranolol starting at 1 mg/kg/day and increasing up to 3 mg/kg/day. Drug effectiveness was evaluated on four scales through sequential photographs by two dermatologists. Side effects were recorded on a medical chart. @*Results@#Overall, the mean improvement scale was 2.61±0.73 at 3 months after treatment initiation. The scale was higher for solution-type than for powder-type oral propranolol at the 3-month follow-up (2.71±0.79 vs. 2.54±0.67, p＜0.05). The patients’ mean duration of treatment was 8.56±5.85 months, which was shorter for solution-type than for powder-type oral propranolol (6.0 vs. 10.69 months, p＜0.05). Among the total number of patients, 22 reported mild side effects, including loose stools and noticeable sleep disturbance, and few serious side effects such as grunting, while two patients required medical intervention. @*Conclusion@#The patients in our study were effectively treated for IH with oral propranolol without significant side effects and had a shorter treatment duration with solution-type oral propranolol than with powder-type oral propranolol.

Effects of Smoking on Long-Term Clinical Outcomes and Lung Cancer in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background and Objectives@#Smoking is well-established as a risk factor for coronary artery disease. However, recent studies demonstrated favorable results, including reduced mortality, among smokers, which are referred to as the “smoker's paradox”. This study examined the impact of smoking on clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). @*Methods@#Patients with AMI undergoing PCI between 2004 and 2014 were enrolled and classified according to smoking status. The primary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and revascularization. @*Results@#Among the 10,683 patients, 4,352 (40.7%) were current smokers. Smokers were 10.7 years younger and less likely to have comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, stroke, and prior PCI. Smokers had less MACE (hazard ratio [HR], 0.644; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.594–0.698; p<0.001) and cardiac death (HR, 0.494; 95% CI, 0.443–0.551; p<0.001) compared to nonsmokers during the 5 years in an unadjusted model. However, after propensity-score matching, smokers showed higher risk of MACE (HR, 1.125; 95% CI, 1.009–1.254; p=0.034) and cardiac death (HR, 1.190; 95% CI, 1.026–1.381; p=0.022). Smoking was a strong independent predictor of lung cancer (propensityscore matched HR, 2.749; 95% CI, 1.416–5.338; p=0.003). @*Conclusions@#In contrast to the unadjusted model, smoking is associated with worse cardiovascular outcome and higher incidence of lung cancer after adjustment of various confounding factors. This result can be explained by the characteristics of smokers, which were young and had fewer comorbidities.

Clinical assessment and management of auricular arteriovenous malformation: retrospective study

Background@#Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) which is a high-blood-flow lesion with connections between arteries and veins without an intervening capillary bed, is difficult to manage. The ear is the second most common site of extracranial AVM. However, studies regarding the management of this condition remain lacking. The purpose of this study was to share managing experiences in our center and to investigate the treatment effect through a retrospective analysis of cases. @*Methods@#Among 265 patients with AVM treated in our vascular anomalies center between January 2008 and January 2021, 10 patients with auricular AVM were included in the study to investigate the lesion distribution, clinical stage, and treatment methods by performing a retrospective evaluation. @*Results@#Among 10 patients, five patients had AVMs distributed in the upper half of the ear, one patient in the lower half of the ear, and four patients in whole ear, respectively. Seven patients had Schobinger stage II, and three had stage III. One patient received surgical treatment only, four patients received sclerotherapy only, and five patients received both surgical treatment and sclerotherapy. The posttreatment status was checked as controlled in two patients, improved in seven patients, persistent in one patient. There were no worsening patients. @*Conclusion@#Auricular AVM is a disease that is difficult to manage by one specific department, thus requiring a collaborative management effort from multidisciplinary team.

Effectiveness and Safety of Two Different Formulations of Oral Propranolol Treatment for 375 Cases of Infantile Hemangioma: A Korean Single-center Experience / 대한피부과학회지

Background@#Oral propranolol has recently been introduced as a successful treatment for infantile hemangioma (IH).Though, there are limited reports on this treatment including large number of Korean patients with IH covering a long-term powder and solution formulation period. @*Objective@#We investigated the effectiveness and side effects of two different formulations of oral propranolol treatment in patients with IH at a Korean tertiary university hospital. @*Methods@#From June 2011 to October 2019, 375 patients were treated with powder- or solution-type oral propranolol starting at 1 mg/kg/day and increasing up to 3 mg/kg/day. Drug effectiveness was evaluated on four scales through sequential photographs by two dermatologists. Side effects were recorded on a medical chart. @*Results@#Overall, the mean improvement scale was 2.61±0.73 at 3 months after treatment initiation. The scale was higher for solution-type than for powder-type oral propranolol at the 3-month follow-up (2.71±0.79 vs. 2.54±0.67, p＜0.05). The patients’ mean duration of treatment was 8.56±5.85 months, which was shorter for solution-type than for powder-type oral propranolol (6.0 vs. 10.69 months, p＜0.05). Among the total number of patients, 22 reported mild side effects, including loose stools and noticeable sleep disturbance, and few serious side effects such as grunting, while two patients required medical intervention. @*Conclusion@#The patients in our study were effectively treated for IH with oral propranolol without significant side effects and had a shorter treatment duration with solution-type oral propranolol than with powder-type oral propranolol.

Effects of Smoking on Long-Term Clinical Outcomes and Lung Cancer in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background and Objectives@#Smoking is well-established as a risk factor for coronary artery disease. However, recent studies demonstrated favorable results, including reduced mortality, among smokers, which are referred to as the “smoker's paradox”. This study examined the impact of smoking on clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). @*Methods@#Patients with AMI undergoing PCI between 2004 and 2014 were enrolled and classified according to smoking status. The primary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and revascularization. @*Results@#Among the 10,683 patients, 4,352 (40.7%) were current smokers. Smokers were 10.7 years younger and less likely to have comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, stroke, and prior PCI. Smokers had less MACE (hazard ratio [HR], 0.644; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.594–0.698; p<0.001) and cardiac death (HR, 0.494; 95% CI, 0.443–0.551; p<0.001) compared to nonsmokers during the 5 years in an unadjusted model. However, after propensity-score matching, smokers showed higher risk of MACE (HR, 1.125; 95% CI, 1.009–1.254; p=0.034) and cardiac death (HR, 1.190; 95% CI, 1.026–1.381; p=0.022). Smoking was a strong independent predictor of lung cancer (propensityscore matched HR, 2.749; 95% CI, 1.416–5.338; p=0.003). @*Conclusions@#In contrast to the unadjusted model, smoking is associated with worse cardiovascular outcome and higher incidence of lung cancer after adjustment of various confounding factors. This result can be explained by the characteristics of smokers, which were young and had fewer comorbidities.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Insulin Detemir Administered Once Daily According to Two Titration Algorithms (3-0-3 and 2-4-6-8) in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to compare glycaemic control with insulin detemir administered according to two titration algorithms (3-0-3 and 2-4-6-8) after 20 weeks of treatment in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled on metformin.METHODS: This was a 20-week, randomised, multicentre, open-labelled, treat-to-target trial. Forty-six patients were randomised in a 1:1 manner to either the 3-0-3 (G3, n=23) or 2-4-6-8 (G2, n=23) algorithm. The primary endpoint was change of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and the secondary safety endpoint included hypoglycaemic events.RESULTS: After 20 weeks, HbA1c decreased similarly in the G3 and G2 groups, with a mean change of −0.9% from baseline. The mean change in fasting plasma glucose was numerically similar in both groups. The hypoglycaemia event rate per 100-patient-years of exposure (r) in the G2 group (r=1,427) was higher than that in the G3 group (r=807).CONCLUSION: Both treatment groups had numerically similar HbA1c reductions. A trend towards fewer hypoglycaemia episodes after dose stabilisation was seen with the simpler G3. Clinically, this may be an important observation, as a simpler titration algorithm may support self-management and maintenance of insulin therapy.

Clinical Characteristics of Chronic Cough in Korea / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND@#Chronic cough is defined as a cough lasting more than 8 weeks and socio-economic burden of chronic cough is enormous. The characteristics of chronic cough in Korea are not well understood. The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (KATRD) published guidelines on cough management in 2014. The current study evaluated the clinical characteristics of chronic cough in Korea and the efficacy of the KATRD guidelines.@*METHODS@#This was a multi-center, retrospective observational study conducted in Korea. The participants were over 18 years of age. They had coughs lasting more than 8 weeks. Subjects with current pulmonary diseases, smokers, ex-smokers with more than 10 pack-years or who quit within the past 1 year, pregnant women, and users of cough-inducing medications were excluded. Evaluation and management of cough followed the KATRD cough-management guidelines.@*RESULTS@#Participants with chronic cough in Korea showed age in the late forties and cough duration of more than 1 year. Upper airway cough syndrome was the most common cause of cough, followed by cough-variant asthma (CVA). Gastro-esophageal reflux diseases and eosinophilic bronchitis were less frequently observed. Following the KATRD cough-management guidelines, 91.2% of the subjects improved after 4 weeks of treatment. Responders were younger, had a longer duration of cough, and an initial impression of CVA. In univariate and multivariate analyses, an initial impression of CVA was the only factor related to better treatment response.@*CONCLUSION@#The causes of chronic cough in Korea differed from those reported in other countries. The current Korean guidelines proved efficient for treating Korean patients with chronic cough.

Clinical Characteristics of Chronic Cough in Korea / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND@#Chronic cough is defined as a cough lasting more than 8 weeks and socio-economic burden of chronic cough is enormous. The characteristics of chronic cough in Korea are not well understood. The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (KATRD) published guidelines on cough management in 2014. The current study evaluated the clinical characteristics of chronic cough in Korea and the efficacy of the KATRD guidelines.@*METHODS@#This was a multi-center, retrospective observational study conducted in Korea. The participants were over 18 years of age. They had coughs lasting more than 8 weeks. Subjects with current pulmonary diseases, smokers, ex-smokers with more than 10 pack-years or who quit within the past 1 year, pregnant women, and users of cough-inducing medications were excluded. Evaluation and management of cough followed the KATRD cough-management guidelines.@*RESULTS@#Participants with chronic cough in Korea showed age in the late forties and cough duration of more than 1 year. Upper airway cough syndrome was the most common cause of cough, followed by cough-variant asthma (CVA). Gastro-esophageal reflux diseases and eosinophilic bronchitis were less frequently observed. Following the KATRD cough-management guidelines, 91.2% of the subjects improved after 4 weeks of treatment. Responders were younger, had a longer duration of cough, and an initial impression of CVA. In univariate and multivariate analyses, an initial impression of CVA was the only factor related to better treatment response.@*CONCLUSION@#The causes of chronic cough in Korea differed from those reported in other countries. The current Korean guidelines proved efficient for treating Korean patients with chronic cough.

Causes, Risk Factors, and Clinical Outcomes of Stroke in Korean Young Adults: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is Associated with Unfavorable Outcomes

Background@#and Purpose: The incidence of ischemic stroke (IS) in young adults is increasing, and the associated large socioeconomic impact makes understanding IS in young adults important. We investigated the causes of and risk factors for IS in young adults, and their impact on outcomes. @*Methods@#The Stroke in Korean Young Adults (SKY) study is a standardized multicenter prospective study involving eight medical centers of the Republic of Korea. First-ever IS patients aged 18 years to 44 years were prospectively included in this study within 7 days of stroke onset.Their outcomes at 3 months were analyzed. @*Results@#This study enrolled 270 patients from April 2014 to December 2018, most (67.8%) of whom were male. About 41.5% of the patients had one or more vascular risk factors from among hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. However, only half of them had received regular treatment. Arterial dissection was more common in males, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Moyamoya disease were more common in females. The outcome was favorable (modified Rankin Scale score of 0 or 1) in 81.9% of the patients at 3 months after stroke onset. More severe initial symptoms, higher initial glucose level, and SLE as a comorbidity were associated with unfavorable outcomes. @*Conclusions@#Young adult IS patients in Korea exhibit low awareness and poor management of their risk factors. Although the short-term outcome was relatively favorable in those patients, having SLE was associated with unfavorable outcomes. More attention needs to be paid for improving awareness and controlling risk factors in this population.