Status and trends in epidemiologic characteristics of diabetic end-stage renal disease: an analysis of the 2021 Korean Renal Data System

Korean Renal Data System (KORDS) is a nationwide end-stage renal disease (ESRD) registry database operated by the Korean Society of Nephrology (KSN). Diabetes mellitus is currently the leading cause of ESRD in Korea; this article provides an update on the trends and characteristics of diabetic ESRD patients. The KORDS Committee of KSN collects data on dialysis centers and patients through an online registry program. Here, we analyzed the status and trends in characteristics of diabetic chronic kidney disease stage 5D (CKD 5D) patients using data from 2001 to 2021. In 2021, the dialysis adequacy of hemodialysis (HD) was lower in diabetic CKD 5D patients than in nondiabetic CKD 5D patients, while that of peritoneal dialysis (PD) was similar. Diabetic CKD 5D patients had a higher proportion of cardiac and vascular diseases and were more frequently admitted to hospitals than nondiabetic CKD 5D patients, and the leading cause of death was cardiac disease. From 2001 to 2020, diabetic CKD 5D patients had a higher mortality rate than nondiabetic CKD 5D patients, but in 2021 this trend was reversed. Diabetic PD patients had the highest mortality rate over 20 years. The mortality rate of diabetic HD patients was higher than that of nondiabetic HD patients until 2019 but became lower starting in 2020. There was a decreasing trend in mortality rate in diabetic CKD 5D patients, but cardiac and vascular diseases were still prevalent in diabetic CKD 5D patients with frequent admissions to hospitals. More specialized care is needed to improve the clinical outcomes of diabetic CKD 5D patients.

Trends in clinical outcomes of older hemodialysis patients: data from the 2023 Korean Renal Data System (KORDS)

With an increasing aging population, the mean age of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is globally increasing. However, the current clinical status of elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) is rarely reported in Korea. The current study analyzed the clinical features and trends of older patients undergoing HD from the Korean Renal Data System (KORDS) database. The patients were divided into three groups according to age: <65 years (the young group), n = 50,591 (35.9%); 65–74 years (the younger-old group), n = 37,525 (26.6%); and ≥75 years (the older-old group), n = 52,856 (37.5%). The proportion of older-old group undergoing HD significantly increased in incidence and decreased in prevalence from 2013 to 2022. The median levels of hemoglobin, serum creatinine, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, and intact parathyroid hormone significantly decreased in the older-old group. The proportions of arteriovenous fistula creation and left forearm placement showed decreased trends with age. Although the utilization of low surface area dialyzers increased with age, the dialysis adequacy, including urea reduction ratio and Kt/V was within acceptable range in the older-old group on HD. Over the past 20 years, the mortality rate in the older-old group has increased, with cardiovascular diseases decreasing and infectious diseases increasing. The incidence of elderly patients undergoing HD has increased over time, but the high mortality of the older-old group needs to be solved. Therefore, it is imperative to develop holistic strategies based on age and individual needs for patients with ESKD.

Recent advances in microbial production of medium chain fatty acid from renewable carbon resources: A comprehensive review.

Microbial production of medium chain length fatty acids (MCFAs) from renewable resources is becoming increasingly important in establishing a sustainable and clean chemical industry. This review comprehensively summarizes current advances in microbial MCFA production from renewable resources. Detailed information is provided on two major MCFA production pathways using various renewable resources and other auxiliary pathways supporting MCFA production to help understand the fundamentals of bio-based MCFA production. In addition, conventional and well-studied MCFA producers are classified into two categories, natural and synthetic producers, and their characteristics on MCFA production are outlined. Moreover, various engineering strategies employed to achieve the highest MCFAs production up to date are showcased together with key enzymes suggested for MCFA overproduction. Finally, future challenges and perspectives are discussed towards more efficient production of bio-based MCFA production.

Targeted temperature management in brain edema

Targeted temperature management is a treatment strategy to lower core body temperature to achieve neuroprotection or reduce elevated intracranial pressure. Therefore, it has been increasingly used in the neurointensive care unit to manage various types of acute neurologic injuries.Current Concepts: Targeted temperature management can be divided into three distinct phases, including induction, maintenance, and rewarming, and each phase has risks and predictable complications. In patients with acute neurocritical illnesses, including traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracranial hemorrhage, and ischemic stroke, brain edema is a potentially life-threatening complication as it raises the intracranial pressure, leading to brain herniation and permanent neurological damage. In this sense, targeted temperature management can be considered the final strategy for medical treatment for controlling an intracranial pressure crisis in patients with severe brain injury.Discussion and Conclusion: In the neurointensive care unit, applying targeted temperature management to patients with severe brain injuries may be challenging. Targeted temperature management in critically ill neurological patients is associated with an increased risk of systemic complications, as hypothermia is prolonged, requiring a comprehensive patient-by-patient assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of treatment. Except for cerebral pressure management, analyses of targeted temperature management in patients with traumatic brain injury and subarachnoid hemorrhage remain controversial regarding its effect on prognosis. Targeted temperature management should be reserved for selective patients, and further studies are needed to improve the efficacy of hypothermia for individual conditions, including intracerebral hemorrhage and ischemic stroke.

Incretin and Pancreatic β-Cell Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

To maintain normal glucose homeostasis after a meal, it is essential to secrete an adequate amount of insulin from pancreatic β-cells. However, if pancreatic β-cells solely depended on the blood glucose level for insulin secretion, a surge in blood glucose levels would be inevitable after the ingestion of a large amount of carbohydrates. To avoid a deluge of glucose in the bloodstream after a large carbohydrate- rich meal, enteroendocrine cells detect the amount of nutrient absorption from the gut lumen and secrete incretin hormones at scale. Since insulin secretion in response to incretin hormones occurs only in a hyperglycemic milieu, pancreatic β-cells can secrete a “Goldilocks” amount of insulin (i.e., not too much and not too little) to keep the blood glucose level in the normal range. In this regard, pancreatic β-cell sensitivity to glucose and incretin hormones is crucial for maintaining normal glucose homeostasis. In this Namgok lecture 2022, we review the effects of current anti-diabetic medications on pancreatic β-cell sensitivity to glucose and incretin hormones.

Status of the Newborn Hearing Screening in the 4-Months Age National Infant Health Checkup in Korea: A Nationwide PopulationBased Study

Background@#The aims of this study are to review data on 4-months age National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children (NHSPIC) using a National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database, and to analyze the newborn hearing screening (NHS) results and related characteristics of the 4-months NHSPIC for 7 years in South Korea. @*Methods@#We analyzed a NHIS database of infants who had participated in the 4-month age NHSPIC from 2010 to 2016. According to the results of hearing questionnaires and physical examination, we analyzed the outcomes of NHS and related infantile and socioeconomic factors. @*Results@#Among 3,128,924 of total eligible infants in Korea between the year 2010 and 2016, 69.2% (2,164,621 infants) conducted 4-months age NHSPIC, and 94.4% (2,042,577 infants) of which performed hearing questionnaires regarding NHS. Among the total hearing examinees, premature infants accounted for 3.6%, infants who were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for more than 5 days accounted for 5.6%, and infants with head and neck abnormalities were 0.6%. The NHS performing rate was 79.1% for total hearing examinees in 2010, but gradually increased to 88.9% in 2016. The NHS performing rate in 2016 was 93.4% for premature infants, 91.7% for NICU hospitalized babies. The mean referral rate was 0.6% for total hearing examinees, 1.4% for premature infants, and 2.3% for NICU hospitalized babies. When we analyzed the NHS performing rate and the referral rate according to the household income level, the NHS performing rate of infants in Medical Aid programs was the lowest as 65.6%, and the NHS performing rates in other five levels of NHIS was higher ranging between 85.1% to 86.0%. The referral rate of infants in the Medical Aid program (3.8%) was significantly higher than those of infants in other classes (1.10–1.25%). @*Conclusion@#The estimated overall NHS performing rate in Korea gradually increased and was 88.9% in 2016. The overall referral rate was low as 0.6%, and it was significantly different depending on the infant’s health condition and household income levels. We assume that our finding would help to establish policies managing hearing impaired children, and to develop the customized hearing care service programs considering the household economic levels.

Explanatory Power and Prognostic Implications of Factors Associated with Troponin Elevation in Acute Ischemic Stroke / 대한뇌졸중학회지

Background@#and Purpose We investigated the impact of comorbidity burden on troponin elevation, with separate consideration of neurological conditions, in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). @*Methods@#This prospective, observational cohort study consecutively enrolled patients with AIS for 2 years. Serum cardiac troponin I was repeatedly measured, and disease-related biomarkers were collected for diagnosis of preassigned comorbidities, including atrial fibrillation (AF), ischemic heart disease (IHD), myocardial hypertrophy (MH), heart failure (HF), renal insufficiency (RI), and active cancer. The severity of neurological deficits and insular cortical ischemic lesions were assessed as neurological conditions. Adjusted associations between these factors and troponin elevation were determined using a multivariate ordinal logistic regression model and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the prognostic significance of comorbidity beyond neurological conditions. @*Results@#Among 1,092 patients (66.5±12.4 years, 63.3% male), 145 (13.3%) and 335 (30.7%) had elevated (≥0.040 ng/mL) and minimally-elevated (0.040–0.010 ng/mL) troponin, respectively. In the adjusted analysis, AF, MH, HF, RI, active cancer, and neurological deficits were associated with troponin elevation. The multivariate model with six comorbidities and two neurological conditions exhibited an AUC of 0.729 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.698–0.759). In Cox regression, AF, IHD, and HF were associated with adverse cardio-cerebrovascular events, whereas HF and active cancer were associated with mortality. @*Conclusion@#Troponin elevation in patients with AIS can be explained by the burden of comorbidities in combination with neurological status, which explains the prognostic significance of troponin assay.

2023 Korean Thyroid Association Management Guidelines for Patients with Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), characterized by elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and normal free thyroxine levels, usually presents without symptoms, and is often discovered incidentally during routine blood test. The Task Force of the Korean Thyroid Association Committee of Clinical Practice Guidelines has established a guideline to evaluate and manage SCH; the guideline emphasizes the implementation of diagnostic criteria based on the TSH reference range for Koreans and focuses on the proven health benefits of levothyroxine (LT4) treatment. Based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2015), serum TSH level of 6.8 mIU/L is considered the reference value for SCH. SCH can be categorized as mild (TSH 6.8-10.0 mIU/L) or severe (TSH ＞10.0 mIU/L), and patients are classified as adults (age ＜70 years) or elderly patients (age ≥70years) depending on the health effects of LT4 treatment. An initial increase in serum TSH levels should be reassessed with a subsequent measurement, along with the thyroid peroxidase antibody test, preferably 2-3 months after the initial evaluation. Usually, LT4 treatment is not recommended for mild SCH in adults; however, treatment is necessary for severe SCH in patients with underlying coronary artery disease or heart failure and can be considered for coexisting dyslipidemia. LT4 treatment is not recommended for mild or even severe SCH in elderly patients, in general. Patients with SCH who receive LT4 treatment, the LT4 dosage should be personalized, and serum TSH levels should be monitored to ensure optimal LT4 dosage (dosage that is neither excessive nor insufficient). Patients with SCH who do not receive LT4 treatment require periodic follow-up at appropriate testing intervals determined by disease severity. The guideline also provides several educational points applicable in clinical settings.

Efficacy and Safety of Self-Titration Algorithms of Insulin Glargine 300 units/mL in Individuals with Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (The Korean TITRATION Study): A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background@#To compare the efficacy and safety of two insulin self-titration algorithms, Implementing New Strategies with Insulin Glargine for Hyperglycemia Treatment (INSIGHT) and EDITION, for insulin glargine 300 units/mL (Gla-300) in Korean individuals with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). @*Methods@#In a 12-week, randomized, open-label trial, individuals with uncontrolled T2DM requiring basal insulin were randomized to either the INSIGHT (adjusted by 1 unit/day) or EDITION (adjusted by 3 units/week) algorithm to achieve a fasting self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in the range of 4.4 to 5.6 mmol/L. The primary outcome was the proportion of individuals achieving a fasting SMBG ≤5.6 mmol/L without noct urnal hypoglycemia at week 12. @*Results@#Of 129 individuals (age, 64.1±9.5 years; 66 [51.2%] women), 65 and 64 were randomized to the INSIGHT and EDITION algorithms, respectively. The primary outcome of achievement was comparable between the two groups (24.6% vs. 23.4%, P=0.876). Compared with the EDITION group, the INSIGHT group had a greater reduction in 7-point SMBG but a similar decrease in fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin. The increment of total daily insulin dose was significantly higher in the INSIGHT group than in the EDITION group (between-group difference: 5.8±2.7 units/day, P=0.033). However, body weight was significantly increased only in the EDITION group (0.6±2.4 kg, P=0.038). There was no difference in the occurrence of hypoglycemia between the two groups. Patient satisfaction was significantly increased in the INSIGHT group (P=0.014). @*Conclusion@#The self-titration of Gla-300 using the INSIGHT algorithm was effective and safe compared with that using the EDITION algorithm in Korean individuals with uncontrolled T2DM (ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT03406663).

Diagnostic Validity of Auditory Brainstem Response for the Initial Screening of Vestibular Schwannoma

Background and Objectives@#To investigate the diagnostic validity of auditory brainstem response (ABR) in the screening of vestibular schwannoma (VS). @*Subjects and Methods@#Forty patients diagnosed with VS using magnetic resonance imaging who had undergone ABR before treatment between 2005 and 2015 were included. ABR results were considered positive when findings met at least one of the following criteria: 1) absent evoked response, 2) desynchronization of waves other than wave I, 3) interpeak latency (IPL) between waves I and III >2.5 ms, 4) IPL between waves I and V >4.4 ms, 5) wave V interaural latency difference >0.2 ms, and 6) interaural difference in IPL between waves I and V >0.2 ms. @*Results@#The overall sensitivity of ABR was 85.0%. For tumors measuring 10 mm. The sensitivity of tumors confined to the internal acoustic canal was 73.3% compared with 100.0% for tumors confined to the cerebellopontine angle. In patients with serviceable hearing, the mean tumor size was 7.8±2.9 mm in patients with a normal ABR and 15.1±9.4 mm in patients with an abnormal ABR, indicating a significant difference (p10 mm in patients with serviceable hearing, supporting the need for further active diagnostic and treatment modalities in clinical practice.

Outcome-Based Decision-Making Algorithm for Treating Patients with Primary Aldosteronism

Background@#Optimal management of primary aldosteronism (PA) is crucial due to the increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is the gold standard method for determining subtype but is technically challenging and invasive. Some PA patients do not benefit clinically from surgery. We sought to develop an algorithm to improve decision- making before engaging in AVS and surgery in clinical practice. @*Methods@#We conducted the ongoing Korean Primary Aldosteronism Study at two tertiary centers. Study A involved PA patients with successful catheterization and a unilateral nodule on computed tomography and aimed to predict unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma (n=367). Study B involved similar patients who underwent adrenalectomy and aimed to predict postoperative outcome (n=330). In study A, we implemented important feature selection using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression. @*Results@#We developed a unilateral PA prediction model using logistic regression analysis: lowest serum potassium level ≤3.4 mEq/L, aldosterone-to-renin ratio ≥150, plasma aldosterone concentration ≥30 ng/mL, and body mass index <25 kg/m2 (area under the curve, 0.819; 95% confidence interval, 0.774 to 0.865; sensitivity, 97.6%; specificity, 25.5%). In study B, we identified female, hypertension duration <5 years, anti-hypertension medication <2.5 daily defined dose, and the absence of coronary artery disease as predictors of clinical success, using stepwise logistic regression models (sensitivity, 94.2%; specificity, 49.3%). We validated our algorithm in the independent validation dataset (n=53). @*Conclusion@#We propose this new outcome-driven diagnostic algorithm, simultaneously considering unilateral aldosterone excess and clinical surgical benefits in PA patients.

Immediate Loading of Narrow Diameter Implants at the Mandibular Incisor Area Using Full Digital Flow: A Case Report

This case report describes the immediate loading of narrow diameter implants in the mandibular incisor area using full-digital flow. The 3-dimensional position of the implants was planned using digital software, and the corresponding surgical template was fabricated. The implants were inserted immediately after extraction and on the same day, the interim abutment and bridge were placed. At 8 weeks after surgery, the stability of the implants was measured and a digital impression was made using a scan body. Customized titanium abutments and a cementtype full zirconia bridge were delivered. At 36 weeks’ follow-up, no clinical or radiographic complications were detected, and the patient was satisfied with the results.

Predictors of recurrent acute myocardial infarction despite successful percutaneous coronary intervention

Background/Aims@#Recurrent acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is an adverse cardiac event in patients with a first AMI. The predictors of recurrent AMI after the first AMI in patients who underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have not been elucidated. @*Methods@#We analyzed the data collected from 9,869 patients (63.2 ± 12.4 years, men:women = 7,446:2,423) who were enrolled in the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institute of Health between November 2011 and October 2015, had suffered their first AMI and had received successful PCI during the index hospitalization. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent predictors of recurrent AMI following the first AMI. @*Results@#The cumulative incidence of recurrent AMI after successful PCI was 3.6% (359/9,869). According to the multivariable logistic regression analysis, the significant predictive factors for recurrent AMI were diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction, atypical chest pain, and multivessel disease. @*Conclusions@#In this Korean prospective cohort study, the independent predictors of recurrent AMI after successful PCI for the first AMI were diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction, atypical chest pain, and multivessel disease.

Recurrent Cerebral Infarction Associated with Uterine Adenomyosis

Uterine adenomyosis, which is known as a benign gynecological disease, can induce hypercoagulable state and be an uncommon cause of cerebral thromboembolism, as cerebral infarction is common in patients with malignant neoplasm. We report a woman with uterine adenomyosis who shows several episodes of cerebral infarction and discuss the stoke mechanism and treatment of this under-recognized etiology of stroke.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Endocrine Disorders: A Position Statement from the Korean Endocrine Society

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) including an anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 inhibitor, anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors, and anti-PD-ligand 1 inhibitors are representative therapeutics for various malignancies. In oncology, the application of ICIs is currently expanding to a wider range of malignancies due to their remarkable clinical outcomes. ICIs target immune checkpoints which suppress the activity of T-cells that are specific for tumor antigens, thereby allowing tumor cells to escape the immune response. However, immune checkpoints also play a crucial role in preventing autoimmune reactions. Therefore, ICIs targeting immune checkpoints can trigger various immune-related adverse events (irAEs), especially in endocrine organs. Considering the endocrine organs that are frequently involved, irAEs associated endocrinopathies are frequently life-threatening and have unfavorable clinical implications for patients. However, there are very limited data from large clinical trials that would inform the development of clinical guidelines for patients with irAEs associated endocrinopathies. Considering the current clinical situation, in which the scope and scale of the application of ICIs are increasing, position statements from clinical specialists play an essential role in providing the appropriate recommendations based on both medical evidence and clinical experience. As endocrinologists, we would like to present precautions and recommendations for the management of immune-related endocrine disorders, especially those involving the adrenal, thyroid, and pituitary glands caused by ICIs.

Metabolic Subtyping of Adrenal Tumors: Prospective Multi-Center Cohort Study in Korea

Background@#Conventional diagnostic approaches for adrenal tumors require multi-step processes, including imaging studies and dynamic hormone tests. Therefore, this study aimed to discriminate adrenal tumors from a single blood sample based on the combination of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and machine learning algorithms in serum profiling of adrenal steroids. @*Methods@#The LC-MS-based steroid profiling was applied to serum samples obtained from patients with nonfunctioning adenoma (NFA, n=73), Cushing’s syndrome (CS, n=30), and primary aldosteronism (PA, n=40) in a prospective multicenter study of adrenal disease. The decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), and extreme gradient boost (XGBoost) were performed to categorize the subtypes of adrenal tumors. @*Results@#The CS group showed higher serum levels of 11-deoxycortisol than the NFA group, and increased levels of tetrahydrocortisone (THE), 20α-dihydrocortisol, and 6β-hydroxycortisol were found in the PA group. However, the CS group showed lower levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate derivative (DHEA-S) than both the NFA and PA groups. Patients with PA expressed higher serum 18-hydroxycortisol and DHEA but lower THE than NFA patients. The balanced accuracies of DT, RF, and XGBoost for classifying each type were 78%, 96%, and 97%, respectively. In receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis for CS, XGBoost, and RF showed a significantly greater diagnostic power than the DT. However, in ROC analysis for PA, only RF exhibited better diagnostic performance than DT. @*Conclusion@#The combination of LC-MS-based steroid profiling with machine learning algorithms could be a promising one-step diagnostic approach for the classification of adrenal tumor subtypes.

Association between Thyroid Function and Heart Rate Monitored by Wearable Devices in Patients with Hypothyroidism

Background@#Heart rate (HR) monitored by a wearable device (WD) has demonstrated its clinical feasibility for thyrotoxicosis subjects. However, the association of HR monitored by wearables with hypothyroidism has not been examined. We assessed the association between serum thyroid hormone concentration and three WD-HR parameters in hypothyroid subjects. @*Methods@#Forty-four subjects scheduled for radioactive iodine therapy (RAI Tx) after thyroid cancer surgery were included. Thirty subjects were prepared for RAI Tx by thyroid hormone withdrawal (hypothyroidism group) and 14 subjects by recombinant human thyrotropin (control group). Three WD-HR parameters were calculated from the HR data collected during rest, during sleep, and from 2:00 AM to 6:00 AM, respectively. We analyzed the changes in conventionally measured resting HR (On-site rHR) and WDHR parameters relative to thyroid hormone levels. @*Results@#Serum free thyroxine (T4) levels, On-site rHR, and WD-HR parameters were lower in the hypothyroid group than in the control group at the time of RAI Tx. WD-HR parameters also reflected minute changes in free T4 levels. A decrease in On-site rHR and WD-HR parameters by one standard deviation (On-site rHR, approximately 12 bpm; WD-HR parameters, approximately 8 bpm) was associated with a 0.2 ng/dL decrease in free T4 levels (P<0.01) and a 2-fold increase of the odds ratio of hypothyroidism (P<0.01). WD-HR parameters displayed a better goodness-of-fit measure (lower quasi-information criterion value) than On-site rHR in predicting the hypothyroidism. @*Conclusion@#This study identified WD-HR parameters as informative and easy-to-measure biomarkers to predict hypothyroidism.

Short-Term Experience in Cochlear Implantation with Slim Modiolar Electrode Array (CI532): Comparison to Previous Devices / 대한이비인후과학회지

Background and Objectives@#There have been no reports in Korea regarding cochlear implant surgeries using Cochlear Nucleus Profile Slim Modiolar electrode [CI532 (Cochlear Ltd.)], as it has been recently released in Korea. We aimed to investigate the short-term results of CI532 and compare them with previous devices with perimodiolar or straight electrodes arrays from the same manufacturer.Subjects and Method From August 2018 to July 2019, 52 patients (26 adults; 26 children) who underwent cochlear implantation of CI532 were included. The intraoperative impedance and evoked compound action potential (ECAP) threshold in each electrode were analyzed and compared with the devices with a perimodiolar electrode array [Contour Advance® (Cochlear Ltd.)] and a lateral wall electrode array [CI422 and CI522 (Cochlear Ltd.)]. Postoperative changes of hearing thresholds at each frequency (250, 500, and 1000 Hz) and aided word recognition scores (WRS) were also compared. @*Results@#CI532 showed significantly lower intraoperative impedance in the basal regions compared to the lateral wall electrode array. The ECAP thresholds of CI532 in the apical electrodes were significantly lower than that in the other two groups. After implantation, CI532 showed a significant preservation of hearing thresholds at most frequencies and showed significantly higher preservation rates than the other electrodes. However, there was no difference between the three groups regarding the postoperative short-term aided WRS. @*Conclusion@#CI532 showed lower intraoperative impedances and ECAP thresholds, and better short-term hearing preservation outcomes compared to the other electrodes, suggesting that CI532 electrode might be a better option with less traumatic insertion. However, there was no significant difference in the aided WRS, and further studies with a longer follow-up are necessary to examine the difference of audiologic outcomes.

Best Achievements in Pituitary and Adrenal Diseases in 2020

Significant progress in pituitary and adrenal diseases was made in 2020. This review presents major translational and clinical advances in research on pituitary and adrenal diseases, encompassing their epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and clinical management. We address the controversy regarding the nomenclature of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors, omics-based molecular classification of pituitary adenomas, and novel drugs for Cushing’s disease in the field of pituitary diseases. In the field of adrenal diseases, we cover big data-driven epidemiology of adrenal tumors, steroid profiling as a new diagnostic tool, and the utility of scoring systems in the decision-making process of managing primary aldosteronism. This brief article will broaden readers’ understanding of pituitary and adrenal diseases.

Diagnosis for Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma: A Joint Position Statement of the Korean Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma Task Force

Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGLs) are rare catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumors but can be life-threatening. Although most PPGLs are benign, approximately 10% have metastatic potential. Approximately 40% cases are reported as harboring germline mutations. Therefore, timely and accurate diagnosis of PPGLs is crucial. For more than 130 years, clinical, molecular, biochemical, radiological, and pathological investigations have been rapidly advanced in the field of PPGLs. However, performing diagnostic studies to localize lesions and detect metastatic potential can be still challenging and complicated. Furthermore, great progress on genetics has shifted the paradigm of genetic testing of PPGLs. The Korean PPGL task force team consisting of the Korean Endocrine Society, the Korean Surgical Society, the Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine, the Korean Society of Pathologists, and the Korean Society of Laboratory Medicine has developed this position statement focusing on the comprehensive and updated diagnosis for PPGLs.