Tertiary Referral Hospital In Korea Research Articles

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Pulmonary Diseases Caused by Coinfections With Multiple Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Species.

Coinfections with multiple nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) species have not been widely studied. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in patients with NTM-pulmonary disease (PD) caused by coinfection with multiple NTM species. We retrospectively reviewed patients with NTM-PD at a tertiary referral hospital in Korea between March 2012 and December 2018. Coinfection was defined as two or more species of NTM pathogens isolated from the same respiratory specimen or different specimens within three months. Among 1,009 patients with NTM-PD, 147 (14.6%) NTM coinfections were observed (average age 64.7 years, 69.4% women). NTM species were identified more frequently (median 6 vs. 3 times, P < 0.001) in the coinfection group than in the single species group, and follow-up duration was also longer in the coinfection group (median 44.9 vs. 27.1 months, P < 0.001). Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and M. abscessus and M. massiliense (MAB) were the dominant combinations (n = 71, 48.3%). For patients treated for over six months in the MAC plus MAB group (n = 31), sputum culture conversion and microbiological cure were achieved in 67.7% and 41.9% of patients, respectively. We divided the MAC plus MAB coinfection group into three subgroups according to the target mycobacteria; however, no statistical differences were found in the treatment outcomes. In NTM-PD cases, a significant number of multiple NTM species coinfections occurred. Proper identification of all cultured NTM species through follow-up is necessary to detect multispecies coinfections. Further research is needed to understand the nature of NTM-PD in such cases.

Impact of age on mortality and transfer to long-term care in patients in an intensive care unit

BackgroundIn the global trend of population aging, age is one of the significant factors to be considered in critically ill patients. However, the impact of age on clinical outcomes and long-term prognosis in this population varies across different studies.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort analysis for patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) (30 beds) between January 2017 and December 2020 at the tertiary referral hospital in Korea. Patients were classified into three groups according to age: <65 years, old age (65–79 years), and very old age (≥ 80 years). Subsequently, enrolled patients were analyzed for acute mortality and long-term prognosis.ResultsAmong the 1584 patients, the median age was 67.0 (57.0–76.0) years, and 65.2% were male. Median ICU length of stay (LOS) (8, 9, and 10 days in < 65, 65–79, and ≥ 80 years, respectively; p = 0.006) and the proportion of patients who were transferred to long-term care hospital at the time of discharge (12.9% vs. 28.3% vs. 39.4%, respectively; p < 0.001) increased with age. Multivariable logistic analysis showed no significant difference in the 28-day mortality in the old age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65–1.17) and very old age (aOR 1.05; 95% CI 0.71–1.55) groups compared to that in patients with age < 65 years. However, the relevance of the proportion of ICU LOS ≥ 7 days and transfers to other hospitals after discharge increased with age.ConclusionsAge did not affect acute mortality in critical illness patients. However, surviving older age groups required more long-term care facilities compared to patients younger than 65 years after acute management. These results indicate that in an aging society, the importance of not only acute management but also long-term care facilities may increase for critical illness patients.

Prognostic role of tumor subtype and germline BRCA mutation in advanced breast cancer patients treated with palbociclib plus endocrine therapy.

Palbociclib is a cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitor which shows promising effect in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the real-world efficacy and toxicity of palbociclib plus endocrine therapy. This is a retrospective study performed in two tertiary referral hospitals in Korea. Advanced breast cancer patients who were treated with 1st-line palbociclib plus endocrine therapy were enrolled. A total of 216 patients were included between August 2016 and May 2019. Median age was 56 (29-89) years old and 75 patients (34.7%) were premenopausal. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 33.0months [95% confidence interval (CI) 24.7 to 41.3] and objective response rate was 59.3%. Luminal B patients had shorter PFS (33.0months vs. Not reached, p = 0.019) and tendency of lower ORR (58.3 vs. 62.0%, p = 0.19) compared to luminal A patients. Multivariate analysis revealed luminal B (adjusted hazard ratio 1.90, p = 0.038) and germline BRCA mutation (adjusted hazard ratio 5.57, p = 0.002) as an independent poor prognostic factor for PFS. The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse event was neutropenia (86.7%). The efficacy and toxicity of palbociclib in the real world were comparable to those of clinical trials. In addition, palbociclib with endocrine therapy was an effective treatment option for young patients. Luminal B and germline BRCA mutation were associated with inferior outcome.

Old age is associated with worse treatment outcome and frequent adverse drug reaction in Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease

BackgroundThe number of patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is rapidly increasing globally, especially in the older population. However, there is a dearth of evidence regarding the impact of aging on the treatment outcomes of NTM-PD.MethodsWe analyzed consecutive patients who satisfied the diagnostic criteria for Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC)-PD and received antibiotic treatment between January 2009 and December 2020 at a tertiary referral hospital in Korea. The main outcomes were (1) long-term treatment success, defined by negative culture conversion for more than 12 months; and (2) adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Multivariable logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between age and main outcomes.ResultsA total of 614 patients (median age, 65 years, interquartile range [IQR] 57–73 years; men, 35.3%) were included. Median treatment duration (530 days, IQR 290–678 days; P for trend < 0.001) and long-term treatment success (P for trend = 0.026) decreased, whereas ADRs (P for trend < 0.001) increased significantly with age. Multivariable analyses demonstrated that age ≥ 80 years was an independent factor associated with ADRs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.29; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–10.28) and worse treatment outcome (aOR 0.42; 95% CI 0.19–0.91).ConclusionsAging is associated with worse treatment outcome and frequent ADRs of patients with MAC-PD. Individualized treatment with reduced-intensity may be a reasonable alternative for older adults.

Epidemiological characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a tertiary referral hospital in Korea.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify the epidemiological characteristics of patients with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Acinetobacter baumannii (CRE/CRAB) isolates in a tertiary referral hospital in Korea.MethodsWe collected and analyzed data from 528 adults admitted to a tertiary referral hospital from August 1, 2018 to February 29, 2020. The CRE/CRAB isolates were confirmed as being present at the time of patients’ admission or acquired during hospitalization based on their medical records. The t-test, chi-square test, or Fisher exact test and stepwise multiple logistic regression were performed.ResultsWhile the proportion of community-acquired CRE/CRAB was low (6%), 20% of CRE/CRAB isolates were identified in patients at the time of hospitalization. The risk of CRAB isolation was positively associated with mechanical ventilator use (odds ratio [OR], 3.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.96−6.33) and total parenteral nutrition use (OR, 3.64; 95% CI, 1.87−7.08).ConclusionOver 20% of CRE/CRAB isolates in a tertiary referral hospital in Korea were found at the time of patients’ admission. Furthermore, patients with mechanical ventilation and/or total parenteral nutrition tended to acquire CRAB more frequently. Thus, active surveillance for CRE/CRAB at the time of hospitalization is strongly required, particularly for patients who are expected to require mechanical ventilation or total parenteral nutrition.

Prognostic Value of Preoperative Serum Calcitonin Levels for Predicting the Recurrence of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.

BackgroundSerum calcitonin level is a useful biomarker for predicting primary tumor size, the extent of lymph node, and distant metastasis in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). However, the association between preoperative serum calcitonin levels and long-term oncologic outcomes has not yet been established. The aims of this study were to determine the preoperative serum calcitonin cut-off value for predicting disease recurrence and to evaluate its prognostic value.MethodsPatients with MTC (n = 169) who were treated at a tertiary referral hospital in Korea between 1995 and 2019 were enrolled. To determine the preoperative serum calcitonin cut-off value for predicting structural recurrence, the maximum of the standardized log-rank statistics of all possible cut-off values was used. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to determine prognostic factors for disease-free survival.ResultsThe overall disease-free survival rate was 75.7%. The preoperative serum calcitonin cut-off value that predicted structural recurrence was 309 pg/mL. Preoperative serum calcitonin levels of > 309 pg/mL were the strongest independent predictor of disease recurrence (hazard ratio (HR) 5.33, 95% confidence interval (85% CI) 1.67–16.96; P = 0.005). Lateral lymph node metastasis (HR 3.70, 95% CI 1.61–8.51; P = 0.002) and positive resection margins (HR 3.57, 95% CI 1.44–8.88; P = 0.006) were also significant predictors of disease recurrence.ConclusionsThe preoperative serum calcitonin cut-off value is useful in clinical practice. It is also the best predictive factor for disease-free survival. Preoperative serum calcitonin levels may help determine the optimal postoperative follow-up strategy for patients with MTC.

A Real-world Efficacy of Nab-paclitaxel Monotherapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer.

PurposeWe aimed to assess the real-world efficacy of nab-paclitaxel in metastatic breast cancer patients.Materials and MethodsThis is a retrospective study performed in two tertiary referral hospitals in Korea. Patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) between March 2016 and March 2020 were enrolled.ResultsA total of 102 patients with metastatic breast cancer were included. Patients were heavily pre-treated with a median of four prior lines of chemotherapy (5 lines when including endocrine therapy in hormone-receptor-positive patients), and 66 patients (64.7%) were exposed to taxanes in the metastatic setting. According to St. Gallen molecular subtypes, 36 patients (35.3%) were luminal A, 28 (27.5%) were luminal B, 18 (17.7%) were human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–positive and 20 (19.6%) had triple-negative disease. Fifty patients (49.0%) were treated with a 3-weekly regimen (260 mg/m2 on day 1 every 3 weeks), and 52 (51.0%) were treated with a weekly regimen (100 mg/m2 every week). Objective response rate was 22.9%. After a median follow-up of 22.0 months, median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6 to 4.8) and median overall survival was 8.7 months (95% CI, 7.5 to 11.2). Patients treated with weekly regimen had longer PFS compared to 3-weekly regimen (5.5 vs. 2.3 months, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed the treatment regimen as an independent prognostic factor for PFS. There was no grade 3 or 4 hypersensitivity reaction.ConclusionThis real-world data shows that nab-paclitaxel is a reasonable treatment option in heavily pre-treated and/or taxane-exposed metastatic breast cancer patients.

Comparison of 1-Year Colectomy Risk Between the US and Korean Patients with Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Colectomy risk after acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) has not been compared between Eastern and Western countries. We compared the 1-year colectomy risk after ASUC between Korea and the USA. Data on patients admitted for ASUC to five tertiary referral hospitals in Korea and Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, the USA, between January 2015 and January 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. For comparability between groups, a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed. The primary outcome was colectomy, and secondary outcomes were mortality, readmission, and venous thromboembolism (VTE) within 1-year of the index admission for ASUC. The risk of each outcome was compared using Cox proportional hazards model in pre-matched cohort and Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank test in post-matched cohort. 290 ASUC patients were included in the study (121 Korea, 169 the USA). After PSM, 56 patients were selected in each group with no significant differences in baseline variables. At 1year after ASUC, colectomy was less common in Korea than in the USA [3 (5.4%) vs. 24 (42.9%), p < 0.001]. The cumulative colectomy risk was significantly higher in the USA than in Korea in pre-matched cohort [adjusted hazard ratio 7.89, 95% confidence interval 3.23 to 19.22] and in post-matched cohort (log-rank p < 0.001), while there was no difference in cumulative risk of mortality, readmission, and VTE. Colectomy risk within 1year of ASUC is significantly higher in the USA than in Korea. We observed no differences in mortality, readmission, and VTE between the two groups.

Comparison of long-term recurrence-free survival between primary surgery and endoscopic resection followed by secondary surgery in T1 colorectal cancer

We aimed to investigate whether endoscopic resection of T1 colorectal cancer (CRC) before surgery (secondary surgery) unfavorably affects long-term recurrence-free survival (RFS) compared with surgery without prior endoscopic resection (primary surgery). We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent radical surgery for T1 CRC with high-risk histologic features at a tertiary referral hospital in Korea between 2011 and 2016. The primary outcome was RFS. We performed 2 types of propensity score (PS) analyses to control for confounders. Of 852 patients, 388 underwent primary surgery and 464 secondary surgery. During the median follow-up period of 57.0 months (range, 41.0-63.0), cancer recurred in 18 patients (2.1%). The 5-year RFS rates did not differ between the primary and secondary surgery groups (97.0 vs 98.5%, P= .194). Further analyses of RFS rates according to nodal stages and number of high-risk histologic features showed no difference between groups. Moreover, RFS rates were not different between the groups after PS matching. In multivariable Cox proportional regression analysis, baseline serum carcinoembryonic antigen level was an independent risk factor for cancer recurrence (hazard ratio, 1.464; 95% confidence interval, 1.242-1.725; P< .001) but prior endoscopic resection of T1 CRC was not (P= .201). Both PS analyses consistently showed no increase in cancer recurrence risk in the secondary surgery group. Our data showed no additional cancer recurrence risk by endoscopic resection before surgery of T1 CRC with high-risk histologic features.

The Role of Radical Antegrade Modular Pancreatosplenectomy Compared to Conventional Distal Pancreatosplenectomy in Patients with Left-sided Pancreatic Cancer: A Retrospective Multicenter Propensity- Score Matching Analysis

Introduction: The purpose of this study aimed to evaluate the role of radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS) in terms of postoperative outcomes compared to conventional distal pancreatosplenectomy (DPS) in patients with left- sided pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Method: From 2005 to 2017, consecutive 316 left-sided PDAC patients who underwent RAMPS (n=236) or DPS (n=80) for curative intent in four tertiary referral hospitals in Korea were included in this study. Among these, after 1:2 Propensity score matching with age, sex, differentiation, T and N stage, 71 patients with DPS and 139 patients with RAMPS were analyzed for clinicopathological outcomes. Result: There was no difference in complication rate between the two groups. RAMPS was superior than DPS in terms of R0 rate (99.3% vs 88.6%, p< 0.01) and harvested LN numbers (16.3±10.57 vs. 10.3±7.06, p< 0.01). RAMPS showed prolonged DFS (median survival 11 vs 9months), but statistically not significant (p=0.148). In a subgroup analysis with node-negative patients (n=107), RAMPS showed superior disease-free survival than DPS with statistically marginal significance (MS 15 vs 9m, p= 0.05). After multivariate analysis, preoperative CA19-9≥37, tail cancer, poorly or undifferentiated carcinoma, R1 resection, and absence of adjuvant treatment were identified as independent risk factors for survival. Also, preoperative CA19-9≥37, advanced T stage, LN metastasis, poorly or undifferentiated carcinoma were independent risk. Conclusion: Although we could not find an eminent survival benefit of RAMPS, it could be considered a standard surgical method for left-sided PDAC because of the similar complication rate and several oncologic benefits.

Age- and sex-related characteristics of the increasing trend of nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease in a tertiary hospital in South Korea from 2006 to 2016.

Background/AimsThe incidence rate of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is increasing worldwide. However, data regarding the age- and sex-specific epidemiology of NTM-PD are limited. This study aimed to investigate the long-term epidemiologic trends of NTM-PD within the recent 11-year period in a tertiary referral hospital in Korea.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the patients diagnosed with NTM-PD between January 2006 and December 2016 at Severance Hospital, South Korea.ResultsThere were 1,017 incident cases with NTM-PD during the study period. The mean age was 62.7 years, and 41.2% were men. Women were younger than men (59.9 years vs. 66.7 years, p < 0.001) and a higher proportion of women had bronchiectasis (88.6% vs. 77.1%, p < 0.001). The incidence rates of NTM-PD annually increased by 14% (95% confidence interval, 10% to 19%) from 1.2 in 2006 to 4.8 in 2016 (per 100,000 patients-year). The peak incidence rate was in the 50s for women and in the 70s for men, except for those aged ≥ 80 years. Mycobacterium avium complex was the most common causative species of NTM-PD (63.6%).ConclusionsThe incidence rate of NTM-PD in a tertiary referral hospital in South Korea continued to increase from 2006 to 2016. Furthermore, there were age- and sex-related differences in the clinical characteristics, which might contribute to understanding the nature of the disease and inherited and acquired host factors.

Regorafenib in previously treated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: Impact of prior immunotherapy and adverse events.

Regorafenib demonstrated a clinical benefit for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) in the phase III RESORCE trial. Considering the heterogeneity of uHCC and discrepancies in its characteristics between prospective trials and daily practice, real-life evidence is necessary. This multicentre, retrospective analysis was performed by the Korean Cancer Study Group. In total, 440 patients who received regorafenib between January 2017 and November 2019 were identified in nine tertiary referral hospitals in Korea. All patients received prior sorafenib, and the median time-to-progression (TTP) on sorafenib was 3.9 months (range, 0.2-71.6). Regorafenib was used as the second, third and fourth to seventh lines of therapy in 305 (69.3%), 115 (26.1%) and 20 (4.5%) patients respectively. According to the RECIST v1.1, the overall response rate was 7.7% (n = 34), and the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 3.2 (95% CI, 2.8-3.5) and 12.1 (95% CI, 9.7-14.5) months respectively. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) were given in 115 patients (26.1%) prior to regorafenib. There were no differences in PFS and OS with regorafenib according to the prior use of ICIs (PFS, P = .61; OS, P = .63). The occurrence of hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR) was associated with a better OS (P < .001). The real-life clinical outcomes of regorafenib for patients who progressed on prior systemic therapy including ICIs were consistent with the phase III trial results. HFSR was significantly associated with better OS with regorafenib.

The Prevalence of Sjögren's Syndrome in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients and Their Clinical Features.

BackgroundTo estimate the prevalence of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to compare the clinical features of RA patients with and without SS.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of RA patients who visited a rheumatology clinic in a tertiary referral hospital in Korea between May 20 and July 22, 2016. All patients fulfilled the classification criteria for RA, and the diagnosis of SS was made clinically by rheumatologists and according to the 2002 American-European Consensus Group (AECG), 2012 American College of Rheumatology (ACR), and 2016 ACR/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification criteria. The prevalence was estimated as the number of SS patients within the total number of RA patients. The disease activity and treatment pattern of RA were compared between patients with and without SS.ResultsAmong 827 RA patients, 72 patients (8.7%) were diagnosed with SS by a rheumatologist, though only 60 patients (7.3%) satisfied the 2002 AECG classification criteria for SS. Fifty-two patients (6.3%) and 56 patients (6.8%) fulfilled the 2012 ACR and 2016 ACR/EULAR classification criteria, respectively. The prevalence of SS in RA patients was 10.5%, 17.0%, and 67.6% in rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody (≥ 1:80), and anti-Ro antibody positive patients, respectively.ConclusionThe prevalence of SS among RA patients was 8.7% according to rheumatologists' diagnosis. The presence of SS did not affect the treatment patterns of RA patients. However, the autoantibody profiles and demographics of RA patients with SS differed from those of patients without SS.

Improved survival rates in patients with H1N1 acute respiratory failure in Korea between 2009 and 2016.

There was a pandemic of influenza A (H1N1) in 2009; in Korea, there was also an H1N1 epidemic in 2016. We aim to investigate whether survival had improved in the setting of recent advances in intensive care unit (ICU) management. We conducted a retrospective analysis of acute respiratory failure patients with H1N1 influenza pneumonia in 2016 and 2009 respectively at two tertiary referral hospitals in Korea. A total of 28 patients were treated in 2016, and 34 in 2009. There was no significant difference in SOFA scores on ICU admission day. In-hospital mortality was significantly lower in patients of 2016 compared to those of 2009 (18% vs. 44% P = 0.028). By multivariable analyses, the treatment year 2016 was associated with a greater likelihood of survival. Compared to the patients treated in 2009, those treated in 2016 were one seventh as likely to die after adjusting for other clinical variables (hazard ratio for mortality, 0.15; 95% confidence interval. 0.03–0.63, P = 0.010). Improved survival in patients who underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation treatment (in-hospital mortality, 17% vs. 60%, P = 0.242) and decreased tidal volumes during mechanical ventilation (median 5.4 mL/kg vs. median 9.2 mL/kg, P = 0.018) were observed in 2016 compared to 2009. Treatment outcomes for patients with H1N1 acute respiratory failure improved from 2009 to 2016 in two tertiary referral centers in South Korea.

Neurocysticercosis: Clinical Characteristics and Changes from 26 Years of Experience in an University Hospital in Korea.

The prevalence of human taeniasis has decreased in Korea. The stool egg positive proportion decreased from 1.9% in 1971 to 0% in 2004 in nationwide surveys. The neurocysticercosis (NCC) is also presumed to decrease. However, detailed information regarding the recent status of NCC in Korea is lacking. We retrospectively reviewed NCC cases from 1990 to 2016 at Asan Medical Center, a 2700-bed tertiary referral hospital in Korea. We identified patients based on clinical symptoms, brain imaging, pathology and serological assay. The cases were classified as parenchymal, extraparenchymal, and mixed NCC. Eighty-one patients were included in the analysis. The mean age was 54.5 years, and 79.0% were male. The number of NCC cases was highest from 1995 to 1999, and continuously decreased thereafter. Forty (49.4%) patients had parenchymal NCC, while 25 (30.9%) patients had extraparenchymal NCC, and 16 (19.8%) patients had mixed NCC. The seizure and headache were most common symptom of parenchymal NCC and extraparenchymal NCC respectively. Hydrocephalus was more common in extraparenchymal NCC, and patients with extraparenchymal NCC were more likely to require a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Cases of NCC are decreasing accordingly with human taeniasis and lesion location was the most important determinant of clinical presentation and outcome of NCC in Korea.

Impact on gemcitabine plus cisplatin in unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients according to effective biliary drainage: A multicenter study.

e15658 Background: Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) is known to have a poor prognosis due to cholangitis and lack of effective chemotherapeutic regimen. Since 2010, gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GP) is recommended as first-line chemotherapy in cholangiocarcinoma. However, it is still unclear whether GP is effective on HC. We aimed to evaluate the impact on GP in unresectable HC patients according to effective biliary drainage (EBD). Methods: From 2010 to 2016, 112 patients with unresectable HC confirmed by biopsy at three tertiary referral hospitals in Korea were enrolled. 38 patients received GP [cisplatin (25 mg per square meter of body-surface area) followed by gemcitabine (1000 mg per square meter), each administered on days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks]. 74 patients received best supportive care (BSC). The EBD group was defined as a total bilirubin decrease of less than 2 mg/dl within 2 weeks after the first drainage procedure or 50% reduction than pre-procedure total bilirubin. Overall survival (OS) was evaluated in GP group and BSC group according to EBD achieved using the Kaplan–Meier survival curve and the log-rank test. Results: When compared with the BSC group (n = 74), the GP group (n = 38) obtained a benefit in OS (median OS, 6.14 vs 12.7 months, p &lt; 0.001). Moreover, patients with EBD experienced significantly longer OS compared with ineffective biliary drainage (IEBD) patients (median OS, 8.03 vs 5.01 months, p &lt; 0.005). GP chemotherapy was beneficial for OS in IEBD group (p &lt; 0.001) as well as in EBD group (p &lt; 0.005). In the multivariate analysis, GP chemotherapy (HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.21–0.52, p &lt; 0.001), EBD (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.40–0.91, p &lt; 0.001) and 2 more metastatic site (HR 3.21, 95% CI 1.66–6.18, p &lt; 0.001) were significant prognostic factors. Conclusions: GP chemotherapy provides longer survival in HC, regardless of effective or ineffective biliary drainage.

Clinicopathologic features of biopsied lacrimal gland masses in 95 Korean patients.

To investigate the clinicopathologic features of lacrimal gland masses biopsied in a tertiary referral hospital in Korea. Records from 95 Korean patients who underwent lacrimal gland mass biopsy were retrospectively reviewed. Data included demographics, clinical presentation, imaging findings, histopathologic diagnosis, and associated systemic disease. The median age was 52.0years (range, 16-76years), and 51 patients (53.7%) were female. Thirty-three patients (34.7%) had bilateral disease. The histopathologic diagnoses were as follows: chronic dacryoadenitis (52.6%, n = 50;29 non-specific and 21 immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD)), lymphoproliferative disease (25.5%, n = 24; 18 lymphoma and six lymphoid hyperplasia), benign epithelial tumour (13.7%, 13 pleomorphic adenoma), malignant epithelial tumour (3.2%, three adenoid cystic carcinoma), dacryops (3.2%, n = 3), solitary fibrous tumour (1.1%, n = 1), and xanthogranulomatous inflammation (1.1%, n = 1). Patients with chronic dacryoadenitis were significantly more likely to be younger (mean 47.5years), have bilateral involvement (52.0%), and have a longer symptom period (mean 15.6months) than those with lymphoproliferative disease (60.0years, 25.0%, and 6.7months, respectively; p < 0.05, each comparison). Patients with IgG4-related dacryoadenitis were significantly more likely to have bilateral involvement (85.7%) and have associated systemic involvement (52.4%) than those with non-specific dacryoadenitis (37.9 and 0%, respectively; p < 0.05, each comparison). Sixteen patients (16.8%) had associated systemic involvement: 11 with IgG4-RD and 5 with lymphoma. Chronic dacryoadenitis and lymphoproliferative disease were the most common causes of lacrimal gland masses in our cohort. Younger patients with bilateral involvement and a longer symptom period were more likely to have chronic dacryoadenitis than lymphoproliferative disease. Associated systemic involvement was not rare in patients with IgG4-RD or lymphoma. Our results suggest that biopsy of chronic lacrimal gland masses should be performed for proper evaluation and management.

Impact of Family History on Prognosis of Patients with Sporadic Colorectal Cancer.

A family history (FH) of colorectal cancer (CRC) increases the risk for development of CRC, but the impact of FH of CRC on survival from sporadic CRC is unclear. This study investigated the prognostic impact of FH of CRC on the recurrence and survival of patients with sporadic CRC. We reviewed the records of patients with sporadic CRC from two tertiary referral hospitals in Korea who underwent surgical resection between May 2007 and September 2013. The clinicopathologic features and oncologic outcomes of those with and without FHs of CRC were compared. We examined the records of 2960 eligible patients, 163 (5.5%) of whom had first-degree relatives with CRC. Patients with and without FHs of CRC had similar baseline characteristics. Multivariable analysis indicated that a FH of CRC was not significantly associated with disease-free survival but was significantly associated with better overall survival (OS) [adjusted hazard ratio = 0.539, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.330-0.881, P = 0.014]. Subgroup analysis indicated that females and rectal cancer patients with FHs of CRC had significantly better prognoses. Microsatellite status did not affect the improved survival rate associated with FH. This study of patients with sporadic CRC indicated that those who had FHs of CRC had better OS but similar cancer recurrence as those who had no FH of CRC. The effect of FH of CRC on OS was independent of microsatellite status. Further studies are needed to identify underlying mechanisms and determine the optimal clinical management of CRC according to FH.

NASAL EOSINOPHIL COUNT AND PERCENTAGE IN CHILDREN WITH ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Introduction The total count and percentage of eosinophils in a nasal smear sample are useful for diagnosing allergic rhinitis. Although some studies have evaluated the presence of nasal eosinophilia for diagnosing allergic rhinitis, the use of this criterion is not sufficiently investigated. In addition, no study has determined the correlation between eosinophil count and percentage in sample nasal smears. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between nasal eosinophil count and percentage in patients with rhinitis. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with a clinical history of rhinitis, under 19 years of age, examined at an outpatient clinic of a tertiary referral hospital in Korea, between January and August 2017. Nasal smears of patients were obtained by swabbing the nasal inferior turbinate 3–4 times with a cotton swab. The sample was then placed on a glass slide and stained with Giemsa stain. All specimens were examined by the same pathologist, who was blinded to the clinical history of each patient. Results A total of 106 pediatric patients underwent nasal smear examinations. There was a positive correlation between the nasal eosinophil count and percentage in patients with rhinitis. Y = 0.768 × X + 0.280 (Y = eosinophil count; X = eosinophil percent). The cut-off value was based on the nasal eosinophil count (10 cells/high-powered field) or a nasal eosinophil percent >10% in the patients with allergic rhinitis. Conclusions The nasal eosinophil count and percentage can be useful tools for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in pediatric patients.

Epidemiology of continuous renal replacement therapy in Korea: Results from the National Health Insurance Service claims database from 2005 to 2016.

BackgroundContinuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is an important treatment modality for severe acute kidney injury. As such, the epidemiology of CRRT in Korea needs further investigation.MethodsWe conducted a nationwide, population-based study analyzing the claims data from National Health Insurance Service of Korea. All index intensive care unit admission cases of CRRT in government-designated tertiary referral hospitals in Korea from 2005 to 2016 were included. Patients with a history of renal replacement therapy or who were under 20 years old were not considered. In addition to baseline and treatment characteristics, patient outcomes, including all-cause mortality and renal survival rates, were investigated. We stratified the study patients according to 3-year time periods and major regions of the nation.ResultsWe included 37,337 patients who received CRRT in Korea. The overall use of CRRT increased over time, and more than 80% of cases of acute renal replacement therapy were CRRT after 2014. Seoul was the region in which the majority of CRRT (45.0%) was performed. The clinical characteristics of CRRT patients were significantly different among time-intervals and regions. Both all-cause mortality and renal survival rates after CRRT were prominently improved in the recent time periods (P < 0.001).ConclusionCRRT is a widely used treatment strategy for severe acute kidney injury in Korea. The prognosis of CRRT patients has improved compared to the past. This epidemiological study of CRRT in Korea revealed notable trends with regard to time period and geographic region.