{"title":"Decompensated cirrhosis and antibiotic prophylaxis: striking a delicate balance.","authors":"Jung Gil Park","doi":"10.3904/kjim.2024.119","DOIUrl":"10.3904/kjim.2024.119","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48785,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Internal Medicine","volume":"39 3","pages":"369-370"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11076893/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140877699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"From pinprick to peril: digital ischemia and necrosis of fingertips induced by routine capillary glucose testing.","authors":"Wan-Hee Yoo, Yunjung Choi","doi":"10.3904/kjim.2023.370","DOIUrl":"10.3904/kjim.2023.370","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48785,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Internal Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"541-542"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11076890/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139563890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Soo Jin Lee, Raeseok Lee, Sung-Yeon Cho, Dukhee Nho, Hye Lim Ahn, Dong-Gun Lee
{"title":"Implementing antimicrobial stewardship: lessons and perspectives from a university-affiliated tertiary hospital in Korea.","authors":"Soo Jin Lee, Raeseok Lee, Sung-Yeon Cho, Dukhee Nho, Hye Lim Ahn, Dong-Gun Lee","doi":"10.3904/kjim.2023.504","DOIUrl":"10.3904/kjim.2023.504","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) can lower antibiotic use, decrease medical expenses, prevent the emergence of resistant bacteria, and enhance treatment for infectious diseases. This study summarizes the stepwise implementation and effects of ASPs in a single university-affiliated tertiary care hospital in Korea; it also presents future directions and challenges in resource-limited settings. At the study hospital, the core elements of the ASP such as leadership commitment, accountability, and operating system were established in 2000, then strengthened by the formation of the Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Team in 2018. The actions of ASPs entail key components including a computerized restrictive antibiotic prescription system, prospective audit, post-prescription review through quantitative and qualitative intervention, and pharmacy-based interventions to optimize antibiotic usage. The AMS Team regularly tracked antibiotic use, the effects of interventions, and the resistance patterns of pathogens in the hospital. The reporting system was enhanced and standardized by participation in the Korea National Antimicrobial Use Analysis System, and educational efforts are ongoing. Stepwise implementation of the ASP and the efforts of the AMS Team have led to a substantial reduction in the overall consumption of antibiotics, particularly regarding injectables, and optimization of antibiotic use. Our experience highlights the importance of leadership, accountability, institution-specific interventions, and the AMS Team.</p>","PeriodicalId":48785,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Internal Medicine","volume":"39 3","pages":"399-412"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11076883/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140877700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aryoung Kim, Byeong Geun Song, Wonseok Kang, Dong Hyun Sinn, Geum-Youn Gwak, Yong-Han Paik, Moon Seok Choi, Joon Hyeok Lee, Myung Ji Goh
{"title":"Prevalence and predictors of multidrug-resistant bacteremia in liver cirrhosis.","authors":"Aryoung Kim, Byeong Geun Song, Wonseok Kang, Dong Hyun Sinn, Geum-Youn Gwak, Yong-Han Paik, Moon Seok Choi, Joon Hyeok Lee, Myung Ji Goh","doi":"10.3904/kjim.2023.354","DOIUrl":"10.3904/kjim.2023.354","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aims: </strong>Improved knowledge of local epidemiology and predicting risk factors of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria are required to optimize the management of infections. This study examined local epidemiology and antibiotic resistance patterns of liver cirrhosis (LC) patients and evaluated the predictors of MDR bacteremia in Korea.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a retrospective study including 140 LC patients diagnosed with bacteremia between January 2017 and December 2022. Local epidemiology and antibiotic resistance patterns and the determinants of MDR bacteremia were analyzed using logistic regression analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The most frequently isolated bacteria, from the bloodstream, were Escherichia coli (n = 45, 31.7%) and Klebsiella spp. (n = 35, 24.6%). Thirty-four isolates (23.9%) were MDR, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase E. coli (52.9%) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (17.6%) were the most commonly isolated MDR bacteria. When Enterococcus spp. were cultured, the majority were MDR (MDR 83.3% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.003), particularly vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecium. Antibiotics administration within 30 days and/or nosocomial infection was a significant predictor of MDR bacteremia (OR: 3.40, 95% CI: 1.24-9.27, p = 0.02). MDR bacteremia was not predicted by sepsis predictors, such as positive systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>More than 70% of strains that can be treated with a third-generation cephalosporin have been cultured. In cirrhotic patients, antibiotic administration within 30 days and/or nosocomial infection are predictors of MDR bacteremia; therefore, empirical administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics should be considered when these risk factors are present.</p>","PeriodicalId":48785,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Internal Medicine","volume":"39 3","pages":"448-457"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11076886/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140877702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jang Woo Ha, Jung Yoon Pyo, Sung Soo Ahn, Jason Jungsik Song, Yong-Beom Park, Sang-Won Lee
{"title":"Overlap syndrome of systemic sclerosis with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis according to 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria.","authors":"Jang Woo Ha, Jung Yoon Pyo, Sung Soo Ahn, Jason Jungsik Song, Yong-Beom Park, Sang-Won Lee","doi":"10.3904/kjim.2023.189","DOIUrl":"10.3904/kjim.2023.189","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aims: </strong>This study applied the 2022 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) criteria for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) to patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and investigated the frequency of overlap syndrome of SSc and AAV (SSc-AAV-OS).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Among the 232 patients diagnosed with SSc, 105 with signs suggestive of small- or medium-vessel vasculitis, which were defined as the present of interstitial lung disease (ILD), peripheral neuropathy, or suspected renal vasculitis, were included in this study and analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 105 SSc patients, the detection rate of ANCA was 19.0%. When the 2022 ACR/EULAR criteria were applied, the frequency of SSc-AAV-OS was 20.0%, which was much higher than 1.7% reported with previous criteria for AAV. ANCA positivity contributed to the reclassification of SSc-AAV-OS more than ANCA negativity in SSc patients with signs suggestive of small- or medium-vessel vasculitis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The frequency of SSc-AAV-OS in SSc patients with signs suggestive of small- or medium-vessel vasculitis at diagnosis was 20.0%. Therefore, we suggest that physicians should perform ANCA tests in SSc patients exhibiting signs suggestive of small- or medium-vessel vasculitis and apply the new criteria for AAV.</p>","PeriodicalId":48785,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Internal Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"524-536"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11076885/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139570969","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seong Won Jeon, Nuri Lee, Ki Hong Lee, Minjeong Ha, Changhyun Kim, Yoo Ri Kim, Nam Sik Yoon, Hyung Wook Park
{"title":"Modified application of SAMe-TT2R2 scoring system in Asian patients with atrial fibrillation for the selection of oral anticoagulants.","authors":"Seong Won Jeon, Nuri Lee, Ki Hong Lee, Minjeong Ha, Changhyun Kim, Yoo Ri Kim, Nam Sik Yoon, Hyung Wook Park","doi":"10.3904/kjim.2023.381","DOIUrl":"10.3904/kjim.2023.381","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aims: </strong>The SAMe-TT2R2 score is used for assessing anticoagulation control (AC) quality with warfarin. However, it is hard to apply SAMe-TT2R2 score in Asian patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), because it has not been proven in those populations. This study aimed to validate the SAMe-TT2R2 score in Asian patients with AF and suggest a modified SAMe- TT2R2 score for this population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed 710 Korean patients with AF who were using warfarin. The AC quality was assessed as the mean time in therapeutic range (TTR). Each component of SAMe-TT2R2 score was evaluated for the relationship with AC. Further clinical factors that predict AC were analyzed. Identified factors were re-assorted and constructed as SA2Me-TTR scoring system.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the components of the SAMe-TT2R2 score, female, age, and rhythm control were associated with AC. Heart failure and renal insufficiency were newly identified factors associated with AC. The modified SA2Me-TTR score was reconstructed with the relevant risk factors (S, female gender, 1 point; A, age < 60 yr, 2 points; Me, medical history of heart failure, 1 point; T, treatment for rhythm control, 1 point; T, history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, 1 point; R, renal insufficiency, 1 point). The modified SA2Me-TTR score demonstrated an excellent relationship with the grading of AC. The modified SA2Me-TTR score ≤ 1 identified patients with good AC (hazard ratio 2.46, 95% CI 1.75-3.47).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The modified SA2Me-TTR score was useful for guiding oral anticoagulants selection in Asian patients with AF.</p>","PeriodicalId":48785,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Internal Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"458-468"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11076891/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139576655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Role of biomarkers in antimicrobial stewardship: physicians' perspectives.","authors":"Hyeri Seok, Dae Won Park","doi":"10.3904/kjim.2023.558","DOIUrl":"10.3904/kjim.2023.558","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Biomarkers are playing an increasingly important role in antimicrobial stewardship. Their applications have included use in algorithms that evaluate suspected bacterial infections or provide guidance on when to start or stop antibiotic therapy, or when therapy should be repeated over a short period (6-12 h). Diseases in which biomarkers are used as complementary tools to determine the initiation of antibiotics include sepsis, lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), COVID-19, acute heart failure, infectious endocarditis, acute coronary syndrome, and acute pancreatitis. In addition, cut-off values of biomarkers have been used to inform the decision to discontinue antibiotics for diseases such as sepsis, LRTI, and febrile neutropenia. The biomarkers used in antimicrobial stewardship include procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), presepsin, and interleukin (IL)-1β/IL-8. The cut-off values vary depending on the disease and study, with a range of 0.25-1.0 ng/mL for PCT and 8-50 mg/L for CRP. Biomarkers can complement clinical diagnosis, but further studies of microbiological biomarkers are needed to ensure appropriate antibiotic selection.</p>","PeriodicalId":48785,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Internal Medicine","volume":"39 3","pages":"413-429"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11076897/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140877704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ho-Young Yhim, Yong Park, Jeong-A Kim, Ho-Jin Shin, Young Rok Do, Joon Ho Moon, Min Kyoung Kim, Won Sik Lee, Dae Sik Kim, Myung-Won Lee, Yoon Seok Choi, Seong Hyun Jeong, Kyoung Ha Kim, Jinhang Kim, Chang-Hoon Lee, Ga-Young Song, Deok-Hwan Yang, Jae-Yong Kwak
{"title":"Geriatric risk model for older patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (GERIAD): a prospective multicenter cohort study.","authors":"Ho-Young Yhim, Yong Park, Jeong-A Kim, Ho-Jin Shin, Young Rok Do, Joon Ho Moon, Min Kyoung Kim, Won Sik Lee, Dae Sik Kim, Myung-Won Lee, Yoon Seok Choi, Seong Hyun Jeong, Kyoung Ha Kim, Jinhang Kim, Chang-Hoon Lee, Ga-Young Song, Deok-Hwan Yang, Jae-Yong Kwak","doi":"10.3904/kjim.2023.265","DOIUrl":"10.3904/kjim.2023.265","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aims: </strong>Optimal risk stratification based on simplified geriatric assessment to predict treatment-related toxicity and survival needs to be clarified in older patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This multicenter prospective cohort study enrolled newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL (≥ 65 yr) between September 2015 and April 2018. A simplified geriatric assessment was performed at baseline using Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental ADL (IADL), and Charlson's Comorbidity Index (CCI). The primary endpoint was event-free survival (EFS).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study included 249 patients, the median age was 74 years (range, 65-88), and 125 (50.2%) were female. In multivariable Cox analysis, ADL, IADL, CCI, and age were independent factors for EFS; an integrated geriatric score was derived and the patients stratified into three geriatric categories: fit (n = 162, 65.1%), intermediate-fit (n = 25, 10.0%), and frail (n = 62, 24.9%). The established geriatric model was significantly associated with EFS (fit vs. intermediate-fit, HR 2.61, p < 0.001; fit vs. frail, HR 4.61, p < 0.001) and outperformed each covariate alone or in combination. In 87 intermediate-fit or frail patients, the relative doxorubicin dose intensity (RDDI) ≥ 62.4% was significantly associated with worse EFS (HR, 2.15, 95% CI 1.30-3.53, p = 0.002). It was related with a higher incidence of grade ≥ 3 symptomatic non-hematologic toxicities (63.2% vs. 27.8%, p < 0.001) and earlier treatment discontinuation (34.5% vs. 8.0%, p < 0.001) in patients with RDDI ≥ 62.4% than in those with RDDI < 62.4%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This model integrating simplified geriatric assessment can risk-stratify older patients with DLBCL and identify those who are highly vulnerable to standard dose-intensity chemoimmunotherapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":48785,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Internal Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"501-512"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11076889/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139576628","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In Sun Goak, Seol A Jang, Yu Jin Jin, In-Cheon You, Ji Hyun Park
{"title":"The significance of ophthalmologic examination in a patient with xanthoma.","authors":"In Sun Goak, Seol A Jang, Yu Jin Jin, In-Cheon You, Ji Hyun Park","doi":"10.3904/kjim.2023.346","DOIUrl":"10.3904/kjim.2023.346","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48785,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Internal Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"362-363"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10918381/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138832512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Nighttime administration of antihypertensive medication: a review of chronotherapy in hypertension.","authors":"Hyun-Jin Kim, Sang-Ho Jo","doi":"10.3904/kjim.2023.304","DOIUrl":"10.3904/kjim.2023.304","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hypertension remains a global health concern because of suboptimal blood pressure control despite advancements in antihypertensive treatments. Chronotherapy, defined as evening or bedtime administration of medication based on biological rhythms, is emerging as a potential strategy to improve blood pressure control and treatment outcomes. Clinical trials have investigated the potential effects of nighttime administration of antihypertensive medication in the improvement of 24 hours blood pressure control and reduction of cardiovascular risk. Implementing chronotherapy in clinical practice could have significant implications in enhancing blood pressure control and improving clinical outcomes in patients with hypertension, particularly those with resistant hypertension. However, recent trials have reported contradictory results, causing confusion in real-world practice. Herein we review, analyze, and critique the current evidence and propose suggestions regarding the clinical application and future directions of chronotherapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":48785,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Internal Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"205-214"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10918378/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134650194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}