{"title":"Non-invasive Evaluation of Liver Fibrosis","authors":"Nae-Yun Heo","doi":"10.3904/kjm.2023.98.2.84","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2023.98.2.84","url":null,"abstract":"An evaluation of liver fibrosis severity during the initial examination is essential for the determination of chronic liver disease prognosis. Although liver biopsy is the gold standard for evaluation of liver fibrosis, bleeding can occur. Therefore, several non-invasive approaches have been introduced, including an equation with clinical variables and assessments of liver stiffness (e.g., elastography). Most patients with chronic liver disease can undergo evaluation of liver fibrosis severity without a liver biopsy using these alternative methods.","PeriodicalId":84452,"journal":{"name":"Chungang uihak = The Korean central journal of medicine","volume":"64 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77482596","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The First Step in Resolving Medical Disputes Involving Physicians of South Korea: Fair Medical Appraisal","authors":"T. Lee","doi":"10.3904/kjm.2023.98.2.53","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2023.98.2.53","url":null,"abstract":"Physicians of South Korea are not guaranteed their safe health care environment amid the recent increase in medical disputes and changed medical disputes. There has been surprisingly high tendency of criminal punishment on physicians compared to foreign countries such as Japan, England and German. This criminal punishment has caused several problems such as avoidance treatment and defensive treatments, increasing medical costs, a phenomenon of avoiding applying to specialized department with a high risk of medical accidents. Considering the direct impact of medical appraisal on legal judgement, the medical community’s urgent task is to raise physicians who can conduct fair, objective and consistent medical appraisal of medical accidents.","PeriodicalId":84452,"journal":{"name":"Chungang uihak = The Korean central journal of medicine","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81266166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
H. Cheong, K. Park, Hong-Bin Kim, S. Kim, Bongyoung Kim, C. Moon, M. S. Lee, Y. Yoon, S. Jeong, Y. C. Kim, B. Eun, Hyukmin Lee, Jisu Shin, H. Kim, In Sun Hwang, C. Park, K. Kwon
{"title":"Core Elements for Implementing Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Korean General Hospitals","authors":"H. Cheong, K. Park, Hong-Bin Kim, S. Kim, Bongyoung Kim, C. Moon, M. S. Lee, Y. Yoon, S. Jeong, Y. C. Kim, B. Eun, Hyukmin Lee, Jisu Shin, H. Kim, In Sun Hwang, C. Park, K. Kwon","doi":"10.3904/kjm.2023.98.1.11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2023.98.1.11","url":null,"abstract":"Currently, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to global public health. To overcome this crisis, antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) have been proposed. An ASP supports the optimal use of antimicrobials, including appropriate dosing decisions, as well as the duration and routes of administration. In South Korea, efforts are underway to overcome AMR through a national policy supporting ASPs. This study developed the core elements of an ASP for domestic medical facilities. Two Delphi surveys were conducted to select the core elements through expert consensus. The core elements for ASP implementation included leadership commitment, an operating system, action, tracking, reporting, and education. To ensure that these core elements are present in medical facilities, multiple departments must collaborate to support ASP operations. The establishment of a reimbursement system and workforce for ASPs are prerequisites for ASP implementation. The active implementation of core ASP elements in medical facilities requires the provision of financial support for the ASPs, cultivation of a healthcare workforce to perform ASPs, application of the core elements to healthcare accreditation, and provision of incentives to medical facilities via quality evaluation criteria.","PeriodicalId":84452,"journal":{"name":"Chungang uihak = The Korean central journal of medicine","volume":"219 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89118808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A 71-Year-Old Man with Chronic Epigastric Pain","authors":"Jun-Ho Choi","doi":"10.3904/kjm.2023.98.1.40","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2023.98.1.40","url":null,"abstract":"A 71-year-old man presented due to chronic epigastric pain. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed a lobulated multilocular cystic lesion in the pancreatic head. Considering the patient’s age and imaging findings, pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Pathological examination revealed an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with high-grade dysplasia.","PeriodicalId":84452,"journal":{"name":"Chungang uihak = The Korean central journal of medicine","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81002187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Interpretation of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate","authors":"Da Woon Kim, H. Rhee","doi":"10.3904/kjm.2023.98.1.45","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2023.98.1.45","url":null,"abstract":"Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) plays an important role in the clinical evaluation of renal function, classification, prognosis prediction, and drug dosing in patients with acute or chronic kidney disease . Estimated GFR (eGFR) is calculated based on endogenous filtration markers, such as creatinine and cystatin C. These are useful markers, but it is necessary to understand the clinical settings in which eGFR, calculated using creatinine or cystatin C, may be less accurate. Several equations, including the Cockcroft and Gault, modification of diet in renal disease, and chronic kidney disease-epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations, are used to calculate eGFR. The latter is most common because it has high accuracy and can predict prognosis. Recently, a new race-omitting CKD-EPI equation has been developed but further studies are required to determine whether it can be applied in clinical practice and research. Furthermore, careful use of eGFR is needed in acute kidney injury, kidney transplantation, and dialysis patients. Drug dosing must be guided by accurate GFR assessment. In addition to medical care, GFR assessment is also important for public health and research. Therefore, further studies are needed to reevaluate and develop the equations for accurate eGFR calculations.","PeriodicalId":84452,"journal":{"name":"Chungang uihak = The Korean central journal of medicine","volume":"117 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79414472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Statin Use and the Risk of All-cause Mortality","authors":"J. Bae","doi":"10.3904/kjm.2023.98.1.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2023.98.1.4","url":null,"abstract":"Statins are the cornerstone in primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Most benefits of statin treatment mainly come from lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. However, statins have pleiotropic effects on vascular dysfunction, inflammation, and immunomodulation beyond cholesterol-lowering, suggesting a positive impact on various health outcomes. All-cause mortality is a commonly chosen outcome in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of statins. Nevertheless, the effect of statin treatment on the risk of all-cause mortality remains uncertain since it has usually been evaluated as a secondary outcome or a component of the primary composite outcome. A recent meta-analysis of RCTs also failed to draw a clear conclusion on this issue. Further studies investigating all-cause mortality as a primary endpoint are needed to determine the effect of statins on all-cause mortality from the perspective of evidence-based medicine.","PeriodicalId":84452,"journal":{"name":"Chungang uihak = The Korean central journal of medicine","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86907880","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Non-face-to-face Treatment in Korea: Suggestions for Essential Conditions","authors":"S. Mun","doi":"10.3904/kjm.2023.98.1.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2023.98.1.1","url":null,"abstract":"Since February 24, 2020, non-face-to-face treatment has been temporarily allowed in Korea to protect patients and medical staff from COVID-19, and it has continued to be conducted until now. And on May 3, 2022, the Presidential Transition Committee announced the ‘National Tasks’ to be focused on, including the institutionalization of non-face-to-face treatment centered on primary medical care. Concerns about non-face-to-face treatment in the medical community are increasing, but non-face-to-face treatment is currently being conducted without any restrictions. In this article, I would like to propose essential conditions for the safety of patients so that non-face-to-face treatment can be performed as a complementary means of face-to-face treatment.","PeriodicalId":84452,"journal":{"name":"Chungang uihak = The Korean central journal of medicine","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91185028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Current Challenges for the Korean Association of Internal Medicine","authors":"J. Park","doi":"10.3904/kjm.2022.97.6.335","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2022.97.6.335","url":null,"abstract":"Since its establishment in 1945, the Korean Association of Internal Medicine (KAIM) has had a proud history of overcoming challenges with the combined and harmonized endeavors of all KAIM members. KAIM is now facing several issues related to marked social changes in Korea as well as revolutions in medical science and scientific and communications technologies. Furthermore, KAIM shortened the resident training program in 2017. Internal medicine (IM) is an essential discipline for maintaining and improving the health of Korean citizens. However, the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare lacks initiatives for supporting IM, and the Korean Health Insurance reimbursement policy does not reflect the essential role of IM in health care. This is aggravated by imbalances in hospital resources and skewed notions in patients’ preferences with regard to metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Limited preferences in application to subspecialties may be an obstacle for coordinated development of IM. The current generations of students and residents are familiar with online educational lectures and have different needs for educational materials, which are not met by conventional educational materials. Recent experiences in the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated or accelerated these changes and problems. From this perspective, I will summarize the challenges that KAIM is now facing, and outline some possible solutions.","PeriodicalId":84452,"journal":{"name":"Chungang uihak = The Korean central journal of medicine","volume":"119 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80525441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Updated Treatment Guidelines for Chronic Hepatitis B","authors":"J. An","doi":"10.3904/kjm.2022.97.6.353","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2022.97.6.353","url":null,"abstract":"Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in Korea. While the prevalence of HBV infection is gradually declining in Korea, 3 of the population still suffers from HBV-related chronic liver diseases. In this review, we summarize the updated clinical guidelines for management of chronic HBV, as revised by the Korean Association for the Study of the Liver in 2022.","PeriodicalId":84452,"journal":{"name":"Chungang uihak = The Korean central journal of medicine","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84984884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hyeong Jun Cho, Jongmin Lee, C. Rhee, S. Kim, S. Kim, Y. K. Kim, J. Kang
{"title":"Endobronchial Involvement of Mycobacterium intracellulare in a Patient with Previously Treated Lung Cancer","authors":"Hyeong Jun Cho, Jongmin Lee, C. Rhee, S. Kim, S. Kim, Y. K. Kim, J. Kang","doi":"10.3904/kjm.2022.97.6.375","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2022.97.6.375","url":null,"abstract":"The incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease is increasing, and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is the most common causal species. Patients with underlying structural lung disease or an immunosuppressive condition are at increased risk for MAC infections. Endobronchial lesions caused by MAC infection are extremely rare, especially in immunocompetent hosts. Here, we describe a case of a 58-year-old woman with pulmonary infiltration and endobronchial involvement caused by MAC. The patient had shortness of breath and a productive cough. She had undergone surgery and chemoradiotherapy for lung cancer 10 years prior. Radiological findings revealed small centrilobular nodules with consolidation in the right lung and mild stenosis at the right main bronchus. Bronchoscopy revealed yellowish-white caseous necrosis in the right main bronchus. Mycobacterium intracellulare was identified in bronchial washing fluid. She was treated with antimicrobial medications. After 6 months of treatment, bronchial lesions, radiological findings, and symptoms had improved remarkably and she showed culture conversion.","PeriodicalId":84452,"journal":{"name":"Chungang uihak = The Korean central journal of medicine","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90993925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}