Search

To understand current treatment patterns and health care resource utilization (HRU) of women with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (advanced breast cancer; ABC) in Korea overall and within patients who had progressed with prior endocrine therapy (as first-line treatment for metastatic disease) and patients with no prior systemic treatment (for advanced disease). A chart review was conducted in 109 patients (women ≥ 18 years old with HR+/HER2- ABC diagnosed between 2015 and 2017) from 11 hospitals. Anonymized data on patient characteristics, treatment patterns and HRU was abstracted. Mean (range) age of all patients was 57.5 (40–81) years. Overall, the most common first-, second- and third-line systemic therapy after diagnosis of ABC were letrozole ± palbociclib (51%), endocrine therapy (ET)±everolimus (42%) or chemotherapy (ChT) (39%), and ChT (68%), respectively. In patients progressed with ET (n = 33) and those with no prior systemic treatment (n = 52), the most common first-line treatments were letrozole (82%) and letrozole + palbociclib (42%), respectively. The percentage of patients with at least one grade 3 or higher adverse event during first-line therapy was 93.1% vs 39.2% in patients on a ChT based regimen (N = 29) vs. ET (N = 74). Overall, oncologist visits, at an annual rate of 9.27 (95% CI: 8.87, 9.69) visits per month, and hospitalizations, with an annual rate of 0.44 (95% CI: 0.36, 0.54), and mean (SD) length of stay of 14.3 (10.32) days, were the key drivers of HRU. These findings on real world HRU reflected clinical guidelines and severity of ABC. Results can inform future evaluations of new ABC treatments that estimate the health economic impact of their adoption in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may develop mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, which negatively impact of disease progression. We investigated factors associated with the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms among HIV-infected patients in Korea. A total of 840 HIV-infected patients who participated in the Korea HIV/AIDS Cohort Study from 2006 to 2012 were evaluated. Socio-demographic, epidemiologic, and clinical variables were obtained through standardized questionnaires. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory were used to assess the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. The prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among HIV-infected patients was 32% and 36%, respectively. Ex-smoker and persistent symptoms for more than one week within the past six months and diagnosis of HIV infection within one year were associated with increased anxiety symptoms (odds ratio [OR] 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–2.69; OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.09–2.11; OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.02–2.20) and current smoking and persistent symptoms were also associated with increased depressive symptoms (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.31–3.30; OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.25–2.79). Marital status, current smoking, current drinking, and persistent symptoms were associated with both increased anxiety and depressive symptoms (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.07–2.88; OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.06–2.61; OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.18–2.99). The prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among HIV-infected patients is higher than those estimated for the general population. This study shows the necessity to evaluate symptoms of anxiety and depression and suggest psychological support for HIV-infected patients who smoke or have persistent symptoms or have sexual partner or drink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of central and abdominal obesity with the prevalence of cataracts in a middle-aged Korean population. This retrospective cross-sectional study was based on the data collected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2009, in which 4,914 subjects were examined. Ophthalmological examinations were performed to determine the presence of a nuclear, cortical, or posterior subcapsular cataract. Both general obesity (a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) and abdominal obesity (a waist circumference ≥90 cm for men and ≥80 cm for women) were significantly associated with the occurrence of cataracts among middle-aged women [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03–1.69; and aOR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.06–1.85, respectively], while abdominal obesity was significantly inversely associated with the occurrence of cataracts among middle-aged men (aOR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.58–1.01; and aOR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.49–0.89, respectively). We report a difference in the association between obesity and the prevalence of cataracts based on gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). We investigated alterations in plasma metabolites associated with borderline-to-moderate HTG (triglycerides (TG) 150-500 mg/dL). Using UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry analysis, the metabolomics profiles of 111 non-diabetic and non-obese individuals with borderline-to-moderate HTG were compared with those of 111 age- and sex-matched controls with normotriglyceridemia (NTG, TG <150 mg/dL). When compared to the NTG control group, the HTG group exhibited higher plasma levels of lysophosphatidylcholines (lysoPCs), including C14:0 (q = 0.001) and C16:0 (q = 1.8E-05), and several amides, including N-ethyldodecanamide (q = 2.9E-05), N-propyldodecanamide (q = 3.5E-05), palmitoleamide (q = 2.9E-06), and palmitic amide (q = 0.019). The metabolomic profiles of the HTG group also exhibited lower plasma levels of cis-4-octenedioic acid (q<1.0E-9) and docosanamide (q = 0.002) compared with those of the NTG controls. LysoPC 16:0 and palmitoleamide emerged as the primary metabolites able to discriminate the HTG group from the NTG group in a partial least-squares discriminant analysis and were positively associated with the fasting triglyceride levels. We identified alterations in lysoPCs, amides, and cis-4-octenedioic acid among non-diabetic and non-obese individuals with borderline-to-moderate HTG. These results provide novel insights into the metabolic alterations that occur in the early metabolic stages of HTG. This information may facilitate the design of early interventions to prevent disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims: We investigated the association of insulin resistance with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components among Korean adolescents. Methods: We analyzed the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008–2010). Adolescents aged 10–18 years without diabetes (1584 boys and 1388 girls) were evaluated. Insulin resistance was assessed by homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and MetS was diagnosed according to the 2007 International Diabetes Federation criteria for adolescents. Results: The prevalence of MetS was 1.4% among boys and 1.7% among girls. Girls in the highest quartile of HOMA-IR were significantly more likely to have MetS compared to girls in the lower quartiles independent of survey year, age, body mass index, white blood cell count, and alanine aminotransferase [odds ratio (OR), 5.33; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.57–18.11]. Moreover, compared to girls in the lowest quartile of HOMA-IR, girls in the highest quartile significantly exhibited large waist circumference (OR, 3.22; 95% CI, 1.01–10.35), high triglycerides (OR, 6.43; 95% CI, 2.83–14.58), and low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.50–4.11). However, such associations were not found among boys. Conclusions: Our results suggest that insulin resistance may be independently associated with MetS, large waist circumference, high triglycerides, and low HDL-C only among girls. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A correct diagnosis and a proper treatment may yield a rapid and simple cure for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Although the Gufoni maneuver is widely used to treat apogeotropic horizontal-canal BPPV (HC-BPPV), few studies have clarified the relationship between the speed and intensity of maneuver execution and successful canalith reposition. To evaluate the effect of accelerated execution of the Gufoni maneuver, a prospective randomized controlled study was conducted with HC-BPPV patients in a single dizziness clinic. The patients had been diagnosed with apogeotropic HC-BPPV and were undergoing treatment at the dizziness clinic of a tertiary university hospital from January 2013 to August 2014. Two groups were treated with the maneuver performed at different speeds and the resolution rate was compared. The accelerated maneuver group was subjected to faster position changing—within 1 s—during the reposition maneuver, while the non-accelerated maneuver group underwent slower maneuvers. Therapeutic efficacy was defined as dizziness relief or resolution of nystagmus within 1 h. Fifty patients with apogeotropic HC-BPPV were enrolled and treated with the Gufoni maneuver in two groups of 25 patients. The overall resolution rate was 48% (24 of 50; p = 1.00), regardless of acceleration. Our results suggest that a faster, more intense execution of the Gufoni maneuver provides little benefit in treating apogeotropic HC-BPPV. Detachment of the otolith from the cupula or the gravitational force—when the otolith is in the anterior arm of the HC—may be more important contributors to treatment efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a rare type of cancer, accounting for 1% of adult solid cancers. The aim of the present study is to determine the incidence of localized and advanced STS in Korean patients, their treatment patterns, and the survival of patients by disease status., Materials and Methods: The STS patient cohort was defined using National Health Insurance Service medical data from 2002 to 2015. Incidence, distribution, anatomical location of tumors, survival rates (Kaplan-Meyer survival function) and treatment patterns were analyzed by applying different algorithms to the STS cohort containing localized and advanced STS cases., Results: A total of 7,813 patients were diagnosed with STS from 2007 to 2014, 4,307 were localized STS and 3,506 advanced STS cases. The total incidence of STS was 2.49 per 100,000 person- years: 1.37 per 100,000 person-years for localized STS and 1.12 per 100,000 person-years for advanced STS. The 5-year survival rate after diagnosis was 56.4% for all STS, 82.4% for localized, and 27.2% for advanced STS. Half of the advanced STS patients (49.98%) received anthracycline-containing chemotherapy as initial treatment after diagnosis., Conclusion: This study provides insights into localized and advanced STS epidemiology, treatment patterns and outcomes in Korea, which could be used as fundamental data in improving clinical outcomes of STS patients in the future.

Recombinant human parathyroid hormone (PTH) is the key anabolic agent used for preventing fracture in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. In bone metabolism, PTH signaling is mediated through a G protein-coupled receptor that affects various post-receptor signaling pathways. Results of preclinical and clinical studies have shown that PTH improves both the structure and strength of bone tissue. Once daily subcutaneous injection of the PTH fragment, teriparatide (PTH [1-34]), is the most commonly recommended formulation and dosing strategy in clinical practice. However, other dosing intervals, formulations, and routes have been investigated in preclinical and clinical studies. In particular, once-weekly and cyclical administration have been investigated mainly as a means of reducing the high direct costs of treatment. In preclinical studies, bone formation/resorption markers, bone mineral density measurements, and histomorphometric parameters improved with both once-daily and once-weekly administration. However, the magnitude and duration of such improvements were generally greater with once-daily PTH administration. In clinical studies, reductions in fracture incidence were also noted with both once-daily and once-weekly PTH administration, although improvements in nonvertebral fractures are less evident with once-weekly administration. This narrative review details the differences between PTH formulation and dosing strategies in relation to preclinical and clinical efficacy/safety parameters, although it should be stressed that no head-to-head studies allow direct comparisons. This review also seeks to outline practical considerations involved with PTH prescribing and new directions in research regarding routes of administration. © 2017 The Authors. JBMR Plus is published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

We have designed a five-year multicentre prospective cohort study in women who are both human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive with either atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) of cervix. This study aimed to analyze the risk of developing a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) from either ASCUS or LSIL in HPV-positive women, so called 'progression' rate, to investigate differences in the progression rates according to HPV type-specific infection, and to evaluate the various factors associated with the persistence or clearance of HPV infection in the Korean population. At present, the study protocol composed of cervical cytology, HPV DNA testing, and questionnaire have been conducted actively since the first participant was enrolled in 2010. This study is the first nationwide Korea HPV cohort study. Our data will provide valuable information about not only the ambiguous cytology results of ASCUS and LSIL but also the effect of the specific HPV type and other various factors on the progression to HSIL. Finally, the results of our study will be helpful and applicable to determine the primary cervical cancer prevention strategies.