Chang-Hoon Lee

Progression and Treatment Outcomes of Lung Disease Caused by Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium massiliense

Background. Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium massiliense are grouped as the Mycobacterium abscessus complex. The aim of this study was to elucidate the differences between M. abscessus and M. massiliense lung diseases in terms of progression rate, treatment outcome, and the predictors thereof. Methods. Between 1 January 2006 and 30 June 2015, 56 patients and 54 patients were diagnosed with M. abscessus and M. massiliense lung diseases, respectively. The time to progression requiring treatment and treatment outcomes were compared between the 2 groups of patients, and predictors of progression and sustained culture conversion with treatment were analyzed. In addition, mediation analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of susceptibility to clarithromycin on treatment outcomes. Results. During follow-up, 21 of 56 patients with M. abscessus lung diseases and 21 of 54 patients with M. massiliense lung diseases progressed, requiring treatment. No difference was detected in the time to progression between the 2 patient groups. Lower body mass index, bilateral lung involvement, and fibrocavitary-type disease were identified as predictors of disease progression. Among the patients who began treatment, infection with M. massiliense rather than M. abscessus and the use of azithromycin rather than clarithromycin were associated with sustained culture conversion. The difference in treatment outcomes was partly mediated by the organism’s susceptibility to clarithromycin. Conclusions. Progression rates were similar but treatment outcomes differed significantly between patients with lung disease caused by M. abscessus and M. massiliense. This difference in treatment outcomes was partly explained by the susceptibility of these organisms to clarithromycin.

The relationship between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and comorbidities: A cross-sectional study using data from KNHANES 2010–2012

BACKGROUNDnMultiple comorbidities related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) make it a difficult disease to treat. The relationship between these comorbidities and COPD has not been fully investigated. We aimed to determine whether COPD was independently associated with various comorbidities.nnnMETHODSnThis was a cross-sectional study, which used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) V conducted between 2010 and 2012. Survey design analysis was employed to determine the association between COPD and 15 comorbidities. A COPD patient was defined as a smoker with forced expiratory volume in 1xa0s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC)xa0<xa00.7 and comorbidities were defined based on objective laboratory findings and questionnaires.nnnRESULTSnOf a total of 9488 patient who underwent spirometry, 744 (7.84%) COPD cases and 3313 non-COPD controls were included in the analyses. Although the prevalence rates of the majority of the comorbidities were high among the COPD patients, only hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.63; 95% CI, 1.13-2.33 in Stage 1 COPD group; aOR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.36-2.72 in Stage 2-4 COPD group) and a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (aOR, 3.38; 95% CI, 1.90-5.99 in Stage 2-4 COPD group) were independently associated with COPD after adjustment for age, smoking status, and confounders.nnnCONCLUSIONSnOnly hypertension and a history of pulmonary tuberculosis were independently associated with COPD after adjustment for confounders among 15 comorbidities. The results suggest that majority of COPD patients might have similar risk factors with its comorbidities, including age and smoking status.

Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Korea: A National Health Insurance Database Study

Aims/Introduction This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and use of anti-diabetic medications for patients with GDM in Korea, using data of the period 2007–2011 from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) database, which includes the claims data of 97% of the Korean population. Materials and Methods We used the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System codes provided by the HIRA to identify women with delivery in the HIRA database between 2009 and 2011. GDM was defined according to ICD-10 codes, and patients with pre-existing diabetes between January 1, 2007 and pregnancy were excluded. A Poisson regression was performed to evaluate the trends in annual prevalence rates. Results The annual numbers of deliveries in 2009–2011 were 479,160 in 2009, 449,747 in 2010, and 377,374 in 2011. The prevalence of GDM during that period was 7.5% in 2009–2011: 5.7% in 2009, 7.8% in 2010, and 9.5% in 2011. The age-stratified analysis showed that the prevalence of GDM was highest in women aged 40–44 years, at 10.6% in 2009–2011, and that the annual prevalence significantly increased even in young women aged 20–29 years during that period (P < 0.05). More than 95% of the patients with GDM did not take any anti-diabetic medication. Among the anti-diabetic medications prescribed for patients with GDM, insulin was most commonly prescribed (for >98% of the patients with GDM on medication). Conclusions The prevalence of GDM in Korean women recently reached 5.7–9.5% in recent years. This represents a public health concern that warrants proper screening and medical care for GDM in women during the childbearing years.

Inhaled bronchodilators and the risk of tachyarrhythmias

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESnThere have been controversies about whether inhaled bronchodilators could increase the risk of clinically important tachyarrhythmias. We investigated the association between inhaled bronchodilators and the development of tachyarrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation and other paroxysmal tachyarrhythmias in real practice.nnnMETHODSnWe conducted a nested case-control study with the use of the nationwide insurance claims database of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (Seoul, Republic of Korea). Overall, 3312 cases with newly developed tachyarrhythmias including atrial fibrillation and other paroxysmal tachyarrhythmias and 9732 matched (up to 1:5) controls were identified from 545,508 subjects without acute major cardiovascular events in the past year between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. Conditional logistic regression analysis adjusted by comorbidities, cardiovascular drugs and healthcare utilization was performed.nnnRESULTSnIn various multivariate models, the use of inhaled long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) or long-acting inhaled β2 agonists (LABAs) was significantly associated with tachyarrhythmias. Statistically significant effects of LAMAs on tachyarrhythmias were found only in the non-users of β-blockers. We did not find a statistically significant difference in the impact of a LABA without a LAMA vs a LAMA without a LABA (aOR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.74-1.18), or a multiplicative or additive interaction between a LABA and a LAMA.nnnCONCLUSIONSnInhaled LAMAs and LABAs were significantly and comparably associated with an increased risk of tachyarrhythmias.

Choice between Levofloxacin and Moxifloxacin and Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes

RATIONALEnWe previously showed that the choice of levofloxacin or moxifloxacin for the treatment of patients with fluoroquinolone-sensitive multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) did not affect sputum culture conversion at 3 months of treatment.nnnOBJECTIVESnTo compare final treatment outcomes between patients with MDR-TB randomized to levofloxacin or moxifloxacin.nnnMETHODSnA total of 151 participants with MDR-TB who were included for the final analysis in our previous trial were followed through the end of treatment. Treatment outcomes were compared between 77 patients in the levofloxacin group and 74 in the moxifloxacin group, based on the 2008 World Health Organization definitions as well as 2013 revised definitions of treatment outcomes. In addition, the time to culture conversion was compared between the two groups.nnnMEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTSnTreatment outcomes were not different between the two groups, based on 2008 World Health Organization definitions as well as 2013 definitions. With 2008 definitions, cure was achieved in 54 patients (70.1%) in the levofloxacin group and 54 (73.0%) in the moxifloxacin group (Pu2009=u20090.72). Treatment success rates, including cure and treatment completed, were not different between the two groups (87.0 vs. 81.1%, Pu2009=u20090.38). With 2013 definitions, cure rates (83.1 vs. 78.4%, Pu2009=u20090.54) and treatment success rates (84.4 vs. 79.7%, Pu2009=u20090.53) were also similar between the levofloxacin and moxifloxacin groups. Time to culture conversion was also not different between the two groups (27.0 vs. 45.0 d, Pu2009=u20090.11 on liquid media; 17.0 vs. 42.0 d, Pu2009=u20090.14 on solid media). Patients in the levofloxacin group had more adverse events than those in the moxifloxacin group (79.2 vs. 63.5%, Pu2009=u20090.03), especially musculoskeletal ones (37.7 vs. 14.9%, Pu2009=u20090.001).nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe choice of levofloxacin or moxifloxacin made no difference to the final treatment outcome among patients with fluoroquinolone-sensitive MDR-TB. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicalrials.gov (NCT01055145).

Prognostic value of central venous oxygen saturation and blood lactate levels measured simultaneously in the same patients with severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome and severe sepsis.

AbstractBackgroundnBlood lactate levels and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) are known to be useful indicators of global tissue hypoxia. However, it is unclear whether ScvO2 correlates with lactate levels when measured simultaneously and whether changes in ScvO2 or lactate levels in serial measurements have prognostic value. We investigated the correlation between ScvO2 and lactate levels measured simultaneously and their association with clinical outcomes.nMethodsWe performed a prospective observational study of patients with severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and severe sepsis who were admitted to the medical intensive care unit. ScvO2 and lactate levels were measured simultaneously at the time of study enrollment, every 6xa0h for 24xa0h, and then every 24xa0h until the goal was reached.ResultsTwenty-five patients were enrolled in the study; 13 have died and 12 have survived. There was no correlation between lactate levels and ScvO2. Neither lactate levels nor ScvO2 at the time of admission differed between nonsurvivors and survivors. Normalization of lactate levels within 48xa0h was significantly associated with survival.ConclusionsIn patients with severe SIRS and severe sepsis, simultaneously measured ScvO2 and lactate levels showed no correlation, and normalization of lactate levels within 48xa0h was a predictive factor for survival.

Prevalence and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Group Distribution of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Detected by Preoperative Pulmonary Function Test

Background Despite being a major public health problem, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains underdiagnosed, and only 2.4% COPD patients are aware of their disease in Korea. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of COPD detected by spirometry performed as a preoperative screening test and to determine the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) group distribution and self-awareness of COPD. Methods We reviewed the medical records of adults (age, ≥40 years) who had undergone spirometry during preoperative screening between April and August 2013 at a tertiary hospital in Korea. COPD was defined as a postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ratio of <0.7. We analyzed self-administered COPD questionnaires for the assessment of the frequency of acute exacerbation over the previous year and dyspnea severity using the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale and COPD assessment test. Results Among 3029 patients aged >40 years who had undergone spirometry as a preoperative screening test, 474 (15.6%; 404 men; median age, 70 years; range, 44–93 years) were diagnosed with COPD. Only 26 (5.5%) patients reported previous diagnosis of COPD (2.1%), emphysema (0.8%), or chronic bronchitis (2.5%). The GOLD group distribution was as follows: 63.3% in group A, 31.2% in group B, 1.7% in group C, and 3.8% in group D. Conclusions The prevalence of COPD diagnosed by preoperative spirometry was 15.6%, and only 5.5% patients were aware of their disease. Approximately one-third of the COPD patients belonged to GOLD groups B, C, and D, which require regular treatment.

Serum activin‐A as a predictive and prognostic marker in critically ill patients with sepsis

There are limited data regarding serum activin‐A as a biomarker for sepsis. We examined whether serum activin‐A concentration could predict sepsis severity and prognosis in the management of critically ill patients with sepsis.

Prevalence of Spirometrically-defined Restrictive Ventilatory Defect in Korea: The Fourth-2, 3, and Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2008-2012

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of restrictive ventilatory defect and to determine the risk factors in subjects with spirometrically-defined restrictive ventilatory defect. We used the population-based, fourth-2, 3 (2008, 2009) and fifth (2010-2012) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) to analyze 15,073 subjects, aged ≥40 yr who underwent spirometry. Chest radiographs were also analyzed to identify restrictive lung disease. Spirometrically-defined restrictive ventilatory defect (FEV1/FVC≥70% and FVC<80% of mean predicted value) was detected in 11.3% (n= 1,709) of subjects aged ≥40 yr. The prevalence increased to 12.3% on using the lower limit of normal (LLN) criteria. Approximately 99.4% of subjects were classified as mild restrictive. Among these, 11.3% had inactive tuberculosis (TB) lesion, 2.2% cardiac disease, 2.0% previous operation scar or radiation injury and/or mediastinal disease, and 7.4% other pulmonary disease suggestive of restrictive lung diseases on chest radiograph. Evidence of previous TB history was independently associated with restrictive ventilatory defect (odds ratios [OR], 1.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-2.18) after adjustment for gender, age, smoking, area for residence and body mass index. The prevalence of restrictive ventilatory defect among the nationwide population in Korea was 11.3% with fixed ratio criterion and 12.3% with LLN criterion. Most cases were of the mild restrictive category and previous TB history is the independent risk factor for restrictive ventilatory defect. Graphical Abstract

Different prevalence and clinical characteristics of asthma–chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome according to accepted criteria

BACKGROUNDnA unified definition of asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome (ACOS) is not available, which makes it difficult to evaluate the prevalence and clinical features of patients with ACOS.nnnOBJECTIVEnTo investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of ACOS according to the updated widely accepted diagnostic criteria.nnnMETHODSnParticipants were enrolled from a prospective cohort study conducted between April 2013 and November 2016 in South Korea. We adopted 4 criteria of ACOS: modified Spanish, American Thoracic Society (ATS) Roundtable criteria, the Latin American Project for the Investigation of Obstructive Lung Disease (PLATINO), and the Global Initiative for Asthma/Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GINA/GOLD) criteria. The prevalence, clinical characteristics, and exacerbations of ACOS were investigated.nnnRESULTSnAmong 301 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 31.3%, 11.9%, 48.3%, and 46.15% were diagnosed with ACOS according to the modified Spanish, ATS Roundtable criteria, PLATINO, and GINA/GOLD criteria, respectively. Compared with other criteria, patients with ACOS diagnosed according to the modified Spanish criteria had better exercise capacity and lung function at baseline but higher risk of moderate to severe (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-3.41; Pxa0= .01) and total (adjusted odds ratio, 2.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.33-3.31; P < .01) exacerbations during at least a 1-year follow-up period than patients without ACOS.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe prevalence of ACOS varied according to the diagnostic criteria. Among the different criteria, the modified Spanish criteria could identify patients with more asthmatic features and higher risk of exacerbation.nnnTRIAL REGISTRATIONnClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02527486.