Characteristics and management of mechanically ventilated patients in South Korea compared with other high-income Asian countries and regions.

Background: This study investigated the characteristics of mechanically ventilated patients in South Korean intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods: We conducted a subgroup analysis of a multinational observational study. Data from 271 mechanically ventilated patients in South Korean ICUs were analyzed for demographics, ventilation practices, and mortality, and were compared with those of 327 patients from other high-income Asian countries.

Enhanced Respiratory Sound Classification Using Deep Learning and Multi-Channel Auscultation.

: Identifying and classifying abnormal lung sounds is essential for diagnosing patients with respiratory disorders. In particular, the simultaneous recording of auscultation signals from multiple clinically relevant positions offers greater diagnostic potential compared to traditional single-channel measurements. This study aims to improve the accuracy of respiratory sound classification by leveraging multichannel signals and capturing positional characteristics from multiple sites in the same patient.

Longitudinal association between kidney and lung function in the Korean general population.

Background: The longitudinal relationship between kidney and lung function remains poorly understood. We examined the longitudinal association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and lung function in a Korean population with normal kidney and lung function from 2005 to 2014.

Methods: We recruited participants from the Ansan and Ansung cohorts of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study.

Association Between Plasma Granzyme B Levels, Organ Failure, and 28-Day Mortality Prediction in Patients with Sepsis.

: Sepsis is basically an inflammatory disease that involves the host's immune response. Granzyme B, a cytotoxic protease, has garnered attention for its involvement in modulating immune responses. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical implications of granzyme B in critically ill patients with sepsis, focusing on plasma granzyme B levels as a potential prognostic marker.

Plasma EphA2 level is a superior biomarker to Del-1 for sepsis diagnosis and prognosis.

Background: Sepsis, characterized by a dysregulated host response to infection, often leads to organ dysfunction, and vascular endothelial dysfunction plays a central role. The erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma (Eph)A2 receptor is associated with increased vascular permeability; however, the developmental endothelial locus-1 (Del-1), has contrasting effects on endothelial function. Hence, we examined their potential as biomarkers of sepsis.

Predictive Potential of Retina-Based Biological Age in Assessing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Risk.

Background: Previously, based on retinal photographs, we developed a deep-learning algorithm to predict biological age (termed, RetiAGE) that was associated with future risks of morbidity and mortality. This study specifically aimed to evaluate the performance of RetiAGE in predicting future risks of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: RetiAGE scores were generated from retinal images in the UK Biobank and stratified into tertiles.

Longitudinal association between hemoglobin and lung function with insights into the incidence of airflow obstruction: an observational study.

Background/aims: Evidence regarding the long-term association between hemoglobin (Hb) levels and lung function in individuals from the general population is scarce. This study aimed to determine the longitudinal association between Hb levels and lung function in a community-based population cohort in South Korea.

Methods: We used linear mixed regression analysis to evaluate the longitudinal associations between Hb levels and lung function parameters, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV), and FEV/FVC.

Changes in muscle-to-fat ratio are associated with lung function decline and airflow obstruction in the general population.

Background: The long-term relationship between body composition and lung function has not yet been fully demonstrated. We investigated the longitudinal association between muscle-to-fat (MF) ratio and lung function among middle-aged general population.

Methods: Participants were enrolled from a community-based prospective cohort between 2005 and 2014.

Clinical implication of electrocardiogram change in patients experiencing lung transplantation with end stage lung disease.

Introduction: End-stage lung disease causes cardiac remodeling and induces electrocardiogram (ECG) changes. On the other way, whether lung transplantation (LTx) in end-stage lung disease patients are associated with ECG change is unknown. The object of this study was to investigate ECG changes before and after LTx in end-stage lung disease patients and whether these changes had clinical significance.

Predicting Successful Weaning through Sonographic Measurement of the Rapid Shallow Breathing Index.

Diaphragmatic dysfunction correlates with weaning failure, highlighting the need to independently assess the diaphragm's effects on weaning. We modified the rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI), a predictor of successful weaning, by incorporating temporal variables into existing ultrasound-derived diaphragm index to create a simpler index closer to tidal volume. We conducted a prospective observational study of patients who underwent a spontaneous breathing trial in the medical intensive care unit (ICU) at Severance Hospital between October 2022 and June 2023.

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

Background: 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.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with NTM-PD at a tertiary referral hospital in Korea between March 2012 and December 2018.

Development and validation of novel simple prognostic model for predicting mortality in Korean intensive care units using national insurance claims data.

Background/aims: Intensive care unit (ICU) quality is largely determined by the mortality rate. Therefore, we aimed to develop and validate a novel prognostic model for predicting mortality in Korean ICUs, using national insurance claims data.

Methods: Data were obtained from the health insurance claims database maintained by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of South Korea.

Risk Factors for Unfavorable Outcomes of Tuberculosis in Korea: Implications for Patient-Centered Care in Tuberculosis Treatment.

Background: The treatment success rate for tuberculosis (TB) has stagnated at 80-81% in South Korea, indicating unsatisfactory outcomes. Enhancing treatment success rate necessitates the development of individualized treatment approaches for each patient. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes to facilitate tailored TB care.

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

Background: In 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.

Methods: We 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.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Is Associated With Decreased Exacerbation and Mortality in Patients With COPD: A Nationwide Korean Study.

Background: Poor uptake to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is still challenging around the world. There have been few nationwide studies investigating whether PR impacts patient outcomes in COPD. We investigated the change of annual PR implementation rate, medical costs, and COPD outcomes including exacerbation rates and mortality between 2015 and 2019.

Identification of Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury and Prediction of Renal Recovery in the Intensive Care Unit.

Purpose: Acute kidney injury (AKI) following sepsis is associated with higher mortality; however, reliable biomarkers for AKI development and recovery remain to be elucidated.

Materials And Methods: Patients with sepsis admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) of Severance Hospital between June 2018 and May 2019 were prospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into those with and without AKI within 48 hours.

Longitudinal association between adiposity changes and lung function deterioration.

Background: The longitudinal relationship between adiposity and lung function is controversial. We aimed to investigate the long-term association between adiposity changes and lung function in a middle-aged general Asian population.

Methods: In total, 5011 participants (average age, 54 years; 45% men) were enrolled from a community-based prospective cohort.

Protective effect of methotrexate on lung function and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Studies on the risk and protective factors for lung function decline and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) are limited.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate clinical factors and medication uses associated with lung function decline and mortality in RA-ILD.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study examined the medical records of patients with RA-ILD who visited Severance Hospital between January 2006 and December 2019.

Complications related to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support as a bridge to lung transplantation and their clinical significance.

Background: Incidence of complications related extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support as a bridge to lung transplantation (BTT) and its association with the patient outcome in lung transplantation (LT) has not been well documented in previous studies.

Objectives: We evaluated the incidence of complications related to the use of ECMO support as a BTT, and the association between the occurrence of the complications and patient outcomes in LTs.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study investigated 100 consecutive patients who started ECMO support as a BTT between April 2013 and March 2020.

Sarcopenia is associated with cardiovascular risk in men with COPD, independent of adiposity.

Background: Sarcopenia is a well-established risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), but its relationship with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not been fully determined. This study is aimed to investigate the association between sarcopenia and risk for ASCVD in patients with COPD, independent of central obesity and fat mass.

Methods: Data regarding 704 men with COPD (mean age: 63.