Trend of prevalence and characteristics of preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm): Nationwide population-based survey between 2010 and 2019.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, trends, and factors of preserved ratio with impaired spirometry (PRISm) by using a nationally representative sample.

Patients And Methods: The datasets of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2019 were used: of total 32,949 participants aged ≥40 and no missing data on spirometry, 24,523 with normal, 4,623 with obstructive, and 3,803 with PRISm were identified. PRISm was defined as FEV1/FVC ≥70% and FEV1% of the predicted value (%pred) <80.

High Serum Folate Concentration Is Associated with Better Lung Function in Male Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients Who Are Current Smokers: Analysis of Nationwide Population-Based Survey.

Folate, folic acid, has a role in mitigating inflammatory reactions in the human body. This study aimed to evaluate the association of serum folate levels with lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Of the 8149 participants of the 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 311 subjects (192 males and 119 females) having COPD defined by the lower fifth percentile of the reference population were selected.

Tracheal pleomorphic adenoma with coexisting pulmonary tuberculoma.

Tracheal tumors are rare and difficult to diagnose. Moreover, delays in diagnosis are very common because the symptoms are nonspecific. As a result, tracheal tumors are commonly mistreated as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or bronchial asthma.

Changes in skin reactivity and associated factors in patients sensitized to house dust mites after 1 year of allergen-specific immunotherapy.

Background: Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) can significantly improve symptoms and reduce the need for symptomatic medication.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in skin reactivity to house dust mites (HDMs) as an immunologic response and associated factors after 1 year of immunotherapy.

Methods: A total of 80 patients with allergic airway diseases who received subcutaneous SIT with HDMs from 2009 to 2014 were evaluated.

Neuron-specific enolase as a novel biomarker reflecting tuberculosis activity and treatment response.

Background/aims: It is not clear which tests are indicative of the activity and severity of tuberculosis (TB). This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and to determine the origin of NSE in TB patients.

Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis was conducted on newly diagnosed TB patients between January and December 2010.

Successful treatment of a tracheal squamous cell carcinoma with a combination of cryoablation and photodynamic therapy.

Malignant tumors of the trachea are rare, and account for less than 0.1% of all malignancies. Because there are no guidelines based on randomized clinical trials, the choice of treatment modalities and optimal sequences have not yet been established.

Association between genetic variations of the transforming growth factor ß receptor type III and asthma in a Korean population.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) and its receptors have been suggested to play key roles in the pathogenesis of asthma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of genetic variations in the TGF-ß receptor type III (TGFBR3) on asthma and on its related phenotypes in the general population. A cohort of 2,118 subjects aged from 10 to 18 years responded to a questionnaire concerning asthma symptoms and risk factors.

EGFR and KRAS mutations in patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Background/aims: Mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) are important in the pathogenesis of lung cancer, and recent reports have revealed racial and geographical differences in mutation expression.

Methods: This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of EGFR and KRAS mutations and their correlation with clinical variables in Korean patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung. Formalin-fixed adenocarcinoma specimens from 104 randomly selected patients diagnosed at Kosin University Gospel Hospital from October 1996 to January 2005 were used for the study.

Photodynamic therapy in early lung cancer: a report of two cases.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) that is based on the science of photochemistry has been recognized as a lung sparing local therapeutic modality that can achieve remarkable responses. It is an alternative treatment for early stage lung cancer patients who have poor lung function or multiple sites of cancer. Recently we treated a 70-year-old man who presented with squamous carcinoma in situ at a previous pneumonectomy site, and a 64-year-old man with a newly developed secondary superficial lung cancer, with PDT.

Detection of pre-invasive endobronchial tumors with D-light/autofluorescence system.

Autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) is one of the newly developed diagnostic tools to detect the pre-cancerous lesions in the bronchial tissue. The utility of DLight/AFB in the detection of pre-cancerous lesions was compared to the standard white light bronchoscopy (WLB). In 113 patients (male 106, female 7), who visited hospital for evaluation of lung cancer, WLB and AFB were done and 364 biopsy specimens were obtained from November 2001 to August 2002.