Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Severe Asthma With Fungal Sensitization in Korea.

Purpose: Severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS) is associated with life-threatening exacerbation and severe airflow limitation. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of fungal sensitization in asthma and clinical characteristics of SAFS.

Methods: This study analyzed data from the Cohort for Reality and Evolution of Adult Asthma in Korea and the Korean Severe Asthma Registry cohorts.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors for escalation to anaphylaxis from non-severe drug hypersensitivity reaction.

Background: Drug hypersensitivity reaction (DHR) poses significant challenges in clinical practice, with some patients experiencing more severe reactions upon re-exposure. Understanding the factors contributing to escalation into more severe reactions is crucial for improving patient safety. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with the progression from non-severe DHR to anaphylaxis.

Efficacy of ETB-F01, Heat-Killed Strain EB-AMDK19, in Patients with Respiratory Symptoms: A Multicenter Clinical Trial.

Respiratory symptoms are prevalent in the general population, and they are associated with a decline in lung function and increased mortality. The gut-lung connection suggests intestinal dysbiosis may impact lung diseases, with showing promise in regulating extraintestinal diseases. However, its application in patients with respiratory symptoms lacks clinical trial evidence.

Clinical Characteristics of T2-Low and T2-High Asthma-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap: Findings From COREA Cohort.

Purpose: Despite the emerging biologics, biomarkers and treatment options for asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) are still limited, requiring further research.

Methods: We enrolled 378 ACO patients from a multicenter real-world asthma cohort in Korea and compared the clinical characteristics, lung function, and exacerbation between type 2 (T2)-high and T2-low groups. We used the following comparisons: 1) low vs.

Risk Factors for Intravenous Acetaminophen-Induced Hypotension in Patients with Repeated Acetaminophen Administration.

Purpose: Intravenous (IV) acetaminophen-induced hypotension is a clinically significant issue that remains difficult to predict. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the factors associated with hypotension in patients with repeated IV acetaminophen administration.

Materials And Methods: This observational cohort study included patients who received IV acetaminophen in the critical care unit of the Yongin Severance Hospital in 2020.

Anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase-interacting multifunctional protein-1 antibody improves airway inflammation in mice with house dust mite induced asthma.

Background: Several biologics have been developed and used to treat severe asthma. However, commercialized biologics have limitations in treating T2-low asthma because their main target is the T2 inflammation marker. Therefore, there is an unmet need for treating T2-low severe asthma.

Comparative efficacy of biologics for patients with inadequately controlled asthma: A network meta-analysis.

Background: Few studies have evaluated the comparative efficacy of biologics for asthma. This network meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy of biologics.

Methods: This study included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of a biologic compared to a placebo or another biologic in patients with inadequately controlled asthma despite high-intensity treatment, published by January 6, 2022.

Usefulness of Impulse Oscillometry in Predicting the Severity of Bronchiectasis.

Background: Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory disease that leads to airway inflammation, destruction, and airflow limitation, which reflects its severity. Impulse oscillometry (IOS) is a non-invasive method that uses sound waves to estimate lung function and airway resistance. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of IOS in predicting the severity of bronchiectasis.

Spirometric Interpretation and Clinical Relevance According to Different Reference Equations.

Background: Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI)-2012 reference equation is currently suggested for interpretation of spirometry results and a new local reference equation has been developed in South Korea. However, lung function profiles according to the different reference equations and their clinical relevance have not been identified in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

Methods: Our cross-sectional study evaluated Choi's, Korean National Health and National Examination Survey (KNHANES)-VI, and GLI-2012 reference equations.

Frequency and Risk Factor Analysis for Metronidazole-Associated Neurologic Adverse Events.

Background: Little is known about the risk factors and frequency of metronidazole-associated neurological adverse events.

Objective: To investigate the risk factors and frequency of metronidazole-associated neurological adverse events.

Design: This retrospective study contained two parts.

Skin Test-Guided Strategy to Select Alternative Iodinated Contrast Media in Patients With Immediate Hypersensitivity Reaction: A Prospective Confirmative Study.

Background: Iodinated contrast media (ICM) are a common cause of drug-induced immediate hypersensitivity reaction (IHR). Repeated use of ICM is often necessary; therefore, a standardized protocol to prevent recurrence of IHR is required.

Objective: We aimed to propose an intradermal skin test (IDT)-guided strategy for previous reactors to prevent recurrence of IHR.

Outstanding Characteristics of Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome in Korea.

Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by multiple lung cysts, typical skin manifestations, and renal tumors. We prospectively enrolled thirty-one subjects from four South Korean institutions with typical lung cysts, and next-generation sequencing was conducted. We prospectively enrolled thirty-one subjects from four Korean institutions with typical lung cysts.

Differences in the Recurrence Rate of Immediate Adverse Drug Reactions According to the Components of Alternative Contrast Media: Analysis of Repetitive Computed Tomography Cases in a Single Tertiary Hospital.

Introduction: The recurrence rates of immediate adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to the alternative radiocontrast media (RCM) are not well known. Previous studies suggest selection of alternative RCM considering carbamoyl side chains; however, its usefulness for preventing the recurrence of ADRs has not been clearly verified.

Objective: The aim of this study was to verify the recurrence rate of immediate ADRs according to the alternative RCM.

Evaluation of Allergenicity on a ω-5 Gliadin-Deficient Cultivar in Wheat-Dependent Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis.

Purpose: ω-5 gliadin is the major allergen that causes wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA). Recently, a missing mutant wheat cultivar at 1B chromosome and closely linked was bred. This cultivar (ω5D) has a deficiency in ω-5 and γ-gliadins as well as some low-molecular-weight glutenins.

Clinical impact of pneumothorax in patients with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and respiratory failure in an HIV-negative cohort.

Background: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) with acute respiratory failure can result in development of pneumothorax during treatment. This study aimed to identify the incidence and related factors of pneumothorax in patients with PCP and acute respiratory failure and to analyze their prognosis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the occurrence of pneumothorax, including clinical characteristics and results of other examinations, in 119 non-human immunodeficiency virus patients with PCP and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilator treatment in a medical intensive care unit (ICU) at a tertiary-care center between July 2016 and April 2019.

Decreased annual risk of tuberculosis infection in South Korean healthcare workers using interferon-gamma release assay between 1986 and 2005.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) has been a major public health problem in South Korea. Although TB notification rate in Korea is gradually decreasing, still highest among the member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. To effectively control TB, understanding the TB epidemiology such as prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and annual risk of TB infection (ARI) are important.

Nationwide pharmacovigilance data for cetuximab-induced anaphylaxis and predictive model validation using prospective specific IgE detection.

Background: Cetuximab (chimeric monoclonal antibody to human epidermal growth factor receptor) is used to treat colorectal and head and neck cancers. Due to cross-reactivity with galactose-α-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal), it can induce hypersensitivity even at first administration. We aimed to determine the incidence and clinical manifestation of cetuximab-induced anaphylaxis, and to establish a means of predicting its incidence in patients ahead of treatment.

Influence of government-driven quality assessment program on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: The Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) has launched the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Quality Assessment Program (CQAP) since 2014. We aimed to reveal the influence of this national program on clinical outcomes and the burden of COPD in Korea.

Methods: The CQAP is conducted annually.

Obesity-induced Vitamin D Deficiency Contributes to Lung Fibrosis and Airway Hyperresponsiveness.

Vitamin D (VitD) has pleiotropic effects. VitD deficiency is closely involved with obesity and may contribute to the development of lung fibrosis and aggravation of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). We evaluated the causal relationship between VitD deficiency and the lung pathologies associated with obesity.

Impact of the Asthma Quality Assessment Program on Burden of Asthma.

Background: In 2013, the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service launched the Asthma Quality Assessment Program (AQAP) to assess whether patients with asthma were well managed.

Objective: To show the impact of the AQAP on the medical utilization behavior for asthma.

Methods: We used claims data linked with the results of the AQAP performed between July 2013 and June 2017.

Effects of Air Purifiers on Patients with Allergic Rhinitis: a Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Study.

Purpose: Exposure to particulate matter (PM) is a well-known risk factor in the triggering and exacerbation of allergic airway disease. Indoor environments, where people spend most of their time, are of utmost importance. To assess the effects of air purifiers [equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters] on allergic rhinitis (AR) in adult patients, we performed a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study.

Application of Impulse Oscillometry in Adult Asthmatic Patients With Preserved Lung Function.

Purpose: It is difficult to assess airway obstruction using spirometry in adult asthmatic patients with preserved lung function. Impulse oscillometry (IOS) can detect not only airway resistance but also reactance. Therefore, IOS may be useful in assessing pulmonary function in such patients.

Efficacy of transdermal immunotherapy with biodegradable microneedle patches in a murine asthma model.

Background: House dust mite (HDM) is a well-known cause of asthma. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) can only modify the natural course of the disease. Conventional routes of HDM AIT are subcutaneous or sublingual.