Impact of anthropometric parameters on outcomes in Asians with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: We examined the incidence and predictors of clinical outcomes in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), focusing on anthropometric parameters. METHODS: Adult patients with MAFLD were identified in nationwide databases and a hospital cohort. Primary endpoints were atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and advanced fibrosis. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were used to analyse the association between anthropometric parameters and endpoints. RESULTS: In total, 4407 of 15 256 (28.9%) and 6274 of 25 784 subjects (24.3%) had MAFLD in the nationwide database; of these, 403 (9.2%) and 437 (7.0%) subjects were of lean/normal weight, respectively. Compared to the overweight/obese group, the lean/normal weight group had a significantly lower muscle mass (15.0 vs. 18.9 kg) and handgrip strength (31.9 vs. 35.1 kg) and had a higher ASCVD risk (9.0% vs. 6.3% and 15.9% vs. 8.5%; Ps < 0.001). Sarcopenia (odds ratio [OR], 6.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.79-24.80) and handgrip strength (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.86-0.97; Ps = 0.005) were associated with the ASCVD risk in the lean/normal weight group. In a hospital cohort (n = 1363), the ASCVD risk was significantly higher in the lean/normal weight group than in the overweight/obese group (median follow-up, 39.1 months). Muscle mass was inversely correlated with the ASCVD risk (hazard ratio [HR], 0.72; 95% CI, 0.56-0.94), while visceral adiposity was associated with advanced fibrosis (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.10-1.69; Ps < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Muscle mass/strength was significantly associated with the ASCVD risk in patients with MAFLD. Visceral adiposity was an independent predictor of advanced fibrosis.

Long-Term Changes in the Mortality Rates of Thyroid Cancer in Korea: Analysis of Korean National Data from 1985 to 2020.

BACKGRUOUND: Thyroid cancer mortality has been largely overlooked as relatively stable given the large gap between thyroid cancer incidence and mortality. This study evaluated long-term trends in age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) throughout Korea and compared them with mortality data reported by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER). METHODS: Cancer-specific mortality data from 1985 to 2020 were obtained from Statistics Korea. ASMRs from thyroid cancer were calculated based on the Korean mid-year resident registration population of 2005. We assessed SEER*Explorer and downloaded the mortality data. RESULTS: The ASMR increased from 0.19 to 0.77/100,000 between 1985 and 2002 but decreased continuously to 0.36/100,000 in 2020. The annual percent change (APC) in the ASMR between 1985 and 2003 and between 2003 and 2020 was 6.204 and -4.218, respectively, with similar patterns observed in both men and women. The ASMR of the SEER showed a modest increase from 1988 to 2016 and then stabilized. In subgroup analysis, the ASMR of the old age group (≥55 years) increased significantly from 0.82 in 1985 to 3.92/100,000 in 2002 (APC 6.917) but then decreased again to 1.86/100,000 in 2020 (APC -4.136). ASMRs according to the age group in the SEER showed a relatively stable trend even in the elderly group. CONCLUSION: The ASMR of thyroid cancer in Korea had increased from 1985 to 2002 but has since been steadily decreasing. This trend was mainly attributed to elderly people aged 55 or over. The absolute APC value of Korea was much higher than that of the SEER.

C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 promotes myogenesis of myoblasts via the AKT-mTOR pathway.

Muscle mass decreases with aging, while the C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) increases with aging; in this context, CCL2 can be considered a potential aging-promoting factor. Thus, CCL2 knockout mice are expected to exhibit anti-aging effects including protection against loss of muscle mass. However, instead, muscle amount and recovery of damaged muscles are decreased in CCL2 knockout mice. Therefore, we hypothesized that increasing CCL2 in the elderly might be related to compensation for loss of muscle mass. To confirm the relationship between muscle and CCL2, we sought to establish the role of CCL2 in C2C12 cells and Human Skeletal Muscle Myoblast (HSMM) cells. The myotube (MT) fusion index increased with CCL2 compared to 5day CCL2 vehicle only (27.0 % increase, P<0.05) in immunocytochemistry staining (ICC) data. CCL2 also restored MTs atrophy caused by dexamethasone (21.8 % increase, P<0.0001). p-mTOR/mTOR and p-AKT/total AKT increased with CCL2 compared to CCL2 vehicle only (18.3 and 30.5% increase respectively, P<0.05) and decreased with CCR2-siRNA compared to CCL2 (38.9 % (P<0.05) and 56.7% (P<0.005) reduction respectively). In conclusion, CCL2 positively affects myogenesis by CCR2 via AKT-mTOR signaling pathways. CCL2 might have potential as a therapeutic target for low muscle mass and muscle recovery.

Recent Changes in the Incidence of Thyroid Cancer in Korea between 2005 and 2018: Analysis of Korean National Data.

BACKGRUOUND: In this study, we evaluated the recent changes in the standardized, age-specific, stage-specific incidence rates (IRs) of thyroid cancer in Korea and compared them with the incidence data reported by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. METHODS: The analysis was conducted using the incidence data (2005 to 2018) from the Statistics Korea and Korea Central Cancer Registry. RESULTS: The age-standardized IR (SIR) of thyroid cancer increased from 24.09 per 100,000 in 2005 to 74.83 in 2012 (annual percent change [APC], 14.5). From 2012 to 2015, the SIR decreased to 42.52 (APC, -17.9) and then remained stable until 2018 (APC, 2.1). This trend was similar in both men and women. Regarding age-specific IRs, the IRs for ages of 30 years and older showed a trend similar to that of the SIR; however, for ages below 30 years, no significant reduction was observed from the vertex of IR in 2015. Regarding stage-specific IRs, the increase was more prominent in those with regional disease (APC, 17.4) than in those with localized disease until 2012; then, the IR decreased until 2015 (APC, -16.1). The average APC from 2005 to 2018 increased in men, those under the age of 30 years, and those with regional disease. CONCLUSION: The SIR in Korea peaked in 2012 and decreased until 2015 and then remained stable until 2018. However, in young individuals under the age of 30 years, the IR did not significantly decrease but tended to increase again. In terms of stage-specific IRs, the sharpest increase was seen among those with regional disease.

Effect of a Web-Based Management Guide on Risk Factors in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Diabetic Kidney Disease: A JADE Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and its comorbidities can be prevented by treating multiple targets. Technology-assisted team-based care with regular feedback and patient empowerment can improve the attainment of multiple targets and clinical outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes, but the effects of this intervention on patients with DKD are unclear. Objective: To evaluate the effect of the Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation (JADE) web portal, nurse reminders, and team-based care on multiple risk factors in patients with DKD. Design, Setting, and Participants: This 12-month multinational, open-label randomized clinical trial was conducted between June 27, 2014, and February 19, 2019, at 13 hospital-based diabetes centers in 8 countries or regions in Asia. All patients who participated had DKD. The intention-to-treat data analysis was performed from April 7 to June 30, 2020. Interventions: Patients were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio at each site to usual care, empowered care, or team-based empowered care. All patients underwent a JADE web portal-guided structured assessment at baseline and month 12. Patients in the usual care and empowered care groups received a medical follow-up. Patients in the empowered care group also received a personalized JADE report and nurse telephone calls every 3 months. Patients in the team-based empowered care group received additional face-to-face reviews every 3 months from a physician-nurse team. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who attained multiple treatment targets (defined as ≥3 of 5 targets: HbA1c level <7.0% [53 mmol/mol], blood pressure <130/80 mm Hg, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level <1.8 mmol/L, triglyceride level <1.7 mmol/L, and/or persistent use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors). Results: A total of 2393 patients (mean [SD] age, 67.7 [9.8] years; 1267 men [52.9%]) were randomized to the usual care group (n = 795), empowered care group (n = 802), and team-based empowered care group (n = 796). At baseline, 34.7% patients (n = 830) were on 3 treatment targets. On intention-to-treat analysis, the team-based empowered care group had the highest proportion of patients who had further increase in attainment of multiple treatment targets (within-group differences: usual care group, 3.9% [95% CI, 0.0%-7.8%]; empowered care group, 1.3% [95% CI, -2.8% to 5.4%]; team-based empowered care group, 9.1% [95% CI, 4.7%-13.5%]). The team-based empowered care group was more likely to attain multiple treatment targets than the usual care group (risk ratio [RR], 1.17; 95% CI, 1.00-1.37) and the empowered care group (RR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.06-1.48) after adjustment for site. Compared with the group that did not attain multiple treatment targets, the group that attained multiple treatment targets reported a lower incidence of cardiovascular, kidney, and cancer events (8.4% [n = 51] vs 14.5% [n = 134]; P = .004). Analysis of the per-protocol population yielded similar results. Conclusions and Relevance: This trial found that technology-assisted team-based care for 12 months improved the attainment of multiple treatment targets as well as empowerment in patients with DKD. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02176278.

Association between thyroid hormones and insulin resistance indices based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Thyroid dysfunction has been implicated as a potential pathophysiological factor in glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance (IR). This study aimed to identify the correlation between thyroid dysfunction and IR. We used data from the sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to evaluate a total of 5727 participants. The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated to represent IR. Correlation analysis was performed between thyroid dysfunction and IR. The log-transformed TSH (LnTSH) and free T4 were significantly correlated with the TyG index (TSH, beta coefficient 0.025, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.014-0.036, p < 0.001; free T4, - 0.110 (- 0.166 to - 0.054), p < 0.001) but not HOMA-IR. Overt hypothyroidism is correlated with increased TyG index in pre-menopausal females (0.215 (0.122-0.309) p < 0.001). On the other hand, overt hyperthyroidism is correlated with increased HOMA-IR in males (0.304 (0.193-0.416), p < 0.001) and post-menopausal females (1.812 (1.717-1.907), p < 0.001). In euthyroid subjects, LnTSH and TyG index were significantly correlated in females. In conclusion, both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism might be associated with IR but by different mechanisms. It might be helpful to assess IR with appropriate indexes in patients with thyroid dysfunction.

Mutation Profile of Aggressive Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma with Comparison of TCGA Data.

In pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL), germline or somatic mutations in one of the known susceptibility genes are identified in up to 60% patients. However, the peculiar genetic events that drive the aggressive behavior including metastasis in PPGL are poorly understood. We performed targeted next-generation sequencing analysis to characterize the mutation profile in fifteen aggressive PPGL patients and compared accessible data of aggressive PPGLs from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) with findings of our cohort. A total of 115 germline and 34 somatic variants were identified with a median 0.58 per megabase tumor mutation burden in our cohort. The most frequent mutation was SDHB germline mutation (27%) and the second frequent mutations were somatic mutations for SETD2, NF1, and HRAS (13%, respectively). Patients were subtyped into three categories based on the kind of mutated genes: pseudohypoxia (n = 5), kinase (n = 5), and unknown (n = 5) group. In copy number variation analysis, deletion of chromosome arm 1p harboring SDHB gene was the most frequently observed. In our cohort, SDHB mutation and pseudohypoxia subtype were significantly associated with poor overall survival. In conclusion, subtyping of mutation profile can be helpful in aggressive PPGL patients with heterogeneous prognosis to make relevant follow-up plan and achieve proper treatment.

Diagnosis for Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma: A Joint Position Statement of the Korean Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma Task Force.

Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGLs) are rare catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumors but can be life-threatening. Although most PPGLs are benign, approximately 10% have metastatic potential. Approximately 40% cases are reported as harboring germline mutations. Therefore, timely and accurate diagnosis of PPGLs is crucial. For more than 130 years, clinical, molecular, biochemical, radiological, and pathological investigations have been rapidly advanced in the field of PPGLs. However, performing diagnostic studies to localize lesions and detect metastatic potential can be still challenging and complicated. Furthermore, great progress on genetics has shifted the paradigm of genetic testing of PPGLs. The Korean PPGL task force team consisting of the Korean Endocrine Society, the Korean Surgical Society, the Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine, the Korean Society of Pathologists, and the Korean Society of Laboratory Medicine has developed this position statement focusing on the comprehensive and updated diagnosis for PPGLs.

The effect of dexmedetomidine and midazolam on combined spinal-epidural anesthesia in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous dexmedetomidine has been reported to potentiate the anesthetic effect of local anesthetics and improve the quality of postoperative analgesia when used as an adjuvant in neuraxial block. We compared the effects of intravenous dexmedetomidine and midazolam for sedation on combined spinal-epidural (CSE) anesthesia. METHODS: This study included 50 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. CSE anesthesia was given using 10 mg bupivacaine for all patients. After checking the maximum sensory and motor levels, the patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 25 each to receive intravenous continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine (Group D) or midazolam (Group M) for sedation during surgery. Regression block level, hemodynamic changes, and sedation score were compared between the groups when the patients entered the postanesthetic care unit (PACU). For patient-controlled epidural analgesia, 0.2% levobupivacaine with 650 µg of fentanyl (150 ml in total) was infused at a rate of 1 ml/h, in addition to a 3-ml bolus dose with a 30-min lockout time. The visual analogue scale scores, additional analgesic demand, patient satisfaction, and adverse events between the two groups were also compared postoperatively. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in relation to the sensory block level in the PACU (Group D: 6.3 ± 2.1; Group M: 3.2 ± 1.9) (P = 0.002). The motor block level and other outcomes showed no significant intergroup differences. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous injection of dexmedetomidine, rather than midazolam, for procedural sedation is associated with prolonged sensory block, with comparable incidences of adverse events during CSE anesthesia.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Growth Hormone Deficiency: A Position Statement from Korean Endocrine Society and Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology.

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency is caused by congenital or acquired causes and occurs in childhood or adulthood. GH replacement therapy brings benefits to body composition, exercise capacity, skeletal health, cardiovascular outcomes, and quality of life. Before initiating GH replacement, GH deficiency should be confirmed through proper stimulation tests, and in cases with proven genetic causes or structural lesions, repeated GH stimulation testing is not necessary. The dosing regimen of GH replacement therapy should be individualized, with the goal of minimizing side effects and maximizing clinical improvements. The Korean Endocrine Society and the Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology have developed a position statement on the diagnosis and treatment of GH deficiency. This position statement is based on a systematic review of evidence and expert opinions.

Celiac Plexus Neurolysis for the Treatment of Patients with Terminal Cancer at a Tertiary University Hospital in Korea.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) for the treatment of cancerous upper abdominal pain in a tertiary university hospital in Korea. Methods: At the tertiary university hospital in Korea, electronic medical records of cancer patients who underwent CPN and died in the hospital from November 2009 to June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The total number of subjects was 51. The 17 patients were from the Department of Gastroenterology (33.0%), followed by 11 patients from the Department of Hemato-oncology (21.6%), 11 patients from the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (21.6%), 9 patients from the Department of General Surgery (17.6%). The diagnosis was pancreatic cancer in 15 patients (29.4%), stomach cancer in 8 patients (15.7%), hepatobiliary cancer in 20 patients (39.2%), colon cancer in 1 patient (2.0%), esophageal cancer in 2 patient (3.9%) and intra-abdominal metastasis in 5 patients (9.8%). The mean survival time after the surgery was 66.4±55.0 days. The pain intensity before and 1 week after the procedure significantly decreased, but the amounts of opioids consumed before and 1 week after the procedure were not statistically significant. Side effects occurred after the procedure including temporary localized pain in 24 patients (47.0%), hypotension in 12 (23.5%), and diarrhea in 6 (11.8%). Conclusion: CPN is an effective and safe procedure for reducing upper abdominal pain caused by cancer, and it is necessary to perform CPN within the appropriate time by establishing a system of interdepartmental cooperation.

Effect of anesthetic method on incidence of delirium after total hip replacement arthroplasty in South Korea: a population-based study using National Health Insurance claims data.

BACKGROUND: There are various reports on the effects of the anesthetic method on neurologic complications. A population-based study was conducted to estimate the effect of anesthetic method on the incidence of postoperative delirium in patients that underwent total hip replacement arthroplasty in South Korea. METHODS: The Korean National Health Insurance claims database was used to retrospectively identify and analyze 24,379 cases of total hip replacement arthroplasty, defined as patients having a claim record with the operation code 'N0711,' from January 2008 to December 2017. Patients were divided into two groups, a general anesthesia group (n = 9,921) and a regional anesthesia group (n = 14,458). The incidence of delirium was assessed in cases when patients used medications for delirium, such as haloperidol, chlorpromazine, olanzapine, and risperidone. RESULTS: Of the 9,921 patients receiving general anesthesia and 14,458 receiving regional anesthesia, 142 (1.43%) and 209 (0.86%) experienced postoperative delirium after total hip replacement arthroplasty, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups (P = 0.92). In logistic regression analysis, sex (P = 0.038) and patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (P = 0.008) were predictors of postoperative delirium. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that the anesthetic method was not associated with the incidence of postoperative delirium. In addition, the results suggest that male patients and patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome undergoing total hip replacement arthroplasty carefully managed for postoperative delirium after surgery.

Short-Term Effects of Beraprost Sodium on the Markers for Cardiovascular Risk Prediction in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Microalbuminuria.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the changes in cardiovascular risk markers including pulse wave velocity (PWV), microalbuminuria, inflammatory cytokines, and adhesion molecules after treatment with beraprost sodium (BPS) in patients with diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: This was a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with microalbuminuria were included. The primary endpoints were changes in microalbuminuria in spot urine and PWV after BPS or placebo (PCB) treatment for 24 weeks. The secondary endpoints were changes in clinical and metabolic parameters. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients completed the 24-week trial. Changes in PWV were not different significantly in the BPS and PCB groups (right, P=0.16; left, P=0.11). Changes in microalbuminuria were 14.2±157.0 and 34.5±146.6 (µg/mg Cr) in the BPS and PCB groups, respectively (P=0.63). Subgroup analysis in the high blood pressure (BP) group (baseline systolic BP >120 mm Hg and diastolic BP >80 mm Hg), showed that microalbuminuria decreased by ?47.6 in the BPS group compared with an increase by 116.4 (µg/mg Cr) in the PCB group (P=0.04). Also, in the large waist circumference group (>95 cm), microalbuminuria decreased significantly in the BPS group (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: Short-term treatment of BPS for patients with diabetic nephropathy did not show significant improvement in various cardiovascular risk factors. However, BPS significantly decreased microalbuminuria in study subjects with higher cardiovascular risk such as high BP or large waist circumference.

Intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine amplifies thoracic epidural analgesic effect after open thoracotomy: A prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The anesthetic-sparing effect of dexmedetomidine has led to its use as a general adjuvant. The present study aimed to determine intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine to epidural analgesia after open thoracotomy. METHODS: Forty-four patients scheduled for admission to the intensive care unit after open thoracotomy were divided into 2 groups. An epidural catheter was placed at T4 to T7. Thirty minutes before the end of thoracotomy, group D was injected with 0.3 µg/kg/h of dexmedetomidine and group C received an equal dose of normal saline. For patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA), 150 mL of levobupivacaine 300 mg was infused at a rate of 1 mL/h, plus a bolus dose of 3 mL with a lockout time of 30 minutes. The primary outcome evaluated was analgesic efficacy using a visual analog scale (VAS) 48 hours postoperatively. Other outcomes included additional analgesic use, total consumed local analgesia via PCEA, sedation score, blood pressure, heart rate, arterial blood gases, patient satisfaction, and adverse effects. RESULTS: The VAS scores in group D were significantly lower than that in group C immediately, 1, 4, 12, 36, and 48 hours after admission to the intensive care unit (P = .016, .009, .015, .002, .001, and .042, respectively). The total dose of additional analgesic was also significantly lower in group D (P = .011). Patient satisfaction was higher in group D (P < .05). There were no significant differences in the other outcomes between groups. CONCLUSION: Intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine amplifies thoracic epidural analgesic effect after open thoracotomy.

Changes in Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin Antibodies Might Be Associated with Graves' Disease Relapse after Antithyroid Drug Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune thyroid disorder caused by antibodies stimulating the thyrotropin (TSH) receptor. TSH receptor antibody (TRAb) measurement is useful for predicting GD relapse after antithyroid drug (ATD) treatment. However, the association of other thyroid autoantibodies with GD relapse remains obscure. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled patients with GD who were initially treated with ATD. TRAb, thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) were measured at the initial diagnosis and at the time of ATD discontinuation. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 49.7 years, and 39 patients (70.9%) were female. Antibody positivity at diagnosis was 90.9%, 69.1%, and 61.9% for TRAb, TPOAb, TgAb, respectively. Median ATD treatment period was 15.1 months. At the time of ATD withdrawal, TRAb titers decreased uniformly overall. Conversely, TPOAb and TgAb showed various changes. After withdrawal of ATD, 19 patients (34.5%) experienced relapse. No clinical features or laboratory results were significantly related to relapse in the overall patient group. However, in the TPOAb positive group at diagnosis, increasing titer of TPOAb or TgAb after ATD treatment was significantly and independently related to relapse free survival (TPOAb: hazard ratio [HR], 17.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.66 to 195.43; P=0.02) (TgAb: HR, 5.73; 95% CI, 1.21 to 27.26; P=0.03). CONCLUSION: Changes in TPOAb or TgAb titers during treatment might be useful for predicting relapse after ATD treatment in patients with positive TPOAb at diagnosis.

Experience of operating an anesthesia preoperative evaluation clinic in South Korea: An observational study of surgeons' satisfaction.

The benefits of an anesthesia pre-operative evaluation clinic (APEC) based on outpatients are well described in previous literatures. In the majority of hospitals in South Korea, preoperative anesthetic evaluation for surgical patients is limited to hospitalized patients on the day before surgery. Thus, we would like to share our institutional experience of implementing an APEC based on outpatients and report on the attitudes and satisfaction of the medical staff (surgeons).A 2-page survey was distributed to all specialists and resident physicians involved in surgery at a single university hospital during a 3-month period. A 5-point Likert scale of agreement and an open-ended question examined perceptions of APEC. A total of 123 questionnaires were distributed and 67 surveys were collected over a 3-month period with a 54.5% collection rate. The surgeons' perceptions of APEC are summarized in . It is difficult to state the tendency of surgeons' perception of the clinic, including workload, patient satisfaction, patient safety, necessity, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency through this survey. However, many surgeons chose to comment on suggestions to improve the quality of the APEC through the open-ended question.The surgeons' attitude and satisfaction to anesthetic services including APEC are an important component of achieving quality improvement. Although it is difficult to state the tendency of surgeons' perception of the clinic, including workload, patient satisfaction, patient safety, necessity, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency through this survey, continuous assessment and feedback may improve efficiency of the APEC and affect patient perception as well.

Association between metabolic parameters and glomerular hyperfiltration in a representative Korean population without chronic kidney disease.

AIMS: To investigate associations of glomerular hyperfiltration with other metabolic factors in a nationally representative dataset. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional data from 15,918 subjects with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and urine albumin creation ratio (ACR) <30 mg/g, who participated in the 5th and 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Hyperfiltration was defined as eGFR (CKD-EPI equation) exceeding the age- and sex-specific 95th percentile for healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Prevalence of hyperfiltration was 5.2% and that among normal, prediabetic, and diabetic subjects was 4.9%, 5.6%, and 7.3%, respectively, after adjusting for age, sex, and body weight (p for trend = 0.008). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, hyperfiltration was associated with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 [odds ratio (OR) = 3.461, p<0.001], waist circumference 85 cm (men) or 80 cm (women) (OR = 1.425, p = 0.015), systolic blood pressure 120-129 mmHg (OR = 1.644, p = 0.022), fasting plasma glucose 140 mg/dL (OR = 1.695, p = 0.033) and t serum triglyceride level 500 mg/dL (OR = 2.988, p = 0.001), and was independently associated with the ACR (B = 0.053, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In a general Korean population, both hyperfiltration and ACR were associated with similar metabolic parameters, and hyperfiltration correlated independently with a high ACR. Longitudinal studies are needed to further explore risks of hyperfiltration and microalbuminuria.

The Effects of Thoracic Epidural Analgesia during Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) is a useful and safe treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Pain management, during and after PRFA, is a critical component of patient care. Objectives: This study reviewed the efficacy of thoracic epidural analgesia, during and after PRFA, for patients with HCC. Study Design: A retrospective, observational chart review. Setting: Tertiary medical center/teaching hospital. Methods: Patients who had undergone PRFA for HCC in the past 5 years were divided into two groups, based on the type of anesthesia administered: thoracic epidural anesthesia group (Group E) and local anesthesia with monitored anesthesia care group (Group C). We retrospectively reviewed changes in the numeric rating scale (NRS) score during and after PRFA, opioid consumption, length of the procedure, length of hospital stay, changes in blood pressure during PRFA, and the incidence of adverse events. Results: The NRS score in Group E was significantly lower than that in Group C (P < 0.05). The opioid consumption in Group E was lower than that in Group C after PRFA (P < 0.05). The procedure time was shorter in Group E (P < 0.05). Neither of the groups showed significant difference with respect to the length of hospital stay and the incidence of respiratory depression, fever, and blood pressure elevation. The incidence of nausea, vomiting, and voiding difficulty was higher in Group E. Limitations: This study is limited by its retrospective design. Conclusions: Thoracic epidural analgesia was associated with shorter procedure times, lower postprocedural pain, and lower opioid consumption during and after PRFA for HCC.