Pre-Sepsis Length of Hospital Stay and Mortality: A Nationwide Multicenter Cohort Study

Background@#Prolonged length of hospital stay (LOS) is associated with an increased risk of hospital-acquired conditions and worse outcomes. We conducted a nationwide, multicenter, retrospective cohort study to determine whether prolonged hospitalization before developing sepsis has a negative impact on its prognosis. @*Methods@#We analyzed data from 19 tertiary referral or university-affiliated hospitals between September 2019 and December 2020. Adult patients with confirmed sepsis during hospitalization were included. In-hospital mortality was the primary outcome. The patients were divided into two groups according to their LOS before the diagnosis of sepsis: early- (< 5 days) and late-onset groups (≥ 5 days). Conditional multivariable logistic regression for propensity score matched-pair analysis was employed to assess the association between lateonset sepsis and the primary outcome. @*Results@#A total of 1,395 patients were included (median age, 68.0 years; women, 36.3%).The early- and late-onset sepsis groups comprised 668 (47.9%) and 727 (52.1%) patients.Propensity score-matched analysis showed an increased risk of in-hospital mortality in the late-onset group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.69–5.34).The same trend was observed in the entire study population (aOR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.37–2.50).When patients were divided into LOS quartile groups, an increasing trend of mortality risk was observed in the higher quartiles (Pfor trend < 0.001). @*Conclusion@#Extended LOS before developing sepsis is associated with higher in-hospital mortality. More careful management is required when sepsis occurs in patients hospitalized for ≥ 5 days.

Mortality associated with the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in septic acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy

Sepsis is an important cause of acute kidney injury in intensive care unit patients, accounting for 15% to 20% of renal replacement therapy prescriptions. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a marker of systemic inflammation and immune response, was previously associated with the mortality rate in multiple conditions. Herein, we aimed to examine how the NLR relates to the mortality rate in septic acute kidney injury patients requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Methods: The NLRs of 6 and 18 were used for dividing NLRs into three groups and, thus, were set higher than those in previous studies accounting for steroid use in sepsis. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate hazard ratios of mortality outcomes before and after matching their propensity scores. Results: A total of 798 septic acute kidney injury patients requiring CRRT were classified into three NLR groups (low, 0.05. Conclusion: A high NLR is associated with better clinical outcomes, such as low mortality, in septic acute kidney injury patients undergoing CRRT.

Work Environment and Depressive Symptoms of Webtoon Writers

Background@#Webtoon, a digital form of comics created in the Republic of Korea, has spread widely with advantages that anyone can become a cartoonist and that autonomy of creation is guaranteed. The purpose of this study is to identify the working conditions of webtoon writers and analyze the relationship between these conditions and depressive symptoms. @*Methods@#A survey was carried out on webtoon writers and a survey data of 312 webtoon writers were analyzed. The questionnaire included basic socio-demographic characteristics, webtoon writers’ contractual type, fields of activity (webtoon creator, story writer, illustrator), and working environment (labor discretion etc.). We investigated depressive symptoms and analyzed its relation to the work environment of webtoon writers. @*Results@#Webtoon writers were exposed to long working hours, high labor intensity, limited labor discretion, negative comments from readers, and had a high prevalence of depressive symptoms. Compared to story writers who contracted directly with platforms, story writers and the illustrators who contracted with content providers (CPs) were 9.51 times (OR = 9.51, 95% CI = 1.47 - 61.33) and 6.47 times (OR = 6.47, 95% CI = 1.08 – 38.75) more likely to have depressive symptoms, respectively. @*Conclusions@#This study emphasizes the urgent necessity to improve the overall working environment in the webtoon industry and implement measures to tackle the escalating mental health challenges faced by illustrators and story writers contracted with CPs, especially given the increasing popularity of novel comics.

Risk factors for progressing to critical illness in patients with hospital-acquired COVID-19

Background/Aims@#Risk factors for progression to critical illness in hospital-acquired coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain unknown. Here, we assessed the incidence and risk factors for progression to critical illness and determined their effects on clinical outcomes in patients with hospital-acquired COVID-19. @*Methods@#This retrospective cohort study analyzed patients admitted to the tertiary hospital between January 2020 and June 2022 with confirmed hospital-acquired COVID-19. The primary outcome was the progression to critical illness of hospital- acquired COVID-19. Patients were stratified into high-, intermediate-, or low-risk groups by the number of risk factors for progression to critical illness. @*Results@#In total, 204 patients were included and 37 (18.1%) progressed to critical illness. In the multivariable logistic analysis, patients with preexisting respiratory disease (OR, 3.90; 95% CI, 1.04–15.18), preexisting cardiovascular disease (OR, 3.49; 95% CI, 1.11–11.27), immunocompromised status (OR, 3.18; 95% CI, 1.11–9.16), higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.28–1.96), and higher clinical frailty scale (OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.62–4.13) showed significantly increased risk of progression to critical illness. As the risk of the groups increased, patients were significantly more likely to progress to critical illness and had higher 28-day mortality. @*Conclusions@#Among patients with hospital-acquired COVID-19, preexisting respiratory disease, preexisting cardiovascular disease, immunocompromised status, and higher clinical frailty scale and SOFA scores at baseline were risk factors for progression to critical illness. Patients with these risk factors must be prioritized and appropriately isolated or treated in a timely manner, especially in pandemic settings.

Risk of ventricular tachycardia and its outcomes in patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy due to acute kidney injury

Despite efforts to treat critically ill patients who require continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) due to acute kidney injury (AKI), their mortality risk remains high. This condition may be attributable to complications of CRRT, such as arrhythmias. Here, we addressed the occurrence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) during CRRT and its relationship with patient outcomes. Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled 2,397 patients who started CRRT due to AKI from 2010 to 2020 at Seoul National University Hospital in Korea. The occurrence of VT was evaluated from the initiation of CRRT until weaning from CRRT. The odds ratios (ORs) of mortality outcomes were measured using logistic regression models after adjustment for multiple variables. Results: VT occurred in 150 patients (6.3%) after starting CRRT. Among them, 95 cases were defined as sustained VT (i.e., lasting ≥30 seconds), and the other 55 cases were defined as non-sustained VT (i.e., lasting <30 seconds). The occurrence of sustained VT was associated with a higher mortality rate than a nonoccurrence (OR, 2.04 and 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23–3.39 for the 30- day mortality; OR, 4.06 and 95% CI, 2.04–8.08 for the 90-day mortality). The mortality risk did not differ between patients with non-sustained VT and nonoccurrence. A history of myocardial infarction, vasopressor use, and certain trends of blood laboratory findings (such as acidosis and hyperkalemia) were associated with the subsequent risk of sustained VT. Conclusion: Sustained VT occurrence after starting CRRT is associated with increased patient mortality. The monitoring of electrolytes and acid-base status during CRRT is essential because of its relationship with the risk of VT.

Recalibration and validation of the Charlson Comorbidity Index in acute kidney injury patients underwent continuous renal replacement therapy

Comorbid conditions impact the survival of patients with severe acute kidney injury (AKI) who require continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). The weights assigned to comorbidities in predicting survival vary based on type of index, disease, and advances in management of comorbidities. We developed a modified Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) for use in patients with AKI requiring CRRT (mCCI-CRRT) and improved the accuracy of risk stratification for mortality. Methods: A total of 828 patients who received CRRT between 2008 and 2013, from three university hospital cohorts was included to develop the comorbidity score. The weights of the comorbidities were recalibrated using a Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for demographic and clinical information. The modified index was validated in a university hospital cohort (n = 919) using the data of patients treated from 2009 to 2015. Results: Weights for dementia, peptic ulcer disease, any tumor, and metastatic solid tumor were used to recalibrate the mCCI-CRRT. Use of these calibrated weights achieved a 35.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.1%–48.1%) higher performance than unadjusted CCI in reclassification based on continuous net reclassification improvement in logistic regression adjusted for age and sex. After additionally adjusting for hemoglobin and albumin, consistent results were found in risk reclassification, which improved by 35.9% (95% CI, 23.3%–48.5%). Conclusion: The mCCI-CRRT stratifies risk of mortality in AKI patients who require CRRT more accurately than does the original CCI, suggesting that it could serve as a preferred index for use in clinical practice.

The Protein-Protein Interaction Network of Hereditary Parkinsonism Genes Is a Hierarchical Scale-Free Network

Purpose@#Hereditary parkinsonism genes consist of causative genes of familial Parkinson’s disease (PD) with a locus symbol prefix (PARK genes) and hereditary atypical parkinsonian disorders that present atypical features and limited responsiveness to levodopa (non-PARK genes). Although studies have shown that hereditary parkinsonism genes are related to idiopathic PD at the phenotypic, gene expression, and genomic levels, no study has systematically investigated connectivity among the proteins encoded by these genes at the protein-protein interaction (PPI) level. @*Materials and Methods@#Topological measurements and physical interaction enrichment were performed to assess PPI networks constructed using some or all the proteins encoded by hereditary parkinsonism genes (n=96), which were curated using the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database and literature. @*Results@#Non-PARK and PARK genes were involved in common functional modules related to autophagy, mitochondrial or lysosomal organization, catecholamine metabolic process, chemical synapse transmission, response to oxidative stress, neuronal apoptosis, regulation of cellular protein catabolic process, and vesicle-mediated transport in synapse. The hereditary parkinsonism proteins formed a single large network comprising 51 nodes, 83 edges, and three PPI pairs. The probability of degree distribution followed a power-law scaling behavior, with a degree exponent of 1.24 and a correlation coefficient of 0.92. LRRK2 was identified as a hub gene with the highest degree of betweenness centrality; its physical interaction enrichment score was 1.28, which was highly significant. @*Conclusion@#Both PARK and non-PARK genes show high connectivity at the PPI and biological functional levels.

Prevalence and impact of airway diseases on clinical outcomes in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background/Aims@#The prevalence and effects of airway diseases, including asthma, eosinophilic bronchitis (EB), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) have not been thoroughly studied in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of airway diseases in patients with IPF and to identify the differences in symptoms based on the presence of airway diseases. @*Methods@#This single-institution prospective cohort study was conducted from June 2017 to September 2018, at the Seoul National University Hospital. Spirometry with bronchodilator, methacholine bronchial provocation test, induced sputum with eosinophil stain, and exhaled nitric oxide were performed to confirm the presence of airway disease. The modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, COPD assessment test (CAT), St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D) index, and cough-specific quality of life questionnaire (CQLQ) data were collected to assess symptom severity. @*Results@#Total 147 patients with IPF were screened, and 70 patients were analyzed. The prevalence of airway diseases in the participants was as follows: 5.0% had COPD, 1.7% had asthma, 3.3% had ACO, and 1.7% had EB. The mMRC, CAT, SGRQ, EQ-5D, and CQLQ scores did not differ regardless of combined airway disease. After 3 months, the SGRQ (p = 0.028) and CQLQ (p = 0.030) scores were significantly higher in patients with airway disease than in those without. @*Conclusions@#The prevalence of airway diseases in patients with IPF is low, but when airway diseases are accompanied by IPF, symptom severity and quality of life may worsen rapidly.

A Case Report on Effect of Asenapine Sublingual Tablets on Intractable Nausea in a Patient of Terminal Malignant Lymphoma with Diabetes Who Cannot Take Oral Medicine

Introduction: We report a case of intractable nausea of a terminal malignant lymphoma patient with diabetes, which improved by sublingual administration of asenapine. Case: A 78-year-old man suffering from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with diabetes presented intractable nausea and vomiting. Those symptoms were thought to be due to masses and nodules in the right frontal lobe and the cerebellum, and/or due to edema in the peripheral brain parenchyma. Because it was difficult to take medicines orally, we selected injections to control those symptoms. However, the combination of metoclopramide, haloperidol, and hydroxyzine injections failed to relieve nausea. Olanzapine is effective against nausea but is contraindicated for diabetic patients, so asenapine, one of the multi-acting receptor-targeted antipsychotics the same as olanzapine, was expected alternatively. The patient was administrated asenapine sublingually 5mg once a day before bedtime. This administration of asenapine remarkably improved his nausea. Discussion: Sublingual asenapine dose may be an effective therapeutic option for intractable nausea.

Effects of renin-angiotensin system blockers on the risk and outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in patients with hypertension

Background/Aims@#There are concerns that the use of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers may increase the risk of being infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or progressing to a severe clinical course after infection. This this study aimed to investigate the influence of RAS blockers on the risk and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. @*Methods@#We conducted a retrospective cohort study analyzing nationwide claims data of 215,184 adults who underwent SARS-CoV-2 tests in South Korea. The SARS-CoV-2 positive rates and clinical outcomes were evaluated according to the use of RAS blockers in patients with hypertension (n = 64,243). @*Results@#In total, 38,919 patients with hypertension were on RAS blockers. The SARS-CoV-2 positive rates were significantly higher in the RAS blocker group than in the control group after adjustments (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10 to 1.36; p < 0.001), and matching by propensity score (adjusted OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.32; p = 0.017). Among the 1,609 SARS-CoV-2-positive patients with hypertension, the use of RAS blockers was not associated with poor outcomes, such as mortality (adjusted OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.56 to 1.17; p = 0.265), and a composite of admission to the intensive care unit and mortality (adjusted OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.73 to 1.22; p = 0.669). Analysis in the propensity scorematched population showed consistent results. @*Conclusions@#In this Korean nationwide claims dataset, the use of RAS blockers was associated with a higher risk to SARS-CoV-2 infection but not with higher mortality or other severe clinical courses.

Lung Ultrasound as a Monitoring Tool / 결핵및호흡기질환

Lung ultrasound has proven to be useful in detecting pneumothorax, interstitial syndrome, and lung consolidation. It is easily applied at the bedside, in real-time, and free of radiation hazards. Recently, the use of lung ultrasound has moved from a diagnostic tool to a monitoring tool for lung aeration quantification. This article reviewed the use of lung ultrasound in monitoring acute pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and pneumonia, and how it could be used to monitor changes during the application of mechanical ventilation or other treatments for respiratory failure.

Lung Ultrasound as a Monitoring Tool / 결핵및호흡기질환

Lung ultrasound has proven to be useful in detecting pneumothorax, interstitial syndrome, and lung consolidation. It is easily applied at the bedside, in real-time, and free of radiation hazards. Recently, the use of lung ultrasound has moved from a diagnostic tool to a monitoring tool for lung aeration quantification. This article reviewed the use of lung ultrasound in monitoring acute pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and pneumonia, and how it could be used to monitor changes during the application of mechanical ventilation or other treatments for respiratory failure.

A population-based observational study of patients with pulmonary disorders in intensive care unit

Background/Aims@#Only a few epidemiologic studies on the patients with pulmonary disorders admitted to intensive care unit exist. We investigated the characteristics and clinical outcomes of the patients with severe pulmonary disorders. @*Methods@#The sample cohort database of National Health Insurance Sharing Service from 2006 to 2015 was used. Operational definition of critically ill patients was adults who were either admitted to intensive care unit for at least 3 days or expired within first 2 days in the unit. The pulmonary disorder group comprised of critically ill patients with respiratory disease as the main diagnosis. @*Results@#Among the 997,173 patients, 12,983 (1.3%) in 383 intensive care units were categorized as critically ill. Patients in the pulmonary disorder group tended to have more comorbidities or disabilities. The length of hospital stay and duration of mechanical ventilation were longer in the pulmonary disorder group. Overall mortality and re-admission were higher in the pulmonary disorder group, with adjusted incidence rate ratios of 1.22 (95% confidence interval, 1.18 to 1.27) and 1.26 (95% confidence interval, 1.17 to 1.36), respectively. After adjustment by Cox regression, the pulmonary disorder group was an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality. @*Conclusions@#In critically ill patients with pulmonary disorder, the use of healthcare resources was higher, and their clinical outcomes were significantly worse than the non-pulmonary disorder group.

Snoring during Bronchoscopy with Moderate Sedation Is a Predictor of Obstructive Sleep Apnea / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND@#Snoring is the cardinal symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Snoring and upper airway obstruction associated with major oxygen desaturation may occur in populations undergoing flexible bronchoscopy.@*METHODS@#To evaluate the prevalence of patients at a high risk of having OSA among patients undergoing bronchoscopy with sedation and to investigate whether snoring during the procedure predicts patients who are at risk of OSA, we prospectively enrolled 517 consecutive patients who underwent the procedure with moderate sedation. Patients exhibiting audible snoring for any duration during the procedure were considered snorers. The STOP-Bang (Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, high blood Pressure-Body mass index, Age, Neck circumference and Gender) questionnaire was used to identify patients at high (score ≥3 out of 8) or low risk (score <3) of OSA.@*RESULTS@#Of the 517 patients, 165 (31.9%) snored during bronchoscopy under sedation. The prevalence of a STOP-Bang score ≥3 was 61.9% (320/517), whereas 200 of the 352 nonsnorers (56.8%) and 120 of the 165 snorers (72.7%) had a STOP-Bang score ≥3 (p=0.001). In multivariable analysis, snoring during bronchoscopy was significantly associated with a STOP-Bang score ≥3 after adjustment for the presence of diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, and stroke (adjusted odds ratio, 1.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.26–2.89; p=0.002).@*CONCLUSION@#Two-thirds of patients undergoing bronchoscopy with moderate sedation were at risk of OSA based on the screening questionnaire. Snoring during bronchoscopy was highly predictive of patients at high risk of OSA.

Snoring during Bronchoscopy with Moderate Sedation Is a Predictor of Obstructive Sleep Apnea / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Snoring is the cardinal symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Snoring and upper airway obstruction associated with major oxygen desaturation may occur in populations undergoing flexible bronchoscopy. METHODS: To evaluate the prevalence of patients at a high risk of having OSA among patients undergoing bronchoscopy with sedation and to investigate whether snoring during the procedure predicts patients who are at risk of OSA, we prospectively enrolled 517 consecutive patients who underwent the procedure with moderate sedation. Patients exhibiting audible snoring for any duration during the procedure were considered snorers. The STOP-Bang (Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, high blood Pressure-Body mass index, Age, Neck circumference and Gender) questionnaire was used to identify patients at high (score ≥3 out of 8) or low risk (score <3) of OSA. RESULTS: Of the 517 patients, 165 (31.9%) snored during bronchoscopy under sedation. The prevalence of a STOP-Bang score ≥3 was 61.9% (320/517), whereas 200 of the 352 nonsnorers (56.8%) and 120 of the 165 snorers (72.7%) had a STOP-Bang score ≥3 (p=0.001). In multivariable analysis, snoring during bronchoscopy was significantly associated with a STOP-Bang score ≥3 after adjustment for the presence of diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, and stroke (adjusted odds ratio, 1.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.26–2.89; p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Two-thirds of patients undergoing bronchoscopy with moderate sedation were at risk of OSA based on the screening questionnaire. Snoring during bronchoscopy was highly predictive of patients at high risk of OSA.

Severe Sepsis and Empyema Caused by Nocardia / 대한내과학회지

Pulmonary nocardiosis is a rare opportunistic infection that commonly affects immunocompromised hosts, such as patients with organ transplants, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or prolonged immunosuppression. Recently, we encountered a case of pulmonary nocardiosis with empyema that progressed to severe sepsis. The patient was treated in the intensive care unit. Thereafter, medical thoracoscopy was performed to improve drainage of the pleural fluid. Nocardia was identified in the culture of the pleural fluid.

Utility of the National Lung Screening Trial Criteria for Estimation of Lung Cancer in the Korean Population / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Screening forlung cancerin high-risk patients using the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) criteria resulted in a decreased lung cancer-related mortality rate. However, whether these criteria are applicable to the Korean has not been investigated thus far. Therefore, we estimated the utility of the NLST criteria as a screening tool for lung cancer in the Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The total number of newly diagnosed lung cancer cases in 2013 was obtained from the Korea National Statistical Office. The proportion of newly diagnosed lung cancer cases that met the NLST criteria was calculated via a retrospective cohort of a tertiary referral hospital. We estimated the nationwide proportion of patients who met the NLST criteria using the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted during 2010-2012 (KNHANES V). RESULTS: Using KNHANES V data, we found that approximately 6.92% of the general population of Korea would meet the NLST criteria. In the tertiary referral hospital, 29.6% of the 2,689 newly diagnosed lung cancer patients met the NLST criteria. In 2013, the total number of newly diagnosed lung cancer cases in Korea was 23,177. The estimated nationwide proportions of lung cancer patients who met and did not meet the NLST criteria were 0.37% and 0.06%, respectively, yielding a ratio of 5.78. CONCLUSION: The NLST criteria demonstrated sound clinical utility for lung cancer screening of high-risk patients in Korea.

Histopathologic heterogeneity of acute respiratory distress syndrome revealed by surgical lung biopsy and its clinical implications

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) is the histopathologic hallmark of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, there are several non-DAD conditions mimicking ARDS. The purpose of this study was to investigate the histopathologic heterogeneity of ARDS revealed by surgical lung biopsy and its clinical relevance. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 84 patients with ARDS who met the criteria of the Berlin definition and underwent surgical lung biopsy between January 2004 and December 2013 in three academic hospitals in Korea. We evaluated their histopathologic findings and compared the clinical outcomes. Additionally, the impact of surgical lung biopsy on therapeutic alterations was examined. RESULTS: The histopathologic findings were highly heterogeneous. Of 84 patients undergoing surgical lung biopsy, DAD was observed in 31 patients (36.9%), while 53 patients (63.1%) did not have DAD. Among the non-DAD patients, diffuse interstitial lung diseases and infections were the most frequent histopathologic findings in 19 and 17 patients, respectively. Although the mortality rate was slightly higher in DAD (71.0%) than in non-DAD (62.3%), the difference was not significant. Overall, the biopsy results led to treatment alterations in 40 patients (47.6%). Patients with non-DAD were more likely to change the treatment than those with DAD (58.5% vs. 29.0%), but there were no significant improvements regarding the mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: The histopathologic findings of ARDS were highly heterogeneous and classic DAD was observed in one third of the patients who underwent surgical lung biopsy. Although therapeutic alterations were more common in patients with non-DAD-ARDS, there were no significant improvements in the mortality rate.

Transcultural Adaptation and Validation of the Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit Questionnaire in a Korean Sample / 대한중환자의학회지

BACKGROUND: A number of questionnaires designed for analyzing family members' inconvenience and demands in intensive care unit (ICU) care have been developed and validated in North America. The family satisfaction in the intensive care Unit-24 (FS-ICU-24) questionnaire is one of the most widely used of these instruments. This study aimed to translate the FS-ICU-24 questionnaire into Korean and validate the Korean version of the questionnaire. METHODS: The study was conducted in the medical, surgical, and emergency ICUs at three tertiary hospitals. Relatives of all patients hospitalized for at least 48 hours were enrolled for this study participants. The validation process included the measurement of construct validity, internal consistency, and interrater reliability. The questionnaire consists of 24 items divided between two subscales: satisfaction with care (14 items) and satisfaction with decision making (10 items). RESULTS: In total, 200 family members of 176 patients from three hospitals completed the FS-ICU-24 questionnaire. Construct validity for the questionnaire was superior to that observed for a visual analog scale (Spearman's r = 0.84, p < 0.001). Cronbach's αs were 0.83 and 0.80 for the satisfaction with care and satisfaction with decision making subscales, respectively. The mean (± standard deviation) total FS-ICU-24 score was 75.44 ± 17.70, and participants were most satisfied with consideration of their needs (82.13 ± 21.03) and least satisfied with the atmosphere in the ICU waiting room (35.38 ± 34.84). CONCLUSIONS: The Korean version of the FS-ICU-24 questionnaire demonstrated good validity and could be a useful instrument with which to measure family members' satisfaction about ICU care.

Effect of Renin-Angiotensin System Blockage in Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Retrospective Case Control Study / 대한중환자의학회지

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a life-threatening disease. Many patients with ARDS do not recover fully, and progress to terminal lung fibrosis. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor is known to modulate the neurohormonal system to reduce inflammation and to prevent tissue fibrosis. However, the role of ACE inhibitor in the lungs is not well understood. We therefore conducted this study to elucidate the effect of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockage on the prognosis of patients with ARDS. METHODS: We analyzed medical records of patients who were admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) at a tertiary care hospital from January 2005 to December 2010. ARDS was determined using the Berlin definition. The primary outcome was the mortality rate of ICU. Survival analysis was performed after adjustment using propensity score matching. RESULTS: A total of 182 patients were included in the study. Thirty-seven patients (20.3%) took ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) during ICU admission, and 145 (79.7%) did not; both groups showed similar severity scores. In the ICU, mortality was 45.9% in the RAS inhibitor group and 58.6% in the non-RAS inhibitor group (P = 0.166). The RAS inhibitor group required a longer duration of mechanical ventilation (29.5 vs. 19.5, P = 0.013) and longer ICU stay (32.1 vs. 20.2 days, P < 0.001). In survival analysis, the RAS inhibitor group showed better survival rates than the non-RAS group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: ACE inhibitor or ARB may have beneficial effect on ARDS patients.