Optimal Serum 25(OH)D Levels and Vitamin D Intake in Korean Postmenopausal Women.

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in regulating the growth and maintenance of the musculoskeletal system. Postmenopausal women are vulnerable to bone fractures because of the decrease in bone mineral density (BMD). Therefore, this study aimed to identify the determinants that influence BMD and the 25(OH)D levels in Korean postmenopausal women. This study collected general and dietary intake information, measured biochemical indices, and conducted BMD tests in 96 postmenopausal women residing in a metropolitan area in Korea. This study analyzed factors that influenced serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and BMD, as well as the correlation between the intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and serum 25(OH)D levels. The serum 25(OH)D levels increased by 0.226 ng/mL in the summertime, 0.314 ng/mL in the wintertime, and 0.370 ng/mL on annual average when vitamin D intake rose by 1 µg/1000 kcal. When the serum 25(OH)D levels were ≥18.9 ng/mL, the iPTH levels did not rapidly increase. To maintain the serum 25(OH)D levels at ≥18.9 ng/mL, a daily vitamin D intake of ≥13.21 µg was required. Consequently, consuming vitamin D-fortified foods or vitamin D supplements is necessary to improve both bone health and vitamin D nutritional status.

Escalation Time to Open Triple Combination Therapy from the Initiation of LAMA versus ICS/LABA in COPD Management: Findings from Comparing the Incidence of Tiotropium and ICS/LABA in Real-World Use in South Korea (CITRUS) Study.

BACKGROUND: bronchodilators are the key treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), however, inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs)/long-acting ß2-agonists (LABA) are widely prescribed. We compared the escalation time to open triple combination therapy between long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonists (LAMA) and ICS/LABA in COPD management. METHODS: this retrospective study included COPD patients selected from the National Health Insurance Service of South Korea from January 2005 to April 2015. The primary outcome was the escalation time to triple therapy in patients who initially received LAMA or ICS/LABA. Other outcomes included risk factors predisposing escalation to triple combination therapy. RESULTS: a total of 2444 patients were assigned to the LAMA or ICS/LABA groups. The incidences of triple combination therapy in the LAMA and ICS/LABA groups were 81.0 and 139.8 per 1000 person-years, respectively (p < 0.001); the median times to triple therapy escalation were 281 and 207 days, respectively (p = 0.03). Treatment with ICS/LABA showed a higher risk of triple therapy escalation compared to LAMA (hazard ratio (HR), 1.601; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.402-1.829). The associated risk factor was male sex. (HR, 1.564; 95% CI, 1.352-1.809). CONCLUSIONS: the initiation of COPD treatment with LAMA is associated with a reduced escalation time to triple therapy compared with ICS/LABA.

Fractional 532-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser: One of the safest novel treatment modality to treat café-au-lait macules.

Café-au-lait macules (CALMs) are benign epidermal basilar hyperpigmentations that can be found in an isolated form or in association with neurocutaneous syndromes. Frequency-doubled Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser (532-nm QSNYL) does not penetrate deeply into the skin and is therefore suitable for epidermal pigmented lesion. Fractional photothermolysis (FP) targets only very small areas of the skin, without injuring adjacent areas of healthy, normal skin. Herein, we report a case of CALMs successfully treated with fractional 532-nm QSNYL. By applying FP to 532-nm QSNYL, we could treat CALMs safely with less downtime as compared to conventional laser treatments and expect more energy delivery for each microscopic hole, thereby allowing higher response rate.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind comparison of an ablative fractional 2940-nm erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser with a nonablative fractional 1550-nm erbium-doped glass laser for the treatment of photoaged Asian skin.

BACKGROUND: As compared with ablative fractional CO2 laser, ablative fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser is considered to be a more suitable treatment option for photoaged skin in Asians due to the lower incidence of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of ablative fractional Er:YAG laser (ablative fractional resurfacing [AFR]) and nonablative fractional 1550-nm Er:glass laser (non-AFR [NAFR]) in the treatment of photoaging. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded comparative study. In three sessions, at four-week intervals, 19 patients received Er:YAG AFR, and 15 patients received Er:glass NAFR. Pigmentation, uneven tone/erythema, wrinkles and overall features of photoaging were scored. Patient satisfaction, adverse effects and pain scores were recorded. Melanin and erythema indexes were measured. RESULTS: Reductions in pigmentation and uneven tone/erythema scores were significantly greater after Er:YAG AFR, while wrinkle score reduction was significantly greater after Er:glass NAFR. Physician and patient assessments for the overall features showed greater improvement in the Er:glass NAFR. Treatment-related pain or adverse events were less in the Er:YAG AFR. CONCLUSION: Both Er:YAG AFR and Er:glass NAFR are effective and safe and could be used in a complementary manner for treating photoaged Asian skin.