Optimum tacrolimus trough levels for enhanced graft survival and safety in kidney transplantation: a retrospective multicenter real-world evidence study.

BACKGROUND: The current study aimed to determine the optimal tacrolimus trough levels for balancing graft survival and patient safety following kidney transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 11,868 kidney transplant recipients from five medical centers. The association between tacrolimus exposures (periodic mean trough level, coefficient of variability, time in therapeutic range) and composite allograft outcome (de novo donor specific antibody, biopsy-proven rejection, kidney dysfunction, and graft failure), as well as safety outcomes (severe infection, cardiovascular events, malignancy, and mortality) were assessed. Data were sourced from Clinical Data Warehouses and analyzed using advanced statistical methods, including Cox marginal structural models with inverse probability treatment weighting. RESULTS: Tacrolimus levels of 5.0-7.9 ng/mL and 5.0-6.9 ng/mL during the 2-12 month and 12-72 month post-transplantation periods, respectively, were associated with reduced risks of composite allograft outcomes. During the first post-transplant year, the adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for composite allograft outcomes were: 0.69 (95% CI 0.55-0.85, P<0.001) for 5.0-5.9 ng/mL; 0.81 (95% CI 0.67-0.98, P=0.033) for 6.0-6.9 ng/mL; and 0.73 (95% CI 0.60-0.89, P=0.002) for 7.0-7.9 ng/mL (compared to levels ≥8.0 ng/mL). For the 6-year composite outcomes, aHRs were 0.68 (95% CI 0.53-0.87, P=0.002) for 5.0-5.9 ng/mL and 0.65 (95% CI 0.50-0.85, P=0.001) for 6.0-6.9 ng/mL. These optimal ranges showed reduced rates of severe infection (6 y), malignancy (6 y), and mortality (1 y). CONCLUSION: This multicenter study provides robust evidence for optimal tacrolimus trough levels during the periods 2-12 and 12-72 months following kidney transplantation.

Triglyceride-glucose index is an independent predictor of coronary artery calcification progression in patients with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is highly prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events and metabolic disturbances. The triglyceride-glucose index (TyGI), a novel surrogate marker of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, is associated with CAC in the general population and in patients with diabetes. This study investigated the association between the TyGI and CAC progression in patients with CKD, which is unknown. METHODS: A total of 1,154 patients with CKD (grades 1-5; age, 52.8 ± 11.9 years; male, 688 [59.6%]) were enrolled from the KNOWCKD (KoreaN Cohort Study for Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease). The TyGI was calculated as follows: ln (fasting triglycerides × fasting glucose/2). Patients were classified into tertiles (low, intermediate, high) based on the TyGI. The primary outcome was annualized percentage change in CAC score [(percent change in CAC score + 1)12/follow-up months - 1] of ≥15%, defined as CAC progression. RESULTS: During the 4-year follow-up, the percentage of patients with CAC progression increased across TyGI groups (28.6%, 37.5%, and 46.2% in low, intermediate, and high groups, respectively; p < 0.001). A high TyGI was associated with an increased risk of CAC progression (odds ratio [OR], 2.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-3.88; p = 0.02) compared to the low group. Moreover, a 1-point increase in the TyGI was related to increased risk of CAC progression (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.06-1.76; p = 0.02) after adjustment. CONCLUSION: A high TyGI may be a useful predictor of CAC progression in CKD.

SupporTive Care At Home Research (STAHR) for patients with advanced cancer: Protocol for a cluster non-randomized controlled trial.

Advancements in the treatment and management of patients with cancer have extended their survival period. To honor such patients' desire to live in their own homes, home-based supportive care programs have become an important medical practice. This study aims to investigate the effects of a multidimensional and integrated home-based supportive care program on patients with advanced cancer. SupporTive Care At Home Research is a cluster non-randomized controlled trial for patients with advanced cancer. This study tests the effects of the home-based supportive care program we developed versus standard oncology care. The home-based supportive care program is based on a specialized home-based medical team approach that includes (1) initial assessment and education for patients and their family caregivers, (2) home visits by nurses, (3) biweekly regular check-ups/evaluation and management, (4) telephone communication via a daytime access line, and (5) monthly multidisciplinary team meetings. The primary outcome measure is unplanned hospitalization within 6 months following enrollment. Healthcare service use; quality of life; pain and symptom control; emotional status; satisfaction with services; end-of-life care; advance planning; family caregivers' quality of life, care burden, and preparedness for caregiving; and medical expenses will be surveyed. We plan to recruit a total of 396 patients with advanced cancer from six institutions. Patients recruited from three institutions will constitute the intervention group, whereas those recruited from the other three institutions will comprise the control group.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Research Center: a cornerstone for strengthening safety evidence for COVID-19 vaccination in the Republic of Korea.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Research Committee (CoVaSC) was established in November 2021 to address the growing need for independent, in-depth scientific evidence on adverse events (AEs) following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. This initiative was requested by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and led by the National Academy of Medicine of Korea. In September 2022, the COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Research Center was established, strengthening CoVaSC's initiatives. The center has conducted various studies on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. During CoVaSC's second research year, from September 29, 2022 to July 19, 2023, the center was restructured into 4 departments: Epidemiological Research, Clinical Research, Communication & Education, and International Cooperation & Policy Research. Its main activities include (1) managing CoVaSC and the COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Research Center, (2) surveying domestic and international trends in AE causality investigation, (3) assessing AEs following COVID-19 vaccination, (4) fostering international collaboration and policy research, and (5) organizing regular fora and training sessions for the public and clinicians. Causality assessments have been conducted for 27 diseases, and independent research has been conducted after organizing ad hoc committees comprising both epidemiologists and clinical experts on each AE of interest. The research process included protocol development, data analysis, interpretation of results, and causality assessment. These research outcomes have been shared transparently with the public and healthcare experts through various fora. The COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Research Center plans to continue strengthening and expanding its research activities to provide reliable, high-quality safety information to the public.

Developing a national surveillance system for stroke and acute myocardial infarction using claims data in the Republic of Korea: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Limited information is available concerning the epidemiology of stroke and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the Republic of Korea. This study aimed to develop a national surveillance system to monitor the incidence of stroke and AMI using national claims data. METHODS: We developed and validated identification algorithms for stroke and AMI using claims data. This validation involved a 2-stage stratified sampling method with a review of medical records for sampled cases. The weighted positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated based on the sampling structure and the corresponding sampling rates. Incident cases and the incidence rates of stroke and AMI in the Republic of Korea were estimated by applying the algorithms and weighted PPV and NPV to the 2018 National Health Insurance Service claims data. RESULTS: In total, 2,200 cases (1,086 stroke cases and 1,114 AMI cases) were sampled from the 2018 claims database. The sensitivity and specificity of the algorithms were 94.3% and 88.6% for stroke and 97.9% and 90.1% for AMI, respectively. The estimated number of cases, including recurrent events, was 150,837 for stroke and 40,529 for AMI in 2018. The age- and sex-standardized incidence rate for stroke and AMI was 180.2 and 46.1 cases per 100,000 person-years, respectively, in 2018. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of developing a national surveillance system based on claims data and identification algorithms for stroke and AMI to monitor their incidence rates.

Knee osteoarthritis with a high grade of Kellgren-Lawrence score is associated with a worse frailty status, KNHANES 2010-2013.

Frailty as a syndrome of physical decline in late life is associated with adverse health outcomes. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) could contribute to frailty conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of KOA on frailty risk in a Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) cohort. In this study (N, total = 11,910, age; 64.10 years old [63.94-64.27; mean 95% CI], sex (female, %); 6,752 (56.69)), KOA patients were defined as those with knee joint pain and grade 2 Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) or more on plain radiographic images who were 40 years old or older in Korean population data of KNHANES. The frailty index was calculated using 46 items related to co-morbidities and laboratory parameters. The impact of KOA on frailty risk was evaluated with logistic regression analyses. The prevalence of KOA patients was 35.6% [95% CI 34.7-36.46]. In polytomous logistic regression, the relative risk ratio (RRR) of KOA was significantly increased in the pre-frail group (2.76, 95% CI 2.30-3.31) and the frail group (7.28, 95% CI 5.90-8.98). RRR of frailty was significantly increased in patients with K-L grade 3 (1.36, 95% CI 1.13-1.63) and K-L grade 4 (2.19, 95% CI 1.72-2.79). Older age, higher BMI, smoking status, alcohol intake, low-income status, higher WBC count, higher platelet count, higher serum creatinine level and low estimated GFR were significantly associated with increased frailty risk. High hemoglobin and regular walking habits were associated with decreased frailty risk in KOA patients. In this large observation population- based survey cohort, KOA is linked to an increased risk of frailty syndrome. We found a significant connection between KOA and frailty syndrome. These results show that we need to think about the overall health of people with KOA and give them special care to prevent frailty syndrome.

Risk of lymphadenopathy from SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in Korea: a self-controlled case series analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the risk of lymphadenopathy following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination. METHODS: A self-controlled case series design was used to determine whether the risk of lymphadenopathy was higher in the 1-day to 42-day risk interval after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination compared to the control period. In addition, subgroup analyses were conducted according to baseline characteristics, time since vaccination, and sensitivity analyses adjusted for the length of the risk interval. RESULTS: The risk of developing lymphadenopathy in the risk interval (1-42 days) after COVID-19 vaccination compared to the control period was significantly increased, with a relative incidence (RI) of 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17 to 1.18) when the first, second, and third doses were combined. The RI was greater on the day of vaccination (1.47; 95% CI, 1.44 to 1.50). In subgroup analyses by baseline characteristics, a significantly increased risk or trend toward increased risk was observed in most subgroups except for those aged 70 years and older, with a significant increase in risk in younger individuals, those with a Charlson's comorbidity index <5, and those who received mRNA vaccines (mRNA-1273>BNT162b2). Within the 1-day to 42-day post-dose risk period, the relative risk was highest during the 1-day to 7-day post-dose period (1.59; 95% CI, 1.57 to 1.60) compared to the control period, and then the risk declined. In the sensitivity analysis, we found that the longer the risk window, the smaller the RI. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is associated with a statistically significant increase in the risk of lymphadenopathy, and this risk was observed only with mRNA vaccines.

Developing Operational Definitions Related to Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapy.

BACKGROUND: The lack of well-established operational definitions is a major limitation of Helicobacter pylori eradication studies that use secondary databases. We aimed to develop and validate operational definitions related to H. pylori eradication therapy. METHODS: Operational definitions were developed by analyzing a nationwide H. pylori eradication registry and validated using real-world data from hospital medical records. The primary endpoint was the sensitivity of the operational definitions in identifying individuals who received H. pylori eradication therapy. The secondary endpoint was the sensitivity and specificity of the operational definition in identifying successful H. pylori eradication therapy. RESULTS: H. pylori eradication therapy was defined as a prescription for one of the following combinations: 1) proton pump inhibitor (PPI) + amoxicillin + clarithromycin, 2) PPI + amoxicillin + metronidazole, 3) PPI + metronidazole + tetracycline, 4) PPI + amoxicillin + levofloxacin, 5) PPI + amoxicillin + moxifloxacin, or 6) PPI + amoxicillin + rifabutin. In the validation set, the sensitivity of the operational definition for identifying individuals who received H. pylori eradication therapy was 99.7% and 99.8% for the first- and second-line therapies, respectively. Operational definition to determine success or failure of the H. pylori eradication therapy was developed based on a confirmatory test and the prescription of rescue therapy. The sensitivity and specificity of the operational definition for predicting successful eradication were 97.6% and 91.4%, respectively, in first-line therapy and 98.6% and 54.8%, respectively, in second-line therapy. CONCLUSION: We developed and validated operational definitions related to H. pylori eradication therapy. These definitions will help researchers perform various H. pylori eradication-related studies using secondary databases.

Association between weight loss agents and elevated liver enzymes: a population-based cross-sectional study.

The widespread use of body weight control agents might be related to liver enzyme elevation, but this potential association has only been documented in a few case reports. This study aimed to investigate the associations between weight loss agents and elevated liver enzymes at the population-level. We conducted a cross-sectional study using Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data from 2013 to 2019. This study included 36,259 participants over 20 years of age who completed the questionnaire and had no history of hepatitis, cancer, or renal failure. In these participants, we analyzed associations between weight loss agents and elevated liver enzymes by constructing multiple logistic regression models with adjustment for confounding factors and stratified by sex, age, and body mass index. The use of weight loss agents related to liver enzyme elevation in men (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-1.71) and participants aged less than 40 years (aOR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.12-1.87). Using more types of weight loss agents was associated with liver enzyme elevation (aOR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.03-1.67 for 1 weight loss agent, aOR: 1.93, 95% CI: 0.93-3.99 for ≥ 2 weight loss agents). Elevated liver enzymes were associated with the use of traditional medicines (aOR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.14-3.34) and dietary supplements (aOR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.02-1.72) in men. We observed an association between weight loss agents and liver enzyme elevation in men, particularly for traditional herbal medicines and dietary supplements. To confirm the observed associations, studies higher on the evidence hierarchy are needed.

Active surveillance for adverse events of influenza vaccine safety in elderly cancer patients using self-controlled tree-temporal scan statistic analysis.

Both cancer patients and the elderly are at high risk of developing flu complications, so influenza vaccination is recommended. We aimed to evaluate potential adverse events (AEs) following influenza vaccination in elderly cancer patients using the self-controlled tree-temporal scan statistic method. From a large linked database of Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency vaccination data and the National Health Insurance Service claims data, we identified cancer patients aged over 65 who received flu vaccines during the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 seasons. We included all the outcomes occurring on 1-84 days post-vaccination and evaluated all temporal risk windows, which started 1-28 days and ended 2-42 days. Patients who were diagnosed with the same disease during a year prior to vaccination were excluded. We used the hierarchy of ICD-10 to identify statistically significant clustering. This study included 431,276 doses of flu vaccine. We detected signals for 1 set: other dorsopathies on 1-15 days (attributable risk 16.5 per 100,000, P = 0.017). Dorsopathy is a known AE of influenza vaccine. No statistically significant clusters were found when analyzed by flu season. Therefore, influenza vaccination is more recommended for elderly patients with cancer and weakened immune systems.

Korea Seroprevalence Study of Monitoring of SARS-COV-2 Antibody Retention and Transmission (K-SEROSMART): findings from national representative sample.

OBJECTIVES: We estimated the population prevalence of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including unreported infections, through a Korea Seroprevalence Study of Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Retention and Transmission (K-SEROSMART) in 258 communities throughout Korea. METHODS: In August 2022, a survey was conducted among 10,000 household members aged 5 years and older, in households selected through two stage probability random sampling. During face-to-face household interviews, participants self-reported their health status, COVID-19 diagnosis and vaccination history, and general characteristics. Subsequently, participants visited a community health center or medical clinic for blood sampling. Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to spike proteins (anti-S) and antibodies to nucleocapsid proteins (anti-N) SARS-CoV-2 proteins using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. To estimate the population prevalence, the PROC SURVEYMEANS statistical procedure was employed, with weighting to reflect demographic data from July 2022. RESULTS: In total, 9,945 individuals from 5,041 households were surveyed across 258 communities, representing all basic local governments in Korea. The overall population-adjusted prevalence rates of anti-S and anti-N were 97.6% and 57.1%, respectively. Since the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has reported a cumulative incidence of confirmed cases of 37.8% through July 31, 2022, the proportion of unreported infections among all COVID-19 infection was suggested to be 33.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The K-SEROSMART represents the first nationwide, community-based seroepidemiologic survey of COVID-19, confirming that most individuals possess antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and that a significant number of unreported cases existed. Furthermore, this study lays the foundation for a surveillance system to continuously monitor transmission at the community level and the response to COVID-19.

Antidepressants and the Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Older Adults According to the Degree of Serotonin Reuptake Inhibition: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of serotonin reuptake inhibition induced by antidepressants on ischemic stroke and its pathophysiology remain unclear despite the frequent use of antidepressants and high fatality of ischemic stroke. We estimated the risk of ischemic stroke associated with antidepressant use in older adults according to the degree of serotonin reuptake inhibition. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: The cohort consisted of older adult patients who were treated with antidepressants. MEASUREMENTS: We estimated the risk of ischemic stroke associated with antidepressant use in older adults according to the degree of serotonin reuptake inhibition using Korea's National Health Insurance System-Senior Cohort. Exposure to antidepressants was categorized by type (strong, intermediate, or weak serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SRIs]) and by the mean prescribed dose per day and treatment duration. The risk for the strong and intermediate SRIs group was compared with that of the weak SRIs group using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: Of 97,411 were weak SRIs users, and 107,152 and 18,783 were users of strong and intermediate SRIs. The risk of ischemic stroke was 1.192- and 1.057-fold higher in strong and intermediate SRI users, respectively than in weak SRI users. Hazard ratios were increased in higher dose and shorter duration user groups. The risk increased 1.753-fold in strong SRI users with anticonvulsants and 1.387-fold in intermediate SRI users with PPIs. CONCLUSION: The use of strong and intermediate SRIs should be considered carefully in older adult patients, especially when high-dose antidepressants are prescribed even for a short duration.

CT Evaluation of the Findings of Nutcracker Syndrome in Patients with Bladder Cancer after Radical Cystectomy and Ileal Neobladder Formation: A Correlation with Hematuria.

Purpose: Patients with bladder cancer may show hematuria after radical cystectomy with ileal neobladder formation, causing anxiety regarding tumor recurrence. Here, we aim to show that the nutcracker syndrome (NCS) can be a cause of hematuria post-operation, and is a common, rather than a rare syndrome. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic CT (CE-APCT) and urine analysis (UA) findings of 255 patients with bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy and ileal neobladder formation between 2011 and 2016 was performed. In the CE-APCT review, the left renal vein flow patterns were evaluated to determine the presence of NCS findings. In the UA review, patients were classified according to the percentage of UA tests with positive hematuria among the total number of UA tests. Results: CT findings of NCS were present in 31.9% of the 135 patients. In the positive hematuria group, there were 26% more patients with NCS findings than those without. Conclusion: NCS findings are prevalent even for bladder cancer patients after surgery, and there is a strong correlation between NCS findings and hematuria. Furthermore, the prevalence of NCS findings is much higher than urinary tract recurrence after the surgery.

Intrarenal Renin-Angiotensin System Activation Alters Relationship Between Systolic Blood Pressure and Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Elevated blood pressure and intrarenal renin-angiotensin system activity are closely related to chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. However, interrelationship between blood pressure and intrarenal renin-angiotensin system activity on the risk of CKD progression is unknown. METHODS: We analyzed 2076 participants from the Korean Cohort Study for Outcomes in Patients With CKD. The main exposure was systolic blood pressure (SBP). The urinary angiotensinogen-to-creatinine ratio was stratified according to the median value (3.65 µg/gCr). The primary outcome was a composite kidney outcome of a ≥50% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate from baseline measurement or initiation of kidney replacement therapy. RESULTS: During 10 550 person-years of follow-up (median, 5.2 years), the composite outcome occurred in 800 (38.5%) participants. In the multivariable cause-specific hazard model, higher SBP was associated with an increased risk of CKD progression. There was a significant interaction between SBP and urinary angiotensinogen-to-creatinine ratio on the risk of the primary outcome (P value for interaction=0.019). In patients with urinary angiotensinogen-to-creatinine <3.65 µg/gCr, the hazard ratios (95% CIs) for SBP 120 to 129, 130 to 139, and ≥140 mmHg were 1.46 (1.07-1.99), 1.71 (1.25-2.35), and 2.40 (1.73-3.32), respectively, compared with SBP <120 mmHg. However, these associations were not observed in patients with urinary angiotensinogen-to-creatinine ≥3.65 µg/gCr. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective CKD cohort, higher SBP was associated with CKD progression when urinary angiotensinogen levels were low, while this association was not seen when urinary angiotensinogen levels were high. This finding suggests that intrarenal renin-angiotensin system activity may modify the relationship between SBP and adverse kidney outcome.

A multicenter, randomized, open-labelled, non-inferiority trial of sustained-release sarpogrelate versus clopidogrel after femoropopliteal artery intervention.

Optimal antiplatelet therapy after endovascular therapy (EVT) for peripheral artery disease is controversial. This trial aimed to evaluate whether sarpogrelate plus aspirin was non-inferior for preventing early restenosis after femoropopliteal (FP) EVT compared to clopidogrel plus aspirin. In this open-label, prospective randomized trial, 272 patients were enrolled after successful EVT for FP lesions. Patients in each group received aspirin 100 mg and clopidogrel 75 mg or sarpogrelate 300 mg orally once per day for 6 months. The primary outcome was target lesion restenosis at 6 months, tested for noninferiority. Patient characteristics and EVT patterns were similar, except for increased inflow procedures in the sarpogrelate group and increased outflow procedures in the clopidogrel group. The sarpogrelate group showed a tendency of less restenosis at 6 months than the clopidogrel group (13.0% vs. 19.1%, difference 6.1 percentage points, 95% CI for noninferiority - 0.047 to 0.169). Secondary endpoints related to safety outcomes were rare in both groups. Risks of target lesion restenosis of the two intervention arm were uniform across most major subgroups except for those with coronary artery disease. In conclusion, Sarpogrelate plus aspirin is non-inferior to clopidogrel plus aspirin in preventing early restenosis after FP EVT. Larger multi-ethnic trials are required to generalize these findings. Trial registration: National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials Registry (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02959606; 09/11/2016).

Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of chronic kidney disease: an experimental in vivo study using rat chronic kidney disease models.

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may allow it to be an alternative emerging tool for the non-invasive evaluation of renal parenchymal disease. PURPOSE: To validate the usefulness of quantitative multiparametric MRI protocols and suggest the suitable quantitative MR sequence protocol to evaluate parenchymal fibrosis using an animal model of chronic kidney disease (CKD) by long-term adenine intake. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective animal study, 16 male Wistar rats were analyzed and categorized into three groups. Rats in the CKD groups underwent 0.25% adenine administration for three or six weeks. Quantitative MRI protocols, including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), T1ρ (T1 rho), and T2* mapping were performed using a 9.4-T animal MR scanner. A semi-quantitative histopathologic analysis for renal fibrosis was conducted. Quantitative MR values measured from anatomic regions of kidneys underwent intergroup comparative analyses. RESULTS: The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and T1 (T1 rho) values were significantly increased in all CKD groups. Values measured from the cortex and outer medulla showed significant intergroup differences. Total ADC values tended to increase according to periods, and T1ρ values increased in three weeks and decreased in six weeks. CONCLUSION: Quantitative MRI protocols could be a non-invasive assessment modality in the diagnosis and evaluation of CKD. Particularly, T1ρ may be a suitable MR sequence to quantitatively assess renal parenchymal fibrosis.

Impact of treatment adherence on the effectiveness and safety of oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation: a retrospective cohort study.

AIMS: The impact of adherence to oral anticoagulation has not been reported in terms of absolute risk, which would enhance patients' understanding and treatment adherence. METHODS AND RESULTS: This retrospective cohort study analysed data from the National Health Insurance Database of Korea, from January 2010 to December 2018, on 84 227 patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). The participants were analysed according to their overall adherence to oral anticoagulants (OACs) and further divided into four groups: non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) adherent, vitamin K antagonist (VKA) adherent, NOAC non-adherent, and VKA non-adherent. The incidence of ischaemic stroke, major bleeding, and death was compared between the four groups using risk difference, number needed to treat and number needed to harm. Among the participants, 50 178 were adherent to (OACs), while 34 049 were non-adherent. The incidence of major bleeding was higher in the adherent group (4.49%; 95% confidence interval, 4.11-4.85%) than in the non-adherent group (3.61%; 3.16-4.06%), and the incidence of ischaemic stroke was higher in the non-adherent group (7.68%; 7.08-8.33%) than in the adherent group (5.61%; 5.17-6.07%). In terms of risk difference, adherence to OACs increased the risk of major bleeding by 0.87% and decreased the risk of ischaemic stroke by 2.08%. This finding suggests that one additional major bleeding event occurred for every 115 adherent patients, and one additional ischaemic stroke event was prevented for every 48 adherent patients. CONCLUSION: The benefits of OAC adherence in NVAF patients for ischaemic stroke prevention exceeding the risk of bleeding are shown more clearly in terms of absolute risk.

Association of coronary artery calcium with adverse cardiovascular outcomes and death in patients with chronic kidney disease: results from the KNOW-CKD.

BACKGROUND: In East Asian countries, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have lower cardiovascular risk profiles and experience fewer cardiovascular events (CVEs) than those in Western countries. Thus the clinical predictive performance of well-known risk factors warrants further testing in this population. METHODS: The KoreaN cohort study for Outcome in patients With Chronic Kidney Disease (KNOW-CKD) is a multicenter, prospective observational study. We included 1579 participants with CKD G1-G5 without kidney replacement therapy between 2011 and 2016. The main predictor was the coronary artery calcium score (CACS). The primary outcome was a composite of nonfatal CVEs or all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included 3-point major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs; the composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke), all CVEs and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 5.1 years, a total of 123 primary outcome events occurred (incidence rate 1.6/100 person-years). In the multivariable Cox model, a 1-standard deviation log increase in the CACS was associated with a 1.67-fold [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.37-2.04] higher risk of the primary outcome. Compared with a CACS of 0, the hazard ratio associated with a CACS >400 was 4.89 (95% CI 2.68-8.93) for the primary outcome. This association was consistent for secondary outcomes. Moreover, inclusion of the CACS led to modest improvements in prediction indices of the primary outcome compared with well-known conventional risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: In Korean patients with CKD, the CACS was independently associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause death. The CACS also showed modest improvements in prediction performance over conventional cardiovascular risk factors.