[Gastrointestinal Disease in the Population Aged 80 Years and above in Korea during Recent Decades: Multi-center Cross-sectional Study].

Background/Aims: Globally, the population aged 80 years or older is growing faster due to the rising life expectancy. Korea has already entered into an advanced aged society, and a post-aged society is expected in 2025. This study evaluated the patterns of gastrointestinal disease in the population aged 80 years or older during the recent decade in Korea. Method: This study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients admitted to the gastrointestinal department of Suwon St. Vincent's hospital, Incheon St. Mary's hospital, and Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital - general hospitals of Seoul-Gyeonggi province in Korea. It was a repeated cross-sectional study in 2009 and 2019. Results: The number of admitted patients aged 80 years or older increased from 549 (9.0%) in 2009 to 1,073 (14.4%) in 2019 (p<0.01). As for the in-hospital mortality, there was no significant difference (p=0.25). On the other hand, the combined morbidities increased, and the duration of admission also increased (7.2±7.8 days vs. 8.1±8.2 days, p=0.03). The number of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and patients who are bleeding associated with drugs users increased (p<0.01). The proportion of lower gastrointestinal disease decreased (p<0.01) because of the decrease in procedure-related admissions (p<0.01). The number of those with pancreaticobiliary tract disease increased markedly (p<0.01), and the rate of cases that could not perform the procedure decreased (p=0.04). Conclusion: The patterns of gastrointestinal disease in the population aged 80 years or older have changed in the recent decade in Korea. Hence, more preparation for this medical environment is needed.

Depth and combined infection is important predictor of lower extremity amputations in hospitalized diabetic foot ulcer patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: As the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its complications increase rapidly, diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), which are a major diabetic complication, are expected to increase. For prevention and effective treatment, it is important to understand the clinical course of DFUs. The aim of this study was to investigate the natural course and predictors of amputation in patients with DFUs who required hospitalization. METHODS: A total of 209 patients with type 2 diabetes, aged 30 to 85 years, who visited emergency department or needed hospitalization due to DFUs were consecutively enrolled from May 2012 to January 2016, by retrospective medical record review. The main outcome was lower extremity amputation (LEA). RESULTS: Among 192 patients who completed follow-up, 113 patients (58.9%) required LEAs. Compared to patients without amputation, baseline levels of white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein were higher in patients with amputation. In addition, bone and joint involvement was more frequently observed in patients with amputation. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that combined infection (odds ratio [OR], 11.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.55 to 50.93; p = 0.001) and bone or joint involvement (OR, 3.74; 95% CI, 1.10 to 12.70; p = 0.035) were significantly associated with an increased risk of LEA. CONCLUSION: The depth of the wound and combined infection of DFU, rather than the extent of the wound, were significant prognostic factors of LEAs in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Spontaneous Hepatic Infarction in a Patient with Gallbladder Cancer.

Hepatic infarction is known as a rare disease entity in nontransplant patients. Although a few cases of hepatic infarction have been reported to be linked with invasive procedures, trauma, and hypercoagulability, a case of spontaneous hepatic infarction in a nontransplanted patient has hardly ever been reported. However, many clinical situations of patients with cancer, in particular biliary cancer, can predispose nontransplant patients to hepatic infarction. Besides, the clinical outcome of hepatic infarction in patients with cancer can be worse than in patients with other etiologies. As for treatment, anticoagulation treatment is usually recommended. However, because of its multifactorial etiology and combined complications, treatment of hepatic infarction is difficult and not simple. Herein, we report a case of fatal hepatic infarction that occurred spontaneously during the course of treatment in a patient with gallbladder cancer. Hepatic infarction should be considered as a possible fatal complication in patients during treatment of biliary malignancies.