Dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 pathways, has been established as a first-line biologic therapy for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD). However, real-world data in Asian populations remain limited. This study evaluates the long-term effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in Korean adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD. A retrospective observational study was conducted at a South Korean tertiary care hospital between 2018 and 2024. Clinical outcomes including eczema area and severity index (EASI), numerical rating scale (NRS) (pruritus), and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) were analyzed at regular time points up to 232 weeks. Changes in concomitant medication use and adverse events (AEs) were also recorded. Among 128 screened patients, 84 met the inclusion criteria. EASI scores decreased from 27.6 ± 5.5 at baseline to 2.7 ± 1.3 at week 232. EASI-75 was achieved by 100% of patients from week 16 onward, while EASI-90 reached 50% by week 232. Significant improvements were also observed in NRS and DLQI scores. TCS and OAH use significantly declined over time. Most AEs were mild and resolved during continued treatment. Dupilumab demonstrates durable effectiveness and a favorable safety profile in Korean adults with moderate-to-severe AD. These results support its continued use as a long-term systemic therapy in real-world settings.

This cross-sectional study reveals complex associations between alcohol consumption and diabetes prevalence, with moderate drinking associated with lower diabetes prevalence and heavy or frequent binge drinking associated with higher prevalence. Public health strategies should incorporate gender-specific guidance to address alcohol-related diabetes risks effectively.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disease caused by excessive ovarian androgen secretion due to hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian hormone abnormalities. We retrospectively investigated the treatment status of patients diagnosed with PCOS who visited a domestic tertiary hospital in order to analyze the use patterns and safety of drugs. Patients diagnosed with PCOS between July 2014 and September 2022 were examined, excluding patients younger than 13 years and those not receiving medication. Patients aged 21 years or younger were designated as the adolescent group and patients aged 22 years or older were designated as the adult group for comparative statistical analysis. The total number of patients was 212, including 105 adolescents (49.5%) and 107 adults (50.5%). Comorbidities were ovarian cyst in 20 (9.4%) patients, endometriosis in 19 (9%), diabetes in 14 (6.6%), thyroid dysfunction in 12 (5.7%), hypertension in 10 (4.7%), dyslipidemia in 10 (4.7%), and androgenic alopecia in 6 (2.8%). Symptoms were oligomenorrhea in 91 (42.9%) patients, amenorrhea in 72 (34%), hirsutism in 36 (17%), acne in 24 (11.3%), and infertility in 10 (4.7%). During the study period, 114 patients (53.8%) were prescribed medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), 66 (31.1%) were given oral contraceptives (specifically, ethinyl estradiol + drospirenone prescribed to 52 (24.5%)), and 17 (8%) were concurrently prescribed MPA and oral contraceptives. Forty-five (21.2%) patients changed prescriptions, with 10 (22.2%) switching due to side effects and 8 (17.8%) due to a therapeutic failure. A total of 5 patients (2.4%) discontinued the drug. Adverse drug reactions occurred in 15 patients (7.1%), with 5 being adolescents (4.8%) and 10 being adults (9.3%). MPA alone and ethinyl estradiol with drospirenone were the most prescribed medications for PCOS. Over the study, 45 patients changed prescriptions, 50 were lost to follow-up, and 5 adults discontinued medications.

This study aimed to investigate the association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, as a surrogate marker of systemic inflammation, and renal function among Korean adults grouped by age, sex, and body mass index. This study analyzed data obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015 to 2018, a cross-sectional and nationally representative survey conducted by the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of the 22,451 subjects included in this study, 19,607 (87.3%) and 2844 (12.7%) had normal kidney function and incident chronic kidney disease, respectively. Reduced renal function was more frequently observed in subjects with high hs-CRP levels than in those with low hs-CRP levels (odds ratio [OR], 1.438; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.234-1.674). In the group aged ≥ 65 years, the odds of reduced renal function were higher among subjects with a high hs-CRP level compared to those with a low hs-CRP level (OR, 1.528; 95% CI, 1.191-1.960). The association between hs-CRP level and renal function was observed only in women (OR, 2.485; 95% CI, 1.779-3.470) and further stratified by age and sex, the odds of reduced renal function were likely higher in women aged ≥ 65 years with a high hs-CRP level (OR, 2.338; 95% CI, 1.622-3.369). Moreover, reduced renal function was more observed in subjects aged ≥ 65 years and those with a body mass index < 25 kg/m2 (OR, 1.502; 95% CI, 1.087-2.075). This study showed that a high hs-CRP level likely contributes to the increased prevalence of reduced renal function. This association may aid the identification of individuals at high risk for reduced renal function, especially elderly women, in clinical or public health practice.

This study aimed to determine the policy implications for drug management by identifying the prescription trends of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in older outpatients. Considering the Drug Utilization Review and Korean version of the standards for PIMs based on the Beers Criteria, 141 ingredients were selected that spanned over 7 years of health insurance claims data analysis. During the study period, the number of patients and claims related to PIMs increased. Although the number of health insurance claims decreased in 2020 owing to coronavirus disease (COVID-19), it increased again in 2021. Tamsulosin was the most frequently prescribed drug for male patients, followed by alprazolam and zolpidem. For female patients, eperisone was the most frequently prescribed drug, followed by alprazolam, zolpidem, and etizolam. In Korea, health insurance claims for PIMs decreased in 2020 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, an overall increasing trend was observed from 2015 to 2021. Moreover, during this period, the prescription trend of benzodiazepine-type drugs and zolpidem increased in both male and female patients. Therefore, management policies regarding PIMs and drug ingredients, such as benzodiazepines and zolpidem, are required.

Dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 pathways, has been established as a first-line biologic therapy for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD). However, real-world data in Asian populations remain limited. This study evaluates the long-term effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in Korean adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD. A retrospective observational study was conducted at a South Korean tertiary care hospital between 2018 and 2024. Clinical outcomes including eczema area and severity index (EASI), numerical rating scale (NRS) (pruritus), and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) were analyzed at regular time points up to 232 weeks. Changes in concomitant medication use and adverse events (AEs) were also recorded. Among 128 screened patients, 84 met the inclusion criteria. EASI scores decreased from 27.6 ± 5.5 at baseline to 2.7 ± 1.3 at week 232. EASI-75 was achieved by 100% of patients from week 16 onward, while EASI-90 reached 50% by week 232. Significant improvements were also observed in NRS and DLQI scores. TCS and OAH use significantly declined over time. Most AEs were mild and resolved during continued treatment. Dupilumab demonstrates durable effectiveness and a favorable safety profile in Korean adults with moderate-to-severe AD. These results support its continued use as a long-term systemic therapy in real-world settings.

This cross-sectional study reveals complex associations between alcohol consumption and diabetes prevalence, with moderate drinking associated with lower diabetes prevalence and heavy or frequent binge drinking associated with higher prevalence. Public health strategies should incorporate gender-specific guidance to address alcohol-related diabetes risks effectively.