Korea University of College of Medicine

Korean nationwide cohort study shows increased complications for both mothers and newborns in deliveries following uterine artery embolization SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a serious condition where a woman experiences significant blood loss after giving birth. It affects about 4–6% of new mothers and can lead to severe complications if not managed properly. Traditional treatments for PPH include medications to contract the uterus, physical compression, and using a balloon device inside the uterus to stop the bleeding. When these methods don't work, doctors might perform a procedure called UAE. UAE is a less invasive alternative to surgery that involves blocking the blood vessels to stop the bleeding. However, recent studies have raised concerns about the potential effects of UAE on subsequent deliveries, prompting further investigation. Continue Reading A nationwide cohort study revealed that women who underwent UAE during their first delivery face increased risks of adverse outcomes in their second delivery. To further investigate this, a group of researchers led by Professor Woo Jin Yang from Korea University College of Medicine, conducted a study using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. After accounting for other factors that might influence the outcomes, the researchers compared women who had UAE during their first delivery with those who did not undergo the procedure. Their study was published in Volume 2024, Issue 3, of the journal Human Reproduction Open on 26 June 2024. "Notably, our findings showed that women who had UAE during their first delivery were more likely to face complications in their next pregnancy. These complications included higher risks of placental problems, such as the placenta attaching too deeply or being positioned abnormally. These women were more likely to have premature births and severe bleeding again during their second delivery," explains Prof. Yang. In addition, the babies born to women who had undergone UAE were found to have a higher chance of major birth defects, especially heart problems, and often needed special care in a neonatal intensive care unit. Although most long-term health issues were not more common, there was a slightly higher risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in these children. However, the finding regarding ADHD in particular requires careful interpretation. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is needed to confirm and understand the potential link between UAE and ADHD in children. The findings of this study could help doctors have better conversations with the women undergoing UAE, helping them prepare for a safer pregnancy and delivery. Women who have had UAE might also benefit from personalized prenatal care that addresses their specific needs, giving them more confidence and a proactive approach to their pregnancy. This might be in the form of more regular check-ups and special monitoring of the baby. Hospitals can use this information to improve their delivery plans for women with a history of UAE, ensuring that they are well-prepared and receive individualized care. Additionally, pediatric teams can work closely with obstetricians to ensure that newborns receive the best possible care. Moreover, the guidelines for caring for these pregnancies might be updated to reflect these findings, leading to better care practices. "The primary aim of our study is to promote safer childbirth experiences for women with a history of UAE, not to discourage or alarm them about subsequent pregnancies. By identifying potential risks, we seek to improve care strategies, ultimately supporting these women in achieving healthy pregnancies and deliveries," concludes Prof. Yang. Reference Title of original paper: Association between uterine artery embolization for postpartum hemorrhage and second delivery on maternal and offspring outcomes: A nationwide cohort study Journal: Human Reproduction Open DOI: About the institute Website: Contact: Soo-Jin Jeon +82 2 3407 4040 [email protected] SOURCE Korea University College of Medicine WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

Treatment with direct-acting antivirals improve liver-related clinical outcomes and reduce liver fibrosis in patients with Hepatitis C virus infection SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- HCV infection is the underlying cause for chronic Hepatitis C (CHC), liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In 2019, over 2,90,000 people died of HCV-related diseases. Recent medical advancement made a new breakthrough treatment available for patients with hepatitis C. DAAs that block replication of HCV has dramatically transformed the treatment approach with around 90% effective anti-viral response rates. However, it is unclear whether DAAs impact the severity of disease burden caused by liver fibrosis. Continue Reading Researchers from multiple institutions across South Korea collected individual participant data from the medical records of patients with hepatitis C virus infection, treated with direct-acting antivirals. They compared liver fibrosis, a key feature of disease severity, and liver-related clinical outcomes of untreated group with the DAA group. To answer this critical question, Associate Professor Seungbong Han from the Department of Biostatistics, Korea University College of Medicine, South Korea collaborated with his colleagues across multiple centers in South Korea to evaluate the impact of DAAs on the fibrotic disease burden in patients with chronic HCV infection. Their study was made available online on May 30, 2024 and was published in Volume 73 of the journal eClinicalMedicine on July 1, 2024. Sharing his vision, Associate Prof. Han says, "For individuals, early detection and effective treatment would mean fewer complications, better health outcomes, and enhanced quality of life. Successful strategies could serve as models for other countries with high Hepatitis C prevalence, leading to global improvement in Hepatitis C management." The team collected medical records of 11,725 patients with HCV infection from 29 institutions in South Korea. They compared individual participant data from 3,261 untreated to 8,464 patients treated with DAAs, for a follow-up period of 27.5 months. To evaluate liver disease severity and outcomes, they analyzed non-invasive reporters of liver fibrosis and stiffness, and evaluated their risk of developing liver cancer, damaged liver function, and death. They observed that DAA treatment reduced fibrotic disease burden and lowered the risk of disease progression to cancer or cirrhosis, increasing life expectancy. The differences were most prominent in age groups 40–60 years. One of the limitations of this study is the reliance on non-invasive tests for measuring liver fibrosis. "Noninvasive scores and liver stiffness, are not accurate for detecting reduced fibrosis after sustained viral response in patients with HCV infection because improvements in noninvasive tests typically reflect the expected reduction of necro-inflammation but not that of fibrosis," explains Associate Prof. Han. How important are liver biopsies for accurate assessment? Biopsy of the liver is the gold standard method to accurately measure and stage liver fibrosis. However, the risks and expertise needed to perform this challenging procedure limits repeatability. Despite the limitation, this study provides scientific evidence that use of DAA is a crucial strategy for reducing liver fibrosis-based disease burden and improving clinical outcomes. Sustainability in healthcare requires evidence-based allocation of healthcare resources. The findings from this study merits public health campaigns raising awareness about Hepatitis C and its risks that will promote nationwide screening for HCV positivity. Early intervention with advanced antiviral approaches is likely to decrease healthcare costs associated with treating advanced liver diseases like cancer or cirrhosis, freeing up resources for other critical healthcare needs. "Our study can help improve public health, healthcare systems, and individual lives by encouraging the development of early intervention and effective treatment strategies for HCV infection," concludes Associate Prof. Han. Reference Title of original paper: Effect of direct-acting antivirals on disease burden of hepatitis C virus infection in South Korea in 2007–2021: A nationwide, multicentre, retrospective cohort study Journal: eClinicalMedicine DOI: About Korea University College of Medicine Website: Media Contact: Soo-Jin Jeon +82 2 3407 4040 [email protected] SOURCE Korea University College of Medicine

Researchers demonstrate that gastrectomy decreases the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with gastric cancer SEOUL, South Korea, May 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The high death rates in patients with cancer can be partly attributed to the increased risks of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). In a new study, scientists compared the incidences of MACE between patients with gastric cancer after gastrectomy or endoscopic resection and the general population. Their findings showed that patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy had lower risks of MACE providing insights into the metabolic effects of gastrectomy. Continue Reading The study reveals that gastrectomy reduced the incidence of MACE compared with the general population. The findings provide important insights that may enable both healthcare professionals and patients with gastric cancer to make informed decisions regarding surgical treatment. Gastric cancer, also known as stomach cancer, is a highly prevalent and aggressive form of the disease that increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Depending on the stage of the cancer, treatment typically involves the surgical removal of cancer-affected tissue. The surgical procedures include gastrectomy – a surgery to remove a portion or the entire stomach, and endoscopic resection – a non-invasive method that uses an endoscope to guide precise removal of the tumor. Both surgical procedures for gastric cancer treatment alter cardiovascular risk factors but differently. However, the impact of gastric cancer surgery on the incidence of cardiovascular events is ambiguous. To fill this gap, a research team led by Assistant Professor Yeongkeun Kwon, from the Division of Foregut Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine conducted a nationwide cohort study to investigate the long-term risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with gastric cancer who underwent surgical treatment. Their findings were made available online on March 28, 2024 in International Journal of Surgery. The researchers analyzed the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) such as heart attack and stroke between patients who underwent surgical treatment for gastric cancer, and the general population, between 2004 and 2013. They observed that within a seven-year follow-up period, only 2.9% of patients who underwent gastrectomy developed MACE. In contrast, 5.4% of patients who were treated with endoscopic resection developed MACE within the same period. Elaborating on the clinical importance of their research findings, Prof. Kwon explains, "There are concerns that the surgical modalities used to treat gastric cancer that remove a part of the stomach or the whole organ can result in other health hazards. Our study demonstrates that gastric cancer surgery has health benefits in terms of reduced cardiovascular risk." Furthermore, statistical analysis revealed a significantly lowered risk of MACE in patients who underwent gastrectomy when compared to the general population. However, the risk of MACE in the endoscopic resection group was not significantly different than that of the general population. Further research into the specific risk factors that influence the incidence of cardiovascular disease is needed. Sharing the long-term implications of their study, Prof. Yeongkeun concludes, "Korea has the highest long-term survival rate for gastric cancer in the world and, therefore, also has the largest amount of data available on long-term survivors of gastric cancer. If information on the health status of long-term stomach cancer survivors like our study is accumulated, healthcare professionals and gastric cancer patients will be able to make informed decisions that can greatly improve treatment outcomes." Reference Title of original paper: Long-term Cardiovascular Risk Reduction After Gastric Cancer Surgery: A Nationwide Cohort Study Journal: International Journal of Surgery DOI: About the institute Website: Media Contact: Soo-Jin Jeon +82 2 3407 4040 [email protected] SOURCE Korea University College of Medicine