Earticle

배 경: 골다공증은 골대사의 불균형으로 인해 골 흡수가 골 형성보다 많아져 골밀도가 감소함으로서 발생한다. 골다공증의 이상적인 치료목표는 골형성을 증가시키거나 골소실을 방지하여 골량을 현 상태로 유지하는 것이다. 따라서 향후 발생되는 골소실을 에방하는 것이 골다공증의 원칙적이고 효과적인 치료방법이 될 것이다. 본 연구에서는 흑효모 중 Aureobasidium pullulans으로부터 유래한 폴리칸(베타-글루칸)이 중년여성의 골대사에 미치는 영향을 규명하고자 하였다. 연구방법: 골대사에 대한 폴리칸의 효과를 규명하기 위해 12주간의 무작위배정, 이중눈가림, 플라세보 대조 임상연구를 수행하였다. 총 60명(폴리칸 투여군30명, 플라세보 투여군 30명)의 중년 여성 피험자가 등록되어 이중 총 58명의 피험자가 최종적으로 12주간의 임상연구를 종료하였다. 결 과:폴리칸(150 mg/d) 투여 12주 후, 폴리칸 투여군은 요 중 Deoxypyridinoline (DPD) 농도가 유의적인 감소를 보였다(p=0.014). 혈청 중 Osteocalcin(OSC) 농도는 두 군 모두에서 유의적으로 증가하였으며, bone-specific alkaline posphatase (bALP) 와 collagen type 1 cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTx)는 유의적 변화가 보이지 않았다. 폴리칸은 골밀도(BMD)와 혈청 부갑상선 호르몬(iPTH)에 대해 유의적인 변화를 보이지 않았으나, 24시간 요 중 Ca 배설량은 폴리칸 투여군에서 유의하게 감소되었다(p=0.028). 또한 폴리칸 투여군에서 고밀도지단백 콜레스테롤(HDL-cholesterol) 농도의 증가 경향 및 중성지방(triglyceride)의 유의적인 감소가 보였다. 임상연구 기간 중에 발생한 이상반응은 두 군간에 유의적인 차이를 보이지않았다. 결 론:본 연구에서는 폴리칸이 골대사 및 지질에 대해 일부 개선효과가 있음을 보여주었다. 그러나, 골다공증 예방 측면에서 보다 장기적인 임상연구와 피험자 수를 확대하여 골대사 및 지질대사에 대한 폴리칸의 예방적 효과를 규명할 필요가 있을것으로 사료된다.

조혈모세포이식술(또는 HSCT)을 받은 환자에게는 이식관련 부작용의 예방 또는 치료를 위해 면역억제 약물이 투여되는데, 그 중 하나인 cyclosporine은 therapeutic index가 작고 다양한 요인에 의해 혈중농도가 변화되므로 사용시에는 세심한 관찰과 조절이 필요하다. 특히 HSCT 환자에서 발생하는 호중구 감소성 발열(또는 NPF)의 치료목적으로 투여하는 항생제에 의하여 cyclosporine의 혈중농도가 변화될 수 있고, 또 임상적 경과에 따라 항생제 처방이 중도에 변경되는 경우도 빈번하지만, 실제로 항생제 처방의 중간변경에 의한 cyclosporine의 혈중농도 변화양상을 연구한 결과는 많지 않다. 이에, 과거 2년 동안 한 상급종합병원에서 HSCT후 cyclosporine을 투여 받았던 환자 중에서 통상적인 NPF 치료용 항생제인 ciprofloxacin을 투여하다가 치료성과를 높이기 위하여 cefepime으로 대체 투여했던 환자들의 의무기록을 후향적으로 분석하였다. 1차 선택약인 ciprofloxacin에서 항생제를 변경했을 때 cyclosporine의 혈중농도가 유의성 있게 증가했는데, 이는 ciprofloxacin 보다 cefepime이 간에서 cyclosporine을 분해시키는 효소생성을 억제시켰기 때문일 것으로 예측되며, HSCT 환자에서 NPF 치료용 항생제를 ciprofloxacin에서 cefepime으로 변경 시에는 병용중인 cyclosporine 유지용량을 약 13% 감량하는 것이 cyclosporine의 효과는 유지하면서 부작용의 발생위험을 감소시키는 데 유용한 방안이 될 것으로 사료된다.

Misinformation and inappropriate use of medication has become one of the most pressing concerns in drug safety. The purpose of this study was to survey public perception on drug safety as well as the channels most relied upon providing such information. The survey was performed for patients or their families visiting pharmacies in a local city in Korea. Analysis was performed from 367 respondents to the survey. The contents of this survey revealed that consumers were aware of the fact that medications should not be taken at any higher dosage or more often than directed by their prescriptions. The survey revealed a general awareness that symptoms might not be relieved immediately by their medications. However, the perception that there could be adverse drug reaction (ADR) at therapeutic dose was low except among the young or highly educated members. Respondents recognized that skin rashes were the most whereas drowsiness was the least common ADR symptom. There was a high awareness of drug-food or drug-drug interactions except in the case of certain nutraceuticals. Doctors and pharmacists were ranked as the most reliable resources to the consumer for providing drug related information. However, public relations or education programs were in need since there were still not negligible numbers of consumers depending on personal experience rather than health professionals.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate current criteria for insurance coverage by Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) on the systemic therapy used in the treatment of advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), by reviewing all available clinical evidences including a variety of clinical practice guidelines. Methods:We searched clinical databases and collected data from published phase 1 through 3 randomized clinical trials on all systemic therapies used in RCC, including novel targeted therapies. Additionally, current clinical practice guidelines on the management of kidney cancer or RCC were reviewed. Based on the collected data we evaluated the appropriateness of the HIRA criteria for insurance coverage on the systemic therapy of RCC whether they are evidence-based and up to date. Results: On the basis of the collected data we concluded that there was a need for a revision in HIRA criteria for systemic therapy of RCC. Despite recent emerging therapeutic advances and changes in therapeutic strategies of management of RCC, some of anticancer regimens were inappropriately listed even though they were not proven to provide efficacy or safety superior to those of other therapies. We thus proposed an updated recommendation based on current clinical evidences. Conclusion: Systemic therapy of RCC is being rapidly changed with the advancement of understanding of the molecular biology of cancer. Consequently newly developed targeted therapies are becoming the standard therapy in the management of medically or surgically unresectable advanced or metastatic RCC. To provide effective and safe therapy to patients with RCC, the criteria for insurance coverage should be made carefully taking into consideration of most up-todate and high-quality clinical evidences, and should be continuously reviewed so as to reflect evidence-based clinical practice.

This study aimed to investigate the prescription of antibiotics in clinics, and evaluate their usage appropriateness after the 2000 Korean separation of dispensary from medical practice. A retrospective study was performed on the antibiotic use for 4 years from August 2000 to July 2004 in three clinics (general, internal medicine and ear-nose-and-throat (ENT) clinics). Moreover, prescription of antibiotics for acute upper respiratory infection (AURI), concomitant drugs, duplicate antibiotics and patient adherence were assessed for 260 patients experienced AURI in a pharmacy. The prescription rates of antibiotics amongst the whole prescription decreased annually during the study period, but those in ENT clinic still constituted more than 90%. The usage of penicillins declined, but that of broad spectrum antibiotics such as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and 1st/2nd generation cephalosporins increased. Moreover, the categories of antibiotics for the same indication were different among the clinics. For patients with AURI, the more antibiotics were prescribed as its missing days and days under its therapeutic dose increased. The drug interactions with concomitant drugs decreased annually, but the use of duplicate antibiotics was similar across the period. Potential inappropriate antibiotic use was common after the Korean policy, so the observation of pharmacists needs in addition to the patients and practitioners’ attention.

Over the past few decades, drug regulatory agencies in advanced countries have been emphasizing pharmacometrics as a tool for an effective and efficient drug evaluation. Despite this international movement, the value of pharmacometrics is still poorly recognized by the Korean drug evaluation system. This study aimed to analyze the current state of utilization of pharmacometrics by foreign drug regulatory agencies and develop a road map to guide the implementation pharmacometrics into the Korean drug evaluation system. MEDLINE and foreign drug regulatory agency database were extensively searched to obtain scientific research articles, guidance, regulations and pharmacometric review reports on foreign pharmacometric drug evaluation system. A systematic roadmap comprised of 3 stages to implement pharmacometrics in Korean drug evaluation system was formulated after analyzing the collected data in tune with the current evaluation system. Pharmacometrics is an urgently required tool to achieve an efficient drug evaluation and review in Korea. The road map developed by this study is expected to aid in setting up a policy to implement and utilize pharmacometrics in Korea.

Health insurance review & Assessment service (HIRA) has enforced cutting the drug costs when physicians prescribe split extended release drugs, starting from December, 2010. The objective of this study is to analyze extended release and enteric coated drugs on pharmaceutical reimbursement list in Korea, and to investigate the impact and barriers of the health insurance review on splitting extended-release formulation drugs. By using the ingredient code, extended release and enteric coated formulations make up 7.8% of all drugs in April, 2011. The most frequently used drugs are agent affecting circulatory and digestive system. From the extended release and enteric coated formulations (n=112), 34.8% (n=39) were not available in other dosage forms. According to questionnaire survey for 169 pharmacists (response rate: 73.8%), the rate of splitting and crushing of extended release and enteric coated drugs decreased. When pharmacists correct physician’s prescription errors, the biggest problem was lack of other dosage forms. So it is necessary to develop variety of other dosage forms, and computerized checking system for splitting extended-release drugs. It is also important to inform physicians and patients in regard to the problems of split prescription of extended release and enteric coated drugs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of H1N1 pandemic in 2009. South Korea also had outbreaks of H1N1 virus and used oseltamivir in large volume with increased reports of adverse drug reaction(ADR). The present study was aimed to investigate the ADR frequency, the factors related to ADR, and characteristics of oseltamivir's ADR. Participants for the study were patients randomly drawn from those who were prescribed oseltamivir for treatment from CHA Bundang Medical Center during October 1 and October 30. The information examined as factors related to ADR were collected by a subsequent cross-sectional telephone survey. The factors are the following; a) age; b) gender; c) patient medical history; d) diagnosis of H1N1 virus; e) adherence; f) whether taking other medication with oseltamivir or not; and g) the number of combined medications. We also asked ADR after taking oseltamivir. Total subjects were 86 patients. The average age is 22.6±18.48 years old. The gender was 45.3% women and 54.7% men. Half (50%) of all respondents showed one or more ADR, 67.4% were positively diagnosed for H1N1 virus, and 54.7% were completed the full course of oseltamivir (i.e. twice daily x 5days). The most frequently reported ADR symptoms were: dizziness (15.1%), nausea (11.6%), lethargy (10.4%), diarrhea (10.4%), abdominal pain (8.1%), headache and vomiting (6.9%). ADR classifications by categories are gastro intestinal (44.2%), neuropsychiatric events (22.1%), systemic symptom (20.9%), skin events (5.8%), eye events (4.7%), and other cases (2.3%). The onset of ADR 'after taking 1~3 doses' was 69.7%. No increase in neuropsychiatric events was detected in children and adolescents. No factors examined for the study do have significant influence on the presence of ADR. This study showed that ADR of oseltamivir have occurred in half of the patients. The use of oseltamivir is essential for treatment and prophylaxis of influenza A(H1N1). But mass treatment should be properly monitored for ADR.

Given that single blockade with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) can achieve only partial and undurable suppression of the Renin Angiotensin System (RAS), it has been hypothesized that dual blockage would be more beneficial in the management of blood pressure (BP) reduction and prevention of progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) than either agent alone. Thus, it has been suggested that the combination of an ACEI and an ARB might provide renal benefits to hypertensive patients over and above BP reduction. However, this might also expose patients to additive or synergistic side effects. We attempted to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the benefits and harms of combination therapy in hypertensive patients with or without kidney diseases. MEDLINE and KoreaMed were searched for relevant randomized clinical trials in adult hypertensive patients with or without diabetes (restricted to 1997, limited to trials published in English). Results were summarized using the random- effects model, and between-studies heterogeneity was estimated with I2. A final analysis of ten trials (23,928 patients) revealed that the combination of an ACEI and an ARB reduced blood pressure (SBP/DBP) by 3.95/2.02 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI], -4.38 to -3.53/-2.33 to - 1.71) compared with ACEI monotherapy, and 2.83/2.64 mmHg (95% CI, -3.25 to -2.41/- 4.95 to -0.33) compared with ARB monotherapy. Eight trials (391 patients) demonstrated a significant reduction in 24h- proteinuria (weighted mean difference, 0.16 g/day, 95% CI, -0.26-0.05), but they did not translate into an improvement in GFR. Tests for heterogeneity showed no difference in effect among the studies. The combination therapy reduced proteinuria by 30% (95% CI, 23% to 37%) and 39% (95% CI, 31% to 48%) compared with ACEI monotherapy and ARB monotherapy, respectively. However, in patients who had proteinuria more than 0.5 g/day, the combination therapy failed to show significant reduction in urinary protein excretion. The current cumulative evidence suggests that diabetic patients with proteinuria on dual RAS blockade have an increase risk of adverse events such as hyperkalemia, hypotension, and so on, compared with ACEI or ARB alone. It is, therefore, proposed that the combination therapy should not be routinely used for the treatment of hypertension with or without compelling indications.

폐경기는 여성들에게 신체적, 정신적으로 많은 변화 및 불편함을 야기시킨다. 특히 안면홍조는 폐경기 초기 많은 여성들에게 나타나는 증상이며 혈중 에스트로겐 수치가 낮아졌을 때 나타나기 때문에 현재까지 에스트로겐을 기본으로 한 호르몬 요법이 안면홍조 증상의 1차 치료제로 여겨졌다. 그러나 2002년 호르몬 요법이 유방암, 뇌졸중 등의 발생 위험도를 증가시킨다는 연구 결과가 발표된 이후 많은 보건의료인들은 호르몬 요법 대신 사용 가능한 다른 치료제의 등장을 고대하고 있다. 안면홍조 증상을 지닌 많은 폐경기 여성들 또한 호르몬 요법 대신 안전하게 사용할 수 있는 효과적인 치료제를 기다리고 있다. 현재 citalopram과 escitalopram은 안면홍조 증상 치료제로 허가된 의약품은 아니지만 최근 여러 국가에서 시행된 연구들은 citalopram과 escitalopram이 효과적인 안면홍조 증상 치료제일 수 있다는 가능성을 보여주고 있다. 따라서 본 연구는 citalopram과 escitalopram의 안면홍조 증상 치료효과에 대한 최신지견을 얻고자, 1990년부터 2011년 1월까지 MEDLINE에 등재된 논문을 Citalopram 또는 scitalopram과 Hot flashes라는 MeSH terms로 검색하여 추출한 자료 중에서 임상연구 사례만을 선별하여 임상적 유용성을 평가하였다.

약물요법에 있어 약물이상반응은 환자의 사망률과 이환율에 영향을 미치는 중요한 요인이다. 약물이상반응 발생시 이를 신속히 보고하는 것과 함께 약물치료과정에서 일어날 수 있는 약물 관련부작용을 조기에 인지하고 능동적으로 조치함으로써 환자에게 가해지는 위해를 최소화하는 것 또한 실제 환자치료의 질적인 관리에서 중요한 부분이다. 본연구에서는 의료기록의 전산화에 따른 전산데이터들을 활용한 약물이상반응감시방법 중 하나로 평가 받고 있는Computerized surveillance system (CSS)에 대한 사례 연구들의 방법들을 비교해 보고, 제시된 관련 시그널들 중약물이상반응을 능동적인 방법 즉 실시간 혹은 예방적으로 적용 가능한 시그널들을 찾아 정리해 보고자 하였다. 이를 위해 가장 대표적인 연구가 진행되었던 연구사례들을 분석하였고 약 20여 개의 시그널들을 선정하여 분야별로 제시하였다.

We report an unusual case of angioedema induced by intravenous oxaliplatin in a patient with rectal cancer. Intravenous oxaliplatin was administered to the patient according to FOLFOX regimen (oxaliplatin/leucovorin/5-fluorouracil) for the management of his colorectal carcinoma. The patient had been on FOLFOX regimen for several months without reporting any adverse effects, but he experienced angioedema suddenly during his 9th cycle of chemotherapy. Angioedema was observed about 2 hours after the initiation of oxaliplatin infusion. Oxaliplatin was stopped then the patient became stable. This case report demonstrates that intravenous oxaliplatin may induce angioedema several hours after the initiation of oxaliplatin infusion in later cycles of chemotherapy.

이 증례는 알코올 중독증을 앓은 병력을 가졌으나 간 기능에 특이한 증후가 없던 환자가, 지역 사회 획득성 폐렴으로부터 유발된 중증 패혈증 치료를 받기 위해서 linezolid, moxifloxacin 과 함께 aztreonam을 초회 정맥주사 맞은 후, 아주 높은 수치의 alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 혈중 농도가 검출된 경우이다. 후속 치료에서 상기 3가지 항생제 대신 vancomycin과 ceftazidime을 주사했더니, ALT/AST가 빠르게 정상화됨이 관찰되었다. 이 증례 보고는 linzolid, moxifloxacin과 aztreonam을 함께 사용할 경우, 각별한 주의 관찰이 필요하며, 알코올 중독증을 앓은 병력을 가진 환자에게 투여 시 특별한 주의와 함께 AST/ALT혈중 수치를 검사토록 권하기 위한 것이다.