BackgroundDespite the high frequency of hypotension during spinal anesthesia with proper sedation, no previous report has compared the hemodynamic effects of dexmedetomidine and midazolam sedation during spinal anesthesia. We compared the effects of bispectral index (BIS)-guided intravenous sedation using midazolam or dexmedetomidine on hemodynamics and recovery profiles in patients who underwent spinal anesthesia.Material/MethodsOne hundred and sixteen adult patients were randomly assigned to receive either midazolam (midazolam group; n=58) or dexmedetomidine (dexmedetomidine group; n=58) during spinal anesthesia. Systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures; heart rates; peripheral oxygen saturations; and bispectral index scores were recorded during surgery, and Ramsay sedation scores and postanesthesia care unit (PACU) stay were monitored.ResultsHypotension occurred more frequently in the midazolam group (P<0.001) and bradycardia occurred more frequently in the dexmedetomidine group (P<0.001). Mean Ramsay sedation score was significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group after arrival in the PACU (P=0.025) and PACU stay was significantly longer in the dexmedetomidine group (P=0.003).ConclusionsBIS-guided dexmedetomidine sedation can attenuate intraoperative hypotension, but induces more bradycardia, prolongs PACU stay, and delays recovery from sedation in patients during and after spinal anesthesia as compared with midazolam sedation.

Opioid prescribing data can guide regulation policy by informing trends and types of opioids prescribed and geographic variations. In South Korea, the nationwide data on prescribing opioids remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate an 11-year trend of opioid prescription in South Korea, both nationally and by administrative districts. A population-based cross-sectional analysis of opioid prescriptions dispensed nationwide in outpatient departments between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2019, was conducted for this study. Data were obtained from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service. The types of opioids prescribed were categorized into total, strong, and extended-release and long-acting formulation. Trends in the prescription rate per 1000 persons were examined over time nationally and across administrative districts. There are significant increasing trends for total, strong, and extended-release and long-acting opioid prescriptions (rate per 1000 persons in 2009 and 2019: total opioids, 347.5 and 531.3; strong opioids, 0.6 and 15.2; extended-release and long-acting opioids, 6.8 and 82.0). The pattern of dispensing opioids increased from 2009 to 2013 and slowed down from 2013 to 2019. The rate of opioid prescriptions issued between administrative districts nearly doubled for all types of opioids. Prescription opioid dispensing increased substantially over the study period. The increase in the prescription of total opioids was largely attributed to an increase in the prescription of weak opioids. However, the increase in prescriptions of extended-release and long-acting opioids could be a future concern. These data may inform government organizations to create regulations and interventions for prescribing opioids.

BackgroundThe pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of an anesthetic drug may be influenced by gender. The purpose of this study was to compare effect-site half maximal effective concentrations (EC50) of propofol in male and female patients during i-gel insertion with dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg without muscle relaxants.MethodsForty patients, aged 20–46 years of ASA physical status I or II, were allocated to one of two groups by gender (20 patients per group). After the infusion of dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg over 2 min, anesthesia was induced with a pre-determined effect-site concentration of propofol by target controlled infusion. Effect-site EC50 values of propofol for successful i-gel insertion were determined using the modified Dixon’s up-and-down method.ResultsMean effect-site EC50 ± SD of propofol for successful i-gel insertion was significantly higher for men than women (5.46 ± 0.26 μg/ml vs. 3.82 ± 0.34 μg/ml, p < 0.01). The EC50 of propofol in men was approximately 40 % higher than in women. Using isotonic regression with a bootstrapping approach, the estimated EC50 (95 % confidence interval) of propofol was also higher in men [5.32 (4.45–6.20) μg/ml vs. 3.75 (3.05–4.43) μg/ml]. The estimated EC95 (95 % confidence interval) of propofol in men and women were 5.93 (4.72–6.88) μg/ml and 4.52 (3.02–5.70) μg/ml, respectively.ConclusionsDuring i-gel insertion with dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg without muscle relaxant, male patients had higher effect-site EC50 for propofol using Schnider’s model. Based on the results of this study, patient gender should be considered when determining the optimal dose of propofol during supraglottic airway insertion.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02268656. Registered August 26, 2014.

Purpose Intensive care unit (ICU) bed availability is key to critical patient care. In many countries, older patients generally account for a significant proportion of hospitalizations and ICU admissions. Therefore, considering the rapidly increasing aging population in South Korea, it is important to establish whether the demand for critical care is currently met by available ICU beds. Materials and Methods We evaluated a 9-year trend in ICU bed supply and ICU length of stay in South Korea between 2011 and 2019 in a population-based cross-sectional analysis, using data from the Korean Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service and Statistics database. We described the changes in ICU bed rates in adult (≥20 years) and older adult (≥65 years) populations. ICU length of stay was categorized similarly and was used to predict future ICU bed demands. Results The ICU bed rate per 100000 adults increased from 18.5 in 2011 to 19.5 in 2019. In contrast, the ICU bed rate per 100000 older adults decreased from 127.6 in 2011 to 104.0 in 2019. ICU length of stay increased by 43.8% for adults and 55.6% for older adults. In 2019, the regional differences in the ICU bed rate nearly doubled, and the ICU length of stay increased six-fold. The ICU bed occupancy rate in South Korea is expected to rise to 102.7% in 2030. Conclusion The discrepancy between the demand and supply of ICU beds in South Korea requires urgent action to anticipate future ICU demands.

Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), the most common microvascular complication of type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), results in nontraumatic lower-limb amputations. When DPN is not detected early, disease progression is irreversible. Thus, biomarkers for diagnosing DPN are needed. Methods: We analyzed three data sets of T2DM DPN: two for mouse models (GSE70852 and GSE34889) and one for a human model (GSE24290). We found common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the two mouse data sets and validated them in the human data set. To identify the phenotypic function of the DEGs, we overexpressed them in zebrafish embryos. Clinical information and serum samples of T2DM patients with and without DPN were obtained from the Korea Biobank Network. To assess the plausibility of DEGs as biomarkers of DPN, we performed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Among the DEGs, only NPY and SLPI were validated in the human data set. As npy is conserved in zebrafish, its mRNA was injected into zebrafish embryos, and it was observed that the branches of the central nervous system became thicker and the number of dendritic branches increased. Baseline characteristics between T2DM patients with and without DPN did not differ, except for the sex ratio. The mean serum NPY level was higher in T2DM patients with DPN than in those without DPN ( p = 0.0328), whereas serum SLPI levels did not differ ( p = 0.9651). Conclusion: In the pathogenesis of DPN, NPY may play a protective role in the peripheral nervous system and may be useful as a biomarker for detecting T2DM DPN.