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Infectious diseases / Original Article
Aspergillus positivity in lower respiratory specimens as a predictor of poor prognosis in invasive pulmonary aspergillosis
Ka Eun Kim, Jung Soo Son, Hyeon Jae Jo, Chan Mi Lee, Jae Hyeon Park, Chang Kyung Kang, Taek Soo Kim, Pyoeng Gyun Choe, Wan Beom Park, Nam Joong Kim
Korean J Intern Med. 2026;41(6):1126-1137. Published online November 1, 2026
Background/Aims: In patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), the clinical significance of culture positivity is unclear. Here we evaluated whether Aspergillus isolation from lower respiratory tract (LRT) specimens was associated with greater disease severity and higher mortality ..
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Infectious diseases / Review
Diagnosis and treatment of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients: a persistent challenge
Jihwan Bang
Korean J Intern Med. 2026;41(6):1010-1019. Published online November 1, 2026
This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the epidemiology, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic considerations of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) in HIV-infected patients. Individuals with advanced HIV infection are particularly vulnerable to EPTB and disseminated disease; extrapu..
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Pulmonology / Review
Gastroesophageal reflux disease as a comorbidity in chronic lung diseases: mechanism, clinical impacts and therapeutic uncertainty
Jin-Young Huh, Jin Woo Song
Korean J Intern Med. 2026;41(6):995-1009. Published online November 1, 2026
Chronic lung diseases, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial lung disease, are major contributors to global morbidity and mortality. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is highly prevalent in these populations and has been implicated in exacerbations and disease prog..
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Pulmonology / Review
Epidemiology of interstitial lung diseases in Asia
Hee-Young Yoon, Felicia S. W. Teo, Ju Hyun Oh, Jin Woo Song
Korean J Intern Med. 2026;41(6):969-981. Published online November 1, 2026
The epidemiology of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) in Asia has gained increasing attention with the emergence of new population- based datasets and national registries. Current evidence demonstrates that the burden and subtype distribution of ILDs vary considerably across regions, reflecting diff..
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Pulmonology / Review
Health effects of air pollution on chronic respiratory diseases
Yong Suk Jo, Jin Woo Song
Korean J Intern Med. 2026;41(5):831-846. Published online September 1, 2026
Exposure to both outdoor and indoor air pollution poses significant global public health challenges at all life stages. As the respiratory system serves as the primary entry route for inhaled pollutants, extensive evidence has demonstrated the detrimental effects of various air pollutants on respira..
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Endocrinology-metabolism / Review
Delayed gastric emptying induced by glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and its implications for perioperative risk during anesthesia
Donghee Kang, Dughyun Choi
Korean J Intern Med. 2026;41(3):384-395. Published online May 1, 2026
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are increasingly prescribed for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity because of their glucose-lowering, weight-reducing, and cardiovascular benefits. However, their potential to delay gastric emptying has raised growing concern in periop..
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Pulmonology / Review
Telemedicine in chronic lung disease management: progress and prospects
Hee-Young Yoon, Jin Woo Song
Korean J Intern Med. 2026;41(1):31-46. Published online December 23, 2025
Chronic lung diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and interstitial lung disease, contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Telemedicine has emerged as a promising approach for addressing these challenges by enabling remote patient monitoring, virtua..
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Pulmonology / Original Article
The early impact of COVID-19 vaccines on major events in cardiac, pulmonary, and thromboembolic disease: a population-based study
Myeong Geun Choi, Min-Ho Kim, Eun Mi Chun
Korean J Intern Med. 2025;40(5):801-812. Published online August 26, 2025
Background/Aims: Although COVID-19 vaccines reduce COVID-19 severity, various safety concerns have emerged. This study, involving a population-based cohort, used health insurance data to investigate potential vaccine-related major outcomes, including cardiac, pulmonary, and thromboembolic diseases.
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Pulmonology / Review
Diagnostic approach for incidental pulmonary nodules
SeungYong Park, Seoung Ju Park
Korean J Intern Med. 2025;40(5):710-724. Published online August 26, 2025
Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide and is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, with poor survival outcomes. Early detection and appropriate management of incidental pulmonary nodules, frequently identified through low-dose computed tomography screening, are cr..
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Pulmonology / Original Article
Polymyxin B-hemoperfusion in patients with acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a single-center prospective pilot study
Min Jee Kim, Jiyoul Yang, Jin Woo Song
Korean J Intern Med. 2025;40(3):458-467. Published online April 30, 2025
Background/Aims: Patients with acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) typically have a poor prognosis; however, no effective treatment is available. In recent years, several retrospective studies have suggested the clinical benefits of direct hemoperfusion with a polymyxin B–..
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Pulmonology / Review
Current perspectives on interstitial lung abnormalities
Ju Hyun Oh, Jin Woo Song
Korean J Intern Med. 2025;40(2):208-218. Published online March 1, 2025
Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) are early indicators of interstitial lung disease, often identified incidentally via computed tomography of the chest. This review explores the diagnostic criteria for ILAs as outlined by the Fleischner Society, highlights associated risk factors, examines thei..
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Pulmonology / Original Article
Blood eosinophil count and treatment patterns of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in South Korea using real-world data
Chin Kook Rhee, Yu-Fan Ho, Sumitra Shantakumar, Tim Holbrook, Yein Nam, Kwang‑Ha Yoo
Korean J Intern Med. 2025;40(1):78-91. Published online January 1, 2025
Background/Aims: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management guidelines have increasingly emphasised the importance of exacerbation prevention, and the role of blood eosinophil count (BEC) as a biomarker for inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) response. This study aimed to describe the distrib..
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Cardiology / Original Article
Predictive value and optimal cut-off level of high-sensitivity troponin T in patients with acute pulmonary embolism
Moojun Kim, Chang-Ok Seo, Yong-Lee Kim, Hangyul Kim, Hye Ree Kim, Yun Ho Cho, Jeong Yoon Jang, Jong-Hwa Ahn, Min Gyu Kang, Kyehwan Kim, Jin-Sin Koh, Seok-Jae Hwang, Jin Yong Hwang, Jeong Rang Park
Korean J Intern Med. 2025;40(1):65-77. Published online January 1, 2025
Background/Aims: Elevated troponin levels predict in-hospital mortality and influence decisions regarding thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). However, the usefulness of high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) regarding PE remains uncertain. We aimed to establish the opti..
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Pulmonology / Original Article
Mechanical ventilation in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Korea: a nationwide cohort study
Jae Kyeom Sim, Seok Joo Moon, Juwhan Choi, Jee Youn Oh, Young Seok Lee, Kyung Hoon Min, Gyu Young Hur, Sung Yong Lee, Jae Jeong Shim
Korean J Intern Med. 2024;39(2):295-305. Published online February 8, 2024
Background/Aims: The prognosis of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation is poor. Therefore, mechanical ventilation is not recommended. Recently, outcomes of mechanical ventilation, including those for patients with IPF, have improv..
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Pulmonology / Original Article
Sex differences in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease characteristics: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2018
Moon Seong Baek, Haegwang Shin, Kang-Mo Gu, Hae In Jung, Won Young Kim, Jae-Woo Jung, Jong-Wook Shin, Sun-Young Jung, Jae-Yeol Kim
Korean J Intern Med. 2024;39(1):137-147. Published online December 14, 2023
Background/Aims: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is less prevalent in females than males, but it affects mortality in females. There may be sex differences in the clinical characteristics of COPD.
Methods: We analyzed the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey dataset f..
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Pulmonology / Review
Biomarkers of the relationship of particulate matter exposure with the progression of chronic respiratory diseases
Junghyun Kim, Soo Jie Chung, Woo Jin Kim
Korean J Intern Med. 2024;39(1):25-33. Published online January 1, 2024
A high level of particulate matter (PM) in air is correlated with the onset and development of chronic respiratory diseases. We conducted a systematic literature review, searching the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases for studies of biomarkers of the effect of PM exposure on chronic respirator..
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Pulmonology / Review
Long term management of people with post-tuberculosis lung disease
Wan Seo, Hyung Woo Kim, Ju Sang Kim, Jinsoo Min
Korean J Intern Med. 2024;39(1):7-24. Published online January 1, 2024
Post-tuberculosis lung disease (PTLD) is emerging as a significant area of global interest. As the number of patients surviving tuberculosis (TB) increases, the subsequent long-term repercussions have drawn increased attention due to their profound clinical and socioeconomic impacts. A primary obsta..
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Cardiology / Original Article
Exercise capacity and risk of incident atrial fibrillation in healthy adults
Ju Youn Kim, Soo Jin Cho, Juwon Kim, Tae-Wan Chung, Seung-Jung Park, Kyoung-Min Park, June Soo Kim, Young Keun On
Korean J Intern Med. 2023;38(6):872-878. Published online November 1, 2023
Background/Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia and is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is important to identify and control the modifiable risk factors of AF. We aimed to examine the association of exercise capacity with the risk of incident AF within 3 ye..
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Pulmonology / Original Article
The serotype-specific prevalence of pneumococci in hospitalized pneumonia patients with COPD: a prospective, multi-center, cohort study
Jae Yeol Kim, Jae-Woo Jung, Min-Jong Kang, Deog Kyeom Kim, Hayoung Choi, Young-Jae Cho, Seung Hun Jang, Chang-Hoon Lee, Yeon Mok Oh, Ji Sook Park
Korean J Intern Med. 2023;38(5):714-724. Published online August 17, 2023
Background/Aims: The overall incidence of pneumococcal pneumonia is declining. However, the change in the pathogenic distribution of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and the serotype specificity of Streptococcus pneumoniae have not be..
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Cardiology / Review
Role of echocardiography in acute pulmonary embolism
Jin Kyung Oh, Jae-Hyeong Park
Korean J Intern Med. 2023;38(4):456-470. Published online January 2, 2023
Although pulmonary embolism (PE)-related mortality rate has decreased because of prompt diagnosis and effective therapy use, acute PE remains a potentially lethal disease. Due to its increasing prevalence, clinicians should pay attention to diagnosing and managing patients with acute PE. Echocardiog..
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