The frequency and clinical manifestation of lung fibrosis accompanied by coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are not well-established. We aimed to identify the factors attributed to post-COVID-19 fibrosis. This single-center prospective study included patients diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia from 12 April to 22 October 2021 in the Republic of Korea. The primary outcome was the presence of pulmonary fibrosis on a CT scan 3 months after discharge; the fibrosis risk was estimated by a multiple logistic regression. The mean patient age was 55.03 ± 12.32 (range 27–85) years; 65 (66.3%) were men and 33 (33.7%) were women. The age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, lactate dehydrogenase level, aspartate aminotransferase level, and Krebs von den Lungen-6 level were significantly higher and the albumin level and the saturation of the peripheral oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen (SpO₂/FiO₂) ratio were significantly lower in the fibrosis group than in the non-fibrosis group; the need for initial oxygen support was also greater in the fibrosis group. An older age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.21) and a lower initial SpO₂/FiO₂ ratio (AOR 7.17; 95% CI 1.72–29.91) were significant independent risk factors for pulmonary fibrosis after COVID-19 pneumonia. An older age and a low initial SpO₂/FiO₂ ratio were crucial in predicting pulmonary fibrosis after COVID-19 pneumonia.

Delayed isolation of tuberculosis (TB) can cause unexpected exposure of healthcare workers (HCWs). This study identified the predictive factors and clinical impact of delayed isolation. We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of index patients and HCWs who underwent contact investigation after TB exposure during hospitalization at the National Medical Center, between January 2018 and July 2021. Among the 25 index patients, 23 (92.0%) were diagnosed with TB based on the molecular assay, and 18 (72.0%) had a negative acid-fast bacilli smear. Sixteen (64.0%) patients were hospitalized via the emergency room, and 18 (72.0%) were admitted to a non-pulmonology/infectious disease department. According to the patterns of delayed isolation, patients were classified into five categories. Among 157 close-contact events in 125 HCWs, 75 (47.8%) occurred in Category A. Twenty-five (20%) HCWs had multiple TB exposures (n = 57 events), of whom 37 (64.9%) belonged to Category A (missed during emergency situations). After contact tracing, latent TB infection was diagnosed in one (1.2%) HCW in Category A, who was exposed during intubation. Delayed isolation and TB exposure mostly occurred during pre-admission in emergency situations. Effective TB screening and infection control are necessary to protect HCWs, especially those who routinely contact new patients in high-risk departments.

Background: Providing optimal nutrition to patients with acute respiratory failure is difficult because nutritional requirements vary according to disease severity and comorbidities. In 2021, the National Medical Center initiated a protocol for screening upon admission and regular monitoring by a multidisciplinary nutritional support team (NST), for all patients in the medical intensive care unit (ICU). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of routine NST monitoring and active intervention on the clinical outcomes of patients with acute respiratory failure.Methods: Patients with acute respiratory failure requiring high-flow nasal cannula, non-invasive ventilation, or mechanical ventilation were included. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality after ICU admission. Secondary outcomes included the supplied/target calorie ratio, supplied/target protein ratio on day 7, and complications.Results: In total, 152 patients were included in the analysis. The patients were divided into a pre-monitoring (n=96) and post-monitoring groups (n=56). More patients in the post-monitoring group received NST intervention and had earlier initiation of enteral feeding. In survival analysis, 28-day mortality was significantly lower in post-monitoring group (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.24–0.74). The ratio of achievement for required calories and protein on day 7 was higher, but not significantly, in the post-monitoring group. No significant differences were observed in the incidence of complications. Conclusions: Regular NST monitoring in the ICU could have contributed to a reduced risk of 28-day mortality in critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure.

Background: To evaluate the association between pulmonary hypertension and hospital admission rates in patients with bronchiectasis.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 130 bronchiectasis patients at the National Medical Center, Korea (November 2012 to October 2022). Pulmonary hypertension was evaluated using high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and echocardiography. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the diameter of the main pulmonary artery (mPA). Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with hospitalization.Results: Forty patients had suspected pulmonary hypertension on echocardiography. A higher percentage of patients with mPA diameter >29 mm (n=61) had a history of previous exacerbations, elevated echocardiographic parameters related to pulmonary hypertension, and reduced lung function, compared to those with mPA diameter ≤29 mm (n=69). In univariate analysis, the hospitalization group showed increased mPA diameter; pulmonary artery to aorta ratio; involvement of lung lobes, cavities, and nodules; and increased systolic pulmonary artery pressure and peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity. In multivariate analysis, mPA diameter >29 mm (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14 to 5.32) and the involvement of more than two lobes (adjusted OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.14 to 5.77) were significant risk factors for hospitalization.Conclusion: The CT parameters demonstrated comparable accuracy to models that incorporated echocardiographic data to predict hospitalization in bronchiectasis patients.