Chang-Nam Son

Background/Objectives: The objective of this investigation was to assess the prevalence of sarcopenia and identify its related risk factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using data from the nationally representative 2008–2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: We analyzed data from the 2008–2011 KNHANES to identify the factors associated with sarcopenia in patients with RA. Sarcopenia was defined as the ratio of appendicular skeletal muscle mass to total body weight (multiplied by 100), with cut-offs of p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (26.1 vs. 23.3 kg/m², p < 0.001), and waist circumference (86.9 vs. 79.0 cm, p < 0.001) than the non-sarcopenia group. After adjustment for potential confounders, including age, sex, obesity, physical activity, and daily protein intake, male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 4.17; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.48–11.77, p = 0.007) and obesity (OR: 3.06; 95% CI: 1.16–8.07, p = 0.024) were independently associated with sarcopenia. In sex-specific analyses, low physical activity was significantly associated with sarcopenia only in male patients (OR: 13.00; 95% CI: 1.90–88.75, p = 0.012). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that being male and having a higher BMI are significant independent indicators of sarcopenia risk within the Korean RA population. This highlights their critical role in the development of sarcopenia among RA patients.

Do H, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2026 Nov;41:e296. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2026.41.e296

Objective: Gout, an inflammatory arthritis caused by hyperuricemia, is highly prevalent with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We evaluated longitudinal changes in serum urate (SU) levels and febuxostat dosage according to renal function. Methods: Among 405 patients in the Urate-Lowering Therapy in Gout (ULTRA) registry between November 2021 and December 2023, 112 were analyzed after excluding those with < 1-year follow-up period, nonfebuxostat therapy, or missing data. SU levels and febuxostat doses were compared between the 2 groups at baseline, 6, and 12 months. Results: Baseline SU levels did not differ between the normal and CKD groups. After febuxostat therapy, mean (SD) SU levels were significantly lower in the CKD group than in the normal group (at 6 months: 4.45 [1.84] mg/dL vs 5.62 [1.62] mg/dL, P = 0.001; at 12 months: 4.81 [1.81] mg/dL vs 5.60 [1.94] mg/dL, P = 0.04). Meanwhile, the mean dosages of febuxostat were lower in CKD group than in the normal group (at 6 months: 40.61 [22.07] mg vs 47.54 [19.43] mg, P = 0.11; at 12 months: 40.59 [21.73] mg vs 48.49 [19.70] mg, P = 0.06), although these differences were not statistically significant. Additionally, the proportion of patients achieving SU < 6 mg/dL at 6 months was higher in the CKD group than in the normal group (91.2% vs 68.6%, P = 0.01). Conclusion: An individualized dosing strategy based on SU response, rather than renal function alone, may optimize treatment outcomes in these patients.

Yoon-Jeong Oh, M.D., Jung-Min Shin, M.D., Ph.D., Jin-Wuk Hur, M.D., Ph.D., Chang-Nam Son, M.D., Ph.D.. J Rheum Dis 2025;32:241-51. https://doi.org/10.4078/jrd.2024.0121

Kim H, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2024 Oct;40(2):e1. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e1

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease, characterized by excessive new bone formation. We previously reported that the complement fa

Sang-Hyon Kim, M.D., Ph.D., Hye-Jung Choi, Ph.D., Sang-Min Lee, Ph.D., Dae Sung Yoon, Ph.D., Chang-Nam Son, M.D., Ph.D.. J Rheum Dis 2024;31:79-85. https://doi.org/10.4078/jrd.2023.0043

Achieving target serum uric acid (SUA) levels is important in gout management. Guidelines recommend lowering SUA levels to < 6 mg/dL; however, many patients fail to reach this target, even with uric acid-lowering therapy (ULT). This study investigated clinical characteristics of target SUA achievers among Korean patients with gout. This study used data from the ULTRA registry, a nationwide inception cohort established in September 2021 that enrolls patients with gout who initiate ULT. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected at baseline; the 6-month follow-up. Patients were divided into two groups: target achievers (SUA level < 6 mg/dL at 6 months) and non-achievers. The mean participant (N = 117) age was 56.1 years, and 88.0% were male. At 6 months, 83 patients (70.9%) reached target SUA levels. Target achievers had better drug adherence (≥ 80%) to ULT (97.6% vs. 76.5%; p < 0.01) than non-achievers. Target non-achievers had a higher percentage of a family history of gout (32.4% vs. 10.8%; p < 0.01) and less antihypertensive agent use (38.2% vs. 59.0%; p = 0.03) than target achievers. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that good adherence to ULT, the absence of a family history of gout, and antihypertensive agent use were key factors associated with achieving target SUA levels at 6 months.