Does Thyroidectomy Impact Quality of Life: Retrospective Case-Control Study of Post-Thyroidectomy Patients and Matched Individuals from the General Population.

The study assesses quality of life (QoL) in patients who underwent thyroidectomy compared to the general population. QoL data from post-thyroidectomy patients and individuals with no subjective health concerns, who had attended a routine health screening visit, were evaluated. QoL was assessed using the modified version of Korean Short Form 12 questionnaire (SF-12).

The Association between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Thyroid Cancer.

Aim: The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing worldwide. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is also increasing. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the effect of T2DM on thyroid cancer.

Evaluation of an extracurricular program for students interested in rural and public health.

Purpose: The problem regarding the geographic imbalance of the physician workforce has been a long-standing problem in South Korea. Additionally, rural medicine and public health have been marginalized across whole undergraduate curriculums. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an extracurricular program targeting medical students interested in rural and public health.

Healthcare access challenges facing six African refugee mothers in South Korea: a qualitative multiple-case study.

Purpose: Following legal reform in 2013, the annual number of asylum seekers entering South Korea has increased from 1,143 in 2012 to 5,711 in 2015. We interviewed six African refugee mothers of young children regarding their health needs and barriers to access maternal child health services.

Methods: We recruited mothers who had visited a clinic for immigrants between July 2013 and August 2015.

Having a usual source of care and its associated factors in Korean adults: a cross-sectional study of the 2012 Korea Health Panel Survey.

Background: Usual source of care (USC) is one of the hallmarks of primary care. We aimed to examine the status of having a USC and its patient-related sociodemographic factors among Korean adults.

Methods: Data were obtained from the 2012 Korea Health Panel survey.

Relationship between Metabolic Syndrome and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and metabolic syndrome (Mets) are considered to be diseases with common traits that can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease incidence; studies in other countries examined the relationship between these diseases. However, existing studies did not show consistent results. In the present study, the relationship between RA and Mets in Koreans was examined using the data of the 4th and 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).

Physical Activity Level of Korean Adults with Chronic Diseases: The Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, 2010-2012.

Background: Proper physical activities are known to be helpful in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. However, the physical activity level of patients with chronic diseases is low. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the physical activity compliance of patients with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in Korea.

Protocol of a thyroid cancer longitudinal study (T-CALOS): a prospective, clinical and epidemiological study in Korea.

Introduction: Thyroid cancer incidence in Korea is the highest in the world and has recently increased steeply. However, factors contributing to this sudden increase have not been fully elucidated, and few studies have explored the postoperative prognosis. The Thyroid Cancer Longitudinal Study (T-CALOS) was initiated with three aims: (1) to identify factors predicting quality of life, recurrence, and incidence of other diseases after thyroid cancer treatments; (2) to investigate environmental exposure to radiation, toxicants and molecular factors in relation to tumour aggressiveness; and (3) to evaluate gene-environment interactions that increase thyroid cancer in comparison with healthy participants from a pool of nationwide population-based healthy examinees.

Perceived risk as a barrier to appropriate diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome.

Aim: To evaluate perceived risk, diagnostic testing, and acceptance of a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) among the Korean laypersons.

Methods: We designed a conceptual framework to evaluate the health-seeking behavior of subjects based on a knowledge, attitude, and practice model. We developed a vignette-based questionnaire about IBS based on a literature review and focused group interviews.

Health behaviors of people with retinitis pigmentosa in the republic of Korea.

Purpose: To investigate the health behaviors of people with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in the Republic of Korea.

Methods: An online questionnaire was used to survey members of the Korean Retinitis Pigmentosa Society (KRPS), over 3 months from December 2010 to February 2011. Controls were selected from participants of the 4th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and were matched with people with RP using the propensity score method to optimize comparative analysis.

Terminal cancer patients' and their primary caregivers' attitudes toward hospice/palliative care and their effects on actual utilization: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Previous studies on hospice/palliative care indicated that patients' socio-demographic factors, disease status, and availability of health-care resources were associated with hospice/palliative care utilization. However, the impact of family caregivers on hospice/palliative care utilization has not been thoroughly investigated.

Aim: To evaluate the association between attitudes toward hospice/palliative care of both patients with terminal cancer (defined as progressive, advanced cancer in which the patient will die within months) and their family caregivers and utilization of inpatient hospice/palliative care facilities.

Shared decision-making on the use of hormone therapy: a nationwide survey in the Republic of Korea.

Objective: This study aims to assess the current status of shared decision-making on instituting postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT).

Methods: Two cross-sectional nationwide surveys of postmenopausal women and primary care physicians in the Republic of Korea were conducted in 2012 via face-to-face interviews. A total of 685 women (aged 50-69 y) who with natural menopause and 250 primary care physicians were included.

The Understanding of Terminal Cancer and Its Relationship with Attitudes toward End-of-Life Care Issues.

Background: Although terminal cancer is a widely used term, its meaning varies, which may lead to different attitudes toward end-of-life issues. The study was conducted to investigate differences in the understanding of terminal cancer and determine the relationship between this understanding and attitudes toward end-of-life issues.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was performed between 2008 and 2009.

Mental health of people with retinitis pigmentosa.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the mental health of patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) with that of the general population of Korea.

Methods: Online surveys were completed by patients registered with the KRPS (Korean Retinitis Pigmentosa Society), an online organization that promotes research on RP and provides advocacy and online and offline support and information for patients with RP. Control population was selected from the fourth round of the KNHANES (Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey).

Surrogate decision-making in Korean patients with advanced cancer: a longitudinal study.

Purpose: Although surrogate decision-making in cancer patients is well-known, few studies investigating the prevalence of surrogate decision-making over time have been reported. The objectives of this study were to investigate the level of surrogate decision-making in advanced cancer patients over time and the impact of demographic and clinical variables on surrogate decision-making.

Methods: The level of surrogate decision-making was measured in 572 consecutive cancer patients who died between January 1 and December 31, 2009.