The smoking population is not hardening in South Korea: a study using the Korea Community Health Survey from 2010 to 2018.

Introduction: The hardening hypothesis proposes that the proportion of hardcore smokers increases when smoking prevalence declines. To evaluate whether such hardening occurs in South Korea, we examined the association between quitting behaviours, the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the proportion of hardcore smokers and smoking prevalence among local districts in South Korea.

Methods: This study used the cross-sectional data from the Korea Community Health Survey (2010-2018) to examine local district-level associations between smoking prevalence and quit attempts, quit plans, quit ratios, cigarettes smoked per day and the proportion of hardcore smokers.

A Time-Dependent Analysis of Association between Acupuncture Utilization and the Prognosis of Ischemic Stroke.

This study investigated the time-dependent characteristics of acupuncture and analyzed the association between acupuncture utilization and mortality rates, readmission rates, and complications among ischemic stroke patients. Data from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort 2.0 from South Korea were used to track patients with subacute and chronic ischemic stroke, who had survived more than one month after onset, between 2010 and 2013.

Analysis of medical services provided to patients with peripheral facial palsy in Korea: a descriptive, cross-sectional study of the health insurance review and assessment service national patient sample database.

Background: This cross-sectional, retrospective, observational study analyzed the demographics of patients with peripheral facial palsy in South Korea and their use of healthcare services.

Methods: The 2016 Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment National Patient Sample dataset was used; a total of 4790 patients, diagnosed with facial palsy, who had used healthcare services at least once between January 2016 and December 2016 were included, and data on the use of medical services, hospitalizations, sociodemographic factors, treatments, and medications were analyzed.

Results: Overall, 326 patients per 100,000 individuals used healthcare services at least once because of peripheral facial palsy in 2016, with higher numbers for women and those aged 50-59 years.

Association between pain and gait instability in patients with lumbar disc herniation.

Objective: To determine whether pain is associated with gait instability in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study used data from electronic medical records. Among patients with lumbar back pain caused by LDH between January 2017 and July 2019, patients that underwent gait analysis were included.

Relationship between hospital specialization and health outcomes in patients with nonsurgical spinal joint disease in South Korea: A nationwide evidence-based study using national health insurance data.

Previous studies on hospital specialization in spinal joint disease have been limited to patients requiring surgical treatment. The lack of similar research on the nonsurgical spinal joint disease in specialized hospitals provides limited information to hospital executives.To analyze the relationship between hospital specialization and health outcomes (length of stay and medical expenses) with a focus on nonsurgical spinal joint diseases.

Effect of Rho-Associated Kinase Inhibitor and Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Conditioned Medium on Corneal Endothelial Cell Senescence and Proliferation.

This study aims to obtain sufficient corneal endothelial cells for regenerative application. We examined the combinatory effects of Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632 and mesenchymal stem cell-derived conditioned medium (MSC-CM) on the proliferation and senescence of rabbit corneal endothelial cells (rCECs). rCECs were cultured in a control medium, a control medium mixed with either Y-27632 or MSC-CM, and a combinatory medium containing Y-27632 and MSC-CM.

Determining the reasons for unmet healthcare needs in South Korea: a secondary data analysis.

Background: "Unmet healthcare needs" refers to the situation in which patients or citizens cannot fulfill their medical needs, likely due to socioeconomic reasons. The purpose of this study was to analyze factors related to unmet healthcare needs among South Korean adults.

Methods: We used a retrospective cross-sectional study design.

The effect of continuity of care on medical costs in patients with chronic shoulder pain.

Unnecessary surgery could be prevented through continuity of care (COC). The present study aimed to investigate the relationships between COC, surgery and cost associated with chronic shoulder pain. We used the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service national patient sample (HIRA-NPS) in 2017.

Healthcare utilisation and costs for temporomandibular disorders: a descriptive, cross-sectional study.

Objective: Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) requires long-term management and can be a financial burden for patients. Here, we investigated the treatment received by people diagnosed with TMD and its relevant costs.

Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional study.

Sex differences in the association between self-rated health and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in Koreans: a cross-sectional study using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: No studies have investigated the association between self-rated health (SRH) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in South Koreans. We explored this association and analyzed differences between sexes.

Methods: Using cross-sectional data from the 2015-2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we analyzed the association between SRH and high hs-CRP levels (> 1.

Association between dementia and depression: a retrospective study using the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort database.

Objectives: Dementia is common in people over the age of 65 years, with 80% of people with dementia older than 75 years. Previous studies have linked dementia to late-life depression, but the association between dementia and mid-life depression is poorly understood. Depression is a preventable and treatable medical condition, which means it is a modifiable factor that can potentially prevent or delay dementia.

Analysis of medical services provided to patients with ankle sprains in Korea between 2015 and 2017: a cross-sectional study of the health insurance review and assessment service national patient sample database.

Objectives: To provide useful information for policy-makers and clinicians by analysing the medical service use-divided into Western medicine (WM) and Korean medicine (KM)-of patients with ankle sprains in South Korea between 2015 and 2017.

Design: Cross-sectional, retrospective, observational study.

Setting: Tertiary hospitals, WM hospitals, WM clinics, KM hospitals, KM clinics and others in South Korea.

Association between osteoarthritis and unmet medical needs in Korea: limitations in activities as a mediator.

Background: The role of limitations in activities in relation to unmet needs is not clarified. This study aimed to analyze the effects of osteoarthritis on unmet medical needs and the mediating effects of limitations in activities.

Methods: A total number of 10,129 population aged ≥50 years were included using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from January 2010 to December 2013.

Association between sleep duration and osteoarthritis and their prevalence in Koreans: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: To determine the association of radiological and symptomatic osteoarthritis with sleep duration in a representative sample of the Korean population.

Methods: Using data from the national cross-sectional fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2012. Of the 16,528 participants in KNHANES-V, 8,918 were adults aged≥ 50 years who had completed the survey questions on sleep duration and osteoarthritis, and had diagnostic X-ray results.

Acromioplasty rates in patients with shoulder disorders with and without acupuncture treatment: a retrospective propensity score-matched cohort study.

Objective: This retrospective propensity score-matched cohort study aimed to examine the frequency of acromioplasty among patients with shoulder disorders receiving and not receiving acupuncture, based on Korea National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) data.

Methods: We included cases of high-frequency shoulder disorders-adhesive capsulitis, rotator cuff syndrome, shoulder impingement syndrome, and sprain and strain of the shoulder joint-stratified from the Korea NHIS-NSC database between 2002 and 2013; cases were classified into two groups based on a history of acupuncture treatment performed at least twice within 6 weeks (acupuncture group:  = 111,561; control group:  = 71,340). We examined propensity scores and hazard ratios (HRs) for the frequency of acromioplasty, within 2 years of the first treatment or first examination in the acupuncture and control groups, respectively; cumulative survival rates were estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

Low handgrip strength is closely associated with anemia among adults: A cross-sectional study using Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).

Background: Anemia, which is a major public health problem worldwide, represents a decline in the oxygenation function, and can therefore be related to low strength. However, hemoglobin cannot repair muscles directly, but is beneficial only in a supportive role. Previous studies on the relationship between handgrip strength and anemia have been controversial.

Factors affecting utilisation of traditional Korean medical services by privately insured persons: a retrospective study using Korean Health Panel Survey (KHPS).

Objective: This study aimed to use the Korean Health Panel Survey (KHPS) data to identify the key factors that influence decisions regarding the use of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) by privately insured persons.

Design: A retrospective study on episodic KHPS data from 2009 to 2013.

Setting: Nationwide-based survey using the KHPS data.

The relationship between spinal pain and temporomandibular joint disorders in Korea: a nationwide propensity score-matched study.

Background: Patients with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) often complain of pain in other areas. Several studies have been conducted on spinal pain in TMD patients, but have contained only limited information. Therefore, this study analyzed the relationship between TMD and spinal pain in greater detail by using nationwide data.

Epidemiology and medical service use for spontaneous pneumothorax: a 12-year study using nationwide cohort data in Korea.

Objective: This study aimed to promote an understanding of spontaneous pneumothorax by analysing the prevalence rate and medical service use by patients with spontaneous pneumothorax according to sociodemographic characteristics.

Design: A 12-year nationwide study.

Setting: Data obtained from the Korean National Health Insurance Service Sharing Service.

Effect of Having a Usual Source of Care on Medical Expenses - Using the Korea Health Panel Data.

Background: There is a controversy about the effect of having a usual source of care on medical expenses. Although many studies have shown lower medical expenses in a group with a usual source of care, some have shown higher medical expenses in such a group. This study aimed to empirically demonstrate the effect of having a usual source of care on medical expenses.

Coaxial bioprinting of cell-laden vascular constructs using a gelatin-tyramine bioink.

Herein, three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting of engineered constructs with cell-laden biomaterials was investigated for the development of 3D tissue constructs in vitro. The present article proposes a simple coaxial-nozzle-based printing method using a one-step gelling gelatin bioink containing different cell types for vascular structure generation. First, a gelatin bioink prepolymer with a tyramine functional group was synthesized.

In vitro lung cancer multicellular tumor spheroid formation using a microfluidic device.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate self-organizing in vitro multicellular tumor spheroid (MCTS) formation in a microfluidic system and to observe the behavior of MCTSs under controlled microenvironment. The employed microfluidic system was designed for simple and effective formation of MCTSs by generating nutrient and oxygen gradients. The MCTSs were composed of cancer cells, vascular endothelial cells, and type I collagen matrix to mimic the in vivo tumor microenvironment (TME).

Factors Underlying Unmet Medical Needs: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Unmet medical needs refer to the state where a patient's medical care or service is insufficient, inadequate, or lacking. Numerous factors influence unmet medical needs. We used a multi-pronged approach to explore the factors influencing unmet medical needs in the Korean health care system according to Anderson's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use.

Observation of Endothelial Cell-Assisted Vascularization in Pancreatic Cancer Xenograft Engineering.

In this study, for better understanding of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) generation, angiogenic characteristics during PDX cancerous tissue generation was investigated with different initial cell seeding conditions in the hydrogel. We monitored the angiogenic changes during the formation of cancer cell line xenografts induced by endothelial cells. Our cancer tissue formation system was designed with the assistance of tissue engineering technology to mimic patient-derived xenograft formation.

Statues and Improvement of Electronic Medical Record System in Traditional Korean Medicine.

Objectives: The study was to survey use of electronic medical records in subjects of Korean medicine doctors working for Korean medicine organizations and to contemplate ways to develop utilization of electronic medical records.

Methods: On August 2017, it conducted online self-reported survey on subjects of Korean medicine doctors at Korean hospitals and clinics who agreed to participate in the study. A total 40 doctors in hospital and 279 doctors in clinic were included.