Publications by authors named "Heeju Kang"
Objective: This study investigated how educational levels modify the relationship between the standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN) of heart rate variability and the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Methods: Participants with physical injuries were enrolled from a trauma center and monitored over two years. Initial assessments included SDNN and educational attainment, along with socio-demographic and clinical variables.
Introduction: This study examined the moderating effects of childhood abuse histories on the associations between low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) components of heart rate variability (HRV) and the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Methods: Participants with physical injuries were recruited from a trauma center and followed for two years. Baseline assessments included LF, HF, and childhood abuse histories, assessed using the Nemesis Childhood Trauma Interview.
Background: This study aimed to evaluate the potential additive effects of measuring serum interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) on enhancing the predictive value of baseline serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels for predicting 12-week antidepressant treatment responses in patients with depressive disorders.
Methods: Serum levels of hsCRP, IL-1β, and IL-6 were measured at baseline in 1086 outpatient participants diagnosed with depressive disorders. Participants initially received monotherapy with antidepressants for the first three weeks, followed by a naturalistic, stepwise pharmacotherapy regimen administered every three weeks up to 12 weeks.
Article Synopsis
- This longitudinal study analyzed how serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (sBDNF) levels and childhood adversities affect the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in individuals with physical injuries over two years.
- Researchers assessed patients at a trauma center for sBDNF levels and childhood adversities using the ACE questionnaire and diagnosed PTSD at multiple intervals employing the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale.
- Results showed that lower sBDNF levels increased the risk of earlier-onset PTSD among those who experienced childhood adversities, highlighting the importance of both biological and environmental factors in PTSD development.
Article Synopsis
- * Out of 538 participants, 58 (10.8%) developed PTSD, with rates decreasing over time from 8.4% at 3 months to 2.5% at 24 months.
- * Results showed that lower SDNN was linked to PTSD in patients who did not undergo surgery, suggesting that PTSD prevention strategies should take both SDNN levels and surgical status into account.
Background: This study investigated the longitudinal associations between serum BDNF (sBDNF) levels measured early after injury and the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) across two years.
Methods: Patients with moderate to severe physical injuries were enrolled from a trauma center. At baseline, sBDNF levels were measured and a comprehensive socio-demographic and clinical data were collected.
Biomarkers for predicting depression after acute coronary syndrome.
Gen Hosp Psychiatry
September 2024
Article Synopsis
- The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) is a reliable tool for diagnosing PTSD and was used in this study to assess its predictive value for PTSD development in patients with moderate to severe physical injuries over a 2-year period.
- 1,142 patients were evaluated for acute stress disorder at baseline, and follow-up assessments were conducted at multiple intervals using CAPS-5 to track PTSD development.
- Results indicated that while baseline CAPS-5 diagnoses showed limited predictive ability, scores of 15 or higher effectively predicted later PTSD, with scores of 16 or higher further increasing accuracy, especially in patients with intentional injuries or prior trauma.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigated how serum cortisol levels and personality traits impact the risk of developing PTSD over two years in individuals with physical injuries.
- It involved tracking 923 patients from a trauma center, measuring their cortisol levels and personality traits, while diagnosing PTSD at multiple intervals, showing that overall PTSD rates decreased over time.
- A significant finding revealed that lower cortisol levels combined with higher Neuroticism increased PTSD risk, especially in the early months, highlighting the complex relationship between biological factors and personality in PTSD development.
Delayed effects of alcohol consumption on the association between serum BDNF levels and post-traumatic stress disorder development over two-years.
Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry
December 2024
Article Synopsis
- This study investigated how serum BDNF (sBDNF) levels and alcohol consumption status affect the risk of developing PTSD after a physical injury over a two-year period.
- It involved 923 trauma center participants, with 12.1% developing PTSD, revealing that lower sBDNF levels were linked to PTSD in alcohol consumers, but not in non-drinkers.
- The findings suggest a crucial interaction between sBDNF and alcohol consumption in predicting PTSD, emphasizing the importance of considering these factors in prevention strategies, although the study’s focus on a single trauma center may affect overall applicability.
Article Synopsis
- Increased fast food consumption among adolescents during COVID-19 school closures is linked to poor dietary and lifestyle choices, raising public health concerns.
- A study involving 1,710 middle and high school students in Gwangju, South Korea found that factors like irregular meal patterns, decreased physical activity, and increased sedentary behavior contributed to this trend.
- The findings emphasize the need for dietary interventions and guidelines to promote healthier eating habits among adolescents during times of disruption, like school closures.*
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of robotic single-site (RSS) surgery versus multiport laparoscopic (MPL) surgery for early endometrial cancer, involving 421 patients.
- While the RSS group had a longer operating time, there were no significant differences in blood loss, complications, or oncological outcomes between the two methods.
- Ultimately, the findings indicate that both RSS and MPL are safe and effective surgical options for this type of cancer, with RSS patients experiencing shorter hospital stays.
Article Synopsis
- - The study explored factors that predict early-onset (within 6 months) and delayed-onset (after 6 months) PTSD in patients following physical injuries over two years.
- - Data was collected from 1142 patients in South Korea, assessing various personal, trauma-related, and psychological factors, with diagnoses made using the Clinician-administered PTSD Scale at multiple follow-up points.
- - Results showed that early-onset PTSD was more likely in individuals with previous psychiatric issues and higher anxiety, while delayed-onset PTSD was associated with greater injury severity and life stressors, highlighting the need for tailored interventions.
We investigate the predictive factors of the mood recurrence in patients with early-onset major mood disorders from a prospective observational cohort study from July 2015 to December 2019. A total of 495 patients were classified into three groups according to recurrence during the cohort observation period: recurrence group with (hypo)manic or mixed features (MMR), recurrence group with only depressive features (ODR), and no recurrence group (NR). As a result, the baseline diagnosis of bipolar disorder type 1 (BDI) and bipolar disorder type 2 (BDII), along with a familial history of BD, are strong predictors of the MMR.
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- Researchers investigated serum biomarkers to identify depression in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), analyzing data from 969 individuals shortly after ACS and tracking 711 of them a year later.
- In the acute phase, 39% of patients showed depressive disorders, while 25.7% in the chronic phase; specific biomarkers correlated with these disorders were identified.
- The study suggested that particular serum biomarkers linked to inflammation and heart enzyme levels are significantly associated with depression, highlighting their potential role in diagnosing and managing emotional health post-ACS.