Regional-level Indicators for Chronic Diseases of People with Disabilities: Findings from a Modified Delphi Study.

Maintaining health cannot be achieved individually; it is influenced by social, legal, and institutional factors surrounding the individuals. This study aimed to identify regional-level factors that may influence the occurrence of chronic diseases among people with disabilities. To achieve this, we conducted a Delphi survey with experts to identify a set of regional indicators required for studying the health status of people with disabilities, particularly for predicting the occurrence of chronic diseases.

Comparing the economic burden of disease by physical activity levels among persons with and without disabilities in the Republic of Korea.

Introduction: The World Health Organization recommends at least 150 min of physical activity per week for persons with and without disabilities. This study compared the differences in the economic burden of diseases between persons with and without disabilities based on their physical activity. What is known in the field is that physical activity is beneficial to health, but there is a disparity between persons without disabilities and persons with disabilities, and our research aims to increase physical activity among persons with disabilities.

Robotic colorectal resections are associated with less postoperative pain, decreased opioid use, and earlier return to work as compared to the laparoscopic approach.

While robotic and laparoscopic surgeries are both minimally invasive in nature, they are intrinsically different approaches and it is critical to understand outcome differences between the two. Studies evaluating pain outcomes and opioid requirement differences between the robotic and laparoscopic colorectal resections are conflicting and often underpowered. In this retrospective, cohort study, we compare postoperative opioid requirements, reported as morphine milligram equivalents (MME), postoperative average and highest pain scores across postoperative days (POD) 0-5, and return to work in patients who underwent robotic versus laparoscopic colorectal resections.

Comparative analysis of genetic testing utilization rates among people with and without disabilities in South Korea from 2016 to 2019, focusing on malignant neoplasms: A national population-based study.

Introduction: Oncogene testing is widely used to detect or direct cancer treatments. Compared to people without disabilities, people with disabilities in Korea have a lower cancer incidence rate but a fivefold higher cancer mortality rate, implying delayed detection.

Methods: We used an administrative database combining disability status and care utilization to analyze every case of cancer-related genetic testing paid for by the National Health Insurance Services of Korea between 2016 and 2019.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of purine and pyrimidine-based G12D inhibitors: Towards potential anticancer therapy.

Oncogenic mutations, commonly observed in human tumors, affect approximately 30% of cancer cases and pose a significant challenge for effective cancer treatment. Current strategies to inhibit the G12D mutation have shown limited success, emphasizing the urgent need for new therapeutic approaches. In this study, we designed and synthesized several purine and pyrimidine analogs as inhibitors for the G12D mutation.

Development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells targeting A56 viral protein implanted by oncolytic virus.

To address the challenge of solid tumor targeting in CAR-T therapy, we utilized the A56 antigen, which is uniquely expressed on a diverse range of cancer cells following the systemic administration of an oncolytic vaccinia virus (OVV). Immunohistochemical assays precisely confirmed exclusive localization of A56 to tumor tissues. studies demonstrated a distinct superiority of A56-dependent CAR-T cytotoxicity across multiple cancer cell lines.

Disability-Related Mortality Inequity in South Korea: Comparison in Terms of Seoul Metropolitan/Non-Metropolitan Areas and Income Levels.

Despite the improved living standards in South Korea, people with disabilities still experience health disparities. Therefore, we analyzed differences in mortality rates among people with disabilities according to income level and residential area using representative data from the National Health Insurance Service in South Korea. Descriptive statistics and Cox proportional risk models were used to identify the risk factors for mortality affecting people with disabilities stratified by income level and residential area.

Trends and Characteristics of Blood Pressure Prescription Fills Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare in the United States and raised concerns about certain antihypertensives, and may have impacted both prescribing practices and access to blood pressure (BP) medications.

Methods: We assessed trends in BP prescription fills before and during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, using cross-sectional data for BP fills and tablets in the IQVIA (IMS Health) National Prescription Audit® database. Drugs filled via retail (92% coverage), mail-order (78% coverage), and long-term care (72% coverage) channels from January 2018 through December 2020 were included.

Venous leg ulcers: potential algorithms of care.

Management of VLUs can be challenging, depending on wound complexity, and may require the use of several treatment modalities to achieve complete wound closure or significant wound area reduction. This review presents a systematic approach to management of VLUs based on previous literature and the authors' clinical experience, with consideration given to wound size, etiology, and responses to prior treatment. Techniques described include debridement (autolytic, enzymatic, sharp/surgical), compression therapy, physical therapy, medical adjuncts, and cellular- and tissue-based therapy.

Health-related factors leading to disabilities in Korea: Survival analysis.

The purpose of this study is to analyze (a) population and socioeconomic factors affecting disability, excluding the occurrence of disability due to accidents and congenital diseases, and (b) health-related behavioral factors and factors that can prevent and reduce the cause of disability due to disease in Korea. This study was a longitudinal research. Data were obtained from The 2018 Korean Health Panel (KHP) is a survey jointly conducted by the Korea Institute of Health and Social Affairs and the National Health Insurance Service.

Clinical big-data-based design of GLUT2-targeted carbon nanodots for accurate diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Despite advances in diagnostic and therapeutic methods, the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains poor due to the delay in diagnosis. Herein, we aimed to discover a highly sensitive and specific biomarker for HCC based on genomic big data analysis and create an HCC-targeted imaging probe using carbon nanodots (CNDs) as contrast agents. In genomic analysis, we selected glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) as a potential imaging target for HCC.

Pharmacy Students' Attitudes Toward Persons With Disabilities and Perceptions of Right to Self-Determination.

As the number of persons with disabilities increases, pharmacists are responsible for providing optimal pharmaceutical care services to more patients in this population. The purpose of this study was to assess pharmacy students' perceptions of the right of persons with disabilities to self-determination and to identify factors that affect pharmacists' attitudes and perceptions. A survey of 370 pharmacy students was conducted.

Exposure to COVID-19 Infection and Mortality Rates Among People With Disabilities in South Korea.

Background: With the delayed eradication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), people with disabilities, a socially vulnerable class of individuals, face aggravated hardships caused by a pause in support services and lack of care due to stricter social distancing policies combined with the challenges of their disabilities. Given this background, we aim to investigate COVID-19 infection and mortality rates among people with disabilities, who face heightened physical and mental health threats amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Gender, age, health insurance premiums, the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), the severity of the disability, and the type of disability were compared among people with disabilities who had been infected with or died from COVID-19 using the nationally representative National Health Insurance Service (NHIS)-COVID-19 database (DB).

Genetic Testing on Patients with Developmental Delay: A Preliminary Study from the Perspective of Physicians.

This study aimed to discover and propose solutions to various decision-making problems, including obtaining consent, encountered by physicians when administering genetic testing to patients with disabilities. A preliminary survey and focus group interviews (FGIs) were conducted with 27 specialists who had 5-25 years of clinical experience in rehabilitation medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology, regarding their experience in providing genetic testing to people with developmental disabilities. This included the "role of medical staff in the patient's decision-making process", "difficulty of the consent process for genetic testing", and so forth.

Exploring the Relationship between Physical Activities and Health-Related Factors in the Health-Related Quality of Life among People with Disability in Korea.

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between modes (e.g., frequency and total time) of physical activity and health-related conditions of disabled people on their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Korea.

Measuring Trends in the Socioeconomic Burden of Disease in Korea, 2007-2015.

This study estimated the direct and indirect socioeconomic costs of 238 diseases and 22 injuries from a social perspective in Korea from 2007 to 2015. The socioeconomic cost of each disease group was calculated based on the Korean Standard Disease Classification System. Direct costs were estimated using health insurance claims data provided by the National Health Insurance Service.

Association of Metabolic Syndrome with COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is reportedly a crucial risk factor for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since the epidemiological studies that examine this association are few and include small samples, we investigated the relationship between MetS and COVID-19 severity and death using a larger sample in the Republic of Korea.

Methods: We analyzed 66,321 patients, 4,066 of whom had COVID-19.

Curriculum development on the human rights of people with disabilities for future medical education: using a modified Delphi.

Background: In order for doctors to effectively provide medical services to patients with disabilities, an understanding of this population is necessary, along with the knowledge, attitudes, and technical abilities necessary to address health problems associated with each type of disability. One way of doing this is by educating doctors about disabilities and ensuring their frequent contact with people with disabilities while they are in medical school. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a systematic medical education curriculum to enhance doctors' understanding of people with disabilities.

Effect of Topical Oxygen Therapy on Chronic Wounds.

Over the past three decades, there has been a growing interest in the use of oxygen therapy to promote wound healing. Although the most commonly recognized oxygen therapy for the treatment of chronic wounds is hyperbaric oxygen therapy, topical oxygen therapy has a greater level of evidence supporting its use in chronic wound care. Still, it is imperative that these two treatment modalities be recognized not merely as competitors, but as distinct therapeutic entities.

Comorbidities and Factors Determining Medical Expenses and Length of Stay for Admitted COVID-19 Patients in Korea.

Purpose: No previous investigations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have estimated medical expenses, length of stay, or factors influencing them using administrative datasets. This study aims to fill this research gap for the Republic of Korea, which has over 10,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Patients And Methods: Using the nationwide health insurance claims data of 7590 confirmed COVID-19 patients, we estimated average medical expenses and inpatient days per patient, and performed multivariate negative binomial, and gamma regressions to determine influencing factors for higher outcomes.

The Role of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression in the Treatment of Lower Extremity Chronic Wounds.

Intermittent pneumatic compression devices (IPC) are often used as noninvasive adjuncts in patients with lymphedema, and more recently with venous stasis disease, to promote flow and reduce the adverse effects of interstitial edema associated with both disorders. We will be focusing on lower extremity wounds associated with venous and/or lymphatic disease, the combination often referred to as "lymphophlebitic" disease, and the treatment effect of IPC on this disease process and its sequelae. The function and purpose of pneumatic compression is closely examined along with a variety of pneumatic compression devices that currently exist in the market.