Risk of long-term post-stroke dementia using a linked dataset of patients with ischemic stroke without a history of dementia.

Background: Post-stroke dementia (PSD) is a common and disabling sequela of stroke. However, the long-term incidence of PSD after an ischemic stroke and factors which predict its occurrence are incompletely understood. Linkage of large health datasets is being increasing used to study long-term outcomes after disease.

Changes in the Epidemiology of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Diseases in Korea During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Analysis.

There is limited evidence regarding the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the epidemiology of thoracic and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate changes in medical visits for these conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyzed the entire Korean population (~50 million) for monthly medical visits for 15 common thoracic and cardiovascular conditions, including pneumothorax, large bullae, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, thymoma, empyema, mediastinitis, esophageal rupture, multiple rib fractures, hemothorax, rib mass, varicose vein, pectus excavatum, aortic dissection, aortic aneurysm, and valve disease from January 2019 to December 2021.

Efficacy of ETB-F01, Heat-Killed Strain EB-AMDK19, in Patients with Respiratory Symptoms: A Multicenter Clinical Trial.

Respiratory symptoms are prevalent in the general population, and they are associated with a decline in lung function and increased mortality. The gut-lung connection suggests intestinal dysbiosis may impact lung diseases, with showing promise in regulating extraintestinal diseases. However, its application in patients with respiratory symptoms lacks clinical trial evidence.

Screening for Lung Cancer, Overdiagnosis, and Healthcare Utilization: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Introduction: Guideline-discordant low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening may cause lung cancer (LC) overdiagnosis, but its extent and consequences are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of self-initiated, non-reimbursed LDCT screening in a predominantly non-smoking population and its impact on LC epidemiology and healthcare utilization.

Methods: This nationwide cohort study analyzed data from Korea's National Health Information Database and 11 academic hospital screening centers (1999-2022).

Efficacy and safety of a novel multisegmented fully covered self-expanding metal stent for malignant esophageal obstruction: a prospective pilot study with historical control.

Background And Aims: Self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) are effective for symptom palliation in patients with esophageal obstruction. However, their placement can lead to adverse events such as stent migration and restenosis. A novel fully covered SEMS (FCSEMS) with antimigration properties has been developed to address these issues.

Longitudinal multi-trajectory phenotypes of severe eosinophilic asthma on type 2 biologics treatment.

Background: Limited understanding exists regarding the progression trajectory of severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) patients on type 2 biologics therapies.

Objective: We aim to explore distinct longitudinal phenotypes of these patients based on crucial asthma biomarkers.

Methods: We enrolled 101 adult patients with SEA.

Effect of Macrolide Exposure on Tailored Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapy and Antibiotic Resistance Profiles: A Prospective Study Using the Drug Utilization Review System.

Background/aims: Determining antibiotic use history accurately is challenging due to its reliance on patient recall. By determining macrolide exposure using the Korean drug utilization review (DUR) system, we analyzed the impact of previous macrolide use on antibiotic resistance profiles and compared the eradication rate between tailored therapy based on macrolide exposure history and empirical therapy.

Methods: Patients with confirmed Helicobacter pylori (H.

Comparative Analysis of Outcomes and Kyphotic Risk Factors After Cervical Laminoplasty in 2 Different Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Groups and Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

Background And Objectives: Cervical laminoplasty is commonly used to treat cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Postoperative kyphotic changes can restrict spinal cord dorsal shift, leading to poor neurological outcomes. This study analyzes risk factors for loss of cervical lordosis (LCL) after laminoplasty in 3 groups: CSM, continuous OPLL, and other OPLL.

Clinical Characteristics of T2-Low and T2-High Asthma-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap: Findings From COREA Cohort.

Purpose: Despite the emerging biologics, biomarkers and treatment options for asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) are still limited, requiring further research.

Methods: We enrolled 378 ACO patients from a multicenter real-world asthma cohort in Korea and compared the clinical characteristics, lung function, and exacerbation between type 2 (T2)-high and T2-low groups. We used the following comparisons: 1) low vs.

Early management of adult sepsis and septic shock: Korean clinical practice guidelines.

Background: Despite recent advances and global improvements in sepsis recognition and supportive care, mortality rates remain high, and adherence to sepsis bundle components in Korea is low. To address this, the Korean Sepsis Alliance, affiliated with the Korean Society of Critical Care Medicine, developed the first sepsis treatment guidelines for Korea based on a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: A de novo method was used to develop the guidelines.

Neuroprotective Effects of Chaperonin Containing TCP1 Subunit 2 (CCT2) on Motor Neurons Following Oxidative or Ischemic Stress.

Chaperonin containing TCP1 (CCT) is an essential protein that controls proteostasis following spinal cord damage. In particular, CCT2 plays an important role in neuronal death in various neurological disorders; however, few studies have investigated the effects of CCT2 on ischemic damage in the spinal cord. In the present study, we synthesized a cell-permeable Tat-CCT2 fusion protein and observed its effects on HO-induced oxidative damage in NSC34 motoneuron-like cells and in the spinal cord after ischemic injury.

Safety and Efficacy of Pivot-Balloon for Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation: The First-in-Man Experiences.

Background And Objectives: Among various emerging catheter-based treatments for severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), the spacer device can reduce the regurgitation orifice without manipulating the valve leaflet. However, its clinical application has been hampered by traumatic anchoring to the myocardium and the coaxial alignment of the balloon resulting in insufficient TR reduction. This study aimed to evaluate the early-stage safety, technical feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of the novel atraumatic vertical spacer in patients with isolated severe TR.

Association Between Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Periodontitis: A Longitudinal Follow-Up Study from the Korean National Health Screening Cohort.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and periodontitis are common conditions in older adults that can lead to serious complications, gaining public health attention. Although GERD and periodontitis share common risk factors, such as age, lifestyle habits, and socioeconomic status, large-scale studies examining their specific relationship are limited.

Methods: This study aimed to assess the association between GERD and the likelihood of developing periodontitis using a national validated cohort data from Korea.

Age and Clinically Actionable Events in Patients With Implantable Loop Recorders: Analysis of Multicenter Loop Recorder Registry.

Introduction: Little is known about age and clinical intervention after implantable loop recorder (ILR) insertion. This study investigated the association between age and clinical intervention after ILR implantation.

Methods And Results: Data were obtained from a multicenter registry of ILR in Korea (2017-2020, n = 795).

ROsulord® sAfety for Patients with Dyslipidemia Study: A Non-interventional, Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Study in South Korea.

Introduction: The ROsulord® sAfety for patients with Dyslipidemia study (ROAD study) in the Republic of Korea investigated the safety and efficacy of rosuvastatin in routine clinical practice.

Methods: This non-interventional, multicenter, prospective, observational study was conducted over a period of approximately 4.6 years and involved 14,243 participants.

When Would Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery Not Be Preferable for Metastatic Spine Disease?

Background: Metastatic spine tumor surgery (MSTS) is an important treatment modality of metastatic spinal disease (MSD). Open spine surgery (OSS) was previously the gold standard of treatment till the early 2010s. However, advancements in MSTS in recent years have led to the advent of minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS) techniques for the treatment of MSD.

Efficacy and safety of safinamide in Parkinson's disease patients with motor fluctuations without levodopa dosage escalation over 18 weeks: KEEP study.

This multicentre, prospective, single-arm study evaluated safinamide as add-on therapy to levodopa in Korean patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with motor fluctuations with ≥ 1.5 h of "off" time daily, who took levodopa ≥ 3 times/day (n = 199). Baseline levodopa and dopamine agonist doses were maintained without escalation during the 18-week treatment period.

Advancements in Therapeutic Approaches for Degenerative Tendinopathy: Evaluating Efficacy and Challenges.

Degenerative tendinopathy results from the accumulation of minor injuries following unsuccessful tendon repair during acute tendon injuries. The process of tendon repair is prolonged and varies between individuals, making it susceptible to reinjury. Moreover, treating chronic tendinopathy often requires expensive and extensive rehabilitation, along with a variety of combined therapies to facilitate recovery.

Cholecystectomy Increases the Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease: A Nationwide Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Growing evidence suggests that cholecystectomy is associated with adverse health outcomes, including the development of metabolic diseases. However, data on the association between cholecystectomy and kidney disease are limited. The present study aimed to investigate the association between cholecystectomy and chronic kidney disease (CKD) using a nationwide longitudinal cohort.