Trends in the Socioeconomic Inequalities Related to Second-Hand Smoke Exposure as Verified by Urine Cotinine Levels Among Nonsmoking Adults: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2018.

Introduction: The expansion of smoke-free policies has reduced the prevalence of second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure; however, declines differ according to socioeconomic positions. We evaluated the trends in socioeconomic inequalities related to SHS exposure in nonsmoking Korean adults from 2008 to 2018.

Methods: We analyzed 30,027 nonsmoking adults from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008 to 2018.

Burnout Among oncologists in the Republic of Korea: A nationwide survey.

Purpose: Burnout in oncologists negatively impacts patient care and health care system, as it is associated with poor patient satisfaction, medical errors, leaving current practice, and/or early retirement. Because the quality of life of oncologists is influenced by various factors and ultimately affects the patient's treatment and medical system, we aimed to investigate burnout among oncologists and to identify factors affecting burnout.

Materials And Methods: A total of 130 oncologists recruited from 13 cancer centers participated in a nationwide survey.

Health-Related Quality of Life Changes in Prostate Cancer Patients after Radical Prostatectomy: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Purpose: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) information related to radical prostatectomy (RP) is valuable for prostate cancer (PC) patients needing to make treatment decisions. We aimed to investigate HRQOL change in PC patients who underwent three types of RP (open, laparoscopic, or robotic) and compared their HRQOL with that of general population.

Materials And Methods: Patients were prospectively recruited between October 2014 and December 2015.

Health Effects from Occupational Radiation Exposure among Fluoroscopy-Guided Interventional Medical Workers: A Systematic Review.

A systematic review was conducted to provide an overview of the health effects of occupational radiation exposure from interventional fluoroscopy procedures on medical radiation workers. Among the 34 studies that met the inclusion criteria, most studies were cross-sectional (76%) and published after 2011 (65%) in a handful of countries. Although diverse outcomes were reported, most studies focused on cataracts.

Influence of Socioeconomic Status, Comorbidity, and Disability on Late-stage Cancer Diagnosis.

Objectives: Understanding factors affecting advanced stage at diagnosis is vital to improve cancer outcomes and overall survival. We investigated the factors affecting later-stage cancer diagnosis.

Methods: Patients completed self-reported questionnaires.

Analysis of Hospital Volume and Factors Influencing Economic Outcomes in Cancer Surgery: Results from a Population-based Study in Korea.

Objectives: To evaluate associations between hospital volume, costs, and length of stay (LOS), and clinical and demographic outcome factors for five types of cancer resection. The main dependent variables were cost and LOS; the primary independent variable was volume.

Methods: Data were obtained from claims submitted to the Korean National Health Insurance scheme.

Performance on physical function tests and the risk of fractures and admissions: Findings from a national health screening of 557,648 community-dwelling older adults.

Objective: Falls and fractures in older adults are often preventable, yet remain major health concerns as comprehensive physical function assessment may not be readily available. This study investigated whether simple timed up and go test (TUG) and unipedal stance test (UST) are effective in identifying people with an increased risk of fractures, femoral fractures, or admissions due to femoral fractures.

Methods: Community-dwelling Korean older adults aged 66 years participated in the Korean National Screening Program for the Transitional Ages (n=557,648) between 2007 and 2010.

Avoidance of cancer communication, perceived social support, and anxiety and depression among patients with cancer.

Purpose: Patients with cancer are reported to experience high anxiety and depression related to their medical status. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of avoidance of cancer communication and of social support from family and medical professionals on the patients' anxiety and depression.

Methods: A national survey was conducted through regional branches of the National Cancer Center of South Korea, which yielded 296 patient-caregiver dyads.

The effects on caregivers of cancer patients' needs and family hardiness.

Objectives: Family caregivers of cancer patients are anticipated to serve multiple roles but the factors that influence their reaction to caregiving have not gotten much attention. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of cancer patient's needs level and the family hardiness on the caregivers' reaction.

Methods: A national survey was conducted through regional branches of the National Cancer Center of South Korea, yielding 990 patient-caregiver dyads.

Treatment Gap in the National Health-screening Program in Korea: Claim-based Follow-up of Statin Use for Sustained Hypercholesterolemia.

Participation in a screening program by itself may not improve clinical outcomes. Treatment gaps in the program may limit its full benefit. We evaluated statin prescription rates for subjects with sustained hypercholesterolemia to assess the treatment gaps in the National Health Screening Program (NHSP) in Korea.

A retrospective analysis of incidence and its associated risk factors of upper urinary tract recurrence following radical cystectomy for bladder cancer with transitional cell carcinoma: the significance of local pelvic recurrence and positive lymph node.

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the incidence and risk factors of upper urinary tract recurrence (UUTR) following radical cystectomy (RC) in bladder cancer and to evaluate its relationship with neobladder (Neo) or ileal conduit (IC).

Materials And Methods: All clinicopathologic parameters and perioperative parameters of 311 patients who underwent RC with either Neo or IC by a single surgeon from 1999 to 2012 were retrospectively included in this study. Patients with a history of renal surgery, concomitant UUTR, or a histopathology of non-transitional cell carcinoma were excluded.

Comparison of health-related quality of life between cancer survivors treated in designated cancer centers and the general public in Korea.

Objective: We assessed health-related quality of life in cancer survivors treated in designated cancer centers when compared with the general population in Korea.

Methods: A multicenter survey was conducted from July through August 2008 using the quota-sampling approach. A general population sample was drawn from the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, second year.

Factors associated with discontinuation of complementary and alternative medicine among Korean cancer patients.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine patient characteristics and other factors associated with discontinuation of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among cancer patients in Korea.

Methods: A national, multicenter, cross-sectional survey of cancer patients was performed in which 674 of 2,661 patients were analyzed for their use of CAM after cancer diagnosis. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify the factors related to CAM discontinuation.

Factors associated with the use of gastric cancer screening services in Korea: the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008 (KNHANES IV).

Objectives: Despite government efforts to increase participation in gastric cancer screening, the rate is still suboptimal in Korea. Therefore, we explored barriers to and predictors of gastric cancer screening participation among a nationally representative sample.

Methods: We used the Health Interview Survey sub-dataset derived from the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008 (KNHANES IV) to evaluate participation in gastric cancer screening and factors associated with attendance in individuals age ≥ 40 years.

Costs during the first five years following cancer diagnosis in Korea.

Objectives: We estimated the total medical costs incurred during the 5 years following a cancer diagnosis and annual medical use status for the six most prevalent cancers in Korea.

Methods: From January 1 to December 31, 2006, new patients registered with the six most prevalent cancers (stomach, liver, lung, breast, colon, and thyroid) were randomly selected from the Korea Central Cancer Registry, with 30% of patients being drawn from each cancer group. For the selected patients, cost data were generated using National Health Insurance claims data from the time of cancer diagnosis in 2006 to December 31, 2010.

High-quality, low-cost gastrectomy care at high-volume hospitals: results from a population-based study in South Korea.

Objectives: To evaluate associations among hospital volume, costs, and length of stay (LOS) and to assess whether reduced hospital cost of care adversely affected quality of care.

Design: Four-year, nationwide, population-based study.

Setting: Data were obtained from claims submitted to the South Korean National Health Insurance database.

Attitude and knowledge of physicians about cancer pain management: young doctors of South Korea in their early career.

Objective: This study is aimed at evaluating the attitude and knowledge about the optimal use of opioids and finding out the barriers to cancer pain management especially for young doctors in South Korea.

Methods: A survey through questionnaire form was conducted on 1204 physicians. Physicians were grouped by their medical specialties and personal characteristics.

Satisfaction with mammography in the National Cancer Screening Programme participants of age 40s in Korea.

The aim of this study was to evaluate satisfaction with the National Cancer Screening Programme of mammography in Korea and to examine the association between subscales of satisfaction and general satisfaction. We conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey for women who had obtained a National Cancer Screening Programme mammographic screening at general hospitals between May and October 2008. The present study included 2005 women in their forties.

Factors associated with the intention to have colorectal cancer screening in Korean adults.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors related to screening intention in a population-based screening programme for colorectal cancer. The data were taken from the 2008 Korean National Cancer Screening Survey. We conducted a nationwide survey with trained interviewers using a questionnaire.

Disparities in utilization of high-volume hospitals for cancer surgery: results of a Korean population-based study.

Background: Referral to high-volume hospitals has been recommended for cancer procedures with a demonstrated volume-outcome relationship. However, little is known about the factors associated with use of high-volume hospitals for cancer procedures. The purpose of this study was to determine patient characteristics associated with receipt of oncologic surgery at high-volume hospitals.

[Analysis of the factors related to the needs of patients with cancer].

Objectives: Limited research has investigated the specific needs of patients with cancer. This study was performed to explore patients needs and the related factors.

Methods: The data were collected by 1 National Cancer Center and 9 regional cancer centers in Korea.

Relationships between household smoking restrictions and intention to quit smoking among Korean American male smokers in California.

This cross-sectional study examined the relationships between household smoking restrictions and intentions to quit smoking among Korean American male smokers in California. We used data from the California Korean American Tobacco Use Survey (CKATUS), which was conducted in 2004 using computer-assisted telephone interviewing. Among the 2,545 respondents who participated in the CKATUS, the 387 male smokers who answered a question assessing their intention to quit smoking were included in the final analyses.

Antihypertensive medication adherence in cancer survivors and its affecting factors: results of a Korean population-based study.

Purpose: Cancer survivors have been reported to receive less care for other conditions than the general population; however, it is not clear whether patients' behavior also contribute to this. The present study was performed to examine cancer survivors' adherence to antihypertensive medication and factors associated with it, compared to the general population.

Methods: We used pharmacy claims and enrollment data from the National Health Insurance, which covers 97% of the Korean population.

Comparing upper gastrointestinal X-ray and endoscopy for gastric cancer diagnosis in Korea.

Aim: To compare the cost and accuracy of upper gastrointestinal (GI) X-ray and upper endoscopy for diagnosis of gastric cancer using data from the 2002-2004 Korean National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP).

Methods: The study population included 1,503,646 participants in the 2002-2004 stomach cancer screening program who underwent upper GI X-ray or endoscopy. The accuracy of screening was defined as the probability of detecting gastric cancer.