Cognitive Training Using Virtual Reality: An Assessment of Usability and Adverse Effects.

Objective: To evaluate the usability and adverse effects associated with virtual reality (VR) cognitive training and identify factors influencing them.

Design: Survey-based observational study.

Setting: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine in the hospital.

Retrospective comparison of cortical bone trajectory and pedicle screw in lumbar fusion for patients over 80, including sagittal balance: a single-center study.

Background: Comparative studies of posterior lumbar interbody fusion with cortical bone trajectory and pedicle screw in older patients, particularly in those aged ≥ 80 years, are rare. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the clinical and surgical outcomes following posterior lumbar interbody fusion with pedicle screw fixation compared to cortical bone trajectory in patients aged ≥ 80 years with degenerative lumbar spine disease.

Methods: We included 68 patients aged ≥ 80 years who underwent degenerative lumbar spinal surgery at our spine center between January 2011 and December 2020.

Effects of blood pressure lowering in patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis before endovascular thrombectomy.

Background: The effects of blood pressure (BP) lowering in patients treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) before endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) are unclear.

Aims: This study aims to investigate whether intensive and conventional BP management affect outcomes differently, depending on IV tPA administration before EVT.

Methods: In this subgroup analysis of the Outcome in Patients Treated with Intra-Arterial Thrombectomy-Optimal Blood Pressure Control (OPTIMAL-BP; ClinicalTrials.

Optimal Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Carotid Artery Stenting: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is an alternative treatment for patients with carotid artery stenosis who are not eligible for carotid endarterectomy. Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after CAS aims to prevent ischemic stroke. However, its optimal duration remains unclear.

Modifiable risk factors for early- and late-onset dementia using the Korean national health insurance service database.

Background: Early-onset dementia (EOD) and late-onset dementia (LOD) may have distinct modifiable risk-factor profiles.

Objective: To identify and compare factors associated with EOD and LOD using a nationwide cohort database.

Design: Nationwide two nested case-control studies.

Effect of romosozumab on bone mineral density and trabecular bone score in premenopausal women with low bone mass.

Unlabelled: We investigated the efficacy of romosozumab in premenopausal women with low bone mass. Romosozumab substantially increased bone mineral density and trabecular bone score in these women, aligning with its proven therapeutic benefits for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Purpose: Romosozumab, an anti-sclerostin antibody, is a promising anabolic agent that increases bone formation and decreases bone resorption.

Is avoidable diabetes-related hospitalization in older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus associated with increased health expenditure?: A nationwide retrospective cohort study in South Korea.

Objective: With South Korea's population aging rapidly, the number of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is expected to rise, leading to worsened health outcomes and potentially straining healthcare financing. This study aimed to investigate how avoidable diabetes-related hospitalizations affect short- and long-term health expenditures.

Methods: Data from the National Health Insurance Service-Senior cohort from 2008 to 2019 in South Korea.

The immune-inflammatory responses on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the neurovascular unit in perioperative neurocognitive disorder.

Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PNDs) refer to a wide spectrum of cognitive impairment persisting days to even after a year postoperative with significant morbidity and mortality. However, despite much efforts involving perioperative managements, PNDs are still prevalent with no standard preventative and therapeutic strategy. To overcome PNDs, a better understanding of pathophysiology of PNDs is crucial and a large number of studies have proven that immune-inflammatory responses from surgical stress are involved in the abnormal activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and destabilization of neurovascular unit (NVU) that lead to PNDs.

A multicenter micro-costing analysis of flexible cystoscopic procedures in Korea.

Purpose: This study aims to develop and implement an economic evaluation using a micro-costing approach to provide a precise and transparent analysis of the direct costs of cystoscopic procedures in Korean hospitals. The study seeks to identify key cost components and evaluate whether current reimbursement rates accurately reflect these direct costs.

Materials And Methods: Significant variations in cost items were identified across different studies.

The Role of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Promoting Lifestyle Modification Among Cardiovascular Patients: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is crucial for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, primarily by promoting lifestyle modifications. However, its impact on lifestyle changes in the Korean population has not been well studied. This study analyzed data from the National Health Insurance Database to evaluate the effect of CR on lifestyle improvement in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Outcomes of Bariatric Surgery Following Insurance Coverage Adoption: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: Although bariatric surgery is the most effective obesity treatment, few nationwide cohort studies have evaluated its safety. This study aimed to evaluate surgical trends after insurance coverage implementation and analyze the surgical outcomes of bariatric surgery.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of bariatric surgery in patients with obesity was conducted using data from Korean National Health Insurance System (NHIS) claims.

Long-term Patency and Complications of Endovascular and Surgical Revascularization for Takayasu Arteritis.

Purpose: Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a rare form of chronic vasculitis that is common in Asian female. As TAK predominantly affects young female with a longer life expectancy than those with atherosclerotic diseases, assessing the specific long-term outcomes of TAK treatment is important. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes and post-procedural complications of surgical and endovascular treatment for TAK.

Influence of orthodontic bracket block-out materials on superimposition errors when substituting scanned dental imaging data onto computed tomography images.

Purpose: The study was performed to examine the error associated with image superimposition when computed tomography (CT) images of the dental region are substituted with dental scan data, according to the block-out material used in dental impressions.

Materials And Methods: A typodont model was created by bonding orthodontic brackets to teeth on plaster dental stones using melted dental base-plate wax. In the experiment, 2 groups were compared: one using wax and the other using putty as the block-out material to prevent tearing of the impression material during the acquisition of dental impressions.

Therapeutic role of aripiprazole in cartilage defects explored through a drug repurposing approach.

Articular cartilage has a limited regenerative capacity, resulting in poor spontaneous healing of damaged tissue. Despite various scientific efforts to enhance cartilage repair, no single method has yielded satisfactory results. With rising drug development costs, drug repositioning has emerged as a viable alternative.

Increased risk of injury and adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and effects of pharmacotherapy: a nationwide longitudinal cohort study in South Korea.

Children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at an increased risk of accidents and injuries, and ADHD medication has been shown to mitigate this risk in these populations. However, the injury risk and the influence of ADHD medication in adults with ADHD remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the injury risk in adults with ADHD and assess the impact of ADHD medication on this risk.

Evaluation of the Diagnostic Efficacy of the AI-Based Software INF-M01 in Detecting Suspicious Areas of Bladder Cancer Using Cystoscopy Images.

We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the artificial intelligence (AI)-based software INF-M01 in diagnosing suspected bladder tumors using cystoscopy images. Additionally, we aimed to assess the ability of INF-M01 to distinguish and mark suspected bladder cancer using whole cystoscopy images. : A randomized retrospective clinical trial was conducted using a total of 5670 cystoscopic images provided by three institutions, comprising 1890 images each (486 bladder cancer images and 1404 normal images).

The pattern of the distribution of incompetent segments within the great saphenous vein at C2 lower extremity: A report conforming to the 2024 IAC standards and guidelines.

Objectives: To analyze the distribution of incompetent segments in the great saphenous vein (GSV) in Clinical, Etiological, Anatomical, Pathophysiological (CEAP) classification C2 limbs to provide a reference for appropriate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Methods: We analyzed the distributions of incompetent segments in the GSVs of the C2 lower extremity undergoing duplex ultrasound from September 2017 to December 2023. The examined segments were the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ), GSV at the proximal thigh, GSV at the knee, and GSV below the knee.

Personal variation in patient-centered relevance Index based on individual characteristics and medical conditions among patients with diabetes Mellitus in Korea.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify patients at higher risk for regional disengagement from health services using the Patient-centered Relevance Index (P-RI).

Methods: This nationwide retrospective cohort study analyzed the relationship between the P-RI and individual patient characteristics, including medical conditions and healthcare utilization patterns. The National Health Insurance Service claims database was used to characterize healthcare utilization by 3,046,914 patients with DM from 2017 to 2020.

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.

Efficacy and safety of everolimus for patients with focal cortical dysplasia type 2.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of everolimus in treating seizures associated with focal cortical dysplasia type 2 (FCD 2).

Methods: A prospective, crossover, placebo-controlled clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03198949) enrolled patients aged 4-40 years with pathologically confirmed FCD 2 and a history of ≥3 seizures per month for two out of the 3 months prior to screening.

Clinical effects of walking exercise program for older adults applied with an exercise assist robot (Bot Fit): A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Interval walking exercise (IWE) consists of repeated walking for 3 min with high intensity, followed by 3 min of walking with low intensity. A wearable robot is an exoskeleton system that is worn on the body and helps the body move.

Research Question: The purpose of this study is to verify the effects of performing IWE using Bot Fit (Samsung Electronics, Korea) on older adults.

Intensive blood pressure lowering in acute stroke with intracranial stenosis post-thrombectomy: A secondary analysis of the OPTIMAL-BP trial.

Background: Intensive blood pressure (BP) management within 24 h after successful reperfusion following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is associated with worse functional outcomes than conventional BP management in Asian randomized controlled trials. Given the high prevalence of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) in Asia, ICAS may influence these outcomes.

Aims: We aimed to assess whether ICAS affects the outcomes of intensive BP management after successful EVT.

Antibiotic Exposure and Risk of Parkinson Disease in South Korea: A Nationally Representative Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background And Objectives: Recent studies have suggested that antibiotics could be a contributing factor to Parkinson disease (PD), but validation in other population cohorts, such as Asians, is needed. This study examined the association between exposure to antibiotics and PD risk in the Korean population.

Methods: Using the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database, this population-level cohort research study from Korea included 298,379 people aged 40 years and older who underwent a national health examination in 2004-2005.