Journal of Korean Medical Science最新文献

{"title":"Roots of the Large-Scale Household Humidifier Disinfectant Poisoning Tragedy: Regulatory and Surveillance Shortcomings in Korea.","authors":"Dong-Uk Park, Kyung Ehi Zoh, Dae Hwan Cho, Soyoung Park, Jeonghwa Hwang, Cheong-Hak Choi, Dong-Hee Koh, Yeyong Choi, Jinyoung Park","doi":"10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e144","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e144","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The multi-decade household humidifier disinfectant poisoning tragedy (HHDT) in South Korea highlights the importance of investigating government failures. This study aims to identify and discuss key failures and shortcomings in the South Korean authorities' approach to regulating humidifier disinfectants (HDs) and monitoring cases of chemical poisoning. We reviewed both the HD risk prevention measures that the South Korean Ministry of Environment (KME) should have implemented under the Toxic Chemicals Control Act (TCCA) (1991-2013). Polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG), a new chemical, was approved for use as a disinfectant under the TCCA. KME declared PHMG non-hazardous based solely on pre-production documentation provided by the industry. In addition, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCPA) failed to detect the HHDT that had accumulated each year for more than a decade. KME's neglect of its responsibilities, coupled with KDCPA's lack of chemical poisoning surveillance systems, led to the accumulation of widespread HHDT.</p>","PeriodicalId":16249,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Korean Medical Science","volume":"40 15","pages":"e144"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12011611/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143985935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Older the Patients, the More Aggressive the Prostate Cancer Detected Even Among Those With a Prostate-Specific Antigen Level Below the Low-Risk Threshold: Analysis Using Nationwide Korean Data.","authors":"Jong Hyun Pyun, Young Hwii Ko, Sang Won Kim, Sung Gu Kang, Nak-Hoon Son","doi":"10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e57","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e57","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>To investigate the clinicopathologic pattern of prostate cancer (PCa) in elderly patients compared with their younger counterparts with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level below the low-risk threshold (< 10 ng/mL), which is often a deciding factor for biopsy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A nationwide database of PCa at the time of biopsy from 2010 to 2020 was constructed from 39 hospitals. Patients were categorized into age groups of < 64 years, 65-69 years, 70-74 years, and ≥ 75 years considering guidelines that recommend PSA testing only for those aged 55-69 years during the study period, the average age of Korean PCa registrants of 70.3 years (2010-2020), and the average life expectancy of Korean males of 80.3 years (2020).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean ± standard deviation age was 70.3 ± 8.2 years, which was normally distributed (kurtosis = 0.095). Among 14,548 subjects, 54.1%, 39.5%, and 6.4% of them had high-risk disease, intermediate-risk disease, and low-risk disease, respectively. Based on three risk parameters, a marked increase in high-risk cancer was observed in the oldest age group (linear combination, <i>P</i> < 0.001). The same pattern was observed among patients with low-risk disease (PSA < 10 ng/mL), who were divided into PSA tiers as follows: 4-5 ng/mL (<i>P</i> < 0.001), 5-6 ng/mL (<i>P</i> < 0.001), 6-7 ng/mL (<i>P</i> < 0.001), 7-8 ng/mL (<i>P</i> < 0.001), 8-9 ng/mL (<i>P</i> = 0.009), and 9-10 ng/mL (<i>P</i> < 0.001). In all PSA tiers between 4 and 10 ng/mL, multivariate analysis demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of high-risk cancer in the oldest age group than in the youngest age group. In the lowest tier (4-5 ng/mL), 35.2% of those aged over 75 years had high-risk PCa.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The older the patient, the more aggressive the PCa. Moreover, there was an increase in high-risk PCa in older males compared with younger males even with a PSA level below the low-risk threshold of 10 ng/mL, suggesting the need to strengthen cancer screening policies in the older population.</p>","PeriodicalId":16249,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Korean Medical Science","volume":"40 15","pages":"e57"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12011613/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144024663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quality of Life in Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Treatment Satisfaction Upon Intermittently Scanned Continuous Glucose Monitoring.","authors":"Sookyung Won, Hyeon Ji Kim, Jee Yoon Park, Kyung Joon Oh, Sung Hee Choi, Hak Chul Jang, Joon Ho Moon","doi":"10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e46","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e46","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>To assess the quality of life (QoL) and treatment satisfaction with intermittently-scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective observational study included 189 women with GDM who completed the Korean version of the Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life Questionnaire (K-ADDQoL). Among them, 25 women who utilized isCGM between gestational weeks 30 and 34 completed the Korean version of the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire change version (K-DTSQc) to evaluate their satisfaction with isCGM during pregnancy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>GDM had a negative impact on the perceived QoL in 89.4% of the women. All 19 domains of the K-ADDQoL were adversely influenced by GDM, with the most significant impact on the freedom to eat (weighted impact score, -6.98 ± 2.49, <i>P</i> < 0.001) and the least impact on the sex life (-0.25 ± 0.80, <i>P</i> = 0.008). Younger women and those treated with insulin perceived themselves as being more affected in their QoL due to GDM. Women perceived to have less effect on their QoL attributed to GDM exhibited higher ΔHbA1c one year after delivery (ΔHbA1c, 0.3 ± 0.4% vs. 0.0 ± 0.4% in less affected vs. more affected women). The utilization of isCGM improved treatment satisfaction (overall satisfaction score, 10.36 ± 9.21, <i>P</i> < 0.001), independent of glycemic control during pregnancy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although GDM negatively affects the perceived QoL during pregnancy, attentiveness to GDM management may have a positive impact on long-term glycemic control. Moreover, employing isCGM can enhance treatment satisfaction in women with GDM.</p>","PeriodicalId":16249,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Korean Medical Science","volume":"40 15","pages":"e46"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12011612/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144025074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ten-Year Trends of Fluorescein Angiography in Korea Using Data From the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.","authors":"Dong Woo Kim, Min Seok Kim","doi":"10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e39","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e39","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Fluorescein angiography (FA) is a diagnostic procedure that is crucial for conditions such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, and due to its importance, the use of conventional and wide-angle FA (wide FA) is on the rise. This study aimed to analyze the annual trends of conventional and wide FA and the trends of healthcare institutions performing these examinations in Korea.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective study examined data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service's Health and Medical Big Data Open Portal. We investigated the number of patients who underwent conventional and wide FA procedures performed in Korea from 2014 to 2023, categorized by age group and type of healthcare facility. Additionally, trends in healthcare expenditures were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The number of patients undergoing conventional FA consistently declined, while those receiving wide FA increased steadily, keeping the overall patient count relatively stable. Healthcare costs related to conventional FA gradually decreased, whereas expenses for wide FA rose steadily, contributing to an increase in total medical expenses. Analysis of ten-year age intervals revealed that patients in their 60s were the most frequent recipients of wide FA in every year, except for 2014. The prevalence of wide FA at primary healthcare facilities has been steadily increasing.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The use of wide FA has been steadily increasing, gradually replacing conventional FA, particularly in primary healthcare settings. Overall, medical expenses continue to rise. The findings of this study provide valuable evidence for the efficient allocation of medical resources in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":16249,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Korean Medical Science","volume":"40 14","pages":"e39"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11995198/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143997511","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Impact of Self-Compassion on Enhancing the Professional Quality of Life for Healthcare Workers.","authors":"Eulji Jung, Young-Eun Jung","doi":"10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e141","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Emphasizing the importance of psychological experiences in professional roles, this study explored the relationship between self-compassion and professional quality of life (ProQOL) among healthcare workers (HCWs). Sociodemographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, self-compassion, and ProQOL were assessed by conducting an online survey with 371 HCWs on coronavirus disease 2019 dedicated teams. Our findings indicate that self-compassion contributes to a better ProQOL, enhancing compassion satisfaction while reducing burnout and secondary traumatic stress, even when controlling depressive symptoms. These results have important implications fostering self-compassion interventions for a better ProQOL in HCWs.</p>","PeriodicalId":16249,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Korean Medical Science","volume":"40 14","pages":"e141"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11995194/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144015481","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative Efficacy of High-Dose Rosuvastatin and Atorvastatin in Preventing Cystatin C-Oriented Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction: RACCOON-AMI Registry.","authors":"Ji Hye Kim, Hyunah Kim, Seung-Hyuk Choi, Woo Jeong Chun, Joon Hyung Doh, Jong-Young Lee, Seung-Jae Lee, Byung Jin Kim","doi":"10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e50","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e50","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is crucial in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients undergoing coronary interventions. Previous studies suggest that high-dose statins may aid in CIN prevention, yet comparative studies among different statin types using cystatin C (cysC) as a biomarker for CIN are absent. This study evaluated the effectiveness of high-dose rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin in preventing cysC-based CIN (cysC-CIN) in AMI patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This multicenter registry included 431 patients (rosuvastatin 20 mg: n = 231, atorvastatin 40 mg: n = 200). The primary endpoint was cysC-CIN incidence within 48 hours post contrast; the secondary endpoints were creatinine-based CIN (cr-CIN) incidence within 72 hours post contrast and post 30 days adverse events.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The incidences of cysC-CIN (12.1% vs. 7.5%, <i>P</i> = 0.103) and cr-CIN (6.2% vs. 3.5%, <i>P</i> = 0.103) were higher in the atorvastatin group without significant statistical differences. Multivariable regression analysis, which was adjusted for CIN risk factors and the variables with univariate association, showed no increased odds ratio (OR) (OR, 2.185; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.899, 5.315; <i>P</i> = 0.085) for cysC-CIN in the atorvastatin group compared to the rosuvastatin group. However, statin-naïve atorvastatin subgroup had significantly increased odds of cysC-CIN compared to the rosuvastatin group (OR, 2.977; 95% CI, 1.057, 8.378; <i>P</i> = 0.039). At post 30 days renal, cardiovascular, and mortality event rates were both low and similar between the two groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>No significant difference in cysC-CIN incidence was found between the high-dose rosuvastatin and atorvastatin groups in AMI patients and cysC was more sensitive to the early detection of CIN than creatinine.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0003703.</p>","PeriodicalId":16249,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Korean Medical Science","volume":"40 14","pages":"e50"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11995196/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144008423","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Administration of Calcium and Magnesium in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage Patients: Assessing Safety and Feasibility.","authors":"Moinay Kim, Wonhyoung Park, Jun Ha Hwang, Jae Hyun Kim, Yeongu Chung, Si Un Lee, Joonho Byun, Jung Cheol Park, Jae Sung Ahn, Seungjoo Lee","doi":"10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e45","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e45","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Serum calcium and magnesium levels are a key factor of the coagulation cascade and may potentially contribute to the pathophysiology of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) expansion. The aim of this study was to attain and sustain target levels of serum calcium and magnesium for three days following admission.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A single-blind, prospective, multicenter randomized study was conducted from 2019 to 2022 years, enrolling acute ICH patients aged 18-80 years, with radiological diagnosis and without surgical intervention. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the study group or the control group. In the study group, the target serum levels of calcium (9-10.2 mg/dL) and magnesium (2-3 mg/dL) were actively achieved and maintained for a duration of 3 days following admission. The primary outcome was the expansion of ICH volume within the first 3 days between the study group and the control groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After implementing inclusion/exclusion criteria, 105 of 354 patients remained in the study. There were no significant differences in ICH volume on hospital days 2 and 3 between the groups. Admission factors including Glasgow coma scale score, hemoglobin level, ICH volume, and spot sign showed significant correlations in multivariate analysis. On the third day of hospitalization, admission serum magnesium levels showed a significant correlation with ICH expansion, whereas calcium levels did not.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Admission serum magnesium levels were found to correlate with hematoma expansion in patients with acute ICH. While magnesium itself may not be a direct therapeutic target, it could serve as a valuable indicator for identifying potential therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing ICH volume increase.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0004427.</p>","PeriodicalId":16249,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Korean Medical Science","volume":"40 14","pages":"e45"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11995200/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144022472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Translational Research Could Start From the 'Translation' of Unmet Medical Needs to the Intended Use.","authors":"You Kyoung Lee","doi":"10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e137","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e137","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16249,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Korean Medical Science","volume":"40 14","pages":"e137"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11995195/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144022387","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reviving Medical Research in Korea After Impeachment of the President: A Roadmap to Restoration.","authors":"Jin-Hong Yoo","doi":"10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e148","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e148","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16249,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Korean Medical Science","volume":"40 14","pages":"e148"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11995199/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144008426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Massive Closures of Pediatric Clinics and an Exodus of Pediatricians in Korea During the COVID-19 Pandemic: What Career Paths Did Closed-Down Pediatricians Choose?","authors":"Jin-Won Noh, Jun Hyuk Koo, Min-Hee Heo, Jin Yong Lee","doi":"10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e71","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2025.40.e71","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the size and characteristics of pediatric clinic closure during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) period and what career paths pediatricians chose after closure.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study utilized database of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service from 2013 to 2022. We examined the trend of the number of pediatric clinics in operation over the past 10 years. Additionally, the study identified factors associated with the closure of pediatric clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the affiliations of representatives who closed their clinics during the pandemic were tracked as of December 2022.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In 2019, there were 2,229 pediatric clinics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 364 (16.3%) of these clinics closed. Factors associated with the closure of pediatric clinics included pediatricians over the age of 65, operational periods of less than 5 years, and lower levels of medical expenses. As of 2022, among the 364 clinics that closed, 108 pediatricians (29.7%) retired or ceased working, and 127 pediatricians (34.9%) still employed in pediatric-related healthcare institutions. A concerning phenomenon is that the remaining 129 pediatricians (35.4%) transitioned to unrelated healthcare institutions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We have identified the magnitude and factors contributing to pediatric clinic closures. A more pressing issue is that over one-third of the pediatricians have transitioned to non-specialty fields following the closure of their clinics. Pediatrics represents a critical and essential medical field. Health authorities must develop strategies to prevent the avoidable collapse and subsequent exodus of pediatricians.</p>","PeriodicalId":16249,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Korean Medical Science","volume":"40 14","pages":"e71"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11995197/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143999941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}