Korean Journal of Family Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Acquaintance and acceptance of menstrual cups among women of reproductive age: a hospital-based cross-sectional study from North India.","authors":"Priya Bindal, Lajya Devi Goyal, Priyanka Garg","doi":"10.4082/kjfm.24.0083","DOIUrl":"10.4082/kjfm.24.0083","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Menstrual hygiene is crucial to a woman's physical, social, and mental well-being. The menstrual cup offers a safe and effective solution but still requires wider adoption. This study aims to assess awareness, practices, and barriers regarding the use of menstrual cups among women of reproductive age.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 246 participants, randomly selected from outpatient settings of a tertiary care hospital in 2022. Non-pregnant menstruating women were included, while those with pelvic infections or cognitive impairments were excluded. After explaining the study's purpose and ensuring anonymity, data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from previous studies conducted in India and abroad. Knowledge and practices were depicted using descriptive statistics, while factors affecting awareness were analyzed using a multivariable binary logistic regression analysis approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Approximately 64.2% of participants were aware of menstrual cups, but only three were users. Participants living in urban areas, practicing Hinduism, and marrying after the age of 20 years showed higher awareness. Users rated the cup as comfortable, with no skin irritation, foul odor, or dryness. The primary barrier to use was insufficient knowledge.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There is a gap in awareness and usage of menstrual cups, especially in low- and middle-income countries like India. Preliminary feedback from users is encouraging, suggesting that menstrual cups could offer a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable way to improve menstrual hygiene.</p>","PeriodicalId":17893,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Family Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"435-442"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12661191/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142922020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of adverse drug reactions encountered in primary care settings.","authors":"Ki Dong Ko","doi":"10.4082/kjfm.25.0198","DOIUrl":"10.4082/kjfm.25.0198","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17893,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Family Medicine","volume":"46 6","pages":"458-460"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12661187/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145635214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigation of the prevalence and treatment of atopic dermatitis in South Korea using a large national dataset.","authors":"Kyunguk Jeong, Sue Kyung Kim, Dukyong Yoon, Young Choi, Sooyoung Lee, Eun-So Lee","doi":"10.4082/kjfm.24.0124","DOIUrl":"10.4082/kjfm.24.0124","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Updated reports on the population-based analysis of atopic dermatitis (AD) in Korea are rare. This study aimed to investigate the nationwide prevalence and systemic medication prescription trends of AD in Korea.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Based on the Korean National Health Insurance database, the prevalence of AD and systemic medication prescription trends in patients with AD were analyzed according to age groups and regional districts from 2010 to 2015.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of AD was the highest among patients aged 0-1 year (18.6%-24.5%), decreasing rapidly with increasing age (<2% in patients aged ≥20 years). From 2010 to 2015, the prevalence of AD decreased in children but increased slightly in adolescents and adults. In 2015, the proportion of systemic steroid prescriptions increased from 11.2% in the 0-9 years age group to 41.1% in the 50-59 years age group, while that of systemic antibiotic prescriptions gradually decreased from 6.2% in the 0-9 years age group to 1.8% in the 80-89 years age group. The proportion of systemic steroid prescriptions by region remained consistently high in Gyeongbuk (34.2%- 34.9%) and low in Daejeon (20.2%-22.5%). The annual proportion of systemic cyclosporine prescriptions increased significantly from 0.6% in 2010 to 1.2% in 2015, with the highest rates observed in patients in their 30s (1.5%-2.4%), followed by those in their 20s (1.3%-2.3%) and 40s (1.1%-2.0%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>From 2010 to 2015, the prevalence of AD decreased in children but increased slightly in adolescents and adults. Approximately one-fourth of the patients with AD were prescribed systemic steroids, and the percentage of cyclosporine prescriptions doubled during the study period.</p>","PeriodicalId":17893,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Family Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"426-434"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12661192/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142622724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relationship between heated tobacco product use and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in Korean adults: a cross-sectional study using Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2018-2021 (VII-1 and VIII).","authors":"Myungeun Kim, Kyung-Jin Lee, In Choi, Seung Hee Kim, Kunyoung Ryu","doi":"10.4082/kjfm.24.0201","DOIUrl":"10.4082/kjfm.24.0201","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The use of heated tobacco products (HTPs) among Korean adults has been steadily increasing since they were first introduced in 2017. It is known that smoking combustible cigarettes (CCs) adversely affects the serum lipid profile and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the health impacts of HTPs remain under- researched. This study, therefore, aims to explore the effects of HTP use on serum lipid levels.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study involved 10,309 participants, selected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VII-1 and VIII conducted between 2018 and 2021. Participants were categorized based on their smoking status: \"HTPs ever user\" included dual, triple, and past HTP users; \"current HTPs only user\" for those exclusively using HTPs; \"current CCs only user\" for those exclusively smoking CCs; and \"never smoker.\" Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the impact of smoking type on serum lipid concentrations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis revealed that the \"HTPs ever user\" group had a higher odds ratio (OR) for elevated total cholesterol compared to the \"never smoker\" group (OR, 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.92). The likelihood of having high low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol was greatest in the \"current HTPs only user\" group when compared to \"never smokers\" (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.01-2.89).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings indicate that exclusive use of HTPs is linked to an increased level of serum LDL-cholesterol. Further longitudinal studies are necessary to fully determine the health risks associated with HTPs.</p>","PeriodicalId":17893,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Family Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"443-451"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12661183/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142895769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Implementation of noninvasive liver disease screening tools in primary care.","authors":"Klaudia Nowak, Adrian Nowak, Aleksandra Jabłońska, Anna Potaczek, Julia Salacha, Natalia Dardzińska, Jakub Janczura","doi":"10.4082/kjfm.25.0144","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.25.0144","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The global increase in the incidence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which affects more than one-third of the general population and up to 70% of individuals with type 2 diabetes or obesity, is a critical public health challenge. Given that liver steatosis is often asymptomatic until the advanced stages of disease, early detection is essential to prevent its progression to fibrosis, cirrhosis and, ultimately, hepatocellular carcinoma. However, liver biopsy, the gold-standard diagnostic method, is invasive, costly, and unsuitable for large-scale screening. As a result, noninvasive tests have emerged as practical alternatives, particularly in primary care settings, where early identification is most feasible. The present study explored current perspectives of noninvasive liver disease screening tools and their implementation in primary care. Serum-based indices, along with imaging techniques, have demonstrated promise in identifying patients with advanced fibrosis. Novel biomarkers, including the enhanced liver fibrosis test and Pro-C3, as well as emerging artificial intelligence-assisted diagnostic platforms, yield improved accuracy and risk stratification potential. Despite accumulating evidence supporting the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of noninvasive tests, several barriers hinder their routine use in primary care settings, which include limited funding, lack of standardized guidelines, insufficient clinician training, and disparities in access to diagnostic tools. The implementation of structured stepwise screening models has demonstrated improved diagnostic efficiency and reduced unnecessary referrals. Future research should emphasize the integration of artificial intelligence, portable diagnostic devices, and personalized risk models to enhance early detection. Ensuring widespread adoption requires coordinated efforts in policy development, provider education, and health-system investment. Noninvasive screening tools offer a feasible and cost-effective pathway for the early detection of MASLD in primary care; however, their successful implementation depends on addressing logistical, educational, and systemic barriers.</p>","PeriodicalId":17893,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Family Medicine","volume":"46 6","pages":"381-390"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12661188/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145635196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of electronic cigarettes on the change of Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence scores during 1-year follow-up.","authors":"Saksorn Meelarp, Pantitra Singkheaw, Thanin Chattrapiban","doi":"10.4082/kjfm.24.0038","DOIUrl":"10.4082/kjfm.24.0038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The use of e-cigarettes is increasing globally, particularly among young adults. Although several use them to quit smoking, their effects are controversial. The Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) was used to assess nicotine dependence in the smoking cessation process. This study examined changes in FTND scores among young adults using different types of cigarettes over a 1-year period.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Prospective cohort data were collected from cigarette users at higher education institutions in the lower northern region of Thailand to analyze changes in FTND scores over a 1-year period. E-cigarette users and combined users were compared with conventional cigarette users. A marginal structural model (MSM) with an inverse probability of weighting (IPW) was used to adjust for time-dependent and time-independent confounders.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 133 participants, 58 were e-cigarette users (43.6%), 33 were combined cigarette users (24.8%), and 42 were conventional cigarette users (31.6%). The results revealed that when both time-dependent and time-independent confounders were adjusted using MSM with IPW, e-cigarette users had a 0.20 decrease in the mean FTND score, and combined users had a 0.47 decrease in the mean FTND score compared to conventional cigarette users. However, the difference was not statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The use of e-cigarettes or combined cigarettes did not significantly affect nicotine dependence levels in young adults over a 1-year period. Consequently, e-cigarettes should not be recommended to reduce nicotine dependence among young adult cigarette users. Further studies are required to determine whether e-cigarettes affect smoking cessation rates.</p>","PeriodicalId":17893,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Family Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"409-417"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12661193/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142622721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reconsidering peer-based interventions for loneliness: reflections on the feasibility and future directions of the Home Support Intervention Program.","authors":"Schawanya Kaewpitoon Rattanapitoon, Nav La, Nathkapach Kaewpitoon Rattanapitoon","doi":"10.4082/kjfm.25.0241","DOIUrl":"10.4082/kjfm.25.0241","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17893,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Family Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"461-462"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12661190/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145081245","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between use of combustible cigarettes and noncombustible nicotine or tobacco products and health-related quality of life in Korean men: a nationwide population-based study.","authors":"Chae-Won Baek, Joo-Hyun Park, Do-Hoon Kim, Hyun-Jin Kim, An-Na Lee, Jung-Hwa Shin, Sung-Kwon Cho, Hye-In Kim, Ye-Ram Choi","doi":"10.4082/kjfm.23.0179","DOIUrl":"10.4082/kjfm.23.0179","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Although the association between smoking and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been established, the effects of tobacco products, including combustible cigarettes (CCs) and non-combustible nicotine or tobacco products (NNTPs), on HRQoL remain unclear. This study examined the association between tobacco use and HRQoL in Korean men.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2013 and 2020 were analyzed. A total of 16,429 male participants aged ≥19 years completed the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D). Impaired HRQoL was defined as scoring in the lowest 20% of the EQ-5D index and having some or extreme problems in the following five domains of the EQ-5D: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/ discomfort, and anxiety/depression. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the risk of impaired HRQoL in current tobacco users.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Current tobacco users exhibited a significantly higher risk of impaired HRQoL compared with never users (odds ratio [OR], 1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.92). Compared to never users, current tobacco users reported more problems with mobility and pain/discomfort (all P<0.05). Moreover, compared with former tobacco users, current tobacco users had a higher risk of impaired HRQoL (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.18-2.17). Compared to former tobacco users, current tobacco users reported more problems with mobility and pain/discomfort (all P<0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Use of CCs and NNTPs is associated with impaired HRQoL in Korean men. Therefore, further interventions for lifestyle modification and smoking cessation treatments are required to reduce the risk of impaired HRQoL among current tobacco users.</p>","PeriodicalId":17893,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Family Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"359-368"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12463493/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142290297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between liver function markers and menstrual cycle irregularity in Korean female population.","authors":"Hye-In Kim, Joo-Hyun Park, Do-Hoon Kim, Hyun-Jin Kim, An-Na Lee, Jung-Hwa Shin, Chae-Won Baek, Min-Hae Lee","doi":"10.4082/kjfm.23.0181","DOIUrl":"10.4082/kjfm.23.0181","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The liver plays an important role in gonadal steroid hormone metabolism, which can affect reproductive health, including the menstrual cycle. However, evidence from large population-based studies is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between liver function markers and menstrual cycle irregularities in premenopausal Korean women using nationwide data.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study analyzed Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2011. We investigated 3,045 premenopausal women aged 19-59 years. Liver function markers including serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase, and fatty liver index were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between liver function markers and menstrual cycle irregularity while adjusting for confounding factors. Values were presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analysis was also performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Baseline characteristic analysis showed that approximately 14.4% of the study population experienced menstrual cycle irregularity. The mean age was 34.5±0.7 years. The highest quartile of serum ALT and AST levels showed significantly higher ORs for menstrual cycle irregularity (adjusted OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.26-2.64 and adjusted OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.17-2.39, respectively). A similar result was observed in the subgroup analysis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Liver function markers were positively associated with menstrual cycle irregularities. In clinical settings, women of reproductive age with relatively decreased liver function should be considered for regular followup of their reproductive health status.</p>","PeriodicalId":17893,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Family Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"307-315"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12463501/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142009025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Presence of anxiety or depression feelings and its associated risk factors among immigrants in Korea: a nationwide cross-sectional study.","authors":"Thi Thanh Lan Nguyen, Van Cuong Nguyen","doi":"10.4082/kjfm.23.0257","DOIUrl":"10.4082/kjfm.23.0257","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The influx of immigrants into Korea has increased in recent years, affecting Korean society and the healthcare system. This study analyzed the frequency of anxiety and depression in immigrants, which negatively affects their quality of life.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed data from a 2020 survey on the Health Rights of Migrants and the Improvement of the Medical Security System. Bivariate analyses and a multiple logistic regression model were used to identify the risk factors associated with the presence of anxiety or depression among immigrants.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We included 746 immigrants, 55.9% of whom were female. The overall rate of anxiety or depression was 31.77%, with 38.3% in females, which was significantly higher than the 26.62% in males. The frequency of anxiety and depression was also strongly associated with certain immigrant groups, including immigrants of African or Western Asian origin (over 64%); those with student visas (60.53%); those who self-reported poor health (52%), physical or mental disabilities (69.23%), or chronic diseases (58.43%); and those facing difficulties accessing medical services (59.47%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study showed the frequency of feelings of anxiety or depression and associated risk factors among immigrants. These findings may have implications for policymakers in reducing the likelihood of developing anxiety or depression in the future and improving the quality of life of immigrants in Korea.</p>","PeriodicalId":17893,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Family Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"349-358"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12463503/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142290298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}