Purpose: Gastric cancer (GC) is among the most prevalent and fatal cancers worldwide.National cancer screening programs in countries with high incidences of this disease provide medical aid beneficiaries with free-of-charge screening involving upper endoscopy to detect early-stage GC. However, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused major disruptions to routine healthcare access. Thus, this study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the diagnosis, overall incidence, and stage distribution of GC. Materials and Methods: We identified patients in our hospital cancer registry who were diagnosed with GC between January 2018 and December 2021 and compared the cancer stage at diagnosis before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to age and sex. The years 2018 and 2019 were defined as the “before COVID” period, and the years 2020 and 2021 as the “during COVID” period. Results: Overall, 10,875 patients were evaluated; 6,535 and 4,340 patients were diagnosed before and during the COVID-19 period, respectively. The number of diagnoses was lower during the COVID-19 pandemic (189 patients/month vs. 264 patients/month) than before it.Notably, the proportion of patients with stages 3 or 4 GC in 2021 was higher among men and patients aged ≥40 years. Conclusions During the COVID-19 pandemic, the overall number of GC diagnoses decreased significantly in a single institute. Moreover, GCs were in more advanced stages at the time of diagnosis. Further studies are required to elucidate the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and the delay in the detection of GC worldwide.

목적: 이 연구는 2019학년도 역학조사관 입문교육 과정에 참여한 29명의 수습과정생에게 참여형 자기주도 학습 역학조사관 연수 프로그램(FETP)의 효과와 만족도 등 역량 변화를 분석해 그 결과를 향후 과정 개발의 참고 자료로 활용하고자 하였다. 방법: 교육 프로그램의 만족도와 교육 후 모듈에 대한 역량 변화를 평가하는 연구가 수행되었다. 만족도와 역량의 차이 비교는 크루스칼 왈리스 검정(Kruskal-Wallis test)를 실시하였고, 역량의 차이는 윌콕슨 부호순위검정(Wilcoxon signed rank test)에 의해 이루어 졌다. 결과: 2019년 FETP에 참여한 역학조사관 중 여성은 48.3% 였으며, 40세 미만은 9.4% 였다. 역학조사관 입문교육과정 모듈(역학조사, 보건통계 및 정보통계, 감염병 국가 체계, 감염병 질환 감시 체계, 진단 및 실험실 검사, 생물 안전 및 관리, 주요 감염성질환 관리와 조사, 커뮤니케이션, 협동과 리더십, 일반과정)별 만족도는 실무적 도움, 전문성, 기능, 태도 등에서 4점(5점 만점)을 초과하였고, 전체 4.2±0.21(5점 만점)점으로 높은 수준이였다, 모듈의 교육훈련 전후 평균 점수는 2.25±0.91, 3.68±0.63점 등으로 유의한 향상이 있었으며, 모든 모듈 및 하위 주제들도 유의한 향상이 있었다(p<0.001). 그 중에서 현장역학조사 경험이 가장 높은 변화가 있었고, 표본 수집과 실무가 가장 낮은 역량 변화가 있었다. 결론: 2019년 진행된 입문교육 과정은 수료 후 학생들의 역량은 개선되었고, 만족도는 높은 편이었다. 참여형 자기주도학습의 촉진은 역량을 향상시킬 뿐만 아니라 보건 종사자들의 자신감을 높일 수 있었다.

Background: People are generally considered overweight and obese if their body mass index (BMI) is above 25 kg/m 2 and 30.0 kg/m 2 , respectively. The World Health Organization proposed stricter criteria for Asians (≥ 23 kg/m2 : overweight, ≥ 25 kg/m2 : obese). We aimed to verify whether this criteria could predict adverse pregnancy outcomes in Korean women. Methods: We included 7,547 Korean women from 12 institutions enrolled between June 2016 and October 2018. Women with no pre-pregnancy BMI data, not Korean, or lost to followup were excluded, leaving 6,331. The subjects were categorized into underweight, normal, overweight, class I obesity, and class II/III obesity based on a pre-pregnancy BMI of < 18.5, 18.5–22.9, 23.0–24.9, 25.0–29.9, and ≥ 30.0 kg/m2 , respectively. Results: Overall, 13.4%, 63.0%, 11.8%, 9.1%, and 2.6% of women were underweight, normal, and overweight and had class I obesity and class II/III obesity, respectively. In the multivariable analysis adjusted for maternal age, a higher BMI significantly increased the risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm delivery caused by maternal-fetal indications, cesarean section, large for gestational age, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Conclusion Adverse pregnancy outcomes started to increase in those with a pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 23.0 kg/m2 after adjusting for maternal age. The modified obesity criteria could help predict adverse pregnancy outcomes in Koreans.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of treatment in patients with non-bothering nocturia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective multicenter study, patients who visited hospitals for treatment of voiding symptoms were enrolled. Inclusion criteria were: 1) men >45 years, and 2) nocturia ≥2 confirmed by a three-day voiding diary. Subjects were divided into non-bothering and bothering groups based on International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Nocturia (ICIQ-N) question 2b. Changes in voiding symptoms, frequency of nocturia, and bothersomeness were evaluated with international prostate symptom score (IPSS), ICIQ-N, and three-day voiding diary at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients in the non-bothering nocturia group and 50 patients in the bothering nocturia group who completed the 12-week treatment were analyzed. The total IPSS was decreased by 5.8 in the non-bothering group and 5.2 in the bothering group. There was no significant difference in decrease of IPSS between the two groups. Both groups showed significant reduction in discomfort of nocturia. The ICIQ-N 2b score decreased from 3.9 to 2.7 (p=0.01) in the non-bothering group and from 6.9 to 4.6 (p=0.02) in the bothering group. The number of nocturia episodes was significantly decreased in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of discomfort associated with nocturia, both groups showed significant improvement in nocturia-related discomfort and voiding symptoms. These results suggest that patients with nocturia who were unaware of its discomfort benefited from treatment.
Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Male ; Nocturia* ; Observational Study* ; Prospective Studies* ; Prostate ; Prostatic Hyperplasia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Few studies have evaluated the effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on the prognosis of patients diagnosed with gastric cancer (GC) after curative surgery. We investigated the association between the H. pylori infection status and clinical outcome after surgery. METHODS: We assessed the H. pylori status of 314 patients who underwent curative resection for GC. The H. pylori status was examined using a rapid urease test 2 months after resection. Patients were followed for 10 years after surgery. RESULTS: An H. pylori infection was observed in 128 of 314 patients. The median follow-up period was 93.5 months. A Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with H. pylori had a higher cumulative survival rate than those who were negative for H. pylori. Patients with stage II cancer who tested negative for H. pylori were associated with a poor outcome. In a multivariate analysis, H. pylori-negative status was a significant independent prognostic factor for poor overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Having a negative H. pylori infection status seems to indicate poor prognosis for patients with GC who have undergone curative resection. Further prospective controlled studies are needed to evaluate the mechanism by which H. pylori affects GC patients after curative surgery in Korea.
Follow-Up Studies ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Korea ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Survival Rate ; Urease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the efficacy of combination therapy of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and steroid inhaler (SI), with or without botulinum toxin injection (BTX) for contact granuloma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fourteen contact granuloma patients were enrolled in this study. Combination therapy of PPI and SI were used for the first line treatment. When combination therapy was not effective, BTX was performed as the second method. Treatment results were recorded as responsible or non-responsible. Farwell grade, size, history of voice abuse, gender, and reflux finding score (RFS) were compared between responsible group and non-responsible group. RESULTS: Initial response rate was 28.6% after treatment of PPI and SI. BTX was performed on three un-responsible patients. After BTX injection, three patients had complete remission of granuloma. Final response rate was 50.0%. Un-responsible group had significantly higher RFS than responsible group. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of PPI and SI was limited for contact granuloma in this study. Botulium toxin injection was recommended in early phase when PPI and SI did not effective for contact granuloma. Prospective studies evaluating the effects of PPI and SI are warranted.
Botulinum Toxins ; Granuloma* ; Humans ; Methods ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers* ; Prospective Studies ; Proton Pumps* ; Protons* ; Vocal Cords ; Voice

OBJECTIVES: Previously the authors reported age-related changes in the activities of anti-oxidative enzyme activities and protein expressions in the tongues of rats. Because more information is required about relations between aging and oxidative stress and anti-oxidative enzyme efficiency, the authors investigated differences between the expression of master regulator of anti-oxidative enzymes (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 [Nrf2]), levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial structures in the tongues of young and aged Fischer 344 rats. METHODS: Age-dependent changes in Nrf2 protein and ROS were determined by Western blotting and using chemical kits, respectively. Tongue specimens were examined by electron microscopy. The study was conducted using rats aged 7 months (young, n=8) or 22 months (old, n=8). RESULTS: Nrf2 protein levels in the tongues of aged rats were lower than in young rats. ROS levels were higher in older rats and mitochondrial structural deficits were observed their tongues. Three young rats showed moderate mitochondrial degeneration, whereas profound degeneration with mitochondrial cristae disruption, swelling, rupture, or intramitochondrial vacuole formation was observed in all 8 old rats. Notably, mitochondrial rupture was observed in 5 old rats. CONCLUSION: Antioxidant defense systems of old rats were compromised by Nrf2 deficiency, which could lead to the deleterious accumulation and release of ROS and probably mitochondrial structural deficits in aged tongue tissues.
Aging ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Microscopy, Electron ; Mitochondria ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats* ; Reactive Oxygen Species* ; Rupture ; Tongue* ; Vacuoles

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Optimal electrical power required for diathermy during tonsillectomy has not been determined. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate and compare surgical outcomes of using diathermy power settings at 15 watts (W) and 25W for monopolar microdissection and bipolar hemostasis during tonsillectomy. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: This prospective, single-center, single-blind, randomized study was conducted on 92 patients who underwent 15W or 25W monopolar microdissection and bipolar hemostasis for tonsillectomy. Operation times, post-operative pain severities, and rates of hemorrhage were compared between the 15W and 25W groups. RESULTS: The 92 patients were randomized equally into two study groups. The mean operation duration for the 15W group was significantly longer than in the 25W group (18.5±6.11 versus 13.4±6.04 minutes, p<0.01). The rate of minimal hemorrhage (defined as an episode of bleeding not significant enough for hospital visitation) for the 15W group was significantly higher than for the 25W group (41.3% versus 20.5%, p<0.05). No significant intergroup difference was observed between the rates of primary or secondary hemorrhage or postoperative pain scores. CONCLUSION: Twenty-five watt monopolar microdissection and bipolar hemostasis for tonsillectomy had a shorter mean operation time and a lower post-operative minimal hemorrhage rate than 15W monopolar microdissection and bipolar hemostasis.
Diathermy* ; Hemorrhage ; Hemostasis* ; Humans ; Methods ; Microdissection* ; Operative Time ; Pain, Postoperative ; Pilot Projects ; Prospective Studies ; Tonsillectomy*

In this article, an protocol number error was found in the last paragraph of the introduction part, page 872.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Ureaplasma parvum among patients displaying symptoms of genitourinary infections and asymptomatic volunteers. METHODS: Genitourinary samples were collected from 897 participants (365 symptomatic patients and 532 asymptomatic volunteers). The samples were analyzed using multiplex real-time PCR (Anyplex™ II, Seegene, Korea), multiplex PCR (Seeplex®, Seegene), and Mycoplasma IST 2 Kit (bioMerieux, France). RESULTS: The prevalence of M. hominis, U. urealyticum, and U. parvum in the genitourinary samples of symptomatic patients compared with asymptomatic volunteers was 9.9% vs. 5.5%, 12.3% vs. 9.0%, and 36.4% vs. 30.8%, respectively. After eliminating cases of co-infections with other pathogens, there was a significant difference in the prevalence of M. hominis between symptomatic patients and asymptomatic volunteers (9.1% vs. 5.2%, P<0.05), but not in the prevalence of U. urealyticum and U. parvum organisms. When tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, more than 95.5% of each species were susceptible to tetracycline, doxycycline, josamycin, and pristamycin. More than 78.9% of Ureaplasma spp. were susceptible to azithromycin, erythromycin, and clarithromycin; however less than 4.2% of M. hominis were susceptible to these antibiotics. When tested with ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, 40.9-58.9% and 9.1-25.0% of the three species were susceptible to these drugs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: M. hominis is the leading causative pathogen for genitourinary infection; however the involvement of Ureaplasma spp. is debatable. For optimal antimicrobial therapy, the accurate detection of these organisms and determination of antimicrobial susceptibility is crucial considering their diverse antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Azithromycin ; Ciprofloxacin ; Clarithromycin ; Coinfection ; Doxycycline ; Erythromycin ; Humans ; Josamycin ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Mycoplasma hominis* ; Mycoplasma* ; Ofloxacin ; Prevalence* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tetracycline ; Ureaplasma urealyticum* ; Ureaplasma* ; Volunteers