1.Radiofrequency Ablation for Recurrent Thyroid Cancers:2025 Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology Guideline
Eun Ju HA ; Min Kyoung LEE ; Jung Hwan BAEK ; Hyun Kyung LIM ; Hye Shin AHN ; Seon Mi BAEK ; Yoon Jung CHOI ; Sae Rom CHUNG ; Ji-hoon KIM ; Jae Ho SHIN ; Ji Ye LEE ; Min Ji HONG ; Hyun Jin KIM ; Leehi JOO ; Soo Yeon HAHN ; So Lyung JUNG ; Chang Yoon LEE ; Jeong Hyun LEE ; Young Hen LEE ; Jeong Seon PARK ; Jung Hee SHIN ; Jin Yong SUNG ; Miyoung CHOI ; Dong Gyu NA ;
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(1):10-28
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality used as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules, recurrent thyroid cancers (RTCs), and primary thyroid microcarcinomas. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) initially developed recommendations for the optimal use of RFA for thyroid tumors in 2009 and revised them in 2012 and 2017. As new meaningful evidence has accumulated since 2017 and in response to a growing global interest in the use of RFA for treating malignant thyroid lesions, the task force committee members of the KSThR decided to update the guidelines on the use of RFA for the management of RTCs based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature and expert consensus.
2.Factors influencing satisfaction with medical services in medically underserved populations: an analytical cross-sectional study at a free medical clinic in the Republic of Korea
Joo Hyun KIM ; Yeon Jeong HEO ; Jae Bok KWAK ; Samil PARK ; Curie AHN ; So Hee AHN ; Bumjo OH ; Jung Sik LEE ; Jun Hyun LEE ; Ho Young LEE
Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives 2025;16(2):181-191
Objectives:
This study aimed to explore factors influencing satisfaction with medical services among medically underserved populations at the free medical clinic, providing data to improve free medical services for these populations.
Methods:
We employed a descriptive correlational study design involving 112 individuals (aged 19 years and older) from medically underserved populations who visited the clinic. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys from September to October 2023, and statistical analyses (t-tests, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression) were used to identify key predictors of satisfaction.
Results:
Perceived support from healthcare providers emerged as the strongest predictor ofsatisfaction with medical services, demonstrating a significant positive association. While socialsupport was positively correlated with perceived support from healthcare providers, it did not independently predict satisfaction.
Conclusion
These findings underscore the importance of healthcare provider and social supportin increasing satisfaction with medical services among medically underserved populations.Developing tailored healthcare programs and specialized healthcare provider training are essential strategies to improve healthcare access and outcomes for these vulnerable groups.
3.Environmental disease monitoring by regional Environmental Health Centers in Korea: a narrative review
Myung-Sook PARK ; Hwan-Cheol KIM ; Woo Jin KIM ; Yun-Chul HONG ; Won-Jun CHOI ; Seock-Yeon HWANG ; Jiho LEE ; Young-Seoub HONG ; Yong-Dae KIM ; Seong-Chul HONG ; Joo Hyun SUNG ; Inchul JEONG ; Kwan LEE ; Won-Ju PARK ; Hyun-Joo BAE ; Seong-Yong YOON ; Cheolmin LEE ; Kyoung Sook JEONG ; Sanghyuk BAE ; Jinhee CHOI ; Ho-Hyun KIM
The Ewha Medical Journal 2025;48(1):e3-
This study explores the development, roles, and key initiatives of the Regional Environmental Health Centers in Korea, detailing their evolution through four distinct phases and their impact on environmental health policy and local governance. It chronicles the establishment and transformation of these centers from their inception in May 2007, through four developmental stages. Originally named Environmental Disease Research Centers, they were subsequently renamed Environmental Health Centers following legislative changes. The analysis includes the expansion in the number of centers, the transfer of responsibilities to local governments, and the launch of significant projects such as the Korean Children’s Environmental Health Study (Ko-CHENS ). During the initial phase (May 2007–February 2009), the 10 centers concentrated on research-driven activities, shifting from a media-centered to a receptor-centered approach. In the second phase, prompted by the enactment of the Environmental Health Act, six additional centers were established, broadening their scope to address national environmental health issues. The third phase introduced Ko-CHENS, a 20-year national cohort project designed to influence environmental health policy by integrating research findings into policy frameworks. The fourth phase marked a decentralization of authority, empowering local governments and redefining the centers' roles to focus on regional environmental health challenges. The Regional Environmental Health Centers have significantly evolved and now play a crucial role in addressing local environmental health issues and supporting local government policies. Their capacity to adapt and respond to region-specific challenges is essential for the effective implementation of environmental health policies, reflecting geographical, socioeconomic, and demographic differences.
4.Literature review of non-pharmacological treatment for patients with axial spondyloarthritis
Jina YEO ; Mi Ryoung SEO ; Jun Won PARK ; Yeon-Ah LEE ; Ju Ho LEE ; Eun Ha KANG ; Seon Mi JI ; Han Joo BAEK
The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine 2025;40(1):40-48
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the sacroiliac joints and axial spine. Along with pharmacotherapy, non-pharmacological interventions for axSpA are crucial and constitute the cornerstone of treatment. Here, we review the evidence for non-pharmacological treatment of axSpA as a basis for the 2023 Korean treatment recommendations for patients with axSpA. The effectiveness of the core non-pharmacological approaches, such as education, smoking cessation, and exercise, has been reaffirmed. High-quality research on surgical treatment is limited. However, total hip replacement is advised in patients with ongoing pain or disability and visible structural damage to the hip on imaging. Urgent spinal intervention should be considered in cases of acute spinal pain with neurological deficiency or concurrent unstable fractures. Evidence for complementary therapies, including spas and acupuncture, remains insufficient.
5.High-Dose Rifampicin for 3 Months after Culture Conversion for Drug-Susceptible Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Nakwon KWAK ; Joong-Yub KIM ; Hyung-Jun KIM ; Byoung-Soo KWON ; Jae Ho LEE ; Jeongha MOK ; Yong-Soo KWON ; Young Ae KANG ; Youngmok PARK ; Ji Yeon LEE ; Doosoo JEON ; Jung-Kyu LEE ; Jeong Seong YANG ; Jake WHANG ; Kyung Jong KIM ; Young Ran KIM ; Minkyoung CHEON ; Jiwon PARK ; Seokyung HAHN ; Jae-Joon YIM
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2025;88(1):170-180
Background:
This study aimed to determine whether a shorter high-dose rifampicin regimen is non-inferior to the standard 6-month tuberculosis regimen.
Methods:
This multicenter, randomized, open-label, non-inferiority trial enrolled participants with respiratory specimen positivity by Xpert MTB/RIF assay or Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture without rifampicin-resistance. Participants were randomized at 1:1 to the investigational or control group. The investigational group received high-dose rifampicin (30 mg/kg/day), isoniazid, and pyrazinamide until culture conversion, followed by high-dose rifampicin and isoniazid for 12 weeks. The control group received the standard 6-month regimen. The primary outcome was the rate of unfavorable outcomes at 18 months post-randomization. The non-inferiority margin was set at <6% difference in unfavorable outcomes rates. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04485156)
Results:
Between 4 November 2020 and 3 January 2022, 76 participants were enrolled. Of these, 58 were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis. Unfavorable outcomes occurred in 10 (31.3%) of 32 in the control group and 10 (38.5%) of 26 in the investigational group. The difference was 7.2% (95% confidence interval, ∞ to 31.9%), failing to prove non-inferiority. Serious adverse events and grade 3 or higher adverse events did not differ between the groups.
Conclusion
The shorter high-dose rifampicin regimen failed to demonstrate non-inferiority but had an acceptable safety profile.
6.Combination of Aβ40, Aβ42, and Tau Plasma Levels to Distinguish Amyloid-PET Positive Alzheimer Patients from Normal Controls
Seungyeop BAEK ; Jinny Claire LEE ; Byung Hyun BYUN ; Su Yeon PARK ; Jeong Ho HA ; Kyo Chul LEE ; Seung-Hoon YANG ; Jun-Seok LEE ; Seungpyo HONG ; Gyoonhee HAN ; Sang Moo LIM ; YoungSoo KIM ; Hye Yun KIM
Experimental Neurobiology 2025;34(1):1-8
Alzheimer disease (AD) diagnosis is confirmed using a medley of modalities, such as the detection of amyloid-β (Aβ) neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles with positron electron tomography (PET) or the appraisal of irregularities in cognitive function with examinations. Although these methods have been efficient in confirming AD pathology, the rising demand for earlier intervention during pathogenesis has led researchers to explore the diagnostic potential of fluid biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma. Since CSF sample collection is invasive and limited in quantity, biomarker detection in plasma has become more attractive and modern advancements in technology has permitted more efficient and accurate analysis of plasma biomolecules. In this study, we found that a composite of standard factors, Aβ40 and total tau levels in plasma, divided by the variation factor, plasma Aβ42 level, provide better correlation with amyloid neuroimaging and neuropsychological test results than a level comparison between total tau and Aβ42 in plasma. We collected EDTA-treated blood plasma samples of 53 subjects, of randomly selected 27 AD patients and 26 normal cognition (NC) individuals, who received amyloid-PET scans for plaque quantification, and measured plasma levels of Aβ40, Aβ42, and total tau with digital enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a blinded manner. There was difficulty distinguishing AD patients from controls when analyzing biomarkers independently. However, significant differentiation was observed between the two groups when comparing individual ratios of total-tau×Aβ40/Aβ42. Our results indicate that collectively comparing fluctuations of these fluid biomarkers could aid in monitoring AD pathogenesis.
7.Initial arterial pH predicts survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in South Korea
Daun JEONG ; Sang Do SHIN ; Tae Gun SHIN ; Gun Tak LEE ; Jong Eun PARK ; Sung Yeon HWANG ; Jin-Ho CHOI
Acute and Critical Care 2025;40(3):444-451
Arterial pH reflects both metabolic and respiratory distress in cardiac arrest and has prognostic implications. However, it was excluded from the 2024 update of the Utstein out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) registry template. We investigated the rationale for including arterial pH into models predicting clinical outcomes. Methods: Data were sourced from the Korean Cardiac Arrest Research Consortium, a nationwide OHCA registry (NCT03222999). Prediction models were constructed using logistic regression, random forest, and eXtreme Gradient Boosting frameworks. Each framework included three model types: pH, low-flow time, and combined models. Then the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of each predicting model was compared. The primary outcome was 30- day death or neurologically unfavorable status (cerebral performance category ≥3). Results: Among the 15,765 patients analyzed, 92.2% experienced death or unfavorable neurological outcomes. The predicting performance of the models including pH (AUROC, 0.92–0.94) were comparable to the models including low-flow time in all frameworks (0.93–0.94) (all P>0.05). Inclusion of pH into low-flow time models consistently showed higher AUROCs than individual models in all frameworks (AUROC, 0.93–0.95; all P<0.05). Conclusions: The predicting performance of models including arterial pH was comparable to models including low-flow time, and addition of arterial pH into low-flow time models could increase the performance of the models. Key Words: blood pH; hydrogen-ion con
8.Resident and nurse attitudes toward a rapid response team in a tertiary hospital in South Korea
Sung Yoon LIM ; Ho Geol WOO ; Jong Sun PARK ; Young-Jae CHO ; Jae Ho LEE ; Yeon Joo LEE
Acute and Critical Care 2025;40(1):29-37
Background:
Residents and nurses who activate rapid response teams (RRTs) are well positioned to offer insights on its effectiveness. Here, we assess such evaluation of RRTs and identify barriers to activation in a 1,400-bed teaching hospital.
Methods:
We conducted a 24-item Likert-scale survey from January to May 2017 among residents and ward nurses with RRT experience. Factor analysis was used to identify the barriers.
Results:
This study comprised 305 nurses and 53 residents, most of whom were satisfied with their RRT experiences. Factor analysis showed that lack of awareness of activation criteria was a major barrier, with only 21.4% and 22.2% participants, respectively, confident about their knowledge of activation protocols. Of the survey respondents, 85.7% reported first contacting the doctor before activating the RRT. Despite the protocol, 66.7% first discussed the decision with other staff, and 71.5% called the RRT when the patient’s condition worsened despite management.
Conclusions
Nurses and residents value RRTs but face barriers in initiation, primarily due to a lack of confidence in applying the activation criteria. Many prefer to consult a doctor or manage the patient before calling the RRT.
9.Primary Cutaneous CD30+ Lymphoproliferative Disorders in South Korea: A Nationwide, Multi-Center, Retrospective, Clinical, and Prognostic Study
Woo Jin LEE ; Sook Jung YUN ; Joon Min JUNG ; Joo Yeon KO ; Kwang Ho KIM ; Dong Hyun KIM ; Myung Hwa KIM ; You Chan KIM ; Jung Eun KIM ; Chan-Ho NA ; Je-Ho MUN ; Jong Bin PARK ; Ji-Hye PARK ; Hai-Jin PARK ; Dong Hoon SHIN ; Jeonghyun SHIN ; Sang Ho OH ; Seok-Kweon YUN ; Dongyoun LEE ; Seok-Jong LEE ; Seung Ho LEE ; Young Bok LEE ; Soyun CHO ; Sooyeon CHOI ; Jae Eun CHOI ; Mi Woo LEE ; On behalf of The Korean Society of Dermatopathology
Annals of Dermatology 2025;37(2):75-85
Background:
Primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders (pcCD30-LPDs) are a diseases with various clinical and prognostic characteristics.
Objective:
Increasing our knowledge of the clinical characteristics of pcCD30-LPDs and identifying potential prognostic variables in an Asian population.
Methods:
Clinicopathological features and survival data of pcCD30-LPD cases obtained from 22 hospitals in South Korea were examined.
Results:
A total of 413 cases of pcCD30-LPDs (lymphomatoid papulosis [LYP], n=237; primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma [C-ALCL], n=176) were included. Ninety percent of LYP patients and roughly 50% of C-ALCL patients presented with multiple skin lesions. Both LYP and C-ALCL affected the lower limbs most frequently. Multiplicity and advanced T stage of LYP lesions were associated with a chronic course longer than 6 months. Clinical morphology with patch lesions and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase were significantly associated with LPDs during follow-up in LYP patients. Extracutaneous involvement of C-ALCL occurred in 13.2% of patients. Lesions larger than 5 cm and increased serum lactate dehydrogenase were associated with a poor prognosis in C-ALCL. The survival of patients with C-ALCL was unaffected by the anatomical locations of skin lesions or other pathological factors.
Conclusion
The multiplicity or size of skin lesions was associated with a chronic course of LYP and survival among patients with C-ALCL.
10.2023 Consensus Korean Diagnostic Criteria for Atopic Dermatitis
Ji Hyun LEE ; Sul Hee LEE ; Youin BAE ; Young Bok LEE ; Yong Hyun JANG ; Jiyoung AHN ; Joo Yeon KO ; Hyun-Chang KO ; Hye One KIM ; Chan Ho NA ; Young-Joon SEO ; Min Kyung SHIN ; Yu Ri WOO ; Bark Lyn LEW ; Dong Hun LEE ; Sang Eun LEE ; Jiehyun JEON ; Sun Young CHOI ; Tae Young HAN ; Yang Won LEE ; Sang Wook SON ; Young Lip PARK
Annals of Dermatology 2025;37(1):12-21
Background:
In 2006, the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) working group released the diagnostic criteria for Korean atopic dermatitis (AD). Recently, more simplified, and practical AD diagnostic criteria have been proposed. Objective: Based on updated criteria and experience, we studied to develop and share a consensus on diagnostic criteria for AD in Koreans.
Materials and Methods:
For the diagnostic criteria, a questionnaire was constructed by searching the English-language literature in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. A modified Delphi method composed of 3 rounds of email questionnaires was adopted for the consensus process. Fifty-four KADA council members participated in the 3 rounds of votes and expert consensus recommendations were established.
Results:
Diagnostic criteria for AD include pruritus, eczema with age-specific pattern, and chronic or relapsing history. Diagnostic aids for AD encompass xerosis, immunoglobulin E reactivity, hand–foot eczema, periorbital changes, periauricular changes, perioral changes, nipple eczema, perifollicular accentuation, and personal or family history of atopy.
Conclusion
This study streamlined and updated the diagnostic criteria for AD in Korea, making them more practicable for use in real-world clinical field.

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