Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of digital health interventions on the psychotic symptoms among people with severe mental illness in the community. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the Cochrane Intervention Research Systematic Review Manual and PRISMA. A literature search was conducted of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for digital health interventions from January 2022 to April 2022. RevMan software 5.3 was used for quality assessment and meta-analysis. Results: A total 14 studies out of 9,864 studies were included in the review, and 13 were included in meta-analysis. The overall effect size of digital health interventions on psychotic symptoms was - 0.21 (95% CI = - 0.32 to - 0.10). Sub-analysis showed that the reduction of the psychotic symptoms was effective in the schizophrenia spectrum group (SMD = - 0.22; 95% CI = - 0.36 to - 0.09), web (SMD = - 0.41; 95% CI = - 0.82 to 0.01), virtual reality (SMD = - 0.33; 95% CI = - 0.56 to - 0.10), mobile (SMD = - 0.15; 95% CI = - 0.28 to - 0.03), intervention period of less than 3 months (SMD = - 0.23; 95% CI = - 0.35 to - 0.11), and non-treatment group (SMD = - 0.23; 95% CI = - 0.36 to - 0.11). Conclusion These findings suggest that digital health interventions alleviate psychotic symptoms in patients with severe mental illnesses. However, well-designed digital health studies should be conducted in the future.

Background: Needle insertion for spinal anesthesia using the Taylor approach is challenging as the L5-S1 space is difficult to locate from the surface anatomy. In this study, we suggest the use of three-dimensional (3D) pelvis computed tomography (CT) to assist anesthesiologists in locating the needle insertion point. By comparing the success rate of 3D pelvis CT-assisted Taylor approach to that of other approaches in the existing literatures, we suggest this technique as an alternative method for subarachnoid block in the L5-S1 space. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we reviewed the records of hip arthroplasty using the 3D pelvis CT-assisted Taylor approach. An imaginary guidance line was created from the intersection point of the midline and intercristal line on the posterior view of the 3D pelvis CT to the ideal skin insertion point for Taylor approach. The primary outcome was the success rate. The secondary outcomes included the angle between the intercristal line and the guidance line, and the length of the guidance line and the distance between the ideal needle insertion point and the L5-S1 space. Results: We reviewed the records of the 276 patients who underwent hip arthroplasty using 3D CT-assisted Taylor approach. In this cohort, the 3D CT-assisted Taylor approach in L5-S1 subarachnoid block failed in only 25/276 patients. The success rate of 3D CT-assisted Taylor approach was 90.9%. Conclusions A 3D pelvis CT-assisted Taylor approach of spinal anesthesia can be an alternative method for subarachnoid block in the L5-S1 space with an acceptable success rate.

We experienced a case of pathologic aerophagia in a 10-year-old girl who has mental retardation. It was observed that the abdomen was non-distended in the morning and became maximally distended in the evening. Increased passage of flatus, but normal eructation, was noted. Roentgenographic examination showed 'esophageal air sign', abnormal air shadow on proximal esophagus adjacent to the trachea, in simple chest X-ray and visible air swallowing fluoroscopically. We tried a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) to decompress swallowed air in stomach. We suggest that placement of a PEG catheter in early life, especially in mentally retarded patients, that can be used as desufflator, can prevent the complications of aerophagia. 'Esophageal air sign' may be very helpful for early detection of pathologic aerophagia.
Abdomen ; Aerophagy ; Catheters ; Child ; Eructation ; Esophagus ; Female ; Flatulence ; Gastrostomy* ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability* ; Mentally Disabled Persons ; Stomach ; Thorax ; Trachea

Objective: This study aimed to investigate trends in the rate of cesarean sections (CSs) in South Korea from 2006 to 2015 and identify the risk factors associated with these changes. Methods: Using the National Health Insurance Corporation dataset, all women who gave birth between 2006 and 2015 were included in the study. We investigated 1) the mode of delivery, 2) the complication rates during pregnancy (i.e., preeclampsia and placenta previa), and 3) pre-pregnancy factors (body mass index, hypertension [HTN], diabetes mellitus [DM], and other pre-existing medical conditions), and their trends during the study period. Results: Over 10 years, the rate of CS increased from 36.3% in 2006 to 40.6% in 2015 (P<0.01). The rate of CS increased in primiparous women, women with multiple pregnancy, and women with preeclampsia. Maternal age and the incidence of placenta previa also increased. In contrast, the rate of vacuum deliveries and vaginal birth after CS decreased during the study period. The rate of women with pre-pregnancy obesity and DM increased, but the rate of women with pre-pregnancy HTN decreased. Conclusion The rate of CS in South Korea increased from 2006 to 2015. This trend may reflect changes in the rate of different risk factors. Identifying the causes of the increasing CS trend observed in this study will allow clinicians to monitor these factors and possibly reduce the rate of CS.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate trends in the rate of cesarean sections (CSs) in South Korea from 2006 to 2015 and identify the risk factors associated with these changes. Methods: Using the National Health Insurance Corporation dataset, all women who gave birth between 2006 and 2015 were included in the study. We investigated 1) the mode of delivery, 2) the complication rates during pregnancy (i.e., preeclampsia and placenta previa), and 3) pre-pregnancy factors (body mass index, hypertension [HTN], diabetes mellitus [DM], and other pre-existing medical conditions), and their trends during the study period. Results: Over 10 years, the rate of CS increased from 36.3% in 2006 to 40.6% in 2015 (P<0.01). The rate of CS increased in primiparous women, women with multiple pregnancy, and women with preeclampsia. Maternal age and the incidence of placenta previa also increased. In contrast, the rate of vacuum deliveries and vaginal birth after CS decreased during the study period. The rate of women with pre-pregnancy obesity and DM increased, but the rate of women with pre-pregnancy HTN decreased. Conclusion The rate of CS in South Korea increased from 2006 to 2015. This trend may reflect changes in the rate of different risk factors. Identifying the causes of the increasing CS trend observed in this study will allow clinicians to monitor these factors and possibly reduce the rate of CS.

Background: and PurposeThis study was designed to determine the prevalence, pattern, lesion location, and etiology of dissociation in the results of the bithermal caloric test and the horizontal video head impulse test (vHIT) in dizzy patients with various etiologies and disease durations. Methods: We analyzed the results of bithermal caloric tests and vHITs performed over 26 months in 893 consecutive patients who underwent both tests within a 10-day period. Results: Dissociation in the results of the two tests was found in 162 (18.1%) patients. Among them, 123 (75.9%) had abnormal caloric tests (unilateral paresis in 118 and bilateral paresis in 5) but normal vHITs. Peripheral lesions were identified in 105 (85.4%) of these patients, with the main underlying diseases being Meniere's disease (62/105, 59%) and vestibular neuritis/labyrinthitis (29/105, 27.6%). In contrast, central pathologies of diverse etiologies were found only in 18 (14.6%) patients. Abnormal vHIT (bilaterally positive in 18, unilaterally positive in 19, and hyperactive in 2) and normal caloric responses were found in 39 patients, with an equal prevalence of central (n=19) and peripheral (n=20) lesions. The peripheral lesions included vestibular neuritis/labyrinthitis in seven patients and Meniere's disease in another seven. The central lesions had diverse etiologies. Conclusions Dissociation in the results between caloric tests and horizontal vHITs is not uncommon. The present patients with abnormal caloric tests and normal vHITs mostly had peripheral lesions, while central lesions were likely to underlie those with abnormal vHITs and normal caloric tests.

Objective: The air pollution on pregnancy outcome (APPO) study is a prospective hospital-based cohort study designed to investigate the maternal and fetal effects of a particulate matter with an aerodynamic below 10 μm (PM10) and PM2.5 (below 2.5 μm) exposure. This study aims to analyze a relationship between particulate matter and adverse pregnancy outcomes and to find related biomarkers and develop management guidelines. Methods: About 1,200 pregnant women are recruited for 3 years (from January 2021 to December 2023) from seven university hospitals to investigate the effects of particulate matter on pregnancy complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes. We collect biological samples by 5 mL of maternal venous blood and 15 mL of urine in each trimester of pregnancy, and 5 mL of umbilical cord blood and 2×2×2 cm of placental tissue are collected after delivery. In addition, by applying PM10 and PM2.5 concentration values and time-activity patterns from the time weighted average model, the individual predicted exposure of air pollution for the pregnant women are obtained. Results: The average exposure of PM10 and PM2.5 of the participants in the entire period of pregnancy, was exceeded the World Health Organization air quality guidelines (an annual level, PM10 >15 μg/m3, PM2.5 >5 μg/m3). Moreover, it was revealed that the PM concentration was increasing toward the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Conclusion The APPO study will be able to identify the degree of exposure to air pollution in pregnant women and use it as basic data for estimating individual exposure to particulate matter. And the results of the APPO study will facilitate in the development of health management for pregnant women against air pollution.