Background/Aims: Findings on the impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication on metabolic parameters are inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of H. pylori eradication on metabolic parameters and body composition, including body fat mass and skeletal muscle mass. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of asymptomatic patients who underwent health screenings, including bioelectrical impedance analysis, before and after H. pylori eradication between 2005 and 2021. After matching individuals based on key factors, we compared lipid profiles, metabolic parameters, and body composition between 823 patients from the eradicated group and 823 patients from the non-eradicated groups. Results: Blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and glycated hemoglobin values were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in the non-eradicated group. However, changes in body mass index (BMI), body fat mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), waist circumference, and lipid profiles were not significantly different between the two groups. In a subgroup analysis of individuals aged >45 years, blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and glycated hemoglobin changes were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in the noneradicated group. BMI values were significantly higher in the eradicated group than in the noneradicated group; however, no significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding changes in body weight, body fat mass, ASM, or waist circumference. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in non-eradicated group. Conclusions H. pylori eradication significantly reduced blood pressure, glucose levels, and systemic inflammation and improved lipid profiles in patients aged >45 years. BMI, body fat mass, ASM, and waist circumference did not significantly differ between patients in the eradicated group and those in the non-eradicated group.

Background/Aims: Findings on the impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication on metabolic parameters are inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of H. pylori eradication on metabolic parameters and body composition, including body fat mass and skeletal muscle mass. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of asymptomatic patients who underwent health screenings, including bioelectrical impedance analysis, before and after H. pylori eradication between 2005 and 2021. After matching individuals based on key factors, we compared lipid profiles, metabolic parameters, and body composition between 823 patients from the eradicated group and 823 patients from the non-eradicated groups. Results: Blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and glycated hemoglobin values were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in the non-eradicated group. However, changes in body mass index (BMI), body fat mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), waist circumference, and lipid profiles were not significantly different between the two groups. In a subgroup analysis of individuals aged >45 years, blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and glycated hemoglobin changes were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in the noneradicated group. BMI values were significantly higher in the eradicated group than in the noneradicated group; however, no significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding changes in body weight, body fat mass, ASM, or waist circumference. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in non-eradicated group. Conclusions H. pylori eradication significantly reduced blood pressure, glucose levels, and systemic inflammation and improved lipid profiles in patients aged >45 years. BMI, body fat mass, ASM, and waist circumference did not significantly differ between patients in the eradicated group and those in the non-eradicated group.

Background/Aims: Findings on the impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication on metabolic parameters are inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of H. pylori eradication on metabolic parameters and body composition, including body fat mass and skeletal muscle mass. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of asymptomatic patients who underwent health screenings, including bioelectrical impedance analysis, before and after H. pylori eradication between 2005 and 2021. After matching individuals based on key factors, we compared lipid profiles, metabolic parameters, and body composition between 823 patients from the eradicated group and 823 patients from the non-eradicated groups. Results: Blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and glycated hemoglobin values were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in the non-eradicated group. However, changes in body mass index (BMI), body fat mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), waist circumference, and lipid profiles were not significantly different between the two groups. In a subgroup analysis of individuals aged >45 years, blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and glycated hemoglobin changes were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in the noneradicated group. BMI values were significantly higher in the eradicated group than in the noneradicated group; however, no significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding changes in body weight, body fat mass, ASM, or waist circumference. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in non-eradicated group. Conclusions H. pylori eradication significantly reduced blood pressure, glucose levels, and systemic inflammation and improved lipid profiles in patients aged >45 years. BMI, body fat mass, ASM, and waist circumference did not significantly differ between patients in the eradicated group and those in the non-eradicated group.

Background/Aims: Findings on the impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication on metabolic parameters are inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of H. pylori eradication on metabolic parameters and body composition, including body fat mass and skeletal muscle mass. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of asymptomatic patients who underwent health screenings, including bioelectrical impedance analysis, before and after H. pylori eradication between 2005 and 2021. After matching individuals based on key factors, we compared lipid profiles, metabolic parameters, and body composition between 823 patients from the eradicated group and 823 patients from the non-eradicated groups. Results: Blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and glycated hemoglobin values were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in the non-eradicated group. However, changes in body mass index (BMI), body fat mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), waist circumference, and lipid profiles were not significantly different between the two groups. In a subgroup analysis of individuals aged >45 years, blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and glycated hemoglobin changes were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in the noneradicated group. BMI values were significantly higher in the eradicated group than in the noneradicated group; however, no significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding changes in body weight, body fat mass, ASM, or waist circumference. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in non-eradicated group. Conclusions H. pylori eradication significantly reduced blood pressure, glucose levels, and systemic inflammation and improved lipid profiles in patients aged >45 years. BMI, body fat mass, ASM, and waist circumference did not significantly differ between patients in the eradicated group and those in the non-eradicated group.

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify factors influencing grit among nursing students. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in September 2023 involving 135 nursing students from a college in J City, South Korea. The survey included measures of positive psychological capital, mindset, and grit. At the same time, stress, as part of the general characteristics, was evaluated through the power values of high beta waves in brain waves. Statistical analyses included t-tests, analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. Results: Positive correlations were found between positive psychological capital, mindset, and grit in nursing students. Volunteer experience and positive psychological capital were identified as significant factors influencing grit. Conclusion To enhance grit among nursing students, it is essential to encourage participation in volunteer activities at the societal, educational, and familial levels, in conjunction with interventions to strengthen positive psychological capital.

Background/Aims: To investigate whether non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in individuals without generalized obesity is associated with visceral fat obesity (VFO), sarcopenia, and/or myosteatosis. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included 14,400 individuals (7,470 men) who underwent abdominal computed tomography scans during routine health examinations. The total abdominal muscle area (TAMA) and skeletal muscle area (SMA) at the 3rd lumbar vertebral level were measured. The SMA was divided into the normal attenuation muscle area (NAMA) and low attenuation muscle area, and the NAMA/TAMA index was calculated. VFO was defined by visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio, sarcopenia by body mass index-adjusted SMA, and myosteatosis by the NAMA/TAMA index. NAFLD was diagnosed with ultrasonography. Results: Of the 14,400 individuals, 4,748 (33.0%) had NAFLD, and the prevalence of NAFLD among non-obese individuals was 21.4%. In regression analysis, both sarcopenia (men: odds ratio [OR] 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19–1.67, P<0.001; women: OR=1.59, 95% CI 1.40–1.90, P<0.001) and myosteatosis (men: OR=1.24, 95% CI 1.02–1.50, P=0,028; women: OR=1.23, 95% CI 1.04–1.46, P=0.017) were significantly associated with non-obese NAFLD after considering for VFO and other various risk factors, whereas VFO (men: OR=3.97, 95% CI 3.43–4.59 [adjusted for sarcopenia], OR 3.98, 95% CI 3.44–4.60 [adjusted for myosteatosis]; women: OR=5.42, 95% CI 4.53–6.42 [adjusted for sarcopenia], OR=5.33, 95% CI 4.51–6.31 [adjusted for myosteatosis]; all P<0.001) was strongly associated with non-obese NAFLD after adjustment with various known risk factors. Conclusions In addition to VFO, sarcopenia and/or myosteatosis were significantly associated with non-obese NAFLD.

Osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures cause socioeconomic concerns, and medical system and policies appear insufficient to prepare for these issues in Korea, where the older adult population is rapidly increasing. Many countries around the world are already responding to osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures by adopting fracture liaison service (FLS), and such an attempt has only begun in Korea. In this article, we introduce the operation methods for institutions implementing FLS and characteristics of services, and activities of the FLS Committee for FLS implementation in the Korean Society for Bone and Mineral Research. In addition, we hope that the current position statement will contribute to the implementation of FLS in Korea and impel policy changes to enable a multidisciplinary and integrated FLS operated under the medical system.

Objective: To develop a deep-learning-based bone age prediction model optimized for Korean children and adolescents and evaluate its feasibility by comparing it with a Greulich-Pyle-based deep-learning model. Materials and Methods: A convolutional neural network was trained to predict age according to the bone development shown on a hand radiograph (bone age) using 21036 hand radiographs of Korean children and adolescents without known bone development-affecting diseases/conditions obtained between 1998 and 2019 (median age [interquartile range {IQR}], 9 [7–12] years; male:female, 11794:9242) and their chronological ages as labels (Korean model). We constructed 2 separate external datasets consisting of Korean children and adolescents with healthy bone development (Institution 1: n = 343;median age [IQR], 10 [4–15] years; male: female, 183:160; Institution 2: n = 321; median age [IQR], 9 [5–14] years; male:female, 164:157) to test the model performance. The mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and proportions of bone age predictions within 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of the reference age (chronological age) were compared between the Korean model and a commercial model (VUNO Med-BoneAge version 1.1; VUNO) trained with Greulich-Pyle-based age as the label (GP-based model). Results: Compared with the GP-based model, the Korean model showed a lower RMSE (11.2 vs. 13.8 months; P = 0.004) and MAE (8.2 vs. 10.5 months; P = 0.002), a higher proportion of bone age predictions within 18 months of chronological age (88.3% vs. 82.2%; P = 0.031) for Institution 1, and a lower MAE (9.5 vs. 11.0 months; P = 0.022) and higher proportion of bone age predictions within 6 months (44.5% vs. 36.4%; P = 0.044) for Institution 2. Conclusion The Korean model trained using the chronological ages of Korean children and adolescents without known bone development-affecting diseases/conditions as labels performed better in bone age assessment than the GP-based model in the Korean pediatric population. Further validation is required to confirm its accuracy.

Background: This study aimed to determine the optimal cut-off values of visceral fat area (VFA) and visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio (VSR) for predicting incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A total of 10,882 individuals (6,835 men; 4,047 women) free of T2DM at baseline aged between 30 and 79 years who underwent abdominal computed tomography scan between 2012 and 2013 as a part of routine health check-ups were included and followed. VFA, subcutaneous fat area, and VSR on L3 vertebral level were measured at baseline. Results: During a median follow-up of 4.8 years, 730 (8.1% for men; 4.3% for women) incident cases of T2DM were identified. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off values of VFA and VSR for predicting incident T2DM were 130.03 cm2 and 1.08 in men, respectively, and 85.7 cm2 and 0.48 in women, respectively. Regardless of sex, higher VFA and VSR were significantly associated with a higher risk of incident T2DM. Compared with the lowest quartiles of VFA and VSR, the highest quartiles had adjusted odds ratios of 2.62 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.73 to 3.97) and 1.55 (95% CI, 1.14 to 2.11) in men, respectively, and 32.49 (95% CI, 7.42 to 142.02) and 11.07 (95% CI, 3.89 to 31.50) in women, respectively. Conclusion Higher VFA and VSR at baseline were independent risk factors for the development of T2DM. Sex-specific reference values for visceral fat obesity (VFA ≥130 cm2 or VSR ≥1.0 in men; VFA ≥85 cm2 or VSR ≥0.5 in women) are proposed for the prediction of incident T2DM.

Background: and Purpose Lesions on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) occasionally appear on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) among initially DWI-negative but clinically suspicious stroke patients. We established the prevalence of positive conversion in DWI-negative stroke and determined the clinical factors associated with it. Methods: This retrospective, observational, single-center study included 5,271 patients hospitalized due to stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) in a single university hospital during 2010 to 2017. Patients without initial DWI lesions underwent follow-up DWI imaging as a routine practice. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for recurrent stroke risk according to positive conversion were determined using Cox proportional hazard regression. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for positive conversion among initially DWI-negative patients were estimated. Results: In total, 694 (13.2%) patients (mean±standard deviation age, 62.9±13.7 years; male, 404 [58.2%]) were initially DWI-negative. Among them, 22.5% had positive-conversion on follow-up DWI. Positive conversion was associated with a higher risk of recurrent stroke (aHR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.56 to 6.26). Early neurologic deterioration (aOR, 15.1; 95% CI, 5.71 to 47.66), atrial fibrillation (aOR, 6.17; 95% CI, 3.23 to 12.01), smoking (aOR, 3.76; 95% CI, 2.19 to 6.63), pre-stroke dependency (aOR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.27), objective hemiparesis (aOR, 4.39; 95% CI, 1.90 to 10.32), longer symptom duration (aOR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.57 to 3.08), high cholesterol (aOR, 4.70; 95% CI, 1.78 to 12.77), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (aOR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.91), and high systolic blood pressure (aOR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.02) were associated with a higher incidence of lesions with delayed appearance. Regarding the location of lesions on follow-up DWI, 34.6% and 21.2% were in the cortex and brainstem, respectively. Conclusions In DWI-negative stroke/TIA, positive conversion is associated with a higher risk of recurrent stroke. DWI-negative stroke with factors related to positive conversion may require follow-up MRI for a definitive diagnosis.