Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic agent as an agonist of the GABA A benzodiazepine receptor. Zolpidem is considered to have lower abuse and dependence potential than benzodiazepines, and is widely used for the shortterm treatment of insomnia. However, the complex sleep-related behaviors caused by zolpidem have recently emerged as a major challenge. The purpose of this study was to review zolpidem-induced complex sleep-related behaviors and one of the most commonly reported behaviors, sleep-related eating disorder. The risk factors for these complex sleep-related behaviors are female sex, advanced age, daily doses of 10 mg or more, alcohol consumption, and comorbid medical illnesses. Strategies for managing zolpidem-induced complex sleep-related behaviors; discontinuing the use of zolpidem, switching to different sedative-hypnotic drugs, treating patients with other classes of medications, and using non-pharmacological treatment strategies for patients with sleep disorder. These strategies should also include examining drug regimens for potential drug interactions that may predispose patients to experiencing complex behaviors, administering zolpidem appropriately, and selecting patients more carefully for treatment in terms of their likelihood of experiencing medication-related adverse reactions. In conclusion, complex sleep-related behaviors related to zolpidem should be considered adverse drug reactions prior to drug prescription, and a patient’s potential risk factors should be evaluated. Physicians should pay attention to the occurrence of abnormal behavioral adverse effects related to zolpidem.

Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic agent as an agonist of the GABA A benzodiazepine receptor. Zolpidem is considered to have lower abuse and dependence potential than benzodiazepines, and is widely used for the shortterm treatment of insomnia. However, the complex sleep-related behaviors caused by zolpidem have recently emerged as a major challenge. The purpose of this study was to review zolpidem-induced complex sleep-related behaviors and one of the most commonly reported behaviors, sleep-related eating disorder. The risk factors for these complex sleep-related behaviors are female sex, advanced age, daily doses of 10 mg or more, alcohol consumption, and comorbid medical illnesses. Strategies for managing zolpidem-induced complex sleep-related behaviors; discontinuing the use of zolpidem, switching to different sedative-hypnotic drugs, treating patients with other classes of medications, and using non-pharmacological treatment strategies for patients with sleep disorder. These strategies should also include examining drug regimens for potential drug interactions that may predispose patients to experiencing complex behaviors, administering zolpidem appropriately, and selecting patients more carefully for treatment in terms of their likelihood of experiencing medication-related adverse reactions. In conclusion, complex sleep-related behaviors related to zolpidem should be considered adverse drug reactions prior to drug prescription, and a patient’s potential risk factors should be evaluated. Physicians should pay attention to the occurrence of abnormal behavioral adverse effects related to zolpidem.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used worldwide as the first-line pharmacological treatment for depression. Although SSRI use can increase the risk of suicide, fractures, and infertility, the nature of these relationships is controversial. This review reports confounding by indication and confounding by severity for SSRI side effects in previously published observational studies. The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched for English-language articles published from 2005 to 2022. SSRIs are often prescribed for depressive symptoms, and depression is associated with an increased risk of side effects. Therefore, confounding by indication, whereby patients are selected for a particular treatment depending on their diagnosis or severity of illness, may lead to erroneous treatment conclusions, resulting in an adverse outcome. The side effects of SSRIs that can be considered due to confounding by indication or severity include suicide, fractures, infertility, atrial fibrillation, stroke, autism spectrum disorder, and congenital malformation. When prescribing SSRIs for depression, physicians must consider confounding by indication and severity in the management of side effects. In addition, medication discontinuation should be carefully considered when side effects occur during the treatment.

Autonomic dysfunction commonly occurs in patients with dementia and is typically reported in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. The clinical presentation of autonomic dysfunction includes symptoms related to orthostatic hypotension (manifested as dizziness, falls, and syncope, etc.), constipation, and urinary tract symptoms. Non- pharmacological management of orthostatic hypotension should include bolus water drinking. Pharmacological management includes the administration of midodrine (selective α1-adrenoceptor agonist), droxidopa (norepinephrine prodrug), or atomoxetine (selective noradrenaline reup-take inhibitor). Management of constipation includes the administration of probiotics, osmotic laxatives (e.g. macrogol), and type-2 chloride channel activators (e.g. lubiprostone), and management of urinary tract symptoms includes the administration of mirabegron (selective β 3-adrenergic receptor). Autonomic dysfunction interferes with daily activities and negatively affects patients’ and caregivers’ quality of life. Therefore, early diagnosis of autonomic dysfunction and prompt initiation of optimal treatment are important to improve patients’ quality of life and prognosis.

Objectives: ：Depression is known to be very common for coexistence with physical diseases, but reports of this are not well known in Korea. The purpose of this study is to investigate demographic factors related to adult depression in Korea and the association between physical diseases and depression. Methods: ：This study used raw data from the 7th National Health and Nutrition Survey of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2016 and 2018, and analyzed by integrating data from adults over the age of 19. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was applied to the diagnosis of depression. Cross-analysis and logistic regression analysis were used for the association with depression according to socio-demographic characteristics and health-related characteristics. Results: ：The point-prevalence of depression in Korea using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 is 5.4%. Regarding sociodemographic characteristics, risks of depression were increased among the elderly, women, people with low household income, and people with low education levels. It was analyzed that the risk of coexistence of depression with physical diseases such as diabetes, stroke, myocardial infarction, arthritis, asthma, thyroid disease, renal failure, and cirrhosis was significantly high. Conclusions ：In this study, the presence of chronic diseases greatly increased the risk of depression, and it was confirmed that certain groups were at high risk for depression.

Objectives: ：The aim of this study was to investigate the lifetime prevalence of psychotic experiences (PEs) and the association of PEs with a range of psychiatric disorders in the Korean general population. Methods: ：Multi-stage cluster sampling was adopted in this study. Interviews were conducted face-to-face with 18-year-old and older people living in the community from June to November 2016. Korean version of Composite International Diagnostic Interview (K-CIDI) was applied to assess the prevalence of psychiatric disorders. Psychotic experiences were assessed with 21 items (15 items for hallucinations and 6 items for delusions) in the CIDI psychosis module. Results: ：Mean lifetime prevalence (standard error) of ever having a PEs was 3.3% (0.3) with 2.2% (0.2) of hallucinatory experiences and 1.7% (0.2) of delusional experiences. The lifetime prevalence of PEs was higher in young people and in persons with unemployment or part-time-job. PEs were associated with an increase in the lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders [Adjusted odd ratio (AOR)=6.3 ; p<0.001], mood disorders (AOR=4.9 ; p<0.001), alcohol use disorders (AOR=2.4 ; p<0.001), and nicotine use disorders (AOR=2.4 ; p<0.001) after controlling for sociodemographic variables. Conclusion ：PEs are related to various non-psychotic disorders as well as psychotic disorders. Clinicians should pay more attention to the mental health of individuals with PEs.

Background: The present study was to compare the potential impact of remifentanil-based propofol-supplemented anesthesia regimen vs. conventional sevoflurane-sufentanil balanced anesthesia on postoperative recovery of consciousness indicated by c) values in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery were randomly allocated to get the remifentanil-based propofol-supplemented anesthesia employing target-controlled infusion (TCI) of remifentanil and propofol (Group-PR, n = 15) or a balanced-anesthesia employing sevoflurane-inhalation and TCI-sufentanil (Group-C, n = 19). In Group-PR, plasma concentration (Cp) of TCI-remifentanil was fixed at 20 ng/ml, and the effect-site concentration of TCI-propofol was adjusted within 0.8–2.0 μg/ml to maintain BIS value of 40–60. In Group-C, sevoflurane dosage was adjusted within 1–1.5 minimum alveolar concentration to maintain BIS of 40–60, and Cp of TCI-sufentanil was fixed at 0.4 ng/ml. The inter-group difference in the time for achieving postoperative BIS > 80 (T-BIS80) in the intensive care unit was determined as the primary outcome. The inter-group difference in the extubation time was determined as the secondary outcome. Results: T-BIS80, was shorter in Group-PR than Group-C (121.4 ± 64.9 min vs. 182.9 ± 85.1 min, respectively; the difference of means –61.5 min; 95% CI –115.7 to –7.4 min; effect size 0.812; P = 0.027). The extubation time was shorter in Group-PR than in Group-C (434.7 ± 131.3 min vs. 946.6 ± 393.3 min, respectively, P < 0.001). Conclusions Compared with the conventional sevoflurane-sufentanil balanced anesthesia, the remifentanil-based propofol-supplemented anesthesia showed significantly faster postoperative conscious recovery in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Given that adolescents watch Mukbang (eating broadcast) more frequently than other age groups, interest in the potential health effects of watching Mukbang and Cookbang (cooking broadcast) is growing. This study aimed to determine the status of watching Mukbang and Cookbang among Korean adolescents and its relationship with their dietary behaviors. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We used data from the 18th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey, conducted in 2022 (n = 51,850). The study included the frequency of watching Mukbang and Cookbang and the self-rated impact of watching them. Dietary behaviors included consumption of the following items: fruits (≥ once a day), vegetables (≥ 3 times a day), fast foods (≥ 3 times a week), late-night snacks (≥ 3 times a week), caffeinated drinks (≥ 3 times a week), and sweet-flavored drinks (≥ 3 times a week). Furthermore, obesity, weight loss attempts during the past 30 days, body image distortion, and inappropriate methods to control weight were also included. RESULTS: Among adolescents, 70.6% watched Mukbang and Cookbang, and 13.2% watched them more than 5 times a week. Approximately 27.6% of the adolescents responded that they were influenced by watching Mukbang and Cookbang. Adolescents who frequently watched Mukbang and Cookbang consumed less vegetable and fruit; however, the likelihood of consuming fast food, late-night snacks, sugary drinks, and caffeinated drinks increased. In addition, they were more likely to attempt inappropriate weight-loss methods and become obese. Adolescents who responded that their eating habits were influenced by watching Mukbang and Cookbang were more likely to have unhealthy eating behavior compared to the group who responded that their habits were not influenced by these shows. CONCLUSION Watching Mukbang and Cookbang is common among Korean adolescents and is associated with unhealthy dietary behaviors. Prospective studies, including broadcasting content, should evaluate the impact of Mukbang and Cookbang on health.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Given that adolescents watch Mukbang (eating broadcast) more frequently than other age groups, interest in the potential health effects of watching Mukbang and Cookbang (cooking broadcast) is growing. This study aimed to determine the status of watching Mukbang and Cookbang among Korean adolescents and its relationship with their dietary behaviors. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We used data from the 18th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey, conducted in 2022 (n = 51,850). The study included the frequency of watching Mukbang and Cookbang and the self-rated impact of watching them. Dietary behaviors included consumption of the following items: fruits (≥ once a day), vegetables (≥ 3 times a day), fast foods (≥ 3 times a week), late-night snacks (≥ 3 times a week), caffeinated drinks (≥ 3 times a week), and sweet-flavored drinks (≥ 3 times a week). Furthermore, obesity, weight loss attempts during the past 30 days, body image distortion, and inappropriate methods to control weight were also included. RESULTS: Among adolescents, 70.6% watched Mukbang and Cookbang, and 13.2% watched them more than 5 times a week. Approximately 27.6% of the adolescents responded that they were influenced by watching Mukbang and Cookbang. Adolescents who frequently watched Mukbang and Cookbang consumed less vegetable and fruit; however, the likelihood of consuming fast food, late-night snacks, sugary drinks, and caffeinated drinks increased. In addition, they were more likely to attempt inappropriate weight-loss methods and become obese. Adolescents who responded that their eating habits were influenced by watching Mukbang and Cookbang were more likely to have unhealthy eating behavior compared to the group who responded that their habits were not influenced by these shows. CONCLUSION Watching Mukbang and Cookbang is common among Korean adolescents and is associated with unhealthy dietary behaviors. Prospective studies, including broadcasting content, should evaluate the impact of Mukbang and Cookbang on health.

Objective: Several previous studies have reported the negative psychological impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on medical students worldwide. This study investigated the sociodemographic and psychosocial factors associated with COVID-19–related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) risk among medical students in Daegu, a region that experienced a high concentration of infections. Methods: A total of 270 students completed the self-reported questionnaires including COVID-19 exposure, psychological measurement, and sociodemographic factors. We evaluated the COVID-19–related PTSD risk group using the Korean version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the odds ratio for the COVID-19–related PTSD risk group in sociodemographic and psychosocial factors. Results: The prevalence of the COVID-19–related PTSD risk group was 10.4% in medical students. Among sociodemographic factors, lower grades (specially, first-year medical students) and current smokers were associated with the COVID-19–related PTSD risk. Indirect exposure to COVID-19 was also associated with this risk. Meanwhile, having higher resilience, self-esteem, and social support were less likely to be associated with COVID-19–related PTSD risk. Conclusion This study suggested that it is necessary to develop a system for the screening and managing of COVID-19–related PTSD risk group among medical students, especially high-risk groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.