1.A Comparison of Symptom Structure between Panic Disorder with and without Comorbid Agoraphobia Using Network Analysis
Joonbeom KIM ; Yumin SEO ; Seungryul LEE ; Gayeon LEE ; Jeong-Ho SEOK ; Hesun Erin KIM ; Jooyoung OH
Yonsei Medical Journal 2025;66(5):277-288
Purpose:
Panic disorder (PD) and PD with comorbid agoraphobia (PDA) share similar clinical characteristics but possess distinct symptom structures. However, studies specifically investigating the differences between PD and PDA are rare. Thus, the present study conducted a network analysis to examine the clinical networks of PD and PDA, focusing on panic symptom severity, anxiety sensitivity, anticipatory fear, and avoidance responses. By comparing the differences in network structures between PD and PDA, with the goal of identifying the central and bridge, we suggest clinical implications for the development of targeted interventions.
Materials and Methods:
A total sample (n=147; 55 male, 92 female) was collected from the psychiatric outpatient clinic of the university hospital. We conducted network analysis to examine crucial nodes in the PD and PDA networks and compared the two networks to investigate disparities and similarities in symptom structure.
Results
The most influential node within the PD network was Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R1; fear of respiratory symptom), whereas Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS5; phobic avoidance of physical sensations) had the highest influence in the PDA network. Additionally, bridge centrality estimates indicated that each of the two nodes met the criteria for “bridge nodes” within their respective networks: ASI-R1 (fear of respiratory symptom) and Albany Panic and Phobic Questionnaire (APPQ3; interoceptive fear) for the PD group, and PDSS5 (phobic avoidance of physical sensation) and APPQ1 (panic frequency) for the PDA group Conclusion: Although the network comparison test did not reveal statistical differences between the two networks, disparities in community structure, as well as central and bridging symptoms, were observed, suggesting the possibility of distinct etiologies and treatment targets for each group. The clinical implications derived from the similarities and differences between PD and PDA networks are discussed.
2.A Comparison of Symptom Structure between Panic Disorder with and without Comorbid Agoraphobia Using Network Analysis
Joonbeom KIM ; Yumin SEO ; Seungryul LEE ; Gayeon LEE ; Jeong-Ho SEOK ; Hesun Erin KIM ; Jooyoung OH
Yonsei Medical Journal 2025;66(5):277-288
Purpose:
Panic disorder (PD) and PD with comorbid agoraphobia (PDA) share similar clinical characteristics but possess distinct symptom structures. However, studies specifically investigating the differences between PD and PDA are rare. Thus, the present study conducted a network analysis to examine the clinical networks of PD and PDA, focusing on panic symptom severity, anxiety sensitivity, anticipatory fear, and avoidance responses. By comparing the differences in network structures between PD and PDA, with the goal of identifying the central and bridge, we suggest clinical implications for the development of targeted interventions.
Materials and Methods:
A total sample (n=147; 55 male, 92 female) was collected from the psychiatric outpatient clinic of the university hospital. We conducted network analysis to examine crucial nodes in the PD and PDA networks and compared the two networks to investigate disparities and similarities in symptom structure.
Results
The most influential node within the PD network was Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R1; fear of respiratory symptom), whereas Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS5; phobic avoidance of physical sensations) had the highest influence in the PDA network. Additionally, bridge centrality estimates indicated that each of the two nodes met the criteria for “bridge nodes” within their respective networks: ASI-R1 (fear of respiratory symptom) and Albany Panic and Phobic Questionnaire (APPQ3; interoceptive fear) for the PD group, and PDSS5 (phobic avoidance of physical sensation) and APPQ1 (panic frequency) for the PDA group Conclusion: Although the network comparison test did not reveal statistical differences between the two networks, disparities in community structure, as well as central and bridging symptoms, were observed, suggesting the possibility of distinct etiologies and treatment targets for each group. The clinical implications derived from the similarities and differences between PD and PDA networks are discussed.
3.A Comparison of Symptom Structure between Panic Disorder with and without Comorbid Agoraphobia Using Network Analysis
Joonbeom KIM ; Yumin SEO ; Seungryul LEE ; Gayeon LEE ; Jeong-Ho SEOK ; Hesun Erin KIM ; Jooyoung OH
Yonsei Medical Journal 2025;66(5):277-288
Purpose:
Panic disorder (PD) and PD with comorbid agoraphobia (PDA) share similar clinical characteristics but possess distinct symptom structures. However, studies specifically investigating the differences between PD and PDA are rare. Thus, the present study conducted a network analysis to examine the clinical networks of PD and PDA, focusing on panic symptom severity, anxiety sensitivity, anticipatory fear, and avoidance responses. By comparing the differences in network structures between PD and PDA, with the goal of identifying the central and bridge, we suggest clinical implications for the development of targeted interventions.
Materials and Methods:
A total sample (n=147; 55 male, 92 female) was collected from the psychiatric outpatient clinic of the university hospital. We conducted network analysis to examine crucial nodes in the PD and PDA networks and compared the two networks to investigate disparities and similarities in symptom structure.
Results
The most influential node within the PD network was Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R1; fear of respiratory symptom), whereas Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS5; phobic avoidance of physical sensations) had the highest influence in the PDA network. Additionally, bridge centrality estimates indicated that each of the two nodes met the criteria for “bridge nodes” within their respective networks: ASI-R1 (fear of respiratory symptom) and Albany Panic and Phobic Questionnaire (APPQ3; interoceptive fear) for the PD group, and PDSS5 (phobic avoidance of physical sensation) and APPQ1 (panic frequency) for the PDA group Conclusion: Although the network comparison test did not reveal statistical differences between the two networks, disparities in community structure, as well as central and bridging symptoms, were observed, suggesting the possibility of distinct etiologies and treatment targets for each group. The clinical implications derived from the similarities and differences between PD and PDA networks are discussed.
4.A Comparison of Symptom Structure between Panic Disorder with and without Comorbid Agoraphobia Using Network Analysis
Joonbeom KIM ; Yumin SEO ; Seungryul LEE ; Gayeon LEE ; Jeong-Ho SEOK ; Hesun Erin KIM ; Jooyoung OH
Yonsei Medical Journal 2025;66(5):277-288
Purpose:
Panic disorder (PD) and PD with comorbid agoraphobia (PDA) share similar clinical characteristics but possess distinct symptom structures. However, studies specifically investigating the differences between PD and PDA are rare. Thus, the present study conducted a network analysis to examine the clinical networks of PD and PDA, focusing on panic symptom severity, anxiety sensitivity, anticipatory fear, and avoidance responses. By comparing the differences in network structures between PD and PDA, with the goal of identifying the central and bridge, we suggest clinical implications for the development of targeted interventions.
Materials and Methods:
A total sample (n=147; 55 male, 92 female) was collected from the psychiatric outpatient clinic of the university hospital. We conducted network analysis to examine crucial nodes in the PD and PDA networks and compared the two networks to investigate disparities and similarities in symptom structure.
Results
The most influential node within the PD network was Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R1; fear of respiratory symptom), whereas Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS5; phobic avoidance of physical sensations) had the highest influence in the PDA network. Additionally, bridge centrality estimates indicated that each of the two nodes met the criteria for “bridge nodes” within their respective networks: ASI-R1 (fear of respiratory symptom) and Albany Panic and Phobic Questionnaire (APPQ3; interoceptive fear) for the PD group, and PDSS5 (phobic avoidance of physical sensation) and APPQ1 (panic frequency) for the PDA group Conclusion: Although the network comparison test did not reveal statistical differences between the two networks, disparities in community structure, as well as central and bridging symptoms, were observed, suggesting the possibility of distinct etiologies and treatment targets for each group. The clinical implications derived from the similarities and differences between PD and PDA networks are discussed.
5.A Comparison of Symptom Structure between Panic Disorder with and without Comorbid Agoraphobia Using Network Analysis
Joonbeom KIM ; Yumin SEO ; Seungryul LEE ; Gayeon LEE ; Jeong-Ho SEOK ; Hesun Erin KIM ; Jooyoung OH
Yonsei Medical Journal 2025;66(5):277-288
Purpose:
Panic disorder (PD) and PD with comorbid agoraphobia (PDA) share similar clinical characteristics but possess distinct symptom structures. However, studies specifically investigating the differences between PD and PDA are rare. Thus, the present study conducted a network analysis to examine the clinical networks of PD and PDA, focusing on panic symptom severity, anxiety sensitivity, anticipatory fear, and avoidance responses. By comparing the differences in network structures between PD and PDA, with the goal of identifying the central and bridge, we suggest clinical implications for the development of targeted interventions.
Materials and Methods:
A total sample (n=147; 55 male, 92 female) was collected from the psychiatric outpatient clinic of the university hospital. We conducted network analysis to examine crucial nodes in the PD and PDA networks and compared the two networks to investigate disparities and similarities in symptom structure.
Results
The most influential node within the PD network was Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R1; fear of respiratory symptom), whereas Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS5; phobic avoidance of physical sensations) had the highest influence in the PDA network. Additionally, bridge centrality estimates indicated that each of the two nodes met the criteria for “bridge nodes” within their respective networks: ASI-R1 (fear of respiratory symptom) and Albany Panic and Phobic Questionnaire (APPQ3; interoceptive fear) for the PD group, and PDSS5 (phobic avoidance of physical sensation) and APPQ1 (panic frequency) for the PDA group Conclusion: Although the network comparison test did not reveal statistical differences between the two networks, disparities in community structure, as well as central and bridging symptoms, were observed, suggesting the possibility of distinct etiologies and treatment targets for each group. The clinical implications derived from the similarities and differences between PD and PDA networks are discussed.
6.Pathophysiology of Overactive Bladder and Pharmacologic Treatments Including β3-Adrenoceptor Agonists -Basic Research Perspectives-
Joonbeom KWON ; Duk Yoon KIM ; Kang Jun CHO ; Mamoru HASHIMOTO ; Kanako MATSUOKA ; Tadanobu KAMIJO ; Zhou WANG ; Sergei KARNUP ; Anne M. ROBERTSON ; Pradeep TYAGI ; Naoki YOSHIMURA
International Neurourology Journal 2024;28(Suppl 1):12-33
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a symptom-based syndrome defined by urinary urgency, frequency, and nocturia with or without urge incontinence. The causative pathology is diverse; including bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), bladder ischemia, aging, metabolic syndrome, psychological stress, affective disorder, urinary microbiome, localized and systemic inflammatory responses, etc. Several hypotheses have been suggested as mechanisms of OAB generation; among them, neurogenic, myogenic, and urothelial mechanisms are well-known hypotheses. Also, a series of local signals called autonomous myogenic contraction, micromotion, or afferent noises, which can occur during bladder filling, may be induced by the leak of acetylcholine (ACh) or urothelial release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). They can be transmitted to the central nervous system through afferent fibers to trigger coordinated urgency-related detrusor contractions. Antimuscarinics, commonly known to induce smooth muscle relaxation by competitive blockage of muscarinic receptors in the parasympathetic postganglionic nerve, have a minimal effect on detrusor contraction within therapeutic doses. In fact, they have a predominant role in preventing signals in the afferent nerve transmission process. β3-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonists inhibit afferent signals by predominant inhibition of mechanosensitive Aδ-fibers in the normal bladder. However, in pathologic conditions such as spinal cord injury, it seems to inhibit capsaicin-sensitive C-fibers. Particularly, mirabegron, a β3-agonist, prevents ACh release in the BOO-induced detrusor overactivity model by parasympathetic prejunctional mechanisms. A recent study also revealed that vibegron may have 2 mechanisms of action: inhibition of ACh from cholinergic efferent nerves in the detrusor and afferent inhibition via urothelial β3-AR.
7.A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Bridging Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Vibegron in Treating Korean Patients With Overactive Bladder
Jung Hyun SHIN ; Seong Jin JEONG ; Sun-Ouck KIM ; Cheol Young OH ; Kyung Jin CHUNG ; Dong Gil SHIN ; Tae Hyo KIM ; Joonbeom KWON ; Ju-Hyun SHIN ; Woong Jin BAE ; Kyu-Sung LEE ; Myung-Soo CHOO
International Neurourology Journal 2023;27(2):106-115
Purpose:
Vibegron, a novel, potent β3 agonist, has been approved for clinical use in overactive bladder (OAB) treatment in Japan and the Unites States. We performed a bridging study to investigate the efficacy and safety of a daily 50-mg vibegron (code name JLP-2002) dose in Korean patients with OAB.
Methods:
A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted from September 2020 to August 2021. Adult patients with OAB with a symptom duration of more than 6 months entered a 2-week placebo run-in phase. Eligibility was assessed at the end of this phase and selected patients entered a double-blind treatment phase after 1:1 randomization to either the placebo or vibegron (50 mg) group. The study drug was administered once daily for 12 weeks and follow-up visits were scheduled at weeks 4, 8, and 12. The primary endpoint was the change in mean daily micturition at the end of treatment. The secondary endpoints included changes in OAB symptoms (daily micturition, nocturia, urgency, urgency incontinence, and incontinence episodes, and mean voided volume per micturition) and safety. A constrained longitudinal data model was used for statistical analysis.
Results:
Patients who took daily vibegron had significant improvements over the placebo group in both primary and secondary endpoints, except for daily nocturia episodes. The proportions of patients with normalized micturition and resolution of urgency incontinence and incontinence episodes were significantly higher in vibegron group than in the placebo. Vibegron also improved the patients’ quality of life with higher satisfaction rates. The incidence of adverse events in the vibegron and placebo groups was similar with no serious, unexpected adverse drug reactions. No abnormality in electrocardiographs was observed as well as no significant increase in postvoid residual volume.
Conclusions
Once daily vibegron (50 mg) for 12 weeks was effective, safe, and well-tolerated in Korean patients with OAB.
8.Can We Notice the Suicidal Warning Signs of Adolescents With Different Psychometric Profiles Before Their Death?: Analysis of Teachers’ Reports
Mi-Sun LEE ; Joonbeom KIM ; Hyun Ju HONG ; Soo-Young BHANG
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2023;38(25):e194-
Background:
This study aimed to analyze the suicidal warning signs of Korean students with different psychometric profiles based on teacher reports.
Methods:
This was a retrospective cohort study based on Korean school teachers’ responses to the Student Suicide Report Form. In total, 546 consecutive cases of student suicide were reported from 2017 to 2020. After missing data were excluded, 528 cases were included. The report consisted of demographic factors, the Korean version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for teacher reporting, and warning signs of suicide. Frequency analysis, multiple response analysis, the χ2 test, and Latent Class Analysis (LCA) were performed.
Results:
Based on the scores of the Korean version of the teacher-reported SDQ, the group was divided into nonsymptomatic (n = 411) and symptomatic (n = 117) groups. Based on the LCA results, four latent hierarchical models were selected. The four classes of deceased students showed significant differences in school type (χ2 = 20.410, P < 0.01), physical illness (χ2 = 7.928, P < 0.05), mental illness (χ2 = 94.332, P < 0.001), trigger events (χ2 = 14.817, P < 0.01), self-harm experience (χ2 = 30.618, P < 0.001), suicide attempts (χ2 = 24.072, P < 0.001), depressive symptoms (χ2 = 59.561, P < 0.001), anxiety (χ2 = 58.165, P < 0.001), impulsivity (χ2 = 62.241, P < 0.001), and social problems (χ2 = 64.952, P < 0.001).
Conclusion
Notably, many students who committed suicide did not have any psychiatric pathology. The proportion of the group with a prosocial appearance was also high. Therefore, the actual suicide warning signals were similar regardless of students’ difficulties and prosocial behaviors, so it is necessary to include this information in gatekeeper education.
9.Associations Between Heart Rate Variability and Symptom Severity in Patients With Somatic Symptom Disorder
Eunhwan KIM ; Hesun KIM ; Jinsil HAM ; Joonbeom KIM ; Jooyoung OH
Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine 2023;31(2):108-117
Objectives:
:Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is characterized by the manifestation of a variety of physical symptoms, but little is known about differences in autonomic nervous system activity according to symptom severity, especially within patient groups. In this study, we examined differences in heart rate variability (HRV) across symptom severity in a group of SSD patients to analyze a representative marker of autonomic nervous system changes by symptoms severity.
Methods:
:Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for patients who were diagnosed with SSD based on DSM-5 from September 18, 2020 to October 29, 2021. We applied inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) methods to generate more homogeneous comparisons in HRV parameters by correcting for selection biases due to sociodemographic and clinical characteristic differences between groups.
Results:
:There were statistically significant correlations between the somatic symptom severity and LF (nu), HF (nu), LF/HF, as well as SD1/SD2 and Alpha1/Alpha2. After IPTW estimation, the mild to moderate group was corrected to 27 (53.0%) and the severe group to 24 (47.0%), and homogeneity was achieved as the differences in demographic and clinical characteristics were not significant. The analysis of inverse probability weighted regression adjustment model showed that the severe group was associated with significantly lower RMSSD (β=-0.70, p=0.003) and pNN20 (β=-1.04, p=0.019) in the time domain and higher LF (nu) (β=0.29, p<0.001), lower HF (nu) (β=-0.29, p<0.001), higher LF/HF (β=1.41, p=0.001), and in the nonlinear domain, significant differences were tested for SampEn15 (β=-0.35, p=0.014), SD1/SD2 (β=-0.68, p<0.001), and Alpha1/Alpha2 (ß=0.43,p=0.001).
Conclusions
:These results suggest that differences in HRV parameters by SSD severity were showed in the time, frequency and nonlinear domains, specific parameters demonstrating significantly higher sympathetic nerve activity and reduced ability of the parasympathetic nervous system in SSD patients with severe symptoms.
10.Second-Line Surgical Management After Midurethral Sling Failure
Joonbeom KWON ; Yeonjoo KIM ; Duk Yoon KIM
International Neurourology Journal 2021;25(2):111-118
Currently, the midurethral sling (MUS) is widely used as a standard treatment in patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Several studies have reported the failure rate of MUS to be approximately 5%–20%. In general, sling failure can be defined as persistent SUI after surgery or a temporary improvement in incontinence followed by recurrence. Failure is also often considered to include cases requiring secondary surgery due to mesh exposure, postoperative voiding difficulty, de novo urgency/urge incontinence, and severe postoperative pain. Because of the lack of large-scale, high-quality research on this topic, no clear guidelines exist for second-line management. To date, transurethral bulking agent injections, tape shortening, repeat MUS, pubovaginal sling (PVS) using autologous fascia, and Burch colposuspension are available options for second-line surgery. Repeat MUS is the most widely used second-line surgical method at present. Bulking agent injections have lower durability and efficacy than other treatments. Tape shortening demonstrates a relatively low success rate, but comparable outcomes if the period from first treatment to relapse is short. In patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency, PVS and retropubic (RP) MUS can be considered first as second-line management because of their higher success rate than other treatments. When revision or reoperation is required due to prior mesh-related complications, PVS or colposuspension, which is performed without a synthetic mesh, is appropriate for second-line surgery. For patients with detrusor underactivity, a readjustable sling can be a better option because of the high risk of postoperative voiding dysfunction in PVS or RP slings.

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