Objectives: This study aimed to assess the clinical burden, a critical determinant of medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia, after the administration of Aripiprazole once-monthly (AOM). Methods: This study was a retrospective, non-interventional, multicenter, naturalistic observational study conducted through the analysis of participants’ electronic medical records. Study participants were recruited from eight sites. Data were collected at baseline, defined as the time of AOM administration, and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months thereafter. The primary outcome measure was the change in the Clinical Global Impression-Clinical Benefit (CGI-CB) score over 12 months, and the secondary outcome measure was the change in the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) score. Results: The data of 139 participants were analyzed, revealing a statistically significant decrease of 26.8% in CGI-CB scores and 13.4% in CGI-I scores over 12 months. Upon comparison between adjacent visit intervals, significant reductions were observed for both measures between month 3 and month 6. Conclusions This study is the first multicenter investigation to simultaneously evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of transitioning to AOM in the context of polypharmacy. The study suggested that AOM may contribute to reducing the clinical burden, thereby improving the quality of life for patients with schizophrenia.

Non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) are low in calories and can be used in very small amounts. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety have stated that consuming NSS within the recommended dosage is not harmful to human health. Nonetheless, the World Health Organization in its 2023 guidelines on NSS use advised the general population against the consumption of NSS as a means of controlling weight and reducing the risk of chronic diseases, including diabetes. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding the health benefits and potential risks of NSS for patients with diabetes. Given the ongoing debate about the efficacy of NSS, the 2023 clinical guidelines of the Korean Diabetes Association recommend minimizing beverages containing sugar or NSS, although NSS may help reduce sugar intake in the short term. This review aims to explore the latest research on the benefits and risks of NSS for the general population and patients with diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous disease that encompasses a wide range of conditions, from mild cases to severe conditions where survival depends on insulin therapy. The Korean Diabetes Association Task Force Team for Diabetes with β-Cell Failure has established the term to classify severe refractory disease with β-cell failure. Individuals with β-cell failure are at high risk of diabetes-related complications. We propose that diabetes with β-cell failure can be diagnosed when individuals treated with multiple daily insulin injections or insulin pumps meet at least one of the following criteria: fasting C-peptide ≤ 0.6 ng/mL, non-fasting C-peptide ≤ 1.8 ng/mL, 24-hour urine C-peptide < 30 μg/day, or spot urine C-peptide/creatinine ratio ≤ 0.6 nmol/mmol. Among cases of diabetes with β-cell failure, β-cell failure with absolute insulin deficiency can be diagnosed when at least one of the following criteria is met: fasting C-peptide < 0.24 ng/mL, non-fasting C-peptide < 0.6 ng/mL, or spot urine C-peptide/ creatinine ratio < 0.2 nmol/mmol. Multiple daily insulin injections with long-acting insulin analogs and rapid-acting insulin analogs or insulin pumps are required for treatment of diabetes with β-cell failure. Continuous glucose monitoring and an automated insulin delivery system, sensor-augmented pump, or smart insulin pen, along with structured education, are necessary. We call for improvements in the relevant systems to ensure that such treatments can be provided.

Non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) are low in calories and can be used in very small amounts. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety have stated that consuming NSS within the recommended dosage is not harmful to human health. Nonetheless, the World Health Organization in its 2023 guidelines on NSS use advised the general population against the consumption of NSS as a means of controlling weight and reducing the risk of chronic diseases, including diabetes. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding the health benefits and potential risks of NSS for patients with diabetes. Given the ongoing debate about the efficacy of NSS, the 2023 clinical guidelines of the Korean Diabetes Association recommend minimizing beverages containing sugar or NSS, although NSS may help reduce sugar intake in the short term. This review aims to explore the latest research on the benefits and risks of NSS for the general population and patients with diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous disease that encompasses a wide range of conditions, from mild cases to severe conditions where survival depends on insulin therapy. The Korean Diabetes Association Task Force Team for Diabetes with β-Cell Failure has established the term to classify severe refractory disease with β-cell failure. Individuals with β-cell failure are at high risk of diabetes-related complications. We propose that diabetes with β-cell failure can be diagnosed when individuals treated with multiple daily insulin injections or insulin pumps meet at least one of the following criteria: fasting C-peptide ≤ 0.6 ng/mL, non-fasting C-peptide ≤ 1.8 ng/mL, 24-hour urine C-peptide < 30 μg/day, or spot urine C-peptide/creatinine ratio ≤ 0.6 nmol/mmol. Among cases of diabetes with β-cell failure, β-cell failure with absolute insulin deficiency can be diagnosed when at least one of the following criteria is met: fasting C-peptide < 0.24 ng/mL, non-fasting C-peptide < 0.6 ng/mL, or spot urine C-peptide/ creatinine ratio < 0.2 nmol/mmol. Multiple daily insulin injections with long-acting insulin analogs and rapid-acting insulin analogs or insulin pumps are required for treatment of diabetes with β-cell failure. Continuous glucose monitoring and an automated insulin delivery system, sensor-augmented pump, or smart insulin pen, along with structured education, are necessary. We call for improvements in the relevant systems to ensure that such treatments can be provided.

Non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) are low in calories and can be used in very small amounts. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety have stated that consuming NSS within the recommended dosage is not harmful to human health. Nonetheless, the World Health Organization in its 2023 guidelines on NSS use advised the general population against the consumption of NSS as a means of controlling weight and reducing the risk of chronic diseases, including diabetes. However, there is insufficient evidence regarding the health benefits and potential risks of NSS for patients with diabetes. Given the ongoing debate about the efficacy of NSS, the 2023 clinical guidelines of the Korean Diabetes Association recommend minimizing beverages containing sugar or NSS, although NSS may help reduce sugar intake in the short term. This review aims to explore the latest research on the benefits and risks of NSS for the general population and patients with diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous disease that encompasses a wide range of conditions, from mild cases to severe conditions where survival depends on insulin therapy. The Korean Diabetes Association Task Force Team for Diabetes with β-Cell Failure has established the term to classify severe refractory disease with β-cell failure. Individuals with β-cell failure are at high risk of diabetes-related complications. We propose that diabetes with β-cell failure can be diagnosed when individuals treated with multiple daily insulin injections or insulin pumps meet at least one of the following criteria: fasting C-peptide ≤ 0.6 ng/mL, non-fasting C-peptide ≤ 1.8 ng/mL, 24-hour urine C-peptide < 30 μg/day, or spot urine C-peptide/creatinine ratio ≤ 0.6 nmol/mmol. Among cases of diabetes with β-cell failure, β-cell failure with absolute insulin deficiency can be diagnosed when at least one of the following criteria is met: fasting C-peptide < 0.24 ng/mL, non-fasting C-peptide < 0.6 ng/mL, or spot urine C-peptide/ creatinine ratio < 0.2 nmol/mmol. Multiple daily insulin injections with long-acting insulin analogs and rapid-acting insulin analogs or insulin pumps are required for treatment of diabetes with β-cell failure. Continuous glucose monitoring and an automated insulin delivery system, sensor-augmented pump, or smart insulin pen, along with structured education, are necessary. We call for improvements in the relevant systems to ensure that such treatments can be provided.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the clinical burden, a critical determinant of medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia, after the administration of Aripiprazole once-monthly (AOM). Methods: This study was a retrospective, non-interventional, multicenter, naturalistic observational study conducted through the analysis of participants’ electronic medical records. Study participants were recruited from eight sites. Data were collected at baseline, defined as the time of AOM administration, and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months thereafter. The primary outcome measure was the change in the Clinical Global Impression-Clinical Benefit (CGI-CB) score over 12 months, and the secondary outcome measure was the change in the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) score. Results: The data of 139 participants were analyzed, revealing a statistically significant decrease of 26.8% in CGI-CB scores and 13.4% in CGI-I scores over 12 months. Upon comparison between adjacent visit intervals, significant reductions were observed for both measures between month 3 and month 6. Conclusions This study is the first multicenter investigation to simultaneously evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of transitioning to AOM in the context of polypharmacy. The study suggested that AOM may contribute to reducing the clinical burden, thereby improving the quality of life for patients with schizophrenia.

Globally, the issue of palliative and end-of-life care (PEOLC) in nursing homes is a common concern, and the need to measure the preparedness of nursing staff for end-of-life care is increasing. This study aimed to verify the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the self-reported scale for the Staff Preparedness for PEOLC in long-term care homes. Methods: A total of 161 staff took part in the study; among them were nine nurses, 19 nursing assistants, 133 care workers at four nursing homes located in Wonju and Suncheon cities, South Korea. The scale was translated according to the guidelines of World Health Organization guidelines and Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments, and its reliability and validity were evaluated through assessing its internal consistency, stability, and construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis, CFA). Results: CFA confirmed that the measurement tool had a good fit (comparative fit index=.96, Turker-Lewis index=.95, root mean-squared error of approximation=.07). The items’ internal consistencies of the items were found to be reliable with Cronbach’s alpha=.94; the Pearson’s correlation coefficient between test and retest of the tool was .86 (p<.001); and the intraclass correlation coefficient value was .91 (95% confidence interval: .85~.96). Conclusion: The Korean version of the Staff Preparedness for PEOLC in long-term care homes was confirmed to be a useful and reliable scale for measuring the preparedness of nursing staff in Korean long-term care facilities in Korea for PEOLC.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the clinical burden, a critical determinant of medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia, after the administration of Aripiprazole once-monthly (AOM). Methods: This study was a retrospective, non-interventional, multicenter, naturalistic observational study conducted through the analysis of participants’ electronic medical records. Study participants were recruited from eight sites. Data were collected at baseline, defined as the time of AOM administration, and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months thereafter. The primary outcome measure was the change in the Clinical Global Impression-Clinical Benefit (CGI-CB) score over 12 months, and the secondary outcome measure was the change in the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) score. Results: The data of 139 participants were analyzed, revealing a statistically significant decrease of 26.8% in CGI-CB scores and 13.4% in CGI-I scores over 12 months. Upon comparison between adjacent visit intervals, significant reductions were observed for both measures between month 3 and month 6. Conclusions This study is the first multicenter investigation to simultaneously evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of transitioning to AOM in the context of polypharmacy. The study suggested that AOM may contribute to reducing the clinical burden, thereby improving the quality of life for patients with schizophrenia.