Objective: Acute coronary syndrome often requires urgent intervention. The 2023 European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend invasive procedures within 24 hours for high-risk cases. Nevertheless, there have been limited studies on non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in South Korea. This study compared the risk of complications based on the timing of intervention. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients with chest pain and elevated high-sensitivity troponin T from January to December 2021 in the emergency department. Patients were categorized into early (≤24 hr) and late (>24 hr) intervention groups. Primary outcomes (death, restenosis, or stroke) at 12 months were compared. Survival and subgroup analyses were performed to examine the factors affecting the outcomes in the two groups. Results: Three hundred seventy six patients were enrolled in the study, and 115 patients were excluded. Among 261 patients, 106 and 155 patients were in the early intervention group (≤24 hr), and late intervention group (>24 hr), respectively. The primary outcome (death or restenosis) showed no significant difference (hazard ratio [HR] in the early intervention group at 12 mo; 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63-1.70; P=0.905). However, risk of stroke was lower in the early intervention group (HR in the early, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.00-0.66; P=0.013). Subgroup analysis showed no significant advantage for early intervention. Conclusion In NSTEMI patients, early intervention does not reduce death or restenosis but lowers stroke incidence. No specific risk factors favored early intervention.

Background and Objectives: Hearing loss significantly affects communication, psychosocial well-being, and quality of life. This study analyzes the National Health Insurance Service database to assess the trends and characteristics of hearing loss in South Korea from 2010 to 2020.Subjects and Method The database encompasses 97% of the Korean population, providing comprehensive data on medical history, prescriptions, and health examinations. The analysis used the World Health Organization’s ICD-10 definitions to categorize hearing loss types and examine their prevalence and incidence across various demographics over 11 years. Results: There was an overall annual increase of 4.62% in diagnosed cases of hearing loss, with the most significant rise among the elderly. The rate of increase accelerated from 3.32% between 2010 and 2014 to 6.49% between 2014 and 2020, corresponding with the improved hearing aid access facilitated by policy changes. Women showed a slightly higher increase than men. The data also indicated a consistent rise in abnormal hearing test results during health examinations, especially in older adults. Conclusion The study highlights an increasing trend in hearing loss diagnoses, driven by an aging population and enhanced detection facilitated by policy changes. These findings emphasize the need for continuous monitoring and targeted health policies to manage hearing loss effectively, offering valuable insights for global health management and policy development.

Background and Objectives: This study aims to analyze trends in hearing disability and the use of hearing rehabilitation devices (hearing aids and cochlear implants) in South Korea over the past 11 years (2010-2020) using data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).Subjects and Method Data were extracted from the NHIS database, covering approximately 97% of the South Korean population. Patients diagnosed with hearing loss were classified using ICD-10 codes. The data were analyzed to determine trends in hearing disability, hearing aid prescriptions, and cochlear implant usage by age, gender, and types and causes of hearing loss. Results: The number of hearing disability patients increased from 170900 in 2010 to 362738 in 2020, with an annual growth rate of 7.95%. The highest increase was observed in the ≥60 age group, with an annual growth rate of 11.04%. Hearing aid prescriptions rose from 4966 in 2010 to 11974 in 2020, showing a 10.45% annual increase. Females showed a higher growth rate in both hearing disability and hearing aid prescriptions compared to males. Cochlear implant prescriptions also increased, particularly among older adults. Conclusion The study highlights a significant rise in hearing disability and the use of hearing aids and cochlear implants in South Korea, especially among the elderly. The findings underscore the importance of early diagnosis and intervention for hearing loss and the need for policy improvements to enhance accessibility and affordability of hearing rehabilitation services. Additional strategies are needed to ensure appropriate hearing rehabilitation for those not yet receiving adequate care.

Hepatic simple cysts are common benign liver lesions frequently encountered in clinical practice. While the majority are asymptomatic and detected incidentally during imaging, approximately 5% of patients may experience symptoms, often related to the size and location of the cysts or the development of complications. Management of symptomatic cysts may involve percutaneous or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided aspiration with sclerotherapy, or surgical intervention, aimed at alleviating symptoms by reducing cystic volume. Solely aspirating cystic fluid tends to lead to complete cyst recurrence. Given the high recurrence rate, various management strategies have been proposed varying primarily in the choice of sclerosing agent (e.g., ethanol, tetracycline, polidocanol), infused volume, and retention time. Generally, these studies indicate good symptom improvement, reduced cyst volume, and a favorable safety profile. This review aims to revise the management approach for simple hepatic cysts by introducing two key changes based on recent practices. First, it advocates for a proactive management strategy, suggesting that intervention should not be delayed until cysts become symptomatic. Untreated growing cysts can lead to complications, making noninvasive management more challenging and increasing the likelihood of surgical intervention. Second, the review supports the use of sclerotherapy–either EUS-guided or percutaneous–as the first-line therapy for simple hepatic cysts, based on evidence demonstrating its effectiveness and safety. By addressing these changes, the review seeks to enhance current management strategies for simple hepatic cysts.

Background/Aims: Various lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) have been used for the endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural drainage (EUS-TD) of postoperative pancreatic fluid collections (POPFC) and peripancreatic fluid collections (PFC). In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of novel electrocautery-enhanced LAMSs (Hot-Plumber with Z-EUS IT) with different inter-flange lengths (13 to 33 mm) for managing POPFC and PFC. Methods: We reviewed the interventional EUS database of Asan Medical Center to identify consecutive patients with POPFC or PFC who underwent EUS-TD with the novel LAMSs between April 2023 and December 2023. Technical success, clinical success, and adverse events were evaluated. Results: Ten patients (5 with POPFCs and 5 with PFCs) were included in the analysis. The technical and clinical success rates were 100% and 90%, respectively. The LAMS was placed using either the freehand technique (n=5) or the over-the-guide wire technique (n=5). One patient successfully underwent endoscopic necrosectomy for walled-off necrosis through a novel LAMS.Two patients experienced adverse events (one stent migration and one infection). The LAMS was removed in 7 out of 10 patients after resolution of the fluid collection at a median of 61 days (interquartile range, 31 to 69 days) post-LAMS placement. Conclusions EUS-TD using the novel LAMS for POPFC and PFC demonstrated high efficacy and an acceptable safety profile. This novel LAMS represents a viable option when selecting stents for EUS-guided drainage of the POPFC and PFC.

Background and Objectives: Hearing loss significantly affects communication, psychosocial well-being, and quality of life. This study analyzes the National Health Insurance Service database to assess the trends and characteristics of hearing loss in South Korea from 2010 to 2020.Subjects and Method The database encompasses 97% of the Korean population, providing comprehensive data on medical history, prescriptions, and health examinations. The analysis used the World Health Organization’s ICD-10 definitions to categorize hearing loss types and examine their prevalence and incidence across various demographics over 11 years. Results: There was an overall annual increase of 4.62% in diagnosed cases of hearing loss, with the most significant rise among the elderly. The rate of increase accelerated from 3.32% between 2010 and 2014 to 6.49% between 2014 and 2020, corresponding with the improved hearing aid access facilitated by policy changes. Women showed a slightly higher increase than men. The data also indicated a consistent rise in abnormal hearing test results during health examinations, especially in older adults. Conclusion The study highlights an increasing trend in hearing loss diagnoses, driven by an aging population and enhanced detection facilitated by policy changes. These findings emphasize the need for continuous monitoring and targeted health policies to manage hearing loss effectively, offering valuable insights for global health management and policy development.

Background and Objectives: This study aims to analyze trends in hearing disability and the use of hearing rehabilitation devices (hearing aids and cochlear implants) in South Korea over the past 11 years (2010-2020) using data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).Subjects and Method Data were extracted from the NHIS database, covering approximately 97% of the South Korean population. Patients diagnosed with hearing loss were classified using ICD-10 codes. The data were analyzed to determine trends in hearing disability, hearing aid prescriptions, and cochlear implant usage by age, gender, and types and causes of hearing loss. Results: The number of hearing disability patients increased from 170900 in 2010 to 362738 in 2020, with an annual growth rate of 7.95%. The highest increase was observed in the ≥60 age group, with an annual growth rate of 11.04%. Hearing aid prescriptions rose from 4966 in 2010 to 11974 in 2020, showing a 10.45% annual increase. Females showed a higher growth rate in both hearing disability and hearing aid prescriptions compared to males. Cochlear implant prescriptions also increased, particularly among older adults. Conclusion The study highlights a significant rise in hearing disability and the use of hearing aids and cochlear implants in South Korea, especially among the elderly. The findings underscore the importance of early diagnosis and intervention for hearing loss and the need for policy improvements to enhance accessibility and affordability of hearing rehabilitation services. Additional strategies are needed to ensure appropriate hearing rehabilitation for those not yet receiving adequate care.

Hepatic simple cysts are common benign liver lesions frequently encountered in clinical practice. While the majority are asymptomatic and detected incidentally during imaging, approximately 5% of patients may experience symptoms, often related to the size and location of the cysts or the development of complications. Management of symptomatic cysts may involve percutaneous or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided aspiration with sclerotherapy, or surgical intervention, aimed at alleviating symptoms by reducing cystic volume. Solely aspirating cystic fluid tends to lead to complete cyst recurrence. Given the high recurrence rate, various management strategies have been proposed varying primarily in the choice of sclerosing agent (e.g., ethanol, tetracycline, polidocanol), infused volume, and retention time. Generally, these studies indicate good symptom improvement, reduced cyst volume, and a favorable safety profile. This review aims to revise the management approach for simple hepatic cysts by introducing two key changes based on recent practices. First, it advocates for a proactive management strategy, suggesting that intervention should not be delayed until cysts become symptomatic. Untreated growing cysts can lead to complications, making noninvasive management more challenging and increasing the likelihood of surgical intervention. Second, the review supports the use of sclerotherapy–either EUS-guided or percutaneous–as the first-line therapy for simple hepatic cysts, based on evidence demonstrating its effectiveness and safety. By addressing these changes, the review seeks to enhance current management strategies for simple hepatic cysts.

Background and Objectives: Hearing loss significantly affects communication, psychosocial well-being, and quality of life. This study analyzes the National Health Insurance Service database to assess the trends and characteristics of hearing loss in South Korea from 2010 to 2020.Subjects and Method The database encompasses 97% of the Korean population, providing comprehensive data on medical history, prescriptions, and health examinations. The analysis used the World Health Organization’s ICD-10 definitions to categorize hearing loss types and examine their prevalence and incidence across various demographics over 11 years. Results: There was an overall annual increase of 4.62% in diagnosed cases of hearing loss, with the most significant rise among the elderly. The rate of increase accelerated from 3.32% between 2010 and 2014 to 6.49% between 2014 and 2020, corresponding with the improved hearing aid access facilitated by policy changes. Women showed a slightly higher increase than men. The data also indicated a consistent rise in abnormal hearing test results during health examinations, especially in older adults. Conclusion The study highlights an increasing trend in hearing loss diagnoses, driven by an aging population and enhanced detection facilitated by policy changes. These findings emphasize the need for continuous monitoring and targeted health policies to manage hearing loss effectively, offering valuable insights for global health management and policy development.

Background and Objectives: This study aims to analyze trends in hearing disability and the use of hearing rehabilitation devices (hearing aids and cochlear implants) in South Korea over the past 11 years (2010-2020) using data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).Subjects and Method Data were extracted from the NHIS database, covering approximately 97% of the South Korean population. Patients diagnosed with hearing loss were classified using ICD-10 codes. The data were analyzed to determine trends in hearing disability, hearing aid prescriptions, and cochlear implant usage by age, gender, and types and causes of hearing loss. Results: The number of hearing disability patients increased from 170900 in 2010 to 362738 in 2020, with an annual growth rate of 7.95%. The highest increase was observed in the ≥60 age group, with an annual growth rate of 11.04%. Hearing aid prescriptions rose from 4966 in 2010 to 11974 in 2020, showing a 10.45% annual increase. Females showed a higher growth rate in both hearing disability and hearing aid prescriptions compared to males. Cochlear implant prescriptions also increased, particularly among older adults. Conclusion The study highlights a significant rise in hearing disability and the use of hearing aids and cochlear implants in South Korea, especially among the elderly. The findings underscore the importance of early diagnosis and intervention for hearing loss and the need for policy improvements to enhance accessibility and affordability of hearing rehabilitation services. Additional strategies are needed to ensure appropriate hearing rehabilitation for those not yet receiving adequate care.