Background: Previous studies have shown various positive associations between the usual source of care (USC) and medication adherence in chronic diseases. However, no studies specifically on patients with diabetes have been conducted in Korea. This study examined the association between the USC type and medication adherence in patients with diabetes. Methods: Data from the 2021 Korea Health Panel Survey were used. The final sample comprised 1,493 participants aged ≥20 years. The types of USC were categorized into three groups: no USC, place only (without a regular doctor [RD]), and RD. Medication adherence was assessed using detailed items (dose, frequency, time, and discontinuation) and a four-point Likert scale. Logistic regression analysis was conducted with adjustment for control variables. Results: The odds ratios (ORs) for overall medication adherence were significantly higher in the RD group at 1.66 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15– 2.40) than in the no-USC group. No significant difference was observed in the place-only group at 0.73 (95% CI, 0.49–1.09). The ORs for medication adherence for each item (dosage, frequency, and timing) were also significantly higher in the RD group (2.21, 1.95, and 1.67, respectively). No statistically significant differences in these parameters were observed in the place-only group. Conclusion The presence of an RD positively affected medication adherence in patients with diabetes, but the presence of place-only did not. These findings emphasize the importance of an RD for medication adherence.

Purpose: Common bile duct (CBD) stone recurrence after laparoscopic CBD exploration (LCBDE) is relatively common. No studies have been conducted evaluating the safety and feasibility of re-do LCBDE in the treatment of recurrent CBD stones. Methods: This single-center retrospective study reviewed 340 consecutive patients who underwent LCBDE for CBD stones between January 2004 and December 2020. Patients with pancreatobiliary malignancies and those who underwent other surgical procedures were excluded. Results: Of the 340 included patients, 45 experienced a recurrence after a mean follow-up period of 24.2 months. Of them, 18 underwent re-do LCBDE, 20 underwent endoscopic intervention, 2 underwent radiologic intervention, and 5 underwent observation. Re-do LCBDE and initial LCBDE showed similar surgical outcomes in terms of operative time (113.1 minutes vs. 107.5 minutes, P = 0.515), estimated blood loss (42.5 mL vs. 49.1 mL, P = 0.661), open conversion rate (2.9% vs. 0%, P = 0.461), postoperative complication (15.3% vs. 22.2%, P = 0.430), and postoperative hospital stay (6.5 days vs. 6.4 days, P = 0.921). Comparing re-do LCBDE and nonsurgical treatment (endoscopic or radiologic), no statistically significant differences were noted in posttreatment complication (22.2% vs. 13.6%, P = 0.477), hospital stay (6.4 days vs.7.3 days, P = 0.607), and recurrence (50.0% vs. 36.4%, P = 0.385). The clearance rate was higher in the re-do LCBDE group than in the nonsurgical group (100% vs. 81.8%, P = 0.057). Conclusion Compared to initial LCBDE and endoscopic or radiological treatments, re-do LCBDE for recurrent CBD stones is a treatment option worth considering in selected patients.

Background: Previous studies have shown various positive associations between the usual source of care (USC) and medication adherence in chronic diseases. However, no studies specifically on patients with diabetes have been conducted in Korea. This study examined the association between the USC type and medication adherence in patients with diabetes. Methods: Data from the 2021 Korea Health Panel Survey were used. The final sample comprised 1,493 participants aged ≥20 years. The types of USC were categorized into three groups: no USC, place only (without a regular doctor [RD]), and RD. Medication adherence was assessed using detailed items (dose, frequency, time, and discontinuation) and a four-point Likert scale. Logistic regression analysis was conducted with adjustment for control variables. Results: The odds ratios (ORs) for overall medication adherence were significantly higher in the RD group at 1.66 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15– 2.40) than in the no-USC group. No significant difference was observed in the place-only group at 0.73 (95% CI, 0.49–1.09). The ORs for medication adherence for each item (dosage, frequency, and timing) were also significantly higher in the RD group (2.21, 1.95, and 1.67, respectively). No statistically significant differences in these parameters were observed in the place-only group. Conclusion The presence of an RD positively affected medication adherence in patients with diabetes, but the presence of place-only did not. These findings emphasize the importance of an RD for medication adherence.

Purpose: Common bile duct (CBD) stone recurrence after laparoscopic CBD exploration (LCBDE) is relatively common. No studies have been conducted evaluating the safety and feasibility of re-do LCBDE in the treatment of recurrent CBD stones. Methods: This single-center retrospective study reviewed 340 consecutive patients who underwent LCBDE for CBD stones between January 2004 and December 2020. Patients with pancreatobiliary malignancies and those who underwent other surgical procedures were excluded. Results: Of the 340 included patients, 45 experienced a recurrence after a mean follow-up period of 24.2 months. Of them, 18 underwent re-do LCBDE, 20 underwent endoscopic intervention, 2 underwent radiologic intervention, and 5 underwent observation. Re-do LCBDE and initial LCBDE showed similar surgical outcomes in terms of operative time (113.1 minutes vs. 107.5 minutes, P = 0.515), estimated blood loss (42.5 mL vs. 49.1 mL, P = 0.661), open conversion rate (2.9% vs. 0%, P = 0.461), postoperative complication (15.3% vs. 22.2%, P = 0.430), and postoperative hospital stay (6.5 days vs. 6.4 days, P = 0.921). Comparing re-do LCBDE and nonsurgical treatment (endoscopic or radiologic), no statistically significant differences were noted in posttreatment complication (22.2% vs. 13.6%, P = 0.477), hospital stay (6.4 days vs.7.3 days, P = 0.607), and recurrence (50.0% vs. 36.4%, P = 0.385). The clearance rate was higher in the re-do LCBDE group than in the nonsurgical group (100% vs. 81.8%, P = 0.057). Conclusion Compared to initial LCBDE and endoscopic or radiological treatments, re-do LCBDE for recurrent CBD stones is a treatment option worth considering in selected patients.

Background: Previous studies have shown various positive associations between the usual source of care (USC) and medication adherence in chronic diseases. However, no studies specifically on patients with diabetes have been conducted in Korea. This study examined the association between the USC type and medication adherence in patients with diabetes. Methods: Data from the 2021 Korea Health Panel Survey were used. The final sample comprised 1,493 participants aged ≥20 years. The types of USC were categorized into three groups: no USC, place only (without a regular doctor [RD]), and RD. Medication adherence was assessed using detailed items (dose, frequency, time, and discontinuation) and a four-point Likert scale. Logistic regression analysis was conducted with adjustment for control variables. Results: The odds ratios (ORs) for overall medication adherence were significantly higher in the RD group at 1.66 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15– 2.40) than in the no-USC group. No significant difference was observed in the place-only group at 0.73 (95% CI, 0.49–1.09). The ORs for medication adherence for each item (dosage, frequency, and timing) were also significantly higher in the RD group (2.21, 1.95, and 1.67, respectively). No statistically significant differences in these parameters were observed in the place-only group. Conclusion The presence of an RD positively affected medication adherence in patients with diabetes, but the presence of place-only did not. These findings emphasize the importance of an RD for medication adherence.

Purpose: Common bile duct (CBD) stone recurrence after laparoscopic CBD exploration (LCBDE) is relatively common. No studies have been conducted evaluating the safety and feasibility of re-do LCBDE in the treatment of recurrent CBD stones. Methods: This single-center retrospective study reviewed 340 consecutive patients who underwent LCBDE for CBD stones between January 2004 and December 2020. Patients with pancreatobiliary malignancies and those who underwent other surgical procedures were excluded. Results: Of the 340 included patients, 45 experienced a recurrence after a mean follow-up period of 24.2 months. Of them, 18 underwent re-do LCBDE, 20 underwent endoscopic intervention, 2 underwent radiologic intervention, and 5 underwent observation. Re-do LCBDE and initial LCBDE showed similar surgical outcomes in terms of operative time (113.1 minutes vs. 107.5 minutes, P = 0.515), estimated blood loss (42.5 mL vs. 49.1 mL, P = 0.661), open conversion rate (2.9% vs. 0%, P = 0.461), postoperative complication (15.3% vs. 22.2%, P = 0.430), and postoperative hospital stay (6.5 days vs. 6.4 days, P = 0.921). Comparing re-do LCBDE and nonsurgical treatment (endoscopic or radiologic), no statistically significant differences were noted in posttreatment complication (22.2% vs. 13.6%, P = 0.477), hospital stay (6.4 days vs.7.3 days, P = 0.607), and recurrence (50.0% vs. 36.4%, P = 0.385). The clearance rate was higher in the re-do LCBDE group than in the nonsurgical group (100% vs. 81.8%, P = 0.057). Conclusion Compared to initial LCBDE and endoscopic or radiological treatments, re-do LCBDE for recurrent CBD stones is a treatment option worth considering in selected patients.

Background: Previous studies have shown various positive associations between the usual source of care (USC) and medication adherence in chronic diseases. However, no studies specifically on patients with diabetes have been conducted in Korea. This study examined the association between the USC type and medication adherence in patients with diabetes. Methods: Data from the 2021 Korea Health Panel Survey were used. The final sample comprised 1,493 participants aged ≥20 years. The types of USC were categorized into three groups: no USC, place only (without a regular doctor [RD]), and RD. Medication adherence was assessed using detailed items (dose, frequency, time, and discontinuation) and a four-point Likert scale. Logistic regression analysis was conducted with adjustment for control variables. Results: The odds ratios (ORs) for overall medication adherence were significantly higher in the RD group at 1.66 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15– 2.40) than in the no-USC group. No significant difference was observed in the place-only group at 0.73 (95% CI, 0.49–1.09). The ORs for medication adherence for each item (dosage, frequency, and timing) were also significantly higher in the RD group (2.21, 1.95, and 1.67, respectively). No statistically significant differences in these parameters were observed in the place-only group. Conclusion The presence of an RD positively affected medication adherence in patients with diabetes, but the presence of place-only did not. These findings emphasize the importance of an RD for medication adherence.

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) is the standard treatment for end-stage liver disease; however, it can lead to biliary strictures in 25%–30% of cases. We aimed to develop a biodegradable stent loaded with paclitaxel that could be inserted during surgery without requiring removal. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of this stent using a porcine model. Methods: Fourteen pigs underwent simulated ischemic injury during LT, and a biodegradable paclitaxel-eluting stent was inserted after duct-to-duct anastomosis.Pigs were divided into four groups: no stent (n=3), bare stent (n=3), 300 µg paclitaxel stent (n=4), and 900 µg paclitaxel stent (n=4). After 3 months of follow-up, autopsies were conducted to obtain common bile duct tissue samples, and inflammation and fibrosis thicknesses were assessed under a microscope. Results: Most tissues had resolved the inflammatory reactions by the 3-month mark. The thinnest fibrosis thickness was observed in the 900 µg group (359.08±167.23 µm); however, no statistical significance was observed. Conclusion This study demonstrated the safety of paclitaxel-eluting biodegradable biliary stents and their positive effects on fibrosis in an ischemic bile duct porcine model. This biodegradable stent represents a potential approach for overcoming the complications associated with biliary strictures after LT.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the accuracy of an alternative scan path with that of traditional scan paths to obtain a more accurate method for complete arch scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mandibular stone cast, including tooth preparations for the inlay, crown, and fixed prosthesis, was scanned 10 times using four different scan paths (A, B, C, and D). The scans were converted into stereolithography files, resized, and superimposed onto a control file obtained from a desktop scanner. The scan time, total surface deviation, and local deviation of the mandibular teeth were measured. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Welch ANOVA were used for statistical analyses (α = .05). The relative standard deviation and standard error of the mean were calculated to evaluate accuracy. RESULTS: The total surface deviation differed significantly according to the scanning path despite a similar scan time. Path D had the highest accuracy and the most uniform color maps, showing minimal deformation of the digital model. Meanwhile, no significant differences were found in the local deviations in the individual tooth assessments, likely owing to issues with the superimposition method. CONCLUSION Among all scan paths, the scan path with the shortest distance from the starting point to the end point showed the smallest total surface deviation and the highest accuracy. No differences were observed in the deviations of specific teeth based on the scan path.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the accuracy of an alternative scan path with that of traditional scan paths to obtain a more accurate method for complete arch scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mandibular stone cast, including tooth preparations for the inlay, crown, and fixed prosthesis, was scanned 10 times using four different scan paths (A, B, C, and D). The scans were converted into stereolithography files, resized, and superimposed onto a control file obtained from a desktop scanner. The scan time, total surface deviation, and local deviation of the mandibular teeth were measured. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Welch ANOVA were used for statistical analyses (α = .05). The relative standard deviation and standard error of the mean were calculated to evaluate accuracy. RESULTS: The total surface deviation differed significantly according to the scanning path despite a similar scan time. Path D had the highest accuracy and the most uniform color maps, showing minimal deformation of the digital model. Meanwhile, no significant differences were found in the local deviations in the individual tooth assessments, likely owing to issues with the superimposition method. CONCLUSION Among all scan paths, the scan path with the shortest distance from the starting point to the end point showed the smallest total surface deviation and the highest accuracy. No differences were observed in the deviations of specific teeth based on the scan path.