Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, disabling, and functional bowel disorder that significantly affects social functioning and reduces quality of life and increases social costs. The Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility published clinical practice guidelines on the management of IBS based on a systematic review of the literature in 2017, and planned to revise these guidelines in light of new evidence on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of IBS. The current revised version of the guidelines is consistent with the previous version and targets adults diagnosed with or suspected of having IBS. These guidelines were developed using a combination of de novo and adaptation methods, with analyses of existing guidelines and discussions within the committee, leading to the identification of key clinical questions. Finally, the guidelines consisted of 22 recommendations, including 3 concerning the definition and risk factors of IBS, 4 regarding diagnostic modalities and strategies, 2 regarding general management, and 13 regarding medical treatment. For each statement, the advantages, disadvantages, and precautions were thoroughly detailed. The modified Delphi method was used to achieve expert consensus to adopt the core recommendations of the guidelines. These guidelines serve as a reference for clinicians (including primary care physicians, general healthcare providers, medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals) and patients, helping them to make informed decisions regarding IBS management.

Methods: The UBE approach targeted the ventral part of the superior articular process in the transforaminal UBE setup, specifically for upper lumbar disc herniation, with an approach angle of approximately 30º on the axial plane. Intraoperative navigation was employed to improve puncture accuracy for this relatively unfamiliar surgical technique. Navigation-assisted transforaminal UBE lumbar discectomy was performed on four patients presenting with back or leg discomfort due to disc herniation at the L1–L2 or L2–L3 levels. Results: All patients experienced symptom relief and were discharged on postoperative day 2. Conclusions Transforaminal UBE lumbar discectomy is a viable therapeutic option for upper lumbar paracentral disc herniation, which is typically associated with poor prognosis. Integrating navigation integration into this novel approach enhances precision and safety.

Methods: The UBE approach targeted the ventral part of the superior articular process in the transforaminal UBE setup, specifically for upper lumbar disc herniation, with an approach angle of approximately 30º on the axial plane. Intraoperative navigation was employed to improve puncture accuracy for this relatively unfamiliar surgical technique. Navigation-assisted transforaminal UBE lumbar discectomy was performed on four patients presenting with back or leg discomfort due to disc herniation at the L1–L2 or L2–L3 levels. Results: All patients experienced symptom relief and were discharged on postoperative day 2. Conclusions Transforaminal UBE lumbar discectomy is a viable therapeutic option for upper lumbar paracentral disc herniation, which is typically associated with poor prognosis. Integrating navigation integration into this novel approach enhances precision and safety.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, disabling, and functional bowel disorder that significantly affects social functioning and reduces quality of life and increases social costs. The Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility published clinical practice guidelines on the management of IBS based on a systematic review of the literature in 2017, and planned to revise these guidelines in light of new evidence on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of IBS. The current revised version of the guidelines is consistent with the previous version and targets adults diagnosed with or suspected of having IBS. These guidelines were developed using a combination of de novo and adaptation methods, with analyses of existing guidelines and discussions within the committee, leading to the identification of key clinical questions. Finally, the guidelines consisted of 22 recommendations, including 3 concerning the definition and risk factors of IBS, 4 regarding diagnostic modalities and strategies, 2 regarding general management, and 13 regarding medical treatment. For each statement, the advantages, disadvantages, and precautions were thoroughly detailed. The modified Delphi method was used to achieve expert consensus to adopt the core recommendations of the guidelines. These guidelines serve as a reference for clinicians (including primary care physicians, general healthcare providers, medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals) and patients, helping them to make informed decisions regarding IBS management.

Methods: The UBE approach targeted the ventral part of the superior articular process in the transforaminal UBE setup, specifically for upper lumbar disc herniation, with an approach angle of approximately 30º on the axial plane. Intraoperative navigation was employed to improve puncture accuracy for this relatively unfamiliar surgical technique. Navigation-assisted transforaminal UBE lumbar discectomy was performed on four patients presenting with back or leg discomfort due to disc herniation at the L1–L2 or L2–L3 levels. Results: All patients experienced symptom relief and were discharged on postoperative day 2. Conclusions Transforaminal UBE lumbar discectomy is a viable therapeutic option for upper lumbar paracentral disc herniation, which is typically associated with poor prognosis. Integrating navigation integration into this novel approach enhances precision and safety.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, disabling, and functional bowel disorder that significantly affects social functioning and reduces quality of life and increases social costs. The Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility published clinical practice guidelines on the management of IBS based on a systematic review of the literature in 2017, and planned to revise these guidelines in light of new evidence on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of IBS. The current revised version of the guidelines is consistent with the previous version and targets adults diagnosed with or suspected of having IBS. These guidelines were developed using a combination of de novo and adaptation methods, with analyses of existing guidelines and discussions within the committee, leading to the identification of key clinical questions. Finally, the guidelines consisted of 22 recommendations, including 3 concerning the definition and risk factors of IBS, 4 regarding diagnostic modalities and strategies, 2 regarding general management, and 13 regarding medical treatment. For each statement, the advantages, disadvantages, and precautions were thoroughly detailed. The modified Delphi method was used to achieve expert consensus to adopt the core recommendations of the guidelines. These guidelines serve as a reference for clinicians (including primary care physicians, general healthcare providers, medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals) and patients, helping them to make informed decisions regarding IBS management.

Purpose: This study developed a Psychoeducational Approach to Transcendence and Health Program (PATH) for middle-aged women in Korea, focusing on five key areas of self-transcendence: introspection, relationships, contemplation, spirituality, and creativity. The exploratory qualitative study aimed to investigate participants' experiences by analyzing self-transcendence records they had written. Methods: The PATH program involved pairs of participants who met weekly for three weeks to engage in intensive discussions on two topics for 60 minutes each. Participants were also asked to write down weekly tasks in a notebook for 10-15 minutes each day. Content analysis was conducted in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. Results: Participants (n=29) had a mean age of 52.5 years. Analysis revealed themes in self-transcendence: Introspection: "patient egoist" and "chameleon in the battlefield," reflecting maturity; Relationships: "solving the puzzle of relationships" and "things still to share," emphasizing empathy; Contemplation:"full of problems but trusting myself" and "I am a winner," showcasing insights; Spirituality: "curious about the afterlife" and "preparing for death," demonstrating a sense of absoluteness; Creativity: "finding happiness in growth," representing aesthetics. Conclusion The PATH program effectively promotes successful aging for middle-aged working women by fostering self-transcendence in five key areas.

Purpose: This study developed a Psychoeducational Approach to Transcendence and Health Program (PATH) for middle-aged women in Korea, focusing on five key areas of self-transcendence: introspection, relationships, contemplation, spirituality, and creativity. The exploratory qualitative study aimed to investigate participants' experiences by analyzing self-transcendence records they had written. Methods: The PATH program involved pairs of participants who met weekly for three weeks to engage in intensive discussions on two topics for 60 minutes each. Participants were also asked to write down weekly tasks in a notebook for 10-15 minutes each day. Content analysis was conducted in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. Results: Participants (n=29) had a mean age of 52.5 years. Analysis revealed themes in self-transcendence: Introspection: "patient egoist" and "chameleon in the battlefield," reflecting maturity; Relationships: "solving the puzzle of relationships" and "things still to share," emphasizing empathy; Contemplation:"full of problems but trusting myself" and "I am a winner," showcasing insights; Spirituality: "curious about the afterlife" and "preparing for death," demonstrating a sense of absoluteness; Creativity: "finding happiness in growth," representing aesthetics. Conclusion The PATH program effectively promotes successful aging for middle-aged working women by fostering self-transcendence in five key areas.

Purpose: This study developed a Psychoeducational Approach to Transcendence and Health Program (PATH) for middle-aged women in Korea, focusing on five key areas of self-transcendence: introspection, relationships, contemplation, spirituality, and creativity. The exploratory qualitative study aimed to investigate participants' experiences by analyzing self-transcendence records they had written. Methods: The PATH program involved pairs of participants who met weekly for three weeks to engage in intensive discussions on two topics for 60 minutes each. Participants were also asked to write down weekly tasks in a notebook for 10-15 minutes each day. Content analysis was conducted in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. Results: Participants (n=29) had a mean age of 52.5 years. Analysis revealed themes in self-transcendence: Introspection: "patient egoist" and "chameleon in the battlefield," reflecting maturity; Relationships: "solving the puzzle of relationships" and "things still to share," emphasizing empathy; Contemplation:"full of problems but trusting myself" and "I am a winner," showcasing insights; Spirituality: "curious about the afterlife" and "preparing for death," demonstrating a sense of absoluteness; Creativity: "finding happiness in growth," representing aesthetics. Conclusion The PATH program effectively promotes successful aging for middle-aged working women by fostering self-transcendence in five key areas.

Objectives: This study examined the changes in the characteristics of high-risk suicide groups in South Korea before and after the COVID-19 pandemic using the Korean Cohort for the Model Predicting a Suicide and Suicide-related Behavior (K-COMPASS) cohort. Methods: The K-COMPASS is a longitudinal cohort study that started in 2015. The participants included suicide attempters and individuals with suicidal ideation from various hospitals and mental health centers in South Korea. This study compared the sociodemographic and psychiatric characteristics of 800 participants from the first cohort (2015–2019) with 511 participants from the second and third cohorts (2019–2024). Data were collected through structured interviews and validated scales. Results: The second and third cohort participants were younger, had a higher proportion of females, and exhibited more severe psychiatric symptoms and higher suicidal risk than the first cohort. The prevalence of physical illnesses decreased, while the use of psychiatric medications and the severity of mental health issues increased. In addition, significant sociodemographic changes were observed, such as higher educational levels and urban residency. Conclusion Significant shifts in the characteristics of high-risk suicide groups were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for targeted mental health interventions focusing on younger individuals and females to prevent suicide in high-risk groups.