Using the neutral zone concept can increase the stability of the prosthesis. In this case, bimaxillary denture were fabricated using the neutral zone in a patient who had alveolar ridge resorption and inwardly positioned lip. This condition was unfavorable for obtaining stability of the denture, so the force involved in denture had to be minimized. There were differences in the tooth arrangement and shape of the polished surface between the definitive denture made using the neutral zone impression technique and the provisional denture made without using it.

Background/Aims: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic and recurrent condition requiring constant dietary management and medication. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of HIP1601, a dual delayed-release formulation of esomeprazole, in patients with GERD in a clinical setting. Methods: This prospective, multicenter, observational study was conducted at 309 medical institutions in Korea between June 2021 and March 2023. HIP1601 was administered at daily doses of 40 mg or 20 mg to 5,407 patients requiring treatment or prevention of erosive esophagitis. The primary outcome was the improvement rate of GERD symptoms at four weeks. GERD-related symptoms and treatment-emergent adverse events were also analyzed. Results: This study included 5,282 patients in the safety analysis set and 5,232 in the full analysis set. At four weeks, the improvement rate of GERD symptoms was 92.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 91.3–92.8%). By eight weeks, the improvement rate increased to 94.6% (95% CI: 94.0–95.3%). After HIP1601 administration, the severity scores for all four GERD symptoms decreased to less than 1, with statistically significant changes in the scores (p<0.001). HIP1601 was well-tolerated, with minimal adverse events reported (0.17%), and the treatment-emergent adverse events were mild to moderate in severity. Conclusions HIP1601 showed strong efficacy and safety in managing GERD symptoms, with high rates of symptom relief at four and eight weeks. Its extended action and improved symptom control make it a promising therapeutic option for GERD patients.

Objectives: The standard first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection typically involves proton pump inhibitors, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin (PAC), yet the eradication success rates are not entirely satisfactory. Recognizing bismuth’s antibacterial properties and its potential to enhance antibiotic efficacy, this study compared the eradication success rates of a 7-day course of PAC with bismuth (PACB) versus PAC alone in patients with clarithromycin-susceptible H. pylori infections. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review at Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital involving 499 patients with confirmed clarithromycin-susceptible H. pylori infection. These patients were treated either with PACB or PAC for 7 days. Clarithromycin resistance-associated point mutations were evaluated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Successful eradication was confirmed by a negative 13C-urea breath test. Results: Of the patients, 261 received PACB therapy, and 238 received PAC therapy. The intention-to-treat analysis showed eradication success rates of 82.8% (216/261) for PACB and 89.1% (212/238) for PAC (p=0.093). The per-protocol analysis revealed eradication rates of 85.3% (215/252) for PACB and 90.5% (210/232) for PAC (p=0.081). The incidence of adverse effects was similar between the two groups, with 41.3% (104/252) in the PACB group and 34.1% (79/232) in the PAC group (p=0.102). Conclusions Adding bismuth to the standard 7-day PAC regimen did not significantly increase eradication rates in patients with clarithromycin-susceptible H. pylori infections compared to PAC alone.

Background/Aims: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the recent nationwide trends in major dietary risk factors for dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. Methods: We estimated age-standardized mean intakes of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains, dietary fiber, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs); and mean percentage of energy intake from protein, total fat, saturated fat, and polyunsaturated fat using nationally representative samples from the Korean National Health Examination and Nutrition Survey 2013–2022. To assess overall diet quality, we calculated mean Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) (range 0–100, higher scores indicating greater diet quality). Results: In 2013–2022, there were overall decreasing trends in age-standardized mean KHEI score and intakes of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and dietary fiber; and overall increasing trends in mean intakes of SSBs, protein, and dietary fat among both male and female. The KHEI score increased in older adults aged ≥ 60 years, whereas it decreased among younger adults. Throughout the study period, younger adults tended to have lower intakes of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and whole grains; higher intakes of SSBs, protein, and dietary fat; and lower KHEI score. The mean KHEI score was lower in male (vs. female) and lower (vs. higher) income groups. Conclusions Our data suggest that, from 2013 to 2022, there was a trend toward an unhealthy diet in Korean adults. Our findings also suggest dietary inequalities among age, sex, and income groups, suggesting the need for more intense interventions targeting the vulnerable populations.

Annular pancreas is a rare congenital abnormality characterized by a ring of pancreatic tissue encircling the descending part of the duodenum. It is considered to originate from incomplete ventral pancreatic bud rotation. A 39-year-old male with refractory nausea and vomiting despite receiving appropriate medical treatment underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography; it revealed an annular pancreas encircling the descending part of the duodenum. We found that surgical resection of the annular pancreas relieved nausea and vomiting due to duodenal obstruction.

Secondary dyslipidemia, characterized by elevated blood cholesterol and triglycerides, arises from various underlying conditions. The identification and appropriate handling of these causes is crucial for effective treatment. Major contributors include unhealthy diets, diseases impacting lipid metabolism, and medication side effects. Prioritizing the correction of secondary causes before initiating conventional lipid-lowering therapies is essential. Subsequent lipid profiles guide the selection of appropriate guideline-based lipid-lowering interventions.

Using the neutral zone concept can increase the stability of the prosthesis. In this case, bimaxillary denture were fabricated using the neutral zone in a patient who had alveolar ridge resorption and inwardly positioned lip. This condition was unfavorable for obtaining stability of the denture, so the force involved in denture had to be minimized. There were differences in the tooth arrangement and shape of the polished surface between the definitive denture made using the neutral zone impression technique and the provisional denture made without using it.

Background/Aims: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic and recurrent condition requiring constant dietary management and medication. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of HIP1601, a dual delayed-release formulation of esomeprazole, in patients with GERD in a clinical setting. Methods: This prospective, multicenter, observational study was conducted at 309 medical institutions in Korea between June 2021 and March 2023. HIP1601 was administered at daily doses of 40 mg or 20 mg to 5,407 patients requiring treatment or prevention of erosive esophagitis. The primary outcome was the improvement rate of GERD symptoms at four weeks. GERD-related symptoms and treatment-emergent adverse events were also analyzed. Results: This study included 5,282 patients in the safety analysis set and 5,232 in the full analysis set. At four weeks, the improvement rate of GERD symptoms was 92.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 91.3–92.8%). By eight weeks, the improvement rate increased to 94.6% (95% CI: 94.0–95.3%). After HIP1601 administration, the severity scores for all four GERD symptoms decreased to less than 1, with statistically significant changes in the scores (p<0.001). HIP1601 was well-tolerated, with minimal adverse events reported (0.17%), and the treatment-emergent adverse events were mild to moderate in severity. Conclusions HIP1601 showed strong efficacy and safety in managing GERD symptoms, with high rates of symptom relief at four and eight weeks. Its extended action and improved symptom control make it a promising therapeutic option for GERD patients.

Objectives: The standard first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection typically involves proton pump inhibitors, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin (PAC), yet the eradication success rates are not entirely satisfactory. Recognizing bismuth’s antibacterial properties and its potential to enhance antibiotic efficacy, this study compared the eradication success rates of a 7-day course of PAC with bismuth (PACB) versus PAC alone in patients with clarithromycin-susceptible H. pylori infections. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review at Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital involving 499 patients with confirmed clarithromycin-susceptible H. pylori infection. These patients were treated either with PACB or PAC for 7 days. Clarithromycin resistance-associated point mutations were evaluated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Successful eradication was confirmed by a negative 13C-urea breath test. Results: Of the patients, 261 received PACB therapy, and 238 received PAC therapy. The intention-to-treat analysis showed eradication success rates of 82.8% (216/261) for PACB and 89.1% (212/238) for PAC (p=0.093). The per-protocol analysis revealed eradication rates of 85.3% (215/252) for PACB and 90.5% (210/232) for PAC (p=0.081). The incidence of adverse effects was similar between the two groups, with 41.3% (104/252) in the PACB group and 34.1% (79/232) in the PAC group (p=0.102). Conclusions Adding bismuth to the standard 7-day PAC regimen did not significantly increase eradication rates in patients with clarithromycin-susceptible H. pylori infections compared to PAC alone.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality used as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules, recurrent thyroid cancers (RTCs), and primary thyroid microcarcinomas. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) initially developed recommendations for the optimal use of RFA for thyroid tumors in 2009 and revised them in 2012 and 2017. As new meaningful evidence has accumulated since 2017 and in response to a growing global interest in the use of RFA for treating malignant thyroid lesions, the task force committee members of the KSThR decided to update the guidelines on the use of RFA for the management of RTCs based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature and expert consensus.