Background and objectives: This study aimed to analyze and present updated trends in atrial fibrillation (AF) epidemiology within the Korean population, providing a foundation for planning and implementing appropriate management and treatment strategies for patients with AF. Patients and methods: We used the Korean National Health Insurance Service database to evaluate the prevalence, incidence, comorbidities, and clinical adverse outcomes of patients with AF in Korea between 2013 and 2022. Results: AF prevalence in Korean adults aged ≥ 20 years doubled (1.1 to 2.2%) between 2013 and 2022, with significant increases observed across various sex and age groups. Similarly, the number of newly diagnosed patients with AF per year increased steadily, with the incidence rising from 184 to 275 per 100,000 person-years, particularly among older populations. Over this period, the mean age of patients with AF increased from 67.7 to 70.3 years, and comorbidities prevalence and CHA2DS2-VASc score rose significantly, indicating a higher stroke risk. Compared with patients without AF, AF was associated with an increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.78), ischemic stroke (HR: 2.39), major bleeding (HR: 2.10), myocardial infarction (HR: 1.44), and heart failure admission (HR: 2.42). Conclusion AF prevalence and incidence have steadily increased between 2013 and 2022, with a more pronounced increase in older patients. Patients with AF are increasingly becoming a high-risk population and are at increased risk of clinical adverse outcomes compared to non-AF patients. Therefore, a sustained national effort to improve AF awareness and comprehensive care quality for patients with AF is required.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the overall prevalence and clinical significance of interposition of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) into the medial compartment of the knee joint in coronal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 317 consecutive patients referred for knee MRI at our institution between October 2009 and December 2009. Interposition of the PCL into the medial compartment of the knee joint on proton coronal MRI was evaluated dichotomously (i.e., present or absent). We analyzed the interposition according to its prevalence as well as its relationship with right-left sidedness, gender, age, and disease categories (osteoarthritis, anterior cruciate ligament tear, and medial meniscus tear). RESULTS: Prevalence of interposition of PCL into the medial compartment of the knee joint was 47.0% (149/317). There was no right (50.0%, 83/166) to left (43.7%, 66/151) or male (50.3%, 87/173) to female (43.1%, 62/144) differences in the prevalence. There was no significant association between the prevalence and age, or the disease categories. CONCLUSION: Interposition of the PCL into the medial compartment of the knee joint is observed in almost half of patients on proton coronal MRI of the knee. Its presence is not associated with any particular factors including knee pathology and may be regarded as a normal MR finding.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Knee Joint/*radiography ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial/radiography ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis/diagnosis/epidemiology/radiography ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament/*radiography ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate the relationship between T2 values of pre- and post-contrast magnetic resonance (MR) images of femoral cartilage in patients with varying degrees of osteoarthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 19 patients underwent delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage. Six regions of interest for T2 value measurement were obtained from pre- and post-contrast T2-weighted, sagittal, multi-slice, multi-echo, source images in each subject. Regions with modified Noyes classification grade 2B and 3 were excluded. Comparison of T2 values between pre- and post-contrast images and T2 values among regions with the grade 0, 1 and 2A groups were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Of a total of 114 regions, 79 regions showing grade 0 (n = 46), 1 (n = 18), or 2A (n = 15) were analyzed. The overall and individual T2 values of post-contrast images were significantly lower than those of pre-contrast images (overall, 35.3 +/- 9.2 [mean +/- SD] vs. 29.9 +/- 8.2, p < 0.01; range of individual, 28.9-37.6 vs. 27.1-36.4, p < 0.01). Pearson correlation coefficients showed a strong positive correlation between pre- and post-contrast images (rho-Pearson = 0.712-0.905). T2 values of pre- and post-contrast images of the grade 0 group were significantly lower than those of the grade 1/2A group (pre T2, p = 0.003; post T2, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: T2 values of the femoral cartilage of the knee joint are significantly lower on post-contrast images than on pre-contrast images. Furthermore, these T2 values have a strong positive correlation between pre- and post-contrast images.
Adult ; Aged ; *Cartilage, Articular/pathology ; Contrast Media/*diagnostic use ; Female ; Femur ; Gadolinium DTPA/diagnostic use ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/*diagnosis/pathology ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVES: The object of this study was to determine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and early menarche in adolescent girls in Seoul. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted with 144 middle school students in Seoul who provided informed consent. We measured their body composition, and used the questionnaire survey method for data collection from November to December 2008. Past elemental body composition data were collected from elementary school health records of first year of middle school. RESULTS: The early menarcheal group was taller and heavier than the late menarcheal group (p<0.05 from 8-12 years old). The body fat percentage (%), BMI were higher in the early menarcheal girls than the late-menarcheal girls (p<0.05, age at 13). In the result of multiple logistic regression, the BMI at the age of 8 and 9 was associated with early menarche after adjusting for birth weight, breast feeding and age at menarche of the mother (BMI at the age of 8: p for trend=0.01, BMI at the age of 9: p for trend=0.04). An increase in BMI from 7 to 8 year was associated with early menarche after adjusting for birth weight, breast feeding, age at menarche of the mother (p for trend=0.048). CONCLUSIONS: The BMI at the age of 8 and 9 was associated with the early menarche of girls and increase in BMI from 7 to 8 year was associated with the early menarche of girls. These results suggest that BMI and increase in BMI before menarche cause early menarche. Although this study does not represent all Korean adolescent girls, it is one of the few studies that have investigated the temporal relationship between BMI and early menarche.
Adipose Tissue/*physiology ; Adolescent ; Age of Onset ; Body Composition/physiology ; *Body Mass Index ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Menarche/*physiology ; Obesity/physiopathology ; Overweight/*physiopathology ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To compare the image quality of volume isotropic turbo spin echo acquisition (VISTA) imaging method with that of the three-dimensional (3D) isotropic fast field echo (FFE) imaging method applied for ankle joint imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR imaging of the ankles of 10 healthy volunteers was performed with VISTA and 3D FFE sequences by using a 3.0 T machine. Two radiologists retrospectively assessed the tissue contrast between fluid and cartilage (F-C), and fluid and the Achilles tendon (F-T) with use of a 4-point scale. For a quantitative analysis, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was obtained by imaging phantom, and the contrast ratios (CRs) were calculated between F-T and F-C. Statistical analyses for differences in grades of tissue contrast and CRs were performed. RESULTS: VISTA had significantly superior grades in tissue contrast of F-T (p = 0.001). Results of 3D FFE had superior grades in tissue contrast of F-C, but these result were not statistically significant (p = 0.157). VISTA had significantly superior CRs in F-T (p = 0.002), and 3D FFE had superior CRs in F-C (p = 0.003). The SNR of VISTA was higher than that of 3D FFE (49.24 vs. 15.94). CONCLUSION: VISTA demonstrates superior tissue contrast between fluid and the Achiles tendon in terms of quantitative and qualitative analysis, while 3D FFE shows superior tissue contrast between fluid and cartilage in terms of quantitative analysis.
Achilles Tendon/*anatomy & histology ; Adult ; Ankle Joint/*anatomy & histology ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods ; Male ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Statistics, Nonparametric

PURPOSE: Integrins play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The aim of this study was to investigate whether two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs2141698, -1687A/G; rs11895564, Ala380Thr) of the integrin alpha 6 (ITGA6) gene are associated with the development and clinicopathologic characteristics of PTC such as the size (<1 cm and > or =1 cm), number (unifocality and multifocality), location (one lobe and both lobes), extrathyroid invasion, and cervical lymph node metastasis. METHODS: We enrolled 104 PTC patients and 318 control subjects. Genotypes of each SNP were determined by direct sequencing. SNPStats, SNPAnalyzer, and Helixtree programs were used to evaluate odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and P-values. Multiple logistic regression models were performed to analyze genetic data. RESULTS: A missense SNP rs11895564 was associated with the development of PTC. The A allele frequency of rs11895564 was higher in PTC patients than in controls (13.5% vs. 7.1%; P = 0.005; OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.24 to 3.37). In the clinicopathologic characteristics, the A allele frequency of rs11895564 showed difference in the size (19.6% in <1 cm vs. 6.9% in > or =1 cm; P = 0.010; OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.75) and number (8.5% in unifocality vs. 20.8% in multifocality; P = 0.015; OR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.23 to 6.59) of PTC. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the A allele of rs11895564 (Ala380Thr) in ITGA6 may be a risk factor of PTC, and also contribute to the progression of PTC in the Korean population.
Alleles ; Carcinoma ; Factor IX ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Integrins ; Logistic Models ; Lymph Nodes ; Odds Ratio ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms

PURPOSE: Integrins play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The aim of this study was to investigate whether two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs2141698, -1687A/G; rs11895564, Ala380Thr) of the integrin alpha 6 (ITGA6) gene are associated with the development and clinicopathologic characteristics of PTC such as the size (<1 cm and > or =1 cm), number (unifocality and multifocality), location (one lobe and both lobes), extrathyroid invasion, and cervical lymph node metastasis. METHODS: We enrolled 104 PTC patients and 318 control subjects. Genotypes of each SNP were determined by direct sequencing. SNPStats, SNPAnalyzer, and Helixtree programs were used to evaluate odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and P-values. Multiple logistic regression models were performed to analyze genetic data. RESULTS: A missense SNP rs11895564 was associated with the development of PTC. The A allele frequency of rs11895564 was higher in PTC patients than in controls (13.5% vs. 7.1%; P = 0.005; OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.24 to 3.37). In the clinicopathologic characteristics, the A allele frequency of rs11895564 showed difference in the size (19.6% in <1 cm vs. 6.9% in > or =1 cm; P = 0.010; OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.75) and number (8.5% in unifocality vs. 20.8% in multifocality; P = 0.015; OR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.23 to 6.59) of PTC. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the A allele of rs11895564 (Ala380Thr) in ITGA6 may be a risk factor of PTC, and also contribute to the progression of PTC in the Korean population.
Alleles ; Carcinoma ; Factor IX ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Integrins ; Logistic Models ; Lymph Nodes ; Odds Ratio ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms

The aim of this study was to represent the trend of early menarche and to assess the association of age at menarche with anthropometric profiles of Korean children and adolescents. A cross sectional survey was conducted with 13,371 girls aged 10 to 18 yr, recruited nationwide from April, 2005 to March, 2006. Height, weight and waist circumference of the subjects were measured; and the subjects self-reported their ages at menarche. We found that the menarcheal girls were taller (P<0.05 for the girls between 10 and 14 yr) and heavier (P<0.05 for the girls between 10 and 18 yr) than non-menarcheal ones. Menarcheal girls also showed higher body mass index (BMI), and greater waist circumference than non-menarcheal ones. Significant differences were represented according to the age at menarche in terms of BMI, waist circumference, % body fat mass, waist hip ratio and neck circumference as well as height and weight (P<0.05). In conclusion, girls who matured early were taller and heavier in early adolescence than those who matured later.
Adolescent ; Body Fat Distribution ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; *Body Weights and Measures ; Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Menarche/*physiology ; Republic of Korea ; Waist Circumference ; Waist-Hip Ratio

OBJECTIVES: The physical activity of Korean adolescents and its distribution based on social characteristics have not yet been fully assessed. This study intends to reveal the distribution of physical activity by its subgroups and offer possible explanatory variables. METHODS: The 3rd Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey was analyzed for this study. The appropriateness of physical activity was defined by Korea's Health Plan 2010 and physical inactivity was assessed independently. Family affluence scale, parents' education levels, subjective economic status, grade, and school location were considered explanatory variables. All statistical analysis was conducted using SAS ver. 9.1. RESULTS: The proportion of participants engaging in vigorous physical activity was high in males (41.6%), at a low grade (38.5%), within the high family affluence scale group (35.5%). The distribution of participants engaging in moderate physical activity showed similar patterns, but the overall proportion was lower (9.8%). Low family affluence and students with lower subjective economic status reported a higher prevalence of physical inactivity. In multiple logistic regression analysis for physical activity, significant factors included family affluence scale (p<0.05). For physical inactivity, family affluence scale, parents education levels, and subjective economic status were included as significant factors (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the physical activity and inactivity of adolescents may be affected by socioeconomic variables, such as family affluence scale. This implies the need to take proper measures to address these socio-economic inequalities.
Adolescent ; *Exercise ; Female ; Health Behavior ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Prevalence ; Sex Factors ; Socioeconomic Factors

In this study, we observed the alteration of choline signal intensity in hippocampus region of the depressive rat model induced by forced swimming test (FST). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antidepressant efficacy in the depressive animal model using MR spectroscopy. Fourteen experimentally naive male Sprague-Dawley rats weighting 160~180 g were used as subjects. Drug injection group was exposed to the FST except for control group. The drugs were administered subcutaneously (SC) in a volume equivalent to 2 ml/kg. And three injections were administered 23, 5, and 1 h before beginning the given test. 1H MR spectra were obtained with use of a point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) localization sequence performed according to the following parameters: repetition time, 2500 ms; echo time, 144 ms; 512 average; 2048 complex data points; voxel dimensions, 1.5x2.5x2.5 mm3; acquisition time, 25 min. There were no differences in NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratio between the right and the left hippocampus both normal control rats and antidepressant-injected rats. Also, no differences were observed in NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratio between the normal control rats and the antidepressant-injected rats both the right and the left hippocampus. In this study, we found the recovery of choline signals in the depressive animal model similar to normal control groups as injecting desipramine-HCl which was antidepressant causing anti-immobility effects. Thus, we demonstrated that MR spectroscopy was able to aid in evaluating the antidepressant effect of desipramine-HCl.
Animals ; Choline ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Protons ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spectrum Analysis ; Swimming