Background: Living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is a viable alternative to deceased-donor liver transplantation. Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols that include early extubation offer short-term benefits; however, the effect of immediate extubation in the operating room (OR) on long-term outcomes in patients undergoing LDLT remains unknown. We hypothesized that immediate OR extubation is associated with improved long-term outcomes in patients undergoing LDLT. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 205 patients who underwent LDLT. The patients were classified based on the extubation location as OREX (those extubated in the OR) or NOREX (those extubated in the intensive care unit [ICU]). The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), while secondary outcomes included ICU stay, hospital stay duration, and various postoperative outcomes. Results: Among the 205 patients, 98 (47.8%) underwent extubation in the OR after LDLT. Univariate analysis revealed that OR extubation did not significantly affect OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.24–1.05; P = 0.066). Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed no statistically significant association between OR extubation and OS (HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.35–1.80; P = 0.580). However, OR extubation was significantly associated with a lower incidence of 30-day composite complications and shorter ICU and hospital stays. Multivariate analysis indicated that higher preoperative platelet counts, increased serum creatinine levels, and a longer surgery duration were associated with poorer OS. Conclusions Immediate OR extubation following LDLT surgery was associated with fewer 30-day composite complications and shorter ICU and hospital stays; however, it did not significantly improve OS compared with ICU extubation.

Purpose: This study analyzed raw data from the 2022 Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) to explore the relationship between physical activities and the mental health of middle-aged individuals, and examined factors influencing chewing discomfort. Materials and Methods: Data pertaining to 104,500 middle-aged people aged between 40 and 64 were analyzed. The variables analyzed included general characteristics, perceived level of health, level of oral health, physical activities, mental health (PHQ-9), and statusof chewing discomfort. Cross-analysis was conducted to explore the differences in general characteristics, physical activities, mental health factors, and chewing discomfort status. Meanwhile, logistic regression analysis was performed on factors influencing chewing discomfort. Results: It was observed that chewing discomfort was more severe for middle-aged individuals who reported that theiroral health level was neither good nor poor compared with those who reported that their oral health was good (OR: 8.443, P < 0.001), those who reported that their perceived level of health was poor (OR: 49.173, P < 0.001), those who reported not performing the walking exercise (OR: 1.354, P < 0.001), those who reported that they had suicidal ideation compared with those who did not (OR:2.543, P < 0.001), those who reported that they had made a suicidal attempt compared with those who had not (OR: 4.456, P < 0.001), and those who reported that their level of depression was severe or more serious (OR: 4.624, P < 0.001). Conclusion In middleaged individuals, physical activities and mental health needs to be considered as a risk factor in the improvement of oral health.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors affecting oral function by general characteristics and mental health level. Materials and Methods: Raw data from the 1st year of the 9th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2022 - 2024) were used to analyze 3,518 individuals aged 20 to 80 years. The difference in oral function problems according to mental health level was assessed using the Chi-squared test. Logistic regression was performed to determine the risk factors affecting mental health level and oral function problems. Results: Chewing difficulty, phonation difficulty, and tooth pain were found to be higher in the high stress group than in the low stress group, showing a significant difference. When adjusting for general characteristics, it was confirmed that more severe levels of depression and anxiety had a significant impact on chewing difficulty, phonation difficulty, and tooth pain. Conclusion Recognizing the close relationship between oral function and mental health, it is important to develop integrated programs that not only provide regular oral checkups for individuals suffering from oral function problems but also manage mental health systematically and periodically.

Purpose: This study analyzed raw data from the 2022 Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) to explore the relationship between physical activities and the mental health of middle-aged individuals, and examined factors influencing chewing discomfort. Materials and Methods: Data pertaining to 104,500 middle-aged people aged between 40 and 64 were analyzed. The variables analyzed included general characteristics, perceived level of health, level of oral health, physical activities, mental health (PHQ-9), and statusof chewing discomfort. Cross-analysis was conducted to explore the differences in general characteristics, physical activities, mental health factors, and chewing discomfort status. Meanwhile, logistic regression analysis was performed on factors influencing chewing discomfort. Results: It was observed that chewing discomfort was more severe for middle-aged individuals who reported that theiroral health level was neither good nor poor compared with those who reported that their oral health was good (OR: 8.443, P < 0.001), those who reported that their perceived level of health was poor (OR: 49.173, P < 0.001), those who reported not performing the walking exercise (OR: 1.354, P < 0.001), those who reported that they had suicidal ideation compared with those who did not (OR:2.543, P < 0.001), those who reported that they had made a suicidal attempt compared with those who had not (OR: 4.456, P < 0.001), and those who reported that their level of depression was severe or more serious (OR: 4.624, P < 0.001). Conclusion In middleaged individuals, physical activities and mental health needs to be considered as a risk factor in the improvement of oral health.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors affecting oral function by general characteristics and mental health level. Materials and Methods: Raw data from the 1st year of the 9th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2022 - 2024) were used to analyze 3,518 individuals aged 20 to 80 years. The difference in oral function problems according to mental health level was assessed using the Chi-squared test. Logistic regression was performed to determine the risk factors affecting mental health level and oral function problems. Results: Chewing difficulty, phonation difficulty, and tooth pain were found to be higher in the high stress group than in the low stress group, showing a significant difference. When adjusting for general characteristics, it was confirmed that more severe levels of depression and anxiety had a significant impact on chewing difficulty, phonation difficulty, and tooth pain. Conclusion Recognizing the close relationship between oral function and mental health, it is important to develop integrated programs that not only provide regular oral checkups for individuals suffering from oral function problems but also manage mental health systematically and periodically.

Purpose: This study analyzed raw data from the 2022 Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) to explore the relationship between physical activities and the mental health of middle-aged individuals, and examined factors influencing chewing discomfort. Materials and Methods: Data pertaining to 104,500 middle-aged people aged between 40 and 64 were analyzed. The variables analyzed included general characteristics, perceived level of health, level of oral health, physical activities, mental health (PHQ-9), and statusof chewing discomfort. Cross-analysis was conducted to explore the differences in general characteristics, physical activities, mental health factors, and chewing discomfort status. Meanwhile, logistic regression analysis was performed on factors influencing chewing discomfort. Results: It was observed that chewing discomfort was more severe for middle-aged individuals who reported that theiroral health level was neither good nor poor compared with those who reported that their oral health was good (OR: 8.443, P < 0.001), those who reported that their perceived level of health was poor (OR: 49.173, P < 0.001), those who reported not performing the walking exercise (OR: 1.354, P < 0.001), those who reported that they had suicidal ideation compared with those who did not (OR:2.543, P < 0.001), those who reported that they had made a suicidal attempt compared with those who had not (OR: 4.456, P < 0.001), and those who reported that their level of depression was severe or more serious (OR: 4.624, P < 0.001). Conclusion In middleaged individuals, physical activities and mental health needs to be considered as a risk factor in the improvement of oral health.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors affecting oral function by general characteristics and mental health level. Materials and Methods: Raw data from the 1st year of the 9th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2022 - 2024) were used to analyze 3,518 individuals aged 20 to 80 years. The difference in oral function problems according to mental health level was assessed using the Chi-squared test. Logistic regression was performed to determine the risk factors affecting mental health level and oral function problems. Results: Chewing difficulty, phonation difficulty, and tooth pain were found to be higher in the high stress group than in the low stress group, showing a significant difference. When adjusting for general characteristics, it was confirmed that more severe levels of depression and anxiety had a significant impact on chewing difficulty, phonation difficulty, and tooth pain. Conclusion Recognizing the close relationship between oral function and mental health, it is important to develop integrated programs that not only provide regular oral checkups for individuals suffering from oral function problems but also manage mental health systematically and periodically.

This report presents the latest statistics on the stroke population in South Korea, sourced from the Clinical Research Collaborations for Stroke in Korea-National Institute for Health (CRCS-K-NIH), a comprehensive, nationwide, multicenter stroke registry. The Korean cohort, unlike western populations, shows a male-to-female ratio of 1.5, attributed to lower risk factors in Korean women. The average ages for men and women are 67 and 73 years, respectively.Hypertension is the most common risk factor (67%), consistent with global trends, but there is a higher prevalence of diabetes (35%) and smoking (21%). The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (19%) is lower than in western populations, suggesting effective prevention strategies in the general population. A high incidence of large artery atherosclerosis (38%) is observed, likely due to prevalent intracranial arterial disease in East Asians and advanced imaging techniques.There has been a decrease in intravenous thrombolysis rates, from 12% in 2017–2019 to 10% in 2021, with no improvements in door-to-needle and door-to-puncture times, worsened by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. While the use of aspirin plus clopidogrel for noncardioembolic stroke and direct oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation is well-established, the application of direct oral anticoagulants for non-atrial fibrillation cardioembolic strokes in the acute phase requires further research. The incidence of early neurological deterioration (13%) and the cumulative incidence of recurrent stroke at 3 months (3%) align with global figures. Favorable outcomes at 3 months (63%) are comparable internationally, yet the lack of improvement in dependency at 3 months highlights the need for advancements in acute stroke care.

Purpose: Few studies have investigated the association between smoking and microvascular complications in the Asian population with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to investigate the relationship between smoking status and microvascular complications in Korean patients with T2DM. Materials and Methods: From the Korean National Diabetes Program cohort, we included 2316 Korean male with T2DM who had baseline clinical information available, including their smoking status, and underwent diabetic complication studies. Results: Compared to non-smokers, current smokers had higher odds of any-microvascular complications [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–1.97, p=0.016]. The odds of neuropathy were significantly higher; however, the odds of retinopathy were significantly lower in current smokers than in nonsmokers (all p<0.05). Among those who underwent repeated complication tests after 3 years, the risk of newly developed retinopathy was significantly increased in ex-smokers [aOR 3.77 (95% CI 1.61–8.87), p=0.002]. Within ex-smokers, long smoking duration and smoking cessation within the recent 5 years were associated with an increased risk of newly developed retinopathy (all p<0.05). Conclusion Male smokers had higher odds of having overall diabetic microvascular complications, including neuropathy. However, the odds of having retinopathy were significantly lower among current smokers. More attention and research are needed regarding the increased risk of retinopathy development in ex-smokers who have recently stopped smoking after a long history of smoking.

Background/Aims: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common chronic gastrointestinal disorder that typically requires long-term maintenance therapy. However, little is known about patient preferences and satisfaction and real-world prescription patterns regarding maintenance therapy for GERD. Methods: This observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study involved patients from 18 referral hospitals in Korea. We surveyed patients who had been prescribed proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for GERD for at least 90 days with a minimum follow-up duration of 1 year. The main outcome was overall patient satisfaction with different maintenance therapy modalities. Results: A total of 197 patients were enrolled. Overall patient satisfaction, patient preferences, and GERD health-related quality of life scores did not significantly differ among the maintenance therapy modality groups. However, the on-demand therapy group experienced a significantly longer disease duration than the continuous therapy group. The continuous therapy group demonstrated a lower level of awareness of potential adverse effects associated with PPIs than the on-demand therapy group but received higher doses of PPIs than the on-demand therapy group. The prescribed doses of PPIs also varied based on the phenotype of GERD, with higher doses prescribed for non-erosive reflux disease than erosive reflux disease. Conclusion Although overall patient satisfaction did not significantly differ among the different PPI maintenance therapy modality groups, awareness of potential adverse effects was significantly different between the on-demand and continuous therapy groups.