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.

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.

Background: Residential smoking cessation therapy programs offer intensive treatment for heavy smokers who struggle to quit independently, particularly those with high nicotine dependence and health conditions that necessitate urgent cessation. While previous studies have established the effectiveness of such programs and identified various factors influencing smoking cessation success, it remains unclear how changes in smokers’ thoughts and attitudes following residential therapy correlate with their ability to quit smoking. We investigated the relationship between smoking cessation-related characteristics, smoking-related psychological status, and participants’ smoking cessation success after a residential smoking cessation therapy program. Methods: From January 2017 to December 2018, 291 participants completed the program. All participants completed questionnaires on smoking cessation-related characteristics and smoking-related psychological status before the program and on the 5th day. Six months later, smoking cessation success was assessed using a urine cotinine test. Results: After 6 months, 222 participants successfully quit smoking, while 69 failed. The success and failure groups exhibited statistically significant differences in age, marital status, total smoking duration, stress, and emotion regulation strategies. Participants who used ineffective emotion regulation strategies more frequently had a lower rate of smoking cessation success (odds ratio [OR], 0.969; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.948–0.991). Moreover, an increase in the perception of the negative effects of smoking cessation (OR, 0.982; 95% CI, 0.967–0.997) and smoking temptation (OR, 0.960; 95% CI, 0.929–0.993) was associated with higher cessation success. Conclusion Emotion regulation strategies, perceptions of the effects of smoking cessation, and smoking temptation were associated with successful smoking cessation.

Background: Skipping breakfast is associated with an increased risk of chronic inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to examine the association between breakfast-eating habits and inflammation, using high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as a marker. Methods: A total of 4,000 Korean adult males with no history of myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, or current smoking were included. Data from the 2016–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used for analysis. The frequency of breakfast consumption was assessed through a questionnaire item in the dietary survey section asking participants about their weekly breakfast consumption routines over the past year. Participants were categorized into two groups, namely “0–2 breakfasts per week” and “3–7 breakfasts per week”; hs-CRP concentrations were measured through blood tests. Results: Comparing between the “infrequent breakfast consumption (0–2 breakfasts per week)” and “frequent breakfast consumption (3–7 breakfasts per week)” groups, the mean hs-CRP was found to be significantly higher in the “infrequent breakfast consumption” group, even after adjusting for age, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol consumption, systolic blood pressure, blood pressure medication, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides (mean hs-CRP: frequent breakfast consumption, 1.36±0.09 mg/L; infrequent breakfast consumption, 1.17±0.05 mg/L; P-value=0.036). Conclusion Less frequent breakfast consumption was associated with elevated hs-CRP levels. Further large-scale studies incorporating adjusted measures of daily eating patterns as well as food quality and quantity are required for a deeper understanding of the role of breakfast in the primary prevention of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Epidemiological evidence has shown that diabetes is associated with overt heart failure (HF) and worse clinical outcomes. However, the presence of a distinct primary diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) has not been easy to prove because the association between diabetes and HF is confounded by hypertension, obesity, microvascular dysfunction, and autonomic neuropathy. In addition, the molecular mechanisms underlying DCM are not yet fully understood, DCM usually remains asymptomatic in the early stage, and no specific biomarkers have been identified. Nonetheless, several mechanistic associations at the systemic, cardiac, and cellular/molecular levels explain different aspects of myocardial dysfunction, including impaired cardiac relaxation, compliance, and contractility. In this review, we focus on recent clinical and preclinical advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of DCM and the role of anti-hyperglycemic agents in preventing DCM beyond their glucose lowering effect.

Epidemiological evidence has shown that diabetes is associated with overt heart failure (HF) and worse clinical outcomes. However, the presence of a distinct primary diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) has not been easy to prove because the association between diabetes and HF is confounded by hypertension, obesity, microvascular dysfunction, and autonomic neuropathy. In addition, the molecular mechanisms underlying DCM are not yet fully understood, DCM usually remains asymptomatic in the early stage, and no specific biomarkers have been identified. Nonetheless, several mechanistic associations at the systemic, cardiac, and cellular/molecular levels explain different aspects of myocardial dysfunction, including impaired cardiac relaxation, compliance, and contractility. In this review, we focus on recent clinical and preclinical advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of DCM and the role of anti-hyperglycemic agents in preventing DCM beyond their glucose lowering effect.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Background: The impact of weight or weight changes on kidney function remains a matter of debate. This study aimed to investigate the association between weight fluctuation and the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation health checkups (2009–2015). Methods: The study included 2,310,667 participants (1,546,749 men and 763,918 women), aged ≥40 years. Weight fluctuation was assessed using the average real variability (ARV) of weight and categorized into quartiles (Q1–Q4). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals for ESRD incidence were calculated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Results: After adjustment for comorbidities, increased body mass index was associated with a decreased HR for ESRD. The highest quartile of weight variability (ARV Q4) demonstrated a higher probability and HR for ESRD compared to the lower variability quartiles (Q1–Q3). Among men, individuals with sustained weight, and those with weight gain, the ARV Q4 group showed significantly increased HRs for ESRD (HR of 1.372, 1.222, and 1.49, respectively). Furthermore, irrespective of changes in creatinine levels, all ARV Q4 groups exhibited increased HRs for ESRD (HR of 1.342, 1.472, and 1.299, respectively). Conclusions High weight fluctuation (ARV Q4) was associated with an increased incidence of ESRD in the general Korean population, with notable significance in men and in groups with sustained or increased weight. Clinically, individuals in the ARV Q4 category should be considered at risk for ESRD, and early interventions should be pursued for this population.