Background: The growing number of elderly individuals living alone presents a major social issue, encompassing loneliness, isolation, economic and health challenges, and increased risk of suicide. This study aimed to identify factors associated with suicide risk among elderly individuals living alone in Jeju. Methods: A total of 4,742 participants completed questionnaires to assess their sociodemographic characteristics. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Short Form Geriatric Depression Scale-Korean version (sGDS-K), with a cutoff score of eight indicating the presence of depressive symptoms. Suicide risk was assessed using the MiniInternational Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant correlates of suicide risk. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the following factors as significantly associated with suicide risk: poor subjective health status (odds ratio [OR]=1.590, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.137-2.224), current drinking (OR=1.511, 95% CI: 1.119-2.042), hypertension (OR=1.419, 95% CI: 1.133-1.778), and sGDS scores ≥8 (OR=4.318, 95% CI: 3.408-5.469). Conclusion This study highlights the importance of intensive mental health services and socioeconomic support in preventing suicide among elderly individuals living alone. Targeted interventions should focus on those who have poor subjective health status, are current drinkers, have hypertension, or exhibit depressive symptoms.

Background: The growing number of elderly individuals living alone presents a major social issue, encompassing loneliness, isolation, economic and health challenges, and increased risk of suicide. This study aimed to identify factors associated with suicide risk among elderly individuals living alone in Jeju. Methods: A total of 4,742 participants completed questionnaires to assess their sociodemographic characteristics. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Short Form Geriatric Depression Scale-Korean version (sGDS-K), with a cutoff score of eight indicating the presence of depressive symptoms. Suicide risk was assessed using the MiniInternational Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant correlates of suicide risk. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the following factors as significantly associated with suicide risk: poor subjective health status (odds ratio [OR]=1.590, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.137-2.224), current drinking (OR=1.511, 95% CI: 1.119-2.042), hypertension (OR=1.419, 95% CI: 1.133-1.778), and sGDS scores ≥8 (OR=4.318, 95% CI: 3.408-5.469). Conclusion This study highlights the importance of intensive mental health services and socioeconomic support in preventing suicide among elderly individuals living alone. Targeted interventions should focus on those who have poor subjective health status, are current drinkers, have hypertension, or exhibit depressive symptoms.

Background: The growing number of elderly individuals living alone presents a major social issue, encompassing loneliness, isolation, economic and health challenges, and increased risk of suicide. This study aimed to identify factors associated with suicide risk among elderly individuals living alone in Jeju. Methods: A total of 4,742 participants completed questionnaires to assess their sociodemographic characteristics. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Short Form Geriatric Depression Scale-Korean version (sGDS-K), with a cutoff score of eight indicating the presence of depressive symptoms. Suicide risk was assessed using the MiniInternational Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant correlates of suicide risk. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the following factors as significantly associated with suicide risk: poor subjective health status (odds ratio [OR]=1.590, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.137-2.224), current drinking (OR=1.511, 95% CI: 1.119-2.042), hypertension (OR=1.419, 95% CI: 1.133-1.778), and sGDS scores ≥8 (OR=4.318, 95% CI: 3.408-5.469). Conclusion This study highlights the importance of intensive mental health services and socioeconomic support in preventing suicide among elderly individuals living alone. Targeted interventions should focus on those who have poor subjective health status, are current drinkers, have hypertension, or exhibit depressive symptoms.

Background: The growing number of elderly individuals living alone presents a major social issue, encompassing loneliness, isolation, economic and health challenges, and increased risk of suicide. This study aimed to identify factors associated with suicide risk among elderly individuals living alone in Jeju. Methods: A total of 4,742 participants completed questionnaires to assess their sociodemographic characteristics. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Short Form Geriatric Depression Scale-Korean version (sGDS-K), with a cutoff score of eight indicating the presence of depressive symptoms. Suicide risk was assessed using the MiniInternational Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant correlates of suicide risk. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the following factors as significantly associated with suicide risk: poor subjective health status (odds ratio [OR]=1.590, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.137-2.224), current drinking (OR=1.511, 95% CI: 1.119-2.042), hypertension (OR=1.419, 95% CI: 1.133-1.778), and sGDS scores ≥8 (OR=4.318, 95% CI: 3.408-5.469). Conclusion This study highlights the importance of intensive mental health services and socioeconomic support in preventing suicide among elderly individuals living alone. Targeted interventions should focus on those who have poor subjective health status, are current drinkers, have hypertension, or exhibit depressive symptoms.

Background and Objectives: In chronic heart failure (HF), natriuretic peptide (NP) levels are higher in atrial fibrillation (AF) compared to sinus rhythm (SR). However, due to the loss of atrial contraction, AF patients are prone to hemodynamic decompensation at earlier stages.Since NP levels reflect disease severity, acutely decompensated AF patients may exhibit lower NP levels compared to SR patients, who retain greater hemodynamic reserve. Methods: We analyzed 5,048 patients with acute HF from the Korea Acute Heart Failure registry with available NP data. NP levels and echocardiographic parameters were compared between AF and SR patients. The association of NP levels with in-hospital and one-year mortality was also assessed according to cardiac rhythm. Results: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were measured in 2,027 and 3,021 patients, respectively. NP levels were lower in AF than in SR (median BNP, 740 vs. 1,044 pg/mL; median NT-proBNP, 4,420 vs. 5,198 pg/mL), particularly in HF with reduced or mildly reduced ejection fraction. A similar trend was observed regardless of HF onset or etiology. AF patients had smaller left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic diameter and larger left atrial size compared to SR patients. Higher NP tertiles were associated with increased in-hospital and one-year mortality in both groups. Conclusions In acute HF, NP levels are lower in AF than in SR. AF patients also exhibited smaller LV chamber sizes. Nevertheless, NP levels remain strong predictors of outcomes in both AF and SR patients.

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in South Korea, imposing substantial physical, emotional, and financial burdens on patients and society. Despite the high burden of symptom and complex care needs of HF patients, palliative care and hospice services remain underutilized in South Korea due to cultural, institutional, and knowledge-related barriers. This position statement from the Korean Society of Heart Failure emphasizes the need for integrating palliative and hospice care into HF management to improve quality of life and support holistic care for patients and their families. By clarifying the role of palliative care in HF and proposing practical referral criteria, this position statement aims to bridge the gap between HF and palliative care services in South Korea, ultimately improving patient-centered outcomes and aligning treatment with the goals and values of HF patients.

Background: The growing number of elderly individuals living alone presents a major social issue, encompassing loneliness, isolation, economic and health challenges, and increased risk of suicide. This study aimed to identify factors associated with suicide risk among elderly individuals living alone in Jeju. Methods: A total of 4,742 participants completed questionnaires to assess their sociodemographic characteristics. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Short Form Geriatric Depression Scale-Korean version (sGDS-K), with a cutoff score of eight indicating the presence of depressive symptoms. Suicide risk was assessed using the MiniInternational Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant correlates of suicide risk. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the following factors as significantly associated with suicide risk: poor subjective health status (odds ratio [OR]=1.590, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.137-2.224), current drinking (OR=1.511, 95% CI: 1.119-2.042), hypertension (OR=1.419, 95% CI: 1.133-1.778), and sGDS scores ≥8 (OR=4.318, 95% CI: 3.408-5.469). Conclusion This study highlights the importance of intensive mental health services and socioeconomic support in preventing suicide among elderly individuals living alone. Targeted interventions should focus on those who have poor subjective health status, are current drinkers, have hypertension, or exhibit depressive symptoms.

Purpose: To report a nationwide survey on neuroblastoma conducted by the Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons (KAPS) in 2020. Methods: The clinical data of pediatric patients diagnosed with and treated for neuroblastoma from 2005 to 2019 in 19 hospitals of KAPS members were collected. Survival and prognostic factor analyses were performed using the log rank test and Cox proportional hazard analysis. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 669 patients with neuroblastoma were registered for the study. The results were presented and discussed at the 36th annual meeting of the KAPS, which was held in Seoul on August 21, 2020. Conclusion This study provides information on patient demographics, prognostic outcomes, and comprehensive treatment outcomes for neuroblastoma. The study is expected to be an important reference for improving pediatric surgeons’ understanding and treatment of neuroblastoma.

Purpose: Biliary atresia (BA) is a rare but progressive cholangiopathy and the leading cause of pediatric liver transplantation worldwide. The Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons (KAPS) has conducted three national surveys (2001, 2011, and 2023) to assess long-term trends in the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of BA. This study provides a comparative analysis of the 2nd and 3rd national surveys, with reference to selected findings from the 1st survey. Methods: This study included 453 patients from the 3rd national survey (2011–2021) and 435 patients from the 2nd survey (2001–2010), all of whom underwent Kasai portoenterostomy. Data were collected via electronic case report forms from pediatric surgical centers nationwide. Comparisons were made regarding demographics, clinical features, diagnostic patterns, operative details, follow-up outcomes, and survival. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to evaluate long-term survival. Results: The mean number of BA patients per year remained stable between surveys (43.5 in the 2nd, 41.18 in the 3rd), though centralization of care increased, with 61.5% of cases managed by two major institutions in the 3rd survey. The median age at surgery decreased, and the use of preoperative imaging (especially magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography) increased. The 10-year native liver survival rate declined from 59.8% to 53.7%, while overall 10-year survival improved slightly (92.9% to 93.2%). Postoperative complications, such as cholangitis and liver failure, persisted but were better categorized. The 3rd survey also reported improved mortality (4.9%) and reduced follow-up loss (11.5%) compared to the 2nd survey. Conclusion While overall survival after Kasai operation has remained high and even improved, native liver survival has slightly declined. The findings reflect earlier diagnosis, more consistent diagnostic imaging, and increasing centralization of care. These trends underscore the importance of long-term nationwide data collection in guiding future strategies for BA management in Korea.

Background: Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is one of the most significant complications after transplantation. Patients with end-stage liver diseases requiring transplantation are prone to sarcopenia, but the association between sarcopenia and PTDM remains to be elucidated. We aimed to investigate the effect of postoperative muscle mass loss on PTDM development. Methods: A total of 500 patients who underwent liver transplantation at a tertiary care hospital between 2005 and 2020 were included. Skeletal muscle area at the level of the L3–L5 vertebrae was measured using computed tomography scans performed before and 1 year after the transplantation. The associations between the change in the muscle area after the transplantation and the incidence of PTDM was investigated using a Cox proportional hazard model. Results: During the follow-up period (median, 4.9 years), PTDM occurred in 165 patients (33%). The muscle mass loss was greater in patients who developed PTDM than in those without PTDM. Muscle depletion significantly increased risk of developing PTDM after adjustment for other confounding factors (hazard ratio, 1.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.23 to 1.84; P=0.001). Of the 357 subjects who had muscle mass loss, 124 (34.7%) developed PTDM, whereas of the 143 patients in the muscle mass maintenance group, 41 (28.7%) developed PTDM. The cumulative incidence of PTDM was significantly higher in patients with muscle loss than in patients without muscle loss (P=0.034). Conclusion Muscle depletion after liver transplantation is associated with increased risk of PTDM development.