BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dietary factors act on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).This study examined the relationship between the overall diet quality and LUTS. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study analyzed the data from examinees who visited a general hospital in Korea (October 13, 2014−March 12, 2020). The number of subjects in the study was 6,506 adult men. The recommended food score was used to evaluate the overall quality of the diet, and the International Prostate Symptom Score was used to quantify LUTS. Logistic regression analysis was used to derive the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to evaluate the relationship between the dietary quality and LUTS. The influence of age, education, marital history, income, occupation, smoking, drinking, exercise, metabolic syndrome, body mass index (BMI), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was analyzed to determine the net influence of the overall diet quality on LUTS. RESULTS: The group with high overall dietary quality showed a lower incidence of LUTS than the group with relatively lower dietary quality (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.79–0.99). These results were also observed after correcting for other risk factors and associated variables: age, education, smoking, metabolic syndrome, BMI, and PSA level. CONCLUSION The overall diet quality and LUTS were correlated. Nevertheless, further research will be needed to find the relationship between diet quality and LUTS.

Alzheimer disease (AD) diagnosis is confirmed using a medley of modalities, such as the detection of amyloid-β (Aβ) neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles with positron electron tomography (PET) or the appraisal of irregularities in cognitive function with examinations. Although these methods have been efficient in confirming AD pathology, the rising demand for earlier intervention during pathogenesis has led researchers to explore the diagnostic potential of fluid biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma. Since CSF sample collection is invasive and limited in quantity, biomarker detection in plasma has become more attractive and modern advancements in technology has permitted more efficient and accurate analysis of plasma biomolecules. In this study, we found that a composite of standard factors, Aβ40 and total tau levels in plasma, divided by the variation factor, plasma Aβ42 level, provide better correlation with amyloid neuroimaging and neuropsychological test results than a level comparison between total tau and Aβ42 in plasma. We collected EDTA-treated blood plasma samples of 53 subjects, of randomly selected 27 AD patients and 26 normal cognition (NC) individuals, who received amyloid-PET scans for plaque quantification, and measured plasma levels of Aβ40, Aβ42, and total tau with digital enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a blinded manner. There was difficulty distinguishing AD patients from controls when analyzing biomarkers independently. However, significant differentiation was observed between the two groups when comparing individual ratios of total-tau×Aβ40/Aβ42. Our results indicate that collectively comparing fluctuations of these fluid biomarkers could aid in monitoring AD pathogenesis.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) 3.0 for predicting mortality and liver-related complications compared with the Child-Pugh classification, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade, the MELD, and the MELD sodium (MELDNa) score. Methods: We evaluated a multicenter retrospective cohort of incorporated patients with cirrhosis between 2013 and 2019. We conducted comparisons of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the MELD3.0 and other models for predicting 3-month mortality. Additionally, we assessed the risk of cirrhosis-related complications according to the MELD3.0 score. Results: A total of 3,314 patients were included. The mean age was 55.9±11.3 years, and 70.2% of the patients were male. Within the initial 3 months, 220 patients (6.6%) died, and the MELD3.0had the best predictive performance among the tested models, with an AUROC of 0.851, outperforming the Child-Pugh classification, ALBI grade, MELD, and MELDNa. A high MELD3.0score was associated with an increased risk of mortality. Compared with that of the group with a MELD3.0 score <10 points, the adjusted hazard ratio of the group with a score of 10–20 pointswas 2.176, and that for the group with a score of ≥20 points was 4.892. Each 1-point increase inthe MELD3.0 score increased the risk of cirrhosis-related complications by 1.033-fold. The risk of hepatorenal syndrome showed the highest increase, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.149, followed by hepatic encephalopathy and ascites. Conclusions The MELD3.0 demonstrated robust prognostic performance in predicting mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Moreover, the MELD3.0 score was linked to cirrhosis-related complications, particularly those involving kidney function, such as hepatorenal syndrome and ascites.

Purpose: We aimed to identify changes in surgical indications in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in the biologics era in a single tertiary center. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, 108 patients with UC who underwent abdominal surgery for UC at Seoul National University Hospital from 2000 to 2021 were included. We compared the total number of patients undergoing UC before and after the introduction of biologic therapy. Results: Of the 108 patients with UC (male, 59 and female, 49; mean age, 46.8 years), 30 (27.8%) underwent surgery for neoplasms and 78 (72.2%) for medical intractability without neoplasms. The duration between diagnosis and surgery varied significantly (126.00 months vs. 60.50 months, P = 0.001). A significant difference was also noted in the surgical indications according to time (P = 0.02). Between 2000 and 2010, 12 patients (19.4%) underwent surgery for UC with neoplasms and 50 (80.6%) for UC without neoplasms, while between 2011 and 2021, 18 (39.1%) and 28 patients (60.9%) underwent surgery for UC with and without neoplasms, respectively. Conclusion Since 2011, when biological agents were covered by insurance in South Korea, there has been a relative increase in the incidence of surgical indications for neoplasia cases. Focusing on closely monitoring individuals with longterm UC for neoplasms is necessary.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dietary factors act on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).This study examined the relationship between the overall diet quality and LUTS. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study analyzed the data from examinees who visited a general hospital in Korea (October 13, 2014−March 12, 2020). The number of subjects in the study was 6,506 adult men. The recommended food score was used to evaluate the overall quality of the diet, and the International Prostate Symptom Score was used to quantify LUTS. Logistic regression analysis was used to derive the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to evaluate the relationship between the dietary quality and LUTS. The influence of age, education, marital history, income, occupation, smoking, drinking, exercise, metabolic syndrome, body mass index (BMI), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was analyzed to determine the net influence of the overall diet quality on LUTS. RESULTS: The group with high overall dietary quality showed a lower incidence of LUTS than the group with relatively lower dietary quality (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.79–0.99). These results were also observed after correcting for other risk factors and associated variables: age, education, smoking, metabolic syndrome, BMI, and PSA level. CONCLUSION The overall diet quality and LUTS were correlated. Nevertheless, further research will be needed to find the relationship between diet quality and LUTS.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dietary factors act on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).This study examined the relationship between the overall diet quality and LUTS. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study analyzed the data from examinees who visited a general hospital in Korea (October 13, 2014−March 12, 2020). The number of subjects in the study was 6,506 adult men. The recommended food score was used to evaluate the overall quality of the diet, and the International Prostate Symptom Score was used to quantify LUTS. Logistic regression analysis was used to derive the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to evaluate the relationship between the dietary quality and LUTS. The influence of age, education, marital history, income, occupation, smoking, drinking, exercise, metabolic syndrome, body mass index (BMI), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was analyzed to determine the net influence of the overall diet quality on LUTS. RESULTS: The group with high overall dietary quality showed a lower incidence of LUTS than the group with relatively lower dietary quality (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.79–0.99). These results were also observed after correcting for other risk factors and associated variables: age, education, smoking, metabolic syndrome, BMI, and PSA level. CONCLUSION The overall diet quality and LUTS were correlated. Nevertheless, further research will be needed to find the relationship between diet quality and LUTS.

The fundamental principles for treating ankle fractures, as with other intra-articular fractures, are anatomical reduction and stable internal fixation. Despite successful reduction, between 14% and 40% of patients continue to experience persistent pain or unsatisfactory functional outcomes. Furthermore, approximately 1% of patients progress to post-traumatic arthritis, necessitating further surgical intervention. Ankle fractures are frequently accompanied by intra-articular injuries, including osteochondral lesions, ligament tears, and syndesmosis injuries. Arthroscopy is becoming increasingly prevalent in managing acute ankle fractures by assessing intra-articular damage and facilitating accurate reduction. This review examined the role and indications for arthroscopy in ankle fractures, particularly emphasizing its benefits in diagnosing and managing associated injuries, including osteochondral lesions, syndesmosis, and deltoid ligament injuries. Furthermore, arthroscopy facilitates fracture reduction, offering a minimally invasive approach with a shorter recovery period and enhanced visualization. Its use extends to pediatric fractures and complex cases such as Maisonneuve and calcaneal fractures, potentially improving outcomes while minimizing complications. Understanding the evolving indications and benefits of arthroscopy for ankle fractures can lead to improved clinical outcomes and reduced complications.

Objective: : Korea’s healthcare system and policy promotes early, actively stroke treatment to improve prognosis. This study represents stroke epidemiology and outcomes in Korea. Methods: : This study investigated data from the Acute Stroke Assessment Registry. The registry collects data from over 220 hospitals nationwide, focusing on quality stroke service management. Data analysis included patient demographics, stroke severity assessment, and discharge prognosis measurement using standardized scales. Results: : Eighty-six thousand five hundred sixty-eight acute stroke patients were collected with demographic and clinical characteristics during 18 months from 2016, 2018, and between 2020 to 2021, focusing on acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and acute ischemic stroke. Of these 86568 patients, 8.3% was SAH, 16.3% ICH, and 74.9% ischemic stroke. Trends showed decreasing SAH and increasing ICH cases over the years. 68.3% stroke patients had the clear onset time. 49.6% stroke patients arrived within 4.5 hours of symptom onset, with more patients treated at general hospitals. Good functional outcomes at discharge was obtained with 58.3% of acute stroke patients, 55.9% of SAH patients, 34.6% of ICH patients, and 63.8% of ischemic stroke patients. Conclusion : The results showed that ischemic stroke was the most common subtype, followed by ICH and SAH. Prognosis differed among subtypes, with favorable outcomes more common in ischemic stroke and SAH compared to ICH.

The fundamental principles for treating ankle fractures, as with other intra-articular fractures, are anatomical reduction and stable internal fixation. Despite successful reduction, between 14% and 40% of patients continue to experience persistent pain or unsatisfactory functional outcomes. Furthermore, approximately 1% of patients progress to post-traumatic arthritis, necessitating further surgical intervention. Ankle fractures are frequently accompanied by intra-articular injuries, including osteochondral lesions, ligament tears, and syndesmosis injuries. Arthroscopy is becoming increasingly prevalent in managing acute ankle fractures by assessing intra-articular damage and facilitating accurate reduction. This review examined the role and indications for arthroscopy in ankle fractures, particularly emphasizing its benefits in diagnosing and managing associated injuries, including osteochondral lesions, syndesmosis, and deltoid ligament injuries. Furthermore, arthroscopy facilitates fracture reduction, offering a minimally invasive approach with a shorter recovery period and enhanced visualization. Its use extends to pediatric fractures and complex cases such as Maisonneuve and calcaneal fractures, potentially improving outcomes while minimizing complications. Understanding the evolving indications and benefits of arthroscopy for ankle fractures can lead to improved clinical outcomes and reduced complications.

Objective: : Korea’s healthcare system and policy promotes early, actively stroke treatment to improve prognosis. This study represents stroke epidemiology and outcomes in Korea. Methods: : This study investigated data from the Acute Stroke Assessment Registry. The registry collects data from over 220 hospitals nationwide, focusing on quality stroke service management. Data analysis included patient demographics, stroke severity assessment, and discharge prognosis measurement using standardized scales. Results: : Eighty-six thousand five hundred sixty-eight acute stroke patients were collected with demographic and clinical characteristics during 18 months from 2016, 2018, and between 2020 to 2021, focusing on acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and acute ischemic stroke. Of these 86568 patients, 8.3% was SAH, 16.3% ICH, and 74.9% ischemic stroke. Trends showed decreasing SAH and increasing ICH cases over the years. 68.3% stroke patients had the clear onset time. 49.6% stroke patients arrived within 4.5 hours of symptom onset, with more patients treated at general hospitals. Good functional outcomes at discharge was obtained with 58.3% of acute stroke patients, 55.9% of SAH patients, 34.6% of ICH patients, and 63.8% of ischemic stroke patients. Conclusion : The results showed that ischemic stroke was the most common subtype, followed by ICH and SAH. Prognosis differed among subtypes, with favorable outcomes more common in ischemic stroke and SAH compared to ICH.