Frailty poses a complex challenge to the health and well-being of aging populations, particularly in South Korea, where its prevalence is substantial and increasing. This review explores the landscape of frailty assessment and management in Korea, emphasizing the transition from a disease-centric approach to one focused on maintaining functional abilities and promoting healthy aging. This review covers various frailty screening tools, comprehensive geriatric assessment methods, and targeted interventions across domains such as polypharmacy, physical activity, nutrition, oral health, vitamin D supplementation, cognitive function, falls, and social frailty. The integration of these strategies aims to address the multifaceted nature of frailty and improve health outcomes for older adults. Furthermore, the importance of regular monitoring and reassessment is highlighted to guide personalized interventions and optimize outcomes, particularly for older adults with chronic illnesses. Through a multifaceted approach encompassing medical, social, and functional dimensions, this review advocates for effective frailty management to enhance the health and well-being of elderly in Korea and globally.

Background: Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is associated with reduced testosterone levels and an increase in various physical, mental, and emotional changes in men with age. Several lifestyle factors, including smoking, are reported to be related to LOH; however, very few studies have sufficiently investigated the relationships between smoking and the symptoms of LOH. This study aimed to use the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males (ADAM) questionnaire to assess the associations between smoking and LOH symptoms in Korean men. Methods: Men who underwent medical check-ups and transrectal ultrasonography at a university hospital between January 1, 2018 and March 31, 2021 (n=793) were included in this study. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the risk of LOH symptoms among non-smokers, exsmokers, and current smokers, with adjustments for age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, and exercise and education levels. Results: There were significant correlations between LOH symptoms, as assessed using the ADAM questionnaire, and smoking status. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors indicated that the risk of LOH symptoms was higher in the ex-smokers (odds ratio, 2.446; 95% confidential interval, 1.511–3.962) and current smokers (odds ratio, 6.664; 95% confidential interval, 3.485–12.74) groups. Conclusion These results indicate a positive correlation between smoking and LOH symptoms in Korean men. Nevertheless, large-scale studies are required to further validate these findings.

Frailty poses a complex challenge to the health and well-being of aging populations, particularly in South Korea, where its prevalence is substantial and increasing. This review explores the landscape of frailty assessment and management in Korea, emphasizing the transition from a disease-centric approach to one focused on maintaining functional abilities and promoting healthy aging. This review covers various frailty screening tools, comprehensive geriatric assessment methods, and targeted interventions across domains such as polypharmacy, physical activity, nutrition, oral health, vitamin D supplementation, cognitive function, falls, and social frailty. The integration of these strategies aims to address the multifaceted nature of frailty and improve health outcomes for older adults. Furthermore, the importance of regular monitoring and reassessment is highlighted to guide personalized interventions and optimize outcomes, particularly for older adults with chronic illnesses. Through a multifaceted approach encompassing medical, social, and functional dimensions, this review advocates for effective frailty management to enhance the health and well-being of elderly in Korea and globally.

Background: Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is associated with reduced testosterone levels and an increase in various physical, mental, and emotional changes in men with age. Several lifestyle factors, including smoking, are reported to be related to LOH; however, very few studies have sufficiently investigated the relationships between smoking and the symptoms of LOH. This study aimed to use the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males (ADAM) questionnaire to assess the associations between smoking and LOH symptoms in Korean men. Methods: Men who underwent medical check-ups and transrectal ultrasonography at a university hospital between January 1, 2018 and March 31, 2021 (n=793) were included in this study. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the risk of LOH symptoms among non-smokers, exsmokers, and current smokers, with adjustments for age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, and exercise and education levels. Results: There were significant correlations between LOH symptoms, as assessed using the ADAM questionnaire, and smoking status. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors indicated that the risk of LOH symptoms was higher in the ex-smokers (odds ratio, 2.446; 95% confidential interval, 1.511–3.962) and current smokers (odds ratio, 6.664; 95% confidential interval, 3.485–12.74) groups. Conclusion These results indicate a positive correlation between smoking and LOH symptoms in Korean men. Nevertheless, large-scale studies are required to further validate these findings.

Frailty poses a complex challenge to the health and well-being of aging populations, particularly in South Korea, where its prevalence is substantial and increasing. This review explores the landscape of frailty assessment and management in Korea, emphasizing the transition from a disease-centric approach to one focused on maintaining functional abilities and promoting healthy aging. This review covers various frailty screening tools, comprehensive geriatric assessment methods, and targeted interventions across domains such as polypharmacy, physical activity, nutrition, oral health, vitamin D supplementation, cognitive function, falls, and social frailty. The integration of these strategies aims to address the multifaceted nature of frailty and improve health outcomes for older adults. Furthermore, the importance of regular monitoring and reassessment is highlighted to guide personalized interventions and optimize outcomes, particularly for older adults with chronic illnesses. Through a multifaceted approach encompassing medical, social, and functional dimensions, this review advocates for effective frailty management to enhance the health and well-being of elderly in Korea and globally.

Background: Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is associated with reduced testosterone levels and an increase in various physical, mental, and emotional changes in men with age. Several lifestyle factors, including smoking, are reported to be related to LOH; however, very few studies have sufficiently investigated the relationships between smoking and the symptoms of LOH. This study aimed to use the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males (ADAM) questionnaire to assess the associations between smoking and LOH symptoms in Korean men. Methods: Men who underwent medical check-ups and transrectal ultrasonography at a university hospital between January 1, 2018 and March 31, 2021 (n=793) were included in this study. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the risk of LOH symptoms among non-smokers, exsmokers, and current smokers, with adjustments for age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, and exercise and education levels. Results: There were significant correlations between LOH symptoms, as assessed using the ADAM questionnaire, and smoking status. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors indicated that the risk of LOH symptoms was higher in the ex-smokers (odds ratio, 2.446; 95% confidential interval, 1.511–3.962) and current smokers (odds ratio, 6.664; 95% confidential interval, 3.485–12.74) groups. Conclusion These results indicate a positive correlation between smoking and LOH symptoms in Korean men. Nevertheless, large-scale studies are required to further validate these findings.

Frailty poses a complex challenge to the health and well-being of aging populations, particularly in South Korea, where its prevalence is substantial and increasing. This review explores the landscape of frailty assessment and management in Korea, emphasizing the transition from a disease-centric approach to one focused on maintaining functional abilities and promoting healthy aging. This review covers various frailty screening tools, comprehensive geriatric assessment methods, and targeted interventions across domains such as polypharmacy, physical activity, nutrition, oral health, vitamin D supplementation, cognitive function, falls, and social frailty. The integration of these strategies aims to address the multifaceted nature of frailty and improve health outcomes for older adults. Furthermore, the importance of regular monitoring and reassessment is highlighted to guide personalized interventions and optimize outcomes, particularly for older adults with chronic illnesses. Through a multifaceted approach encompassing medical, social, and functional dimensions, this review advocates for effective frailty management to enhance the health and well-being of elderly in Korea and globally.

Background: Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is associated with reduced testosterone levels and an increase in various physical, mental, and emotional changes in men with age. Several lifestyle factors, including smoking, are reported to be related to LOH; however, very few studies have sufficiently investigated the relationships between smoking and the symptoms of LOH. This study aimed to use the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males (ADAM) questionnaire to assess the associations between smoking and LOH symptoms in Korean men. Methods: Men who underwent medical check-ups and transrectal ultrasonography at a university hospital between January 1, 2018 and March 31, 2021 (n=793) were included in this study. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the risk of LOH symptoms among non-smokers, exsmokers, and current smokers, with adjustments for age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, and exercise and education levels. Results: There were significant correlations between LOH symptoms, as assessed using the ADAM questionnaire, and smoking status. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors indicated that the risk of LOH symptoms was higher in the ex-smokers (odds ratio, 2.446; 95% confidential interval, 1.511–3.962) and current smokers (odds ratio, 6.664; 95% confidential interval, 3.485–12.74) groups. Conclusion These results indicate a positive correlation between smoking and LOH symptoms in Korean men. Nevertheless, large-scale studies are required to further validate these findings.

Purpose: DA-8010 is a novel muscarinic M3 receptor antagonist with significant selectivity for bladder over salivary gland in preclinical studies. We evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of DA-8010 in overactive bladder (OAB) patients. Methods: This phase 2, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, active reference- and placebo-controlled trial was conducted at 12 centers in South Korea (NCT03566134). Patients aged ≥19 years with OAB symptoms for ≥3 months were enrolled. Three hundred six patients (30.07% male) were randomized to 12 weeks of treatment among 4 groups; 2 experimental groups (DA-8010 2.5 or 5 mg), an active reference group (solifenacin 5 mg), and a placebo group. The change from the baseline of (=∆) 24-hour frequency at 12 weeks (primary endpoint), episodes of urgency, overall/urgency urinary incontinence, average/ maximum voided volume, nocturia, and patients’ subjective responses were analyzed. Results: In the full analysis set, the mean (standard deviation) [median] values for ∆ 24-hour frequency at 12 weeks were -1.01 (2.44) [-1.33] for placebo, -1.22 (2.05) [-1.33] for DA-8010 2.5 mg, and -1.67 (2.25) [-1.67] for DA-8010 5 mg; DA-8010 5 mg showed a significant decrease compared with placebo (P=0.0413). At 4 and 8 weeks, both DA-8010 2.5 mg (P=0.0391 at 4 weeks, P=0.0335 at 8 weeks) and DA-8010 5 mg (P=0.0001 at 4 weeks, P=0.0210 at 8 weeks) showed significant decrease in ∆ 24-hour frequency compared with placebo. DA-8010 5 mg achieved a significant decrease in ∆ number of urgency episodes, compared with placebo at 4 (P=0.0278) and 8 (P=0.0092) weeks. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were observed in 3.95% of placebo, 6.67% of DA-8010 2.5 mg, 18.42% of DA-8010 5 mg, and 17.33% of solifenacin 5 mg groups. No serious ADRs were observed in any patient. Conclusions Both DA-8010 2.5 mg and 5 mg showed therapeutic efficacy for OAB without serious ADRs. Therefore, both dosages of DA-8010 can advance to a subsequent large-scale phase 3 trial.

Background: Physicians and caregivers are conflicted over whether to inform patients that their disease is terminal. Studies examining the effect of awareness of prognosis on the survival and quality of life of terminally ill cancer patients report conflicting results. This study aimed to assess the effects of prognosis awareness on the survival time and psychological health of terminally ill cancer patients. Methods: Patients in the hospice wards of two general hospitals were asked to complete a questionnaire. All were mentally alert and could express themselves clearly. Awareness of prognosis was defined as knowing both the diagnosis and exact prognosis. Survival time was defined as the time from hospital admission to death. Multiple psychological examinations were conducted to verify the effect of prognosis awareness on psychological health. Results: Of the 98 subjects who met the inclusion criteria, 65 (66.3%) were aware of their terminal status. The patients’ awareness was significantly related to survival time after adjusting for clinical variables with a hazard ratio of 1.70 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–2.86). Furthermore, the unaware group had a higher risk of cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination <24; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.65; 95% CI, 1.26–10.59) and a poorer quality of life (physical component summary of the Short Form 36-item Health Survey <20; aOR, 3.61; 95% CI, 1.12– 11.60) than the aware group. Conclusion Knowledge of the exact prognosis might have a positive effect on the survival and quality of life of terminally ill cancer patients.