Background/Aims: Findings on the impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication on metabolic parameters are inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of H. pylori eradication on metabolic parameters and body composition, including body fat mass and skeletal muscle mass. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of asymptomatic patients who underwent health screenings, including bioelectrical impedance analysis, before and after H. pylori eradication between 2005 and 2021. After matching individuals based on key factors, we compared lipid profiles, metabolic parameters, and body composition between 823 patients from the eradicated group and 823 patients from the non-eradicated groups. Results: Blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and glycated hemoglobin values were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in the non-eradicated group. However, changes in body mass index (BMI), body fat mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), waist circumference, and lipid profiles were not significantly different between the two groups. In a subgroup analysis of individuals aged >45 years, blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and glycated hemoglobin changes were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in the noneradicated group. BMI values were significantly higher in the eradicated group than in the noneradicated group; however, no significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding changes in body weight, body fat mass, ASM, or waist circumference. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in non-eradicated group. Conclusions H. pylori eradication significantly reduced blood pressure, glucose levels, and systemic inflammation and improved lipid profiles in patients aged >45 years. BMI, body fat mass, ASM, and waist circumference did not significantly differ between patients in the eradicated group and those in the non-eradicated group.

Purpose: Forming a patient safety culture is the first step in addressing patient safety issues. This study therefore examines the patient safety culture among healthcare professionals in South Korea. It also identifies the factors influencing patient safety culture and related activities. Methods: Among the survey studies conducted in South Korea, we reviewed those that measured patient safety culture using the Korean version of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture 1.0. We identified the level of patient safety culture, the relationship between patient safety culture and patient safety activities, and the factors affecting patient safety culture. Results: A total of 640 studies were identified through searches of seven domestic and international databases, with 58 included in the analysis. Studies targeting nurses accounted for 96.6%. The general characteristics of patient safety culture included length of service, age, working hours, department of work, hospital size, conflict occurrence, unreported incidents, and subjective safety management evaluations. A statistically significant correlation between patient safety culture and patient safety activities was confirmed in 84.5% of studies. Patient safety culture was the most frequently reported factor influencing patient safety activities. Conclusion Strategies to enhance patient safety culture can promote patient safety activities in South Korean healthcare institutions. Considering organizational and organizational members characteristics when devising these strategies can enhance their effectiveness.

Background/Aims: Findings on the impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication on metabolic parameters are inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of H. pylori eradication on metabolic parameters and body composition, including body fat mass and skeletal muscle mass. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of asymptomatic patients who underwent health screenings, including bioelectrical impedance analysis, before and after H. pylori eradication between 2005 and 2021. After matching individuals based on key factors, we compared lipid profiles, metabolic parameters, and body composition between 823 patients from the eradicated group and 823 patients from the non-eradicated groups. Results: Blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and glycated hemoglobin values were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in the non-eradicated group. However, changes in body mass index (BMI), body fat mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), waist circumference, and lipid profiles were not significantly different between the two groups. In a subgroup analysis of individuals aged >45 years, blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and glycated hemoglobin changes were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in the noneradicated group. BMI values were significantly higher in the eradicated group than in the noneradicated group; however, no significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding changes in body weight, body fat mass, ASM, or waist circumference. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in non-eradicated group. Conclusions H. pylori eradication significantly reduced blood pressure, glucose levels, and systemic inflammation and improved lipid profiles in patients aged >45 years. BMI, body fat mass, ASM, and waist circumference did not significantly differ between patients in the eradicated group and those in the non-eradicated group.

Background/Aims: Findings on the impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication on metabolic parameters are inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of H. pylori eradication on metabolic parameters and body composition, including body fat mass and skeletal muscle mass. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of asymptomatic patients who underwent health screenings, including bioelectrical impedance analysis, before and after H. pylori eradication between 2005 and 2021. After matching individuals based on key factors, we compared lipid profiles, metabolic parameters, and body composition between 823 patients from the eradicated group and 823 patients from the non-eradicated groups. Results: Blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and glycated hemoglobin values were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in the non-eradicated group. However, changes in body mass index (BMI), body fat mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), waist circumference, and lipid profiles were not significantly different between the two groups. In a subgroup analysis of individuals aged >45 years, blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and glycated hemoglobin changes were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in the noneradicated group. BMI values were significantly higher in the eradicated group than in the noneradicated group; however, no significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding changes in body weight, body fat mass, ASM, or waist circumference. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in non-eradicated group. Conclusions H. pylori eradication significantly reduced blood pressure, glucose levels, and systemic inflammation and improved lipid profiles in patients aged >45 years. BMI, body fat mass, ASM, and waist circumference did not significantly differ between patients in the eradicated group and those in the non-eradicated group.

Purpose: Forming a patient safety culture is the first step in addressing patient safety issues. This study therefore examines the patient safety culture among healthcare professionals in South Korea. It also identifies the factors influencing patient safety culture and related activities. Methods: Among the survey studies conducted in South Korea, we reviewed those that measured patient safety culture using the Korean version of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture 1.0. We identified the level of patient safety culture, the relationship between patient safety culture and patient safety activities, and the factors affecting patient safety culture. Results: A total of 640 studies were identified through searches of seven domestic and international databases, with 58 included in the analysis. Studies targeting nurses accounted for 96.6%. The general characteristics of patient safety culture included length of service, age, working hours, department of work, hospital size, conflict occurrence, unreported incidents, and subjective safety management evaluations. A statistically significant correlation between patient safety culture and patient safety activities was confirmed in 84.5% of studies. Patient safety culture was the most frequently reported factor influencing patient safety activities. Conclusion Strategies to enhance patient safety culture can promote patient safety activities in South Korean healthcare institutions. Considering organizational and organizational members characteristics when devising these strategies can enhance their effectiveness.

Background/Aims: Findings on the impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication on metabolic parameters are inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of H. pylori eradication on metabolic parameters and body composition, including body fat mass and skeletal muscle mass. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of asymptomatic patients who underwent health screenings, including bioelectrical impedance analysis, before and after H. pylori eradication between 2005 and 2021. After matching individuals based on key factors, we compared lipid profiles, metabolic parameters, and body composition between 823 patients from the eradicated group and 823 patients from the non-eradicated groups. Results: Blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and glycated hemoglobin values were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in the non-eradicated group. However, changes in body mass index (BMI), body fat mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), waist circumference, and lipid profiles were not significantly different between the two groups. In a subgroup analysis of individuals aged >45 years, blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and glycated hemoglobin changes were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in the noneradicated group. BMI values were significantly higher in the eradicated group than in the noneradicated group; however, no significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding changes in body weight, body fat mass, ASM, or waist circumference. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in non-eradicated group. Conclusions H. pylori eradication significantly reduced blood pressure, glucose levels, and systemic inflammation and improved lipid profiles in patients aged >45 years. BMI, body fat mass, ASM, and waist circumference did not significantly differ between patients in the eradicated group and those in the non-eradicated group.

Purpose: Forming a patient safety culture is the first step in addressing patient safety issues. This study therefore examines the patient safety culture among healthcare professionals in South Korea. It also identifies the factors influencing patient safety culture and related activities. Methods: Among the survey studies conducted in South Korea, we reviewed those that measured patient safety culture using the Korean version of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture 1.0. We identified the level of patient safety culture, the relationship between patient safety culture and patient safety activities, and the factors affecting patient safety culture. Results: A total of 640 studies were identified through searches of seven domestic and international databases, with 58 included in the analysis. Studies targeting nurses accounted for 96.6%. The general characteristics of patient safety culture included length of service, age, working hours, department of work, hospital size, conflict occurrence, unreported incidents, and subjective safety management evaluations. A statistically significant correlation between patient safety culture and patient safety activities was confirmed in 84.5% of studies. Patient safety culture was the most frequently reported factor influencing patient safety activities. Conclusion Strategies to enhance patient safety culture can promote patient safety activities in South Korean healthcare institutions. Considering organizational and organizational members characteristics when devising these strategies can enhance their effectiveness.

Purpose: This phase II study investigated whether durvalumab/tremelimumab with proton therapy improves the objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) in heavily treated recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. Materials and Methods: Patients who previously received more than one chemotherapy, including at least one platinum-based regimen, and who had at least two measurable lesions were enrolled. Patients received 1,500 mg durvalumab intravenously combined with 75 mg tremelimumab intravenously every 4 weeks for four cycles followed by 1,500 mg durvalumab every 4 weeks. After one cycle of the durvalumab/tremelimumab treatment, proton therapy was given with a total dose of 25 Gy in 5 Gy daily fractions to one of the measurable lesions. We also assessed the ORR in the target lesion outside the radiation field to evaluate the abscopal effect. Results: Thirty-one patients were enrolled between March 2018 and July 2020. With 8.6 months of follow-up, the ORR was 22.6% (7/31), including one complete response and six partial responses. The median OS was 8.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.5 to 14.3) and the median PFS was 2.4 months (95% CI, 0.6 to 4.2). Among the 23 evaluable patients who completed proton therapy, the ORR was 30.4% (7/23). The median OS was 11.1 months (95% CI, 6.5 to 15.8), and the median PFS was 3.7 months (95% CI, 1.6 to 5.7). Grade 3 or higher adverse events were observed in six patients (19.4%) as follows: anemia (n=1), constipation (n=1), electrolyte imbalances (n=2), hyperglycemia (n=1), and pneumonia (n=1). Conclusion The combination of durvalumab/tremelimuab with proton therapy was tolerated well and had encouraging anti-tumor efficacy in non-irradiated tumor lesions of heavily treated HNSCC patients.

Background/Aims: To investigate whether non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in individuals without generalized obesity is associated with visceral fat obesity (VFO), sarcopenia, and/or myosteatosis. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included 14,400 individuals (7,470 men) who underwent abdominal computed tomography scans during routine health examinations. The total abdominal muscle area (TAMA) and skeletal muscle area (SMA) at the 3rd lumbar vertebral level were measured. The SMA was divided into the normal attenuation muscle area (NAMA) and low attenuation muscle area, and the NAMA/TAMA index was calculated. VFO was defined by visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio, sarcopenia by body mass index-adjusted SMA, and myosteatosis by the NAMA/TAMA index. NAFLD was diagnosed with ultrasonography. Results: Of the 14,400 individuals, 4,748 (33.0%) had NAFLD, and the prevalence of NAFLD among non-obese individuals was 21.4%. In regression analysis, both sarcopenia (men: odds ratio [OR] 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19–1.67, P<0.001; women: OR=1.59, 95% CI 1.40–1.90, P<0.001) and myosteatosis (men: OR=1.24, 95% CI 1.02–1.50, P=0,028; women: OR=1.23, 95% CI 1.04–1.46, P=0.017) were significantly associated with non-obese NAFLD after considering for VFO and other various risk factors, whereas VFO (men: OR=3.97, 95% CI 3.43–4.59 [adjusted for sarcopenia], OR 3.98, 95% CI 3.44–4.60 [adjusted for myosteatosis]; women: OR=5.42, 95% CI 4.53–6.42 [adjusted for sarcopenia], OR=5.33, 95% CI 4.51–6.31 [adjusted for myosteatosis]; all P<0.001) was strongly associated with non-obese NAFLD after adjustment with various known risk factors. Conclusions In addition to VFO, sarcopenia and/or myosteatosis were significantly associated with non-obese NAFLD.