Background and Objectives: Hearing loss significantly affects communication, psychosocial well-being, and quality of life. This study analyzes the National Health Insurance Service database to assess the trends and characteristics of hearing loss in South Korea from 2010 to 2020.Subjects and Method The database encompasses 97% of the Korean population, providing comprehensive data on medical history, prescriptions, and health examinations. The analysis used the World Health Organization’s ICD-10 definitions to categorize hearing loss types and examine their prevalence and incidence across various demographics over 11 years. Results: There was an overall annual increase of 4.62% in diagnosed cases of hearing loss, with the most significant rise among the elderly. The rate of increase accelerated from 3.32% between 2010 and 2014 to 6.49% between 2014 and 2020, corresponding with the improved hearing aid access facilitated by policy changes. Women showed a slightly higher increase than men. The data also indicated a consistent rise in abnormal hearing test results during health examinations, especially in older adults. Conclusion The study highlights an increasing trend in hearing loss diagnoses, driven by an aging population and enhanced detection facilitated by policy changes. These findings emphasize the need for continuous monitoring and targeted health policies to manage hearing loss effectively, offering valuable insights for global health management and policy development.

Background and Objectives: The sense of taste has a crucial role in maintaining good health, and this is why taste disturbance can negatively impact one’s quality of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the etiologies, clinical characteristics, and effects of treatment in patients with taste disturbances.Subjects and Method A total of 160 patients with taste disorders, who visited our Smell and Taste Clinic from January 2021 to December 2022, were enrolled. All patients underwent chemical and electrical taste threshold tests, olfactory function tests, questionnaires including medical and dental history, and blood tests. The etiologies and clinical features of taste disorders were assessed and treatment was directed toward causative abnormalities. Factors affecting the improvement rates after treatment were evaluated. Results: Taste disorder due to olfactory disorder was the most frequent etiology, followed by laryngopharyngeal reflux, head trauma, and drug-induced. In many cases, there was a discrepancy in the severity of taste between the complaints reported by patients and the results of taste threshold tests. After treatment, 115 patients showed improvement in their taste function, and the improvement rates were significantly correlated with the age and etiologies of the taste disorders. Conclusion Careful history taking and accurate chemosensory testing were essential to establish the etiologies, nature, degree, and veracity of a patient’s complaint of taste disturbance. Appropriate treatments according to the etiologies allowed recovery of taste function in 71.9% of patients.

Background and Objectives: This study aims to analyze trends in hearing disability and the use of hearing rehabilitation devices (hearing aids and cochlear implants) in South Korea over the past 11 years (2010-2020) using data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).Subjects and Method Data were extracted from the NHIS database, covering approximately 97% of the South Korean population. Patients diagnosed with hearing loss were classified using ICD-10 codes. The data were analyzed to determine trends in hearing disability, hearing aid prescriptions, and cochlear implant usage by age, gender, and types and causes of hearing loss. Results: The number of hearing disability patients increased from 170900 in 2010 to 362738 in 2020, with an annual growth rate of 7.95%. The highest increase was observed in the ≥60 age group, with an annual growth rate of 11.04%. Hearing aid prescriptions rose from 4966 in 2010 to 11974 in 2020, showing a 10.45% annual increase. Females showed a higher growth rate in both hearing disability and hearing aid prescriptions compared to males. Cochlear implant prescriptions also increased, particularly among older adults. Conclusion The study highlights a significant rise in hearing disability and the use of hearing aids and cochlear implants in South Korea, especially among the elderly. The findings underscore the importance of early diagnosis and intervention for hearing loss and the need for policy improvements to enhance accessibility and affordability of hearing rehabilitation services. Additional strategies are needed to ensure appropriate hearing rehabilitation for those not yet receiving adequate care.

Incidentally detected gallbladder polyps (GBPs) and gallbladder wall thickening (GBWT) are frequently encountered in clinical practice. However, characterizing GBPs and GBWT in asymptomatic patients can be challenging and may result in overtreatment, including unnecessary follow-ups or surgeries. The Korean Society of Abdominal Radiology (KSAR) Clinical Practice Guideline Committee has developed expert recommendations that focus on standardized imaging interpretation and follow-up strategies for both GBPs and GBWT, with support from the Korean Society of Radiology and KSAR. These guidelines, which address 24 key questions, aim to standardize the approach for the interpretation of imaging findings, reporting, imaging-based workups, and surveillance of incidentally detected GBPs and GBWT. This recommendation promotes evidence-based practice, facilitates communication between radiologists and referring physicians, and reduces unnecessary interventions.

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.

This report presents radiologic changes after clinical improvement in a patient with acute interstitial nephritis (AIN). A 45-year-old female patient was referred for decreased renal function. Eight months prior, she had undergone hysterectomy and received chemotherapy. At the start of chemotherapy, her baseline creatinine level was 0.55 mg/dL, which rose to 1.46 mg/dL. Multiple imaging modalities performed when decreased renal function was observed revealed bilateral renal enlargement with increased cortical attenuation on computed tomography (CT), cortical hyperechogenicity on ultrasonography, and diffusion restriction in the renal cortices on magnetic resonance imaging. A renal biopsy was performed, and AIN was diagnosed. Follow-up laboratory tests showed that kidney function had improved to normal levels, and CT at that time showed a reduction in the size of both kidneys. Radiologic changes can serve as clues for the diagnosis of AIN. This is the first report to confirm radiological changes after the clinical improvement of AIN, thereby providing novel information about the course of AIN.

Objective: We aimed to determine whether individuals at immediate risk of suicide could be identified using data from a commercially available wearable device. Methods: Thirty-nine participants experiencing acute depressive episodes and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls wore a commercially available wearable device (Galaxy Watch Active2) for two months. We collected data on activities, sleep, and physiological metrics like heart rate and heart rate variability using the wearable device. Participants rated their mood spontaneously twice daily on a Likert scale displayed on the device. Mood ratings by clinicians were performed at weeks 0, 2, 4, and 8. The suicide risk was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale’s suicide item score (HAMD-3). We developed two predictive models using machine learning: a single-level model that processed all data simultaneously to identify those at immediate suicide risk (HAMD-3 scores ≥1) and a multilevel model. We compared the predictions of imminent suicide risk from both models. Results: Both the single-step and multi-step models effectively predicted imminent suicide risk. The multi-step model outperformed the single-step model in predicting imminent suicide risk with area under the curve scores of 0.89 compared to 0.88. In the multi-step model, the HAMD total score and heart rate variability were most significant, whereas in the single-step model, the HAMD total score and diagnosis were key predictors. Conclusion Wearable devices are a promising tool for identifying individuals at immediate risk of suicide. Future research with more refined temporal resolution is recommended.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of static computer-assisted implant surgery (s-CAIS) by comparing the planned and actual positions of implants placed in a partially edentulous model using surgical templates with different sleeve designs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-nine mandibular partially edentulous models were scanned using a model scanner to create standard tessellation language (STL) files. The models were divided into seven groups based on sleeve design: Group 1–4 (Open non-metal sleeves with varying heights (3 mm, 6 mm) and buccal widths (5 mm, 6 mm)), Group 5–6 (Closed non-metal sleeves with heights of 3 mm and 6 mm), and Group 7 (Closed metal sleeve). After implant placement at #45 and #47, STL files were generated and analyzed using 3D measurement software. Deviations were measured in terms of horizontal deviation (coronal and apical), vertical deviation, and angular deviation. Statistical significance was evaluated using the Wilcoxon rank sum test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and multiple generalized linear models. RESULTS: While height differences showed no significant deviations (P > .05), there was a tendency for larger apical deviation with increased sleeve height (P < .1). Closed metal and closed non-metal sleeves showed smaller deviations compared to open non-metal sleeves, except in vertical deviation. CONCLUSION Closed sleeves demonstrated greater accuracy in s-CAIS compared to open sleeves. Higher sleeves may improve implant placement accuracy, but buccal insertion width did not significantly affect accuracy.

The leading causes of refractory peptic ulcers are Helicobacter pylori infection and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Additionally, insufficient treatment for the suppression of gastric acid, smoking, alcohol consumption, and concomitant diseases can hinder recovery. Treatment includes the eradication of H. pylori, discontinuation of the causative agent, and appropriate suppression of gastric acid. Even after improvement of symptoms, sufficient proton pump inhibitor maintenance is necessary for 8 to 12 weeks. To increase the success rate of H. pylori eradication, it is essential to accurately determine the initial infection and for patients where treatment has failed due to antibiotic resistance, the success rate of treatment can be increased through sensitivity testing. Sometimes, evaluation for rare causes, such as Zollinger–Ellison syndrome, may be necessary, and follow-up gastroscopy must be performed to exclude the possibility of malignancy.

Background/Aims: Adiponectin, a hormone primarily produced by adipocytes, typically shows an inverse relationship with body mass index (BMI). However, some studies have reported a positive correlation between the two. Thus, this study aimed to examine the relationship between adiponectin level and BMI in diabetic patients, focusing on the impact of past obesity on current adiponectin levels. Methods: We conducted an observational study analyzing data from 323 diabetic patients at Kyungpook National University Hospital. Based on past and current BMIs, participants were categorized into never-obese (nn, n = 106), previously obese (on, n = 43), and persistently obese (oo, n = 73) groups based on a BMI threshold of 25 kg/m2. Adiponectin level and BMI were key variables. Kaplan–Meier analysis assessed their impact on all-cause mortality up to August 2023, with survival differences based on adiponectin quartiles and follow-up starting from patient enrollment (2010–2015). Results: The analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between adiponectin level and past maximum BMI. The on group exhibited approximately 10% lower adiponectin levels compared to the nn group. This association remained significant after adjusting for current BMI, age, and sex, highlighting the lasting influence of previous obesity on adiponectin levels. Furthermore, survival analysis indicated that patients in the lowest adiponectin quartile had reduced survival, with a statistically significant trend (p = 0.062). Conclusions Findings of this study suggest that lower adiponectin levels, potentially reflecting past obesity, are associated with decreased survival in diabetic patients, underscoring a critical role of adiponectin in long-term health outcomes.