Background: Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is the leading cause of hospitalization and is associated with in-hospital mortality. This study aimed to elucidate the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of ARF. Methods: We retrospectively screened patients admitted to three hospitals in South Korea between January 2018 and December 2022. We included individuals aged 18 years, diagnosed with either type 1 ARF (arterial oxygen partial pressure [PaO2] <60 mm Hg) or type 2 ARF (arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2) >45 mm Hg) with a pH of <7.35, or diagnosed with the combined-type ARF. Results: Among the 768,700 hospitalized patients, 33,278 (4.3%) developed ARF. The most common cause of ARF was sepsis (15,757 patients, 47.3%), and the most frequent comorbidity was malignancy (15,403 patients, 43.6%). Among ARF patients, 15,671 (47.1%) required intensive care unit transfer, while 8,980 (27.0%) experienced in-hospital mortality. Over 5 years, the proportion of ARF patients aged 80 years and older has shown a consistent annual increase (coefficient, 0.085 and Ptrend <0.001). Concurrently, the in-hospital mortality rate exhibited an upward trend, increasing from 25.5% in 2018 to 29.3% in 2022 (coefficient, 1.017 and Ptrend<0.001). Among the respiratory support methods used for patients with ARF over the 5-year period, high-flow nasal cannula usage steadily increased (coefficient, 4.137 and Ptrend<0.001), whereas the use of invasive mechanical ventilation declined (coefficient, –0.983 and Ptrend<0.001). Conclusions ARF frequency and in-hospital mortality rates are increasing, driven by various etiologies. Despite these trends, research on the epidemiology and individualized treatments for older patients is limited, highlighting the need for nationwide prospective multicenter studies.

Purpose: This study examined nursing students' experiences of using digital healthcare applications in terms of the source and demand of socio-psychological needs, expectations, exposures, use satisfaction, and derivative effects based on the components of use satisfaction theory. Methods: This study was conducted using focus group interviews, and data were collected from 12 nursing students enrolled in two universities located in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province from April 1 to May 31, 2023. Results: The nursing students mainly used digital healthcare applications to address needs such as sleep, exercise, goal setting, social support, and motivation, which included the need for physical well-being, growth and development, emotional stability, and social needs. Participants met various needs such as achieving goals, feeling of achievement, enhancing self-confidence, and acquiring helpful information through digital healthcare applications. The satisfaction gained in setting and achieving goals was the driving force for motivation. Conclusion Nursing students value intuitive interfaces, personalized features, and appropriate notifications. Step-by-step rewards and reasonable pricing are also vital for using digital healthcare apps.These findings should be incorporated into developing programs to improve nursing students' health management and digital healthcare skills.

Purpose: This study examined nursing students' experiences of using digital healthcare applications in terms of the source and demand of socio-psychological needs, expectations, exposures, use satisfaction, and derivative effects based on the components of use satisfaction theory. Methods: This study was conducted using focus group interviews, and data were collected from 12 nursing students enrolled in two universities located in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province from April 1 to May 31, 2023. Results: The nursing students mainly used digital healthcare applications to address needs such as sleep, exercise, goal setting, social support, and motivation, which included the need for physical well-being, growth and development, emotional stability, and social needs. Participants met various needs such as achieving goals, feeling of achievement, enhancing self-confidence, and acquiring helpful information through digital healthcare applications. The satisfaction gained in setting and achieving goals was the driving force for motivation. Conclusion Nursing students value intuitive interfaces, personalized features, and appropriate notifications. Step-by-step rewards and reasonable pricing are also vital for using digital healthcare apps.These findings should be incorporated into developing programs to improve nursing students' health management and digital healthcare skills.

Purpose: This study examined nursing students' experiences of using digital healthcare applications in terms of the source and demand of socio-psychological needs, expectations, exposures, use satisfaction, and derivative effects based on the components of use satisfaction theory. Methods: This study was conducted using focus group interviews, and data were collected from 12 nursing students enrolled in two universities located in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province from April 1 to May 31, 2023. Results: The nursing students mainly used digital healthcare applications to address needs such as sleep, exercise, goal setting, social support, and motivation, which included the need for physical well-being, growth and development, emotional stability, and social needs. Participants met various needs such as achieving goals, feeling of achievement, enhancing self-confidence, and acquiring helpful information through digital healthcare applications. The satisfaction gained in setting and achieving goals was the driving force for motivation. Conclusion Nursing students value intuitive interfaces, personalized features, and appropriate notifications. Step-by-step rewards and reasonable pricing are also vital for using digital healthcare apps.These findings should be incorporated into developing programs to improve nursing students' health management and digital healthcare skills.

Purpose: This study examined nursing students' experiences of using digital healthcare applications in terms of the source and demand of socio-psychological needs, expectations, exposures, use satisfaction, and derivative effects based on the components of use satisfaction theory. Methods: This study was conducted using focus group interviews, and data were collected from 12 nursing students enrolled in two universities located in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province from April 1 to May 31, 2023. Results: The nursing students mainly used digital healthcare applications to address needs such as sleep, exercise, goal setting, social support, and motivation, which included the need for physical well-being, growth and development, emotional stability, and social needs. Participants met various needs such as achieving goals, feeling of achievement, enhancing self-confidence, and acquiring helpful information through digital healthcare applications. The satisfaction gained in setting and achieving goals was the driving force for motivation. Conclusion Nursing students value intuitive interfaces, personalized features, and appropriate notifications. Step-by-step rewards and reasonable pricing are also vital for using digital healthcare apps.These findings should be incorporated into developing programs to improve nursing students' health management and digital healthcare skills.

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has been used for over a century and has been demonstrated to be effective in treating patients with various allergic diseases. AIT allergens can be administered through various routes, including subcutaneous, sublingual, intralymphatic, oral, or epicutaneous routes. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has recently gained clinical interest, and it is considered an alternative treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma. This review provides an overview of the current evidence-based studies that address the use of SLIT for treating AR, including (1) mechanisms of action, (2) appropriate patient selection for SLIT, (3) the current available SLIT products in Korea, and (4) updated information on its efficacy and safety. Finally, this guideline aims to provide the clinician with practical considerations for SLIT.

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is a causative treatment of allergic diseases in which allergen extracts are regularly administered in a gradually escalated doses, leading to immune tolerance and consequent alleviation of allergic diseases. The need for uniform practice guidelines in AIT is continuously growing as the number of potential candidates for AIT increases and new therapeutic approaches are tried. This updated version of the Korean Academy of Asthma Allergy and Clinical Immunology recommendations for AIT, published in 2010, proposes an expert opinion by specialists in allergy, pediatrics, and otorhinolaryngology. This guideline deals with the basic knowledge of AIT, including mechanisms, clinical efficacy, allergen standardization, important allergens in Korea, and special consideration in pediatrics. The article also covers the methodological aspects of AIT, including patient selection, allergen selection, schedule and doses, follow-up care, efficacy measurements, and management of adverse reactions. Although this guideline suggests the optimal dosing schedule, an individualized approach and modifications are recommended considering the situation for each patient and clinic.

Purpose: It is essential to investigate the users’ needs in developing user-centered, family-based applications (apps) for managing childhood obesity. Methods: This study conducted focus group interviews with ten parents, ten children, and four app developers to investigate the need to develop a family-based mobile app for childhood obesity. The interview period was from July 17 to August 30, 2023. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The results highlighted 31 key themes critical to family-based app development, including the need for comprehensive content promoting healthy lifestyle habits, tailored expert support, and motivational factors for app engagement, which were categorized as intrinsic, extrinsic, and social motivations and technological features. Participants also highlighted potential challenges, such as app usability issues and the need for a user-friendly interface. The pivotal role of parents in guiding and supporting their children’s health behaviors was emphasized, particularly in creating a supportive environment that encourages sustained engagement with the app. Conclusion These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the needs and preferences of parents, children, and app developers in managing childhood obesity. Emphasis on integrating healthy lifestyle content, providing expert support, and incorporating motivational strategies is crucial for the app’s success. Additionally, addressing potential difficulties and recognizing the pivotal role of parents are essential considerations. These insights will inform the design and development of a user-centered mobile app that supports families in managing childhood obesity.

Two open-label, randomized, two-period crossover studies were conducted to investigate the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties, safety, and bioequivalence of the test formulation (KD4004), a new fixed-dose combination (FDC) formulation of dapagliflozin and metformin extended release (XR) tablets, relative to the reference formulation (10 mg dapagliflozin/1,000 mg metformin XR FDC tablet) in healthy subjects under fasting (Part A) and fed (Part B) conditions. After giving the dose, serial blood samples were collected for a period of 48 hours. Primary PK parameters (AUC 0-t and C max ) were used to assess bioequivalence between two dapagliflozin/metformin XR (10/1,000 mg) FDC formulations under fed and fasting conditions. Safety and tolerability were also evaluated. Part A and Part B were completed by 32 and 37 subjects, respectively. Bioequivalence of the two FDC formulations of dapagliflozin and metformin XR tablets was established in both the fasted and the fed conditions as the 90% confidence interval of the ratios of adjusted geometric means for AUC 0-t and C max were contained within the predefined range of 0.800–1.250 bioequivalence criteria. Single-dose administration of dapagliflozin and metformin XR was safe and well tolerated as the two FDC formulations. In conclusion, both FDC formulations of dapagliflozin and metformin XR tablets were bioequivalent in fed and fasted subjects. All treatments were well tolerated.

Objectives: Although it is difficult to define the quality of stroke care, acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with moderate-to-severe neurological deficits may benefit from thrombectomy-capable hospitals (TCHs) that have a stroke unit, stroke specialists, and a substantial endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) case volume. Methods: From national audit data collected between 2013 and 2016, potential EVT candidates arriving within 24 hours with a baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥6 were identified. Hospitals were classified as TCHs (≥15 EVT case/y, stroke unit, and stroke specialists), primary stroke hospitals (PSHs) without EVT (PSHs-without-EVT, 0 case/y), and PSHs-with-EVT. Thirty-day and 1-year case-fatality rates (CFRs) were analyzed using random intercept multilevel logistic regression. Results: Out of 35 004 AIS patients, 7954 (22.7%) EVT candidates were included in this study. The average 30-day CFR was 16.3% in PSHs-without-EVT, 14.8% in PSHs-with-EVT, and 11.0% in TCHs. The average 1-year CFR was 37.5% in PSHs-without-EVT, 31.3% in PSHs-with-EVT, and 26.2% in TCHs. In TCHs, a significant reduction was not found in the 30-day CFR (odds ratio [OR], 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76 to 1.12), but was found in the 1-year CFR (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.96). Conclusions The 1-year CFR was significantly reduced when EVT candidates were treated at TCHs. TCHs are not defined based solely on the number of EVTs, but also based on the presence of a stroke unit and stroke specialists. This supports the need for TCH certification in Korea and suggests that annual EVT case volume could be used to qualify TCHs.