Purpose: Identifying and managing risk factors for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is crucial because it impacts the quality of life of elderly individuals. Lifestyle factors, including physical activity (PA), and their relationship with LUTS have not been well studied. This objective of this study was to investigate the association between PA and LUTS. Materials and Methods: A total of 7,296 men were included in this cross-sectional study. PA was quantified in metabolic equivalent (MET)-hours per week, and LUTS severity was assessed using the international prostate symptom score. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between PA and LUTS, including voiding and storage symptoms. Results: The average age of the participants was 57.8 years, and the prevalence of LUTS was 41.3%. After adjusting for potential confounders, PA was inversely associated with the prevalence and severity of moderate-to-severe LUTS, showing a dose-response pattern (all p for trend <0.01). Compared to the minimal activity group, which engaged in <5 MET-hours per week of PA, the odds ratios for moderate to severe LUTS were 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72–0.97) for men engaging in 15–30 MET-hours per week, 0.82 (95% CI: 0.71–0.95) for 30–60 MET-hours per week, and 0.72 (95% CI: 0.62–0.84) for ≥60 MET-hours per week. The possible protective effect of PA was still observed in the additional analysis for voiding and storage symptoms showing the same dose-response pattern (all p for trend <0.01). Conclusions A higher PA level was associated with a lower prevalence and severity of total, voiding, and storage LUTS in a dose-dependent manner in Korean men.

Purpose: Identifying and managing risk factors for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is crucial because it impacts the quality of life of elderly individuals. Lifestyle factors, including physical activity (PA), and their relationship with LUTS have not been well studied. This objective of this study was to investigate the association between PA and LUTS. Materials and Methods: A total of 7,296 men were included in this cross-sectional study. PA was quantified in metabolic equivalent (MET)-hours per week, and LUTS severity was assessed using the international prostate symptom score. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between PA and LUTS, including voiding and storage symptoms. Results: The average age of the participants was 57.8 years, and the prevalence of LUTS was 41.3%. After adjusting for potential confounders, PA was inversely associated with the prevalence and severity of moderate-to-severe LUTS, showing a dose-response pattern (all p for trend <0.01). Compared to the minimal activity group, which engaged in <5 MET-hours per week of PA, the odds ratios for moderate to severe LUTS were 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72–0.97) for men engaging in 15–30 MET-hours per week, 0.82 (95% CI: 0.71–0.95) for 30–60 MET-hours per week, and 0.72 (95% CI: 0.62–0.84) for ≥60 MET-hours per week. The possible protective effect of PA was still observed in the additional analysis for voiding and storage symptoms showing the same dose-response pattern (all p for trend <0.01). Conclusions A higher PA level was associated with a lower prevalence and severity of total, voiding, and storage LUTS in a dose-dependent manner in Korean men.

Purpose: Identifying and managing risk factors for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is crucial because it impacts the quality of life of elderly individuals. Lifestyle factors, including physical activity (PA), and their relationship with LUTS have not been well studied. This objective of this study was to investigate the association between PA and LUTS. Materials and Methods: A total of 7,296 men were included in this cross-sectional study. PA was quantified in metabolic equivalent (MET)-hours per week, and LUTS severity was assessed using the international prostate symptom score. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between PA and LUTS, including voiding and storage symptoms. Results: The average age of the participants was 57.8 years, and the prevalence of LUTS was 41.3%. After adjusting for potential confounders, PA was inversely associated with the prevalence and severity of moderate-to-severe LUTS, showing a dose-response pattern (all p for trend <0.01). Compared to the minimal activity group, which engaged in <5 MET-hours per week of PA, the odds ratios for moderate to severe LUTS were 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72–0.97) for men engaging in 15–30 MET-hours per week, 0.82 (95% CI: 0.71–0.95) for 30–60 MET-hours per week, and 0.72 (95% CI: 0.62–0.84) for ≥60 MET-hours per week. The possible protective effect of PA was still observed in the additional analysis for voiding and storage symptoms showing the same dose-response pattern (all p for trend <0.01). Conclusions A higher PA level was associated with a lower prevalence and severity of total, voiding, and storage LUTS in a dose-dependent manner in Korean men.

Purpose: Identifying and managing risk factors for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is crucial because it impacts the quality of life of elderly individuals. Lifestyle factors, including physical activity (PA), and their relationship with LUTS have not been well studied. This objective of this study was to investigate the association between PA and LUTS. Materials and Methods: A total of 7,296 men were included in this cross-sectional study. PA was quantified in metabolic equivalent (MET)-hours per week, and LUTS severity was assessed using the international prostate symptom score. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between PA and LUTS, including voiding and storage symptoms. Results: The average age of the participants was 57.8 years, and the prevalence of LUTS was 41.3%. After adjusting for potential confounders, PA was inversely associated with the prevalence and severity of moderate-to-severe LUTS, showing a dose-response pattern (all p for trend <0.01). Compared to the minimal activity group, which engaged in <5 MET-hours per week of PA, the odds ratios for moderate to severe LUTS were 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72–0.97) for men engaging in 15–30 MET-hours per week, 0.82 (95% CI: 0.71–0.95) for 30–60 MET-hours per week, and 0.72 (95% CI: 0.62–0.84) for ≥60 MET-hours per week. The possible protective effect of PA was still observed in the additional analysis for voiding and storage symptoms showing the same dose-response pattern (all p for trend <0.01). Conclusions A higher PA level was associated with a lower prevalence and severity of total, voiding, and storage LUTS in a dose-dependent manner in Korean men.

Purpose: Identifying and managing risk factors for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is crucial because it impacts the quality of life of elderly individuals. Lifestyle factors, including physical activity (PA), and their relationship with LUTS have not been well studied. This objective of this study was to investigate the association between PA and LUTS. Materials and Methods: A total of 7,296 men were included in this cross-sectional study. PA was quantified in metabolic equivalent (MET)-hours per week, and LUTS severity was assessed using the international prostate symptom score. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between PA and LUTS, including voiding and storage symptoms. Results: The average age of the participants was 57.8 years, and the prevalence of LUTS was 41.3%. After adjusting for potential confounders, PA was inversely associated with the prevalence and severity of moderate-to-severe LUTS, showing a dose-response pattern (all p for trend <0.01). Compared to the minimal activity group, which engaged in <5 MET-hours per week of PA, the odds ratios for moderate to severe LUTS were 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72–0.97) for men engaging in 15–30 MET-hours per week, 0.82 (95% CI: 0.71–0.95) for 30–60 MET-hours per week, and 0.72 (95% CI: 0.62–0.84) for ≥60 MET-hours per week. The possible protective effect of PA was still observed in the additional analysis for voiding and storage symptoms showing the same dose-response pattern (all p for trend <0.01). Conclusions A higher PA level was associated with a lower prevalence and severity of total, voiding, and storage LUTS in a dose-dependent manner in Korean men.

Background: s and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the applicability and precision of a ring-type cuffless blood pressure (BP) measurement device, CART-I Plus, compared to conventional 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Methods: Forty patients were recruited, and 33 participants were included in the final analysis.Each participant wore both CART-I Plus and ABPM devices on the same arm for approximately 24 hours. BP estimation from CART-I Plus, derived from photoplethysmography (PPG) signals, were compared with the corresponding ABPM measurements. Results: The CART-I Plus recorded systolic blood pressure (SBP)/diastolic blood pressure (DBP) values of 131.4±14.1/81.1±12.0, 132.7±13.9/81.9±11.9, and 128.7±14.6/79.3±12.2 mmHg for 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime periods respectively, compared to ABPM values of 129.7±11.7/84.4±11.2, 131.9±11.6/86.3±11.1, and 124.5±13.6/80.0±12.2 mmHg.Mean differences in SBP/DBP between the two devices were 1.74±6.69/−3.24±6.51 mmHg, 0.75±7.44/−4.41±7.42 mmHg, and 4.15±6.15/−0.67±5.23 mmHg for 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime periods respectively. Strong correlations were also observed between the devices, with r=0.725 and r=0.750 for transitions in SBP and DBP from daytime to nighttime, respectively (both p<0.001). Conclusions The CART-I Plus device, with its unique ring-type design, shows promising accuracy in BP estimation and offers a potential avenue for continuous BP monitoring in clinical practice.

Background: Chronic atrophic gastritis causes hypochlorhydria, hypergastrinemia, and malabsorption of nutrients, leading to lower bone mineral density. The few studies that investigated the association between chronic atrophic gastritis and bone mineral density have reported inconsistent findings. As such, the present study assessed the association between chronic atrophic gastritis and bone mineral density among a large sample of women >40 years of age in Korea. Methods: Data from 8,748 women >40 years of age who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and bone densitometry were analyzed. Chronic atrophic gastritis was diagnosed using esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Bone mineral density of the lumbar vertebrae (L), femur neck, and femur total, measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, were the primary outcome variables. Low bone mineral density, which could be diagnosed as osteoporosis or osteopenia, was defined and analyzed as a secondary outcome. Linear regression was used to calculate adjusted mean values of bone mineral density. The association between low bone mineral density and chronic atrophic gastritis was analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Results: The adjusted mean bone mineral density for L1–L4 was 1.063±0.003, femur neck (0.826±0.002), and femur total (0.890±0.002) were significantly lower in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis than others (1.073±0.002, 0.836±0.001, 0.898±0.002, respectively; all P<0.01). Women with chronic atrophic gastritis exhibited an increased likelihood for osteopenia or osteoporosis, even after adjusting for age and other confounding factors (odds ratio, 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.13–1.40; P<0.01). However, subgroup analysis revealed statistical significance only in postmenopausal women (odds ratio, 1.27; P<0.001). Conclusion Chronic atrophic gastritis was associated with lower bone mineral density and a higher risk for osteopenia or osteoporosis among postmenopausal women.

Objectives: As the Fourth Industrial Revolution advances, there is a growing interest in digital technology. In particular, the use of digital therapeutics (DTx) in healthcare is anticipated to reduce medical expenses. However, analytical research on DTx is still insufficient to fuel momentum for future DTx development. The purpose of this article is to analyze representative cases of different types of DTx from around the world and to propose a classification system. Methods: In this exploratory study examining DTx interaction types and representative cases, we conducted a literature review and selected seven interaction types that were utilized in a large number of cases. Then, we evaluated the specific characteristics of each DTx mechanism by reviewing the relevant literature, analyzing their indications and treatment components. A representative case for each mechanism was provided. Results: Cognitive behavioral therapy, distraction therapy, graded exposure therapy, reminiscence therapy, art therapy, therapeutic exercise, and gamification are the seven categories of DTx interaction types. Illustrative examples of each variety are provided. Conclusions Efforts from both the government and private sector are crucial for success, as standardization can decrease both the expense and the time required for government-led DTx development. The private sector should partner with medical facilities to stimulate potential demand, carry out clinical research, and produce scholarly evidence.

Objectives: Smart hospitals involve the application of recent information and communications technology (ICT) innovations to medical services; however, the concept of a smart hospital has not been rigorously defined. In this study, we aimed to derive the definition and service types of smart hospitals and investigate cases of each type. Methods: A literature review was conducted regarding the background and technical characteristics of smart hospitals. On this basis, we conducted a focus group interview with experts in hospital information systems, and ultimately derived eight smart hospital service types. Results: Smart hospital services can be classified into the following types: services based on location recognition and tracking technology that measures and monitors the location information of an object based on short-range communication technology; high-speed communication network-based services based on new wireless communication technology; Internet of Things-based services that connect objects embedded with sensors and communication functions to the internet; mobile health services such as mobile phones, tablets, and wearables; artificial intelligence-based services for the diagnosis and prediction of diseases; robot services provided on behalf of humans in various medical fields; extended reality services that apply hyper-realistic immersive technology to medical practice; and telehealth using ICT. Conclusions Smart hospitals can influence health and medical policies and create new medical value by defining and quantitatively measuring detailed indicators based on data collected from existing hospitals. Simultaneously, appropriate government incentives, consolidated interdisciplinary research, and active participation by industry are required to foster and facilitate smart hospitals.

Objective: Recently, the lipid profile of atherogenic dyslipidemia has become important in cerebrovascular diseases. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), an index that reflects this lipid profile as a single number, has been proposed, but there are still few related studies in cerebrovascular disease. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between AIP and cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) in health check-up participants. Methods: We assessed consecutive health check-ups participants between 2006 and 2013. cSVD was measured including the following three subtypes: white matter hyperintensity (WMH), lacuens, and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). WMH quantitatively measured the volume, and lacunes and CMBs qualitatively evaluated the presence. AIP was calculated according to the following formula based on blood test results: AIP=log [triglyceride (mg/ dL)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (mg/dL)]. Results: A total of 3,170 participants were evaluated (mean age: 56.5 years, male sex: 53.8%). In multivariable linear regression analysis, AIP (β=0.129, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.003–0.255) was associated with WMH. Age, hypertension, diabetes, lipid-lowering agents, and intracranial atherosclerosis were also associated with WMH volume. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, AIP (adjusted odds ratio=1.72 1.79, 95% CI=1.03– 2.90) showed close association with lacunes. Age and intracranial atherosclerosis were also related to lacunes. CMBs did not show a statistically significant association with AIP. Conclusion High AIP was associated with cSVD in health check-up participants. Since this close relationship was only seen in WMH and lacunes, these subtypes may have arisen from a more atherosclerosis-related pathology.