Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are an important treatment option for ulcerative colitis, providing rapid onset of action, oral administration, and efficacy even after biologic failure. The 3 approved agents—tofacitinib, filgotinib, and upadacitinib—differ in JAK isoform selectivity, leading to clinically meaningful differences in efficacy and safety. Evidence from network meta-analyses, clinical trials, and real-world studies consistently shows that upadacitinib provides the highest efficacy for induction and maintenance of remission, whereas filgotinib demonstrates the most favorable safety profile. The strong efficacy of upadacitinib and tofacitinib is particularly relevant in patients with severe disease, including acute severe ulcerative colitis, and upadacitinib maintains high efficacy regardless of prior advanced therapy exposure. JAK inhibitors also benefit extraintestinal manifestations. Although risks such as herpes zoster, serious infection, thromboembolism, and major cardiovascular events differ among agents, long-term data suggest generally acceptable safety when used appropriately. Intraclass JAK-to-JAK cycling is feasible, with about half of patients achieving steroid-free clinical remission in retrospective cohorts. Based on mechanistic, clinical, and real-world evidence, filgotinib may be a first-line option for patients with lower disease activity or when safety is a priority, whereas upadacitinib or tofacitinib may be preferred in higher disease activity. Strategically selecting agents may improve durability and outcomes.

Rectal cancer, which accounts for approximately 40% of colorectal cancers, remains a major clinical concern. Recent advances in diagnostic imaging, surgical techniques, radiotherapy, and systemic treatment have steadily improved rectal cancer outcomes. Considering this, the Korean Rectal Cancer Multidisciplinary (KRCM) Committee has aimed to provide clinicians and policymakers with up-to-date, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to support optimal decision-making, reflecting current evidence, the Korean healthcare context, and patient values and preferences. The Clinical Practice Guidelines for Rectal Cancer version 2.0 were developed through multidisciplinary collaboration with related academic societies, building upon and updating the KRCM Clinical Practice Guidelines version 1.0 (titled “Multidisciplinary guidelines for the management of rectal cancer”). These consensus guidelines of the KRCM were established based on a comprehensive literature review, evidence synthesis, with recommendation development guided by the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology, and consideration of applicability in real-world clinical practice under the national health insurance system. Each recommendation has been presented with its strength and level of evidence.

Interest in embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across medical training has grown rapidly, yet the overall landscape of DEI-related medical education research remains fragmented. This scoping review mapped recent DEI-related curricula, programs, and training initiatives implemented in undergraduate medical education (UME) and graduate medical education (GME) settings. We conducted a PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews)–reported scoping review. PubMed was searched for studies published between 2020 and 2025 that examined DEI-focused educational activities in UME and GME involving medical students, residents or fellows, or faculty members. Data were extracted on publication year, country, target population, study design, and primary DEI domain, and results were summarized descriptively. Of 203 records identified, 164 met the inclusion criteria. Publications increased sharply after 2022 and were predominantly US-based. Most studies focused on residents, followed by medical students, faculty members, and analyses of program websites or institutional documents. Studies clustered into five domains: (1) learning environment and discrimination; (2) admissions and workforce diversity; (3) frameworks and measures; (4) curriculum development and implementation; and (5) outcomes and evaluation. Ten studies were purposively selected for narrative synthesis across key educational contexts. Most reported short-term learner outcomes, with limited evidence of behavior change, organizational impact, or patient-level outcomes. DEI-related medical education research is expanding; however, it remains geographically concentrated and methodologically constrained. Future studies should adopt context-sensitive, longitudinal, and multi-level designs to better inform curriculum planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are increasingly emphasized in medical education worldwide. However, it remains unclear how these values are reflected within the context of Korean medical education. This study explores how DEI is articulated through an analysis of the official websites of Korean medical schools. We conducted a content analysis of the official websites of 40 Korean medical schools. DEI-related synonyms and associated phrases were identified across mission and values statements, educational objectives, graduate outcomes, and student support sections. Identified phrases were coded according to the dimensions of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Quantitative frequencies were then summarized. For further analysis, qualitative thematic analysis and integrated analysis were performed to examine how each DEI element was conceptually represented. Among the 40 universities, 32 institutions (80%) demonstrated at least one component of DEI. Diversity (60%) was more frequently referenced than inclusion (50%) and equity (42.5%). DEI elements were most prominently observed in student support sections (62.5%) and were least frequently identified in mission and values statements (15%) and educational objectives (12.5%). In the qualitative analysis, diversity was primarily described in terms of respect for diversity within organizations and global citizenship. Equity was largely limited to scholarships and material support for disadvantaged students. Inclusion mainly emphasized the creation of respectful environments. Overall, in Korean medical schools, DEI was more commonly represented through student support mechanisms than through institutional philosophy or educational objectives. An integrated approach to the implementation of DEI is therefore needed to achieve meaningful change in Korean medical education.

As sociocultural attitudes in South Korea continue to evolve, the growing visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals highlights an increasing need for medical education that addresses diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). In response to this need, Seoul National University College of Medicine (SNUCM) introduced an LGBTQ+ medicine curriculum in 2021. The curriculum aims to prepare future physicians to provide equitable and respectful care to LGBTQ+ patients and to promote improvements in LGBTQ+ health through an affirming clinical approach. The program consists of both required and elective components. A required one-hour session for second-year medical students covers essential terminology, the historical process of depathologizing LGBTQ+ identities, and core principles of non-discriminatory and inclusive clinical care. Students seeking more advanced training may enroll in a four-week elective course, which provides in-depth learning through direct engagement with LGBTQ+ community members and site visits to LGBTQ+-affirming clinical settings. In addition, a ten-week research course is available to interested second-year students. Highly motivated senior-year students may further participate in a five-week advanced clinical placement focused on clinical observation and seminar-based learning. Participants reported high satisfaction with the program and perceived meaningful improvements in their competence in providing LGBTQ+-affirming health care. Broader national implementation of similar curricula will require coordinated collaboration among medical schools and relevant professional and expert organizations to establish shared core educational content and regionally structured clinical clerkship programs. The experience at SNUCM demonstrates both the necessity and the practical feasibility of integrating DEI-focused education, including LGBTQ+ medicine. Such efforts are expected to support the development of physicians who are committed to health equity and capable of delivering high quality, person-centered care free from prejudice.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the detection ability of quality of life (QoL) changes and responsiveness of the KOrean QUality of life in Stomach cancer patients Study group (KOQUSS)-40 and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ). Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted to evaluate QoL changes after various gastrectomies between January 2021 and April 2022. Participants were instructed to complete the KOQUSS-40 and EORTC QLQ-C30/STO22 preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. QoL changes over time and QoL responsiveness were assessed for each questionnaire. Results: Data from 491 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer at 22 institutions were analyzed. The summary scores of the KOQUSS-40 and EORTC QLQ-STO22 showed significant differences between the total and proximal gastrectomy groups (p=0.044 and p=0.038, respectively), but no difference was observed for the EORTC QLQ-C30. Dysphagia on the KOQUSS-40 was significantly different between the total and proximal gastrectomy groups (p=0.031); however, dysphagia on the EORTC QLQ-STO22 did not differ. The responsiveness of the KOQUSS-40 was similar to that of the EORTC QLQ in patients who experienced ≥ 10% body weight loss, but approximately 10% less in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy than the EORTC QLQ. Conclusion KOQUSS-40 has several advantages over EORTC QLQ-C30/STO22 when comparing QoL between the total and proximal gastrectomy groups. The findings provide information for researchers investigating the QoL of patients who have undergone curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Spinal melanocytoma (SMC) is a rare, slow-growing tumor arising from melanocytes in the spinal cord. We report a patient with a cervical intra- and extradural spinal tumor causing progressive weakness and numbness. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the lesion showed intense homogeneous enhancement, similar to that seen in common neurogenic spinal tumors. After complete resection, pathological examination confirmed melanocytoma. A review of previously reported cases identified 26 reports of this tumor in the cervical spine, most of which were treated with complete surgical resection. Gross total resection is the preferred treatment, although radiation therapy may be considered when residual tumor remains. We report a 25-year-old male patient who presented with progressive weakness and numbness in both the upper and lower extremities for 3 months. MRI showed homogeneous enhancement. The mass compressed the spinal cord at C6–7 and extended through the neural foramen. Based on the MRI findings, spinal schwannoma was suspected preoperatively. Surgical resection was performed with laminectomy, durotomy, and right facetectomy. A dark-colored mass with well-demarcated margins was exposed and removed. Postoperative MRI confirmed complete removal of the mass. The patient recovered well, and his preoperative myelopathic symptoms gradually improved. SMC is a rare benign tumor that may be mistaken for schwannoma. The treatment of choice is gross total resection.

Objective: Patients with panic disorder (PD) are approximately four times more likely than the general population to exhibit suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts. Although prolonged duration of untreated illness (DUI) is a known risk factor for adverse outcomes in mood disorders, its impact on suicidality among patients with PD has not been well established. This study investigated whether prolonged DUI is associated with heightened SI among patients with PD, considering sociodemographic and clinical factors. Methods: A total of 804 patients with PD were recruited. DUI was defined as the time between symptom onset and the initiation of psychiatric treatment. Clinical assessments included the Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and Panic Disorder Severity Scale. Sociodemographic and clinical predictors of SI were examined using independent t-tests, Pearson’s correlations, and multiple regression analysis. Results: In patients with PD, the mean DUI was 41.56 months. Longer DUI was positively correlated with higher SSI total scores, along with greater depression severity. Gender women, unmarried status, and elevated BDI-II scores were significantly predicted higher SSI total scores. In the multiple regression model, prolonged DUI remained an independent predictor of SSI (B=0.116, p=0.012) after adjusting for other variables. Conclusion These findings indicate that delayed treatment contributes to increased suicidality in PD, beyond demographic and depressive risk factors. Therefore, early detection and timely intervention using treatment strategies that enhance awareness, improve the accessibility of psychiatric services, and provide social support may reduce DUI and mitigate suicide risk among patients with PD.