Myopia, particularly high myopia, is a significant risk factor for several ocular pathologies including cataract, glaucoma, and retinal detachment. Excessive axial elongation associated with high myopia can induce biomechanical stretching, increasing the risk of serious complications like posterior staphyloma and myopic maculopathy. Global meta-analyses estimate that approximately 10 million people were visually impaired due to myopic maculopathy in 2015, with 3 million being blind. Recent nationwide surveys in South Korea revealed a prevalence of 65.4% for myopia and 6.9% for high myopia in children and adolescents, highlighting the urgent need for effective management. Delaying the onset and slowing the progression of myopia during childhood and adolescence is crucial for reducing the potential lifetime risk of these complications. This consensus statement, prepared by the Korean Myopia Society for the Korean Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (KAPOS), reviews the current evidence for myopia control interventions and provides management strategies applicable to the South Korean clinical setting. Key interventions covered include lifestyle modifications (outdoor time, near work adjustment), optical methods (myopia-control spectacle lenses, dual-focus soft contact lenses, orthokeratology), and pharmacologic treatment (low-concentration atropine), as well as combination therapies. The statement also addresses patient selection, treatment outcome evaluation using spherical equivalent and axial length changes, and the crucial aspects related to treatment cessation and the rebound effect.

Background: Research on the relationship between the progression of interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) and serum biomarkers, including white blood cell differential counts and Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6), is limited. This study aimed to examine the clinical characteristics of patients with ILA and evaluate the association between disease progression and serum biomarkers. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 159 patients (63 with ILA and 74 with interstitial lung diseases) between October 2021 and September 2022. Data collected included clinical characteristics, pulmonary function tests, chest computed tomography (CT), complete blood cell counts, and KL-6 levels. In 52 of these patients who had previously undergone chest CT, the utility of serum biomarkers in reflecting radiologic progression was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: Patients with ILA exhibited clinical characteristics similar to those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Serum KL-6 levels did not correlate with forced vital capacity or diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide in patients with ILA. Among the 52 patients with ILA, 13 demonstrated radiologic progression. Serum KL-6 displayed moderate predictive performance, with area under the curves ranging from 0.57 to 0.89 (p=0.014) for radiologic progression. Levels of KL-6 greater than 400 U/mL were more frequently observed in patients with radiologic progression (61.5% vs. 20.5%, p=0.006). In multivariate analysis, age and KL-6 were independently associated with radiologic progression in patients with ILA. Conclusion Serum KL-6 levels may serve as a potential indicator of ILA progression in asymptomatic patients. Those with KL-6 levels exceeding 400 U/mL should be closely monitored for radiologic progression.

Objectives: Tegoprazan, a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker with rapid and effective antisecretory activity, was approved for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections in Korea in March 2020. However, real-world data regarding tegoprazan-based therapies are scarce. We compared the efficacies of tegoprazan- and lansoprazole-based triple therapies (TTs). Methods: Between March 2020 and February 2023, this study enrolled patients diagnosed with H. pylori infections who were prescribed either 14-day tegoprazan- or lansoprazole-based TTs as first-line treatments. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed to compare H. pylori eradication rates and the rates of patient adherence to the recommended therapy. Results: A total of 670 patients diagnosed with H. pylori infections were prescribed 14-day TT regimens between March 2020 and February 2023 at Ilsan Paik Hospital (Goyang, Korea). Of those enrolled in the study, 64 received tegoprazan-based TT and 295 received lansoprazole-based TT as their first-line treatment. The H. pylori eradication rates for tegoprazan- and lansoprazole-based TTs were 76.6% and 75.6%, respectively, in the intent-to-treat population; the rates were 88.9% and 88.4%, respectively, in the per-protocol population (non-inferiority test, p=0.03 and p=0.01 in the respective populations). No significant differences were observed between the two groups with regards to treatment adherence rates (84.4% vs. 85.1%, p=0.78). Conclusions As a first-line treatment for H. pylori eradication, 14-day tegoprazan-based TT demonstrated non-inferior efficacy compared with 14-day lansoprazole-based TT.

Background: Chronic cough is a common symptom encountered by healthcare practitioners.The global prevalence of chronic cough is 9.6%, with a female predominance. The aim of our study is to reveal the sex differences in prevalence and severity of chronic cough in South Korea, stratified by age and etiology. Methods: This study included adult patients with chronic cough who were recruited from 19 respiratory centers in South Korea. Patients completed the cough numeric rating scale (NRS) and COugh Assessment Test (COAT) questionnaire to assess the severity and multidimensional impact of cough. Results: Among the 625 patients, 419 (67.0%) were females, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:2.03. The mean age was 49.4 years, and the median duration of cough was 12 weeks. The mean NRS and COAT scores were 5.5 ± 1.8 and 9.5 ± 3.6, respectively. Female patients were older (45.3 ± 15.4 vs. 51.6 ± 15.2, P < 0.001) and more likely to have asthma/cough variant asthma (CVA) (26.7% vs. 40.8%, P = 0.001) than male patients. There was no difference in the duration or severity of cough between sexes, regardless of the cause. The male-tofemale ratio was lower for upper airway cough syndrome (UACS), asthma/CVA, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but not for eosinophilic bronchitis (EB) or unexplained cough. The mean age of female patients was higher in UACS and asthma/CVA, but not in EB, GERD, or unexplained cough. The majority (24.2%) fell within the age category of 50s. The proportion of females with cough increased with age, with a significant rise in the 50s, 60s, and 70–89 age groups. The severity of cough decreased in the 50s, 60s, and 70–89 age groups, with no significant sex differences within the same age group. Conclusion The sex disparities in prevalence and severity of cough varied significantly depending on the age category and etiology. Understanding the specific sex-based difference could enhance comprehension of cough-related pathophysiology and treatment strategies.

Background and Objectives: Various materials are used to perform post-mastoidectomy mastoid obliteration (MO) to reduce the risk of recurrent infections, stasis of secretions, or caloric dizziness. Autologous materials used as fillers for MO tend to be insufficient owing to shrinkage over time or inadequate volume of these substances. Synthetic materials are unsatisfactory for MO because of the risk of rejection and extrusion. We investigated the safety and effectiveness of bone allografts for post-mastoidectomy MO. Subjects and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent mastoidectomy with MO between January 2013 and January 2021. In the MO group, bone allografts were additionally used to fill the residual mastoid cavity. In the canal wall down (CWD) group, all patients underwent CWD mastoidectomy with use of additional inferiorly based mucoperiosteal flaps. Results: The study included the MO group (23 ears) and the CWD group (53 ears). In the MO group, compared with the preoperative status, we observed a decrease in the tendency of the air-bone gap postoperatively. Compared with the CWD group, the total complication rate showed a decreasing tendency in the MO group. Conclusions No patient showed post-MO shrinkage of the grafted bone allograft or otorrhea. Further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm the advantages of bone allografts for MO, including maintenance with time and sufficient amount.

Osteopathia striata with cranial sclerosis (OSCS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by skeletal abnormalities, cranial sclerosis, and various associated features. In this case report, we present the case of a patient with OSCS who complained of unilateral facial palsy. We discuss the clinical presentation, radiological findings, and genetic analysis, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management in these cases.