Background: Spinal cord stimulators (SCSs) are used to reduce pain and improve quality of life in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). However, many patients opt for device removal after SCS implantation due to diminished effect or complications. There is limited research on the actual duration of SCS use in CRPS patients, and no nationwide population-based studies exist. This study aimed to estimate the real-world duration of SCS use in CRPS patients and examine the influencing factors on the duration of SCS use by analyzing the National Healthcare Insurance Database. Methods: Adult patients (age ≥ 18) with CRPS who underwent permanent SCS implantation between 2014 and2021 were included. The authors analyzed the median duration of SCS implantation and evaluated the impacts of age, sex, hospital type, and insurance type. Results: Of 408 potential patients, 373 patients were included. The median duration of SCS use was 4.4 (95%confidence interval [CI]: 4.0–4.8) years. Male patients retained SCSs longer than female patients (4.7 vs. 4.0 years, P = 0.014), and veterans’ healthcare beneficiaries showed the longest duration of SCS use (median 6.9 [95% CI: 4.6–7.8] years). Age and hospital type did not affect the duration of SCS use (P = 0.381 and P = 0.122, respectively). Conclusions The median SCS use duration in CRPS patients was 4.4 years. Considering the high cost and invasiveness of SCS, patients should be informed about the expected duration of SCS use, alongside potential risks and benefits.

Background/Aims: We previously reported that patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) often experience common mental disorders (CMDs) such as anxiety and depression, necessitating immediate psychological interventions within the first 4 weeks of diagnosis. In this 3-year follow-up study of the MOSAIK cohort in Korea, we examined the effects of CMDs at initial diagnosis on clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: We examined differences in clinical outcomes (evaluated based on clinical response, relapse, hospitalization, and medication use) and HRQoL (assessed using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire [IBDQ] and Short Form 12 [SF-12]) according to Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores at diagnosis. Results: In a study involving 199 UC patients, 47.7% exhibited significant psychological distress (anxiety and/or depression) at diagnosis. Clinical follow-up showed no major differences in outcomes, including remission rates, response rates, or hospitalization rates, between patients with anxiety or depression at diagnosis and patients without anxiety or depression at diagnosis. The HRQoL at the end of follow-up was notably lower in those with baseline CMDs, particularly anxiety, across all domains of the IBDQ and SF-12. Linear mixed-effect models revealed that higher HADS scores, as well as higher Mayo scores, were independently associated with lower IBDQ scores and both summary domains of the SF-12. Additionally, regular attendance at follow-up visits during the study period was also related to improvements in HRQoL (all p<0.05). Conclusions While CMDs present at the time of UC diagnosis did not influence long-term clinical outcomes, they persistently impaired HRQoL. Our findings support the routine incorporation of psychological interventions into the long-term management of moderate-to-severe UC.

Background: Spinal cord stimulators (SCSs) are used to reduce pain and improve quality of life in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). However, many patients opt for device removal after SCS implantation due to diminished effect or complications. There is limited research on the actual duration of SCS use in CRPS patients, and no nationwide population-based studies exist. This study aimed to estimate the real-world duration of SCS use in CRPS patients and examine the influencing factors on the duration of SCS use by analyzing the National Healthcare Insurance Database. Methods: Adult patients (age ≥ 18) with CRPS who underwent permanent SCS implantation between 2014 and2021 were included. The authors analyzed the median duration of SCS implantation and evaluated the impacts of age, sex, hospital type, and insurance type. Results: Of 408 potential patients, 373 patients were included. The median duration of SCS use was 4.4 (95%confidence interval [CI]: 4.0–4.8) years. Male patients retained SCSs longer than female patients (4.7 vs. 4.0 years, P = 0.014), and veterans’ healthcare beneficiaries showed the longest duration of SCS use (median 6.9 [95% CI: 4.6–7.8] years). Age and hospital type did not affect the duration of SCS use (P = 0.381 and P = 0.122, respectively). Conclusions The median SCS use duration in CRPS patients was 4.4 years. Considering the high cost and invasiveness of SCS, patients should be informed about the expected duration of SCS use, alongside potential risks and benefits.

Background: Spinal cord stimulators (SCSs) are used to reduce pain and improve quality of life in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). However, many patients opt for device removal after SCS implantation due to diminished effect or complications. There is limited research on the actual duration of SCS use in CRPS patients, and no nationwide population-based studies exist. This study aimed to estimate the real-world duration of SCS use in CRPS patients and examine the influencing factors on the duration of SCS use by analyzing the National Healthcare Insurance Database. Methods: Adult patients (age ≥ 18) with CRPS who underwent permanent SCS implantation between 2014 and2021 were included. The authors analyzed the median duration of SCS implantation and evaluated the impacts of age, sex, hospital type, and insurance type. Results: Of 408 potential patients, 373 patients were included. The median duration of SCS use was 4.4 (95%confidence interval [CI]: 4.0–4.8) years. Male patients retained SCSs longer than female patients (4.7 vs. 4.0 years, P = 0.014), and veterans’ healthcare beneficiaries showed the longest duration of SCS use (median 6.9 [95% CI: 4.6–7.8] years). Age and hospital type did not affect the duration of SCS use (P = 0.381 and P = 0.122, respectively). Conclusions The median SCS use duration in CRPS patients was 4.4 years. Considering the high cost and invasiveness of SCS, patients should be informed about the expected duration of SCS use, alongside potential risks and benefits.

Background/Aims: We previously reported that patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) often experience common mental disorders (CMDs) such as anxiety and depression, necessitating immediate psychological interventions within the first 4 weeks of diagnosis. In this 3-year follow-up study of the MOSAIK cohort in Korea, we examined the effects of CMDs at initial diagnosis on clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: We examined differences in clinical outcomes (evaluated based on clinical response, relapse, hospitalization, and medication use) and HRQoL (assessed using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire [IBDQ] and Short Form 12 [SF-12]) according to Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores at diagnosis. Results: In a study involving 199 UC patients, 47.7% exhibited significant psychological distress (anxiety and/or depression) at diagnosis. Clinical follow-up showed no major differences in outcomes, including remission rates, response rates, or hospitalization rates, between patients with anxiety or depression at diagnosis and patients without anxiety or depression at diagnosis. The HRQoL at the end of follow-up was notably lower in those with baseline CMDs, particularly anxiety, across all domains of the IBDQ and SF-12. Linear mixed-effect models revealed that higher HADS scores, as well as higher Mayo scores, were independently associated with lower IBDQ scores and both summary domains of the SF-12. Additionally, regular attendance at follow-up visits during the study period was also related to improvements in HRQoL (all p<0.05). Conclusions While CMDs present at the time of UC diagnosis did not influence long-term clinical outcomes, they persistently impaired HRQoL. Our findings support the routine incorporation of psychological interventions into the long-term management of moderate-to-severe UC.

Background/Aims: We previously reported that patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) often experience common mental disorders (CMDs) such as anxiety and depression, necessitating immediate psychological interventions within the first 4 weeks of diagnosis. In this 3-year follow-up study of the MOSAIK cohort in Korea, we examined the effects of CMDs at initial diagnosis on clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: We examined differences in clinical outcomes (evaluated based on clinical response, relapse, hospitalization, and medication use) and HRQoL (assessed using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire [IBDQ] and Short Form 12 [SF-12]) according to Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores at diagnosis. Results: In a study involving 199 UC patients, 47.7% exhibited significant psychological distress (anxiety and/or depression) at diagnosis. Clinical follow-up showed no major differences in outcomes, including remission rates, response rates, or hospitalization rates, between patients with anxiety or depression at diagnosis and patients without anxiety or depression at diagnosis. The HRQoL at the end of follow-up was notably lower in those with baseline CMDs, particularly anxiety, across all domains of the IBDQ and SF-12. Linear mixed-effect models revealed that higher HADS scores, as well as higher Mayo scores, were independently associated with lower IBDQ scores and both summary domains of the SF-12. Additionally, regular attendance at follow-up visits during the study period was also related to improvements in HRQoL (all p<0.05). Conclusions While CMDs present at the time of UC diagnosis did not influence long-term clinical outcomes, they persistently impaired HRQoL. Our findings support the routine incorporation of psychological interventions into the long-term management of moderate-to-severe UC.

Background: Spinal cord stimulators (SCSs) are used to reduce pain and improve quality of life in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). However, many patients opt for device removal after SCS implantation due to diminished effect or complications. There is limited research on the actual duration of SCS use in CRPS patients, and no nationwide population-based studies exist. This study aimed to estimate the real-world duration of SCS use in CRPS patients and examine the influencing factors on the duration of SCS use by analyzing the National Healthcare Insurance Database. Methods: Adult patients (age ≥ 18) with CRPS who underwent permanent SCS implantation between 2014 and2021 were included. The authors analyzed the median duration of SCS implantation and evaluated the impacts of age, sex, hospital type, and insurance type. Results: Of 408 potential patients, 373 patients were included. The median duration of SCS use was 4.4 (95%confidence interval [CI]: 4.0–4.8) years. Male patients retained SCSs longer than female patients (4.7 vs. 4.0 years, P = 0.014), and veterans’ healthcare beneficiaries showed the longest duration of SCS use (median 6.9 [95% CI: 4.6–7.8] years). Age and hospital type did not affect the duration of SCS use (P = 0.381 and P = 0.122, respectively). Conclusions The median SCS use duration in CRPS patients was 4.4 years. Considering the high cost and invasiveness of SCS, patients should be informed about the expected duration of SCS use, alongside potential risks and benefits.

Background/Aims: We previously reported that patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) often experience common mental disorders (CMDs) such as anxiety and depression, necessitating immediate psychological interventions within the first 4 weeks of diagnosis. In this 3-year follow-up study of the MOSAIK cohort in Korea, we examined the effects of CMDs at initial diagnosis on clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods: We examined differences in clinical outcomes (evaluated based on clinical response, relapse, hospitalization, and medication use) and HRQoL (assessed using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire [IBDQ] and Short Form 12 [SF-12]) according to Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores at diagnosis. Results: In a study involving 199 UC patients, 47.7% exhibited significant psychological distress (anxiety and/or depression) at diagnosis. Clinical follow-up showed no major differences in outcomes, including remission rates, response rates, or hospitalization rates, between patients with anxiety or depression at diagnosis and patients without anxiety or depression at diagnosis. The HRQoL at the end of follow-up was notably lower in those with baseline CMDs, particularly anxiety, across all domains of the IBDQ and SF-12. Linear mixed-effect models revealed that higher HADS scores, as well as higher Mayo scores, were independently associated with lower IBDQ scores and both summary domains of the SF-12. Additionally, regular attendance at follow-up visits during the study period was also related to improvements in HRQoL (all p<0.05). Conclusions While CMDs present at the time of UC diagnosis did not influence long-term clinical outcomes, they persistently impaired HRQoL. Our findings support the routine incorporation of psychological interventions into the long-term management of moderate-to-severe UC.

Background: Spinal cord stimulators (SCSs) are used to reduce pain and improve quality of life in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). However, many patients opt for device removal after SCS implantation due to diminished effect or complications. There is limited research on the actual duration of SCS use in CRPS patients, and no nationwide population-based studies exist. This study aimed to estimate the real-world duration of SCS use in CRPS patients and examine the influencing factors on the duration of SCS use by analyzing the National Healthcare Insurance Database. Methods: Adult patients (age ≥ 18) with CRPS who underwent permanent SCS implantation between 2014 and2021 were included. The authors analyzed the median duration of SCS implantation and evaluated the impacts of age, sex, hospital type, and insurance type. Results: Of 408 potential patients, 373 patients were included. The median duration of SCS use was 4.4 (95%confidence interval [CI]: 4.0–4.8) years. Male patients retained SCSs longer than female patients (4.7 vs. 4.0 years, P = 0.014), and veterans’ healthcare beneficiaries showed the longest duration of SCS use (median 6.9 [95% CI: 4.6–7.8] years). Age and hospital type did not affect the duration of SCS use (P = 0.381 and P = 0.122, respectively). Conclusions The median SCS use duration in CRPS patients was 4.4 years. Considering the high cost and invasiveness of SCS, patients should be informed about the expected duration of SCS use, alongside potential risks and benefits.

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic potential of whole-exome sequencing (WES) and elucidate the clinical and genetic characteristics of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) in the Korean population. Materials and Methods: Forty-seven patients clinically suspected of having PCD were enrolled at a tertiary medical center. WES was performed in all patients, and seven patients received biopsy of cilia and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: Overall, PCD was diagnosed in 10 (21.3%) patients: eight by WES (8/47, 17%), four by TEM. Among patients diagnosed as PCD based on TEM results, two patients showed consistent results with WES and TEM of PCD (2/4, 50%). In addition, five patients, who were not included in the final PCD diagnosis group, had variants of unknown significance in PCD-related genes (5/47, 10.6%).The most frequent pathogenic (P)/likely pathogenic (LP) variants were detected in DNAH11 (n=4, 21.1%), DRC1 (n=4, 21.1%), and DNAH5 (n=4, 21.1%). Among the detected 17 P/LP variants in PCD-related genes in this study, 8 (47.1%) were identified as novel variants. Regarding the genotype–phenotype correlation in this study, the authors experienced severe PCD cases caused by the LP/P variants in MCIDAS, DRC1, and CCDC39. Conclusion Through this study, we were able to confirm the value of WES as one of the diagnostic tools for PCD, which increases with TEM, rather than single gene tests. These results will prove useful to hospitals with limited access to PCD diagnostic testing but with relatively efficient in-house or outsourced access to genetic testing at a pre-symptomatic or early disease stage.