Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease with a wide range of symptoms. Due to the rapidly changing treatment landscape, regular updates to clinical guidelines are needed. Objective: This study aimed to update the guidelines for the treatment of AD to reflect recent therapeutic advances and evidence-based recommendations. Methods: The Patient characteristics, type of Intervention, Control, and Outcome framework was used to determine 48 questions related to AD management. Evidence was graded, recommendations were determined, and, after 2 voting rounds among the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) council members, consensus was achieved. Results: This guideline provides treatment guidance on advanced systemic treatment modalities for AD. In particular, the guideline offers up-to-date treatment recommendations for biologics and Janus-kinase inhibitors used in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe AD.It also provides guidance on other therapies for AD, along with tailored recommendations for children, adolescents, the elderly, and pregnant or breastfeeding women. Conclusion KADA’s updated AD treatment guidelines incorporate the latest evidence and expert opinion to provide a comprehensive approach to AD treatment. The guidelines will help clinicians optimize patient-specific therapies.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease with a wide range of symptoms. Due to the rapidly changing treatment landscape, regular updates to clinical guidelines are needed. Objective: This study aimed to update the guidelines for the treatment of AD to reflect recent therapeutic advances and evidence-based practices. Methods: The Patient characteristics, type of Intervention, Control, and Outcome framework was used to determine 48 questions related to AD management. Evidence was graded, recommendations were determined, and, after 2 voting rounds among the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) council members, consensus was achieved. Results: The guidelines provide detailed recommendations on foundational therapies, including the use of moisturizers, cleansing and bathing practices, allergen avoidance, and patient education. Guidance on topical therapies, such as topical corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, is also provided to help manage inflammation and maintain skin barrier function in patients with AD. Additionally, recommendations on conventional systemic therapies, including corticosteroids, cyclosporine, and methotrexate, are provided for managing moderate to severe AD. Conclusion KADA’s updated AD guidelines offer clinicians evidence-based strategies focused on basic therapies, topical therapies, and conventional systemic therapies, equipping them to enhance quality of care and improve patient outcomes in AD management.

Background: In 2006, the Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA) working group released the diagnostic criteria for Korean atopic dermatitis (AD). Recently, more simplified, and practical AD diagnostic criteria have been proposed. Objective: Based on updated criteria and experience, we studied to develop and share a consensus on diagnostic criteria for AD in Koreans. Materials and Methods: For the diagnostic criteria, a questionnaire was constructed by searching the English-language literature in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. A modified Delphi method composed of 3 rounds of email questionnaires was adopted for the consensus process. Fifty-four KADA council members participated in the 3 rounds of votes and expert consensus recommendations were established. Results: Diagnostic criteria for AD include pruritus, eczema with age-specific pattern, and chronic or relapsing history. Diagnostic aids for AD encompass xerosis, immunoglobulin E reactivity, hand–foot eczema, periorbital changes, periauricular changes, perioral changes, nipple eczema, perifollicular accentuation, and personal or family history of atopy. Conclusion This study streamlined and updated the diagnostic criteria for AD in Korea, making them more practicable for use in real-world clinical field.

Background: There are few long-term large-scale epidemiologic studies on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM; 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems codes: I42.1, I42.2). This analysis used the Korean National Health Insurance Service (KNHIS) data between 2006 and 2017 to evaluate the natural history of HCM over a decade. Methods: KNHIS data and death statistics were evaluated according to age, sex, socioeconomic position, and comorbidities. Survival rates (SRs) and adjusted hazard ratio (HR) were compared with death data of the Korean population from 2006 through 2018. Results: The mean age was 47.3 ± 14.9 years in males and 57.5 ± 15.4 years in females (P < 0.001).The male proportion was 58.9%. The most common cause of death was diseases of the circulatory system. The 10-year SR of HCM was higher in males (75.9% vs. 62.5%, P < 0.001).The adjusted HR for different age groups was significantly high in most age group: 3.67 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.65–5.10) for 0–9 years, and it gradually increased from the 30s to the 80s group (1.39 [95% CI, 1.05–1.83] for 30–39 years and 48.2 [95% CI, 37.0–62.7] for those older than 80 years). The adjusted HR was 1.12 (95% CI, 1.07–1.17) for males, 1.40 (95% CI, 1.33–1.48) for the lower income level, and 1.18 (95% CI, 1.12–1.25) for the medium income level. In patients with comorbidities, the adjusted HRs were 1.23 (95% CI, 1.16–1.30) for diabetes, 1.45 (95% CI, 1.30–1.62) for myocardial infarction, 1.63 (95% CI, 1.52–1.76) for atrial fibrillation, 1.83 (95% CI, 1.68–1.99) for ischemic stroke, 1.66 (95% CI, 1.31–2.10) for hemorrhagic stroke, 2.42 (95% CI, 2.16–2.70) for chronic kidney disease, and 3.18 (95% CI, 2.87–3.52) for malignant neoplasm. Conclusion HCM in Korea showed a higher prevalence and incidence in males. The 10-year SR of HCM was approximately 70% and lower in females than that in males. The risk of death from HCM increased with age and was significantly higher in males, individuals with low income levels, and patients with various comorbidities. These findings should be considered for the long-term management and allocation of healthcare resources for patients with HCM.

Background: There are few long-term large-scale epidemiologic studies on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM; 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems codes: I42.1, I42.2). This analysis used the Korean National Health Insurance Service (KNHIS) data between 2006 and 2017 to evaluate the natural history of HCM over a decade. Methods: KNHIS data and death statistics were evaluated according to age, sex, socioeconomic position, and comorbidities. Survival rates (SRs) and adjusted hazard ratio (HR) were compared with death data of the Korean population from 2006 through 2018. Results: The mean age was 47.3 ± 14.9 years in males and 57.5 ± 15.4 years in females (P < 0.001).The male proportion was 58.9%. The most common cause of death was diseases of the circulatory system. The 10-year SR of HCM was higher in males (75.9% vs. 62.5%, P < 0.001).The adjusted HR for different age groups was significantly high in most age group: 3.67 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.65–5.10) for 0–9 years, and it gradually increased from the 30s to the 80s group (1.39 [95% CI, 1.05–1.83] for 30–39 years and 48.2 [95% CI, 37.0–62.7] for those older than 80 years). The adjusted HR was 1.12 (95% CI, 1.07–1.17) for males, 1.40 (95% CI, 1.33–1.48) for the lower income level, and 1.18 (95% CI, 1.12–1.25) for the medium income level. In patients with comorbidities, the adjusted HRs were 1.23 (95% CI, 1.16–1.30) for diabetes, 1.45 (95% CI, 1.30–1.62) for myocardial infarction, 1.63 (95% CI, 1.52–1.76) for atrial fibrillation, 1.83 (95% CI, 1.68–1.99) for ischemic stroke, 1.66 (95% CI, 1.31–2.10) for hemorrhagic stroke, 2.42 (95% CI, 2.16–2.70) for chronic kidney disease, and 3.18 (95% CI, 2.87–3.52) for malignant neoplasm. Conclusion HCM in Korea showed a higher prevalence and incidence in males. The 10-year SR of HCM was approximately 70% and lower in females than that in males. The risk of death from HCM increased with age and was significantly higher in males, individuals with low income levels, and patients with various comorbidities. These findings should be considered for the long-term management and allocation of healthcare resources for patients with HCM.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) 3.0 for predicting mortality and liver-related complications compared with the Child-Pugh classification, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade, the MELD, and the MELD sodium (MELDNa) score. Methods: We evaluated a multicenter retrospective cohort of incorporated patients with cirrhosis between 2013 and 2019. We conducted comparisons of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the MELD3.0 and other models for predicting 3-month mortality. Additionally, we assessed the risk of cirrhosis-related complications according to the MELD3.0 score. Results: A total of 3,314 patients were included. The mean age was 55.9±11.3 years, and 70.2% of the patients were male. Within the initial 3 months, 220 patients (6.6%) died, and the MELD3.0had the best predictive performance among the tested models, with an AUROC of 0.851, outperforming the Child-Pugh classification, ALBI grade, MELD, and MELDNa. A high MELD3.0score was associated with an increased risk of mortality. Compared with that of the group with a MELD3.0 score <10 points, the adjusted hazard ratio of the group with a score of 10–20 pointswas 2.176, and that for the group with a score of ≥20 points was 4.892. Each 1-point increase inthe MELD3.0 score increased the risk of cirrhosis-related complications by 1.033-fold. The risk of hepatorenal syndrome showed the highest increase, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.149, followed by hepatic encephalopathy and ascites. Conclusions The MELD3.0 demonstrated robust prognostic performance in predicting mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Moreover, the MELD3.0 score was linked to cirrhosis-related complications, particularly those involving kidney function, such as hepatorenal syndrome and ascites.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) 3.0 for predicting mortality and liver-related complications compared with the Child-Pugh classification, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade, the MELD, and the MELD sodium (MELDNa) score. Methods: We evaluated a multicenter retrospective cohort of incorporated patients with cirrhosis between 2013 and 2019. We conducted comparisons of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the MELD3.0 and other models for predicting 3-month mortality. Additionally, we assessed the risk of cirrhosis-related complications according to the MELD3.0 score. Results: A total of 3,314 patients were included. The mean age was 55.9±11.3 years, and 70.2% of the patients were male. Within the initial 3 months, 220 patients (6.6%) died, and the MELD3.0had the best predictive performance among the tested models, with an AUROC of 0.851, outperforming the Child-Pugh classification, ALBI grade, MELD, and MELDNa. A high MELD3.0score was associated with an increased risk of mortality. Compared with that of the group with a MELD3.0 score <10 points, the adjusted hazard ratio of the group with a score of 10–20 pointswas 2.176, and that for the group with a score of ≥20 points was 4.892. Each 1-point increase inthe MELD3.0 score increased the risk of cirrhosis-related complications by 1.033-fold. The risk of hepatorenal syndrome showed the highest increase, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.149, followed by hepatic encephalopathy and ascites. Conclusions The MELD3.0 demonstrated robust prognostic performance in predicting mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Moreover, the MELD3.0 score was linked to cirrhosis-related complications, particularly those involving kidney function, such as hepatorenal syndrome and ascites.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) 3.0 for predicting mortality and liver-related complications compared with the Child-Pugh classification, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade, the MELD, and the MELD sodium (MELDNa) score. Methods: We evaluated a multicenter retrospective cohort of incorporated patients with cirrhosis between 2013 and 2019. We conducted comparisons of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the MELD3.0 and other models for predicting 3-month mortality. Additionally, we assessed the risk of cirrhosis-related complications according to the MELD3.0 score. Results: A total of 3,314 patients were included. The mean age was 55.9±11.3 years, and 70.2% of the patients were male. Within the initial 3 months, 220 patients (6.6%) died, and the MELD3.0had the best predictive performance among the tested models, with an AUROC of 0.851, outperforming the Child-Pugh classification, ALBI grade, MELD, and MELDNa. A high MELD3.0score was associated with an increased risk of mortality. Compared with that of the group with a MELD3.0 score <10 points, the adjusted hazard ratio of the group with a score of 10–20 pointswas 2.176, and that for the group with a score of ≥20 points was 4.892. Each 1-point increase inthe MELD3.0 score increased the risk of cirrhosis-related complications by 1.033-fold. The risk of hepatorenal syndrome showed the highest increase, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.149, followed by hepatic encephalopathy and ascites. Conclusions The MELD3.0 demonstrated robust prognostic performance in predicting mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Moreover, the MELD3.0 score was linked to cirrhosis-related complications, particularly those involving kidney function, such as hepatorenal syndrome and ascites.

This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.

This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.