Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of steatotic liver disease severity on the cumulative incidence of lung cancer utilizing data from the Korea National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Methods: This study examined the risk of lung cancer in the general population in conjunction with the incidence of steatotic liver disease. The study population consisted of 3,261,438 individuals aged 20 years or older who underwent a general health examination in 2009. Results: Individuals with fatty liver index (FLI) of 30–59 exhibited a 1.08-fold increased risk of lung cancer (95% CI: 1.04–1.11), while FLI ≥ 60 was associated with a 1.22-fold elevated risk of lung cancer (95% CI: 1.17–1.28) compared to those with FLI < 30. The risk varied with smoking status; in current smokers, the adjusted HR for the FLI 30–59 group was 1.05 (95% CI: 1.00–1.10), while that in the FLI ≥ 60 group was 1.11 (95% CI: 1.04–1.18). In never- or past-smokers, the adjusted HR for the FLI 30–59 group was 1.10, and that for the FLI ≥ 60 group was 1.31. Subgroup analysis revealed an incidence rate of 1.06 per 1,000 person-years in the consistently high FLI group compared to 1.15 in those with improved FLI. Improving FLI over time was associated with a 0.93-fold decrease in lung cancer risk. Conclusions Our study demonstrated a correlational relationship between lung cancer incidence and the severity of steatotic liver disease as measured by FLI.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of steatotic liver disease severity on the cumulative incidence of lung cancer utilizing data from the Korea National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Methods: This study examined the risk of lung cancer in the general population in conjunction with the incidence of steatotic liver disease. The study population consisted of 3,261,438 individuals aged 20 years or older who underwent a general health examination in 2009. Results: Individuals with fatty liver index (FLI) of 30–59 exhibited a 1.08-fold increased risk of lung cancer (95% CI: 1.04–1.11), while FLI ≥ 60 was associated with a 1.22-fold elevated risk of lung cancer (95% CI: 1.17–1.28) compared to those with FLI < 30. The risk varied with smoking status; in current smokers, the adjusted HR for the FLI 30–59 group was 1.05 (95% CI: 1.00–1.10), while that in the FLI ≥ 60 group was 1.11 (95% CI: 1.04–1.18). In never- or past-smokers, the adjusted HR for the FLI 30–59 group was 1.10, and that for the FLI ≥ 60 group was 1.31. Subgroup analysis revealed an incidence rate of 1.06 per 1,000 person-years in the consistently high FLI group compared to 1.15 in those with improved FLI. Improving FLI over time was associated with a 0.93-fold decrease in lung cancer risk. Conclusions Our study demonstrated a correlational relationship between lung cancer incidence and the severity of steatotic liver disease as measured by FLI.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of steatotic liver disease severity on the cumulative incidence of lung cancer utilizing data from the Korea National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Methods: This study examined the risk of lung cancer in the general population in conjunction with the incidence of steatotic liver disease. The study population consisted of 3,261,438 individuals aged 20 years or older who underwent a general health examination in 2009. Results: Individuals with fatty liver index (FLI) of 30–59 exhibited a 1.08-fold increased risk of lung cancer (95% CI: 1.04–1.11), while FLI ≥ 60 was associated with a 1.22-fold elevated risk of lung cancer (95% CI: 1.17–1.28) compared to those with FLI < 30. The risk varied with smoking status; in current smokers, the adjusted HR for the FLI 30–59 group was 1.05 (95% CI: 1.00–1.10), while that in the FLI ≥ 60 group was 1.11 (95% CI: 1.04–1.18). In never- or past-smokers, the adjusted HR for the FLI 30–59 group was 1.10, and that for the FLI ≥ 60 group was 1.31. Subgroup analysis revealed an incidence rate of 1.06 per 1,000 person-years in the consistently high FLI group compared to 1.15 in those with improved FLI. Improving FLI over time was associated with a 0.93-fold decrease in lung cancer risk. Conclusions Our study demonstrated a correlational relationship between lung cancer incidence and the severity of steatotic liver disease as measured by FLI.

Purpose: This study aims to develop and implement an economic evaluation using a micro-costing approach to provide a precise and transparent analysis of the direct costs of cystoscopic procedures in Korean hospitals. The study seeks to identify key cost components and evaluate whether current reimbursement rates accurately reflect these direct costs. Materials and Methods: Significant variations in cost items were identified across different studies. An economic evaluation was conducted using a micro-costing methodology for the cost analysis of cystoscopic procedures, developed through literature review, data collection from studies, and expert consultations. Results: Gangnam Severance Hospital (GSH) performed 2,188 cystoscopic procedures, including 1,847 cystoscopies and 341 JJ stent removals, with average costs of $100.8 and $110.6, respectively. At National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital (NHIMC), 1,463 procedures were performed, including 1,167 cystoscopies and 296 JJ stent removals, with average costs of $119.2 and $125.3. Cystoscopy costs at GSH were driven by reprocessing ($45.8, 45.4%) and equipment ($33.1, 32.9%), while NHIMC’s were $52.5 (44.0%) for equipment and $48.7 (40.8%) for reprocessing. Both hospitals incurred financial losses, with NHIS (National Health Insurance Service) covering only about 71.7% and 60.6% of costs for cystoscopy, and 71.0% and 62.7% for JJ stent removal. Conclusions The significant discrepancy between HIRA (Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service)’s estimated costs and those identified here suggests that current fees for cystoscopic procedures may be underestimated and require reassessment.Given the results, reevaluating these rates is essential to ensure fair compensation for healthcare providers and to deliver optimal patient care.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of steatotic liver disease severity on the cumulative incidence of lung cancer utilizing data from the Korea National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Methods: This study examined the risk of lung cancer in the general population in conjunction with the incidence of steatotic liver disease. The study population consisted of 3,261,438 individuals aged 20 years or older who underwent a general health examination in 2009. Results: Individuals with fatty liver index (FLI) of 30–59 exhibited a 1.08-fold increased risk of lung cancer (95% CI: 1.04–1.11), while FLI ≥ 60 was associated with a 1.22-fold elevated risk of lung cancer (95% CI: 1.17–1.28) compared to those with FLI < 30. The risk varied with smoking status; in current smokers, the adjusted HR for the FLI 30–59 group was 1.05 (95% CI: 1.00–1.10), while that in the FLI ≥ 60 group was 1.11 (95% CI: 1.04–1.18). In never- or past-smokers, the adjusted HR for the FLI 30–59 group was 1.10, and that for the FLI ≥ 60 group was 1.31. Subgroup analysis revealed an incidence rate of 1.06 per 1,000 person-years in the consistently high FLI group compared to 1.15 in those with improved FLI. Improving FLI over time was associated with a 0.93-fold decrease in lung cancer risk. Conclusions Our study demonstrated a correlational relationship between lung cancer incidence and the severity of steatotic liver disease as measured by FLI.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of steatotic liver disease severity on the cumulative incidence of lung cancer utilizing data from the Korea National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Methods: This study examined the risk of lung cancer in the general population in conjunction with the incidence of steatotic liver disease. The study population consisted of 3,261,438 individuals aged 20 years or older who underwent a general health examination in 2009. Results: Individuals with fatty liver index (FLI) of 30–59 exhibited a 1.08-fold increased risk of lung cancer (95% CI: 1.04–1.11), while FLI ≥ 60 was associated with a 1.22-fold elevated risk of lung cancer (95% CI: 1.17–1.28) compared to those with FLI < 30. The risk varied with smoking status; in current smokers, the adjusted HR for the FLI 30–59 group was 1.05 (95% CI: 1.00–1.10), while that in the FLI ≥ 60 group was 1.11 (95% CI: 1.04–1.18). In never- or past-smokers, the adjusted HR for the FLI 30–59 group was 1.10, and that for the FLI ≥ 60 group was 1.31. Subgroup analysis revealed an incidence rate of 1.06 per 1,000 person-years in the consistently high FLI group compared to 1.15 in those with improved FLI. Improving FLI over time was associated with a 0.93-fold decrease in lung cancer risk. Conclusions Our study demonstrated a correlational relationship between lung cancer incidence and the severity of steatotic liver disease as measured by FLI.

There are limited data on outcomes after implantation of everolimus-eluting stents (EES) in East Asian patients with small vessel coronary lesions. A total of 1,600 patients treated with XIENCE EES (Abbott Vascular, CA, USA) were divided into the small vessel group treated with one ≤2.5 mm stent (n=119) and the non-small vessel group treated with one ≥2.75 mm stent (n=933). The primary end point was a patient-oriented composite outcome (POCO), a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), and any repeat revascularization at 12 months. The key secondary end point was a device-oriented composite outcome (DOCO), a composite of cardiovascular death, target-vessel MI, and target lesion revascularization at 12 months. The small vessel group was more often female, hypertensive, less likely to present with ST-elevation MI, and more often treated for the left circumflex artery, whereas the non-small vessel group more often had type B2/C lesions, underwent intravascular ultrasound, and received unfractionated heparin. In the propensity matched cohort, the mean stent diameter was 2.5±0.0 mm and 3.1±0.4 mm in the small and non-small vessel groups, respectively. Propensity-adjusted POCO at 12 months was 6.0% in the small vessel group and 4.3% in the non-small vessel group (p=0.558). There was no significant difference in DOCO at 12 months (small vessel group: 4.3% and non-small vessel group: 1.7%, p=0.270).Outcomes of XIENCE EES for small vessel disease were comparable to those for non-small vessel disease at 12-month clinical follow-up in real-world Korean patients.