Purpose: High-cost novel therapies for multiple myeloma (MM) require evaluation of efficacy and cost-effectiveness. Materials and Methods: This study developed a methodology to assess cost-effectiveness using nationwide data from 11,450 newly diagnosed MM patients. A novel algorithm was applied to identify lines of therapy (LoT). Results: The number of newly diagnosed MM patients increased significantly, from 873 in 2010 to 1,464 in 2019 (p < 0.001). Advancing LoT was associated with shorter time to next treatment (TTNT) and overall survival (OS) (p < 0.001), while all-cause medical costs increased with each LoT (p < 0.001). Bortezomib-melphalan-prednisolone was the most common frontline regimen for transplant-ineligible patients (29.2%), while bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone was most used for transplant-eligible patients (11.3%). Daratumumab monotherapy demonstrated superior second TTNT (7.8 vs. 5.2 months) and OS (8.5 vs. 5.3 months) compared to standard care in heavily treated MM patients, with statistical significance maintained after cost adjustment. For subsequent therapies following daratumumab, a methodology was developed to estimate required medical costs using the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER): Expected cost ($)=ICER×(Expected life expectancy–0.567)+35,601. Conclusion This study provides a novel cost-effectiveness framework linking treatment efficacy and real-world costs, supporting predictions of societal costs for future MM therapies.

Purpose: This study examines the factors influencing 30-day in-hospital mortality in elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and compares them to those in adult patients. Methods: This secondary analysis used discharge data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, covering the period from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022. Statistical methods included χ² tests, t-tests, the Cox proportional hazards model for calculating adjusted hazard ratios (HR), and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: The study found that older age (Adjusted HR=2.40, 95% CI=2.01-2.85, p<.001) and Emergency Room admissions (Adjusted HR=2.24, 95% CI=1.94-2.59, p<.001) are significantly associated with increased mortality in elderly patients. Other contributing factors include residency area (Adjusted HR=1.73, 95% CI=1.04-2.87, p=.035), hospital setting (Adjusted HR=1.34, 95% CI=1.05-1.70, p=.017), and the number of hospital beds (Adjusted HR=1.27, 95% CI=1.11-1.46, p=.001). Conclusion These findings underscore the importance of improving community health screenings and developing respiratory infection prevention programs for elderly patients, especially those in high-risk areas.

Purpose: This study examines the factors influencing 30-day in-hospital mortality in elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and compares them to those in adult patients. Methods: This secondary analysis used discharge data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, covering the period from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022. Statistical methods included χ² tests, t-tests, the Cox proportional hazards model for calculating adjusted hazard ratios (HR), and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: The study found that older age (Adjusted HR=2.40, 95% CI=2.01-2.85, p<.001) and Emergency Room admissions (Adjusted HR=2.24, 95% CI=1.94-2.59, p<.001) are significantly associated with increased mortality in elderly patients. Other contributing factors include residency area (Adjusted HR=1.73, 95% CI=1.04-2.87, p=.035), hospital setting (Adjusted HR=1.34, 95% CI=1.05-1.70, p=.017), and the number of hospital beds (Adjusted HR=1.27, 95% CI=1.11-1.46, p=.001). Conclusion These findings underscore the importance of improving community health screenings and developing respiratory infection prevention programs for elderly patients, especially those in high-risk areas.

Purpose: This study examines the factors influencing 30-day in-hospital mortality in elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and compares them to those in adult patients. Methods: This secondary analysis used discharge data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, covering the period from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022. Statistical methods included χ² tests, t-tests, the Cox proportional hazards model for calculating adjusted hazard ratios (HR), and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: The study found that older age (Adjusted HR=2.40, 95% CI=2.01-2.85, p<.001) and Emergency Room admissions (Adjusted HR=2.24, 95% CI=1.94-2.59, p<.001) are significantly associated with increased mortality in elderly patients. Other contributing factors include residency area (Adjusted HR=1.73, 95% CI=1.04-2.87, p=.035), hospital setting (Adjusted HR=1.34, 95% CI=1.05-1.70, p=.017), and the number of hospital beds (Adjusted HR=1.27, 95% CI=1.11-1.46, p=.001). Conclusion These findings underscore the importance of improving community health screenings and developing respiratory infection prevention programs for elderly patients, especially those in high-risk areas.

Purpose: This study examines the factors influencing 30-day in-hospital mortality in elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and compares them to those in adult patients. Methods: This secondary analysis used discharge data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, covering the period from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022. Statistical methods included χ² tests, t-tests, the Cox proportional hazards model for calculating adjusted hazard ratios (HR), and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: The study found that older age (Adjusted HR=2.40, 95% CI=2.01-2.85, p<.001) and Emergency Room admissions (Adjusted HR=2.24, 95% CI=1.94-2.59, p<.001) are significantly associated with increased mortality in elderly patients. Other contributing factors include residency area (Adjusted HR=1.73, 95% CI=1.04-2.87, p=.035), hospital setting (Adjusted HR=1.34, 95% CI=1.05-1.70, p=.017), and the number of hospital beds (Adjusted HR=1.27, 95% CI=1.11-1.46, p=.001). Conclusion These findings underscore the importance of improving community health screenings and developing respiratory infection prevention programs for elderly patients, especially those in high-risk areas.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare symptoms, social support, and quality of life across different stages of survival in patients with lung cancer. Methods: The study included 145 participants: 49 in the acute survival phase (less than 2 years), 50 in the extended survival phase (2~5 years), and 46 in the lasting survival phase (> 5 years). A structured questionnaire was utilized to assess symptoms, social support, and quality of life. Analysis of covariance was used to control for demographic and disease-related variables. Results: Quality of life was significantly higher in the lasting survival stage (F=5.05, p=.008). The severity of symptoms was highest in the acute survival stage, followed by the extended survival stage, and lowest in the lasting survival stage (F=15.79, p<.001). Symptom interference with life was greater in the extended survival stage than in the lasting survival stage (F=11.11, p<.001). Social support was the lowest in the extended survival stage (F=10.03, p<.001). Notably, the extended survival stage had the highest scores for symptoms affecting daily activities, relationships, walking, and work (p<.001). Conclusion This study highlights the differences in symptoms, social support, and quality of life in patients with lung cancer across their survival stages. Tailored interventions are essential for each survival stage to improve the quality of life, with emotional and social support being critical in the extended survival phase, whereas symptom management is key in the acute phase.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare symptoms, social support, and quality of life across different stages of survival in patients with lung cancer. Methods: The study included 145 participants: 49 in the acute survival phase (less than 2 years), 50 in the extended survival phase (2~5 years), and 46 in the lasting survival phase (> 5 years). A structured questionnaire was utilized to assess symptoms, social support, and quality of life. Analysis of covariance was used to control for demographic and disease-related variables. Results: Quality of life was significantly higher in the lasting survival stage (F=5.05, p=.008). The severity of symptoms was highest in the acute survival stage, followed by the extended survival stage, and lowest in the lasting survival stage (F=15.79, p<.001). Symptom interference with life was greater in the extended survival stage than in the lasting survival stage (F=11.11, p<.001). Social support was the lowest in the extended survival stage (F=10.03, p<.001). Notably, the extended survival stage had the highest scores for symptoms affecting daily activities, relationships, walking, and work (p<.001). Conclusion This study highlights the differences in symptoms, social support, and quality of life in patients with lung cancer across their survival stages. Tailored interventions are essential for each survival stage to improve the quality of life, with emotional and social support being critical in the extended survival phase, whereas symptom management is key in the acute phase.

Purpose: This study examines the factors influencing 30-day in-hospital mortality in elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and compares them to those in adult patients. Methods: This secondary analysis used discharge data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, covering the period from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022. Statistical methods included χ² tests, t-tests, the Cox proportional hazards model for calculating adjusted hazard ratios (HR), and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: The study found that older age (Adjusted HR=2.40, 95% CI=2.01-2.85, p<.001) and Emergency Room admissions (Adjusted HR=2.24, 95% CI=1.94-2.59, p<.001) are significantly associated with increased mortality in elderly patients. Other contributing factors include residency area (Adjusted HR=1.73, 95% CI=1.04-2.87, p=.035), hospital setting (Adjusted HR=1.34, 95% CI=1.05-1.70, p=.017), and the number of hospital beds (Adjusted HR=1.27, 95% CI=1.11-1.46, p=.001). Conclusion These findings underscore the importance of improving community health screenings and developing respiratory infection prevention programs for elderly patients, especially those in high-risk areas.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare symptoms, social support, and quality of life across different stages of survival in patients with lung cancer. Methods: The study included 145 participants: 49 in the acute survival phase (less than 2 years), 50 in the extended survival phase (2~5 years), and 46 in the lasting survival phase (> 5 years). A structured questionnaire was utilized to assess symptoms, social support, and quality of life. Analysis of covariance was used to control for demographic and disease-related variables. Results: Quality of life was significantly higher in the lasting survival stage (F=5.05, p=.008). The severity of symptoms was highest in the acute survival stage, followed by the extended survival stage, and lowest in the lasting survival stage (F=15.79, p<.001). Symptom interference with life was greater in the extended survival stage than in the lasting survival stage (F=11.11, p<.001). Social support was the lowest in the extended survival stage (F=10.03, p<.001). Notably, the extended survival stage had the highest scores for symptoms affecting daily activities, relationships, walking, and work (p<.001). Conclusion This study highlights the differences in symptoms, social support, and quality of life in patients with lung cancer across their survival stages. Tailored interventions are essential for each survival stage to improve the quality of life, with emotional and social support being critical in the extended survival phase, whereas symptom management is key in the acute phase.

Aromadendrin is a phenolic compound with various biological effects such as anti-inflammatory properties. However, its protective effects against acute lung injury (ALI) remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the ameliorative effects of aromadendrin in an experimental model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. In vitro analysis revealed a notable increase in the levels of cytokine/chemokine formation, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation, and myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88)/toll-like receptor (TLR4) expression in LPS-stimulated BEAS-2B lung epithelial cell lines that was ameliorated by aromadendrin pretreatment. In LPS-induced ALI mice, the remarkable upregulation of immune cells and IL-1β/IL-6/TNF-α levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and inducible nitric oxide synthase/cyclooxygenase-2/CD68 expression in lung was decreased by the oral administration of aromadendrin. Histological analysis revealed the presence of cells in the lungs of ALI mice, which was alleviated by aromadendrin. In addition, aromadendrin ameliorated lung edema. This in vivo effect of aromadendrin was accompanied by its inhibitory effect on LPS-induced NF-κB activation, MyD88/TLR4 expression, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activation. Furthermore, aromadendrin increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1/ NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 in the lungs of ALI mice. In summary, the in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that aromadendrin ameliorated endotoxin-induced pulmonary inflammation by suppressing cytokine formation and NF-κB activation, suggesting that aromadendrin could be a useful adjuvant in the treatment of ALI.