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/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.

Purpose: This study identified outpatient nurses’ duties and tasks at a tertiary hospital using the Developing a Curriculum (DACUM) method, and assessed their perceived performance, importance, and difficulty. Methods: A DACUM Workshop was conducted in November 2024. A convenience sample of 207 outpatient nurses with over one year of experience was recruited, and 190 responses were analyzed. Performance, importance, and difficulty of 11 duties and 77 tasks derived from the DACUM process were rated on a 5-point Likert scale. An Importance-Difficulty Analysis (IDA) was conducted to determine priorities and visualize the distribution of duties and tasks. Results: The mean scores for performance, importance, and difficulty across duties were 3.27±0.67, 4.21±0.63, and 3.23±0.58, respectively. ‘A. Outpatient care preparation’ showed the highest performance (4.26±1.08) and importance (4.52±0.79), while ‘D. Outpatient education and counseling’ had the highest difficulty (3.79±0.79). At the task level, ‘B10. Prescription confirmation and interdepartmental communication’ showed the highest performance (4.68±0.81), with ‘B7. Patient identity verification and room admission guidance’ were rated as having the highest importance (4.76±0.75), and ‘D6.Counseling for patient complaints and grievances’ was the highest difficulty (4.31±0.98). The mean difference between importance and difficulty was statistically significant (t=17.65, p<.001). IDA classified duties and tasks into four areas: strategic focus, competency development, incremental improvement, and sustaining. Conclusion The DACUM approach provided empirical evidence to establish educational priorities and support the expansion of outpatient nurses’ professional roles. Tailored training focused on communication and counseling, along with role-specific strategies, is essential to enhance outpatient nurses’ competencies.

The LEPR (leptin receptor) genotype is associated with obesity. Gut microbiome composition differs between obese and nonobese adults. However, the impact of LEPR genotype on gut microbiome composition in humans has not yet been studied. In this study, the association between LEPR single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1173100, rs1137101, and rs790419) and the gut microbiome composition in 65 non-obese Korean adults was investigated. Leptin, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were also measured in all participants. Mean ± SD (standard deviation) of age, body mass index, and leptin hormone levels of participants was 35.2 ± 8.1 years, 21.4 ± 1.8 kg/m 2 , and 7989.1 ± 6687.4 pg/mL, respectively. Gut microbiome analysis was performed at the phylum level by 16S rRNA sequencing. Among the 11 phyla detected, only one showed significantly different relative abundances between LEPR genotypes. The relative abundance of Candidatus Saccharibacteria was higher in the G/A genotype group than in the G/G genotype group for the rs1137101 single nucleotide polymorphism (p=0.0322). Participant characteristics, including body mass index, leptin levels, and other lipid levels, were similar between the rs1137101 G/G and G/A genotypes. In addition, the relative abundances of Fusobacteria and Tenericutes showed significant positive relationship with plasma leptin concentrations (p=0.0036 and p=0.0000, respectively). In conclusion, LEPR genotype and gut microbiome may be associated even in normal-weight Korean adults. However, further studies with a greater number of obese adults are needed to confirm whether LEPR genotype is related to gut microbiome composition.

In recent years, next-generation sequencing (NGS)–based genetic testing has become crucial in cancer care. While its primary objective is to identify actionable genetic alterations to guide treatment decisions, its scope has broadened to encompass aiding in pathological diagnosis and exploring resistance mechanisms. With the ongoing expansion in NGS application and reliance, a compelling necessity arises for expert consensus on its application in solid cancers. To address this demand, the forthcoming recommendations not only provide pragmatic guidance for the clinical use of NGS but also systematically classify actionable genes based on specific cancer types. Additionally, these recommendations will incorporate expert perspectives on crucial biomarkers, ensuring informed decisions regarding circulating tumor DNA panel testing.