Background: Older patients aged ≥75 years are underrepresented in major statin trials, leaving the optimal statin intensity after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) undefined. We aimed to compare functional outcomes and short-term safety between high-intensity statin therapy (HIST) and moderate-intensity statin therapy (MIST) in patients aged ≥75 years with AIS or transient ischemic attack. Methods: Using a prospective stroke registry at a single tertiary center (2019–2022), we retrospectively analyzed 337 patients aged ≥75 years with AIS or transient ischemic attack who maintained statin therapy for 3 months (HIST n=117; MIST n=220). The primary outcome was a favorable 3-month functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2). Secondary outcomes included stroke recurrence, adverse effects, and statin discontinuation. Multivariable logistic regression with pre-specified sensitivity analyses was performed. Results: Favorable outcomes at 3 months were more frequent with HIST (70.9% vs. 55.9%; p=0.010). After multivariable adjustment, HIST was independently associated with a favorable outcome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17–3.53), consistent across sensitivity analyses: per-protocol (aOR=3.48, 95% CI 1.97–6.17) and atrial fibrillation-adjusted (aOR=2.21, 95% CI 1.26–3.89). No significant differences were observed in statin discontinuation, stroke recurrence, or adverse effects. Conclusion In older patients with AIS, HIST was independently associated with better functional outcomes without evidence of increased harm, broadly consistent with current guideline recommendations for HIST when tolerated. Prospective studies are needed to confirm a causal relationship.

Background: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of hospital-based case management for patients with severe mental illness. Methods: A total of 106 patients were included. To evaluate the effectiveness of hospital-based case management, the number of hospitalizations, cumulative length of hospitalization, and hospital days/year as well as functioning were compared before and after the hospital-based case management intervention. Cox regression was performed to identify variables that may influence readmission rates other than patients’ hospital-based case management interventions. Results: The number of hospitalizations decreased from 1.4±0.9 to 0.5±1.0 (p<0.001), cumulative length of hospitalization from 73.0±62.3 to 28.1±57.2 days (p<0.001), and hospital days/year from 20.0±17.1 to 7.7±15.7 days (p<0.001). The changes in Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale were 35.3±15.7 points at case management intervention, 43.7±13.9 points after 1 month of case management (p<0.001), 51.2±14.1 points after 3 months (p<0.001), and 53.1±17.6 points after 6 months (p<0.001). Demographic and clinical characteristics that influenced readmissions were GAF at admission (p=0.017), duration (p=0.042), diagnosis (p=0.019), and type of admission (p=0.001). Conclusion Hospital-based case management significantly improved readmission rates and functioning in patients with severe mental illness, supporting its continued implementation and expansion.

Background: Employees with depression have complex and serious health consequences, not only for them, including reduced quality of life, but also for businesses and society, leading to social costs such as reduced productivity. This study investigated the prevalence of depressive symptoms and related factors among public enterprise employees in Naju Innovation City, Korea. Methods: We investigated the sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics of 1,061 public enterprise employees. Depression, anxiety, and occupational burnout were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, respectively. Furthermore, the impact of factors on depressive symptoms was examined using a logistic regression model. Results: The prevalence of overall depressive symptoms was 11.9%. High anxiety (odds ratio [OR]=12.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]=7.17-20.76; p<0.001) and exhaustion (OR=2.79; 95% CI=1.81-4.40; p<0.001) levels were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusion Anxiety symptoms and exhaustion were the most important factors related to depressive symptoms among the public enterprise employees. Hence, when providing an employee assistance program, the psychosocial vulnerability factors of workers with depressive symptoms should be thoroughly addressed.2

Background: This study aimed to identify factors that influence the maintenance of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAI) for over a year in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: Seventy patients from Naju National Hospital were divided into two groups: those who maintained LAI for over a year (maintaining group, n=39) and those who discontinued (dropout group, n=31). Sociodemographic and clinical factors were compared using medical records and assessments, including the Birchwood Insight Scale (BIS), Drug Attitude Inventory-10 (DAI-10), and World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument. Results: The number of rehospitalizations was significantly lower in the maintaining group (p=0.030). The highest previous Global Assessment of Functioning Scale score within a year of starting LAI was significantly higher in the maintaining group (p=0.002), with a higher number of individuals being employed in this group (p=0.029). The mean BIS (p=0.010) and DAI-10 (p=0.003) scores were higher in the maintaining group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the DAI-10 (B=0.148, p=0.014) had a significant impact on maintaining LAI. Conclusion Our study suggests that a positive drug attitude is one of the key factors in maintaining LAI treatment, preventing relapses and supporting long-term stabilization in schizophrenia.

Background: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of hospital-based case management for patients with severe mental illness. Methods: A total of 106 patients were included. To evaluate the effectiveness of hospital-based case management, the number of hospitalizations, cumulative length of hospitalization, and hospital days/year as well as functioning were compared before and after the hospital-based case management intervention. Cox regression was performed to identify variables that may influence readmission rates other than patients’ hospital-based case management interventions. Results: The number of hospitalizations decreased from 1.4±0.9 to 0.5±1.0 (p<0.001), cumulative length of hospitalization from 73.0±62.3 to 28.1±57.2 days (p<0.001), and hospital days/year from 20.0±17.1 to 7.7±15.7 days (p<0.001). The changes in Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale were 35.3±15.7 points at case management intervention, 43.7±13.9 points after 1 month of case management (p<0.001), 51.2±14.1 points after 3 months (p<0.001), and 53.1±17.6 points after 6 months (p<0.001). Demographic and clinical characteristics that influenced readmissions were GAF at admission (p=0.017), duration (p=0.042), diagnosis (p=0.019), and type of admission (p=0.001). Conclusion Hospital-based case management significantly improved readmission rates and functioning in patients with severe mental illness, supporting its continued implementation and expansion.

Background: Employees with depression have complex and serious health consequences, not only for them, including reduced quality of life, but also for businesses and society, leading to social costs such as reduced productivity. This study investigated the prevalence of depressive symptoms and related factors among public enterprise employees in Naju Innovation City, Korea. Methods: We investigated the sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics of 1,061 public enterprise employees. Depression, anxiety, and occupational burnout were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, respectively. Furthermore, the impact of factors on depressive symptoms was examined using a logistic regression model. Results: The prevalence of overall depressive symptoms was 11.9%. High anxiety (odds ratio [OR]=12.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]=7.17-20.76; p<0.001) and exhaustion (OR=2.79; 95% CI=1.81-4.40; p<0.001) levels were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusion Anxiety symptoms and exhaustion were the most important factors related to depressive symptoms among the public enterprise employees. Hence, when providing an employee assistance program, the psychosocial vulnerability factors of workers with depressive symptoms should be thoroughly addressed.2

Background: This study aimed to identify factors that influence the maintenance of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAI) for over a year in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: Seventy patients from Naju National Hospital were divided into two groups: those who maintained LAI for over a year (maintaining group, n=39) and those who discontinued (dropout group, n=31). Sociodemographic and clinical factors were compared using medical records and assessments, including the Birchwood Insight Scale (BIS), Drug Attitude Inventory-10 (DAI-10), and World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument. Results: The number of rehospitalizations was significantly lower in the maintaining group (p=0.030). The highest previous Global Assessment of Functioning Scale score within a year of starting LAI was significantly higher in the maintaining group (p=0.002), with a higher number of individuals being employed in this group (p=0.029). The mean BIS (p=0.010) and DAI-10 (p=0.003) scores were higher in the maintaining group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the DAI-10 (B=0.148, p=0.014) had a significant impact on maintaining LAI. Conclusion Our study suggests that a positive drug attitude is one of the key factors in maintaining LAI treatment, preventing relapses and supporting long-term stabilization in schizophrenia.

Purpose: This study evaluated whether patient activation and nurse trust mediate the relationship between a person-centered climate and patient satisfaction in cancer patients. Methods: A total of 179 participants, who were admitted in a tertiary hospital of J city, were surveyed in a cross-sectional study. Data were collected from March 1 to June 10, 2023. The descriptive statistics and mediating effects were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 25.0 and PROCESS macro program. Results: A person-centered climate directly affected patient satisfaction (direct effect=0.21, p<.001; direct effect=0.34, p<.001). Patient activation had a mediating effect between a person-centered climate and patient satisfaction (indirect effect=0.31, 95% Boot confidence interval=0.24~0.39). Nurse trust had a mediating effect between a person-centered climate and patient satisfaction (indirect effect=0.19, 95% Boot confidence interval=0.10~0.27). Conclusion This indicates the importance of developing a person-centered climate, patient activation and nurse trust to improve satisfaction for cancer patients. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the level of trust in nurses to improve and strengthen trust in them and to develop various program to focus on patient activation in cancer patients.

Purpose: The partner and localizer of breast cancer 2 (PALB2) mutation is a predisposition to breast cancer development. However, limited clinical data are available for the Korean population. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the characteristics and oncological outcomes of patients with PALB2-mutated and non-mutated PALB2 in Korea. Methods: A total of 1,463 breast cancer (BRCA) 1/2 mutation-negative breast cancer underwent comprehensive multigene sequencing between 2016 and 2019 at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea. Clinicopathological data and oncological results of PALB2 mutated patients were prospectively collected and compared with those of the non-mutated group. Results: PALB2 mutations were identified in 1.2% (17/1,463) of the patients. The median age at diagnosis was 46 (30–73) years, and the median tumor size was 1.8 (0.05–3.5) cm. All patients with PALB2 mutations had histologic grades II–III, and a triple-negative subtype was found in 23.5% (4/17); however, there were no significant differences in clinicopathological data between the groups. During the median follow-up time of 38.5 months, locoregional recurrence occurred in 4.2% (44/1,043), distant recurrence was reported in 3.0% (31/1,043), and contralateral breast cancer was diagnosed in 0.8% (9/1,043) of patients, with no significant difference observed between the groups. All-cause mortality was observed in 1.8% (19/1,028) of the non-mutated group and none in the PALB2 mutation group. However, survival analyses demonstrated no significant differences in all-cause mortality (p = 0.524) and recurrence-free survival (p = 0.319). Conclusion Clinicopathological features and oncological outcomes of PALB2 mutated breast cancer were not significantly different from those of non-mutated breast cancer in the Korean population.

Background: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of hospital-based case management for patients with severe mental illness. Methods: A total of 106 patients were included. To evaluate the effectiveness of hospital-based case management, the number of hospitalizations, cumulative length of hospitalization, and hospital days/year as well as functioning were compared before and after the hospital-based case management intervention. Cox regression was performed to identify variables that may influence readmission rates other than patients’ hospital-based case management interventions. Results: The number of hospitalizations decreased from 1.4±0.9 to 0.5±1.0 (p<0.001), cumulative length of hospitalization from 73.0±62.3 to 28.1±57.2 days (p<0.001), and hospital days/year from 20.0±17.1 to 7.7±15.7 days (p<0.001). The changes in Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale were 35.3±15.7 points at case management intervention, 43.7±13.9 points after 1 month of case management (p<0.001), 51.2±14.1 points after 3 months (p<0.001), and 53.1±17.6 points after 6 months (p<0.001). Demographic and clinical characteristics that influenced readmissions were GAF at admission (p=0.017), duration (p=0.042), diagnosis (p=0.019), and type of admission (p=0.001). Conclusion Hospital-based case management significantly improved readmission rates and functioning in patients with severe mental illness, supporting its continued implementation and expansion.