Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

The impact of Streptococcus pneumoniae coinfection on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prognosis remains uncertain. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who underwent a pneumococcal urinary antigen (PUA) test to assess its clinical utility. Results showed that PUA-positive patients required more oxygen support, high-flow nasal cannula, and dexamethasone compared to PUA-negative patients.Furthermore, the significantly higher incidence of a National Early Warning Score ≥5 in the PUA-positive group (P<0.001) suggests that a positive PUA test is associated with a severe disease course. However, no significant difference in mortality was observed between the two groups, and antibiotics were used in almost all patients (96.2%). While the PUA test may help guide antibiotic use in COVID-19 patients, its interpretation should be approached with caution.

The impact of Streptococcus pneumoniae coinfection on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prognosis remains uncertain. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who underwent a pneumococcal urinary antigen (PUA) test to assess its clinical utility. Results showed that PUA-positive patients required more oxygen support, high-flow nasal cannula, and dexamethasone compared to PUA-negative patients.Furthermore, the significantly higher incidence of a National Early Warning Score ≥5 in the PUA-positive group (P<0.001) suggests that a positive PUA test is associated with a severe disease course. However, no significant difference in mortality was observed between the two groups, and antibiotics were used in almost all patients (96.2%). While the PUA test may help guide antibiotic use in COVID-19 patients, its interpretation should be approached with caution.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

The impact of Streptococcus pneumoniae coinfection on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prognosis remains uncertain. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who underwent a pneumococcal urinary antigen (PUA) test to assess its clinical utility. Results showed that PUA-positive patients required more oxygen support, high-flow nasal cannula, and dexamethasone compared to PUA-negative patients.Furthermore, the significantly higher incidence of a National Early Warning Score ≥5 in the PUA-positive group (P<0.001) suggests that a positive PUA test is associated with a severe disease course. However, no significant difference in mortality was observed between the two groups, and antibiotics were used in almost all patients (96.2%). While the PUA test may help guide antibiotic use in COVID-19 patients, its interpretation should be approached with caution.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Results: Distal gastrectomy (DG) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) showed significantly better outcomes than total gastrectomy (TG) and proximal gastrectomy (PG) with regard to total score, indigestion, and dysphagia. DG, PPG, and TG also showed significantly better outcomes than PG in terms of dumping syndrome and worry about cancer. Postoperative QoL did not differ significantly according to anastomosis type in DG, except for Billroth I anastomosis, which achieved better bowel habit change scores than the others. No domains differed significantly when comparing double tract reconstruction and esophagogastrostomy after PG. The total QoL score correlated significantly with postoperative body weight loss (more than 10%) and extent of resection (P<0.05 for both).Reflux as assessed by KOQUSS-40 did not correlate significantly with reflux observed on gastroscopy 1 year postoperatively (P=0.064). Conclusions Our prospective observation using KOQUSS-40 revealed that DG and PPG lead to better QoL than TG and PG. Further study is needed to compare postoperative QoL according to anastomosis type in DG and PG.

Background: A decline in masticatory function may indicate brain dysfunction related to dementia, but the relationship between masticatory function and dementia risk remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether masticatory function is associated with the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Methods: Data were obtained from the nationwide prospective cohort study of randomly sampled community-dwelling Koreans aged ≥ 60 years. The 5,064 non-demented participants, whose number of chewing cycles per bite was assessed by clinical interview, were followed for 8 years with biennial assessments of cognitive performance and clinical diagnoses of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Structural brain magnetic resonance imaging was collected from a subset of cohort participants and their spouses for imaging analyses. Results: Males who chewed ≥ 30 cycles/bite had faster decline in global cognition and memory function and were at higher risk for incident all-cause dementia (hazard ratio [HR], 2.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18–7.18) and AD (HR, 3.22; 95% CI, 1.14–9.11) compared to males with less than 10 cycles/bite. Additionally, increased chewing cycles in males were associated with reduced brain volume, particularly in regions involved in compensatory cognitive control of mastication. There was no significant association between chewing cycles and the risk of dementia or brain volume in females. Conclusion Older men who frequently chew their meals could be considered a notable population at risk for dementia who should be carefully assessed for their cognitive trajectories.

Background: The International Hip Outcome Tool 12 (iHOT12), which is now widely adopted in clinical settings, has been established as reliable, valid, and responsive, positioning as a critical evaluation tool globally to gauge the efficacy of hip arthroscopy.This study aimed to translate the iHOT12 questionnaire into Korean and assess its feasibility, internal consistency, and validity concerning the psychometric properties of the Korean version of iHOT12 (iHOT12-K). Methods: The iHOT12 questionnaire was translated into Korean and adapted culturally, following international guidelines, involving forward translation, back-translation, and reconciliation by bilingual experts to ensure cross-cultural equivalence. A cohort of 67 patients diagnosed with femoroacetabular impingement and scheduled for hip arthroscopy between November 2015 and February 2021 participated in assessing the psychometric properties of the iHOT12-K, alongside standardized questionnaires (Korean iterations of the Short Form-36 [SF-36], Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [HOOS], Korean version of Hip Outcome Score [HOS-K], and modified Harris Hip Score [mHHS]). Psychometric evaluations focusing on feasibility, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), and convergent validity (Spearman’s rank correlation) demonstrated the reliability and relevance of iHOT12-K. Results: In the psychometric evaluation of the adapted version, 67 participants (38 men and 29 women; median age, 41 years) were enrolled, with 59 completing the iHOT12-K. The questionnaire showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha, 0.896) without floor or ceiling effects, indicating good feasibility. Strong convergent validity was noted between the iHOT12-K and various hip-specific questionnaires (HOOS, HOS-K, and mHHS), except for the maximal visual analog scale score, demonstrating the reliability and applicability of the iHOT12-K for clinical assessments in Korea. Conclusions The iHOT12-K has successfully undergone transcultural adaptation, demonstrating significant feasibility, internal consistency, and validity. It has been validated for use among Korean-speaking patients undergoing hip arthroscopy, proving to be a valuable tool for clinical assessments.

Background: The International Hip Outcome Tool 12 (iHOT12), which is now widely adopted in clinical settings, has been established as reliable, valid, and responsive, positioning as a critical evaluation tool globally to gauge the efficacy of hip arthroscopy.This study aimed to translate the iHOT12 questionnaire into Korean and assess its feasibility, internal consistency, and validity concerning the psychometric properties of the Korean version of iHOT12 (iHOT12-K). Methods: The iHOT12 questionnaire was translated into Korean and adapted culturally, following international guidelines, involving forward translation, back-translation, and reconciliation by bilingual experts to ensure cross-cultural equivalence. A cohort of 67 patients diagnosed with femoroacetabular impingement and scheduled for hip arthroscopy between November 2015 and February 2021 participated in assessing the psychometric properties of the iHOT12-K, alongside standardized questionnaires (Korean iterations of the Short Form-36 [SF-36], Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [HOOS], Korean version of Hip Outcome Score [HOS-K], and modified Harris Hip Score [mHHS]). Psychometric evaluations focusing on feasibility, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), and convergent validity (Spearman’s rank correlation) demonstrated the reliability and relevance of iHOT12-K. Results: In the psychometric evaluation of the adapted version, 67 participants (38 men and 29 women; median age, 41 years) were enrolled, with 59 completing the iHOT12-K. The questionnaire showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha, 0.896) without floor or ceiling effects, indicating good feasibility. Strong convergent validity was noted between the iHOT12-K and various hip-specific questionnaires (HOOS, HOS-K, and mHHS), except for the maximal visual analog scale score, demonstrating the reliability and applicability of the iHOT12-K for clinical assessments in Korea. Conclusions The iHOT12-K has successfully undergone transcultural adaptation, demonstrating significant feasibility, internal consistency, and validity. It has been validated for use among Korean-speaking patients undergoing hip arthroscopy, proving to be a valuable tool for clinical assessments.

Background: The International Hip Outcome Tool 12 (iHOT12), which is now widely adopted in clinical settings, has been established as reliable, valid, and responsive, positioning as a critical evaluation tool globally to gauge the efficacy of hip arthroscopy.This study aimed to translate the iHOT12 questionnaire into Korean and assess its feasibility, internal consistency, and validity concerning the psychometric properties of the Korean version of iHOT12 (iHOT12-K). Methods: The iHOT12 questionnaire was translated into Korean and adapted culturally, following international guidelines, involving forward translation, back-translation, and reconciliation by bilingual experts to ensure cross-cultural equivalence. A cohort of 67 patients diagnosed with femoroacetabular impingement and scheduled for hip arthroscopy between November 2015 and February 2021 participated in assessing the psychometric properties of the iHOT12-K, alongside standardized questionnaires (Korean iterations of the Short Form-36 [SF-36], Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [HOOS], Korean version of Hip Outcome Score [HOS-K], and modified Harris Hip Score [mHHS]). Psychometric evaluations focusing on feasibility, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), and convergent validity (Spearman’s rank correlation) demonstrated the reliability and relevance of iHOT12-K. Results: In the psychometric evaluation of the adapted version, 67 participants (38 men and 29 women; median age, 41 years) were enrolled, with 59 completing the iHOT12-K. The questionnaire showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha, 0.896) without floor or ceiling effects, indicating good feasibility. Strong convergent validity was noted between the iHOT12-K and various hip-specific questionnaires (HOOS, HOS-K, and mHHS), except for the maximal visual analog scale score, demonstrating the reliability and applicability of the iHOT12-K for clinical assessments in Korea. Conclusions The iHOT12-K has successfully undergone transcultural adaptation, demonstrating significant feasibility, internal consistency, and validity. It has been validated for use among Korean-speaking patients undergoing hip arthroscopy, proving to be a valuable tool for clinical assessments.