Objective: The clinical presentation of depressive disorders might be influenced by age, and its diagnosis and treatment can be affected by ageism-related bias. A network analysis can reveal symptom patterns unrecognized by the reductionistic approach. Therefore, this study explores the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in older Asian patients with depressive disorders and examines age-related differences in the context of ageism. Methods: We used data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants, Phase 3 study and included 2,785 psychiatric patients from 11 Asian countries. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Network analyses were conducted to identify symptom interconnections and centrality among older (>65 years), middle-aged (35–64 years), and young (18–34 years) adult groups. The network structures were also compared using a network comparison test. Results: Depressed mood was the most central symptom across all age groups. Network comparisons revealed no significant structural differences among the three age groups, despite several variations in terms of global strength. The network structure of the older group was characterized by strong interconnections between somatic symptoms (insomnia-energy) and core depressive symptoms (little interest or pleasure-feelings of hopelessness). Conclusion This study reveals that the network structures of depression and anxiety symptoms have relatively consistent interconnections across age groups, despite subtle age-based differences. Specifically, older adults tend to present anxiety and depression symptoms as physical complaints. These findings challenge ageist stereotypes and advocate for inclusive, age-neutral approaches to treatment.

Objective: The clinical presentation of depressive disorders might be influenced by age, and its diagnosis and treatment can be affected by ageism-related bias. A network analysis can reveal symptom patterns unrecognized by the reductionistic approach. Therefore, this study explores the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in older Asian patients with depressive disorders and examines age-related differences in the context of ageism. Methods: We used data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants, Phase 3 study and included 2,785 psychiatric patients from 11 Asian countries. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Network analyses were conducted to identify symptom interconnections and centrality among older (>65 years), middle-aged (35–64 years), and young (18–34 years) adult groups. The network structures were also compared using a network comparison test. Results: Depressed mood was the most central symptom across all age groups. Network comparisons revealed no significant structural differences among the three age groups, despite several variations in terms of global strength. The network structure of the older group was characterized by strong interconnections between somatic symptoms (insomnia-energy) and core depressive symptoms (little interest or pleasure-feelings of hopelessness). Conclusion This study reveals that the network structures of depression and anxiety symptoms have relatively consistent interconnections across age groups, despite subtle age-based differences. Specifically, older adults tend to present anxiety and depression symptoms as physical complaints. These findings challenge ageist stereotypes and advocate for inclusive, age-neutral approaches to treatment.

Objective: The clinical presentation of depressive disorders might be influenced by age, and its diagnosis and treatment can be affected by ageism-related bias. A network analysis can reveal symptom patterns unrecognized by the reductionistic approach. Therefore, this study explores the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in older Asian patients with depressive disorders and examines age-related differences in the context of ageism. Methods: We used data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants, Phase 3 study and included 2,785 psychiatric patients from 11 Asian countries. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Network analyses were conducted to identify symptom interconnections and centrality among older (>65 years), middle-aged (35–64 years), and young (18–34 years) adult groups. The network structures were also compared using a network comparison test. Results: Depressed mood was the most central symptom across all age groups. Network comparisons revealed no significant structural differences among the three age groups, despite several variations in terms of global strength. The network structure of the older group was characterized by strong interconnections between somatic symptoms (insomnia-energy) and core depressive symptoms (little interest or pleasure-feelings of hopelessness). Conclusion This study reveals that the network structures of depression and anxiety symptoms have relatively consistent interconnections across age groups, despite subtle age-based differences. Specifically, older adults tend to present anxiety and depression symptoms as physical complaints. These findings challenge ageist stereotypes and advocate for inclusive, age-neutral approaches to treatment.

Objective: The clinical presentation of depressive disorders might be influenced by age, and its diagnosis and treatment can be affected by ageism-related bias. A network analysis can reveal symptom patterns unrecognized by the reductionistic approach. Therefore, this study explores the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in older Asian patients with depressive disorders and examines age-related differences in the context of ageism. Methods: We used data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants, Phase 3 study and included 2,785 psychiatric patients from 11 Asian countries. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Network analyses were conducted to identify symptom interconnections and centrality among older (>65 years), middle-aged (35–64 years), and young (18–34 years) adult groups. The network structures were also compared using a network comparison test. Results: Depressed mood was the most central symptom across all age groups. Network comparisons revealed no significant structural differences among the three age groups, despite several variations in terms of global strength. The network structure of the older group was characterized by strong interconnections between somatic symptoms (insomnia-energy) and core depressive symptoms (little interest or pleasure-feelings of hopelessness). Conclusion This study reveals that the network structures of depression and anxiety symptoms have relatively consistent interconnections across age groups, despite subtle age-based differences. Specifically, older adults tend to present anxiety and depression symptoms as physical complaints. These findings challenge ageist stereotypes and advocate for inclusive, age-neutral approaches to treatment.

Objective: The clinical presentation of depressive disorders might be influenced by age, and its diagnosis and treatment can be affected by ageism-related bias. A network analysis can reveal symptom patterns unrecognized by the reductionistic approach. Therefore, this study explores the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in older Asian patients with depressive disorders and examines age-related differences in the context of ageism. Methods: We used data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants, Phase 3 study and included 2,785 psychiatric patients from 11 Asian countries. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Network analyses were conducted to identify symptom interconnections and centrality among older (>65 years), middle-aged (35–64 years), and young (18–34 years) adult groups. The network structures were also compared using a network comparison test. Results: Depressed mood was the most central symptom across all age groups. Network comparisons revealed no significant structural differences among the three age groups, despite several variations in terms of global strength. The network structure of the older group was characterized by strong interconnections between somatic symptoms (insomnia-energy) and core depressive symptoms (little interest or pleasure-feelings of hopelessness). Conclusion This study reveals that the network structures of depression and anxiety symptoms have relatively consistent interconnections across age groups, despite subtle age-based differences. Specifically, older adults tend to present anxiety and depression symptoms as physical complaints. These findings challenge ageist stereotypes and advocate for inclusive, age-neutral approaches to treatment.

The impact of age on the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and all-cause mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients is not clearly understood. Using data from the Korean Renal Data System (2001–2022), we analyzed 66,129 HD patients, stratified into young (<65 years, n = 24,589), younger-old (65–74 years, n = 17,732), and older-old (≥75 years, n = 23,808) groups. Patients were categorized into BMI quartiles, and survival outcomes were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves and event time ratios for the relative change in the survival time. During the follow-up period, 14,360 of the patients (21.7%) died, with a median follow-up of 3.4 years. Kaplan-Meier curves revealed poorer outcomes in lower BMI quartiles across all age groups. The lowest BMI quartile was significantly associated with a shorter survival time compared to the highest BMI quartile, with a 15% reduction in the young group (p = 0.001) and a 12% reduction in the older-old group (p = 0.002). Predicted survival time increases with rising BMI in the young group, but the rate of increase slows in the younger-old group and plateaus in the older-old group after a BMI of 25 kg/m2. Lower BMI correlates with higher mortality, particularly in younger HD patients.

Purpose: This study is evaluated the clinical and radiological outcomes of Hook plate fixation in acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries and the differences according to the type of plate and whether coracoclavicular (CC) ligament repair had been performed. Materials and Methods: Between February 2008 and November 2022, 112 patients treated with a Hook plate for acute AC joint injuries were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were categorized into DePuy Synthes (n=76) and ARIX Hook plate group (n=36), Hook plate with CC ligament repair group (n=42) and Hook plate fixation only group (n=70). The clinical and radiologic outcomes of Hook plate fixation were evaluated by analyzing the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score, coracoclavicular distance (CCD), subacromial erosion and associated surgical complications depending on the different types of Hook plate (DePuy Synthes vs. ARIX clavicle system) and the application of additional CC ligament repair. Results: The median follow-up period after implant removal for the 112 patients was 7.4 months (range, 6.0–124.8 months). The ASES and UCLA scores at the final follow-up were 77.2±6.2 and 31.8±2.3, respectively, and the CCD was 115.5%±28.9% compared to the unaffected side.There were no significant differences in the final VAS score, ASES score, UCLA score, CCD, subacromial erosion and surgical complications between the DePuy Synthes and ARIX Hook plate groups. In addition, there was no difference depending on whether CC ligament repair had been performed. Conclusion Hook plate fixation in acute AC joint injuries showed good clinical and radiological results. It is considered a good surgical method, and there was no difference in the results depending on plate type and CC ligament repair.

Purpose: Medial soft tissue release in knee varus deformities during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is necessary for adequate gap balancing.This study compared the clinical outcomes and complications of subperiosteal elevation (SE) and multiple needle puncturing (MNP) for superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL) release and evaluated the effectiveness and safety of MNP. Materials and Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 152 patients who underwent both TKA and sMCL release for degenerative osteoarthritis with varus alignment; one knee from each patient underwent SE and the other underwent MNP between April 2018 and April 2020. In SE, subperiosteal release was performed on the proximal tibia of the anterior portion of the sMCL using a curved osteotome. For MNP, an 18-gauge needle was used to puncture the sMCL. The clinical outcomes, including knee further flexion (FF), flexion contracture (FC), range of motion (ROM) and Knee Society (KS) scores, were compared. Surgical complications, including sMCL overrelease, were also evaluated. Results: For the SE and MNP groups, the preoperative KS scores (31.05 vs. 31.78), knee alignment (varus angle, 4.22° vs. 3.76°), FF (125.86° vs. 126.48°), FC (6.09° vs. 5.69°) and ROM (119.77° vs. 120.79°) did not differ preoperatively. At one-year follow-up, postoperative KS scores, FF, FC and ROM were similar in the two groups (93.01 vs. 92.64 points; 134.24° vs. 134.64°; 0.36° vs. 0.49°; 133.88° vs. 134.14°;p=0.662, 0.749, 0.493 and 0.835 respectively), and no statistically significant differences in terms of postoperative pain and KS pain score were observed between the two groups (66 vs. 58 patients and 43.31 vs. 43.04 points; p=0.473 and 0.745, respectively). In the SE group, five cases showed intraoperative over-release of the sMCL and a significant difference from the MNP group (p=0.024) but showed no medial instability at the final follow-up. Conclusion Compared with the SE technique, MNP showed no significant difference in the clinical outcomes and fewer complications, such as over-release of the sMCL, and could be a safer alternative to achieve a balanced TKA.

Purpose: This study is evaluated the clinical and radiological outcomes of Hook plate fixation in acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries and the differences according to the type of plate and whether coracoclavicular (CC) ligament repair had been performed. Materials and Methods: Between February 2008 and November 2022, 112 patients treated with a Hook plate for acute AC joint injuries were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were categorized into DePuy Synthes (n=76) and ARIX Hook plate group (n=36), Hook plate with CC ligament repair group (n=42) and Hook plate fixation only group (n=70). The clinical and radiologic outcomes of Hook plate fixation were evaluated by analyzing the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score, coracoclavicular distance (CCD), subacromial erosion and associated surgical complications depending on the different types of Hook plate (DePuy Synthes vs. ARIX clavicle system) and the application of additional CC ligament repair. Results: The median follow-up period after implant removal for the 112 patients was 7.4 months (range, 6.0–124.8 months). The ASES and UCLA scores at the final follow-up were 77.2±6.2 and 31.8±2.3, respectively, and the CCD was 115.5%±28.9% compared to the unaffected side.There were no significant differences in the final VAS score, ASES score, UCLA score, CCD, subacromial erosion and surgical complications between the DePuy Synthes and ARIX Hook plate groups. In addition, there was no difference depending on whether CC ligament repair had been performed. Conclusion Hook plate fixation in acute AC joint injuries showed good clinical and radiological results. It is considered a good surgical method, and there was no difference in the results depending on plate type and CC ligament repair.