Objectives: The aim of this study was to disseminate information about the safety of bivalent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA booster vaccines administered to adults in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Two databases were used to assess the safety of COVID-19 booster doses of Pfizer BA.1, Pfizer BA.4/5, Moderna BA.1, and Moderna BA.4/5 vaccines for adults aged 18 years and older.Adverse events (AEs) were analyzed using data reported to the web-based COVID-19 vaccination management system (CVMS) and a self-reported text-message survey. Results: Between October 11, 2022 and March 30, 2023, the CVMS received reports of 2,369 (93.7%) non-serious AEs from vaccinated adults, along with 158 (6.3%) serious AEs, which included 5 cases of anaphylaxis and 33 deaths. From October 11, 2022 to January 27, 2023, 40,022 people aged 18 and older responded to a survey conducted via text message. The booster doses were associated with fewer local and systemic AEs compared to the original vaccines. After receiving the bivalent vaccine, the most commonly reported AEs were pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, and myalgia. Conclusion Overall, bivalent vaccines exhibited fewer AEs compared to the original vaccines. The majority of AEs were non-serious, and serious AEs were rare among adults aged 18 years and older following vaccination with the Pfizer and Moderna bivalent vaccines.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to disseminate information about the safety of bivalent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA booster vaccines administered to adults in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Two databases were used to assess the safety of COVID-19 booster doses of Pfizer BA.1, Pfizer BA.4/5, Moderna BA.1, and Moderna BA.4/5 vaccines for adults aged 18 years and older.Adverse events (AEs) were analyzed using data reported to the web-based COVID-19 vaccination management system (CVMS) and a self-reported text-message survey. Results: Between October 11, 2022 and March 30, 2023, the CVMS received reports of 2,369 (93.7%) non-serious AEs from vaccinated adults, along with 158 (6.3%) serious AEs, which included 5 cases of anaphylaxis and 33 deaths. From October 11, 2022 to January 27, 2023, 40,022 people aged 18 and older responded to a survey conducted via text message. The booster doses were associated with fewer local and systemic AEs compared to the original vaccines. After receiving the bivalent vaccine, the most commonly reported AEs were pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, and myalgia. Conclusion Overall, bivalent vaccines exhibited fewer AEs compared to the original vaccines. The majority of AEs were non-serious, and serious AEs were rare among adults aged 18 years and older following vaccination with the Pfizer and Moderna bivalent vaccines.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to disseminate information about the safety of bivalent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA booster vaccines administered to adults in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Two databases were used to assess the safety of COVID-19 booster doses of Pfizer BA.1, Pfizer BA.4/5, Moderna BA.1, and Moderna BA.4/5 vaccines for adults aged 18 years and older.Adverse events (AEs) were analyzed using data reported to the web-based COVID-19 vaccination management system (CVMS) and a self-reported text-message survey. Results: Between October 11, 2022 and March 30, 2023, the CVMS received reports of 2,369 (93.7%) non-serious AEs from vaccinated adults, along with 158 (6.3%) serious AEs, which included 5 cases of anaphylaxis and 33 deaths. From October 11, 2022 to January 27, 2023, 40,022 people aged 18 and older responded to a survey conducted via text message. The booster doses were associated with fewer local and systemic AEs compared to the original vaccines. After receiving the bivalent vaccine, the most commonly reported AEs were pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, and myalgia. Conclusion Overall, bivalent vaccines exhibited fewer AEs compared to the original vaccines. The majority of AEs were non-serious, and serious AEs were rare among adults aged 18 years and older following vaccination with the Pfizer and Moderna bivalent vaccines.

Purpose: To analyze the degree of psychological distress experienced pre- and postoperatively in patients who underwent radical prostatectomy after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy without history of psychiatric disorders were included in this study. The degree of psychological distress was evaluated using hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and distress thermometer (DT) questionnaires preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Results: Distress was high preoperatively and decreased over the entire period. In addition, HADS-anxiety and HADS-depression scores showed an improved severity, shifting from an abnormal state to a borderline state in some patients. However, the DT score, including emotional problems, spiritual concerns, physical problems, family problems, and practical problems, was slightly higher at 1 month postoperatively compared to preoperatively. Furthermore, even at 12 months postoperatively, about one fifth of patients surveyed had a DT score of 4 or higher, requiring psychiatric intervention. Conclusions Before and after radical prostatectomy, a significant number of patients complained of distress such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and they needed help from a specialist because of psychological distress even 12 months postoperatively.Therefore, a close evaluation of the patient’s psychological distress and supportive treatment are needed during the entire pre- and postoperative period.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to disseminate information about the safety of bivalent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA booster vaccines administered to adults in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Two databases were used to assess the safety of COVID-19 booster doses of Pfizer BA.1, Pfizer BA.4/5, Moderna BA.1, and Moderna BA.4/5 vaccines for adults aged 18 years and older.Adverse events (AEs) were analyzed using data reported to the web-based COVID-19 vaccination management system (CVMS) and a self-reported text-message survey. Results: Between October 11, 2022 and March 30, 2023, the CVMS received reports of 2,369 (93.7%) non-serious AEs from vaccinated adults, along with 158 (6.3%) serious AEs, which included 5 cases of anaphylaxis and 33 deaths. From October 11, 2022 to January 27, 2023, 40,022 people aged 18 and older responded to a survey conducted via text message. The booster doses were associated with fewer local and systemic AEs compared to the original vaccines. After receiving the bivalent vaccine, the most commonly reported AEs were pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, and myalgia. Conclusion Overall, bivalent vaccines exhibited fewer AEs compared to the original vaccines. The majority of AEs were non-serious, and serious AEs were rare among adults aged 18 years and older following vaccination with the Pfizer and Moderna bivalent vaccines.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to disseminate information about the safety of bivalent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA booster vaccines administered to adults in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Two databases were used to assess the safety of COVID-19 booster doses of Pfizer BA.1, Pfizer BA.4/5, Moderna BA.1, and Moderna BA.4/5 vaccines for adults aged 18 years and older.Adverse events (AEs) were analyzed using data reported to the web-based COVID-19 vaccination management system (CVMS) and a self-reported text-message survey. Results: Between October 11, 2022 and March 30, 2023, the CVMS received reports of 2,369 (93.7%) non-serious AEs from vaccinated adults, along with 158 (6.3%) serious AEs, which included 5 cases of anaphylaxis and 33 deaths. From October 11, 2022 to January 27, 2023, 40,022 people aged 18 and older responded to a survey conducted via text message. The booster doses were associated with fewer local and systemic AEs compared to the original vaccines. After receiving the bivalent vaccine, the most commonly reported AEs were pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, and myalgia. Conclusion Overall, bivalent vaccines exhibited fewer AEs compared to the original vaccines. The majority of AEs were non-serious, and serious AEs were rare among adults aged 18 years and older following vaccination with the Pfizer and Moderna bivalent vaccines.

In May 2023, the Committee of Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Korean Diabetes Association published the revised clinical practice guidelines for Korean adults with diabetes and prediabetes. We incorporated the latest clinical research findings through a comprehensive systematic literature review and applied them in a manner suitable for the Korean population. These guidelines are designed for all healthcare providers nationwide, including physicians, diabetes experts, and certified diabetes educators who manage patients with diabetes or individuals at risk of developing diabetes. Based on recent changes in international guidelines and the results of a Korean epidemiological study, the recommended age for diabetes screening has been lowered. In collaboration with the relevant Korean medical societies, recently revised guidelines for managing hypertension and dyslipidemia in patients with diabetes have been incorporated into this guideline. An abridgment containing practical information on patient education and systematic management in the clinic was published separately.

Objective: Dysphagia is a common clinical condition characterized by difficulty in swallowing. It is sub-classified into oropharyngeal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the mouth and pharynx, and esophageal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the esophageal body and esophagogastric junction. Dysphagia can have a significant negative impact one’s physical health and quality of life as its severity increases. Therefore, proper assessment and management of dysphagia are critical for improving swallowing function and preventing complications. Thus a guideline was developed to provide evidence-based recommendations for assessment and management in patients with dysphagia. Methods: Nineteen key questions on dysphagia were developed. These questions dealt with various aspects of problems related to dysphagia, including assessment, management, and complications. A literature search for relevant articles was conducted using Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and one domestic database of KoreaMed, until April 2021. The level of evidence and recommendation grade were established according to the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Results: Early screening and assessment of videofluoroscopic swallowing were recommended for assessing the presence of dysphagia. Therapeutic methods, such as tongue and pharyngeal muscle strengthening exercises and neuromuscular electrical stimulation with swallowing therapy, were effective in improving swallowing function and quality of life in patients with dysphagia. Nutritional intervention and an oral care program were also recommended. Conclusion This guideline presents recommendations for the assessment and management of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia, including rehabilitative strategies.

Purpose: Radiofrequency ablation is a curative treatment option for very early-stage or earlystage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) for subphrenic tumors is technically challenging. Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (LRFA) has been used to overcome this disadvantage. This study compared the treatment outcomes between LRFA and PRFA for subphrenic HCC. Methods: This retrospective study screened patients who underwent PRFA or LRFA for subphrenic HCC between 2013 and 2018. Therapeutic outcomes, including local tumor progression (LTP), intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR), extrahepatic metastasis (EM), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS), were compared between the two groups. Results: Thirty patients in the PRFA group and 23 patients in the LRFA group were included. LTP was observed in six patients in the PRFA group (20%), but in no patients in the LRFA group. The cumulative LTP rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 3.7%, 23.4%, and 23.4%, respectively, in the PRFA group and 0.0% in the LRFA group (P=0.015). The IDR, EM, and DFS rates were not significantly different between the two groups (P=0.304, P=0.175, and P=0.075, respectively). The OS rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 96.6%, 85.7%, and 71.6%, respectively, in the PRFA group and 100%, 95.7%, and 95.7%, respectively, in the LRFA group (P=0.049). Conclusion LRFA demonstrated better therapeutic outcomes than did PRFA for subphrenic tumors in terms of LTP and OS. Therefore, LRFA can be considered as the first-line treatment option for subphrenic HCC.