Objective: The treatment rate for alcohol use disorder (AUD) in Korea is significantly lower than its prevalence rate. Because untreated AUD can have harmful consequences, it is important to identify the factors that contribute to individuals with AUD seeking mental health services. Methods: We collected nationally representative data from the National Mental Health Survey of Korea 2021 and analyzed responses from 643 individuals with AUD, of which 76.8% were male. Factors related to mental health service utilization among individuals with AUD were classified into three categories: sociodemographic (such as sex, age, marital status, education, and monthly household income), clinical (including symptom severity, psychiatric comorbidity, suicidality, and physical illness), and psychological characteristics (like perceived stigma, loneliness and social isolation, and resilience). We used multiple logistic regression analyses to examine each characteristic separately and combined in a single model to determine the most significant factors. Results: The three logistic regression models revealed that sex, psychiatric comorbidity, physical illness, and perceived stigma are significantly linked to the utilization of mental health services among individuals with AUD. Results from the comprehensive model indicated that only physical illness and perceived stigma have significant associations with mental health service utilization. Conclusion These findings can assist in developing targeted interventions for individuals with AUD.

Objective: The treatment rate for alcohol use disorder (AUD) in Korea is significantly lower than its prevalence rate. Because untreated AUD can have harmful consequences, it is important to identify the factors that contribute to individuals with AUD seeking mental health services. Methods: We collected nationally representative data from the National Mental Health Survey of Korea 2021 and analyzed responses from 643 individuals with AUD, of which 76.8% were male. Factors related to mental health service utilization among individuals with AUD were classified into three categories: sociodemographic (such as sex, age, marital status, education, and monthly household income), clinical (including symptom severity, psychiatric comorbidity, suicidality, and physical illness), and psychological characteristics (like perceived stigma, loneliness and social isolation, and resilience). We used multiple logistic regression analyses to examine each characteristic separately and combined in a single model to determine the most significant factors. Results: The three logistic regression models revealed that sex, psychiatric comorbidity, physical illness, and perceived stigma are significantly linked to the utilization of mental health services among individuals with AUD. Results from the comprehensive model indicated that only physical illness and perceived stigma have significant associations with mental health service utilization. Conclusion These findings can assist in developing targeted interventions for individuals with AUD.

Objective: The treatment rate for alcohol use disorder (AUD) in Korea is significantly lower than its prevalence rate. Because untreated AUD can have harmful consequences, it is important to identify the factors that contribute to individuals with AUD seeking mental health services. Methods: We collected nationally representative data from the National Mental Health Survey of Korea 2021 and analyzed responses from 643 individuals with AUD, of which 76.8% were male. Factors related to mental health service utilization among individuals with AUD were classified into three categories: sociodemographic (such as sex, age, marital status, education, and monthly household income), clinical (including symptom severity, psychiatric comorbidity, suicidality, and physical illness), and psychological characteristics (like perceived stigma, loneliness and social isolation, and resilience). We used multiple logistic regression analyses to examine each characteristic separately and combined in a single model to determine the most significant factors. Results: The three logistic regression models revealed that sex, psychiatric comorbidity, physical illness, and perceived stigma are significantly linked to the utilization of mental health services among individuals with AUD. Results from the comprehensive model indicated that only physical illness and perceived stigma have significant associations with mental health service utilization. Conclusion These findings can assist in developing targeted interventions for individuals with AUD.

Objective: The treatment rate for alcohol use disorder (AUD) in Korea is significantly lower than its prevalence rate. Because untreated AUD can have harmful consequences, it is important to identify the factors that contribute to individuals with AUD seeking mental health services. Methods: We collected nationally representative data from the National Mental Health Survey of Korea 2021 and analyzed responses from 643 individuals with AUD, of which 76.8% were male. Factors related to mental health service utilization among individuals with AUD were classified into three categories: sociodemographic (such as sex, age, marital status, education, and monthly household income), clinical (including symptom severity, psychiatric comorbidity, suicidality, and physical illness), and psychological characteristics (like perceived stigma, loneliness and social isolation, and resilience). We used multiple logistic regression analyses to examine each characteristic separately and combined in a single model to determine the most significant factors. Results: The three logistic regression models revealed that sex, psychiatric comorbidity, physical illness, and perceived stigma are significantly linked to the utilization of mental health services among individuals with AUD. Results from the comprehensive model indicated that only physical illness and perceived stigma have significant associations with mental health service utilization. Conclusion These findings can assist in developing targeted interventions for individuals with AUD.

Objective: The treatment rate for alcohol use disorder (AUD) in Korea is significantly lower than its prevalence rate. Because untreated AUD can have harmful consequences, it is important to identify the factors that contribute to individuals with AUD seeking mental health services. Methods: We collected nationally representative data from the National Mental Health Survey of Korea 2021 and analyzed responses from 643 individuals with AUD, of which 76.8% were male. Factors related to mental health service utilization among individuals with AUD were classified into three categories: sociodemographic (such as sex, age, marital status, education, and monthly household income), clinical (including symptom severity, psychiatric comorbidity, suicidality, and physical illness), and psychological characteristics (like perceived stigma, loneliness and social isolation, and resilience). We used multiple logistic regression analyses to examine each characteristic separately and combined in a single model to determine the most significant factors. Results: The three logistic regression models revealed that sex, psychiatric comorbidity, physical illness, and perceived stigma are significantly linked to the utilization of mental health services among individuals with AUD. Results from the comprehensive model indicated that only physical illness and perceived stigma have significant associations with mental health service utilization. Conclusion These findings can assist in developing targeted interventions for individuals with AUD.

Purpose: Early nutritional support (ENS) for critically ill patients is promoted by many studies. However, there is a lack of data evaluating its necessity in general wards. This study aims to determine the impact of ENS on patients in general wards. Methods: Patients aged 18 and above, admitted to the Jeonbuk National University Hospital in Jeonju from January 2020 to December 2020, who were eligible for nutritional support and hospitalized for at least 7 days were included in the study. We divided the patients into two groups: the ENS group, who received nutritional support within 48 hours of admission, and the control group, who received it after 48 hours. Results: Among 1,077 patients, 146 met the inclusion criteria. The ENS group (n=38) and the control group (n=108) were compared retrospectively. There was a significant age difference between the two groups (P=0.028). The admission ratio to the intensive care unit (ICU) in the ENS group was significantly lower than that in the control group (10.2% vs.26.3%, P=0.019). The calorie support rate (%) and protein support rate (%) in the ENS group were significantly higher than in the control group (50.12%±23.30% vs. 38.56%±18.02%, P=0.006; 44.61%±25.07% vs. 32.07%±22.76%, P=0.002, respectively). After propensity score matching, the ENS was significantly associated with ICU low admissions (odds ratio 0.08, 95% confidence interval 0.01–0.69, P=0.022). Conclusion A future multi-center study considering underlying diseases is needed to provide additional scientific evidence to support the effects of ENS.

Purpose: NUT carcinoma (NC) is a solid tumor caused by the rearrangement of NUTM1 that usually develops in midline structures, such as the thorax. No standard treatment has been established despite high lethality. Thus, we investigated whether targeting the junction region of NUTM1 fusion breakpoints could serve as a potential treatment option for NC. Materials and Methods: We designed and evaluated a series of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting the junction region of BRD4-NUTM1 fusion (B4N), the most common form of NUTM1 fusion. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction using the blood of patients was also tested to evaluate the treatment responses by the junction sequence of the B4N fusion transcripts. Results: As expected, the majority of NC fusion types were B4N (12 of 18, 67%). B4N fusion-specific siRNA treatment on NC cells showed specific inhibitory effects on the B4N fusion transcript and fusion protein without affecting the endogenous expression of the parent genes, resulting in decreased relative cell growth and attenuation of tumor size. In addition, the fusion transcript levels in platelet-rich-plasma samples of the NC patients with systemic metastasis showed a negative correlation with therapeutic effect, suggesting its potential as a measure of treatment responsiveness. Conclusion This study suggests that tumor-specific sequences could be used to treat patients with fusion genes as part of precision medicine for a rare but deadly disease.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand and describe the experiences of nurses in charge of COVID-19 screening at general hospitals in South Korea. Methods: Data were collected through individual in-depth interviews with 14 nurses who had been working for more than a month at a screening clinic operated by two general hospitals from May 11 to July 20, 2021. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological analysis. Results: As a result of analysis, four theme clusters were extracted from nurses’ experiences, as follow: the role of the hospital gatekeeper entrusted with managing the COVID-19 pandemic, struggling to maintain the protective barrier, boundlessness like a Mobius strip, and driving force to endure as a nurse in charge of COVID-19 screening. Conclusion The results of this study provide a deeper understanding of the lives of screening clinic nurses who are struggling with the COVID-19 situation. The results are expected to be useful in providing basic data for improving the infection control system and response strategies that can be applied to nursing practice in other pandemic situations.

Objectives: On November 5, 2021, Pfizer Inc. announced Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir+ritonavir) as a treatment method that could reduce the risk of hospitalization or death for patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: From February 6, 2022 to April 2, 2022, the incidence of COVID-19 and the effects of treatment with Paxlovid were analyzed in 2,241 patients and workers at 5 long-term care facilities during the outbreak of the Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in South Korea. Results: The rate of severe illness or death in the group given Paxlovid was 51% lower than that of the non-Paxlovid group (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24−0.98). Compared to unvaccinated patients, patients who had completed 3 doses of the vaccine had a 71% reduced rate of severe illness or death (aRR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.13−0.64) and a 65% reduced death rate (aRR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.15−0.79). Conclusion Patients given Paxlovid showed a lower rate of severe illness or death and a lower fatality rate than those who did not receive Paxlovid. Patients who received 3 doses of the vaccine had a lower rate of severe illness or death and a lower fatality rate than the unvaccinated group.

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the nursing needs and workload of nurses according to nursing dependency for effective placement of nursing staff in the emergency department (ED). Methods: In June 2020, 256 adult patients who visited the ED were classified as two groups, suspected COVID-19 patients and general patients. The participants’electronic medical records were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, x 2 -test, and Fisher's exact test using the SPSS. Results: The patient dependence score showed a significant difference between the two groups, with an average of 13.99±1.85 for the suspected COVID-19 patient group and 10.58±2.10 for the general patient group (t=12.42, p<.001). There were statistically significant differences in communication (t=3.28, p=.001), mobility (t=3.29, p=.001), nutrition, elimination, and personal care (t=7.34, p<.001) among the six domains of nursing dependency. In the domains of environment, safety, health, and social needs, the dependency score was 3 for all suspected COVID-19 patients and 1 for all general patients. Conclusion The results of this study confirmed that infection control activities of emergency patients who need isolation affect the patients’ nursing dependency on nursing care.