1.Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Depressive Disorder 2025:Comparisons with Other Treatment Guidelines
Won-Seok CHOI ; Young Sup WOO ; Won-Myong BAHK ; Nak-Young KIM ; Jeong Seok SEO ; Sheng-Min WANG ; Won KIM ; Sung-Yong PARK ; Jung Goo LEE ; Chan-Mo YANG ; Hyung Mo SUNG ; Young-Eun JUNG ; Moon-Doo KIM ; Jong-Hyun JEONG ; Bo-Hyun YOON ; Kyung Joon MIN
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2026;24(1):2-14
The sixth edition of the Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Depressive Disorder (KMAP-DD) was published in 2025. This review compared KMAP-DD 2025 with four major international clinical practice guidelines: Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Major Depressive Disorders, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Depression Guideline, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Clinical Practice Guidelines for Mood Disorders, and British Association for Psychopharmacology Guideline. While KMAP-DD is based on expert consensus, and others on evidence-based methods, overall treatment strategies for depressive episodes were fairly consistent. Especially, KMAP-DD 2025 offers more structured recommendations in areas lacking strong evidence, such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder, perinatal depression, and depression with medical comorbidities. KMAP-DD 2025 also reflected Korean clinical practice patterns emphasizing rapid symptom relief and early use of combination strategies. Despite limitations as a consensus-based guideline, KMAP-DD 2025 complements evidence-based approaches and provides practical, situation-specific guidance for real-world clinical decision-making in Korea.
2.Effect of Phototherapy on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, and Body Temperature in Early Preterm Infants with Gestational Age <32Weeks
Taewoo SHIN ; Hyowon CHOI ; Eun Jung LEE ; Yeong Myong YOO
Perinatology 2025;36(1):15-25
Objective:
Phototherapy is a widely used treatment for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, but the potential risks in early preterm infants are not well known. So it seems to be necessary to find out which parameters should be carefully observed during phototherapy. In this study, we analyzed blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and body temperature (BT) in preterm infants under 32 weeks of gestational age before and after phototherapy.
Methods:
In this study, we analyzed the medical records of 103 early preterm infants with gestational age <32 weeks and birth weight >1,000 g admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, treated with and without phototherapy, at Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, a tertiary center in Korea. Changes in BP, HR, and BT were analyzed before and after treatment.
Results:
A total of 91 patients taking phototherapy and 12 control subjects were enrolled. In the phototherapy group (PT group), PT was started on the second day after birth and lasted for 74 hours.In between-group analysis, HR was higher in the PT group after starting phototherapy (at 48 hours;median of differences 8 bpm, P=0.005, at 56 hours; median of differences 9 bpm, P=0.001), while there was no significant difference in BP. The rate of BP increase was lowered and HR was increased after phototherapy, in the PT group analysis.
Conclusion
After starting phototherapy in preterm infants less than 32 weeks of gestational age, the increasing trend in BP was ceased and the HR was increased.
3.Effectiveness of Buspirone in Alleviating Anxiety Symptoms in Patients with Depressive Disorder: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study in Korea
Young Sup WOO ; Won-Seok CHOI ; Jong-Hyun JEONG ; Jonghun LEE ; Do-Hoon KIM ; Jong-Chul YANG ; Se-Hoon SHIM ; Seung-Gul KANG ; Young-Eun JUNG ; Won KIM ; Chi-Un PAE ; Won-Myong BAHK
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2025;23(1):144-154
Objective:
We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of buspirone as an adjunctive therapy for alleviating anxiety symptoms in patients with depressive disorders who are already taking antidepressants.
Methods:
This was an open-label prospective multicenter non-interventional observational study conducted over 12 weeks. We enrolled 180 patients diagnosed with depressive disorders according to DSM-5 criteria and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) scores ≥ 18. Participants were already taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotoninnorepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and were prescribed adjunctive buspirone. Efficacy was assessed using HAMA, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Clinical Global Impression Scale-Improvement, Clinical Global Impression Scale-Severity, Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and WHO-5 Well-Being Index.
Results:
The efficacy analysis included 161 patients. HAMA scores decreased significantly from 25.2 ± 6.7 at baseline to 15.4 ± 8.6 at 12 weeks (p < 0.001), whereas HAMD scores decreased from 19.4 ± 4.6 to 12.7 ± 5.7 (p < 0.001).WHO-5 and SDS scores showed significant improvements. The HAMA response rate was 39.1% and the remission rate was 13.7% at 12 weeks. Adverse drug reactions were reported in 3.7% of participants. Subgroup analyses showed no significant differences in treatment response based on buspirone dosage, baseline anxiety/depression severity, or benzodiazepine use.
Conclusion
Adjunctive buspirone therapy effectively improved anxiety symptoms in depressed patients taking antidepressants, regardless of baseline symptom severity or buspirone dosage. The treatment was well-tolerated with few adverse events. Future studies using a control group are needed.
4.Effectiveness of Buspirone in Alleviating Anxiety Symptoms in Patients with Depressive Disorder: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study in Korea
Young Sup WOO ; Won-Seok CHOI ; Jong-Hyun JEONG ; Jonghun LEE ; Do-Hoon KIM ; Jong-Chul YANG ; Se-Hoon SHIM ; Seung-Gul KANG ; Young-Eun JUNG ; Won KIM ; Chi-Un PAE ; Won-Myong BAHK
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2025;23(1):144-154
Objective:
We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of buspirone as an adjunctive therapy for alleviating anxiety symptoms in patients with depressive disorders who are already taking antidepressants.
Methods:
This was an open-label prospective multicenter non-interventional observational study conducted over 12 weeks. We enrolled 180 patients diagnosed with depressive disorders according to DSM-5 criteria and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) scores ≥ 18. Participants were already taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotoninnorepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and were prescribed adjunctive buspirone. Efficacy was assessed using HAMA, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Clinical Global Impression Scale-Improvement, Clinical Global Impression Scale-Severity, Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and WHO-5 Well-Being Index.
Results:
The efficacy analysis included 161 patients. HAMA scores decreased significantly from 25.2 ± 6.7 at baseline to 15.4 ± 8.6 at 12 weeks (p < 0.001), whereas HAMD scores decreased from 19.4 ± 4.6 to 12.7 ± 5.7 (p < 0.001).WHO-5 and SDS scores showed significant improvements. The HAMA response rate was 39.1% and the remission rate was 13.7% at 12 weeks. Adverse drug reactions were reported in 3.7% of participants. Subgroup analyses showed no significant differences in treatment response based on buspirone dosage, baseline anxiety/depression severity, or benzodiazepine use.
Conclusion
Adjunctive buspirone therapy effectively improved anxiety symptoms in depressed patients taking antidepressants, regardless of baseline symptom severity or buspirone dosage. The treatment was well-tolerated with few adverse events. Future studies using a control group are needed.
5.Effect of Phototherapy on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, and Body Temperature in Early Preterm Infants with Gestational Age <32Weeks
Taewoo SHIN ; Hyowon CHOI ; Eun Jung LEE ; Yeong Myong YOO
Perinatology 2025;36(1):15-25
Objective:
Phototherapy is a widely used treatment for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, but the potential risks in early preterm infants are not well known. So it seems to be necessary to find out which parameters should be carefully observed during phototherapy. In this study, we analyzed blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and body temperature (BT) in preterm infants under 32 weeks of gestational age before and after phototherapy.
Methods:
In this study, we analyzed the medical records of 103 early preterm infants with gestational age <32 weeks and birth weight >1,000 g admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, treated with and without phototherapy, at Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, a tertiary center in Korea. Changes in BP, HR, and BT were analyzed before and after treatment.
Results:
A total of 91 patients taking phototherapy and 12 control subjects were enrolled. In the phototherapy group (PT group), PT was started on the second day after birth and lasted for 74 hours.In between-group analysis, HR was higher in the PT group after starting phototherapy (at 48 hours;median of differences 8 bpm, P=0.005, at 56 hours; median of differences 9 bpm, P=0.001), while there was no significant difference in BP. The rate of BP increase was lowered and HR was increased after phototherapy, in the PT group analysis.
Conclusion
After starting phototherapy in preterm infants less than 32 weeks of gestational age, the increasing trend in BP was ceased and the HR was increased.
6.Effectiveness of Buspirone in Alleviating Anxiety Symptoms in Patients with Depressive Disorder: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study in Korea
Young Sup WOO ; Won-Seok CHOI ; Jong-Hyun JEONG ; Jonghun LEE ; Do-Hoon KIM ; Jong-Chul YANG ; Se-Hoon SHIM ; Seung-Gul KANG ; Young-Eun JUNG ; Won KIM ; Chi-Un PAE ; Won-Myong BAHK
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2025;23(1):144-154
Objective:
We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of buspirone as an adjunctive therapy for alleviating anxiety symptoms in patients with depressive disorders who are already taking antidepressants.
Methods:
This was an open-label prospective multicenter non-interventional observational study conducted over 12 weeks. We enrolled 180 patients diagnosed with depressive disorders according to DSM-5 criteria and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) scores ≥ 18. Participants were already taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotoninnorepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and were prescribed adjunctive buspirone. Efficacy was assessed using HAMA, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Clinical Global Impression Scale-Improvement, Clinical Global Impression Scale-Severity, Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and WHO-5 Well-Being Index.
Results:
The efficacy analysis included 161 patients. HAMA scores decreased significantly from 25.2 ± 6.7 at baseline to 15.4 ± 8.6 at 12 weeks (p < 0.001), whereas HAMD scores decreased from 19.4 ± 4.6 to 12.7 ± 5.7 (p < 0.001).WHO-5 and SDS scores showed significant improvements. The HAMA response rate was 39.1% and the remission rate was 13.7% at 12 weeks. Adverse drug reactions were reported in 3.7% of participants. Subgroup analyses showed no significant differences in treatment response based on buspirone dosage, baseline anxiety/depression severity, or benzodiazepine use.
Conclusion
Adjunctive buspirone therapy effectively improved anxiety symptoms in depressed patients taking antidepressants, regardless of baseline symptom severity or buspirone dosage. The treatment was well-tolerated with few adverse events. Future studies using a control group are needed.
7.Effectiveness of Buspirone in Alleviating Anxiety Symptoms in Patients with Depressive Disorder: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study in Korea
Young Sup WOO ; Won-Seok CHOI ; Jong-Hyun JEONG ; Jonghun LEE ; Do-Hoon KIM ; Jong-Chul YANG ; Se-Hoon SHIM ; Seung-Gul KANG ; Young-Eun JUNG ; Won KIM ; Chi-Un PAE ; Won-Myong BAHK
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2025;23(1):144-154
Objective:
We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of buspirone as an adjunctive therapy for alleviating anxiety symptoms in patients with depressive disorders who are already taking antidepressants.
Methods:
This was an open-label prospective multicenter non-interventional observational study conducted over 12 weeks. We enrolled 180 patients diagnosed with depressive disorders according to DSM-5 criteria and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) scores ≥ 18. Participants were already taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotoninnorepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and were prescribed adjunctive buspirone. Efficacy was assessed using HAMA, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Clinical Global Impression Scale-Improvement, Clinical Global Impression Scale-Severity, Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and WHO-5 Well-Being Index.
Results:
The efficacy analysis included 161 patients. HAMA scores decreased significantly from 25.2 ± 6.7 at baseline to 15.4 ± 8.6 at 12 weeks (p < 0.001), whereas HAMD scores decreased from 19.4 ± 4.6 to 12.7 ± 5.7 (p < 0.001).WHO-5 and SDS scores showed significant improvements. The HAMA response rate was 39.1% and the remission rate was 13.7% at 12 weeks. Adverse drug reactions were reported in 3.7% of participants. Subgroup analyses showed no significant differences in treatment response based on buspirone dosage, baseline anxiety/depression severity, or benzodiazepine use.
Conclusion
Adjunctive buspirone therapy effectively improved anxiety symptoms in depressed patients taking antidepressants, regardless of baseline symptom severity or buspirone dosage. The treatment was well-tolerated with few adverse events. Future studies using a control group are needed.
8.Effect of Phototherapy on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, and Body Temperature in Early Preterm Infants with Gestational Age <32Weeks
Taewoo SHIN ; Hyowon CHOI ; Eun Jung LEE ; Yeong Myong YOO
Perinatology 2025;36(1):15-25
Objective:
Phototherapy is a widely used treatment for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, but the potential risks in early preterm infants are not well known. So it seems to be necessary to find out which parameters should be carefully observed during phototherapy. In this study, we analyzed blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and body temperature (BT) in preterm infants under 32 weeks of gestational age before and after phototherapy.
Methods:
In this study, we analyzed the medical records of 103 early preterm infants with gestational age <32 weeks and birth weight >1,000 g admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, treated with and without phototherapy, at Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, a tertiary center in Korea. Changes in BP, HR, and BT were analyzed before and after treatment.
Results:
A total of 91 patients taking phototherapy and 12 control subjects were enrolled. In the phototherapy group (PT group), PT was started on the second day after birth and lasted for 74 hours.In between-group analysis, HR was higher in the PT group after starting phototherapy (at 48 hours;median of differences 8 bpm, P=0.005, at 56 hours; median of differences 9 bpm, P=0.001), while there was no significant difference in BP. The rate of BP increase was lowered and HR was increased after phototherapy, in the PT group analysis.
Conclusion
After starting phototherapy in preterm infants less than 32 weeks of gestational age, the increasing trend in BP was ceased and the HR was increased.
9.Effect of Phototherapy on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, and Body Temperature in Early Preterm Infants with Gestational Age <32Weeks
Taewoo SHIN ; Hyowon CHOI ; Eun Jung LEE ; Yeong Myong YOO
Perinatology 2025;36(1):15-25
Objective:
Phototherapy is a widely used treatment for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, but the potential risks in early preterm infants are not well known. So it seems to be necessary to find out which parameters should be carefully observed during phototherapy. In this study, we analyzed blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and body temperature (BT) in preterm infants under 32 weeks of gestational age before and after phototherapy.
Methods:
In this study, we analyzed the medical records of 103 early preterm infants with gestational age <32 weeks and birth weight >1,000 g admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, treated with and without phototherapy, at Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, a tertiary center in Korea. Changes in BP, HR, and BT were analyzed before and after treatment.
Results:
A total of 91 patients taking phototherapy and 12 control subjects were enrolled. In the phototherapy group (PT group), PT was started on the second day after birth and lasted for 74 hours.In between-group analysis, HR was higher in the PT group after starting phototherapy (at 48 hours;median of differences 8 bpm, P=0.005, at 56 hours; median of differences 9 bpm, P=0.001), while there was no significant difference in BP. The rate of BP increase was lowered and HR was increased after phototherapy, in the PT group analysis.
Conclusion
After starting phototherapy in preterm infants less than 32 weeks of gestational age, the increasing trend in BP was ceased and the HR was increased.
10.Effect of Phototherapy on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, and Body Temperature in Early Preterm Infants with Gestational Age <32Weeks
Taewoo SHIN ; Hyowon CHOI ; Eun Jung LEE ; Yeong Myong YOO
Perinatology 2025;36(1):15-25
Objective:
Phototherapy is a widely used treatment for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, but the potential risks in early preterm infants are not well known. So it seems to be necessary to find out which parameters should be carefully observed during phototherapy. In this study, we analyzed blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and body temperature (BT) in preterm infants under 32 weeks of gestational age before and after phototherapy.
Methods:
In this study, we analyzed the medical records of 103 early preterm infants with gestational age <32 weeks and birth weight >1,000 g admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, treated with and without phototherapy, at Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, a tertiary center in Korea. Changes in BP, HR, and BT were analyzed before and after treatment.
Results:
A total of 91 patients taking phototherapy and 12 control subjects were enrolled. In the phototherapy group (PT group), PT was started on the second day after birth and lasted for 74 hours.In between-group analysis, HR was higher in the PT group after starting phototherapy (at 48 hours;median of differences 8 bpm, P=0.005, at 56 hours; median of differences 9 bpm, P=0.001), while there was no significant difference in BP. The rate of BP increase was lowered and HR was increased after phototherapy, in the PT group analysis.
Conclusion
After starting phototherapy in preterm infants less than 32 weeks of gestational age, the increasing trend in BP was ceased and the HR was increased.

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