This study aimed to assess the utilization trends of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) among lung cancer patients in Korea using the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database (2017 to 2021). PR was introduced and covered under the NHIS in 2016, primarily for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but recent evidence suggests its benefits for lung cancer patients. Data extraction was based on Korea Informative Classification of Diseases 8th revision codes C33 and C34, with PR prescriptions identified by codes MM440 and MM290.Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, and propensity score matching was used for comparison between PR and non-PR groups. Results showed a significant increase in PR utilization, with the number of patients receiving PR (MM440) rising from 1,002 in 2017 to 3,723 in 2021, indicating a 3.7-fold increase. However, the proportion of patients receiving PR remained low at 2.9% in 2021. Enhanced access to PR services and improved evaluation strategies are essential for optimizing patient outcomes.

This study aimed to assess the utilization trends of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) among lung cancer patients in Korea using the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database (2017 to 2021). PR was introduced and covered under the NHIS in 2016, primarily for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but recent evidence suggests its benefits for lung cancer patients. Data extraction was based on Korea Informative Classification of Diseases 8th revision codes C33 and C34, with PR prescriptions identified by codes MM440 and MM290.Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, and propensity score matching was used for comparison between PR and non-PR groups. Results showed a significant increase in PR utilization, with the number of patients receiving PR (MM440) rising from 1,002 in 2017 to 3,723 in 2021, indicating a 3.7-fold increase. However, the proportion of patients receiving PR remained low at 2.9% in 2021. Enhanced access to PR services and improved evaluation strategies are essential for optimizing patient outcomes.

This study aimed to assess the utilization trends of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) among lung cancer patients in Korea using the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database (2017 to 2021). PR was introduced and covered under the NHIS in 2016, primarily for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but recent evidence suggests its benefits for lung cancer patients. Data extraction was based on Korea Informative Classification of Diseases 8th revision codes C33 and C34, with PR prescriptions identified by codes MM440 and MM290.Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, and propensity score matching was used for comparison between PR and non-PR groups. Results showed a significant increase in PR utilization, with the number of patients receiving PR (MM440) rising from 1,002 in 2017 to 3,723 in 2021, indicating a 3.7-fold increase. However, the proportion of patients receiving PR remained low at 2.9% in 2021. Enhanced access to PR services and improved evaluation strategies are essential for optimizing patient outcomes.

This study aimed to assess the utilization trends of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) among lung cancer patients in Korea using the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database (2017 to 2021). PR was introduced and covered under the NHIS in 2016, primarily for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but recent evidence suggests its benefits for lung cancer patients. Data extraction was based on Korea Informative Classification of Diseases 8th revision codes C33 and C34, with PR prescriptions identified by codes MM440 and MM290.Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, and propensity score matching was used for comparison between PR and non-PR groups. Results showed a significant increase in PR utilization, with the number of patients receiving PR (MM440) rising from 1,002 in 2017 to 3,723 in 2021, indicating a 3.7-fold increase. However, the proportion of patients receiving PR remained low at 2.9% in 2021. Enhanced access to PR services and improved evaluation strategies are essential for optimizing patient outcomes.

This fifth revised version of the Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology practice guidelines for the management of cervical cancer incorporates recent research findings and changes in treatment strategies based on version 4.0 released in 2020. Each key question was developed by focusing on recent notable insights and crucial contemporary issues in the field of cervical cancer. These questions were evaluated for their significance and impact on the current treatment and were finalized through voting by the development committee. The selected key questions were as follows: the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors as firstor second-line treatment for recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer; the oncologic safety of minimally invasive radical hysterectomy in early stage cervical cancer; the efficacy and safety of adjuvant systemic treatment after concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer; and the oncologic safety of sentinel lymph node mapping compared to pelvic lymph node dissection. The recommendations, directions, and strengths of this guideline were based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and were finally confirmed through public hearings and external reviews. In this study, we describe the revised practice guidelines for the management of cervical cancer.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between suicidal ideation and specific trauma and social discrimination among North Korean defectors. Methods: A total of 448 North Korean defectors were recruited from online and offline communities and counseling centers. Participants provided sociodemographic and psychiatric history information via an online survey. Various assessment tools, including the Traumatic Event Checklist for North Korean Defectors, International Trauma Questionnaire, Experiences of Discrimination Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale (short-form), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF), were employed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between suicidal ideation and different types of trauma and discrimination. Results: Among participants, 38.4% reported experiencing suicidal ideation. The most prevalent trauma was “unwanted separation from spouse, parent, or sibling” (69.4%), and the primary form of discrimination was “unfairness during employment” (35.7%). After adjusting for relevant variables, experiencing “extreme life-threatening hardship,” “unwanted separation from a child,” and “discrimination in income” significantly increased the likelihood of suicidal ideation. Importantly, unlike other refugee groups, interpersonal violence like torture or sexual abuse did not significantly contribute to suicidal ideation in this population. These findings highlight the unique vulnerabilities of North Korean defectors and suggest that income-related discrimination, unwanted separation from children, and life-threatening hardships are critical factors influencing suicidal ideation. Limitations such as recall biases and the cross-sectional nature of the data should be acknowledged. Conclusion This study underscores the need for tailored psychiatric support for North Korean defectors, recognizing their distinctive needs compared to other refugee populations.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between suicidal ideation and specific trauma and social discrimination among North Korean defectors. Methods: A total of 448 North Korean defectors were recruited from online and offline communities and counseling centers. Participants provided sociodemographic and psychiatric history information via an online survey. Various assessment tools, including the Traumatic Event Checklist for North Korean Defectors, International Trauma Questionnaire, Experiences of Discrimination Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale (short-form), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF), were employed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between suicidal ideation and different types of trauma and discrimination. Results: Among participants, 38.4% reported experiencing suicidal ideation. The most prevalent trauma was “unwanted separation from spouse, parent, or sibling” (69.4%), and the primary form of discrimination was “unfairness during employment” (35.7%). After adjusting for relevant variables, experiencing “extreme life-threatening hardship,” “unwanted separation from a child,” and “discrimination in income” significantly increased the likelihood of suicidal ideation. Importantly, unlike other refugee groups, interpersonal violence like torture or sexual abuse did not significantly contribute to suicidal ideation in this population. These findings highlight the unique vulnerabilities of North Korean defectors and suggest that income-related discrimination, unwanted separation from children, and life-threatening hardships are critical factors influencing suicidal ideation. Limitations such as recall biases and the cross-sectional nature of the data should be acknowledged. Conclusion This study underscores the need for tailored psychiatric support for North Korean defectors, recognizing their distinctive needs compared to other refugee populations.

Background: The obesity epidemic is associated with the emergence of new kidney diseases including obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG) and metabolic syndrome-associated disorders. However, the effects of obesity on prevalence and outcome of biopsy-proven kidney disease are not well known. Methods: We analyzed 14,492 kidney biopsies in 18 hospitals from 1979 to 2018 in Korea.Obesity was defined as a body mass index value of ≥ 30 kg/m 2 . Results: The most common disease was IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in both obese and nonobese participants (33.7% vs. 38.9%). Obesity was associated with a higher risk of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and hypertensive nephropathy (HT-N) (odds ratio [OR], 1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37–2.17; OR, 1.96, 95% CI, 1.21–3.19) and a lower risk of IgAN (OR, 0.74, 95% CI, 0.62–0.88). During the median follow up of 93.1 ± 88.7 months, obesity increased the risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in patients with IgAN (relative risk [RR], 1.49, 95% CI, 1.01–2.20) and lupus nephritis (LN) (RR, 3.43, 95% CI, 1.36–8.67). Of 947 obese individuals, ORG was detected in 298 (31.5%), and 230 participants had other kidney diseases, most commonly, IgAN (40.9%) followed by diabetic nephropathy (15.2%). Participants with ORG, when combined with other renal diseases, showed higher risks for developing ESKD compared to those with ORG alone (RR, 2.48, 95% CI, 1.09–5.64). Conclusion Obesity is associated with an increased risk of FSGS and HT-N, and also increase the ESKD risk in IgAN and LN patients. ORG in obese participants may have favorable renal outcomes if it occurs alone without any other renal disease.

Objective: The Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease–Cognition (SCOPA-Cog) was developed to assess cognition in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the SCOPACog (K-SCOPA-Cog). Methods: We enrolled 129 PD patients with movement disorders from 31 clinics in South Korea. The original version of the SCOPA-Cog was translated into Korean using the translation-retranslation method. The test–retest method with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient were used to assess reliability. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Korean version (MOCA-K) and the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) were used to assess concurrent validity. Results: The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.797, and the ICC was 0.887. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation with the K-MMSE and MOCA-K scores (r = 0.546 and r = 0.683, respectively). Conclusion Our results demonstrate that the K-SCOPA-Cog has good reliability and validity.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between suicidal ideation and specific trauma and social discrimination among North Korean defectors. Methods: A total of 448 North Korean defectors were recruited from online and offline communities and counseling centers. Participants provided sociodemographic and psychiatric history information via an online survey. Various assessment tools, including the Traumatic Event Checklist for North Korean Defectors, International Trauma Questionnaire, Experiences of Discrimination Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale (short-form), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF), were employed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between suicidal ideation and different types of trauma and discrimination. Results: Among participants, 38.4% reported experiencing suicidal ideation. The most prevalent trauma was “unwanted separation from spouse, parent, or sibling” (69.4%), and the primary form of discrimination was “unfairness during employment” (35.7%). After adjusting for relevant variables, experiencing “extreme life-threatening hardship,” “unwanted separation from a child,” and “discrimination in income” significantly increased the likelihood of suicidal ideation. Importantly, unlike other refugee groups, interpersonal violence like torture or sexual abuse did not significantly contribute to suicidal ideation in this population. These findings highlight the unique vulnerabilities of North Korean defectors and suggest that income-related discrimination, unwanted separation from children, and life-threatening hardships are critical factors influencing suicidal ideation. Limitations such as recall biases and the cross-sectional nature of the data should be acknowledged. Conclusion This study underscores the need for tailored psychiatric support for North Korean defectors, recognizing their distinctive needs compared to other refugee populations.