Purpose: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has become a standard minimally invasive treatment for selected patients with early gastric cancer (EGC). This study presents the first nationwide survey of patients with EGC treated with ESD in 2023, conducted by the Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research. Materials and Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from participating referral centers across Korea using a standardized case report form covering patient characteristics, tumor features, procedural details, histopathological findings, and clinical outcomes.Descriptive and comparative analyses were conducted to summarize nationwide ESD practice patterns and outcomes. Results: Data from 5,460 ESD cases from 5,250 patients across 27 institutions were analyzed. The mean age was 67.4 years, with 74.1% males. Multiple synchronous lesions were identified in 3.7%. Most lesions were located in the lower third of the stomach (64.0%), and differentiated-type adenocarcinomas accounted for 87.8%. The en bloc and complete resection rates were 99.2% and 91.4%, respectively. Curative resection was achieved in 80.5%, whereas local non-curative resection (L-NCR) and surgical non-curative resection (S-NCR) were identified in 2.8% and 16.7%, respectively. Additional surgery was performed more frequently in patients with S-NCR than in those with L-NCR (59.3% vs. 24.7%). The bleeding and perforation rates were 3.6% and 0.9%, respectively, and were mostly managed conservatively or endoscopically. The median length of hospitalization was 4.0 days. Conclusions This first nationwide survey provides a comprehensive overview of the current practice of EGC treatment using ESD in Korea, demonstrating high technical success and safety, and establishing a baseline dataset for future longitudinal research.

Objectives: This study aimed to quantify the actual resource utilization and cost structure of homevisit oral health care services using a Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC) approach, in response to the growing demand for efficient home-based care for older adults. Methods: An analytical framework comprising 12 domains and 78 activities, validated through a Delphi study, was applied to home‑visit oral health care records. A total of 100 home‑visit service logs recorded by ten dental hygienists participating in an integrated care program in Cheonan City between March and April 2024 were analyzed. Data collected included activity time, consumable supply, travel time and distance, and transportation expenses. A capacity cost rate incorporating both direct and indirect costs was used to estimate activity‑level costs and total costs per visit. Results: Dental hygienists conducted an average of 6.43 visits per day. The mean travel time and distance per visit were 15.04 min and 7.31 km, respectively. Transportation expenses averaged 9,740 KRW per visit, and consumable supply costs ranged from 1,428 to 9,738 KRW per patient, depending on oral health status. The calculated capacity cost rate was 487 KRW/min, resulting in activity-based costs of 66,232 KRW per visit across the 78 activities. When transportation time costs were added (7,324 KRW; 15.04 min×487 KRW/min), the total cost per visit was estimated at 73,556 KRW. Preparation and infection control activities were identified as major cost drivers. Conclusions The TDABC approach provided a comprehensive estimate of the cost structure of home-visit oral health care services, capturing expenditures associated with travel, preparation, and documentation. These findings provide evidence to support sustainable reimbursement models within long-term care and integrated care systems.

Objectives: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has become a standard minimally invasive treatment for selected patients with early gastric cancer (EGC). This study presents the first nationwide survey of patients with EGC treated with ESD in 2023, conducted by the Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from participating referral centers across Korea using a standardized case report form covering patient characteristics, tumor features, procedural details, histopathological findings, and clinical outcomes. Descriptive and comparative analyses were conducted to summarize nationwide ESD practice patterns and outcomes. Results: Data from 5460 ESD cases from 5250 patients across 27 institutions were analyzed. The mean age was 67.4 years, with 74.1% males. Multiple synchronous lesions were identified in 3.7%. Most lesions were located in the lower third of the stomach (64.0%), and differentiated-type adenocarcinomas accounted for 87.8%. The en bloc and complete resection rates were 99.2% and 91.4%, respectively. Curative resection was achieved in 80.5%, whereas local non-curative resection (L-NCR) and surgical non-curative resection (S-NCR) were identified in 2.8% and 16.7%, respectively. Additional surgery was performed more frequently in patients with S-NCR than in those with L-NCR (59.3% vs. 24.7%). The bleeding and perforation rates were 3.6% and 0.9%, respectively, and were mostly managed conservatively or endoscopically. The median length of hospitalization was 4.0 days. Conclusions This first nationwide survey provides a comprehensive overview of the current practice of EGC treatment using ESD in Korea, demonstrating high technical success and safety, and establishing a baseline dataset for future longitudinal research.

Objectives: This qualitative study explores the perspectives of dental hygienists and examines factors influencing payment structures in a community home-based oral health care intervention program. Methods: Focus group interviews were conducted on October 26, 2023, in a quiet study room over 120 minutes. Intervention providers who participated in the older adults medical care integration support program were included in this study. Their ages ranged from 25 to 57 years, with experience in home-based oral healthcare spanning from 1.5 to 5 years. Voice recordings of the interviews were transcribed using Clova Note and Naver’s AI transcription tool. Subsequently, the ‘Word Cloud Generator 3.7’ program was employed to extract, visualize, and analyze frequently mentioned words and key concepts from the responses. Results Semantic analysis identified 61 significant keywords and 10 subcategories, categorized into four main themes: ‘oral health challenges in the elderly,’ ‘work system of home-based dental hygienists,’ ‘needs and realities of home-based oral care,’ and ‘payment and compensation frameworks.’ Conclusions: To address the demands of a super-aging society, it is imperative to establish a standardized oral healthcare cost system for home-based interventions, supported by clear laws and regulations.

Objectives: This qualitative study explores the perspectives of dental hygienists and examines factors influencing payment structures in a community home-based oral health care intervention program. Methods: Focus group interviews were conducted on October 26, 2023, in a quiet study room over 120 minutes. Intervention providers who participated in the older adults medical care integration support program were included in this study. Their ages ranged from 25 to 57 years, with experience in home-based oral healthcare spanning from 1.5 to 5 years. Voice recordings of the interviews were transcribed using Clova Note and Naver’s AI transcription tool. Subsequently, the ‘Word Cloud Generator 3.7’ program was employed to extract, visualize, and analyze frequently mentioned words and key concepts from the responses. Results Semantic analysis identified 61 significant keywords and 10 subcategories, categorized into four main themes: ‘oral health challenges in the elderly,’ ‘work system of home-based dental hygienists,’ ‘needs and realities of home-based oral care,’ and ‘payment and compensation frameworks.’ Conclusions: To address the demands of a super-aging society, it is imperative to establish a standardized oral healthcare cost system for home-based interventions, supported by clear laws and regulations.

Objectives: This qualitative study explores the perspectives of dental hygienists and examines factors influencing payment structures in a community home-based oral health care intervention program. Methods: Focus group interviews were conducted on October 26, 2023, in a quiet study room over 120 minutes. Intervention providers who participated in the older adults medical care integration support program were included in this study. Their ages ranged from 25 to 57 years, with experience in home-based oral healthcare spanning from 1.5 to 5 years. Voice recordings of the interviews were transcribed using Clova Note and Naver’s AI transcription tool. Subsequently, the ‘Word Cloud Generator 3.7’ program was employed to extract, visualize, and analyze frequently mentioned words and key concepts from the responses. Results Semantic analysis identified 61 significant keywords and 10 subcategories, categorized into four main themes: ‘oral health challenges in the elderly,’ ‘work system of home-based dental hygienists,’ ‘needs and realities of home-based oral care,’ and ‘payment and compensation frameworks.’ Conclusions: To address the demands of a super-aging society, it is imperative to establish a standardized oral healthcare cost system for home-based interventions, supported by clear laws and regulations.

Objectives: This qualitative study explores the perspectives of dental hygienists and examines factors influencing payment structures in a community home-based oral health care intervention program. Methods: Focus group interviews were conducted on October 26, 2023, in a quiet study room over 120 minutes. Intervention providers who participated in the older adults medical care integration support program were included in this study. Their ages ranged from 25 to 57 years, with experience in home-based oral healthcare spanning from 1.5 to 5 years. Voice recordings of the interviews were transcribed using Clova Note and Naver’s AI transcription tool. Subsequently, the ‘Word Cloud Generator 3.7’ program was employed to extract, visualize, and analyze frequently mentioned words and key concepts from the responses. Results Semantic analysis identified 61 significant keywords and 10 subcategories, categorized into four main themes: ‘oral health challenges in the elderly,’ ‘work system of home-based dental hygienists,’ ‘needs and realities of home-based oral care,’ and ‘payment and compensation frameworks.’ Conclusions: To address the demands of a super-aging society, it is imperative to establish a standardized oral healthcare cost system for home-based interventions, supported by clear laws and regulations.

Purpose: Optimal treatment for stage IIIA/N2 non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is controversial. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of adjuvant pembrolizumab for stage IIIA/N2 NSCLC completely resected after neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). Materials and Methods: In this open-label, single-center, single-arm phase 2 trial, patients with stage IIIA/N2 NSCLC received adjuvant pembrolizumab for up to 2 years after complete resection following neoadjuvant CCRT. The primary endpoint was disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and safety. As an exploratory biomarker analysis, we evaluated the proliferative response of blood CD39+PD-1+CD8+ T cells using fold changes in the percentage of proliferating Ki-67+ cells from days 1 to 7 of cycle 1 (Ki-67D7/D1). Results: Between October 2017 and October 2018, 37 patients were enrolled. Twelve (32%) and three (8%) patients harbored EGFR and ALK alterations, respectively. Of 34 patients with programmed cell death ligand 1 assessment, 21 (62%), nine (26%), and four (12%) had a tumor proportion score of < 1%, 1%-50%, and ≥ 50%, respectively. The median follow-up was 71 months. The median DFS was 22.4 months in the overall population, with a 5-year DFS rate of 29%. The OS rate was 86% at 2 years and 76% at 5 years. Patients with tumor recurrence within 6 months had a significantly lower Ki-67D7/D1 among CD39+PD-1+CD8+ T cells than those without (p=0.036). No new safety signals were identified. Conclusion Adjuvant pembrolizumab may offer durable disease control in a subset of stage IIIA/N2 NSCLC patients after neoadjuvant CCRT and surgery.

Objective: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large-vessel vasculitis that primarily affects elderly individuals. However, data regarding Korean patients with GCA are scarce owing to its extremely low prevalence in East Asia. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of Korean patients with GCA and their outcomes, focusing on relapse. Methods: The medical records of 27 patients with GCA treated at three tertiary hospitals between 2007 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Seventeen (63.0%) patients were females, and the median age at diagnosis was 75 years. Large vessel involvement (LVI) was detected in 12 (44.4%) patients, and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) was present in 14 (51.9%) patients. Twelve (44.4%) patients had fever at onset. The presence of LVI or concurrent PMR at diagnosis was associated with a longer time to normalization of the C-reactive protein level (p=0.039) or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p=0.034). During follow-up (median: 33.8 months), four (14.8%) patients experienced relapse. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that relapse was associated with visual loss (p=0.008) and the absence of fever (p=0.004) at onset, but not with LVI or concurrent PMR. Conclusion Concurrent PMR and LVI were observed in approximately half of Korean patients with GCA, and the elapsed time to normalization of inflammatory markers in these patients was longer. The relapse rate in Korean GCA is lower than that in Western countries, and afebrile patients or patients with vision loss at onset have a higher risk of relapse, suggesting that physicians should carefully monitor patients with these characteristics.