Purpose: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) has been associated with psychological stress and personality traits. This study investigated the distribution of Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality types in CSC patients compared with the general population and explored their association with disease chronicity. Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed with CSC completed the MBTI questionnaire. Four MBTI dichotomies (Extraversion/Introversion [E/I], Sensing/Intuition [S/N], Thinking/Feeling [T/F], Judging/Perceiving [J/P]), attitude combinations (IJ, IP, EJ, EP), and function combinations (ST, SF, NT, NF) were analyzed. Overall distributions were compared with a Korean representative sample (n = 19,070) using chi-square tests with Monte Carlo simulation. Individual types and dimensions were assessed using exact binomial tests with Bonferroni correction, and acute–chronic subgroup comparisons were performed using Fisher’s exact test. Results: Among CSC patients, 70% were classified as Introversion (vs. Extraversion) and 87% as Judging (vs. Perceiving) within their respective MBTI dichotomies. ISFJ was significantly more prevalent in the CSC group compared with the Korean general population (23.3% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.009), whereas INFJ showed a higher prevalence that did not remain significant after Bonferroni correction (13.3% vs. 3.0%, adjusted p = 0.058). The IJ attitude combination (53.3% vs. 27.4%, p = 0.005) and the SF function combination (50.0% vs. 30.3%, p = 0.027) were also more frequent in CSC patients, while the EP combination was not observed. No significant differences were observed between acute and chronic CSC subgroups. Conclusions CSC patients demonstrated distinctive MBTI distribution patterns compared with the general population, including an overrepresentation of the ISFJ type and higher frequencies of the IJ attitude and SF function combinations. To our knowledge, this study represents the first application of an MBTI-based personality framework in patients with CSC. However, given the cross-sectional pilot design and limitations of MBTI-based assessment, these findings should be interpreted cautiously as exploratory rather than causal.

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in South Korea, imposing substantial physical, emotional, and financial burdens on patients and society. Despite the high burden of symptom and complex care needs of HF patients, palliative care and hospice services remain underutilized in South Korea due to cultural, institutional, and knowledge-related barriers. This position statement from the Korean Society of Heart Failure emphasizes the need for integrating palliative and hospice care into HF management to improve quality of life and support holistic care for patients and their families. By clarifying the role of palliative care in HF and proposing practical referral criteria, this position statement aims to bridge the gap between HF and palliative care services in South Korea, ultimately improving patient-centered outcomes and aligning treatment with the goals and values of HF patients.

Purpose: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), a common malignancy among women of reproductive age, is increasingly common during pregnancy because of routine prenatal imaging. However, the optimal timing for surgical treatment remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the safety and practicality of performing thyroid surgery during pregnancy through a comparative analysis of perioperative and pathological outcomes between pregnant and nonpregnant women. Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-control study of 100 female patients aged 20–39 years who underwent thyroid surgery for PTC between January 2019 and December 2024. Patients were grouped into pregnant (n = 14) and nonpregnant (n = 86) cohorts. Clinical, surgical, and pathological data were compared. Results: Most pregnant patients underwent surgery during the second trimester. The operative duration was significantly shorter in the pregnant group than in the nonpregnant group (71.4 ± 26.35 minutes vs. 87.2 ± 5.17 minutes, P = 0.025), and there was a trend towards a lower drain volume on postoperative day 1 (25.2 ± 15.23 mL vs. 32.7 ± 0.18 mL, P = 0.077).No significant differences were observed in terms of complication rates. Despite a higher frequency of extrathyroidal extension (P = 0.003) and advanced T stage (P = 0.038) in the pregnant group, the surgical outcomes were favorable. One neonate experienced mild intraventricular hemorrhage that resolved without sequelae. Conclusion Thyroid surgery during pregnancy, particularly in the second trimester, appears feasible in selected patients.Given the small sample and retrospective nature of this study, larger prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.

Objectives: Previous studies have shown that combined interventions involving cognitive training and physical activity are effective in enhancing brain function. This study examined the effects of a dual-task intervention—simultaneously combining cognitive and physical tasks—on the cognitive and physical function of community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older. Methods: From July to December 2023, cognitively normal adults aged 65 years or older were recruited through the Jeollabuk-do Regional Dementia Center. Participants completed an eightsession group-based program (60 minutes per session) that combined cognitive training and physical activity. The cognitive functions were evaluated using a neuropsychological test battery, and the physical functions were assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), before and after the intervention. Results: Of 79 participants, 73 completed the intervention. After the program, significant improvements in orientation, memory, visuoconstruction, naming, total cognitive scores, and performance were observed on the Trail Making Test-Part A and Trail Making Test-Part B (p<0.05 to p<0.001).Physical performance also significantly improved the balance, gait speed, chair-stand ability, and total SPPB scores (p<0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that lower educational attainment and cohabitation with children were associated with greater cognitive improvements, while antihypertensive medication use was negatively associated, and diabetes medication use was positively associated with cognitive outcomes. Conclusion Simultaneous dual-task–based combined intervention may be an effective strategy for enhancing the cognitive and physical functions in cognitively preserved older adults. Nevertheless, further studies will be needed to explore its long-term effects and underlying neurobiological mechanisms.

With advancements in both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments, significant changes have occurred in heart failure (HF) management. The previous Korean HF registries, namely the Korea Heart Failure Registry (KorHF-registry) and Korean Acute Heart Failure Registry (KorAHF-registry), no longer accurately reflect contemporary acute heart failure (AHF) patients. Our objective is to assess contemporary AHF patients through a nationwide registry encompassing various aspects, such as clinical characteristics, management approaches, hospital course, and long-term outcomes of individuals hospitalized for AHF in Korea. This prospective observational multicenter cohort study (KorHF III) is organized by the Korean Society of Heart Failure. We aim to prospectively enroll 7,000 or more patients hospitalized for AHF at 47 tertiary hospitals in Korea starting from March 2018. Eligible patients exhibit signs and symptoms of HF and demonstrate either lung congestion or objective evidence of structural or functional cardiac abnormalities in echocardiography, or isolated right-sided HF. Patients will be followed up for up to 5 years after enrollment in the registry to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes. KorHF III represents the nationwide AHF registry that will elucidate the clinical characteristics, management strategies, and outcomes of contemporary AHF patients in Korea.

Purpose: The addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors to chemotherapy has improved survival outcomes in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). However, their real-world effectiveness remains unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effectiveness of atezolizumab plus chemotherapy in ES-SCLC in actual clinical settings. Materials and Methods: In this multicenter prospective cohort study, patients with ES-SCLC receiving or scheduled to receive atezolizumab in combination with etoposide and carboplatin were enrolled between June 2021 and August 2022. The primary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS) and the 1-year overall survival (OS) rate. Results: A total of 100 patients with ES-SCLC were enrolled from seven centers. Median age was 69 years, and 6% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) ≥ 2. The median PFS was 6.0 months, the 1-year OS rate was 62.2%, and the median OS was 13.5 months. An ECOG PS of 2-3 and progressive disease as the best response were poor prognostic factors for PFS, while an ECOG PS of 2-3 and brain metastasis were associated with poor prognosis for OS. In addition, consolidative thoracic radiotherapy was found to be an independent favorable prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio, 0.336; p=0.021). Grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events were observed in 7% of patients, with treatment-related deaths occurring in 2% of patients. Conclusion We provided evidence of the favorable real-world effectiveness and safety of atezolizumab plus chemotherapy in ES-SCLC patients, including in the elderly and those with poor ECOG PS. Additional consolidative thoracic radiotherapy may also benefit ES-SCLC patients.

Purpose: Acquisition time reduction in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can be achieved by the combining multiband and variable-rate selective excitation (MB-VERSE). This study attempted to evaluate and compare the image quality (IQ) and focal lesion detectability of the respiratory-triggered MB-VERSE DWI with conventional DWI for liver magnetic resonance imaging. Materials and Methods: The acquisition time, IQ, and focal lesion detectability of MBVERSE DWI and conventional DWI were compared in 144 patients. Qualitative (overall IQ, IQ at the liver dome, sharpness of the liver margin, and degree of artifacts) and quantitative (signal-to-noise ratio [SNR], contrast-to-noise ratio [CNR], and apparent diffusion co efficient) IQ parameters were compared with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The diagnostic accuracy for focal lesion detectability was estimated with the mean figure of merit (FOM) from the area under the jackknife alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: The MB-VERSE DWI exhibited significantly shorter scan time (153.1 ± 34.5 s vs.225.1 ± 33.0 s, p < 0.001), poorer qualitative IQ (3.4 vs. 3.9, p < 0.001), lower SNR (34.4 vs. 50.0, p < 0.001), but comparable CNR (57.5 ± 49.0 vs. 78.9 ± 75.6, p = 0.070) compared to those of the conventional DWI. The MB-VERSE DWI exhibited similar per-lesion sensitivities (85.1%–88.1% vs. 88.1%–92.5%) and specificities (99.7%–99.8% vs. 99.5%–99.8%) of focal lesion detectability (p > 0.050) and similar diagnostic accuracy (FOM, 0.958 vs.0.957, p = 0.583) compared to those of the conventional DWI. Conclusion MB-VERSE DWI exhibited a significantly shorter acquisition time than conventional DWI, with compromised overall IQ and lower SNR but preserved CNR and focal liver lesion detectability. MB-VERSE DWI may be a useful alternative for patients requiring a short acquisition time.

Background: Although data on post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) conditions are extensive, the prognostic factors affecting symptom duration in non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19 are currently not well known. We aimed to investigate the various prognostic factors affecting symptom duration among outpatients with COVID-19. Methods: Data were analyzed from 257 patients who were diagnosed with mild COVID-19 and visited the ‘post-COVID-19 outpatient clinic’ between April and December 2022 after a mandatory isolation period. The symptom duration was measured from diagnosis to symptom resolution. Laboratory and pulmonary function test results from their first visit were collected. Results: The mean age of patients was 55.7 years, and the median symptom duration was 57 days. The development of post-COVID-19 conditions (> 12 weeks) were significantly correlated with not using antiviral drugs, leukocytosis (white blood cell > 10,000/µL), lower 25(OH)D 3 levels, forced vital capacity (FVC) < 90% predicted, and presence of dyspnea and anxiety/depression. Additionally, in multivariable Cox regression analysis, not using antiviral drugs, lower 25(OH)D 3 levels, and having dyspnea were poor prognostic factors for longer symptom duration. Particularly, vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) and not using antivirals during the acute phase were independent poor prognostic factors for both post-COVID-19 condition and longer symptom duration. Conclusion The non-use of antivirals, lower 25(OH)D 3 levels, leukocytosis, FVC < 90% predicted, and the presence of dyspnea and anxiety/depression symptoms could be useful prognostic factors for predicting post-COVID-19 condition in outpatients with COVID-19. We suggest that the use of antiviral agents during the acute phase and vitamin D supplements might help reduce COVID-19 symptom duration.

Objectives: Cognitive impairment is a fundamental symptom of schizophrenia, an often-overlooked aspect of the disorder that has gained recent attention due to its direct relation with functional outcomes and implications for medical and social costs. This study aims to investigate gender differences in cognitive function among patients with schizophrenia using Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (K-WAIS-IV). Methods: Data were collected from inpatients and outpatients treated at Presbyterian Medical Center between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023. Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia underwent evaluation with the K-WAIS-IV. Multivariate analysis of variance was utilized to assess cognitive differences between men and women participants, while correlation analysis was performed to explore associations between cognitive performance and clinical data. Results: Among 101 candidates, 26 male and 26 female patients were selected for analysis of their K-WAIS-IV scores and clinical data. The results revealed no statistically significant differences in cognitive function between male and female patients concerning Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) and the four index scores: Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI), Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI), Working Memory Index (WMI), and Processing Speed Index (PSI). A trend indicating preserved verbal intelligence relative to performance intelligence was observed. Additionally, the VCI exhibited a positive correlation with age, while both FSIQ and PSI demonstrated positive correlations with years of education. Conclusion The findings of this investigation suggest that there are no significant differences in cognitive function between male and female patients with schizophrenia via K-WAIS-IV. Given the heterogeneity of the sample and potential limitations of the neurocognitive assessments employed, further research utilizing more targeted methodologies and sensitive measures is warranted.

The first edition of ‘A Standardized Pathology Report for Gastric Cancer’ was initiated by the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists and published 17 years ago. Since then, significant advances have been made in the pathologic diagnosis, molecular genetics, and management of gastric cancer (GC). To reflect those changes, a committee for publishing a second edition of the report was formed within the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group of the Korean Society of Pathologists. This second edition consists of two parts: standard data elements and conditional data elements.The standard data elements contain the basic pathologic findings and items necessary to predict the prognosis of GC patients, and they are adequate for routine surgical pathology service. Other diagnostic and prognostic factors relevant to adjuvant therapy, including molecular biomarkers, are classified as conditional data elements to allow each pathologist to selectively choose items appropriate to the environment in their institution. We trust that the standardized pathology report will be helpful for GC diagnosis and facilitate large-scale multidisciplinary collaborative studies.