Background/Aims: Findings on the impact of Helicobacter pylori eradication on metabolic parameters are inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of H. pylori eradication on metabolic parameters and body composition, including body fat mass and skeletal muscle mass. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of asymptomatic patients who underwent health screenings, including bioelectrical impedance analysis, before and after H. pylori eradication between 2005 and 2021. After matching individuals based on key factors, we compared lipid profiles, metabolic parameters, and body composition between 823 patients from the eradicated group and 823 patients from the non-eradicated groups. Results: Blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and glycated hemoglobin values were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in the non-eradicated group. However, changes in body mass index (BMI), body fat mass, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), waist circumference, and lipid profiles were not significantly different between the two groups. In a subgroup analysis of individuals aged >45 years, blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and glycated hemoglobin changes were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in the noneradicated group. BMI values were significantly higher in the eradicated group than in the noneradicated group; however, no significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding changes in body weight, body fat mass, ASM, or waist circumference. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the eradicated group than in non-eradicated group. Conclusions H. pylori eradication significantly reduced blood pressure, glucose levels, and systemic inflammation and improved lipid profiles in patients aged >45 years. BMI, body fat mass, ASM, and waist circumference did not significantly differ between patients in the eradicated group and those in the non-eradicated group.

Purpose: To evaluate the differences in the level of concerns regarding exotropia surgery according to the perspectives regarding surgery and basic characteristics of parents of pediatric patients with intermittent exotropia in South Korea. Methods: This study included the parents of pediatric patients with intermittent exotropia who underwent surgery at five hospitals, between June 2022 and February 2023. Parental perspectives, basic characteristics, and levels of concern regarding surgery were assessed using a questionnaire. We investigated the differences in concern levels according to perspectives regarding surgery and basic characteristics among parents, such as sex, age, residential area, and the most influential factors in the decision-making for surgery. Results: A total of 266 parents were included (228 mothers; age, 40.0±4.7 years). Parents who chose surgery for subjective symptoms had higher levels of concern about hemorrhage, conjunctival redness, and persistent overcorrection than did those who chose surgery for cosmetic reasons (all p < 0.05). Fathers were more concerned about postoperative pain, compared to mothers (p = 0.039). Parents in their 40s and 50s had higher levels of concern about the hospital environment compared with those in their 20s and 30s (p = 0.003). Concern did not significantly differ by residential area. Conclusions The level of concern regarding surgery differed according to the perspectives and characteristics of the parents of pediatric patients with intermittent exotropia. Parents who chose surgery for subjective symptoms of exotropia had a higher level of concern than did those who chose surgery for cosmetic reasons. The concern level differed according to the parents’ sex and age but not their residential area.

Purpose: This study evaluated the objective changes in the contralateral eye after unilateral cataract surgery. Methods: The study was designed as retrospective observational study. It included 44 patients who underwent unilateral cataract surgery. Collected data were uncorrected and corrected visual acuity, spherical equivalent, intraocular pressure, contrast sensitivity (CS), stereoacuity, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography parameters. Data were collected preoperatively, and 1 week and 1 month postoperatively for each eye. Results: Following unilateral cataract surgery, the pupil size of the fellow eye decreased from 3.46 mm to 3.17 mm (postoperative week 1, p = 0.003) and 3.08 mm (postoperative month 1, p < 0.001). Anterior chamber depth of the fellow eye increased significantly from 3.16 mm to 3.27 mm (postoperative week 1, p = 0.005) and 3.26 mm (postoperative month 1, p = 0.001). Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of the fellow eye improved significantly at postoperative week 1 (p = 0.042) and postoperative month 1 (p = 0.044). Change of UDVA of the fellow eye at postoperative month 1 was significantly correlated with that of the treated eye (p = 0.039). Conclusions Anterior chamber structures changed and UDVA improved in the contralateral eye after unilateral cataract surgery in our cohort. Because fellow eyes were positively affected by monocular cataract surgery, it would be good information if planning for unilateral cataract surgery due to inevitable reasons.

Objective: To assess the performance of novel qualitative diagnostic criteria using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify the pathologic complete response (pCR) of primary tumors in esophageal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT). Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent nCRT, subsequent MRI, positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), endoscopy, or esophagectomy for esophageal cancer between October 2021 and October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The DCE-MRI response of primary tumors was interpreted using five grades by thoracic radiologists as follows: G1 (compatible with CR), G2 (probable CR), G3 (probable partial response [PR]), G4 (compatible with PR), and G5 (stable or progressive disease). The performances of MRI, PET/CT, endoscopy, and their combinations in diagnosing pCR in primary tumors were calculated. Results: A total of 52 patients (male:female, 46:6; age, 61.2 ± 8.0 years) were included. Surgical specimens revealed pCR (ypT0) in 34 patients. G1 as the MRI criterion for pCR of primary tumors yielded a positive predictive value (PPV), specificity of 100% (18/18), and low sensitivity (23.5% [8/34]). Combining G1 and G2 as the MRI criteria increased the sensitivity to 73.5% (25/34), with a specificity of 88.9% (16/18), accuracy of 78.8% (41/52), and PPV of 92.6% (25/27). Adding the DCEMRI results (G1-2) significantly improved accuracy for both PET/CT (from 65.4% [34/52] to 80.8% [42/52], P = 0.03) and endoscopy (from 55.8% [29/52] to 76.9% [40/52], P = 0.005), with increase in sensitivity (from 55.9% [19/34] to 82.4% [28/34] for PET/CT-based evaluation [P = 0.008] and from 47.1% [16/34] to 82.4% [28/34] for endoscopy-based evaluation [P = 0.001]). Conclusion DCE-MRI-based grading shows high diagnostic performance for identifying pCR in primary tumors, particularly in terms of PPV and specificity, and enhances response evaluation when combined with PET/CT and endoscopy.

Objective: To investigate the effects of methylphenidate and atomoxetine treatment on motor coordination in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: In this single-site, open-label, naturalistic follow-up study, 157 children (7.6±1.4 years; 139 males) with ADHD were recruited between March 2015 and May 2020 from the Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, and treated for 12 weeks with methylphenidate (n=48) or atomoxetine (n=109). Children completed the Advanced Test of Attention (ATA), and caregivers completed the ADHD Rating Scale (ARS) questionnaire and Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ) at baseline and at 12 weeks. Paired t-tests, a mixed-effects model, and linear regression were used to compare treatment groups and assess factors influencing motor coordination changes. Results: Methylphenidate and atomoxetine resulted in significant improvement in DCDQ fine motor/handwriting, general coordination, and total scores over 12 weeks. Fine motor/handwriting had a significant main effect for time (F1=16.64, p<0.001, η2=0.097); however, the interaction effect between group and time was not significant (F1=0.24, p=0.625, η2=0.002). Changes in parent-reported ARS inattention scores (β=-0.174, p=0.029) and auditory commission errors of ATA (β=0.191, p=0.022) were significantly associated with changes in fine motor/handwriting. Additionally, changes in parent-reported ARS inattention scores (β=-0.177, p=0.034) and rater-reported ARS inattention scores (β=-0.198, p=0.017) were significant predictors of improvements in general coordination in separate models. Conclusion Methylphenidate and atomoxetine had a positive effect on motor coordination in children with ADHD. Improvement in motor coordination was associated with ADHD symptom improvement.

Objective: This study aimed to develop a Korean version of the Substance Use Sleep Scale (SUSS) and test its validity and reliability in patients with alcohol use disorder. Methods: This study used a methodological design. Exploratory factor analysis and content, construct, and reliability analyses of the SUSS were conducted. Between June and November 2023, 292 patients with alcohol use disorder were recruited from three psychiatric mental hospitals and five community addiction management centers located in five cities in South Korea. Results: Exploratory factor analysis was conducted on 23 items extracted in the content validity process, and 20 items were selected; the cumulative explanation rate of the scale was 62.79%. The scale had good internal consistency with a Cronbach’s α of 0.91. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a reasonable fit for the 4-factors model (χ2=656.95 [p<0.001], χ2/df=2.29, standardized root mean-squared residual=0.06, root mean square error of approximation=0.062, Tucker-Lewis index=0.92, comparative fit index=0.92, incremental fit index=0.92). Conclusion The findings suggest that the Korean version of the SUSS is a valid and reliable scale with a robust factorial structure and is useful for measuring sleep problems in patients with alcohol use disorder.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the lives of small independent restaurant owners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The participants were 15 small independent restaurant owners operating independent small restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected individually through in-depth interviews from September 30, 2022, to January 20, 2023. The transcribed interview content analyzed using Corbin and Strauss’s grounded theory approach. Results: Analysis of the psychological resistance experience of small independent restaurant owners with the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in 6 themes, 15 sub-themes, and 40 codes. The core category is revealed as the struggle for survival under the blind spot of uncertainty and helplessness. As a result of axial coding based on the paradigm model, the casual condition was operational difficulties in restaurants affected by the impact of COVID-19, and the contextual condition was bewilderment due to unprecedented circumstances. The central phenomenon was a life shattered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The intervening condition was enduring adversity with hope. The action/interaction strategies to control the phenomenon revealed ongoing struggles in the face of the hardships. In consequence, fostering resilience amid grappling with feelings of helplessness was revealed. Conclusion This study lays the groundwork for designing successful COVID-19 rehabilitation programs. This study shows that the improved climate of the small restaurant industry plays an important role in alleviating the burden of small independent restaurant owners.

This review examines the challenges associated with occupational disease surveillance in Korea, particularly emphasizing the limitations of current data sources such as the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) statistics and special health examinations. The IACI system undercounts cases due to its emphasis on severe diseases and restrictions on approvals. Special health examinations, although they cover a broad workforce, are constrained by their annual scheduling, which leads to missed acute illnesses and subclinical conditions. The paper also explores the history of occupational disease surveillance in Korea, highlighting the fragmented and disease-specific approach of earlier systems. The authors introduce the newly established Korea Occupational Disease Surveillance Center (KODSC), a comprehensive nationwide system designed to gather, analyze, and interpret data on occupational diseases through a network of regional centers. By incorporating hospital-based surveillance and focusing on acute poisonings and other sentinel events, the KODSC aims to overcome the limitations of previous systems and promote collaboration with various agencies. Although it is still in the early stages of implementation, the KODSC demonstrates potential for improving data accuracy and contributing valuable insights for public health policy.

This study explores the development, roles, and key initiatives of the Regional Environmental Health Centers in Korea, detailing their evolution through four distinct phases and their impact on environmental health policy and local governance. It chronicles the establishment and transformation of these centers from their inception in May 2007, through four developmental stages. Originally named Environmental Disease Research Centers, they were subsequently renamed Environmental Health Centers following legislative changes. The analysis includes the expansion in the number of centers, the transfer of responsibilities to local governments, and the launch of significant projects such as the Korean Children’s Environmental Health Study (Ko-CHENS ). During the initial phase (May 2007–February 2009), the 10 centers concentrated on research-driven activities, shifting from a media-centered to a receptor-centered approach. In the second phase, prompted by the enactment of the Environmental Health Act, six additional centers were established, broadening their scope to address national environmental health issues. The third phase introduced Ko-CHENS, a 20-year national cohort project designed to influence environmental health policy by integrating research findings into policy frameworks. The fourth phase marked a decentralization of authority, empowering local governments and redefining the centers' roles to focus on regional environmental health challenges. The Regional Environmental Health Centers have significantly evolved and now play a crucial role in addressing local environmental health issues and supporting local government policies. Their capacity to adapt and respond to region-specific challenges is essential for the effective implementation of environmental health policies, reflecting geographical, socioeconomic, and demographic differences.

The prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) in Asia is reported to range from 13.53% to 22.31%. However, there remains a gap in the identification of PPD, particularly regarding cultural cutoff points. Therefore, the purpose of this scoping review was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of PPD in Eastern, South-eastern, Western, and Southern Asian countries and analyze the cutoff points of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) used across these countries. Following Arksey and O'Malley’s five-step scoping review framework, the population was defined as mothers, the concept as the EPDS, and the context as the Asian region. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. The data analysis focused on demographic characteristics, EPDS cutoffs and features, PPD prevalence, and its associated factors. Nineteen studies were selected. Most countries used translated versions of the EPDS with demonstrated reliability and validity. The cutoff scores varied, with most using scores of 10 or higher. The prevalence of PPD ranged from 5.1% to 78.7%. Key associated factors for PPD included cultural factors such as relationships with in-laws and preferences for the newborn’s sex. To improve the accuracy of PPD screening in Asia, the EPDS should be used consistently, and appropriate cutoff criteria must be established. In addition, prevention strategies and programs that reflect the cultural characteristics and social context of Asia need to be developed for the early detection and prevention of PPD.