Purpose: : This study aimed to identify and compare the effects of home-use mechanical ventilator (MV) and facility-use mechanical ventilator on early discharge from the intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: : This retrospective study used data from the electronic medical records of 290 patients who underwent MV in the ICU of a tertiary general hospital in Seoul. Results: : Significant differences were observed in the length of ICU stay, total number of days of MV application, and length of hospital stay. The length of ICU stay was 30.00±28.14 days in the home-use MV group and 23.74±18.24 days in the facility-use MV group for facility-use (t=2.25, p=.026). The total number of days of MV application in ICU was 24.44±21.86 days in the home-use MV group and 19.35±14.25 days in the facility-use MV group (t=2.35, p=.020). The length of hospital stay was 101.88± 141.81 days in the home-use MV group and 74.24±71.38 days in the facility-use MV group (t=2.10, p=.037). The readmission rates within 72 hours of discharge from the ICU were 2.1% and 2.1%, respectively. Conclusion : A facility-use ventilator shortens the length of ICU stay and the total number of days of MV application in the ICU compared with a home-use mechanical ventilator, and it can be safely used for early discharge of patients from the ICU.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Purpose: : This study aimed to identify and compare the effects of home-use mechanical ventilator (MV) and facility-use mechanical ventilator on early discharge from the intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: : This retrospective study used data from the electronic medical records of 290 patients who underwent MV in the ICU of a tertiary general hospital in Seoul. Results: : Significant differences were observed in the length of ICU stay, total number of days of MV application, and length of hospital stay. The length of ICU stay was 30.00±28.14 days in the home-use MV group and 23.74±18.24 days in the facility-use MV group for facility-use (t=2.25, p=.026). The total number of days of MV application in ICU was 24.44±21.86 days in the home-use MV group and 19.35±14.25 days in the facility-use MV group (t=2.35, p=.020). The length of hospital stay was 101.88± 141.81 days in the home-use MV group and 74.24±71.38 days in the facility-use MV group (t=2.10, p=.037). The readmission rates within 72 hours of discharge from the ICU were 2.1% and 2.1%, respectively. Conclusion : A facility-use ventilator shortens the length of ICU stay and the total number of days of MV application in the ICU compared with a home-use mechanical ventilator, and it can be safely used for early discharge of patients from the ICU.

Purpose: : This study aimed to identify and compare the effects of home-use mechanical ventilator (MV) and facility-use mechanical ventilator on early discharge from the intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: : This retrospective study used data from the electronic medical records of 290 patients who underwent MV in the ICU of a tertiary general hospital in Seoul. Results: : Significant differences were observed in the length of ICU stay, total number of days of MV application, and length of hospital stay. The length of ICU stay was 30.00±28.14 days in the home-use MV group and 23.74±18.24 days in the facility-use MV group for facility-use (t=2.25, p=.026). The total number of days of MV application in ICU was 24.44±21.86 days in the home-use MV group and 19.35±14.25 days in the facility-use MV group (t=2.35, p=.020). The length of hospital stay was 101.88± 141.81 days in the home-use MV group and 74.24±71.38 days in the facility-use MV group (t=2.10, p=.037). The readmission rates within 72 hours of discharge from the ICU were 2.1% and 2.1%, respectively. Conclusion : A facility-use ventilator shortens the length of ICU stay and the total number of days of MV application in the ICU compared with a home-use mechanical ventilator, and it can be safely used for early discharge of patients from the ICU.

Purpose: : This study aimed to identify and compare the effects of home-use mechanical ventilator (MV) and facility-use mechanical ventilator on early discharge from the intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: : This retrospective study used data from the electronic medical records of 290 patients who underwent MV in the ICU of a tertiary general hospital in Seoul. Results: : Significant differences were observed in the length of ICU stay, total number of days of MV application, and length of hospital stay. The length of ICU stay was 30.00±28.14 days in the home-use MV group and 23.74±18.24 days in the facility-use MV group for facility-use (t=2.25, p=.026). The total number of days of MV application in ICU was 24.44±21.86 days in the home-use MV group and 19.35±14.25 days in the facility-use MV group (t=2.35, p=.020). The length of hospital stay was 101.88± 141.81 days in the home-use MV group and 74.24±71.38 days in the facility-use MV group (t=2.10, p=.037). The readmission rates within 72 hours of discharge from the ICU were 2.1% and 2.1%, respectively. Conclusion : A facility-use ventilator shortens the length of ICU stay and the total number of days of MV application in the ICU compared with a home-use mechanical ventilator, and it can be safely used for early discharge of patients from the ICU.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Background: Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making. Methods: This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Conclusion This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore whether there are differences in smoking status between two regions of Wonju-City and Chuncheon-City, Gangwon State, and to determine whether the experience of smoking cessation programs in the region affects quit attempts. Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional study in which adults aged 19 and older living in two cities were surveyed using a pre-developed mobile app to investigate social capital for smoking cessation, and a total of 600 citizens were participated, including 310 in Wonju-City and 290 in Chuncheon-City.The statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Wonju-City had a higher prevalence of current smoking than Chuncheon-City. Among smoking cessation programs operated by local public health centers, Wonju-City had a lower odds ratio for experience with smoking cessation education than Chuncheon-City (OR=0.52, 95% CI=0.33 to 0.81). When examining the effect of smoking cessation program experience on quit attempts, in Wonju-City, citizens who had completed smoking cessation education and used a smoking cessation clinic were more likely to attempt to quit than those who had not (OR=2.31 and OR=2.29, respectively). In Chuncheon-City, citizens who were aware of smoking cessation support services were 2.26 times more likely to attempt to quit smoking than those who were not, but statistical significance was not reached due to the small sample size. Conclusion Therefore, healthcare organizations in both regions should develop more practical intervention strategies to increase smokers' quit attempts, reduce smoking rates in the community, and address regional disparities.

Background: Hypothyroidism, a prevalent endocrine disorder, results from insufficient thyroid hormone production or release, affecting metabolism. However, disparities in comorbidities and treatment trajectories may exist between endogenous and exogenous hypothyroidism. Methods: Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service from 2004 to 2018. Endogenous hypothyroidism was defined as cases with two or more diagnostic codes for hypothyroidism coupled with a history of thyroid hormone intake exceeding 60 days. To eliminate iatrogenic hypothyroidism, individuals with diagnosis codes for thyroid cancer, treatment codes for thyroid surgery, or radiotherapy were excluded. Hypothyroidism-related comorbidities were defined as new occurrences of the corresponding diagnosis code after the diagnosis of hypothyroidism during the entire study period. Results: The age-standardized incidence of endogenous hypothyroidism among men was 0.2 per 1,000 person-years in 2004, increasing to 0.8 in 2018. Among women, the incidence increased from 1.6 per 1,000 person-years in 2004 to 3.7 in 2018. When comparing age groups of 20s–50s and 60s–90s, both sexes in the 60s–90s demonstrated a more rapid increase in incidence than those in the 20s–50s age range. Patients with endogenous hypothyroidism demonstrated a higher incidence of mood disorders across all age groups and cerebrovascular disease in individuals ≥60 years old, regardless of sex. Conclusion In Republic of Korea, endogenous hypothyroidism incidence has been increased in recent years. The incidence of endogenous hypothyroidism is increasing more rapidly in men than in women, especially in the elderly. Patients with endogenous hypothyroidism seem to have a heightened risk for cerebrovascular disease and mood disorders.