Background: This study aimed to identify key priorities for the development of guidelines for information and communication technology (ICT)-based patient education tailored to the needs of patients with rheumatic diseases (RDs) in the Republic of Korea, based on expert consensus. Methods: A two-round modified Delphi study was conducted with 20 rheumatology, patient education, and digital health literacy experts. A total of 35 items covering 7 domains and 18 subdomains were evaluated. Each item was evaluated for its level of importance, and the responses were rated on a 4-point Likert scale. Consensus levels were defined as “high” (interquartile range [IQR] ≤ 1, agreement ≥ 80%, content validity ratio [CVR] ≥ 0.7), "Moderate" (IQR ≥ 1, agreement 50–79%, CVR 0.5–0.7), and "Low" (IQR > 1, agreement < 50%, CVR < 0.5). Results: Strong consensus was reached for key priorities for developing guidelines in areas such as health literacy, digital health literacy, medical terminology, user interface, and user experience design for mobile apps. Chatbot use and video (e.g., YouTube) also achieved high consensus, whereas AI-powered platforms such as ChatGPT showed moderate-to-high agreement. Telemedicine was excluded because of insufficient consensus. Conclusion The key priorities identified in this study provide a foundation for the development of ICT-based patient education guidelines for RDs in the Republic of Korea.Future efforts should focus on integrating digital tools into clinical practice to enhance patient engagement and improve clinical outcomes.

Objective: Previous studies have reported an association between cancer-related symptoms and perceived social support (PSS). The objective of this study was to analyze whether Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN), a prevalent side effect of chemotherapy, varies according to PSS level using a validated tool for CIPN at prospective follow-up. Methods: A total of 39 breast cancer patients were evaluated for PSS using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) prior to chemotherapy and were subsequently grouped into one of two categories for each subscale: low-to-moderate PSS and high PSS. CIPN was prospectively evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20 (CIPN20) at five time points. A linear mixed-effects model with square root transformation was employed to investigate whether the CIPN20 scales varied by PSS level and time point. Results: Statistical analysis of the MSPSS total scale and subscales revealed a significant effect of the friends subscale group and time point on the CIPN20 sensory scale. The sensory scale score of CIPN20 was found to be lower in participants with high PSS from friends in comparison to those with low-to-moderate PSS at 1 month post-chemotherapy (p=0.010). Conclusion This is the first study to prospectively follow the long-term effect of pre-treatment PSS from friends on CIPN. Further studies based on larger samples are required to analyze the effects of PSS on the pathophysiology of CIPN.

Objective: Previous studies have reported an association between cancer-related symptoms and perceived social support (PSS). The objective of this study was to analyze whether Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN), a prevalent side effect of chemotherapy, varies according to PSS level using a validated tool for CIPN at prospective follow-up. Methods: A total of 39 breast cancer patients were evaluated for PSS using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) prior to chemotherapy and were subsequently grouped into one of two categories for each subscale: low-to-moderate PSS and high PSS. CIPN was prospectively evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20 (CIPN20) at five time points. A linear mixed-effects model with square root transformation was employed to investigate whether the CIPN20 scales varied by PSS level and time point. Results: Statistical analysis of the MSPSS total scale and subscales revealed a significant effect of the friends subscale group and time point on the CIPN20 sensory scale. The sensory scale score of CIPN20 was found to be lower in participants with high PSS from friends in comparison to those with low-to-moderate PSS at 1 month post-chemotherapy (p=0.010). Conclusion This is the first study to prospectively follow the long-term effect of pre-treatment PSS from friends on CIPN. Further studies based on larger samples are required to analyze the effects of PSS on the pathophysiology of CIPN.

Background: This study aimed to identify key priorities for the development of guidelines for information and communication technology (ICT)-based patient education tailored to the needs of patients with rheumatic diseases (RDs) in the Republic of Korea, based on expert consensus. Methods: A two-round modified Delphi study was conducted with 20 rheumatology, patient education, and digital health literacy experts. A total of 35 items covering 7 domains and 18 subdomains were evaluated. Each item was evaluated for its level of importance, and the responses were rated on a 4-point Likert scale. Consensus levels were defined as “high” (interquartile range [IQR] ≤ 1, agreement ≥ 80%, content validity ratio [CVR] ≥ 0.7), "Moderate" (IQR ≥ 1, agreement 50–79%, CVR 0.5–0.7), and "Low" (IQR > 1, agreement < 50%, CVR < 0.5). Results: Strong consensus was reached for key priorities for developing guidelines in areas such as health literacy, digital health literacy, medical terminology, user interface, and user experience design for mobile apps. Chatbot use and video (e.g., YouTube) also achieved high consensus, whereas AI-powered platforms such as ChatGPT showed moderate-to-high agreement. Telemedicine was excluded because of insufficient consensus. Conclusion The key priorities identified in this study provide a foundation for the development of ICT-based patient education guidelines for RDs in the Republic of Korea.Future efforts should focus on integrating digital tools into clinical practice to enhance patient engagement and improve clinical outcomes.

Objective: Previous studies have reported an association between cancer-related symptoms and perceived social support (PSS). The objective of this study was to analyze whether Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN), a prevalent side effect of chemotherapy, varies according to PSS level using a validated tool for CIPN at prospective follow-up. Methods: A total of 39 breast cancer patients were evaluated for PSS using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) prior to chemotherapy and were subsequently grouped into one of two categories for each subscale: low-to-moderate PSS and high PSS. CIPN was prospectively evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20 (CIPN20) at five time points. A linear mixed-effects model with square root transformation was employed to investigate whether the CIPN20 scales varied by PSS level and time point. Results: Statistical analysis of the MSPSS total scale and subscales revealed a significant effect of the friends subscale group and time point on the CIPN20 sensory scale. The sensory scale score of CIPN20 was found to be lower in participants with high PSS from friends in comparison to those with low-to-moderate PSS at 1 month post-chemotherapy (p=0.010). Conclusion This is the first study to prospectively follow the long-term effect of pre-treatment PSS from friends on CIPN. Further studies based on larger samples are required to analyze the effects of PSS on the pathophysiology of CIPN.

Objective: Previous studies have reported an association between cancer-related symptoms and perceived social support (PSS). The objective of this study was to analyze whether Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN), a prevalent side effect of chemotherapy, varies according to PSS level using a validated tool for CIPN at prospective follow-up. Methods: A total of 39 breast cancer patients were evaluated for PSS using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) prior to chemotherapy and were subsequently grouped into one of two categories for each subscale: low-to-moderate PSS and high PSS. CIPN was prospectively evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20 (CIPN20) at five time points. A linear mixed-effects model with square root transformation was employed to investigate whether the CIPN20 scales varied by PSS level and time point. Results: Statistical analysis of the MSPSS total scale and subscales revealed a significant effect of the friends subscale group and time point on the CIPN20 sensory scale. The sensory scale score of CIPN20 was found to be lower in participants with high PSS from friends in comparison to those with low-to-moderate PSS at 1 month post-chemotherapy (p=0.010). Conclusion This is the first study to prospectively follow the long-term effect of pre-treatment PSS from friends on CIPN. Further studies based on larger samples are required to analyze the effects of PSS on the pathophysiology of CIPN.

Objective: Previous studies have reported an association between cancer-related symptoms and perceived social support (PSS). The objective of this study was to analyze whether Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN), a prevalent side effect of chemotherapy, varies according to PSS level using a validated tool for CIPN at prospective follow-up. Methods: A total of 39 breast cancer patients were evaluated for PSS using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) prior to chemotherapy and were subsequently grouped into one of two categories for each subscale: low-to-moderate PSS and high PSS. CIPN was prospectively evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20 (CIPN20) at five time points. A linear mixed-effects model with square root transformation was employed to investigate whether the CIPN20 scales varied by PSS level and time point. Results: Statistical analysis of the MSPSS total scale and subscales revealed a significant effect of the friends subscale group and time point on the CIPN20 sensory scale. The sensory scale score of CIPN20 was found to be lower in participants with high PSS from friends in comparison to those with low-to-moderate PSS at 1 month post-chemotherapy (p=0.010). Conclusion This is the first study to prospectively follow the long-term effect of pre-treatment PSS from friends on CIPN. Further studies based on larger samples are required to analyze the effects of PSS on the pathophysiology of CIPN.

Background: This study aimed to identify key priorities for the development of guidelines for information and communication technology (ICT)-based patient education tailored to the needs of patients with rheumatic diseases (RDs) in the Republic of Korea, based on expert consensus. Methods: A two-round modified Delphi study was conducted with 20 rheumatology, patient education, and digital health literacy experts. A total of 35 items covering 7 domains and 18 subdomains were evaluated. Each item was evaluated for its level of importance, and the responses were rated on a 4-point Likert scale. Consensus levels were defined as “high” (interquartile range [IQR] ≤ 1, agreement ≥ 80%, content validity ratio [CVR] ≥ 0.7), "Moderate" (IQR ≥ 1, agreement 50–79%, CVR 0.5–0.7), and "Low" (IQR > 1, agreement < 50%, CVR < 0.5). Results: Strong consensus was reached for key priorities for developing guidelines in areas such as health literacy, digital health literacy, medical terminology, user interface, and user experience design for mobile apps. Chatbot use and video (e.g., YouTube) also achieved high consensus, whereas AI-powered platforms such as ChatGPT showed moderate-to-high agreement. Telemedicine was excluded because of insufficient consensus. Conclusion The key priorities identified in this study provide a foundation for the development of ICT-based patient education guidelines for RDs in the Republic of Korea.Future efforts should focus on integrating digital tools into clinical practice to enhance patient engagement and improve clinical outcomes.

Background: This study aimed to identify key priorities for the development of guidelines for information and communication technology (ICT)-based patient education tailored to the needs of patients with rheumatic diseases (RDs) in the Republic of Korea, based on expert consensus. Methods: A two-round modified Delphi study was conducted with 20 rheumatology, patient education, and digital health literacy experts. A total of 35 items covering 7 domains and 18 subdomains were evaluated. Each item was evaluated for its level of importance, and the responses were rated on a 4-point Likert scale. Consensus levels were defined as “high” (interquartile range [IQR] ≤ 1, agreement ≥ 80%, content validity ratio [CVR] ≥ 0.7), "Moderate" (IQR ≥ 1, agreement 50–79%, CVR 0.5–0.7), and "Low" (IQR > 1, agreement < 50%, CVR < 0.5). Results: Strong consensus was reached for key priorities for developing guidelines in areas such as health literacy, digital health literacy, medical terminology, user interface, and user experience design for mobile apps. Chatbot use and video (e.g., YouTube) also achieved high consensus, whereas AI-powered platforms such as ChatGPT showed moderate-to-high agreement. Telemedicine was excluded because of insufficient consensus. Conclusion The key priorities identified in this study provide a foundation for the development of ICT-based patient education guidelines for RDs in the Republic of Korea.Future efforts should focus on integrating digital tools into clinical practice to enhance patient engagement and improve clinical outcomes.

Objective: This is the first prospective cohort study of Huntington’s disease (HD) in Korea. This study aimed to investigate the caregiver burden in relation to the characteristics of patients and caregivers. Methods: From August 2020 to February 2022, we enrolled patients with HD from 13 university hospitals in Korea. We used the 12-item Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-12) to evaluate the caregiver burden. We evaluated the clinical associations of the ZBI-12 scores by linear regression analysis and investigated the differences between the low- and high-burden groups. Results: Sixty-five patients with HD and 45 caregivers were enrolled in this cohort study. The average age at onset of motor symptoms was 49.3 ± 12.3 years, with an average cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG)n of 42.9 ± 4.0 (38–65). The median ZBI-12 score among our caregivers was 17.6 ± 14.2. A higher caregiver burden was associated with a more severe Shoulson–Fahn stage (p = 0.038) of the patients. A higher ZBI-12 score was also associated with lower independence scale (B = -0.154, p = 0.006) and functional capacity (B = -1.082, p = 0.002) scores of patients. The caregiving duration was longer in the high- than in the low-burden group. Caregivers’ demographics, blood relation, and marital and social status did not affect the burden significantly. Conclusion HD patients’ neurological status exerts an enormous impact on the caregiver burden regardless of the demographic or social status of the caregiver. This study emphasizes the need to establish an optimal support system for families dealing with HD in Korea. A future longitudinal analysis could help us understand how disease progression aggravates the caregiver burden throughout the entire disease course.