Background: The relationship between circulating lipid levels and the risk for heart failure (HF) is controversial. We aimed to examine this association, and whether it is modified by the duration of diabetes or treatment regimens in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: Individuals (n=2,439,978) who underwent health examinations in 2015 to 2016 were identified from the Korean National Health Information Database. Subjects were categorized according to the duration of diabetes (new-onset, <5, 5–10, or ≥10 years) and number of antidiabetic medications. Incident HF was defined according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) code I50 as the primary diagnosis during hospitalization. The risk for HF was estimated using multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis. Results: During a median follow-up of 4.0 years, 151,624 cases of HF occurred. An inverse association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and incident HF was observed in the new-onset diabetes group, with an approximately 25% lower risk in those with LDL-C levels of 100–129, 130–159, and ≥160 mg/dL, compared to those with levels <70 mg/dL. However, J-shaped associations were noted in the long-standing diabetes group, with a 16% higher risk in those with LDL-C level ≥160 mg/dL, compared to those with levels <70 mg/dL. Similar patterns were observed in the relationship between total cholesterol or non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and the risk for HF, and when subjects were grouped according to the number of antidiabetic medications instead of diabetes duration. Conclusion Different associations between lipid levels and the risk for HF were noted according to disease progression status among individuals with diabetes.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive practical guide for enteral nutrition (EN) designed to enhance patient safety and reduce complications in Korea. Under the leadership of the Korean Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (KSPEN), the initiative sought to standardize EN procedures, improve decision-making, and promote effective multidisciplinary communication. Methods: The KSPEN EN committee identified key questions related to EN practices and organized them into seven sections such as prescribing, delivery route selection, formula preparation, administration, and quality management. Twenty-one experts, selected based on their expertise, conducted a thorough literature review to formulate evidence-based recommendations. Drafts underwent peer review both within and across disciplines, with final revisions completed by the KSPEN Guideline Committee. The guide, which will be published in three installments, addresses critical elements of EN therapy and safety protocols. Results: The practical guide recommends that EN orders include detailed elements and advocates the use of electronic medical records for communication. Standardized prescription forms and supplementary safety measures are outlined. Review frequency is adjusted according to patient condition—daily for critically ill or unstable patients and as dictated by institutional protocols for stable patients. Evidence indicates that adherence to these protocols reduces mortality, complications, and prescription errors. Conclusion The KSPEN practical guide offers a robust framework for the safe delivery of EN tailored to Korea’s healthcare context. It emphasizes standardized protocols and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve nutritional outcomes, patient safety, and operational efficiency. Rigorous implementation and monitoring of adherence are critical for its success.

Endometriosis, a prevalent but debilitating condition affecting women, poses significant challenges in diagnosis and management. The current 2024 guideline, developed by the Korean Society of Endometriosis (KSE), builds upon the 2018 KSE guideline. This guideline aims to provide customized recommendations tailored to Korea’s unique clinical aspects and medical environment, and addresses key areas such as diagnosis, medical and surgical management, considerations for special populations, and its complex relationship with cancer.

Endometriosis, a prevalent but debilitating condition affecting women, poses significant challenges in diagnosis and management. The current 2024 guideline, developed by the Korean Society of Endometriosis (KSE), builds upon the 2018 KSE guideline. This guideline aims to provide customized recommendations tailored to Korea’s unique clinical aspects and medical environment, and addresses key areas such as diagnosis, medical and surgical management, considerations for special populations, and its complex relationship with cancer.

Background: and Purpose We aimed to determine the proportion of Korean patients with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) who are eligible to receive lecanemab based on the United States Appropriate Use Recommendations (US AUR), and also identify the barriers to this treatment. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 6,132 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment or mild amnestic dementia at 13 hospitals from June 2023 to May 2024. Among them, 2,058 patients underwent amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) and 1,199 (58.3%) of these patients were amyloid-positive on PET. We excluded 732 patients who did not undergo brain magnetic resonance imaging between June 2023 and May 2024. Finally, 467 patients were included in the present study. Results: When applying the criteria of the US AUR, approximately 50% of patients with early AD were eligible to receive lecanemab treatment. Among the 467 included patients, 36.8% did not meet the inclusion criterion of a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of ≥22. Conclusions Eligibility for lecanemab treatment was not restricted to Korean patients with early AD except for those with an MMSE score of ≥22. The MMSE criteria should therefore be reconsidered in areas with a higher proportion of older people, who tend to have lower levels of education.

Endometriosis, a prevalent but debilitating condition affecting women, poses significant challenges in diagnosis and management. The current 2024 guideline, developed by the Korean Society of Endometriosis (KSE), builds upon the 2018 KSE guideline. This guideline aims to provide customized recommendations tailored to Korea’s unique clinical aspects and medical environment, and addresses key areas such as diagnosis, medical and surgical management, considerations for special populations, and its complex relationship with cancer.

With the increasing emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in organizations and institutions, academic societies in gastroenterology and hepatology are beginning to take actionable steps toward achieving DEI. The successful implementation of DEI initiatives leads to excellence in the field, improved patient outcomes, particularly in areas where health disparities are prevalent, and advances in the gastrointestinal discipline. Such implementation also results in a workforce that better reflects the growing diversity of the population. This review defines DEI and introduces the DEI policies and strategies adopted by the academic societies of gastroenterology in other countries. This paper proposes strategies to integrate DEI better into the Korean Society of Gastroenterology, emphasizing the importance of embedding DEI into the culture and strategic framework. The key strategies include establishing a DEI committee, setting clear targets, and conducting formal assessments to measure DEI progress. This study focused on enhancing workforce diversity, particularly among women and young doctors, and advocates for the need to support their academic development through male allyship and the promotion of equitable and inclusive academic cultures.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of impacted teeth (ITs) in orthodontic patients at university dental hospitals in Korea. Methods: This study included 14,774 patients who visited the Department of Orthodontics at 10 university dental hospitals in Korea between 2020 and 2022 and underwent orthodontic diagnosis. The prevalence and characteristics of ITs were investigated using orthodontic diagnostic records, radiographs, and diagnostic casts. Results: The prevalence of ITs, excluding third molar impaction, in Korean orthodontic patients was 13.6% (n = 2,014).The prevalence of ITs in pediatric orthodontic patients was 24.5% (n = 1,614).Of these patients, 68.2% had one IT, 27.5% had two ITs, 24.3% had bilateral IT, and 75.7% had unilateral IT. The most frequent IT was the maxillary canine (50.1%), followed by the mandibular second molar (11.7%), and maxillary second premolar (9.6%). An abnormal eruption path (46.5%) was the most frequent etiology. Orthodontic traction after surgical exposure (70.6%) was the most frequent treatment option. Among the patients with ITs, 29.8% had other dental anomalies, such as tooth agenesis (8.7%), microdontia (8.0%), and supernumerary teeth (5.1%). Furthermore, 50.8% had complications such as cystic lesions (18.3%), transposition (17.7%), and root resorption (14.8%).Among the patients with maxillary canine impaction, 62.2% had labial maxillary canine impaction and 21.1% had palatal maxillary canine impaction. Conclusions The prevalence of ITs in Korean orthodontic patients at university dental hospitals was high, particularly in pediatric orthodontic patients.

Objective: Using finite element method (FEM) analysis of a clear aligner (CA), this study aimed to investigate the effects of varying the edentulous space on canine distal bodily movement during space closure following maxillary first premolar extraction. Methods: FEM analysis was used to simulate distal canine bodily movement following maxillary first premolar extraction using CAs. Four CA designs for edentulous spaces were compared: no-pontic, full-pontic, halfpontic, and beam. Three-dimensional models of the tooth components and CA were created. The target was set at a 0.25-mm distal canine movement. Long-term tooth movement was simulated using an iterative calculation method. Results: All the groups initially showed crown displacement, distal tipping, and distal rotation.Over time, the movement patterns differed in relation to the design. The no-pontic design exhibited the greatest displacement and tipping. The beam design exhibited the largest initial displacement but showed the lowest displacement and tipping thereafter. Full- and half-pontic designs yielded intermediate results. Significant force reduction was observed immediately after CA application, and was followed by a gradual decrease. The mean tooth-movement achievement rate was approximately 76.7%. Conclusions The edentulous space design of the CA substantially affected tooth-movement behavior. An iterative simulation is necessary to evaluate longterm tooth-movement patterns. The beam design demonstrated optimal suitability for bodily movement with minimal tipping. For optimal results, additional setup or overcorrection may be necessary.

Objective: To quantitatively analyze and compare the forces and moments generated by thermoformed polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) and direct-printed TC-85 clear aligners (CAs), with various margin designs, during premolar rotation. Methods: In total, 132 CAs were fabricated and divided into four groups (n = 33 per group). Group C consisted of thermoformed PETG aligners with a 2 mm gingival margin. Group E comprised direct-printed TC-85 aligners with equi-gingival margin, whereas Group G utilized direct-printed TC-85 aligners with 2 mm gingival margins.Finally, Group T featured direct-printed TC-85 aligners with an additional 1 mm thickness at the mesial embrasure. The forces and moments were measured using a 6-axis force/moment transducer at 2°, 3°, and 4° of rotation. All measurements were conducted at 37°C to simulate intraoral conditions. Forces were measured in the buccolingual, anteroposterior, and vertical directions, while moments were measured in the mesiodistal, buccolingual, and rotational planes. Results: The PETG aligners (Group C) showed significantly increased buccal and posterior force across the rotation angles (P < 0.05), whereas the intrusive force remained consistent. In contrast, the TC-85 aligners maintained consistent forces across all rotation angles.Direct-printed aligners demonstrated significantly lower intrusive forces than PETG aligners (P < 0.001). Group T exhibited reduced unwanted forces while maintaining effective rotational moments. Furthermore, all direct-printed aligners showed more predictable force delivery patterns than thermoformed aligners. Conclusions Direct-printed TC-85 aligners demonstrated superior force consistency and reduced unwanted side effects compared with traditional PETG aligners. Although marginal design modifications did not significantly improve rotational efficiency, they effectively reduced unwanted intrusive forces.