Background: Cutaneous manifestations are frequently observed in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Even patients undergoing HD who frequently visit hospitals do not receive active dermatological care. The aims of this study were to assess the cutaneous manifestations of patients undergoing HD and investigate changes in their QoL before and after active treatment by dermatologists. Methods: A 12-week prospective study was conducted in two HD centers. Patients in one center received dermatological intervention, while patients in the other center received conservative management by a nephrologist. Patients scored their QoL using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Skindex-29 at the start of the study and 12 weeks later. Two matched groups were formed using propensity score matching.Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify associations between dermatological treatment and the improvement in QoL. Results: In total, 120 patients were included, of whom 65 and 55 were in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Approximately 93.8% of the patients had dermatological manifestations, with pallor and xerosis being the most common. Improvement in QoL, as assessed using the DLQI, was confirmed after 12 weeks in the overall population. However, active intervention by a dermatologist did not significantly improve QoL. Conclusion Patients treated with dermatological intervention by a dermatologist did not achieve greater improvements in QoL than control patients. Therefore, careful assessment of skin issues in patients with ESKD should be undertaken by nephrologists, and the best possible treatment should be administered.

Background: The persistent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had direct and indirect effects on mortality, making it essential to analyze excess mortality to fully understand the impact of the pandemic. In this study, we constructed a mathematical model using number of deaths from Statistics Korea and analyzed excess mortality between 2020 and 2022 according to age, sex, and dominant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variant period. Methods: Number of all-cause deaths between 2010 and 2022 were obtained from the annual cause-of-death statistics provided by Statistics Korea. COVID-19 mortality data were acquired from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. A multivariate linear regression model with seasonal effect, stratified by sex and age, was used to estimate the number of deaths in the absence of COVID-19. The estimated excess mortality rate was calculated. Results: Excess mortality was not significant between January 2020 and October 2021.However, it started to increase monthly from November 2021 and reached its highest point during the omicron-dominant period. Specifically, in March and April 2022, during the omicron BA.1/BA.2-dominant period, the estimated median values for excess mortality were the highest at 17,634 and 11,379, respectively. Both COVID-19-related deaths and excess mortality increased with age. A notable increase in excess mortality was observed in individuals aged ≥ 65 years. In the context of excess mortality per 100,000 population based on the estimated median values in March 2022, the highest numbers were found among males and females aged ≥ 85 years at 1,048 and 910, respectively. Conclusion This study revealed that the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic coupled with its high transmissibility not only increased COVID-19-related deaths but also had a significant impact on overall mortality rates, especially in the elderly. Therefore, it is crucial to concentrate healthcare resources and services on the elderly and ensure continued access to healthcare services during pandemics. Establishing an excess mortality monitoring system in the early stages of a pandemic is necessary to understand the impact of infectious diseases on mortality and effectively evaluate pandemic response policies.

Background: Cutaneous manifestations are frequently observed in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Even patients undergoing HD who frequently visit hospitals do not receive active dermatological care. The aims of this study were to assess the cutaneous manifestations of patients undergoing HD and investigate changes in their QoL before and after active treatment by dermatologists. Methods: A 12-week prospective study was conducted in two HD centers. Patients in one center received dermatological intervention, while patients in the other center received conservative management by a nephrologist. Patients scored their QoL using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Skindex-29 at the start of the study and 12 weeks later. Two matched groups were formed using propensity score matching.Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify associations between dermatological treatment and the improvement in QoL. Results: In total, 120 patients were included, of whom 65 and 55 were in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Approximately 93.8% of the patients had dermatological manifestations, with pallor and xerosis being the most common. Improvement in QoL, as assessed using the DLQI, was confirmed after 12 weeks in the overall population. However, active intervention by a dermatologist did not significantly improve QoL. Conclusion Patients treated with dermatological intervention by a dermatologist did not achieve greater improvements in QoL than control patients. Therefore, careful assessment of skin issues in patients with ESKD should be undertaken by nephrologists, and the best possible treatment should be administered.

Background: The persistent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had direct and indirect effects on mortality, making it essential to analyze excess mortality to fully understand the impact of the pandemic. In this study, we constructed a mathematical model using number of deaths from Statistics Korea and analyzed excess mortality between 2020 and 2022 according to age, sex, and dominant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variant period. Methods: Number of all-cause deaths between 2010 and 2022 were obtained from the annual cause-of-death statistics provided by Statistics Korea. COVID-19 mortality data were acquired from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. A multivariate linear regression model with seasonal effect, stratified by sex and age, was used to estimate the number of deaths in the absence of COVID-19. The estimated excess mortality rate was calculated. Results: Excess mortality was not significant between January 2020 and October 2021.However, it started to increase monthly from November 2021 and reached its highest point during the omicron-dominant period. Specifically, in March and April 2022, during the omicron BA.1/BA.2-dominant period, the estimated median values for excess mortality were the highest at 17,634 and 11,379, respectively. Both COVID-19-related deaths and excess mortality increased with age. A notable increase in excess mortality was observed in individuals aged ≥ 65 years. In the context of excess mortality per 100,000 population based on the estimated median values in March 2022, the highest numbers were found among males and females aged ≥ 85 years at 1,048 and 910, respectively. Conclusion This study revealed that the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic coupled with its high transmissibility not only increased COVID-19-related deaths but also had a significant impact on overall mortality rates, especially in the elderly. Therefore, it is crucial to concentrate healthcare resources and services on the elderly and ensure continued access to healthcare services during pandemics. Establishing an excess mortality monitoring system in the early stages of a pandemic is necessary to understand the impact of infectious diseases on mortality and effectively evaluate pandemic response policies.

Background: Cutaneous manifestations are frequently observed in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Even patients undergoing HD who frequently visit hospitals do not receive active dermatological care. The aims of this study were to assess the cutaneous manifestations of patients undergoing HD and investigate changes in their QoL before and after active treatment by dermatologists. Methods: A 12-week prospective study was conducted in two HD centers. Patients in one center received dermatological intervention, while patients in the other center received conservative management by a nephrologist. Patients scored their QoL using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Skindex-29 at the start of the study and 12 weeks later. Two matched groups were formed using propensity score matching.Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify associations between dermatological treatment and the improvement in QoL. Results: In total, 120 patients were included, of whom 65 and 55 were in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Approximately 93.8% of the patients had dermatological manifestations, with pallor and xerosis being the most common. Improvement in QoL, as assessed using the DLQI, was confirmed after 12 weeks in the overall population. However, active intervention by a dermatologist did not significantly improve QoL. Conclusion Patients treated with dermatological intervention by a dermatologist did not achieve greater improvements in QoL than control patients. Therefore, careful assessment of skin issues in patients with ESKD should be undertaken by nephrologists, and the best possible treatment should be administered.

Background: The persistent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had direct and indirect effects on mortality, making it essential to analyze excess mortality to fully understand the impact of the pandemic. In this study, we constructed a mathematical model using number of deaths from Statistics Korea and analyzed excess mortality between 2020 and 2022 according to age, sex, and dominant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variant period. Methods: Number of all-cause deaths between 2010 and 2022 were obtained from the annual cause-of-death statistics provided by Statistics Korea. COVID-19 mortality data were acquired from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. A multivariate linear regression model with seasonal effect, stratified by sex and age, was used to estimate the number of deaths in the absence of COVID-19. The estimated excess mortality rate was calculated. Results: Excess mortality was not significant between January 2020 and October 2021.However, it started to increase monthly from November 2021 and reached its highest point during the omicron-dominant period. Specifically, in March and April 2022, during the omicron BA.1/BA.2-dominant period, the estimated median values for excess mortality were the highest at 17,634 and 11,379, respectively. Both COVID-19-related deaths and excess mortality increased with age. A notable increase in excess mortality was observed in individuals aged ≥ 65 years. In the context of excess mortality per 100,000 population based on the estimated median values in March 2022, the highest numbers were found among males and females aged ≥ 85 years at 1,048 and 910, respectively. Conclusion This study revealed that the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic coupled with its high transmissibility not only increased COVID-19-related deaths but also had a significant impact on overall mortality rates, especially in the elderly. Therefore, it is crucial to concentrate healthcare resources and services on the elderly and ensure continued access to healthcare services during pandemics. Establishing an excess mortality monitoring system in the early stages of a pandemic is necessary to understand the impact of infectious diseases on mortality and effectively evaluate pandemic response policies.

Background: Cutaneous manifestations are frequently observed in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Even patients undergoing HD who frequently visit hospitals do not receive active dermatological care. The aims of this study were to assess the cutaneous manifestations of patients undergoing HD and investigate changes in their QoL before and after active treatment by dermatologists. Methods: A 12-week prospective study was conducted in two HD centers. Patients in one center received dermatological intervention, while patients in the other center received conservative management by a nephrologist. Patients scored their QoL using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Skindex-29 at the start of the study and 12 weeks later. Two matched groups were formed using propensity score matching.Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify associations between dermatological treatment and the improvement in QoL. Results: In total, 120 patients were included, of whom 65 and 55 were in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Approximately 93.8% of the patients had dermatological manifestations, with pallor and xerosis being the most common. Improvement in QoL, as assessed using the DLQI, was confirmed after 12 weeks in the overall population. However, active intervention by a dermatologist did not significantly improve QoL. Conclusion Patients treated with dermatological intervention by a dermatologist did not achieve greater improvements in QoL than control patients. Therefore, careful assessment of skin issues in patients with ESKD should be undertaken by nephrologists, and the best possible treatment should be administered.

Background: The persistent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had direct and indirect effects on mortality, making it essential to analyze excess mortality to fully understand the impact of the pandemic. In this study, we constructed a mathematical model using number of deaths from Statistics Korea and analyzed excess mortality between 2020 and 2022 according to age, sex, and dominant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variant period. Methods: Number of all-cause deaths between 2010 and 2022 were obtained from the annual cause-of-death statistics provided by Statistics Korea. COVID-19 mortality data were acquired from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. A multivariate linear regression model with seasonal effect, stratified by sex and age, was used to estimate the number of deaths in the absence of COVID-19. The estimated excess mortality rate was calculated. Results: Excess mortality was not significant between January 2020 and October 2021.However, it started to increase monthly from November 2021 and reached its highest point during the omicron-dominant period. Specifically, in March and April 2022, during the omicron BA.1/BA.2-dominant period, the estimated median values for excess mortality were the highest at 17,634 and 11,379, respectively. Both COVID-19-related deaths and excess mortality increased with age. A notable increase in excess mortality was observed in individuals aged ≥ 65 years. In the context of excess mortality per 100,000 population based on the estimated median values in March 2022, the highest numbers were found among males and females aged ≥ 85 years at 1,048 and 910, respectively. Conclusion This study revealed that the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic coupled with its high transmissibility not only increased COVID-19-related deaths but also had a significant impact on overall mortality rates, especially in the elderly. Therefore, it is crucial to concentrate healthcare resources and services on the elderly and ensure continued access to healthcare services during pandemics. Establishing an excess mortality monitoring system in the early stages of a pandemic is necessary to understand the impact of infectious diseases on mortality and effectively evaluate pandemic response policies.

Purpose: Patients’ perception of fall risk is a promising new indicator for fall prevention. Therefore, a fall risk perception questionnaire that can be used rapidly and repeatedly in acute care settings is required. This study aimed to develop a short version of the fall risk perception questionnaire (Short-FRPQ) for inpatients. Methods: For the psychometric measurements, 246 inpatients were recruited from an acute care hospital. The construct (using confirmatory factor analysis and discriminant validity of each item), convergent, and known-group validities were tested to determine the validity of the Short-FRPQ. McDonald’s omega coefficient was used to examine the internal consistency of reliability. Results: In the confirmatory factor analysis, the fit indices of the Short-FRPQ, comprising 14 items and three factors, appeared to be satisfactory. The Short-FRPQ had a significantly positive correlation with the original scale, the Korean Falls Efficacy Scale-International, and the Morse Fall Scale. The risk of falls group, assessed using the Morse Fall Scale, had a higher score on the Short-FRPQ. McDonald’s omega coefficient was .90. Conclusion The Short-FRPQ presents good reliability and validity. As patient participation is essential in fall interventions, evaluating the fall risk perception of inpatients quickly and repeatedly using scales of acceptable validity and reliability is necessary.

Background: As an indicator of electro-mechanical coupling, electromechanical window (EMW) can be used to predict fatal ventricular arrhythmias. We investigated the additive effect of EMW on the prediction of fatal ventricular arrhythmias in high-risk patients. Methods: We included patients who had implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implanted for primary or secondary prevention. The event group was defined as those who received an appropriate ICD therapy. We acquired echocardiograms at ICD implantation and follow-up. The EMW was calculated as the difference between the interval from QRS onset to aortic valve closure and QT interval from the electrocardiogram embedded in the continuous wave doppler image. We evaluated the predictive value of EMW for predicting fatal ventricular arrhythmia. Results: Of 245 patients (67.2 ± 12.8 years, 63.7% men), the event group was 20.0%. EMW at baseline (EMW-Baseline) and follow-up (EMW-FU) was significantly different between event and control groups. After adjustment, both EMW-Baseline (odds ratio [OR]adjust 1.02 [1.01– 1.03], P = 0.004) and EMW-FU (ORadjust 1.06 [1.04–1.07], P < 0.001) remained as significant predictors for fatal arrhythmic events. Adding EMW-Baseline significantly improved the discriminating ability of the multivariable model including clinical variables (area under the curve [AUC] 0.77 [0.70–0.84] vs. AUC 0.72 [0.64–0.80], P = 0.004), while a univariable model using EMW-FU alone showed the best performance among models (AUC 0.87 [0.81– 0.94], P = 0.060 against model with clinical variables; P = 0.030 against model with clinical variables and EMW-Baseline). Conclusion The EMW could effectively predict severe ventricular arrhythmia in ICD implanted patients. This finding supports the importance of incorporating the electro-mechanical coupling index into the clinical practice for predicting future fatal arrhythmia events.