Background: The mortality of sepsis without direct drugs is high. The association between prediabetes, based on a single fasting glucose (FG), or long-term type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and sepsis remains unclear. Methods: Of the adults aged ≥20 years who were included in the National Health Screening Program (NHSP) in 2009, 40% were randomly sampled. After excluding patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, with missing information, and who were diagnosed with sepsis during the wash-out (between 2001 and the NHSP) or 1-year lag period, a cohort comprised of 3,863,323 examinees. Body mass index (BMI) measurements, FG tests, and self-reported questionnaires on health-related behaviors were conducted. Individual information was followed up until 2020 and censored upon the first occurrence of sepsis or death. The incidence of sepsis was compared using a multivariable regression adjusted for age, sex, income, BMI, smoking, drinking, physical activity levels, and chronic diseases. Results: The cohort was divided into those with normal FG (n=2,675,476), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (n=890,402, 23.0%), T2DM <5 years (n=212,391, 5.5%), or T2DM for ≥5 years (n=85,054, 2.2%). The groups with IFG (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.05), T2DM <5 years (aHR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.40 to 1.47), and T2DM for ≥5 years (aHR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.77 to 1.87) exhibited significantly higher incidence of sepsis (P<0.001), with the greatest risk in patients with T2DM aged <40 years (aHR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.71 to 2.25). Conclusion Patients with long-standing and young-onset T2DM show a substantially high risk of sepsis, emphasizing the need for infection prevention and vaccination.

Background: The mortality of sepsis without direct drugs is high. The association between prediabetes, based on a single fasting glucose (FG), or long-term type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and sepsis remains unclear. Methods: Of the adults aged ≥20 years who were included in the National Health Screening Program (NHSP) in 2009, 40% were randomly sampled. After excluding patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, with missing information, and who were diagnosed with sepsis during the wash-out (between 2001 and the NHSP) or 1-year lag period, a cohort comprised of 3,863,323 examinees. Body mass index (BMI) measurements, FG tests, and self-reported questionnaires on health-related behaviors were conducted. Individual information was followed up until 2020 and censored upon the first occurrence of sepsis or death. The incidence of sepsis was compared using a multivariable regression adjusted for age, sex, income, BMI, smoking, drinking, physical activity levels, and chronic diseases. Results: The cohort was divided into those with normal FG (n=2,675,476), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (n=890,402, 23.0%), T2DM <5 years (n=212,391, 5.5%), or T2DM for ≥5 years (n=85,054, 2.2%). The groups with IFG (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.05), T2DM <5 years (aHR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.40 to 1.47), and T2DM for ≥5 years (aHR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.77 to 1.87) exhibited significantly higher incidence of sepsis (P<0.001), with the greatest risk in patients with T2DM aged <40 years (aHR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.71 to 2.25). Conclusion Patients with long-standing and young-onset T2DM show a substantially high risk of sepsis, emphasizing the need for infection prevention and vaccination.

Background: The mortality of sepsis without direct drugs is high. The association between prediabetes, based on a single fasting glucose (FG), or long-term type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and sepsis remains unclear. Methods: Of the adults aged ≥20 years who were included in the National Health Screening Program (NHSP) in 2009, 40% were randomly sampled. After excluding patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, with missing information, and who were diagnosed with sepsis during the wash-out (between 2001 and the NHSP) or 1-year lag period, a cohort comprised of 3,863,323 examinees. Body mass index (BMI) measurements, FG tests, and self-reported questionnaires on health-related behaviors were conducted. Individual information was followed up until 2020 and censored upon the first occurrence of sepsis or death. The incidence of sepsis was compared using a multivariable regression adjusted for age, sex, income, BMI, smoking, drinking, physical activity levels, and chronic diseases. Results: The cohort was divided into those with normal FG (n=2,675,476), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (n=890,402, 23.0%), T2DM <5 years (n=212,391, 5.5%), or T2DM for ≥5 years (n=85,054, 2.2%). The groups with IFG (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.05), T2DM <5 years (aHR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.40 to 1.47), and T2DM for ≥5 years (aHR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.77 to 1.87) exhibited significantly higher incidence of sepsis (P<0.001), with the greatest risk in patients with T2DM aged <40 years (aHR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.71 to 2.25). Conclusion Patients with long-standing and young-onset T2DM show a substantially high risk of sepsis, emphasizing the need for infection prevention and vaccination.

Background: The mortality of sepsis without direct drugs is high. The association between prediabetes, based on a single fasting glucose (FG), or long-term type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and sepsis remains unclear. Methods: Of the adults aged ≥20 years who were included in the National Health Screening Program (NHSP) in 2009, 40% were randomly sampled. After excluding patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, with missing information, and who were diagnosed with sepsis during the wash-out (between 2001 and the NHSP) or 1-year lag period, a cohort comprised of 3,863,323 examinees. Body mass index (BMI) measurements, FG tests, and self-reported questionnaires on health-related behaviors were conducted. Individual information was followed up until 2020 and censored upon the first occurrence of sepsis or death. The incidence of sepsis was compared using a multivariable regression adjusted for age, sex, income, BMI, smoking, drinking, physical activity levels, and chronic diseases. Results: The cohort was divided into those with normal FG (n=2,675,476), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (n=890,402, 23.0%), T2DM <5 years (n=212,391, 5.5%), or T2DM for ≥5 years (n=85,054, 2.2%). The groups with IFG (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.05), T2DM <5 years (aHR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.40 to 1.47), and T2DM for ≥5 years (aHR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.77 to 1.87) exhibited significantly higher incidence of sepsis (P<0.001), with the greatest risk in patients with T2DM aged <40 years (aHR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.71 to 2.25). Conclusion Patients with long-standing and young-onset T2DM show a substantially high risk of sepsis, emphasizing the need for infection prevention and vaccination.

Beginning in March 2026, South Korea will implement the Community Care Integration Act to establish a nationwide system linking healthcare, long-term care, and social services—particularly for the elderly, who face high risks from chronic diseases and polypharmacy. Although the Act formally acknowledges pharmacists’ roles in integrated care (Article 15, Clause 7), their participation remains limited and their clinical expertise underutilized. This study investigates strategies to enhance the integration of pharmacists into South Korea’s community care system by analyzing pharmacist-led medication management services in Australia. Australia has developed a robust healthcare and medication safety framework through national and state-level agencies (e.g., Home Medicines Review (HMR), and Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR)). These services improve medication safety and adherence through structured medication reviews and interdisciplinary collaboration. In contrast, pharmacist-led services in Korea remain fragmented and are not yet systematically embedded within the integrated care infrastructure, despite a series of pilot initiatives since2018 aimed at managing polypharmacy in both hospital and community settings. These pilots, however, offer a foundational plat-form for national-scale adoption. Based on the Australia’s experience, this paper recommends establishment standardized medicationreview protocols, expanding pharmacist roles services within interdisciplinary teams, and provision of financial and institutionalsupport to ensure sustainable implementation. Deploying clinically trained pharmacists in community settings will be critical to safeguarding medication use and advancing person-centered care for Korea’s aging population.

Background: Body weight variability is associated with health status, lifestyle, and chronic diseases. However, there is limited evidence of its association with mortality in young adults. This study aimed to explore the impact of body weight variability on all-cause and cause-specific mortality risks among young adults in South Korea. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 1,771,152 young adults aged 20–39 years who underwent health examinations provided by the Korean National Health Insurance Service between 2009 and 2010 and were followed up until 2021. Body weight variability was assessed using the variability independent of mean (VIM). The association between VIM quartiles in terms of body weight and mortality was analyzed using a Cox regression model. Results: During a mean follow-up period of 10.8 years, 11,708 all-cause deaths occurred. Compared to the lowest VIM quartile (Q1) group, the all-cause mortality risk was 1.07 times higher in the Q3 group (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.13) and 1.20 times higher in the Q4 group (95% CI, 1.14– 1.26). The all-cause mortality risk increased with higher VIM quartiles. Higher body weight variability has also been associated with mortality from suicide, gastrointestinal diseases, and endocrine diseases. These associations persisted across subgroups categorized by sex, weight change, and body mass index. Conclusion This large-scale nationwide cohort study indicates that higher body weight variability in young adults may elevate the risk of all-cause mortality, mortality from suicide, and gastrointestinal and endocrine diseases. These findings underscore the importance of maintaining stable body weight in young adults.

Background: Body weight variability is associated with health status, lifestyle, and chronic diseases. However, there is limited evidence of its association with mortality in young adults. This study aimed to explore the impact of body weight variability on all-cause and cause-specific mortality risks among young adults in South Korea. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 1,771,152 young adults aged 20–39 years who underwent health examinations provided by the Korean National Health Insurance Service between 2009 and 2010 and were followed up until 2021. Body weight variability was assessed using the variability independent of mean (VIM). The association between VIM quartiles in terms of body weight and mortality was analyzed using a Cox regression model. Results: During a mean follow-up period of 10.8 years, 11,708 all-cause deaths occurred. Compared to the lowest VIM quartile (Q1) group, the all-cause mortality risk was 1.07 times higher in the Q3 group (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.13) and 1.20 times higher in the Q4 group (95% CI, 1.14– 1.26). The all-cause mortality risk increased with higher VIM quartiles. Higher body weight variability has also been associated with mortality from suicide, gastrointestinal diseases, and endocrine diseases. These associations persisted across subgroups categorized by sex, weight change, and body mass index. Conclusion This large-scale nationwide cohort study indicates that higher body weight variability in young adults may elevate the risk of all-cause mortality, mortality from suicide, and gastrointestinal and endocrine diseases. These findings underscore the importance of maintaining stable body weight in young adults.

Background: Body weight variability is associated with health status, lifestyle, and chronic diseases. However, there is limited evidence of its association with mortality in young adults. This study aimed to explore the impact of body weight variability on all-cause and cause-specific mortality risks among young adults in South Korea. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 1,771,152 young adults aged 20–39 years who underwent health examinations provided by the Korean National Health Insurance Service between 2009 and 2010 and were followed up until 2021. Body weight variability was assessed using the variability independent of mean (VIM). The association between VIM quartiles in terms of body weight and mortality was analyzed using a Cox regression model. Results: During a mean follow-up period of 10.8 years, 11,708 all-cause deaths occurred. Compared to the lowest VIM quartile (Q1) group, the all-cause mortality risk was 1.07 times higher in the Q3 group (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.13) and 1.20 times higher in the Q4 group (95% CI, 1.14– 1.26). The all-cause mortality risk increased with higher VIM quartiles. Higher body weight variability has also been associated with mortality from suicide, gastrointestinal diseases, and endocrine diseases. These associations persisted across subgroups categorized by sex, weight change, and body mass index. Conclusion This large-scale nationwide cohort study indicates that higher body weight variability in young adults may elevate the risk of all-cause mortality, mortality from suicide, and gastrointestinal and endocrine diseases. These findings underscore the importance of maintaining stable body weight in young adults.

Background: Body weight variability is associated with health status, lifestyle, and chronic diseases. However, there is limited evidence of its association with mortality in young adults. This study aimed to explore the impact of body weight variability on all-cause and cause-specific mortality risks among young adults in South Korea. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 1,771,152 young adults aged 20–39 years who underwent health examinations provided by the Korean National Health Insurance Service between 2009 and 2010 and were followed up until 2021. Body weight variability was assessed using the variability independent of mean (VIM). The association between VIM quartiles in terms of body weight and mortality was analyzed using a Cox regression model. Results: During a mean follow-up period of 10.8 years, 11,708 all-cause deaths occurred. Compared to the lowest VIM quartile (Q1) group, the all-cause mortality risk was 1.07 times higher in the Q3 group (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.13) and 1.20 times higher in the Q4 group (95% CI, 1.14– 1.26). The all-cause mortality risk increased with higher VIM quartiles. Higher body weight variability has also been associated with mortality from suicide, gastrointestinal diseases, and endocrine diseases. These associations persisted across subgroups categorized by sex, weight change, and body mass index. Conclusion This large-scale nationwide cohort study indicates that higher body weight variability in young adults may elevate the risk of all-cause mortality, mortality from suicide, and gastrointestinal and endocrine diseases. These findings underscore the importance of maintaining stable body weight in young adults.