Korea has undergone rapid transformation, achieving significant advancements in both economic development and social security. Notably, the country achieved universal health coverage within a remarkably short period, representing a significant institutional milestone in healthcare. However, the healthcare system faces substantial challenges due to limited resources, a reliance on private healthcare providers, and a rapidly aging population which threatens its sustainability. Various efforts have been made to strengthen Korea’s primary care environment. This study aims to examine the multifaceted healthcare landscape surrounding primary care in Korea, analyze associated systems to identify institutional limitations, and propose strategies to enhance primary care in the future. Additionally, it seeks to raise awareness of the current state of primary care in Korea and serves as an example for other countries striving to improve their primary care systems. Furthermore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of key data sources relevant to primary care research in Korea, such as the National Health Insurance Service claims data and the Korea Health Panel Survey. It also outlines practical research methodologies—from epidemiological studies to policy analyses—serving as a valuable reference for both domestic and international scholars seeking to enhance primary care systems.

Korea has undergone rapid transformation, achieving significant advancements in both economic development and social security. Notably, the country achieved universal health coverage within a remarkably short period, representing a significant institutional milestone in healthcare. However, the healthcare system faces substantial challenges due to limited resources, a reliance on private healthcare providers, and a rapidly aging population which threatens its sustainability. Various efforts have been made to strengthen Korea’s primary care environment. This study aims to examine the multifaceted healthcare landscape surrounding primary care in Korea, analyze associated systems to identify institutional limitations, and propose strategies to enhance primary care in the future. Additionally, it seeks to raise awareness of the current state of primary care in Korea and serves as an example for other countries striving to improve their primary care systems. Furthermore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of key data sources relevant to primary care research in Korea, such as the National Health Insurance Service claims data and the Korea Health Panel Survey. It also outlines practical research methodologies—from epidemiological studies to policy analyses—serving as a valuable reference for both domestic and international scholars seeking to enhance primary care systems.

Korea has undergone rapid transformation, achieving significant advancements in both economic development and social security. Notably, the country achieved universal health coverage within a remarkably short period, representing a significant institutional milestone in healthcare. However, the healthcare system faces substantial challenges due to limited resources, a reliance on private healthcare providers, and a rapidly aging population which threatens its sustainability. Various efforts have been made to strengthen Korea’s primary care environment. This study aims to examine the multifaceted healthcare landscape surrounding primary care in Korea, analyze associated systems to identify institutional limitations, and propose strategies to enhance primary care in the future. Additionally, it seeks to raise awareness of the current state of primary care in Korea and serves as an example for other countries striving to improve their primary care systems. Furthermore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of key data sources relevant to primary care research in Korea, such as the National Health Insurance Service claims data and the Korea Health Panel Survey. It also outlines practical research methodologies—from epidemiological studies to policy analyses—serving as a valuable reference for both domestic and international scholars seeking to enhance primary care systems.

Korea has undergone rapid transformation, achieving significant advancements in both economic development and social security. Notably, the country achieved universal health coverage within a remarkably short period, representing a significant institutional milestone in healthcare. However, the healthcare system faces substantial challenges due to limited resources, a reliance on private healthcare providers, and a rapidly aging population which threatens its sustainability. Various efforts have been made to strengthen Korea’s primary care environment. This study aims to examine the multifaceted healthcare landscape surrounding primary care in Korea, analyze associated systems to identify institutional limitations, and propose strategies to enhance primary care in the future. Additionally, it seeks to raise awareness of the current state of primary care in Korea and serves as an example for other countries striving to improve their primary care systems. Furthermore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of key data sources relevant to primary care research in Korea, such as the National Health Insurance Service claims data and the Korea Health Panel Survey. It also outlines practical research methodologies—from epidemiological studies to policy analyses—serving as a valuable reference for both domestic and international scholars seeking to enhance primary care systems.

Diagnosing the current health status and disease burden in a population is crucial for public health interventions. The ability to compare the burden of different diseases through a single measure, such as disability-adjusted life years has become feasible and continues to be produced and updated through the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) study. However, the disease burden values of the GBD study do not accurately reflect the unique situation in a specific country with various circumstances. In response, the Korean National Burden of Disease (KNBD) study was conducted to estimate the disease burden in Koreans by considering Korea’s cultural context and utilizing the available data sources at the national level. Both studies identified non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes mellitus (DM), as the primary cause of disease burden among Koreans. However, the extent of public health interventions currently being conducted by the central and local governments does not align with the severity of the disease burden. This review suggests that despite the high burden of DM in South Korea, the current policies may not fully address its impact, underscoring the need for expanded chronic disease management programs and a shift towards prevention-focused healthcare paradigms.

Background: Atherogenic dyslipidemia, which is frequently associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and insulin resistance, contributes to the development of vascular complications. Statin therapy is the primary approach to dyslipidemia management in T2D, however, the role of non-statin therapy remains unclear. Ezetimibe reduces cholesterol burden by inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption. Fibrates lower triglyceride levels and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels via peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor alpha agonism. Therefore, when combined, these drugs effectively lower non-HDL-C levels. Despite this, few clinical trials have specifically targeted non-HDL-C, and the efficacy of triple combination therapies, including statins, ezetimibe, and fibrates, has yet to be determined. Methods: This is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, active-comparator controlled trial involving 3,958 eligible participants with T2D, cardiovascular risk factors, and elevated non-HDL-C (≥100 mg/dL). Participants, already on moderate-intensity statins, will be randomly assigned to either Ezefeno (ezetimibe/fenofibrate) addition or statin dose-escalation. The primary end point is the development of a composite of major adverse cardiovascular and diabetic microvascular events over 48 months. Conclusion This trial aims to assess whether combining statins, ezetimibe, and fenofibrate is as effective as, or possibly superior to, statin monotherapy intensification in lowering cardiovascular and microvascular disease risk for patients with T2D. This could propose a novel therapeutic approach for managing dyslipidemia in T2D.

Background: Health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) is an indicator of the average lifespan in good health. Through this study, we aimed to identify regional disparities in the gap between HALE and life expectancy, considering the trends that have changed over time in Korea. Methods: We employed a group-based multi-trajectory modeling approach to capture trends in the gap between HALE and life expectancy at the regional level from 2008 to 2019. HALE was calculated using incidence-based “years lived with disability.” This methodology was also employed in the Korean National Burden of Disease Study. Results: Based on five different information criteria, the most fitted number of trajectory groups was seven, with at least 11 regions in each group. Among the seven groups, one had an exceptionally large gap between HALE and life expectancy compared to that of the others.This group was assigned to 17 regions, of which six were metropolitan cities. Conclusion Based on the results of this study, we identified regions in which health levels have deteriorated over time, particularly within specific areas of metropolitan cities. These findings can be used to design comprehensive policy interventions for community health promotion and urban regeneration projects in the future.

Background: Positron emission tomography (PET) viability scan is used to determine whether patients with a myocardial scar on single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) may need revascularization. However, the clinical utility of revascularization decision-making guided by PET viability imaging has not been proven yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of PET to determine revascularization on clinical outcomes. Methods: Between September 2012 and May 2021, 53 patients (37 males; mean age = 64 ± 11 years) with a myocardial scar on MIBI SPECT who underwent PET viability test were analyzed in this study. The primary outcome was a temporal change in echocardiographic findings.The secondary outcome was all-cause mortality. Results: Viable myocardium was presented by PET imaging in 29 (54.7%) patients.Revascularization was performed in 26 (49.1%) patients, including 18 (34.0%) with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and 8 (15.1%) with coronary artery bypass grafting.There were significant improvements in echocardiographic findings in the revascularization group and the viable myocardium group. All-cause mortality was significantly lower in the revascularization group than in the medical therapy-alone group (19.2% vs. 44.4%, log-rank P = 0.002) irrespective of viable (21.4% vs. 46.7%, log-rank P = 0.025) or non-viable myocardium (16.7% vs. 41.7%, log-rank P = 0.046). All-cause mortality was significantly lower in the PCI group than in the medical therapy-alone group (11.1% vs. 44.4%, log-rank P < 0.001). Conclusion Revascularization improved left ventricular systolic function and survival of patients with a myocardial scar on SPECT scans, irrespective of myocardial viability on PET scans.

Gout is the most common form of arthritis, with the prevalence increasing worldwide. The present treatment guidelines provide recommendations for the appropriate treatment of acute gout, management during the inter-critical period, and prevention of chronic complications. The guidelines were developed based on evidence-based medicine and draft recommendations finalized after expert consensus. These guidelines are designed to provide clinicians with clinical evidence to enable efficient treatment of gout.

Gout is the most common form of arthritis, with the prevalence increasing worldwide. The present treatment guidelines provide recommendations for the appropriate treatment of acute gout, management during the inter-critical period, and prevention of chronic complications. The guidelines were developed based on evidence-based medicine and draft recommendations finalized after expert consensus. These guidelines are designed to provide clinicians with clinical evidence to enable efficient treatment of gout.