BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Isoflavones are estrogen-like compounds found in plants and their health effects remain equivocal. We investigated dietary isoflavone intake and its associated factors in Korean breast cancer survivors, with a comparison to cancer-free women. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The usual dietary intake of breast cancer survivors (n = 981, mean age 52 yrs) in 9 hospitals between 2012 and 2019 was assessed using 3-day food records or food frequency questionnaires (FFQs). They were age-matched to 2,943 cancer-free women who completed FFQs as part of a nationwide study conducted between 2012 and 2016. We used the flavonoid database of common Korean foods and the Phenol-Explorer database to estimate isoflavone intake. The contribution of each food or food group to the total isoflavone intake was calculated. The adjusted least-squares means of dietary isoflavone intake according to lifestyle and clinical factors were calculated using generalized linear models. RESULTS: Breast cancer survivors had a higher mean dietary isoflavone intake (23.59 mg/day) than cancer-free women (17.81 mg/day). Major food sources, including tofu, soybeans, and doenjang, contributed to over 70% of the isoflavone intake in both groups. When we estimated dietary isoflavone intake according to lifestyle characteristics, isoflavone intake increased with higher scores of adherence to the American Cancer Society dietary guidelines but decreased with increasing body mass index in both groups. Among cancer-free women, dietary isoflavone intake was higher among those who had never smoked and among dietary supplement users. Among breast cancer survivors, dietary isoflavone intakes did not vary with clinical characteristics, including time since surgery and estrogen receptor status. CONCLUSION Breast cancer survivors were more likely to consume isoflavones than agematched cancer-free women. Dietary isoflavone intake was associated with healthy lifestyle characteristics in women both with and without breast cancer. Further research is needed to understand the role of the higher isoflavone intake among breast cancer survivors compared to cancer-free women on their prognosis.

Background/Aims: Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disorder following non-specific triggers. Involvement of immune system is widely accepted for pathogenesis studies have demonstrated importance of gut microbiota in pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) are acid-suppressive drugs widely used for acid related gastrointestinal diseases, and prolonged use has been associated with altered gut microbiota. This study aimed to investigate association between psoriasis and acid suppressing drugs in Korean population. Methods: This study was conducted with 3,662 patients diagnosed with psoriasis between 2002 and 2013 in NHIS-NSC. A total of 14,648 controls were matched at 1:4 based on sex, age, and gastrointestinal disease. ORs were estimated to determine the association between acid suppressing drug use and psoriasis. Results: Our study found a statistically significant association between the prolonged use of acid-suppressive drugs and the development of psoriasis in the Korean population. Specifically, patients with gastrointestinal diseases who used histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RA) or proton pump inhibitors (PPI) for extended periods exhibited a higher risk of developing psoriasis. The adjusted odds ratio for psoriasis was 1.89 (95% CI, 1.66–2.17) with long-term use, indicating a clear dose-response relationship. Conclusions Results from our study indicate that prolonged use of H2RA or PPI is associated with the risk of psoriasis among patients with gastrointestinal diseases in Korean population. The risk was increased in dose-response trend after adjusting for confounding variables. Clinicians should be aware of risks associated with prolonged use of acid suppressing drugs.

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is characterized by immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens without clinical symptoms or evidence of active tuberculosis. Effective LTBI management is crucial for tuberculosis elimination, requiring accurate diagnosis and treatment. In South Korea, LTBI guidelines have been updated periodically, the latest being in 2024. This review discusses the recent changes in the Korean guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of LTBI in adults.

Purpose: Although some medications trigger the worsening of myasthenia gravis (MG), their clinical influence on patients with MG has not been significantly evaluated. We aimed to investigate whether the risk of clinical worsening of MG increases after administering cautionary drugs in patients with MG. Materials and Methods: This retrospective case-control study was based on the medical records of patients diagnosed with MG between 2007 and 2020. We analyzed the risk of MG worsening in patients exposed to cautionary drugs during the risk period, defined as 6 months from the first exposure to cautionary drugs. The risk of MG worsening in the exposed patients was compared to that in the non-exposed patients, who were individually matched in a 1:1 ratio with exposed cases for sex, age, thymoma, and autoantibodies. Results: Of the 2002 patients diagnosed with MG, 552 (27.6%) were exposed to cautionary drugs. Neuromuscular blocking agents (320 patients) and beta blockers (66123 person-days) were the most frequently prescribed medications. After exact matching, 220 exposed and 220 non-exposed patients were enrolled. The incidence rate of clinical worsening during the risk period was significantly higher in the exposed patients than in the non-exposed patients (odds ratio=4.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.88–8.90;p<0.001). Clinical worsening was observed in 31 (14.1%) of the exposed patients and in 8 (3.6%) of the non-exposed patients. Conclusion The administration of cautionary drugs increased the risk of clinical worsening in patients with MG. Clinicians should be aware of this risk when cautionary drugs need to be administered.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of declining surgical residency program enrollment on patient care and outcomes in colorectal cancer surgeries. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 676 patients (410 males; median age: 69 years) who underwent colorectal cancer surgery at Pusan National University Hospital between January 2018 and June 2024. Patients were divided into Group A (before December 31, 2023; with residents) and Group B (after January 1, 2024; without residents). All surgeries were performed by a single attending surgeon. Results: Preoperative variables were comparable between groups. Group A had more emergency and open surgeries, and a higher proportion of advanced-stage cancers. Overall complication rates were similar, but Group B had a longer hospital stay (9.72 days vs. 11.95 days). Specific complications such as anastomotic leakage and surgical site infections differed significantly. The overall number of surgical procedures declined markedly in 2024 compared to 2018 (77.1% vs. 49.9%). Conclusion The absence of residents did not increase overall complication rates but was associated with longer hospital stays and shifts in clinical practice. Greater reliance on attending surgeons contributed to more defensive decision-making and conservative patient management. Addressing these issues requires systemic reforms, including multidisciplinary collaboration and legal protections to improve surgical care.

Objectives: To evaluate changes in probing depth, bleeding on probing, and three-dimensional plaque distribution after using an interdental brush for three months. Methods: This was a split-mouth design, examiner-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Fifteen patients were randomly assigned to use an interdental brush between their maxillary left or right 1st and 2nd premolar. They were instructed not to use an interdental brush on the opposite side for three months. Probing depth, bleeding on probing, bleeding on using an interdental brush, gingival recession, and plaque distribution were assessed at baseline and after three months. Results: After using an interdental brush for three months, 4.26±15.16% of plaque on interdental surfaces decreased. Bleeding on probing and bleeding on using an interdental brush also decreased by 16.67% and 40%, respectively. The size of interdental areas increased by 0.16 mm when using an interdental brush. There were no statistically significant changes in probing depth or gingival recession. Conclusions An interdental brush is an effective interdental cleaning aid that reduces interdental plaque and decreases inflammation of interdental soft tissues.

Background: With growing elderly populations, management of patients with acute stroke is increasingly important. In South Korea, the Acute Stroke Quality Assessment Program (ASQAP) has contributed to improving the quality of stroke care and practice behavior in healthcare institutions. While the mortality of hemorrhagic stroke remains high, there are only a few assessment indices associated with hemorrhagic stroke. Considering the need to develop assessment indices to improve the actual quality of care in the field of acute stroke treatment, this study aims to investigate the current status of human resources and practices related to the treatment of patients with acute stroke through a nationwide survey. Methods: For the healthcare institutions included in the Ninth ASQAP of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), data from January 2022 to December 2022 were collected through a survey on the current status and practice of healthcare providers related to the treatment of patients with acute stroke. The questionnaire consisted of 19 items, including six items on healthcare providers involved in stroke care and 10 items on the care of patients with acute stroke. Results: In the treatment of patients with hemorrhagic stroke among patients with acute stroke, neurosurgeons were the most common providers. The contribution of neurosurgeons in the treatment of ischemic stroke has also been found to be equivalent to that of neurologists. However, a number of institutions were found to be devoid of healthcare providers who perform definitive treatments, such as intra-arterial thrombectomy for patients with ischemic stroke or cerebral aneurysm clipping for subarachnoid hemorrhage. The intensity of the workload of healthcare providers involved in the care of patients with acute stroke, especially those involved in definitive treatment, was also found to be quite high. Conclusion Currently, there are almost no assessment indices specific to hemorrhagic stroke in the ASQAP for acute stroke. Furthermore, it does not reflect the reality of the healthcare providers and practices that provide definitive treatment for acute stroke. The findings of this study suggest the need for the development of appropriate assessment indices that reflect the realities of acute stroke care.

Objectives: To evaluate changes in probing depth, bleeding on probing, and three-dimensional plaque distribution after using an interdental brush for three months. Methods: This was a split-mouth design, examiner-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Fifteen patients were randomly assigned to use an interdental brush between their maxillary left or right 1st and 2nd premolar. They were instructed not to use an interdental brush on the opposite side for three months. Probing depth, bleeding on probing, bleeding on using an interdental brush, gingival recession, and plaque distribution were assessed at baseline and after three months. Results: After using an interdental brush for three months, 4.26±15.16% of plaque on interdental surfaces decreased. Bleeding on probing and bleeding on using an interdental brush also decreased by 16.67% and 40%, respectively. The size of interdental areas increased by 0.16 mm when using an interdental brush. There were no statistically significant changes in probing depth or gingival recession. Conclusions An interdental brush is an effective interdental cleaning aid that reduces interdental plaque and decreases inflammation of interdental soft tissues.

Background: With growing elderly populations, management of patients with acute stroke is increasingly important. In South Korea, the Acute Stroke Quality Assessment Program (ASQAP) has contributed to improving the quality of stroke care and practice behavior in healthcare institutions. While the mortality of hemorrhagic stroke remains high, there are only a few assessment indices associated with hemorrhagic stroke. Considering the need to develop assessment indices to improve the actual quality of care in the field of acute stroke treatment, this study aims to investigate the current status of human resources and practices related to the treatment of patients with acute stroke through a nationwide survey. Methods: For the healthcare institutions included in the Ninth ASQAP of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), data from January 2022 to December 2022 were collected through a survey on the current status and practice of healthcare providers related to the treatment of patients with acute stroke. The questionnaire consisted of 19 items, including six items on healthcare providers involved in stroke care and 10 items on the care of patients with acute stroke. Results: In the treatment of patients with hemorrhagic stroke among patients with acute stroke, neurosurgeons were the most common providers. The contribution of neurosurgeons in the treatment of ischemic stroke has also been found to be equivalent to that of neurologists. However, a number of institutions were found to be devoid of healthcare providers who perform definitive treatments, such as intra-arterial thrombectomy for patients with ischemic stroke or cerebral aneurysm clipping for subarachnoid hemorrhage. The intensity of the workload of healthcare providers involved in the care of patients with acute stroke, especially those involved in definitive treatment, was also found to be quite high. Conclusion Currently, there are almost no assessment indices specific to hemorrhagic stroke in the ASQAP for acute stroke. Furthermore, it does not reflect the reality of the healthcare providers and practices that provide definitive treatment for acute stroke. The findings of this study suggest the need for the development of appropriate assessment indices that reflect the realities of acute stroke care.