This study aimed to establish infection control strategies for preventing the spread of scabies within a single institution by analyzing the epidemiological characteristics of patients diagnosed with scabies. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study. The electronic medical records of 430 patients diagnosed with scabies at the dermatology outpatient department of Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were used to collect data on their characteristics. The subjects were divided into three groups: patients, family of confirmed patients, and healthcare workers. General and epidemiological characteristics were analyzed. Results: The average age was 60.89 ± 22.39 years. The number of days from symptom onset to diagnosis was unknown in many cases (65.3%), although the average was 63.42 ± 64.18 days. Repeated visits after treatment were observed in 193 patients (67.5%), 38 family members of confirmed patients (55.1%), and 35 healthcare workers (46.7%), showing a statistically significant difference (p = .002). The most common place of residence before the visit was home (56.2%), and the most common suspected origin of contagion was the home (38.3%), and the most common category of the suspected contagious person was family (49.6%). Conclusion: Cases of scabies were disproportionately common in women and older adults. The interval from symptom onset to diagnosis was long, and about half of the cases involved itching but no skin lesions. More than one-thirds of cases did not revisit for a follow-up after 2 weeks. In the overall results, unlike previous studies, factors related to home and family were frequently observed as epidemiological characteristics.

This study aimed to establish infection control strategies for preventing the spread of scabies within a single institution by analyzing the epidemiological characteristics of patients diagnosed with scabies. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study. The electronic medical records of 430 patients diagnosed with scabies at the dermatology outpatient department of Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were used to collect data on their characteristics. The subjects were divided into three groups: patients, family of confirmed patients, and healthcare workers. General and epidemiological characteristics were analyzed. Results: The average age was 60.89 ± 22.39 years. The number of days from symptom onset to diagnosis was unknown in many cases (65.3%), although the average was 63.42 ± 64.18 days. Repeated visits after treatment were observed in 193 patients (67.5%), 38 family members of confirmed patients (55.1%), and 35 healthcare workers (46.7%), showing a statistically significant difference (p = .002). The most common place of residence before the visit was home (56.2%), and the most common suspected origin of contagion was the home (38.3%), and the most common category of the suspected contagious person was family (49.6%). Conclusion: Cases of scabies were disproportionately common in women and older adults. The interval from symptom onset to diagnosis was long, and about half of the cases involved itching but no skin lesions. More than one-thirds of cases did not revisit for a follow-up after 2 weeks. In the overall results, unlike previous studies, factors related to home and family were frequently observed as epidemiological characteristics.

This study aimed to establish infection control strategies for preventing the spread of scabies within a single institution by analyzing the epidemiological characteristics of patients diagnosed with scabies. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study. The electronic medical records of 430 patients diagnosed with scabies at the dermatology outpatient department of Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were used to collect data on their characteristics. The subjects were divided into three groups: patients, family of confirmed patients, and healthcare workers. General and epidemiological characteristics were analyzed. Results: The average age was 60.89 ± 22.39 years. The number of days from symptom onset to diagnosis was unknown in many cases (65.3%), although the average was 63.42 ± 64.18 days. Repeated visits after treatment were observed in 193 patients (67.5%), 38 family members of confirmed patients (55.1%), and 35 healthcare workers (46.7%), showing a statistically significant difference (p = .002). The most common place of residence before the visit was home (56.2%), and the most common suspected origin of contagion was the home (38.3%), and the most common category of the suspected contagious person was family (49.6%). Conclusion: Cases of scabies were disproportionately common in women and older adults. The interval from symptom onset to diagnosis was long, and about half of the cases involved itching but no skin lesions. More than one-thirds of cases did not revisit for a follow-up after 2 weeks. In the overall results, unlike previous studies, factors related to home and family were frequently observed as epidemiological characteristics.

This study aimed to establish infection control strategies for preventing the spread of scabies within a single institution by analyzing the epidemiological characteristics of patients diagnosed with scabies. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study. The electronic medical records of 430 patients diagnosed with scabies at the dermatology outpatient department of Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were used to collect data on their characteristics. The subjects were divided into three groups: patients, family of confirmed patients, and healthcare workers. General and epidemiological characteristics were analyzed. Results: The average age was 60.89 ± 22.39 years. The number of days from symptom onset to diagnosis was unknown in many cases (65.3%), although the average was 63.42 ± 64.18 days. Repeated visits after treatment were observed in 193 patients (67.5%), 38 family members of confirmed patients (55.1%), and 35 healthcare workers (46.7%), showing a statistically significant difference (p = .002). The most common place of residence before the visit was home (56.2%), and the most common suspected origin of contagion was the home (38.3%), and the most common category of the suspected contagious person was family (49.6%). Conclusion: Cases of scabies were disproportionately common in women and older adults. The interval from symptom onset to diagnosis was long, and about half of the cases involved itching but no skin lesions. More than one-thirds of cases did not revisit for a follow-up after 2 weeks. In the overall results, unlike previous studies, factors related to home and family were frequently observed as epidemiological characteristics.

Background: We aimed to examine the prevalence of burnout among imaging cardiologists in Korea and to identify its associated factors. Methods: An online survey of imaging cardiologists affiliated with university hospitals in Korea was conducted using SurveyMonkey ® in November 2023. The validated Korean version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey was used to assess burnout across three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment. Data on demographics, work environment factors, and job satisfaction were collected using structured questionnaires. Results: A total of 128 imaging cardiologists (46.1% men; 76.6% aged ≤ 50 years) participated in the survey. Regarding workload, 74.2% of the respondents interpreted over 50 echocardiographic examinations daily, and 53.2% allocated > 5 of 10 working sessions per week to echocardiographic laboratory duties. Burnout levels were high, with a significant proportion of participants experiencing emotional exhaustion (28.1%), depersonalization (63.3%), and a lack of personal accomplishment (92.2%). Younger age (< 50 years) was correlated with higher emotional exhaustion risk, while more research time was protective against burnout in the depersonalization domain. Factors, such as being single, living with family, and specific job satisfaction facets, including uncontrollable workload and value mismatch, were associated with varying levels of burnout risk across different dimensions Conclusion Our study underscores the high burnout rates among Korean imaging cardiologists, attributed to factors such as the subjective environment and job satisfaction.Hence, evaluating and supporting cardiologists in terms of individual values and subjective factors are important to effectively prevent burnout..

Purpose: To define an MRI scoring system for differentiating xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) from wall-thickening type gallbladder cancer (GBC) and compare the diagnostic performance of the scoring system with the visual assessment of radiologists. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 23 and 35 patients who underwent abdominal MRI and were pathologically diagnosed with XGC and wall-thickening-type GBC after surgery, respectively. Three radiologists reviewed all MRI findings. We defined a scoring system using these MRI findings for differentiating XGC from wall-thickening type GBC and compared the area under the curve (AUC) of the scoring system with the visual assessment of radiologists. Results: Nine MRI findings showed significant differences in differentiating the two diseases: diffuse gallbladder wall thickening (p < 0.001), mucosal uniformity (p = 0.002), intramural T2-high signal intensity (p < 0.001), mucosal retraction (p = 0.016), gallbladder stones (p < 0.001), T1-intermediate to high-signal intensity (p = 0.033), diffusion restriction (p = 0.005), enhancement pattern (p < 0.001), and phase of peak enhancement (p = 0.008). The MRI scoring system showed excellent diagnostic performance with an AUC of 0.972, which was significantly higher than the visual assessment of the reviewers. Conclusion The MRI scoring system showed better diagnostic performance than the visual assessment of radiologists to differentiate XGC from wall-thickening-type GBC.

Background: We aimed to examine the prevalence of burnout among imaging cardiologists in Korea and to identify its associated factors. Methods: An online survey of imaging cardiologists affiliated with university hospitals in Korea was conducted using SurveyMonkey ® in November 2023. The validated Korean version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey was used to assess burnout across three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment. Data on demographics, work environment factors, and job satisfaction were collected using structured questionnaires. Results: A total of 128 imaging cardiologists (46.1% men; 76.6% aged ≤ 50 years) participated in the survey. Regarding workload, 74.2% of the respondents interpreted over 50 echocardiographic examinations daily, and 53.2% allocated > 5 of 10 working sessions per week to echocardiographic laboratory duties. Burnout levels were high, with a significant proportion of participants experiencing emotional exhaustion (28.1%), depersonalization (63.3%), and a lack of personal accomplishment (92.2%). Younger age (< 50 years) was correlated with higher emotional exhaustion risk, while more research time was protective against burnout in the depersonalization domain. Factors, such as being single, living with family, and specific job satisfaction facets, including uncontrollable workload and value mismatch, were associated with varying levels of burnout risk across different dimensions Conclusion Our study underscores the high burnout rates among Korean imaging cardiologists, attributed to factors such as the subjective environment and job satisfaction.Hence, evaluating and supporting cardiologists in terms of individual values and subjective factors are important to effectively prevent burnout..

Purpose: This study assessed the use of liver stiffness (LS) and dispersion slope (DS) in classifying patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) by the necessity of antiviral treatment. Methods: A retrospective review examined 249 patients with CHB (male:female, 107:142; mean age, 53±14 years) between April 2018 and March 2022. Patients for whom treatment was indicated, termed group 1, exhibited either serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase levels not exceeding five times the upper limit of normal and LS >13 kPa, or hepatitis B virus DNA >2,000 IU/mL and ALT >40 IU/L. The remaining patients comprised group 2 (treatment not required). In subgroup analysis, patients with LS <13 kPa were further examined. Results: Overall, group 1 exhibited significantly higher LS (12.64±6.76 vs. 6.31±1.67 kPa, P<0.001) and DS (15.52±4.95 vs. 11.04±1.93 [m/s]/kHz, P<0.001) than group 2. In subgroup analysis, group 1 also demonstrated significantly higher values (LS: 8.05±2.12 vs 6.31±1.67 kPa, P<0.001, DS: 13.06±2.75 vs. 11.04±1.93 [m/s]/kHz, P<0.001). The areas under the curve (AUCs) for LS and DS in group 1 were 0.855 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 0.90; P<0.001) and 0.810 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.86; P<0.001), respectively. In subgroup analysis, the AUCs for LS and DS in group 1 were 0.751 (95% CI, 0.69 to 0.81; P<0.001) and 0.711 (95% CI, 0.64 to 0.77; P<0.001), respectively. Within group 1, the AUCs for LS and DS did not differ significantly (P>0.05). Conclusion LS and DS assist in classifying patients with CHB by their need for antiviral treatment.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a viral hemorrhagic disease prevalent in Asian countries with a fatality rate of approximately 10% to 30%. However, there are currently no definitive treatments for reducing mortality. Variable management strategies have been attempted to reduce the mortality rate associated with SFTS. Tocilizumab is an inhibitor of interleukin-6 and is used to treat rheumatologic and viral infectious diseases. This article presents two cases of SFTS in older patients with neurological symptoms and explores the potential use of tocilizumab, as a treatment option. The patient showed improved consciousness and clinical outcomes after tocilizumab administration. This report describes this condition and reviews related literature.

Background: The relationship between sinus node dysfunction and atrial fibrillation (AF) has been well known. The reversibility of sinus node dysfunction is indeed a critical factor in determining the treatment strategy in patients with tachycardia–bradycardia syndrome (TBS). We aimed to assess the clinical outcome of choosing catheter abla‑ tion as the initial treatment in tachycardia–bradycardia syndrome and predictive factors leading to the implantation of a permanent pacemaker (PPM) in these patients. Methods: Patients with TBS who had been taken AF catheter ablation from 2012 to 2021 were reviewed, and 113 patients were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether a “sinus pause episode of more than 3 s unrelated to tachyarrhythmia” coexists (Group I, n = 20) or not (Group II, n = 93). Results: Compared to Group II, baseline characteristics showed that Group I was comprised of more female gender (p = 0.043), with hypertension (p = 0.033), and with enlarged left atrium (p = 0.003). An average three-year follow-up found that eight patients (8/113, 7%) were implanted PPM (5/20, 25% in Group I vs. 3/93, 3.2% in Group II, p = 0.001).Using a multivariate model, a “sinus pause episode unrelated to tachyarrhythmia” was strongly associated with PPM implantation after catheter ablation in patients with TBS (HR 6.765, 95% CI 1.355–33.763, p = 0.020). Only four out of 113 patients (3.5%) progressed to persistent or permanent AF. Conclusions After catheter ablation as the initial treatment in TBS, only 7% underwent PPM implantation, and an iso‑ lated sinus pause was a predictive factor for requiring PPM implantation. In addition, even in patients who undergo catheter ablation with subsequent PPM implantation, we can expect to improve the clinical outcome associated with a reduced AF burden.