Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, disabling, and functional bowel disorder that significantly affects social functioning and reduces quality of life and increases social costs. The Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility published clinical practice guidelines on the management of IBS based on a systematic review of the literature in 2017, and planned to revise these guidelines in light of new evidence on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of IBS. The current revised version of the guidelines is consistent with the previous version and targets adults diagnosed with or suspected of having IBS. These guidelines were developed using a combination of de novo and adaptation methods, with analyses of existing guidelines and discussions within the committee, leading to the identification of key clinical questions. Finally, the guidelines consisted of 22 recommendations, including 3 concerning the definition and risk factors of IBS, 4 regarding diagnostic modalities and strategies, 2 regarding general management, and 13 regarding medical treatment. For each statement, the advantages, disadvantages, and precautions were thoroughly detailed. The modified Delphi method was used to achieve expert consensus to adopt the core recommendations of the guidelines. These guidelines serve as a reference for clinicians (including primary care physicians, general healthcare providers, medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals) and patients, helping them to make informed decisions regarding IBS management.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, disabling, and functional bowel disorder that significantly affects social functioning and reduces quality of life and increases social costs. The Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility published clinical practice guidelines on the management of IBS based on a systematic review of the literature in 2017, and planned to revise these guidelines in light of new evidence on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of IBS. The current revised version of the guidelines is consistent with the previous version and targets adults diagnosed with or suspected of having IBS. These guidelines were developed using a combination of de novo and adaptation methods, with analyses of existing guidelines and discussions within the committee, leading to the identification of key clinical questions. Finally, the guidelines consisted of 22 recommendations, including 3 concerning the definition and risk factors of IBS, 4 regarding diagnostic modalities and strategies, 2 regarding general management, and 13 regarding medical treatment. For each statement, the advantages, disadvantages, and precautions were thoroughly detailed. The modified Delphi method was used to achieve expert consensus to adopt the core recommendations of the guidelines. These guidelines serve as a reference for clinicians (including primary care physicians, general healthcare providers, medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals) and patients, helping them to make informed decisions regarding IBS management.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, disabling, and functional bowel disorder that significantly affects social functioning and reduces quality of life and increases social costs. The Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility published clinical practice guidelines on the management of IBS based on a systematic review of the literature in 2017, and planned to revise these guidelines in light of new evidence on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of IBS. The current revised version of the guidelines is consistent with the previous version and targets adults diagnosed with or suspected of having IBS. These guidelines were developed using a combination of de novo and adaptation methods, with analyses of existing guidelines and discussions within the committee, leading to the identification of key clinical questions. Finally, the guidelines consisted of 22 recommendations, including 3 concerning the definition and risk factors of IBS, 4 regarding diagnostic modalities and strategies, 2 regarding general management, and 13 regarding medical treatment. For each statement, the advantages, disadvantages, and precautions were thoroughly detailed. The modified Delphi method was used to achieve expert consensus to adopt the core recommendations of the guidelines. These guidelines serve as a reference for clinicians (including primary care physicians, general healthcare providers, medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals) and patients, helping them to make informed decisions regarding IBS management.

Purpose: To evaluate patient‐reported experiences of 3 primary treatments for localized or locally advanced prostate cancer—radical prostatectomy (RP), radiation therapy (RT), and active surveillance (AS)—based on cross‐sectional data from a prospective registry, and to explore how these findings can inform a structured shared decision making (SDM) framework. Materials and Methods: Men with clinical stage cT3aN0M0 or lower were enrolled. Those who underwent RP or RT were surveyed 6–24 months posttreatment; men on AS had 6–60 months of follow‐up. All participants completed the EORTC QLQ‐PR25 (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire - Prostate Cancer Module), capturing urinary, bowel, hormonal, and sexual function. The Kruskal‐Wallis test evaluated group differences, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: Among 542 patients, 435 underwent RP, 73 received RT (43% with androgen deprivation therapy), and 34 were on AS. RP patients reported higher rates of urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction, whereas RT patients had more severe urinary irritative and bowel symptoms. AS generally preserved baseline sexual function but still involved some urinary complaints and anxiety regarding disease progression. These findings underscore the distinct trade‐offs among the 3 management strategies, emphasizing the importance of individualized SDM that accounts for functional priorities and patient values. Conclusion Each treatment modality poses unique impacts on quality of life. Incorporating these patient‐reported data into SDM discussions can improve alignment between clinical recommendations and patient preferences, potentially reducing decisional regret and enhancing long‐term outcomes.

Purpose: This study developed a Psychoeducational Approach to Transcendence and Health Program (PATH) for middle-aged women in Korea, focusing on five key areas of self-transcendence: introspection, relationships, contemplation, spirituality, and creativity. The exploratory qualitative study aimed to investigate participants' experiences by analyzing self-transcendence records they had written. Methods: The PATH program involved pairs of participants who met weekly for three weeks to engage in intensive discussions on two topics for 60 minutes each. Participants were also asked to write down weekly tasks in a notebook for 10-15 minutes each day. Content analysis was conducted in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. Results: Participants (n=29) had a mean age of 52.5 years. Analysis revealed themes in self-transcendence: Introspection: "patient egoist" and "chameleon in the battlefield," reflecting maturity; Relationships: "solving the puzzle of relationships" and "things still to share," emphasizing empathy; Contemplation:"full of problems but trusting myself" and "I am a winner," showcasing insights; Spirituality: "curious about the afterlife" and "preparing for death," demonstrating a sense of absoluteness; Creativity: "finding happiness in growth," representing aesthetics. Conclusion The PATH program effectively promotes successful aging for middle-aged working women by fostering self-transcendence in five key areas.

Purpose: This study developed a Psychoeducational Approach to Transcendence and Health Program (PATH) for middle-aged women in Korea, focusing on five key areas of self-transcendence: introspection, relationships, contemplation, spirituality, and creativity. The exploratory qualitative study aimed to investigate participants' experiences by analyzing self-transcendence records they had written. Methods: The PATH program involved pairs of participants who met weekly for three weeks to engage in intensive discussions on two topics for 60 minutes each. Participants were also asked to write down weekly tasks in a notebook for 10-15 minutes each day. Content analysis was conducted in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. Results: Participants (n=29) had a mean age of 52.5 years. Analysis revealed themes in self-transcendence: Introspection: "patient egoist" and "chameleon in the battlefield," reflecting maturity; Relationships: "solving the puzzle of relationships" and "things still to share," emphasizing empathy; Contemplation:"full of problems but trusting myself" and "I am a winner," showcasing insights; Spirituality: "curious about the afterlife" and "preparing for death," demonstrating a sense of absoluteness; Creativity: "finding happiness in growth," representing aesthetics. Conclusion The PATH program effectively promotes successful aging for middle-aged working women by fostering self-transcendence in five key areas.

The Korean Breast Cancer Society (KBCS) has collected nationwide registry data on clinicopathologic characteristics and treatment since 1996. This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of breast cancer in Korea and assess changes in breast cancer statistics for 2021 using data from the KBCS registry and the Korean Central Cancer Registry. In 2021, 34,628 women were newly diagnosed with breast cancer. The median age of women diagnosed with breast cancer was 53.4 years, with the highest incidence occurring in the 40–49 age group. The most common molecular subtype was hormone receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, accounting for 69.1% of cases, while HER2-positive subtypes comprised 19.3%. During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the national breast cancer screening rate declined. However, the incidence of early-stage breast cancer (stages 0 and I) continued to increase, accounting for 65.6% of newly diagnosed cases in 2021. Our results showed that the overall survival rate for patients with breast cancer has improved, primarily due to a rise in early-stage diagnoses and advancements in treatment.

Purpose: This study developed a Psychoeducational Approach to Transcendence and Health Program (PATH) for middle-aged women in Korea, focusing on five key areas of self-transcendence: introspection, relationships, contemplation, spirituality, and creativity. The exploratory qualitative study aimed to investigate participants' experiences by analyzing self-transcendence records they had written. Methods: The PATH program involved pairs of participants who met weekly for three weeks to engage in intensive discussions on two topics for 60 minutes each. Participants were also asked to write down weekly tasks in a notebook for 10-15 minutes each day. Content analysis was conducted in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. Results: Participants (n=29) had a mean age of 52.5 years. Analysis revealed themes in self-transcendence: Introspection: "patient egoist" and "chameleon in the battlefield," reflecting maturity; Relationships: "solving the puzzle of relationships" and "things still to share," emphasizing empathy; Contemplation:"full of problems but trusting myself" and "I am a winner," showcasing insights; Spirituality: "curious about the afterlife" and "preparing for death," demonstrating a sense of absoluteness; Creativity: "finding happiness in growth," representing aesthetics. Conclusion The PATH program effectively promotes successful aging for middle-aged working women by fostering self-transcendence in five key areas.

Purpose: This study developed a Psychoeducational Approach to Transcendence and Health Program (PATH) for middle-aged women in Korea, focusing on five key areas of self-transcendence: introspection, relationships, contemplation, spirituality, and creativity. The exploratory qualitative study aimed to investigate participants' experiences by analyzing self-transcendence records they had written. Methods: The PATH program involved pairs of participants who met weekly for three weeks to engage in intensive discussions on two topics for 60 minutes each. Participants were also asked to write down weekly tasks in a notebook for 10-15 minutes each day. Content analysis was conducted in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. Results: Participants (n=29) had a mean age of 52.5 years. Analysis revealed themes in self-transcendence: Introspection: "patient egoist" and "chameleon in the battlefield," reflecting maturity; Relationships: "solving the puzzle of relationships" and "things still to share," emphasizing empathy; Contemplation:"full of problems but trusting myself" and "I am a winner," showcasing insights; Spirituality: "curious about the afterlife" and "preparing for death," demonstrating a sense of absoluteness; Creativity: "finding happiness in growth," representing aesthetics. Conclusion The PATH program effectively promotes successful aging for middle-aged working women by fostering self-transcendence in five key areas.