Background/Aims: Infliximab treatment failure in patients with inflammatory bowel disease may result from sub-optimal infliximab trough level. An understanding of pharmacokinetics (PKs) is important to maintain an optimal trough level. PK studies of the switch to subcutaneous (SC) infliximab from intravenous (IV) infliximab using real-world data are lacking. We aimed to develop a population PK model of IV and SC infliximab to predict individual infliximab exposure during maintenance therapy. Methods: We used data from prospectively collected data on IV and SC infliximab concentrations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease receiving maintenance treatment from February 2020 to December 2022 at Samsung Medical Center. Population PK analysis was conducted by using a two-compartment model with first-order absorption and first-order elimination. Goodness-of-fit plots and visual predictive check were used to evaluate the PK model. Results: A total of 2,132 samples from 181 patients (149 Crohn’s disease and 32 ulcerative colitis) were analyzed. We developed an infliximab population PK model using body mass index, albumin, C-reactive protein level, and the anti-drug antibody level and validated its predictive performance. Conclusions It may be possible to predict the infliximab trough level of both IV and SC infliximab in patients with inflammatory bowel disease during maintenance treatment by using our model in real-world practice.

Purpose: The long-term outcomes and efficacy of partial stapled hemorrhoidopexy (PSH) compared with those of conventional hemorrhoidectomy (CH) are not fully understood. This study aimed to introduce a modified PSH (mPSH) and compare its clinical efficacy and safety with those of CH. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. This study was performed at a single hospital and involved 6 colorectal surgeons. In total, 110 patients were enrolled between July 2019 and September 2020. Patients were randomly assigned to undergo either mPSH group (n=55) or CH group (n=55). The primary outcome was to compare postoperative average pain and postoperative peak pain using visual analog scale score between the 2 groups. Results: The required duration of analgesia was shorter in the mPSH group than in the CH group, although the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.096). However, the laxative requirement duration (P<0.010), return to work (P<0.010), satisfaction score (P<0.010), and Vaizey score (P=0.014) were significantly better in the mPSH group. The average and peak postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the mPSH group during the 15 days after surgery (P<0.001). The overall complication rate in both groups was 9.1%, with no significant difference between the groups (P=0.867). Conclusion The mPSH group demonstrated better improvement in symptoms, lower pain scores, and greater patient early satisfaction after surgery than the CH group. Therefore, this surgical technique appears to be a safe and effective alternative for CH.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality used as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules, recurrent thyroid cancers (RTCs), and primary thyroid microcarcinomas. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) initially developed recommendations for the optimal use of RFA for thyroid tumors in 2009 and revised them in 2012 and 2017. As new meaningful evidence has accumulated since 2017 and in response to a growing global interest in the use of RFA for treating malignant thyroid lesions, the task force committee members of the KSThR decided to update the guidelines on the use of RFA for the management of RTCs based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature and expert consensus.

Background: Residential smoking cessation therapy programs offer intensive treatment for heavy smokers who struggle to quit independently, particularly those with high nicotine dependence and health conditions that necessitate urgent cessation. While previous studies have established the effectiveness of such programs and identified various factors influencing smoking cessation success, it remains unclear how changes in smokers’ thoughts and attitudes following residential therapy correlate with their ability to quit smoking. We investigated the relationship between smoking cessation-related characteristics, smoking-related psychological status, and participants’ smoking cessation success after a residential smoking cessation therapy program. Methods: From January 2017 to December 2018, 291 participants completed the program. All participants completed questionnaires on smoking cessation-related characteristics and smoking-related psychological status before the program and on the 5th day. Six months later, smoking cessation success was assessed using a urine cotinine test. Results: After 6 months, 222 participants successfully quit smoking, while 69 failed. The success and failure groups exhibited statistically significant differences in age, marital status, total smoking duration, stress, and emotion regulation strategies. Participants who used ineffective emotion regulation strategies more frequently had a lower rate of smoking cessation success (odds ratio [OR], 0.969; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.948–0.991). Moreover, an increase in the perception of the negative effects of smoking cessation (OR, 0.982; 95% CI, 0.967–0.997) and smoking temptation (OR, 0.960; 95% CI, 0.929–0.993) was associated with higher cessation success. Conclusion Emotion regulation strategies, perceptions of the effects of smoking cessation, and smoking temptation were associated with successful smoking cessation.

Background: Skipping breakfast is associated with an increased risk of chronic inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to examine the association between breakfast-eating habits and inflammation, using high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as a marker. Methods: A total of 4,000 Korean adult males with no history of myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, or current smoking were included. Data from the 2016–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used for analysis. The frequency of breakfast consumption was assessed through a questionnaire item in the dietary survey section asking participants about their weekly breakfast consumption routines over the past year. Participants were categorized into two groups, namely “0–2 breakfasts per week” and “3–7 breakfasts per week”; hs-CRP concentrations were measured through blood tests. Results: Comparing between the “infrequent breakfast consumption (0–2 breakfasts per week)” and “frequent breakfast consumption (3–7 breakfasts per week)” groups, the mean hs-CRP was found to be significantly higher in the “infrequent breakfast consumption” group, even after adjusting for age, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol consumption, systolic blood pressure, blood pressure medication, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides (mean hs-CRP: frequent breakfast consumption, 1.36±0.09 mg/L; infrequent breakfast consumption, 1.17±0.05 mg/L; P-value=0.036). Conclusion Less frequent breakfast consumption was associated with elevated hs-CRP levels. Further large-scale studies incorporating adjusted measures of daily eating patterns as well as food quality and quantity are required for a deeper understanding of the role of breakfast in the primary prevention of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality used as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules, recurrent thyroid cancers (RTCs), and primary thyroid microcarcinomas. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) initially developed recommendations for the optimal use of RFA for thyroid tumors in 2009 and revised them in 2012 and 2017. As new meaningful evidence has accumulated since 2017 and in response to a growing global interest in the use of RFA for treating malignant thyroid lesions, the task force committee members of the KSThR decided to update the guidelines on the use of RFA for the management of RTCs based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature and expert consensus.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality used as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules, recurrent thyroid cancers (RTCs), and primary thyroid microcarcinomas. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) initially developed recommendations for the optimal use of RFA for thyroid tumors in 2009 and revised them in 2012 and 2017. As new meaningful evidence has accumulated since 2017 and in response to a growing global interest in the use of RFA for treating malignant thyroid lesions, the task force committee members of the KSThR decided to update the guidelines on the use of RFA for the management of RTCs based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature and expert consensus.

Background: Residential smoking cessation therapy programs offer intensive treatment for heavy smokers who struggle to quit independently, particularly those with high nicotine dependence and health conditions that necessitate urgent cessation. While previous studies have established the effectiveness of such programs and identified various factors influencing smoking cessation success, it remains unclear how changes in smokers’ thoughts and attitudes following residential therapy correlate with their ability to quit smoking. We investigated the relationship between smoking cessation-related characteristics, smoking-related psychological status, and participants’ smoking cessation success after a residential smoking cessation therapy program. Methods: From January 2017 to December 2018, 291 participants completed the program. All participants completed questionnaires on smoking cessation-related characteristics and smoking-related psychological status before the program and on the 5th day. Six months later, smoking cessation success was assessed using a urine cotinine test. Results: After 6 months, 222 participants successfully quit smoking, while 69 failed. The success and failure groups exhibited statistically significant differences in age, marital status, total smoking duration, stress, and emotion regulation strategies. Participants who used ineffective emotion regulation strategies more frequently had a lower rate of smoking cessation success (odds ratio [OR], 0.969; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.948–0.991). Moreover, an increase in the perception of the negative effects of smoking cessation (OR, 0.982; 95% CI, 0.967–0.997) and smoking temptation (OR, 0.960; 95% CI, 0.929–0.993) was associated with higher cessation success. Conclusion Emotion regulation strategies, perceptions of the effects of smoking cessation, and smoking temptation were associated with successful smoking cessation.

Background: Skipping breakfast is associated with an increased risk of chronic inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to examine the association between breakfast-eating habits and inflammation, using high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as a marker. Methods: A total of 4,000 Korean adult males with no history of myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, or current smoking were included. Data from the 2016–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used for analysis. The frequency of breakfast consumption was assessed through a questionnaire item in the dietary survey section asking participants about their weekly breakfast consumption routines over the past year. Participants were categorized into two groups, namely “0–2 breakfasts per week” and “3–7 breakfasts per week”; hs-CRP concentrations were measured through blood tests. Results: Comparing between the “infrequent breakfast consumption (0–2 breakfasts per week)” and “frequent breakfast consumption (3–7 breakfasts per week)” groups, the mean hs-CRP was found to be significantly higher in the “infrequent breakfast consumption” group, even after adjusting for age, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol consumption, systolic blood pressure, blood pressure medication, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides (mean hs-CRP: frequent breakfast consumption, 1.36±0.09 mg/L; infrequent breakfast consumption, 1.17±0.05 mg/L; P-value=0.036). Conclusion Less frequent breakfast consumption was associated with elevated hs-CRP levels. Further large-scale studies incorporating adjusted measures of daily eating patterns as well as food quality and quantity are required for a deeper understanding of the role of breakfast in the primary prevention of chronic inflammatory diseases.