Background and Objectives: Outcomes of deferring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without invasive physiologic assessment for intermediate coronary lesions is uncertain.We sought to compare long-term outcomes between medical treatment and PCI of intermediate lesions without invasive physiologic assessment. Methods: A total of 899 patients with intermediate coronary lesions between 50% and 70% diameter-stenosis were randomized to the conservative group (n=449) or the aggressive group (n=450). For intermediate lesions, PCI was performed in the aggressive group, but was deferred in the conservative group. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE, a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction [MI], or ischemia-driven any revascularization) at 3 years. Results: The number of treated lesions per patient was 0.8±0.9 in the conservative group and 1.7±0.9 in the aggressive group (p=0.001). At 3 years, the conservative group had a significantly higher incidence of MACE than the aggressive group (13.8% vs. 9.3%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–2.21; p=0.049), mainly driven by revascularization of target intermediate lesion (6.5% vs. 1.1%; HR, 5.69; 95% CI, 2.20–14.73;p<0.001). Between 1 and 3 years after the index procedure, compared to the aggressive group, the conservative group had significantly higher incidence of cardiac death or MI (3.2% vs.0.7%; HR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.24–15.22; p=0.022) and ischemia-driven any revascularization. Conclusions For intermediate lesions, medical therapy alone, guided only by angiography, was associated with a higher risk of MACE at 3 years compared with performing PCI, mainly due to increased revascularization.

Background and Objectives: Outcomes of deferring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without invasive physiologic assessment for intermediate coronary lesions is uncertain.We sought to compare long-term outcomes between medical treatment and PCI of intermediate lesions without invasive physiologic assessment. Methods: A total of 899 patients with intermediate coronary lesions between 50% and 70% diameter-stenosis were randomized to the conservative group (n=449) or the aggressive group (n=450). For intermediate lesions, PCI was performed in the aggressive group, but was deferred in the conservative group. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE, a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction [MI], or ischemia-driven any revascularization) at 3 years. Results: The number of treated lesions per patient was 0.8±0.9 in the conservative group and 1.7±0.9 in the aggressive group (p=0.001). At 3 years, the conservative group had a significantly higher incidence of MACE than the aggressive group (13.8% vs. 9.3%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–2.21; p=0.049), mainly driven by revascularization of target intermediate lesion (6.5% vs. 1.1%; HR, 5.69; 95% CI, 2.20–14.73;p<0.001). Between 1 and 3 years after the index procedure, compared to the aggressive group, the conservative group had significantly higher incidence of cardiac death or MI (3.2% vs.0.7%; HR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.24–15.22; p=0.022) and ischemia-driven any revascularization. Conclusions For intermediate lesions, medical therapy alone, guided only by angiography, was associated with a higher risk of MACE at 3 years compared with performing PCI, mainly due to increased revascularization.

Background and Objectives: Outcomes of deferring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without invasive physiologic assessment for intermediate coronary lesions is uncertain.We sought to compare long-term outcomes between medical treatment and PCI of intermediate lesions without invasive physiologic assessment. Methods: A total of 899 patients with intermediate coronary lesions between 50% and 70% diameter-stenosis were randomized to the conservative group (n=449) or the aggressive group (n=450). For intermediate lesions, PCI was performed in the aggressive group, but was deferred in the conservative group. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE, a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction [MI], or ischemia-driven any revascularization) at 3 years. Results: The number of treated lesions per patient was 0.8±0.9 in the conservative group and 1.7±0.9 in the aggressive group (p=0.001). At 3 years, the conservative group had a significantly higher incidence of MACE than the aggressive group (13.8% vs. 9.3%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–2.21; p=0.049), mainly driven by revascularization of target intermediate lesion (6.5% vs. 1.1%; HR, 5.69; 95% CI, 2.20–14.73;p<0.001). Between 1 and 3 years after the index procedure, compared to the aggressive group, the conservative group had significantly higher incidence of cardiac death or MI (3.2% vs.0.7%; HR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.24–15.22; p=0.022) and ischemia-driven any revascularization. Conclusions For intermediate lesions, medical therapy alone, guided only by angiography, was associated with a higher risk of MACE at 3 years compared with performing PCI, mainly due to increased revascularization.

Background and Objectives: Outcomes of deferring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) without invasive physiologic assessment for intermediate coronary lesions is uncertain.We sought to compare long-term outcomes between medical treatment and PCI of intermediate lesions without invasive physiologic assessment. Methods: A total of 899 patients with intermediate coronary lesions between 50% and 70% diameter-stenosis were randomized to the conservative group (n=449) or the aggressive group (n=450). For intermediate lesions, PCI was performed in the aggressive group, but was deferred in the conservative group. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE, a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction [MI], or ischemia-driven any revascularization) at 3 years. Results: The number of treated lesions per patient was 0.8±0.9 in the conservative group and 1.7±0.9 in the aggressive group (p=0.001). At 3 years, the conservative group had a significantly higher incidence of MACE than the aggressive group (13.8% vs. 9.3%; hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–2.21; p=0.049), mainly driven by revascularization of target intermediate lesion (6.5% vs. 1.1%; HR, 5.69; 95% CI, 2.20–14.73;p<0.001). Between 1 and 3 years after the index procedure, compared to the aggressive group, the conservative group had significantly higher incidence of cardiac death or MI (3.2% vs.0.7%; HR, 4.34; 95% CI, 1.24–15.22; p=0.022) and ischemia-driven any revascularization. Conclusions For intermediate lesions, medical therapy alone, guided only by angiography, was associated with a higher risk of MACE at 3 years compared with performing PCI, mainly due to increased revascularization.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore whether there are differences in smoking status between two regions of Wonju-City and Chuncheon-City, Gangwon State, and to determine whether the experience of smoking cessation programs in the region affects quit attempts. Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional study in which adults aged 19 and older living in two cities were surveyed using a pre-developed mobile app to investigate social capital for smoking cessation, and a total of 600 citizens were participated, including 310 in Wonju-City and 290 in Chuncheon-City.The statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Wonju-City had a higher prevalence of current smoking than Chuncheon-City. Among smoking cessation programs operated by local public health centers, Wonju-City had a lower odds ratio for experience with smoking cessation education than Chuncheon-City (OR=0.52, 95% CI=0.33 to 0.81). When examining the effect of smoking cessation program experience on quit attempts, in Wonju-City, citizens who had completed smoking cessation education and used a smoking cessation clinic were more likely to attempt to quit than those who had not (OR=2.31 and OR=2.29, respectively). In Chuncheon-City, citizens who were aware of smoking cessation support services were 2.26 times more likely to attempt to quit smoking than those who were not, but statistical significance was not reached due to the small sample size. Conclusion Therefore, healthcare organizations in both regions should develop more practical intervention strategies to increase smokers' quit attempts, reduce smoking rates in the community, and address regional disparities.

Background and Objectives: To investigate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hearing impairment (HI) in elderly Korean adults using a large-scale cohort data.Subjects and Method Data was collected on 729664 adults who underwent at least one health screening between 2009 and 2012 from the Korea National Health Insurance Service-Senior Cohort. The study utilized a Cox proportional hazards regression model to assess the relationship between MetS and the risk of developing HI. The results were presented as an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). All subjects were monitored until the occurrence of HI, death, or December 31, 2019. Results: A total of 10102 cases of HI were identified during the follow-up period of 4920397 person-years. In the crude model, MetS was linked to an increased risk of developing HI (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.10-1.19). No significant association was found after adjusting for potential confounding factors (aHR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.99-1.08). Abnormal triglyceride (TG) levels were associated with a higher risk of HI compared to normal TG levels (aHR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03-1.12). In addition, the risk of HI increased as TG levels increased (>150 mg/dL). Conclusion Abnormalities in TG levels were independently associated with an increased risk of HI among elderly adults. Management of TG levels may protect against the risk of incident HI.

Background and Objectives: To investigate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hearing impairment (HI) in elderly Korean adults using a large-scale cohort data.Subjects and Method Data was collected on 729664 adults who underwent at least one health screening between 2009 and 2012 from the Korea National Health Insurance Service-Senior Cohort. The study utilized a Cox proportional hazards regression model to assess the relationship between MetS and the risk of developing HI. The results were presented as an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). All subjects were monitored until the occurrence of HI, death, or December 31, 2019. Results: A total of 10102 cases of HI were identified during the follow-up period of 4920397 person-years. In the crude model, MetS was linked to an increased risk of developing HI (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.10-1.19). No significant association was found after adjusting for potential confounding factors (aHR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.99-1.08). Abnormal triglyceride (TG) levels were associated with a higher risk of HI compared to normal TG levels (aHR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03-1.12). In addition, the risk of HI increased as TG levels increased (>150 mg/dL). Conclusion Abnormalities in TG levels were independently associated with an increased risk of HI among elderly adults. Management of TG levels may protect against the risk of incident HI.

Background and Objectives: To investigate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hearing impairment (HI) in elderly Korean adults using a large-scale cohort data.Subjects and Method Data was collected on 729664 adults who underwent at least one health screening between 2009 and 2012 from the Korea National Health Insurance Service-Senior Cohort. The study utilized a Cox proportional hazards regression model to assess the relationship between MetS and the risk of developing HI. The results were presented as an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). All subjects were monitored until the occurrence of HI, death, or December 31, 2019. Results: A total of 10102 cases of HI were identified during the follow-up period of 4920397 person-years. In the crude model, MetS was linked to an increased risk of developing HI (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.10-1.19). No significant association was found after adjusting for potential confounding factors (aHR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.99-1.08). Abnormal triglyceride (TG) levels were associated with a higher risk of HI compared to normal TG levels (aHR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03-1.12). In addition, the risk of HI increased as TG levels increased (>150 mg/dL). Conclusion Abnormalities in TG levels were independently associated with an increased risk of HI among elderly adults. Management of TG levels may protect against the risk of incident HI.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore whether there are differences in smoking status between two regions of Wonju-City and Chuncheon-City, Gangwon State, and to determine whether the experience of smoking cessation programs in the region affects quit attempts. Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional study in which adults aged 19 and older living in two cities were surveyed using a pre-developed mobile app to investigate social capital for smoking cessation, and a total of 600 citizens were participated, including 310 in Wonju-City and 290 in Chuncheon-City.The statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Wonju-City had a higher prevalence of current smoking than Chuncheon-City. Among smoking cessation programs operated by local public health centers, Wonju-City had a lower odds ratio for experience with smoking cessation education than Chuncheon-City (OR=0.52, 95% CI=0.33 to 0.81). When examining the effect of smoking cessation program experience on quit attempts, in Wonju-City, citizens who had completed smoking cessation education and used a smoking cessation clinic were more likely to attempt to quit than those who had not (OR=2.31 and OR=2.29, respectively). In Chuncheon-City, citizens who were aware of smoking cessation support services were 2.26 times more likely to attempt to quit smoking than those who were not, but statistical significance was not reached due to the small sample size. Conclusion Therefore, healthcare organizations in both regions should develop more practical intervention strategies to increase smokers' quit attempts, reduce smoking rates in the community, and address regional disparities.

Background and Objectives: To investigate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hearing impairment (HI) in elderly Korean adults using a large-scale cohort data.Subjects and Method Data was collected on 729664 adults who underwent at least one health screening between 2009 and 2012 from the Korea National Health Insurance Service-Senior Cohort. The study utilized a Cox proportional hazards regression model to assess the relationship between MetS and the risk of developing HI. The results were presented as an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). All subjects were monitored until the occurrence of HI, death, or December 31, 2019. Results: A total of 10102 cases of HI were identified during the follow-up period of 4920397 person-years. In the crude model, MetS was linked to an increased risk of developing HI (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.10-1.19). No significant association was found after adjusting for potential confounding factors (aHR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.99-1.08). Abnormal triglyceride (TG) levels were associated with a higher risk of HI compared to normal TG levels (aHR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03-1.12). In addition, the risk of HI increased as TG levels increased (>150 mg/dL). Conclusion Abnormalities in TG levels were independently associated with an increased risk of HI among elderly adults. Management of TG levels may protect against the risk of incident HI.