The introduction of anti-amyloid therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), such as lecanemab (Lequembi®), which was recently approved in Korea, necessitates careful monitoring for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) using brain MRI. To optimize ARIA monitoring in Korean clinical settings, the Korean Society of Neuroradiology (KSNR) and the Age and Neurodegeneration Imaging (ANDI) Study Group proposed MRI protocol recommendations on essential MR sequences, MRI acquisition parameters, timing and condition of MRI examinations, and essential details to provide a scientific basis for maximizing the safety and efficacy of AD treatment. A customized, standardized MRI protocol focusing on Korea’s healthcare environment can improve ARIA management and ensure patient safety through early detection of potential anti-amyloid therapy side effects, thereby enhancing treatment quality.

The introduction of anti-amyloid therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), such as lecanemab (Lequembi®), which was recently approved in Korea, necessitates careful monitoring for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) using brain MRI. To optimize ARIA monitoring in Korean clinical settings, the Korean Society of Neuroradiology (KSNR) and the Age and Neurodegeneration Imaging (ANDI) Study Group proposed MRI protocol recommendations on essential MR sequences, MRI acquisition parameters, timing and condition of MRI examinations, and essential details to provide a scientific basis for maximizing the safety and efficacy of AD treatment. A customized, standardized MRI protocol focusing on Korea’s healthcare environment can improve ARIA management and ensure patient safety through early detection of potential anti-amyloid therapy side effects, thereby enhancing treatment quality.

The introduction of anti-amyloid therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), such as lecanemab (Lequembi®), which was recently approved in Korea, necessitates careful monitoring for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) using brain MRI. To optimize ARIA monitoring in Korean clinical settings, the Korean Society of Neuroradiology (KSNR) and the Age and Neurodegeneration Imaging (ANDI) Study Group proposed MRI protocol recommendations on essential MR sequences, MRI acquisition parameters, timing and condition of MRI examinations, and essential details to provide a scientific basis for maximizing the safety and efficacy of AD treatment. A customized, standardized MRI protocol focusing on Korea’s healthcare environment can improve ARIA management and ensure patient safety through early detection of potential anti-amyloid therapy side effects, thereby enhancing treatment quality.

Background and Objectives: A comprehensive survey of congenital heart disease (CHD) prevalence has not yet been conducted in South Korea. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of CHDs in Korean children and lay the foundation for national CHD epidemiology. Methods: Target patients were infantile crucial CHDs, which include critical CHDs (requiring urgent procedures after birth with common hypoxemic defects) and diverse categorical defects excluding simple shunt defects. Data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service over a 5-year period (2014–2018). Birth prevalence (new cases per 1,000 live births) of CHDs in Korea was analyzed and compared with that of other countries. Results: The birth prevalences of right heart obstructive defects (pulmonary valve stenosis and pulmonary atresia), conus anomalies (tetralogy of Fallot and double outlet right ventricle), and total anomalous pulmonary venous return showed significant increases in the East Asian group (P<0.001), whereas those of left heart obstructive defects (coarctation of aorta, aortic stenosis, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome), truncus anomalies (D-transposition of great artery and persistent truncus arteriosus), atrioventricular septal defect, and hypoplastic right heart syndrome were significantly decreased in the East Asian group (P<0.001). Conclusions The overall birth prevalence of crucial CHDs in Korea was similar to that of critical CHDs in previous studies from other countries. Some subtypes of right heart obstructive defects, left heart obstructive defects, and conotruncal anomalies showed significant differences between East Asian and Western populations. This study contributes to a foundation for national CHD epidemiology in Korean children.

Background and Objectives: A comprehensive survey of congenital heart disease (CHD) prevalence has not yet been conducted in South Korea. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of CHDs in Korean children and lay the foundation for national CHD epidemiology. Methods: Target patients were infantile crucial CHDs, which include critical CHDs (requiring urgent procedures after birth with common hypoxemic defects) and diverse categorical defects excluding simple shunt defects. Data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service over a 5-year period (2014–2018). Birth prevalence (new cases per 1,000 live births) of CHDs in Korea was analyzed and compared with that of other countries. Results: The birth prevalences of right heart obstructive defects (pulmonary valve stenosis and pulmonary atresia), conus anomalies (tetralogy of Fallot and double outlet right ventricle), and total anomalous pulmonary venous return showed significant increases in the East Asian group (P<0.001), whereas those of left heart obstructive defects (coarctation of aorta, aortic stenosis, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome), truncus anomalies (D-transposition of great artery and persistent truncus arteriosus), atrioventricular septal defect, and hypoplastic right heart syndrome were significantly decreased in the East Asian group (P<0.001). Conclusions The overall birth prevalence of crucial CHDs in Korea was similar to that of critical CHDs in previous studies from other countries. Some subtypes of right heart obstructive defects, left heart obstructive defects, and conotruncal anomalies showed significant differences between East Asian and Western populations. This study contributes to a foundation for national CHD epidemiology in Korean children.

Objective: To estimate the epidemic threshold and graded intensity thresholds of influenza in Zhejiang Province from 2012 to 2023 using the moving epidemic method (MEM), and evaluate the intensity of influenza epidemics, so as to provide the reference for influenza prevention and control in Zhejiang Province. Methods: The positive rates of influenza virus per week during the influenza epidemic seasons (from 40th week to 20th week of the following year) in Zhejiang Province from 2012 to 2022 were collected through the Chinese Influenza Surveillance Information System. A MEM model was established and optimized using cross-validation. The maximum accumulated rates percentage was used to divide the epidemic into pre-epidemic, epidemic, and post-epidemic periods, and to estimate the epidemic thresholds and graded intensity thresholds. The intensity of influenza epidemics in Zhejiang Province during the 2022-2023 epidemic season were assessed. Results: The positive rates of influenza virus in five epidemic seasons from 2012 to 2022 were included in the model. The MEM model performed best when the parameter δ was set to 1.5, with a sensitivity of 0.971, a specificity of 0.745, and a Youden's index of 0.716. According to the model analysis, the epidemic beginning and ending thresholds of influenza in Zhejiang Province during the 2022-2023 epidemic season were 19.32% and 10.92%, respectively, and the medium, high, and extremely high intensity thresholds were 48.65%, 63.49%, and 68.47%, respectively. During 2022-2023, the influenza epidemic was in the pre-epidemic period from the 40th week in 2022 to the 7th week in 2023; the epidemic period was from the 8th to the 18th week, the epidemic intensity was low in the 8th week and increased to a high level in the 9th week, and reached to a extremely high level from the 10th to the 13th week, then fell to the high and the medium level in the 14th week and 15th week, respectively, and fell to a low level from the 16th to the 18th week; the influenza epidemic entered the post-epidemic period since the 19th week. Conclusion MEM could be applied for evaluation of influenza epidemic intensity, providing the reference for early identification and taking graded preventive and control measures.

Background and Objectives: A comprehensive survey of congenital heart disease (CHD) prevalence has not yet been conducted in South Korea. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of CHDs in Korean children and lay the foundation for national CHD epidemiology. Methods: Target patients were infantile crucial CHDs, which include critical CHDs (requiring urgent procedures after birth with common hypoxemic defects) and diverse categorical defects excluding simple shunt defects. Data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service over a 5-year period (2014–2018). Birth prevalence (new cases per 1,000 live births) of CHDs in Korea was analyzed and compared with that of other countries. Results: The birth prevalences of right heart obstructive defects (pulmonary valve stenosis and pulmonary atresia), conus anomalies (tetralogy of Fallot and double outlet right ventricle), and total anomalous pulmonary venous return showed significant increases in the East Asian group (P<0.001), whereas those of left heart obstructive defects (coarctation of aorta, aortic stenosis, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome), truncus anomalies (D-transposition of great artery and persistent truncus arteriosus), atrioventricular septal defect, and hypoplastic right heart syndrome were significantly decreased in the East Asian group (P<0.001). Conclusions The overall birth prevalence of crucial CHDs in Korea was similar to that of critical CHDs in previous studies from other countries. Some subtypes of right heart obstructive defects, left heart obstructive defects, and conotruncal anomalies showed significant differences between East Asian and Western populations. This study contributes to a foundation for national CHD epidemiology in Korean children.

Background and Objectives: A comprehensive survey of congenital heart disease (CHD) prevalence has not yet been conducted in South Korea. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of CHDs in Korean children and lay the foundation for national CHD epidemiology. Methods: Target patients were infantile crucial CHDs, which include critical CHDs (requiring urgent procedures after birth with common hypoxemic defects) and diverse categorical defects excluding simple shunt defects. Data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service over a 5-year period (2014–2018). Birth prevalence (new cases per 1,000 live births) of CHDs in Korea was analyzed and compared with that of other countries. Results: The birth prevalences of right heart obstructive defects (pulmonary valve stenosis and pulmonary atresia), conus anomalies (tetralogy of Fallot and double outlet right ventricle), and total anomalous pulmonary venous return showed significant increases in the East Asian group (P<0.001), whereas those of left heart obstructive defects (coarctation of aorta, aortic stenosis, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome), truncus anomalies (D-transposition of great artery and persistent truncus arteriosus), atrioventricular septal defect, and hypoplastic right heart syndrome were significantly decreased in the East Asian group (P<0.001). Conclusions The overall birth prevalence of crucial CHDs in Korea was similar to that of critical CHDs in previous studies from other countries. Some subtypes of right heart obstructive defects, left heart obstructive defects, and conotruncal anomalies showed significant differences between East Asian and Western populations. This study contributes to a foundation for national CHD epidemiology in Korean children.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a major global disease burden and the main cause of cervical cancer. Certain HPV genotypes, with are the most common etiologic pathogens and cause a significant disease burden, are being targeted for vaccine development. However, few studies have focused on the comparative effectiveness of the bivalent HPV (2v-HPV), quadrivalent HPV (4v-HPV), and nonavalent HPV (9v-HPV) vaccines against HPV strain-specific infection. This study investigated the comparative effects of these vaccines against genotype-specific infection. Materials and Methods: We conducted a pairwise and network meta-analysis of published randomized clinical trials of HPV vaccines according to sex and HPV infection status for nine HPV genotypes (HPV 6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58). Results: Overall, 10 randomized controlled trials (12 articles) were included in this study. In the network metaanalysis, no statistically significant differences were observed in the prevention of carcinogenic HPV strains (16/18/31/33/45/52/58) between the 2v-HPV and 4v-HPV vaccines in female HPV infection–naïve populations. However, the 9v-HPV vaccine showed a significantly superior effect compared with 2v-HPV and 4v-HPV vaccines in preventing HPV 31/33/45/52/58 infections. Although 2v-HPV and 4v-HPV vaccines provided some cross-protection against HPV 31/33/45/52/58 infections, the effect was significant only on HPV 31 infection. For HPV 16 and 18, neither statistically significant nor small differences were found in the prevention of HPV infection among the 2v-HPV, 4v-HPV, and 9v-HPV vaccines. Conclusion Our study complements previous understanding of how the effect of HPV vaccines differs according to the HPV genotype. This is important because HPV genotype prevalence varies among countries. We advocate for continued efforts in vaccinating against HPV, while public health agencies should consider the difference in the vaccine effect and HPV genotype prevalence when implementing HPV vaccination in public vaccination programs.

Objective: This study investigated to what extent a range of depressive symptoms was differentially present depending on age group in Korean population. Methods: Data was pooled from five nationally representative surveys in which 29,418 respondents aged at least 18 years were interviewed face-to-face using the Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. A total of 691 (2.1%) respondents were found to have had at least 1 episode of major depressive disorder (MDD) within the last 12 months. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the association between age groups (18–39 years, 40–59 years, and 60 years or older) and 26 depressive symptoms among the respondents with MDD. Results: Associations were observed between somatic symptoms—including insomnia, awakening 2 h earlier—and cognitive symptoms such as feelings of guilt, thoughts of death, and suicidal ideation with the older age group. Whereas, atypical depressive symptoms such as increased appetite, weight gain, and hypersomnia were associated with the younger age group. When adjusted for sociodemographic factors, symptoms such as depressed mood, awakening 2 h earlier, and feeling guilty in the older age group, and hypersomnia, psychomotor retardation, and worse in the morning in the younger age group still remained statistically significant. Furthermore, fatigue and decreased libido were newly associated with the younger age group. Conclusion The findings of this study revealed distinct patterns of symptomatology in MDD based on age groups. These differences should be considered owing to their potential relevance to treatment response and prognosis in the clinical setting.