Objective: Disaster survivors often experience negative impacts on their mental health, but some may also exhibit posttraumatic growth, overcoming adversity, and finding positive outcomes. This study aimed to identify psychological factors influencing posttraumatic growth (PTG) among students who survived the Sewol ferry disaster. Methods: The study used a longitudinal design. Data were collected at 6-month intervals between high school graduation and 6 years after the ferry disaster. Data were obtained from 48 adolescents who completed self-report measures of rumination, meaning in life, coping, PTG, family adaptability and cohesion. Generalized estimating equation models were fitted to 11 waves of follow-up data. Results: Intrusive rumination (coefficient [coef]=0.165; p<0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.081–0.250) and deliberate rumination (coef=0.554; p<0.001; 95% CI 0.376–0.732) were significantly associated with PTG. Concerning meaning in life, the presence of meaning (coef=0.312; p<0.001; 95% CI 0.189–0.435) and the search for meaning (coef=0.216; p=0.001; 95% CI 0.093–0.340) were also significantly associated with PTG. Finally, the problem-focused (coef=0.682; p=0.011; 95% CI 0.153–1.210) and emotion-focused (coef=0.736; p=0.009; 95% CI 0.186–1.285) coping strategies both showed significant associations with PTG. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that rumination, meaning in life, and adaptive coping (including cognitive and emotional coping) were protective factors for mental health problems among adolescents who survived the Sewol ferry disaster. These psychological factors may promote PTG over time.

Objective: Disaster survivors often experience negative impacts on their mental health, but some may also exhibit posttraumatic growth, overcoming adversity, and finding positive outcomes. This study aimed to identify psychological factors influencing posttraumatic growth (PTG) among students who survived the Sewol ferry disaster. Methods: The study used a longitudinal design. Data were collected at 6-month intervals between high school graduation and 6 years after the ferry disaster. Data were obtained from 48 adolescents who completed self-report measures of rumination, meaning in life, coping, PTG, family adaptability and cohesion. Generalized estimating equation models were fitted to 11 waves of follow-up data. Results: Intrusive rumination (coefficient [coef]=0.165; p<0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.081–0.250) and deliberate rumination (coef=0.554; p<0.001; 95% CI 0.376–0.732) were significantly associated with PTG. Concerning meaning in life, the presence of meaning (coef=0.312; p<0.001; 95% CI 0.189–0.435) and the search for meaning (coef=0.216; p=0.001; 95% CI 0.093–0.340) were also significantly associated with PTG. Finally, the problem-focused (coef=0.682; p=0.011; 95% CI 0.153–1.210) and emotion-focused (coef=0.736; p=0.009; 95% CI 0.186–1.285) coping strategies both showed significant associations with PTG. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that rumination, meaning in life, and adaptive coping (including cognitive and emotional coping) were protective factors for mental health problems among adolescents who survived the Sewol ferry disaster. These psychological factors may promote PTG over time.

Objective: Disaster survivors often experience negative impacts on their mental health, but some may also exhibit posttraumatic growth, overcoming adversity, and finding positive outcomes. This study aimed to identify psychological factors influencing posttraumatic growth (PTG) among students who survived the Sewol ferry disaster. Methods: The study used a longitudinal design. Data were collected at 6-month intervals between high school graduation and 6 years after the ferry disaster. Data were obtained from 48 adolescents who completed self-report measures of rumination, meaning in life, coping, PTG, family adaptability and cohesion. Generalized estimating equation models were fitted to 11 waves of follow-up data. Results: Intrusive rumination (coefficient [coef]=0.165; p<0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.081–0.250) and deliberate rumination (coef=0.554; p<0.001; 95% CI 0.376–0.732) were significantly associated with PTG. Concerning meaning in life, the presence of meaning (coef=0.312; p<0.001; 95% CI 0.189–0.435) and the search for meaning (coef=0.216; p=0.001; 95% CI 0.093–0.340) were also significantly associated with PTG. Finally, the problem-focused (coef=0.682; p=0.011; 95% CI 0.153–1.210) and emotion-focused (coef=0.736; p=0.009; 95% CI 0.186–1.285) coping strategies both showed significant associations with PTG. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that rumination, meaning in life, and adaptive coping (including cognitive and emotional coping) were protective factors for mental health problems among adolescents who survived the Sewol ferry disaster. These psychological factors may promote PTG over time.

Objective: Disaster survivors often experience negative impacts on their mental health, but some may also exhibit posttraumatic growth, overcoming adversity, and finding positive outcomes. This study aimed to identify psychological factors influencing posttraumatic growth (PTG) among students who survived the Sewol ferry disaster. Methods: The study used a longitudinal design. Data were collected at 6-month intervals between high school graduation and 6 years after the ferry disaster. Data were obtained from 48 adolescents who completed self-report measures of rumination, meaning in life, coping, PTG, family adaptability and cohesion. Generalized estimating equation models were fitted to 11 waves of follow-up data. Results: Intrusive rumination (coefficient [coef]=0.165; p<0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.081–0.250) and deliberate rumination (coef=0.554; p<0.001; 95% CI 0.376–0.732) were significantly associated with PTG. Concerning meaning in life, the presence of meaning (coef=0.312; p<0.001; 95% CI 0.189–0.435) and the search for meaning (coef=0.216; p=0.001; 95% CI 0.093–0.340) were also significantly associated with PTG. Finally, the problem-focused (coef=0.682; p=0.011; 95% CI 0.153–1.210) and emotion-focused (coef=0.736; p=0.009; 95% CI 0.186–1.285) coping strategies both showed significant associations with PTG. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that rumination, meaning in life, and adaptive coping (including cognitive and emotional coping) were protective factors for mental health problems among adolescents who survived the Sewol ferry disaster. These psychological factors may promote PTG over time.

Objective: Disaster survivors often experience negative impacts on their mental health, but some may also exhibit posttraumatic growth, overcoming adversity, and finding positive outcomes. This study aimed to identify psychological factors influencing posttraumatic growth (PTG) among students who survived the Sewol ferry disaster. Methods: The study used a longitudinal design. Data were collected at 6-month intervals between high school graduation and 6 years after the ferry disaster. Data were obtained from 48 adolescents who completed self-report measures of rumination, meaning in life, coping, PTG, family adaptability and cohesion. Generalized estimating equation models were fitted to 11 waves of follow-up data. Results: Intrusive rumination (coefficient [coef]=0.165; p<0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.081–0.250) and deliberate rumination (coef=0.554; p<0.001; 95% CI 0.376–0.732) were significantly associated with PTG. Concerning meaning in life, the presence of meaning (coef=0.312; p<0.001; 95% CI 0.189–0.435) and the search for meaning (coef=0.216; p=0.001; 95% CI 0.093–0.340) were also significantly associated with PTG. Finally, the problem-focused (coef=0.682; p=0.011; 95% CI 0.153–1.210) and emotion-focused (coef=0.736; p=0.009; 95% CI 0.186–1.285) coping strategies both showed significant associations with PTG. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that rumination, meaning in life, and adaptive coping (including cognitive and emotional coping) were protective factors for mental health problems among adolescents who survived the Sewol ferry disaster. These psychological factors may promote PTG over time.

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has been used for over a century and has been demonstrated to be effective in treating patients with various allergic diseases. AIT allergens can be administered through various routes, including subcutaneous, sublingual, intralymphatic, oral, or epicutaneous routes. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has recently gained clinical interest, and it is considered an alternative treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma. This review provides an overview of the current evidence-based studies that address the use of SLIT for treating AR, including (1) mechanisms of action, (2) appropriate patient selection for SLIT, (3) the current available SLIT products in Korea, and (4) updated information on its efficacy and safety. Finally, this guideline aims to provide the clinician with practical considerations for SLIT.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Korea and the third leading cause of death from cancer. Treatment outcomes for colon cancer are steadily improving due to national health screening programs with advances in diagnostic methods, surgical techniques, and therapeutic agents.. The Korea Colon Cancer Multidisciplinary (KCCM) Committee intends to provide professionals who treat colon cancer with the most up-to-date, evidence-based practice guidelines to improve outcomes and help them make decisions that reflect their patients’ values and preferences. These guidelines have been established by consensus reached by the KCCM Guideline Committee based on a systematic literature review and evidence synthesis and by considering the national health insurance system in real clinical practice settings. Each recommendation is presented with a recommendation strength and level of evidence based on the consensus of the committee.

Purpose: Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) presents a significant genetic predisposition, notably linked to mutations in the CDH1 and CTNNA1. However, the genetic basis for over half of HDGC cases remains unidentified. The aim of this study is to identify novel pathogenic variants in HDGC and evaluate their protein expression. Materials and Methods: Among 20 qualifying families, two were selected based on available pedigree and DNA. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) on DNA extracted from blood and whole exome sequencing on DNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues were performed to find potential pathogenic variants in HDGC. After selection of a candidate variant, functional validation, and enrichment analysis were performed. Results: As a result of WGS, three candidate germline mutations (EPHA5, MCOA2, and RHOA) were identified in one family. After literature review and in-silico analyses, the RHOA mutation (R129W) was selected as a candidate. This mutation was found in two gastric cancer patients within the family. In functional validation, it showed RhoA overexpression and a higher GTP-bound state in the RhoaR129W mutant. Decreased phosphorylation at Ser127/397 suggested altered YAP1 regulation in the Rho-ROCK pathway. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses linked RhoaR129W overexpression to changed migration/adhesion in MKN1 cell line. However, this RHOA mutation (R129W) was not found in index patients in other families. Conclusion The RHOA mutation (R129W) emerges as a potential causative gene for HDGC, but only in one family, indicating a need for further studies to understand its role in HDGC pathogenesis fully.

PURPOSE: To report the first case of cystoid macular edema in a retinitis pigmentosa patient with pars plana vitrectomy. CASE SUMMARY: A 43-year-old female visited our hospital with visual disturbances of both eyes. Corrected visual acuity was 20/22 in the right eye and 20/25 in the left eye. Peripheral depigmentation and atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, pigmentary retinal degeneration, and attenuated arterioles were observed in both eyes. Cystoid macular edema was observed on optical coherence tomography which showed that the central macular thickness was 308 µm in the right eye and 422 µm in left eye. Intravitreal aflibercept was injected into the left eye. One month after injection, the central macular thickness showed no response with a thickness of 449 µm. An intravitreal dexamethasone implant was then injected, 1 month after injection, the central macular thickness was 367 µm. Six months after injection, the patient again complained of visual disturbance of the left eye with a corrected visual acuity of 20/70. Vitreous opacity was observed and the central macular thickness was 501 µm. The patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy. Three days after surgery, the central macular thickness was 320 µm. One year after surgery, the corrected visual acuity was 20/33 and the central macular thickness was 311 µm. CONCLUSIONS: Pars plana vitrectomy due to cystoid macular edema in a retinitis pigmentosa patient has not been previously reported in the Republic of Korea. Pars plana vitrectomy can therefore be an effective treatment for cystoid macular edema in retinitis pigmentosa patients.
Adult ; Arterioles ; Atrophy ; Dexamethasone ; Female ; Humans ; Macular Edema ; Republic of Korea ; Retinal Degeneration ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium ; Retinitis Pigmentosa ; Retinitis ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

PURPOSE: Limited data is available on the prevalence and risk factors of acute and chronic urticaria in children. Our purpose was to determine the prevalence and identify the risk factors of acute and chronic urticaria in Korean children. METHODS: This population-based study examined 4,076 children (age 4 to 13 years) who were enrolled in the 2015 prospective Seongnam Atopy Project (SAP 2015) in Korea. The parents completed an urticaria questionnaire that included questions regarding the duration, severity, and triggering factors of urticaria. Blood sampling (n=464) was performed to measure vitamin D, total eosinophil count (TEC), and total IgE levels, and skin prick tests (n=503) were done. RESULTS: The prevalences of the life-time, acute, and chronic urticaria were 22.5%, 13.9%, and 1.8% (chronic continuous urticaria, 0.7%; and chronic recurrent urticaria, 1.1%), respectively. Acute urticaria was significantly associated with allergic diseases and parental history of allergy (P<0.001), but chronic urticaria was not associated with these clinical factors. There was no significant difference in the 25-hydroxyvitamin D level between subjects with chronic urticaria and controls (P=0.124). Chronic continuous urticaria was associated with living in a new residence (aOR=2.38, 95% CI=1.02-5.54, P=0.044) and belonging to a family with a high income (aOR=4.24, 95% CI=1.24-14.56, P=0.022). CONCLUSIONS: A total of 1.8% of children were found to have chronic urticaria. Living in a new residence and belonging to a family with a high income increased the risk of chronic continuous urticaria.
Child* ; Eosinophils ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Korea ; Parents ; Prevalence* ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Skin ; Urticaria* ; Vitamin D