Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Background: The efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus warfarin in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome-associated venous thromboembolism (APS-VTE) remain uncertain. We aimed to evaluate efficacy and safety of DOACs in patients with APSVTE. Methods: Using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database, we retrospectively identified all APS-VTE cases. We examined the VTE recurrence, arterial thrombosis, death and bleeding in patients who received DOACs compared with warfarin for therapeutic anticoagulation. Results: Of all the VTE cases (n = 84,916) detected between 2014 and 2018, patients with APS-VTE (n = 410) accounted for 0.48%. Most patients with APS-VTE (73%) were aged < 60 years. The recurrent VTE occurred in 8 of 209 patients (3.8%) who received DOACs and in 7 of 201 (3.5%) who received warfarin (relative risk [RR], 1.099; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41–2.98; P = 1.000). The arterial thrombosis (ATE) occurred in 8 of 209 patients (3.8%) who received DOAC and in 20 of 201 (10%) who received warfarin (RR, 0.385; 95% CI, 0.17–0.85; P = 0.024). The composite outcomes of VTE recurrence, ATE, or mortality were significantly lower in patients (9.1%) on DOAC than in those (16.3%) on warfarin (RR, 0.537; 95% CI, 0.32–0.91; P = 0.028). The bleeding outcome occurred in 7 of 209 (3.4%) patients in the DOACs group and 7 of 201 (3.5%) patients in the warfarin group (RR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.34–2.69; P = 0.840). Conclusion In patients with APS-VTE, DOACs group showed comparable rates of recurrent VTE, bleeding, and deaths, but a significantly lower incidence of ATE and composite outcomes compared with the warfarin group in Korea.

Background: Dermatophyte infection is one of the most common skin diseases affecting the skin, hair, and nails. Despite widespread recognition of the disease, missing details and misperceptions are commonplace in the general population. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the public perception and behavior regarding dermatophytosis of the hands and feet. Methods: This results from an online survey conducted between July 2022 and August 2022. The survey included 1,000 Korean participants aged 20 to 69 years, of whom 60% experienced symptoms of tinea pedis or onychomycosis. The questionnaire focused on the awareness and personal experience of tinea pedis and perception of the treatment of dermatophytosis. Results: Of the 1,000 participants, nearly 80% regarded tinea pedis as a common skin condition by which anyone can be affected. Furthermore, 88.4% had heard that the treatment of tinea pedis could be harmful, causing skin rash (60.4%) and worsening liver function (48.5%). Among 896 participants who noticed suspicious symptoms, 81.2% did not visit the clinic because it was not severe (50.1%) and seemed easily manageable (25.7%). Of the respondents, 84.4% preferred to meet dermatologists rather than non-dermatologist doctors regarding skin diseases, mainly because of trust in experts and belief in a faster cure. Conclusion Providing accurate and detailed information via online media, educational campaigns, and medical papers can rectify misconceptions and improve patient appliance, contributing to public skin health.

Background: and Purpose Moderate-intensity statin plus ezetimibe versus high-intensity statin alone may provide a greater low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction in patients with recent ischemic stroke. Methods: This randomized, open-label, controlled trial assigned patients with recent ischemic stroke <90 days to rosuvastatin/ezetimibe 10/10 mg once daily (ROS10/EZT10) or to rosuvastatin 20 mg once daily (ROS20). The primary endpoint was LDL-C reduction ≥50% from baseline at 90 days. Key secondary endpoints were LDL-C <70 mg/dL and multiple lipid goal achievement, and composite of major vascular events. Results: Of 584 randomized, 530 were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis. The baseline LDL-C level was 130.2±34.7 mg/dL in the ROS10/EZT10 group and 131.0±33.9 mg/dL in the ROS20 group. The primary endpoint was achieved in 198 patients (72.5%) in the ROS10/EZT10 group and 148 (57.6%) in the ROS20 group (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.944 [1.352–2.795]; P= 0.0003). LDL-C level <70 mg/dL was achieved in 80.2% and 65.4% in the ROS10/EZT10 and ROS20 groups (P=0.0001). Multiple lipid goal achievement rate was 71.1% and 53.7% in the ROS10/EZT10 and ROS20 groups (P<0.0001). Major vascular events occurred in 1 patient in the ROS10/EZT10 group and 9 in the ROS20 group (P=0.0091). The adverse event rates did not differ between the two groups. Conclusion Moderate-intensity rosuvastatin plus ezetimibe was superior to high-intensity rosuvastatin alone for intensive LDL-C reduction in patients with recent ischemic stroke. With the combination therapy, more than 70% of patients achieved LDL-C reduction ≥50% and 80% had an LDL-C <70 mg/dL at 90 days.

Background: The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) has gradually increased in the Korean population. This study aimed to evaluate the annual age- and sex-adjusted incidence rates (ASR) of VTE and anticoagulation trends between 2014 and 2018. Methods: Using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database, we retrospectively identified VTE patients between 2014 and 2018 using both diagnostic and medication anticoagulant codes assigned within 6 months of the initial index event. Anticoagulant patterns were classified as follows: direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), panticoagulants, warfarin, and mixed anticoagulation regimens. Results: We identified 95,205 patients with VTE (female, 56.8%). The ASR for VTE per 100,000 person-years increased from 32.8 in 2014 to 53.7 cases in 2018 (relative risk of 1.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.6–1.67). The VTE incidence rates were 25 times higher in the ≥ 80 group than in the 30s group. VTE occurred 1.29 times more often in women than in men. The proportion of DOAC prescriptions increased from 40.5% to 72.8%, whereas warfarin prescriptions decreased from 27% to 5.6% in 2014 and 2018. Conclusion In Korea, the ASRs of VTE continued to increase since 2014, but the rate of increase slowed in 2018. The VTE occurred more often in the elderly and in women. Five years after the introduction of DOACs in 2013, they accounted for 73% of all anticoagulants used to treat VTE.