Purpose: Although the taller-than-wide (TTW) sign has been regarded as one of the most specific ultrasound (US) features of thyroid malignancy, uncertainty still exists regarding the US probe’s orientation when evaluating it. This study investigated which US plane would be optimal to identify the TTW sign based on malignancy risk stratification using a registry-based imaging dataset. Methods: A previous study by 17 academic radiologists retrospectively analyzed the US images of 5,601 thyroid nodules (≥1 cm, 1,089 malignant and 4,512 benign) collected in the webbased registry of Thyroid Imaging Network of Korea through the collaboration of 26 centers. The present study assessed the diagnostic performance of the TTW sign itself and fine needle aspiration (FNA) indications via a comparison of four international guidelines, depending on the orientation of the US probe (criterion 1, transverse plane; criterion 2, either transverse or longitudinal plane). Results: Overall, the TTW sign was more frequent in malignant than in benign thyroid nodules (25.3% vs. 4.6%). However, the statistical differences between criteria 1 and 2 were negligible for sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) based on the size effect (all P<0.05, Cohen’s d=0.19, 0.10, and 0.07, respectively). Moreover, the sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of the four FNA guidelines were similar between criteria 1 and 2 (all P>0.05, respectively). Conclusion A longitudinal US probe orientation provided little additional diagnostic value over the transverse orientation in detecting the TTW sign of thyroid nodules.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a Korean Adult Patients Delirium Screening Tool (K-APDS) for those admitted to general wards, and to verify its reliability and validity. Methods: For the development of the tool, 12 items were derived through the results of literature review and focus group interviews with general ward nurses, and the content validity was confirmed by experts. To verify the reliability and validity of the developed tool, 317 adult patients who were admitted to general wards of three tertiary general hospitals from October to November 2022 were evaluated by the attending nurse and data were collected. Results: After factor analysis for construct validity verification, two factors were extracted, which explained 60.1% of the total variance. After the validation of the control group, the difference in the delirium incidence scores calculated using the K-APDS between the delirium group and non-delirium group was very significant (Z=-10.82, p<.001).To verify the criterion validity, K-APDS, Delirium Observation Screening, and Pearson's correlation coefficient were checked and found to be .94 (p<.001). The predictive validity test reported that the sensitivity was 91.1%, specificity was 82.4%, positive predictive value was 52.6%, and negative predictive value was 97.8%. The reliability of K-APDS was found to be high with Cronbach’s ⍺=.91. Conclusion K-APDS can screen for delirium with 2 or more points, excellent validity and reliability have been verified. Therefore, this tool could be applied immediately in the clinical field, and will contribute to the early detection of delirium, enabling rapid interventions.

Purpose: This study aims to identify the relationship between nursing students’ social anxiety and communication ability, and in particular, to determine the mediating effect of self-efficacy. Methods: A total of 187 nursing students enrolled at four universities in Korea completed surveys between August and September 2020. The measurements included the Global Interpersonal Communication Competence Scale, self-efficacy scales, and interaction anxiousness scales. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, an independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, multiple regression following the Baron and Kenny method, and bootstrapping for mediation. Results: Communication ability was significantly negatively correlated with social anxiety (r=-.61, p<.001) and significantly positively correlated with self-efficacy (r=.77, p<.001). Furthermore, self-efficacy had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between social anxiety and communication ability. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that communication ability can be improved if individual characteristics such as social anxiety and self-efficacy are considered. Therefore, when developing communication ability improvement programs for nursing students in the future, it is considered important to actively consider these personal characteristics.

Purpose: High-risk pregnancy, resulting in major complications, such as abortion, gestational hypertension, and preterm labor, are on the rise, requiring intervention. Increased concentration of particulate matter that is 10 μg per cubic meter or less in diameter (PM10) due to increased air pollution and industrialization has recently been noted as a risk factor for health problems, and prior studies have reported that PM10 is related to abortion, gestational hypertension, and preterm labor. Methods: This study used data from the Korean medical panel between 2008 and 2016 to identify 879 women with normal pregnancies and 301 women diagnosed with high-risk pregnancies. The association between high-risk pregnancy and PM10 was analyzed using the annual average regional concentration during the same period by the Korea Environment Corporation. Results: At 35 years of age or older, the risk of abortion (p<0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43–2.71) and preterm labor increased (p<0.05; 95% CI, 0.33–0.90). Married pregnant women were at a high risk of preterm labor (p<0.05; 95% CI, 0.25–0.98), and the prevalence of gestational hypertension was high in the metropolitan area (p<0.05; 95% CI, 12.09–25.93). On comparing the average annual concentration of particulate matter according to the level of atmospheric ventilation of the Korea Environment Corporation using a cutoff of ≤50 μg/m3, the probability of preterm labor was 2.2 times higher in groups exposed to particulate matter concentration of ≥50 μg/m3 (p<0.01; 95% CI, 1.49–3.25). Conclusion PM10 was related to preterm labor, and the risk of preterm labor was high if the average annual concentration of PM10 in the individual’s residential area exceeded 50 μg/m3.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the nutritional status and prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized children at admission and during hospitalization in South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This first cross-sectional nationwide “Pediatric Nutrition Day (pNday)” survey was conducted among 872 hospitalized children (504 boys, 368 girls; 686 medical, 186 surgical) from 23 hospitals in South Korea. Malnutrition risk was screened using the Pediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (PYMS) and the Screening Tool Risk on Nutritional status and Growth. Nutritional status was assessed by z-scores of weight-for-age for underweight, weight-for-height for wasting, and height-for-age for stunting as well as laboratory tests. RESULTS: At admission, of the 872 hospitalized children, 17.2% were underweight, and the prevalence of wasting and stunting was 20.2% and 17.3%, respectively. During hospitalization till pNday, 10.8% and 19.6% experienced weight loss and decreased oral intake, respectively.During the aforementioned period, fasting was more prevalent in surgical patients (7.5%) than in medical patients (1.6%) (P < 0.001). According to the PYMS, 34.3% and 30% of the children at admission and on pNday, respectively, had a high-risk of malnutrition, requiring consultation with the nutritional support team (NST). However, only 4% were actually referred to the NST during hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS Malnutrition was prevalent at admission and during hospitalization in pediatric patients, with many children experiencing weight loss and poor oral intake. To improve the nutritional status of hospitalized children, it is important to screen and identify all children at risk of malnutrition and refer malnourished patients to the multidisciplinary NST for proper nutritional interventions.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the nutritional status and prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized children at admission and during hospitalization in South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This first cross-sectional nationwide “Pediatric Nutrition Day (pNday)” survey was conducted among 872 hospitalized children (504 boys, 368 girls; 686 medical, 186 surgical) from 23 hospitals in South Korea. Malnutrition risk was screened using the Pediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score (PYMS) and the Screening Tool Risk on Nutritional status and Growth. Nutritional status was assessed by z-scores of weight-for-age for underweight, weight-for-height for wasting, and height-for-age for stunting as well as laboratory tests. RESULTS: At admission, of the 872 hospitalized children, 17.2% were underweight, and the prevalence of wasting and stunting was 20.2% and 17.3%, respectively. During hospitalization till pNday, 10.8% and 19.6% experienced weight loss and decreased oral intake, respectively.During the aforementioned period, fasting was more prevalent in surgical patients (7.5%) than in medical patients (1.6%) (P < 0.001). According to the PYMS, 34.3% and 30% of the children at admission and on pNday, respectively, had a high-risk of malnutrition, requiring consultation with the nutritional support team (NST). However, only 4% were actually referred to the NST during hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS Malnutrition was prevalent at admission and during hospitalization in pediatric patients, with many children experiencing weight loss and poor oral intake. To improve the nutritional status of hospitalized children, it is important to screen and identify all children at risk of malnutrition and refer malnourished patients to the multidisciplinary NST for proper nutritional interventions.

Purpose: This study aims to identify the relationship between nursing students’ social anxiety and communication ability, and in particular, to determine the mediating effect of self-efficacy. Methods: A total of 187 nursing students enrolled at four universities in Korea completed surveys between August and September 2020. The measurements included the Global Interpersonal Communication Competence Scale, self-efficacy scales, and interaction anxiousness scales. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, an independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, multiple regression following the Baron and Kenny method, and bootstrapping for mediation. Results: Communication ability was significantly negatively correlated with social anxiety (r=-.61, p<.001) and significantly positively correlated with self-efficacy (r=.77, p<.001). Furthermore, self-efficacy had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between social anxiety and communication ability. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that communication ability can be improved if individual characteristics such as social anxiety and self-efficacy are considered. Therefore, when developing communication ability improvement programs for nursing students in the future, it is considered important to actively consider these personal characteristics.

PURPOSE: Data are lacking on the association between the allergic rhinitis (AR) phenotype and sensitization to specific allergens or bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in children. We here investigated risk factors and comorbidities, including sensitization to specific allergens and BHR, for the AR phenotype by AR and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) classification in a general population-based birth cohort study. METHODS: We enrolled 606 children aged 7 years from the Panel Study of Korean Children. The AR phenotype was assigned in accordance with the ARIA classification in children. Skin prick tests and Provocholine provocation test were performed. Risk factors and comorbidities for AR phenotypes were then analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of mild and moderate to severe AR in our study cohort was 37.2% and 8.8%, respectively. Recent use of analgesics or antipyretics and current cat ownership were associated with the risk of mild persistent AR. Sensitizations to Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus (Der p), Japanese hop and cat were associated with moderate to severe persistent AR. Children with moderate to severe AR had a higher risk of current asthma and BHR compared to mild AR cases (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.77–15.62). Moderate to severe AR with allergic sensitization was associated with the highest risk of BHR (aOR, 11.77; 95% CI, 3.40–40.74). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to severe-persistent AR is more closely related to respiratory comorbidities and sensitizations than mild AR. Stratifying the AR phenotype by ARIA classification may assist in disease management.
Allergens ; Analgesics ; Animals ; Antipyretics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity ; Cats ; Child ; Classification ; Cohort Studies ; Comorbidity ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Disease Management ; Humans ; Methacholine Chloride ; Odds Ratio ; Ownership ; Parturition ; Phenotype ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Risk Factors ; Skin

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is defined as the occurrence of spontaneous wheals, angioedema, or both for >6 weeks in the absence of specific causes. It is a common condition associated with substantial disease burden both for affected individuals and societies in many countries, including Korea. CSU frequently persists for several years and requires high-intensity treatment; therefore, patients experience deteriorations in quality of life and medication-associated complications. During the last decade, there have been major advances in the pharmacological treatment of CSU and there is an outstanding need for evidence-based guidelines that reflect clinical practice in Korea. The guidelines reported here represent a joint initiative of the Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology and the Korean Dermatological Association, and aim to provide evidence-based guidance for the management of CSU in Korean adults and children. In Part 1, disease definition, guideline scope and development methodology as well as evidence-based recommendations on the use of antihistamines and corticosteroids are summarized.