Objective: To assess the frequency of regular uptake of national cervical cancer screening (CCS) program and identify associated factors among Korean women. Methods: This study is a fundamental investigation that employs openly accessible public data of Korea through secondary data analysis. A cohort of 4,663 women from the 2007–2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, was followed up for up to 12 years (2007–2018) to obtain the frequency of national CCS. Compliance level with CCS was categorized, and an ordinal logistic regression model was employed to investigate the contributing factors. Results: The regular uptake of CCS in South Korea was low at 18.9%. The trend of regular screening showed significant association with various factors, including age (40–59 years), household income (100%–150% bracket), occupation (service workers), place of residence (small to medium sized cities), education level (middle school graduates), marital status (married), and possession of private insurance. Moreover, individuals with a history of noncervical cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix, a family history of cervical cancer, or a higher frequency of general check-ups demonstrated a stronger adherence to regular CCS uptake. Conclusion Our findings revealed that regular participation in CCS in Korea was lower than anticipated, with factors such as socioeconomic status, personal history of gynecologic issue, and frequency of general health check-ups playing influential roles. However, further research, including an exploration of unexamined psychological barriers to screening, is necessary to gain a better understanding the reasons behind the reduced rates of regular CCS among Korean women.

Objective: To assess the frequency of regular uptake of national cervical cancer screening (CCS) program and identify associated factors among Korean women. Methods: This study is a fundamental investigation that employs openly accessible public data of Korea through secondary data analysis. A cohort of 4,663 women from the 2007–2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, was followed up for up to 12 years (2007–2018) to obtain the frequency of national CCS. Compliance level with CCS was categorized, and an ordinal logistic regression model was employed to investigate the contributing factors. Results: The regular uptake of CCS in South Korea was low at 18.9%. The trend of regular screening showed significant association with various factors, including age (40–59 years), household income (100%–150% bracket), occupation (service workers), place of residence (small to medium sized cities), education level (middle school graduates), marital status (married), and possession of private insurance. Moreover, individuals with a history of noncervical cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix, a family history of cervical cancer, or a higher frequency of general check-ups demonstrated a stronger adherence to regular CCS uptake. Conclusion Our findings revealed that regular participation in CCS in Korea was lower than anticipated, with factors such as socioeconomic status, personal history of gynecologic issue, and frequency of general health check-ups playing influential roles. However, further research, including an exploration of unexamined psychological barriers to screening, is necessary to gain a better understanding the reasons behind the reduced rates of regular CCS among Korean women.

Objective: To assess the frequency of regular uptake of national cervical cancer screening (CCS) program and identify associated factors among Korean women. Methods: This study is a fundamental investigation that employs openly accessible public data of Korea through secondary data analysis. A cohort of 4,663 women from the 2007–2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, was followed up for up to 12 years (2007–2018) to obtain the frequency of national CCS. Compliance level with CCS was categorized, and an ordinal logistic regression model was employed to investigate the contributing factors. Results: The regular uptake of CCS in South Korea was low at 18.9%. The trend of regular screening showed significant association with various factors, including age (40–59 years), household income (100%–150% bracket), occupation (service workers), place of residence (small to medium sized cities), education level (middle school graduates), marital status (married), and possession of private insurance. Moreover, individuals with a history of noncervical cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix, a family history of cervical cancer, or a higher frequency of general check-ups demonstrated a stronger adherence to regular CCS uptake. Conclusion Our findings revealed that regular participation in CCS in Korea was lower than anticipated, with factors such as socioeconomic status, personal history of gynecologic issue, and frequency of general health check-ups playing influential roles. However, further research, including an exploration of unexamined psychological barriers to screening, is necessary to gain a better understanding the reasons behind the reduced rates of regular CCS among Korean women.

Background: Consistent uptake of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is important to reduce the incidence and mortality from advanced-stage CRC and increase the survival rate of the patients. We conducted a longitudinal study to determine the factors affecting CRC screening compliance in Korean adults using individual-level linked data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Korean National Health Insurance Service, and Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Methods: We selected 3,464 adults aged 50–79 years as the study population and followed them for 12 years (January 2007–December 2018). The outcome variable was the level of adherence to CRC screening, categorized as nonadherent, intermittently adherent, and consistently adherent. An ordinal logistic regression model was designed to determine the socioeconomic factors, family history of CRC, and medical conditions that could facilitate the consistent uptake of CRC screening. Results: The results showed a significant and positive association between consistent uptake of CRC screening and the 100–150% income category (odds ratio [OR], 1.710; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.401–2.088); clerical, sales and service job category (OR, 1.962; 95% CI, 1.582–2.433); residency at medium-sized cities (OR, 1.295; 95% CI, 1.094–1.532); high-school graduation (OR, 1.440; 95% CI, 1.210–1.713); married status (OR, 2.281; 95% CI, 1.946–2.674); use of employment-based national health insurance (OR, 1.820; 95% CI, 1.261–2.626); use of private insurance (OR, 2.259; 95% CI, 1.970–2.589); no disability (OR, 1.428; 95% CI, 1.175–1.737); family history of CRC (OR, 2.027; 95% CI, 1.514–2.714); and history of colorectal neoplasm (OR, 1.216; 95% CI; 1.039–1.422). Conclusion The lack of regular participation in CRC screening programs in the Republic of Korea was found to be an issue that requires attention. Policies on CRC screening must place increased emphasis on strengthening educational and public relations initiatives.

Background and Objectives: We aimed to compare the efficacy of a novel powered irrigation system with that of the manual bottle-squeeze method for postoperative healing after endoscopic sinonasal surgery (ESS).Subjects and Method In this prospective randomized clinical trial, 29 patients were enrolled for nasal irrigation (NI) with either NOSSHA® (Womens Care Co., Ltd.) powered irrigation system (NOSSHA® group, n=14) or manual irrigation (control group, n=15). Objective findings were evaluated using the modified Lund-Kennedy scores. Subjective outcomes were assessed using the total nasal endoscopic score (TNES), total nasal symptom score (TNSS), visual analog scale (VAS), and quality of life (QOL) questionnaires in each group at baseline, and 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after ESS. We compared the postoperative changes between both groups. Results: The mean TNES of patients were significantly higher in the NOSSHA® group than in the control group (p=0.015); however, the improvement in TNES was achieved 2 weeks earlier in the NOSSHA® group. The improvement in TNES (p<0.001) and TNSS (p<0.001) was statistically significant in both groups. The improvement in QOL was statistically significant in the NOSSHA® (p<0.001) and control group (p=0.007). The improvement in the TNSS and QOL was earlier in the NOSSHA® group by 4 and 7 weeks, respectively; no early improvement occurred in the NOSSHA® group for the VAS score. Conclusion We validated the usefulness of postoperative NI using a powered device, which may be useful for patients who cannot tolerate manual NI.

Tobacco smoking (TS) has been known as one of the most potent risk factors for airway inflammatory diseases. However, there has been a paucity of information regarding the immunologic alteration mediated by TS in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). To identify the effect of TS, we harvested human tissue samples (never smoker: n=41, current smoker: n=22, quitter: n=23) and analyzed the expression of epithelialderived cytokines (EDCs) such as IL-25, IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin. The expressions of Th2 cytokines and total serum IgE showed a type-2 inflammatory alteration by TS. In addition, the epithelial marker E-cadherin and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated markers (N-cadherin, α-SMA, and vimentin) were evaluated. Histological analysis showed that EDC expressions were upregulated in the current smoker group and downregulated in the quitter group. These expression patterns were consistent with mRNA and protein expression levels. We also found that the local Th2 cytokine expression and IgE class switching, as well as serum IgE levels, were elevated in the current smoker group and showed normal levels in the quitter group. Furthermore, the expressions of E-cadherin decreased while those of N-cadherin, α-SMA, and vimentin increased in the current smoker group compared those in the never smoker group. Taken together, these results indicate that TS contributes to the deterioration of pathogenesis by releasing local EDCs and Th2 cytokines, resulting in EMT in patients with CRSwNP. We verified that alterations of immunological response by TS in sinonasal epithelium can play a vital role in leading to CRSwNP.

Objectives: Despite the popularization of technology and the high penetration rate of smartphones and mobile devices, differences exist in the accessibility, utilization capabilities, and quality of technology depending on users’ characteristics. Since these discrepancies can threaten health information equity, popularization of medical information is essential. This review article examines domestic and international cases of popularization of medical information, and discusses the related issues, expectations, and practical measures to achieve the popularization of medical information. Methods: In this study, medical information was categorized as Electronic Health Records/Electronic Medical Records (EHR/EMRs; hospital-driven medical information), personal health records (PHRs; user-driven medical information), and patient-generated health data (PGHD; user-generated medical information [outside hospitals]). This article reviewed the domestic and international use status, acceptance rates, and use cases for each type of medical information. Issues and expectations about policies and cases related to the popularization of medical information were also described, and finally, practical measures to accomplish the popularization of medical information were discussed. Results: To achieve the popularization of medical information, the following measures should be considered: engaging health consumers to participate in the early stages of information production, cultivating digital literacy, producing easy-to-use and interesting medical content, visualizing health information, and creating a medical thesaurus. Conclusions Healthcare providers should make regular efforts to popularize medical information. The popularization of medical information is an essential process to achieve health equity and digital health equity.

Objectives: Despite the popularization of technology and the high penetration rate of smartphones and mobile devices, differences exist in the accessibility, utilization capabilities, and quality of technology depending on users’ characteristics. Since these discrepancies can threaten health information equity, popularization of medical information is essential. This review article examines domestic and international cases of popularization of medical information, and discusses the related issues, expectations, and practical measures to achieve the popularization of medical information. Methods: In this study, medical information was categorized as Electronic Health Records/Electronic Medical Records (EHR/EMRs; hospital-driven medical information), personal health records (PHRs; user-driven medical information), and patient-generated health data (PGHD; user-generated medical information [outside hospitals]). This article reviewed the domestic and international use status, acceptance rates, and use cases for each type of medical information. Issues and expectations about policies and cases related to the popularization of medical information were also described, and finally, practical measures to accomplish the popularization of medical information were discussed. Results: To achieve the popularization of medical information, the following measures should be considered: engaging health consumers to participate in the early stages of information production, cultivating digital literacy, producing easy-to-use and interesting medical content, visualizing health information, and creating a medical thesaurus. Conclusions Healthcare providers should make regular efforts to popularize medical information. The popularization of medical information is an essential process to achieve health equity and digital health equity.

Adult ; Angiomyoma ; Diagnostic Errors ; Humans ; Nasal Obstruction ; Recurrence