Background: The increasing rate of excess body weight (EBW) in the global population has led to growing health concerns, including cancer-related EBW. We aimed to estimate the population attributable fraction (PAF) of cancer incidence and deaths linked to EBW in Korean individuals from 2015 to 2030 and to compare its value with various body mass index cutoffs. Methods: Levin’s formula was used to calculate the PAF; the prevalence rates were computed using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, while the relative risks of specific cancers related to EBW were estimated based on the results of Korean cohort studies. To account for the 15-year latency period when estimating the PAF in 2020, the prevalence rates from 2015 and attributable cases or deaths from 2020 were used. Results: The PAF attributed to EBW was similar for both cancer incidence and deaths using either the World Health Organization (WHO) Asian-Pacific region standard or a modified Asian standard, with the WHO standard yielding the lowest values. In the Korean population, the PAFs of EBW for cancer incidence were 2.96% in men and 3.61% in women, while those for cancer deaths were 0.67% in men and 3.06% in women in 2020. Additionally, PAFs showed a gradual increase in both sexes until 2030. Conclusion The EBW continues to have a significant impact on cancer incidence and deaths in Korea. Effective prevention strategies targeting the reduction of this modifiable risk factor can substantially decrease the cancer burden.

Background: The increasing rate of excess body weight (EBW) in the global population has led to growing health concerns, including cancer-related EBW. We aimed to estimate the population attributable fraction (PAF) of cancer incidence and deaths linked to EBW in Korean individuals from 2015 to 2030 and to compare its value with various body mass index cutoffs. Methods: Levin’s formula was used to calculate the PAF; the prevalence rates were computed using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, while the relative risks of specific cancers related to EBW were estimated based on the results of Korean cohort studies. To account for the 15-year latency period when estimating the PAF in 2020, the prevalence rates from 2015 and attributable cases or deaths from 2020 were used. Results: The PAF attributed to EBW was similar for both cancer incidence and deaths using either the World Health Organization (WHO) Asian-Pacific region standard or a modified Asian standard, with the WHO standard yielding the lowest values. In the Korean population, the PAFs of EBW for cancer incidence were 2.96% in men and 3.61% in women, while those for cancer deaths were 0.67% in men and 3.06% in women in 2020. Additionally, PAFs showed a gradual increase in both sexes until 2030. Conclusion The EBW continues to have a significant impact on cancer incidence and deaths in Korea. Effective prevention strategies targeting the reduction of this modifiable risk factor can substantially decrease the cancer burden.

Background: The increasing rate of excess body weight (EBW) in the global population has led to growing health concerns, including cancer-related EBW. We aimed to estimate the population attributable fraction (PAF) of cancer incidence and deaths linked to EBW in Korean individuals from 2015 to 2030 and to compare its value with various body mass index cutoffs. Methods: Levin’s formula was used to calculate the PAF; the prevalence rates were computed using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, while the relative risks of specific cancers related to EBW were estimated based on the results of Korean cohort studies. To account for the 15-year latency period when estimating the PAF in 2020, the prevalence rates from 2015 and attributable cases or deaths from 2020 were used. Results: The PAF attributed to EBW was similar for both cancer incidence and deaths using either the World Health Organization (WHO) Asian-Pacific region standard or a modified Asian standard, with the WHO standard yielding the lowest values. In the Korean population, the PAFs of EBW for cancer incidence were 2.96% in men and 3.61% in women, while those for cancer deaths were 0.67% in men and 3.06% in women in 2020. Additionally, PAFs showed a gradual increase in both sexes until 2030. Conclusion The EBW continues to have a significant impact on cancer incidence and deaths in Korea. Effective prevention strategies targeting the reduction of this modifiable risk factor can substantially decrease the cancer burden.

Background: The increasing rate of excess body weight (EBW) in the global population has led to growing health concerns, including cancer-related EBW. We aimed to estimate the population attributable fraction (PAF) of cancer incidence and deaths linked to EBW in Korean individuals from 2015 to 2030 and to compare its value with various body mass index cutoffs. Methods: Levin’s formula was used to calculate the PAF; the prevalence rates were computed using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, while the relative risks of specific cancers related to EBW were estimated based on the results of Korean cohort studies. To account for the 15-year latency period when estimating the PAF in 2020, the prevalence rates from 2015 and attributable cases or deaths from 2020 were used. Results: The PAF attributed to EBW was similar for both cancer incidence and deaths using either the World Health Organization (WHO) Asian-Pacific region standard or a modified Asian standard, with the WHO standard yielding the lowest values. In the Korean population, the PAFs of EBW for cancer incidence were 2.96% in men and 3.61% in women, while those for cancer deaths were 0.67% in men and 3.06% in women in 2020. Additionally, PAFs showed a gradual increase in both sexes until 2030. Conclusion The EBW continues to have a significant impact on cancer incidence and deaths in Korea. Effective prevention strategies targeting the reduction of this modifiable risk factor can substantially decrease the cancer burden.

Objective: To compare the convenience and effectiveness of the existing lumbosacral orthoses (LSO) (classic LSO and Cybertech) and a newly developed LSO (V-LSO) by analyzing postoperative data. Methods: This prospective cohort study was performed from May 2019 to November 2019 and enrolled and analyzed 88 patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease scheduled for elective lumbar surgery. Three types of LSO that were provided according to the time of patient registration were applied for 6 weeks. Patients were randomized into the classic LSO group (n=31), Cybertech group (n=26), and V-LSO group (n=31). All patients were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) preoperatively and underwent plain lumbar radiography (anteroposterior and lateral views) 10 days postoperatively. Lumbar lordosis (LS angle) and frontal imbalance were measured with and without LSO. At the sixth postoperative week, a follow-up assessment with the ODI and orthosis questionnaire was conducted. Results: No significant differences were found among the three groups in terms of the LS angle, frontal imbalance, ODI, and orthosis questionnaire results. When the change in the LS angle and frontal imbalance toward the reference value was defined as a positive change with and without LSO, the rate of positive change was significantly different in the V-LSO group (LS angle: 41.94% vs. 61.54% vs. 83.87%; p=0.003). Conclusion The newly developed LSO showed no difference regarding its effectiveness and compliance when compared with the existing LSO, but it was more effective in correcting lumbar lordosis.

We report a patient with severe neurological deterioration due to leptomeningeal metastases involving brain and spinal cord from anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive lung adenocarcinoma, managed rapidly and successfully with lorlatinib therapy. A 48-year-old male patient presented with acute mental deterioration, severe headache, and weakness of both legs. The patient’s previous medical history included cerebral metastases from ALK-positive lung adenocarcinoma, which had been successfully managed via whole brain radiation therapy and gamma knife radiosurgery one year and three months before, respectively. Physical examination revealed neck stiffness and paraparesis with motor grade I.Gadolinium-enhanced brain MRI showed newly developed leptomeningeal enhancement along cerebellar folia, and whole spine MRI revealed similar leptomeningeal metastasis along the whole spinal axis. Lorlatinib was started orally with a dose of 100 mg/day. The patient showed rapid clinical improvement after one week. The patient was alert and the headache disappeared, while the paraparesis improved to normal ambulatory status. Two months of lorlatinib treatment resulted in almost complete disappearance of previous leptomeningeal enhancement of brain and spinal cord, and absence of newly developed metastatic lesions in the central nervous system, based on MRI results. The patient had been regularly followed with ongoing lorlatinib therapy for 5 months without any systemic complications or neurological abnormality. Conclusively, lorlatinib could be a rapid and effective treatment for patients with central nervous system leptomeningeal metastases arising from ALK-positive lung cancer.

Background: Job training influences the overall working environment and worker's well-being. The purpose of this study is to find the relationship between job training and subjective well-being in accordance with occupations and understand the influence of task characteristics—work creativity and task variety (WCTV)—on the effect of training. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on the Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey was conducted on 50,205 workers in the Republic of Korea. The World Health Oorganization–5 well-being index was used to measure their subjective well-being. The relationship between job training and subjective well-being was divided in accordance with the level of WCTV. Results: Training paid for by employer showed a negative effect on subjective well-being when received for more than 3 days (OR 0.88, p<0.01) in the last 12 months. Training paid for by oneself showed a positive linkage with well-being when the level of training was 1–3 days (Odds ratio = 1.55, p<0.001). This result showed different aspects in accordance with the level of WCTV. For the high WCTV group, the aforementioned results were reaffirmed, but for the group with low WCTV, job training did not show a statistically significant result on well-being. On-the-job training was not related to subjective well-being regardless of the level of WCTV. Conclusion Job training had different effects on subjective well-being depending on the type and frequency of training, as well as the WCTV. It is imperative to comprehensively apply different types of job training in accordance with the characteristics of occupations to uplift workers' well-being.

Background: Job training influences the overall working environment and worker's well-being. The purpose of this study is to find the relationship between job training and subjective well-being in accordance with occupations and understand the influence of task characteristics—work creativity and task variety (WCTV)—on the effect of training. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on the Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey was conducted on 50,205 workers in the Republic of Korea. The World Health Oorganization–5 well-being index was used to measure their subjective well-being. The relationship between job training and subjective well-being was divided in accordance with the level of WCTV. Results: Training paid for by employer showed a negative effect on subjective well-being when received for more than 3 days (OR 0.88, p<0.01) in the last 12 months. Training paid for by oneself showed a positive linkage with well-being when the level of training was 1–3 days (Odds ratio = 1.55, p<0.001). This result showed different aspects in accordance with the level of WCTV. For the high WCTV group, the aforementioned results were reaffirmed, but for the group with low WCTV, job training did not show a statistically significant result on well-being. On-the-job training was not related to subjective well-being regardless of the level of WCTV. Conclusion Job training had different effects on subjective well-being depending on the type and frequency of training, as well as the WCTV. It is imperative to comprehensively apply different types of job training in accordance with the characteristics of occupations to uplift workers' well-being.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the association between serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a population based study. METHODS: This study included a total of 9,007 community-dwelling Koreans aged 50 years and over who were enrolled in the Dong-gu study from 2007 to 2010. Electrocardiograms were recorded from the subjects using the HP-PageWriter 200 M1771A. All potential cases of AF were determined by 2 cardiologists. PTH concentration was measured by a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the quartiles of PTH and AF, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: The prevalence of AF was 2.41% in males and 0.9% in females and increased with advanced age in both genders. The median and interquartile range (IQR) of serum PTH was 39.5 pg/mL (IQR, 30.6–50.8), which was significantly higher in patients with AF than in patients without AF (p < 0.001). The prevalence of AF increased with increasing PTH quartile (0.8%, 0.9%, 1.6%, and 2.8% in the lowest, second, third, and highest PTH quartiles, respectively; p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic analysis adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors showed the highest quartile of serum PTH levels was associated with a higher prevalence of AF than the lowest quartile (odds ratio, 3.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.93–5.78). CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of serum PTH were associated with higher prevalence of AF. Further studies are needed to determine whether this association is present in other populations and in a prospective study setting.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the association between serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a population based study. METHODS: This study included a total of 9,007 community-dwelling Koreans aged 50 years and over who were enrolled in the Dong-gu study from 2007 to 2010. Electrocardiograms were recorded from the subjects using the HP-PageWriter 200 M1771A. All potential cases of AF were determined by 2 cardiologists. PTH concentration was measured by a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the quartiles of PTH and AF, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: The prevalence of AF was 2.41% in males and 0.9% in females and increased with advanced age in both genders. The median and interquartile range (IQR) of serum PTH was 39.5 pg/mL (IQR, 30.6–50.8), which was significantly higher in patients with AF than in patients without AF (p < 0.001). The prevalence of AF increased with increasing PTH quartile (0.8%, 0.9%, 1.6%, and 2.8% in the lowest, second, third, and highest PTH quartiles, respectively; p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic analysis adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors showed the highest quartile of serum PTH levels was associated with a higher prevalence of AF than the lowest quartile (odds ratio, 3.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.93–5.78). CONCLUSIONS Higher levels of serum PTH were associated with higher prevalence of AF. Further studies are needed to determine whether this association is present in other populations and in a prospective study setting.