Purpose: : This study aimed to understand the current state of patient-centered care for people with disabilities by reviewing the key definitions, elements, and aspects of previously published care models/programs that borrow a patient-centered approach using a scoping review methodology. Methods : Following Arksey and O’Malley’s five-step methodology, we conducted a keyword search in EMBASE, Web of Science, and Pubmed for articles published from 2000 to January 2022, and a total of 30 articles were selected from 1,305 initially extracted articles. Results : A total of 13 studies developed models of care for people with disabilities based on the concept of patient-centeredness, 11 studies developed and evaluated care programs with patient- centered components, and 6 studies prospectively evaluated the effectiveness of patient-centered programs in clinical trials. The studies were generally based on multidisciplinary teams and emphasized two-way communication, collaborative relationships, multidimensional assessment, and measurement of patient needs. However, elements of patient-centeredness varied across studies, and methodologies for measuring needs and evaluating effectiveness were inconsistent. Conclusion : Based on this study, there is a need for systematic research to identify integrated and desirable patient-centeredness elements in healthcare models/programs for people with disabilities. This will enable the development of more patient-centered and friendly healthcare services for people with disabilities.

Purpose: : Health literacy, or the ability to find, understand, and use health information, is a key focus in South Korea’s ‘5th National Health Promotion Comprehensive Plan.’ However, despite South Korea’s high internet penetration, research on digital health information use among people with developmental disabilities is limited. This study assesses the current state of digital health literacy in this population. Methods: : A survey was conducted on the people with disabilities and people without disabilities. General digital health information was measured using an 8-item scale by Skinner (2006), and COVID-19-related health information was assessed with a 10-item tool developed by the research team. A total of 365 responses were analyzed, comprising people with physical disabilities (189), developmental disabilities (82), and those without disabilities (94). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 28, including MANOVA and descriptive statistics. Results: : eHealth scores for individuals with developmental disabilities (24.6 ± 9.8) were significantly lower than those with physical disabilities (32.6 ± 7.9) and those without disabilities (33.9 ± 9.1). Similarly, Covid-eHealth scores were lower for individuals with developmental disabilities (24.6 ± 8.4) compared to those with physical disabilities (29.5 ± 6.8) and those without disabilities (31.3 ± 7.7). The differences in both cases were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion : This study represents the first comprehensive examination of digital health literacy among people with developmental disabilities in South Korea. The findings indicate that while this group has lower digital health literacy, appropriate education and support can improve their skills. This underscores the need for policies and support systems to ensure they can access and effectively use digital health information, especially as healthcare becomes more digital.

Purpose: : This study aimed to understand the current state of patient-centered care for people with disabilities by reviewing the key definitions, elements, and aspects of previously published care models/programs that borrow a patient-centered approach using a scoping review methodology. Methods : Following Arksey and O’Malley’s five-step methodology, we conducted a keyword search in EMBASE, Web of Science, and Pubmed for articles published from 2000 to January 2022, and a total of 30 articles were selected from 1,305 initially extracted articles. Results : A total of 13 studies developed models of care for people with disabilities based on the concept of patient-centeredness, 11 studies developed and evaluated care programs with patient- centered components, and 6 studies prospectively evaluated the effectiveness of patient-centered programs in clinical trials. The studies were generally based on multidisciplinary teams and emphasized two-way communication, collaborative relationships, multidimensional assessment, and measurement of patient needs. However, elements of patient-centeredness varied across studies, and methodologies for measuring needs and evaluating effectiveness were inconsistent. Conclusion : Based on this study, there is a need for systematic research to identify integrated and desirable patient-centeredness elements in healthcare models/programs for people with disabilities. This will enable the development of more patient-centered and friendly healthcare services for people with disabilities.

Purpose: : Health literacy, or the ability to find, understand, and use health information, is a key focus in South Korea’s ‘5th National Health Promotion Comprehensive Plan.’ However, despite South Korea’s high internet penetration, research on digital health information use among people with developmental disabilities is limited. This study assesses the current state of digital health literacy in this population. Methods: : A survey was conducted on the people with disabilities and people without disabilities. General digital health information was measured using an 8-item scale by Skinner (2006), and COVID-19-related health information was assessed with a 10-item tool developed by the research team. A total of 365 responses were analyzed, comprising people with physical disabilities (189), developmental disabilities (82), and those without disabilities (94). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 28, including MANOVA and descriptive statistics. Results: : eHealth scores for individuals with developmental disabilities (24.6 ± 9.8) were significantly lower than those with physical disabilities (32.6 ± 7.9) and those without disabilities (33.9 ± 9.1). Similarly, Covid-eHealth scores were lower for individuals with developmental disabilities (24.6 ± 8.4) compared to those with physical disabilities (29.5 ± 6.8) and those without disabilities (31.3 ± 7.7). The differences in both cases were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion : This study represents the first comprehensive examination of digital health literacy among people with developmental disabilities in South Korea. The findings indicate that while this group has lower digital health literacy, appropriate education and support can improve their skills. This underscores the need for policies and support systems to ensure they can access and effectively use digital health information, especially as healthcare becomes more digital.

Purpose: : This study aimed to understand the current state of patient-centered care for people with disabilities by reviewing the key definitions, elements, and aspects of previously published care models/programs that borrow a patient-centered approach using a scoping review methodology. Methods : Following Arksey and O’Malley’s five-step methodology, we conducted a keyword search in EMBASE, Web of Science, and Pubmed for articles published from 2000 to January 2022, and a total of 30 articles were selected from 1,305 initially extracted articles. Results : A total of 13 studies developed models of care for people with disabilities based on the concept of patient-centeredness, 11 studies developed and evaluated care programs with patient- centered components, and 6 studies prospectively evaluated the effectiveness of patient-centered programs in clinical trials. The studies were generally based on multidisciplinary teams and emphasized two-way communication, collaborative relationships, multidimensional assessment, and measurement of patient needs. However, elements of patient-centeredness varied across studies, and methodologies for measuring needs and evaluating effectiveness were inconsistent. Conclusion : Based on this study, there is a need for systematic research to identify integrated and desirable patient-centeredness elements in healthcare models/programs for people with disabilities. This will enable the development of more patient-centered and friendly healthcare services for people with disabilities.

Purpose: : Health literacy, or the ability to find, understand, and use health information, is a key focus in South Korea’s ‘5th National Health Promotion Comprehensive Plan.’ However, despite South Korea’s high internet penetration, research on digital health information use among people with developmental disabilities is limited. This study assesses the current state of digital health literacy in this population. Methods: : A survey was conducted on the people with disabilities and people without disabilities. General digital health information was measured using an 8-item scale by Skinner (2006), and COVID-19-related health information was assessed with a 10-item tool developed by the research team. A total of 365 responses were analyzed, comprising people with physical disabilities (189), developmental disabilities (82), and those without disabilities (94). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 28, including MANOVA and descriptive statistics. Results: : eHealth scores for individuals with developmental disabilities (24.6 ± 9.8) were significantly lower than those with physical disabilities (32.6 ± 7.9) and those without disabilities (33.9 ± 9.1). Similarly, Covid-eHealth scores were lower for individuals with developmental disabilities (24.6 ± 8.4) compared to those with physical disabilities (29.5 ± 6.8) and those without disabilities (31.3 ± 7.7). The differences in both cases were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion : This study represents the first comprehensive examination of digital health literacy among people with developmental disabilities in South Korea. The findings indicate that while this group has lower digital health literacy, appropriate education and support can improve their skills. This underscores the need for policies and support systems to ensure they can access and effectively use digital health information, especially as healthcare becomes more digital.

Differentiated thyroid cancer demonstrates a wide range of clinical presentations, from very indolent cases to those with an aggressive prognosis. Therefore, diagnosing and treating each cancer appropriately based on its risk status is important. The Korean Thyroid Association (KTA) has provided and amended the clinical guidelines for thyroid cancer management since 2007. The main changes in this revised 2024 guideline include 1) individualization of surgical extent according to pathological tests and clinical findings, 2) application of active surveillance in low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, 3) indications for minimally invasive surgery, 4) adoption of World Health Organization pathological diagnostic criteria and definition of terminology in Korean, 5) update on literature evidence of recurrence risk for initial risk stratification, 6) addition of the role of molecular testing, 7) addition of definition of initial risk stratification and targeting thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations according to ongoing risk stratification (ORS), 8) addition of treatment of perioperative hypoparathyroidism, 9) update on systemic chemotherapy, and 10) addition of treatment for pediatric patients with thyroid cancer.

Background/Aims: Prokinetic agents and neuromodulators are among the treatment options for functional dyspepsia (FD), but their comparative efficacy is unclear. We aimed to compare the efficacy of mosapride controlled-release (CR) and nortriptyline in patients with FD after 4 weeks of treatment. Methods: Participants with FD were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive mosapride CR (mosapride CR 15 mg and nortriptyline placebo) or nortriptyline (mosapride CR placebo and nortriptyline 10 mg) in double-placebo, double-blinded, randomized controlled, parallel clinical study. The primary endpoint was defined as the proportion of patients with overall dyspepsia improvement after 4 weeks treatment. The secondary endpoints were changes in individual symptom scores, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Results: One hundred nine participants were recruited and assessed for eligibility, and 54 in the mosapride CR group and 50 in the nortriptyline group were included in the modified intention-to-treat protocol. The rate of overall dyspepsia improvement was similar between groups (53.7% vs 54.0%, P = 0.976). There was no difference in the efficacy of mosapride CR and nortriptyline in a subgroup analysis by FD subtype (59.3% vs 52.5% in postprandial distress syndrome, P = 0.615; 44.4% vs 40.0% in epigastric pain syndrome, P = > 0.999; 50.0% vs 59.1% in overlap, P = 0.565; respectively). Both treatments significantly improved anxiety, depression, and quality of life from baseline. Conclusion Mosapride CR and nortriptyline showed similar efficacy in patients with FD regardless of the subtype. Both treatments could be equally helpful for improving quality of life and psychological well-being while also relieving dyspepsia.

Background/Aims: Acid-suppressive drugs, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), are treatment options for functional dyspepsia (FD). However, the efficacy of potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs) in treating FD has not yet been established. This prospective multicenter clinical trial-based study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of tegoprazan as a P-CAB treatment in patients with FD. Methods: FD was diagnosed using the Rome IV criteria. All patients received tegoprazan 50 mg once daily for 8 weeks. Dyspeptic symptoms were assessed using a dyspepsia symptom questionnaire (5-point Likert scale, Nepean Dyspepsia Index-Korean [NDI-K], and gastroesophageal reflux disease–health-related quality of life [GERD-HRQL]). The main outcome was satisfactory symptom relief rates at 8 weeks. Results: In this study, from the initial screening of 209 patients, 173 were included in the per-protocol set analysis. Satisfactory symptom relief rates at 8 and 4 weeks were 86.7% and 74.6%, respectively. In addition, the NDI-K and GERD-HRQL scores significantly improved at 8 and 4 weeks compared with the baseline scores. The efficacy of tegoprazan was not influenced by the FD subtype or Helicobacter pylori status. In patients with overlapping FD and GERD, there was a greater improvement in the NDI-K and GERD-HRQL scores than in patients with FD symptoms only. No serious drug-related adverse events occurred during this study. Conclusion Tegoprazan (50 mg) administered once daily provided satisfactory symptom relief for FD.

Concerns about the effectiveness of current vaccines against the rapidly spreading severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 omicron (B.1.1.529) variant are increasing. This study aimed to assess neutralizing antibody activity against the wild-type (BetaCoV/Korea/ KCDC03/2020), delta, and omicron variants after full primary and booster vaccinations with BNT162b2. A plaque reduction neutralization test was employed to determine 50% neutralizing dilution (ND 50 ) titers in serum samples. ND 50 titers against the omicron variant (median [interquartile range], 5.3 [< 5.0–12.7]) after full primary vaccination were lower than those against the wild-type (144.8 [44.7–294.0]) and delta (24.3 [14.3–81.1]) variants.Furthermore, 19/30 participants (63.3%) displayed lower ND 50 titers than the detection threshold (< 10.0) against omicron after full primary vaccination. However, the booster vaccine significantly increased ND 50 titers against BetaCoV/Korea/KCDC03/2020, delta, and omicron, although titers against omicron remained lower than those against the other variants (P < 0.001). Our study suggests that booster vaccination with BNT162b2 significantly increases humoral immunity against the omicron variant.