Whole genome sequencing reveals telomere associated genomic differences between healthy and unhealthy aging in a Korean population.

One of the major challenges in modern biogerontology is understanding the accumulation of molecular damage and the manifestation of phenotypic heterogeneity during aging. Notably, genomic instability caused by impaired DNA damage repair along with telomere attrition are primary drivers of aging. However, how these aging-related characteristics differ in individuals who age healthily without developing major age-associated diseases remains unclear.

Impact of COVID-19 on growth hormone therapy efficacy in pediatric patients with short stature.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has affected global healthcare and raised concerns about growth hormone (GH) therapy outcomes in pediatric patients with short stature. This study compared GH therapy efficacy and outcomes before and during the pandemic. We retrospectively analyzed 2,827 pediatric patients with idiopathic GH deficiency, short stature in children born small for gestational age (SGA), Turner syndrome (TS), or idiopathic short stature (ISS) from the LG Growth Study, categorized into pre-pandemic (February 2017-January 2020, n = 1,612) and pandemic (February 2020-January 2023, n = 1,215) groups.

Risk Assessment for Carotid Atherosclerosis in Asymptomatic Patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.

Background/aims: Cardiovascular disease remains a major cause of mortality in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This study evaluated the association between subclinical carotid atherosclerosis (SCA) and MASLD or MASLD and increased alcohol intake (MetALD) in asymptomatic individuals.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 56,889 adults undergoing health check-ups in South Korea.

Effect of Eradication on Metabolic Parameters and Body Composition including Skeletal Muscle Mass: A Matched Case-Control Study.

Background/aims: Findings on the impact of eradication on metabolic parameters are inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of eradication on metabolic parameters and body composition, including body fat mass and skeletal muscle mass.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of asymptomatic patients who underwent health screenings, including bioelectrical impedance analysis, before and after eradication between 2005 and 2021.

Clinical Significance of Diabetes in Asymptomatic Individuals With Zero Coronary Artery Calcium Score.

The clinical significance of diabetes mellitus (DM) on the cardiovascular disease in the zero coronary artery calcium (CAC) group is not well studied. This study investigated the impact of DM in an asymptomatic population with zero CAC scores. Overall, 9269 adults who received coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) scans for coronary disease evaluation during a general medical checkup were initially selected.

A risk prediction model for hepatocellular carcinoma in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease without cirrhosis: HCC prediction for non-cirrhotic NAFLD.

Background & Aims: Although non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), HCC risk in non-cirrhotic NAFLD received little attention. We aimed to develop and validate an HCC risk prediction model for non-cirrhotic NAFLD.

Methods: A nationwide cohort of non-cirrhotic NAFLD patients in Korea was recruited to develop a risk prediction model and validate it internally (n = 409 088).

Gastrointestinal: Weight gain increases the risk of metachronous advanced colorectal neoplasm observed in post-polypectomy surveillance colonoscopy.

Background And Aim: Although obesity is a known risk factor for colorectal neoplasms, the correlation between weight change and colorectal neoplasm is unclear. Thus, we aim to evaluate the association between weight change and advanced colorectal neoplasm (ACRN) recurrence during post-polypectomy surveillance colonoscopy.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 7473 participants diagnosed with colorectal neoplasms between 2003 and 2010 who subsequently underwent surveillance colonoscopies until 2020.

Association of Visceral Fat Obesity, Sarcopenia, and Myosteatosis with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease without Obesity.

Background/aims: To investigate whether non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in individuals without generalized obesity is associated with visceral fat obesity (VFO), sarcopenia, and/or myosteatosis.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included 14,400 individuals (7,470 men) who underwent abdominal computed tomography scans during routine health examinations. The total abdominal muscle area (TAMA) and skeletal muscle area (SMA) at the 3rd lumbar vertebral level were measured.

Cutoff values of body mass index for severe obesity in Korean children and adolescents: the 99th percentile versus 120% of the 95th percentile.

Purpose: Several definitions for severe obesity have been used, primarily the 99th percentile of the body mass index (BMI) and 120% of the 95th BMI percentile. This study aimed to establish a standardized definition for severe obesity in children and adolescents in Korea.

Methods: The 99th BMI percentile line and 120% of the 95th BMI percentile line were constructed using 2017 Korean National Growth Charts.

High Visceral-To-Subcutaneous Fat Ratio Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Nonobese Adults.

Introduction: Abdominal obesity increases the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study aimed to determine the association between GERD and abdominal fat area quantified by computed tomography (CT).

Methods: We analyzed the effect of abdominal fat area on gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and erosive esophagitis using logistic regression models in 5,338 participants who underwent abdominal fat measurement CT and screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Relationship between sexual differences and cardiovascular risk factors in the prevalence of asymptomatic coronary disease.

Background: This study investigated the sexual differences of coronary artery disease (CAD) prevalence and its association with cardiovascular risk factors in the asymptomatic population.

Methods: In total 6434 asymptomatic participants without known CAD (1740 women and 4694 men) underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). The prevalence of significant CAD (diameter stenosis ≥50%) and other CCTA findings were compared by sex, and its influence on CAD was investigated in groups stratified by the number of cardiovascular risk factors, including age (>55 years), hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and current smoking.

Aortoiliac diameter and length in a healthy cohort.

Objective: Diameter is currently the only screening and diagnostic criterion for asymptomatic aneurysms. Therefore, aortic and lower-extremity arterial diameter has diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic importance. We aimed to determine aortic and lower-extremity arterial reference diameters in a general population and compare them according to age, sex, and other characteristics.

Sex Differences of Visceral Fat Area and Visceral-to-Subcutaneous Fat Ratio for the Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: This study aimed to determine the optimal cut-off values of visceral fat area (VFA) and visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio (VSR) for predicting incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: A total of 10,882 individuals (6,835 men; 4,047 women) free of T2DM at baseline aged between 30 and 79 years who underwent abdominal computed tomography scan between 2012 and 2013 as a part of routine health check-ups were included and followed. VFA, subcutaneous fat area, and VSR on L3 vertebral level were measured at baseline.

Association between type 2 diabetes and skeletal muscle quality assessed by abdominal computed tomography scan.

Aim: To examine the association between type 2 diabetes and the amount and quality of trunk muscle as assessed by computed tomography (CT) scan.

Materials And Methods: A total of 20,986 subjects (13,007 men and 7979 women) who underwent abdominal CT scan as part of a routine health check-up were included. The total abdominal muscle area (TAMA) measured at the third lumbar vertebrae was classified into skeletal muscle area (SMA), and intermuscular adipose tissue area.

Temporal Trends for Diabetes Management and Glycemic Control Between 2010 and 2019 in Korean Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes.

There is increasing use of modern devices in the management of patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). We investigated temporal trends for diabetes management and outcomes in Korean pediatric T1D patients over 10 years. We retrospectively collected the data from 752 participants (boys: 311, 41.

Sessile serrated lesions in patients with adenoma on index colonoscopy do not increase metachronous advanced adenoma risk.

Objectives: Post-polypectomy surveillance intervals should be determined based on index colonoscopy findings. However, the risk of metachronous lesions, resulting from the coexistence of adenoma and sessile serrated lesions (SSLs), has rarely been addressed. We evaluated the impact of synchronous SSL on the risk of metachronous lesions within similar adenoma risk groups.

The Influence of Face Shields on the Quality of Colonoscopy in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background/aims: The worldwide coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has led endoscopists to use personal protective equipment (PPE) for infection prevention. This study aimed to investigate whether wearing a face shield as PPE affects the quality of colonoscopy.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records and colonoscopy findings of patients who underwent colonoscopies at Asan Medical Center, Korea from March 10 to May 31, 2020.

Cholesterol Control for Subclinical Coronary Atherosclerosis in Subjects Without Indication for Statin Therapy.

Low-risk individuals still experience adverse cardiac events. We sought to evaluate long-term cardiac events and predictors for subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in subjects without indication for statin therapy. We analyzed 3,272 individuals without indication for statin therapy who voluntarily underwent coronary computed tomography angiography as part of a general health examination.

Age-related changes in muscle quality and development of diagnostic cutoff points for myosteatosis in lumbar skeletal muscles measured by CT scan.

Background & Aims: We have sought to develop proper and useful indices for muscle quality measurements other than muscle attenuation (Hounsfield unit; HU) and to determine the diagnostic cutoff points for myosteatosis by using those indices measured at the L3 lumbar vertebrae level by CT scan.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included 20,664 healthy adult subjects (12,697 men and 7967 women) who underwent abdominal CT scans. Total abdominal muscle area (TAMA), on the L3 vertebra was demarcated using predetermined thresholds.

Association of Stage 1 Hypertension Defined by the ACC/AHA 2017 Guideline With Asymptomatic Coronary Atherosclerosis.

Background: This study sought to assess the relationship between stage 1 hypertension and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.

Methods: A total of 4,666 individuals with available coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) results from a health checkup were enrolled. The classification of hypertension was adapted from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) 2017 guideline.

Risk of postpolypectomy bleeding in patients taking direct oral anticoagulants or clopidogrel.

The usage of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) to prevent and treat thromboembolic events is gradually increasing. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients taking DOACs after polypectomy. We retrospectively reviewed 131 patients taking DOACs and 270 taking clopidogrel who underwent polypectomy between November 2010 and December 2017.

Association Between Muscle Quality Measured by Abdominal Computed Tomography and Subclinical Coronary Atherosclerosis.

Objective: Low muscle mass was known to be associated with cardiovascular diseases. However, only few studies investigated the association between muscle quality and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis. Thus, we evaluated whether muscle quality measured by abdominal computed tomography is associated with the risk of coronary artery calcification.

Novel Endoscopic Criteria for Predicting Tumor Invasion Depth in Superficial Esophageal Squamous Carcinoma.

Background: Accurate prediction of tumor invasion depth in superficial esophageal squamous carcinoma (SESC) is essential for deciding the appropriate treatment strategy. We proposed novel endoscopic criteria to differentiate between mucosal and submucosal esophageal cancers and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and usefulness of the criteria.

Methods: A total of 352 patients who underwent endoscopic or surgical resection for SESC between 1991 and 2010 were included.

Association of gamma-glutamyl transferase with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis and cardiac outcomes in non-alcoholics.

In an asymptomatic population, we determined the relationship between serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and subclinical atherosclerosis, using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). This was a retrospective observational cohort study which analyzed 5120 consecutive asymptomatic individuals with no prior history of coronary artery disease or significant alcohol intake who voluntarily underwent CCTA as part of a general health examination. All subjects were stratified into tertiles based on GGT levels.