Changes in Antimicrobial Prescriptions in South Korea during and beyond the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis.

Background: Although the coronavirus pandemic significantly affected antibiotic use, studies on the long-term effects of the pandemic on antibiotic use are lacking. We aimed to investigate the changes in antibiotic prescriptions during the pandemic and subsequent endemic period in South Korea.

Methods: For this interrupted time-series study, we used claims data from the National Health Insurance System for January 2018 to December 2023.

Mineral Intake and Depression: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study Based on National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys in Korea and the United States.

: Depression is a major global health burden, and previous studies suggest that nutrient deficiencies may contribute to its development. However, research on mineral intake and depression, particularly sodium and potassium, is limited. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in Korea (KNHANES) and the United States (NHANES) to assess associations between various mineral intakes and depression in Korean and American adults.

Microfluidic Electrochemical Impedance Sensor for Hematological Tests of Blood under Different Osmotic Conditions.

Blood tests are widely used to assess a patient's health status. Microfluidics, in combination with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (MEIS), opens up great prospects for blood analysis. This study aimed to improve the MEIS blood tests.

Association of Oral Health and Periodontal Disease With Oesophageal Cancer: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Aim: Oral dysbiosis and periodontal inflammation might play a role in oesophageal carcinogenesis via the translocation of periodontal pathogens. We aimed to assess whether poor oral health is associated with oesophageal cancer.

Methods: We conducted a population-based case-control study using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database to evaluate poor oral health as the exposure and oesophageal cancer as the outcome.

Development of Data-Based Monitoring System for Management of Hospitalization Days in a Regional Tertiary Hospital of Korea.

As the use of medical services increases as we enter an aging society, the number of days of hospitalization is a major factor affecting medical expenses and needs to be managed. We aim to develop a data-based monitoring system for the management of hospitalization days in a regional tertiary hospital of Korea. The contents consisted of 1) development of a monitoring system for days of hospitalization, and 2) development of prediction model for days of hospitalization.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Antibiotic Utilization Trends in Korea: Interrupted Time Series Analysis.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in Korea in January 2020, strict public health measures initially influenced antibiotic utilization, with studies showing mixed results. The emergence of the Omicron variant in November 2021 led to relaxed measures and a transition to endemicity. Therefore, this study evaluates the impact of both early pandemic measures and subsequent shifts in epidemic control strategies on antibiotic utilization.

Association between surrogate markers of insulin resistance and gastric cancer risk in South Korea: A nationwide population-based study.

Several studies have reported a significant association between insulin resistance (IR) and malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. However, the association between gastric cancer and IR remains controversial. This study evaluated the association between IR and gastric cancer (GC) among South Korean individuals who participated in the National Health Screening Program using surrogate markers for IR.

Association of kidney function and proteinuria with lower-extremity dysfunction in older Korean adults: a cross-sectional study.

Background/aims: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with complications that affect physical function and mobility. This study investigated the associations between kidney function, proteinuria, and lower-extremity dysfunction.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Korean National Health Insurance Service Health Screening Program, including individuals aged 66 years who participated in the National Screening Program for Transitional Ages in Korea.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, Alcohol Consumption, and the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Background: The recent reclassification of steatotic liver disease into metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated alcohol-related liver disease has highlighted their potential cardiovascular implications. This study aimed to investigate the impact of MASLD and metabolic dysfunction-associated alcohol-related liver disease on the risk of newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Data from 362 285 participants who underwent a health screening in 2009 to 2010, sourced from the Korean National Health Insurance database, were identified, and we retrospectively analyzed their data through 2019.

Chronic Kidney Disease Risk Associated With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Korea.

Aim: The shift in terminology from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) highlights its association with metabolic dysfunction. MASLD is defined by hepatic steatosis and at least one cardiometabolic risk factor (CMRF), which contribute to chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study examines the relationship between MASLD and CKD, the independent impact of CMRFs on CKD risk, and the cumulative effect of multiple CMRFs on CKD development.

Steatotic Liver Disease Subtypes and Their Association with Colorectal Cancer Risk in Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Introduction: A recent Delphi consensus proposed a new classification system for steatotic liver disease (SLD), replacing the previous terminology, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This study aimed to examine the association between SLD subtypes and the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: We used the Korean National Health Insurance Service database to identify participants who underwent health screenings in 2009 and 2010 and retrospectively analyzed their data through to 2019.

Association between regular dental scaling and stroke risk in patients with periodontal diseases: evidence from a Korean nationwide database.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association between the frequency of dental scaling and the risk of stroke among individuals with moderate-to-severe periodontal diseases and verify the effect of regular dental scaling on stroke risk in this population.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 25,758 subjects with moderate-to-severe periodontal diseases were selected from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Health Screening Cohort database. Based on the frequency of dental scaling, the subjects were divided into three groups: regular, occasional, and infrequent.

Associations between non-insulin-based insulin resistance surrogate markers and liver-related outcomes in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a nationwide cohort study in South Korea.

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a crucial mechanism in the pathogenesis and clinical progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This study aimed to examine the relationship between non-insulin-based IR surrogate markers and the incidence of liver-related outcomes in individuals with MASLD in a nationwide Korean cohort.

Methods: A total of 66,334 individuals with MASLD who underwent a health examination between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2010 were included in the study and followed until 31 December 2019, with a median follow-up period of 9.

Improved Hematology Analysis Based on Microfluidic Impedance Spectroscopy: Erythrocyte Orientation and Anisotropic Dielectric Properties of Flowing Blood.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy has great potential for laboratory blood tests. The overall aim of this study is to develop a microfluidic sensor for determining the physical properties and hematological parameters of blood based on its dielectric spectra. Impedance was measured in flowing blood to prevent aggregation and sedimentation at frequencies between 40 Hz and 110 MHz.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and the Risk of Chronic Periodontitis: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Chronic periodontitis (CP) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) have emerged as interconnected conditions with shared mechanisms, such as systemic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. However, the risk of CP in the newly classified subgroups of steatotic liver disease (SLD), including MASLD and metabolic alcohol-associated liver disease (MetALD), has not been extensively studied. This study investigated the association between SLD subtypes and the incidence of CP in a nationwide cohort.

Association Between Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Thyroid Cancer.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) represents a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. This study investigated the association between newly developed nomenclature MASLD and the risk of thyroid cancer in the Korean population. After excluding individuals with a history of liver disease or malignancy, we analyzed a cohort of 214,502 Korean adults aged 40 years and above who participated in the National Health Screening Program from 2009 to 2010.

Association between weight perception and perceived stress among Korean adults from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Although several studies showed a correlation between weight perception and depression, the association between weight perception and perceived stress is unclear. This study explored this association using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with 37,022 participants. Participants were grouped based on how they perceived their body versus real body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference: accurate, underperception, or overperception.

Association between Isotretinoin Exposure and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Nationwide Case-Control Study in South Korea.

Context: Isotretinoin is commonly prescribed for the treatment of acne. However, its association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) could not be confirmed due to inconsistencies in the literature. Furthermore, no related study has been conducted on an Asian population.

Stichoposide C and Rhizochalin as Potential Aquaglyceroporin Modulators.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of integral membrane proteins that selectively transport water and glycerol across the cell membrane. Because AQPs are involved in a wide range of physiological functions and pathophysiological conditions, AQP-based therapeutics may have the broad potential for clinical utility, including for disorders of water and energy balance. However, AQP modulators have not yet been developed as suitable candidates for clinical applications.

Association between ursodeoxycholic acid use and COVID-19 in individuals with chronic liver disease: a nationwide case-control study in South Korea.

Background: Conflicting evidence exists regarding the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study investigates the association between UDCA administration and COVID-19 infection and its related outcomes in individuals with chronic liver disease (CLD).

Methods: A customized COVID-19 research database (n = 3,485,376) was created by integrating data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's COVID-19 databases.

Interrupted time series analysis of chronic periodontitis-related procedures before and after the scaling reimbursement policy in Korea.

Aim: To study the use of a quasi-experimental design to assess the effects of scaling reimbursement policies on the incidence of chronic-periodontitis procedures.

Materials And Methods: Interrupted time series analysis was used to compare the effects before and after policy implementation using data on the number of periodontitis-related procedures from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (n = 740,467) and the Health Screening Cohort (n = 337,904). Periodontitis-related procedures with diagnosis codes were categorized into basic (scaling or root planing), intermediate (subgingival curettage) and advanced (tooth extraction, periodontal flap surgery, bone grafting for alveolar bone defects or guided tissue regeneration).

Association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease scores and chronic periodontitis: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Although several studies have demonstrated a bidirectional relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic periodontitis, few studies have reported that NAFLD causes chronic periodontitis, especially in the Asian population.

Methods: This study was conducted on 129,087 individuals, and the NAFLD score was assessed using the Fatty Liver Index (FLI), Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI), and Framingham Steatosis Index (FSI). The incidence of chronic periodontitis was defined as a diagnostic code with dental procedures.