Analysis and development of risk prediction models for chronic opioid use after surgery: a cohort study using the nationwide database.

Background: Chronic opioid use has become a socioeconomic as well as a medical problem. This study aimed to identify risk factors and develop prediction models for postoperative chronic opioid use (PCOU).

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) between January 2008 and December 2018.

Moderate-Intensity Atorvastatin and Ezetimibe Combination Therapy Versus High-Intensity Atorvastatin in Patients with Angina Pectoris who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Whether moderate-intensity statin and ezetimibe combination therapy is beneficial compared to high-intensity statin monotherapy in patients with angina pectoris who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the effect of moderate-intensity atorvastatin with ezetimibe combination therapy after PCI in patients with angina pectoris, but not myocardial infarction (MI), in real-world practice.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data from the Korean National Health Insurance Database.

Global, Regional, and National Burden of Nontraumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: The Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Importance: Nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) represents the third most common stroke type with unique etiologies, risk factors, diagnostics, and treatments. Nevertheless, epidemiological studies often cluster SAH with other stroke types leaving its distinct burden estimates obscure.

Objective: To estimate the worldwide burden of SAH.

Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms of BRCA1 and BRCA2 and Risk of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

: We sought to evaluate the association between the risk of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of breast cancer genes 1 () and 2 (). : We prospectively recruited 515 cases with PTC and 296 controls without cancer. The genotypes of five SNPs (rs8176318, rs1799966, rs799917, rs16940, rs1799949) and three SNPs (rs15869, rs1799943, rs1799955) were determined using the TaqMan assay.

Challenges and Issues in Acupuncture Education in Malaysia.

Background: Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practice, has become globally recognized as a complementary therapeutic approach for various health conditions. In Malaysia, acupuncture occupies a significant role in the country's diverse healthcare system, reflecting its cultural heritage. However, the education and training of acupuncture practitioners face numerous challenges, including variability in educational approaches, accreditation, and integration with conventional medical practices.

Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium and Maculopathy in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: Pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) is the only pharmacological intervention approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treating interstitial cystitis (IC) to date. However, PPS may induce an adverse event, maculopathy, which can be a significant challenge. To determine the risk of PPS-induced maculopathy in patients with IC.

Preoperative diabetes duration and long-term outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: The association between preoperative diabetes mellitus (DM) duration and outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between DM duration at the time of CABG and long-term outcomes, particularly in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Methods: Using data from South Korea's National Health Insurance Service database, the study included adult patients who underwent first-time isolated CABG with an acute myocardial infarction diagnosis between 2005 and 2021.

Prognostic impact of 1-year permanent pacemaker implantation after mitral valve surgery with the Cox-maze procedure.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation within the first year after mitral valve (MV) surgery combined with the Cox-maze procedure, focusing on long-term outcomes, including overall mortality, infective endocarditis (IE) and ischaemic stroke.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) in South Korea, identifying 10 127 patients who underwent MV surgery with the Cox-maze procedure between 2005 and 2020. Patients were classified into the PPM and non-PPM groups based on PPM implantation within 1 year postoperatively.

Comparative Efficacy of Extracorporeal Versus Conventional Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Adult Refractory Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Retrospective Study at a Single Center.

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) has the potential to improve neurological outcomes in patients with refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), offering an alternative to conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CCPR). However, its effectiveness in OHCA remains controversial despite advancements in resuscitation techniques. This retrospective single-center study compared neurological outcomes and 30-day survival between ECPR and CCPR patients from January 2014 to January 2022.

Risk factors for recurrence in stage I colorectal cancer after curative resection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Patients with stage I colorectal cancer (CRC) rarely experience recurrence after curative resection. Therefore, the risk factors for stage I CRC recurrence are yet to be established. We aimed to identify risk factors for stage I CRC recurrence.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Amiodarone-Induced Thyroid Dysfunction: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Amiodarone is an effective anti-arrhythmic drug; however, it is frequently associated with thyroid dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factor of amiodarone-induced dysfunction in an iodine-sufficient area.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 27,023 consecutive patients treated with amiodarone for arrhythmia, using the Korean National Health Insurance database.

Nationwide Trends in Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapies in Korea: Impact of Guideline Updates on Treatment Practices.

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori infects over 50% of the global population, prompting the issuance of guidelines for effective diagnosis and treatment. However, research on guideline dissemination and adherence is limited. Therefore, we assessed the nationwide status of H.

The impact of pulmonary tuberculosis on SARS-CoV-2 infection: a nationwide cohort study.

Background: The interaction between COVID-19 and tuberculosis (TB) is not yet fully understood, and large-scale research on the mortality outcome of such dual infection has been limited. This study aimed to investigate the impact of PTB on mortality among patients with COVID-19 within a Korean population by conducting an extensive analysis of a nationwide large dataset.

Method: We investigated the mortality and disease severity among COVID-19 patients who had PTB in South Korea.

Association between E-Cigarette Smoking and Insulin Resistance Using the Triglyceride-Glucose Index in Korean Adults: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: Insulin resistance contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Smoking leads to an increase in triglyceride levels, which, in turn, increases insulin resistance. Although the number of e-cigarette users has increased in recent years, few studies have investigated the association between ecigarette use and insulin resistance.

Synergistic Effect of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Vaccination on the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism.

Background: Previous studies have reported a greater risk of venous thromboembolism among patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and those who received COVID-19 vaccination. Nevertheless, there is a lack of understanding regarding the interaction effect on the risk of venous thromboembolism occurrence between SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study including adult patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between October 2020 and September 2021.

Association between breakfast consumption frequency and chronic inflammation in Korean adult males: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016-2018.

Background: Skipping breakfast is associated with an increased risk of chronic inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to examine the association between breakfast-eating habits and inflammation, using high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as a marker.

Methods: A total of 4,000 Korean adult males with no history of myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, or current smoking were included.

Prevalence and Associations Between Metabolic Syndrome Components and Hyperuricemia by Race: Findings From US Population, 2011-2020.

Objective: We explored the trend in prevalence of hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome in US populations and investigated associations between components of metabolic syndrome and hyperuricemia by race.

Methods: We analyzed data from the four most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles (2011 to March 2020), comprising 10,175 participants. Hyperuricemia is defined as serum urate >7.

Single-cell profile reveals the landscape of cardiac immunity and identifies a cardio-protective Ym-1 neutrophil in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) is a major hindrance to the success of cardiac reperfusion therapy. Although increased neutrophil infiltration is a hallmark of MIRI, the subtypes and alterations of neutrophils in this process remain unclear. Here, we performed single-cell sequencing of cardiac CD45 cells isolated from the murine myocardium subjected to MIRI at six-time points.

The PBL teaching method in neurology education in the traditional Chinese medicine undergraduate students: An observational study.

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the problem-based learning (PBL) method on Neurology education for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) undergraduate students. This observational study was conducted during the 2020/02 and 2020/04 intakes of the third year TCM undergraduate students at School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiamen University Malaysia. A total of 86 students were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to either conventional learning groups or PBL groups.

Utilization of End-of-Life Care Rooms by Patients Who Died in a Single Hospice Unit at a National University Hospital in South Korea.

Purpose: For the dignity of patients nearing the end of their lives, it is essential to provide end-of-life (EoL) care in a separate, dedicated space. This study investigated the utilization of specialized rooms for dying patients within a hospice unit.

Methods: This retrospective study examined patients who died in a single hospice unit between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2021.

Pitfalls and biases in neuroepidemiological studies of COVID-19 and the nervous system: a critical appraisal of the current evidence and future directions.

Background: Neurological manifestations frequently occur in individuals with COVID-19, manifesting during the acute phase, persisting beyond the resolution of acute symptoms, and appearing days or weeks after the initial onset of COVID-19 symptoms. However, predicting the incidence, course, and outcome of these neurological manifestations at the individual patient level remains challenging. Biases in study design and limitations in data collection may contribute to the inconsistency and limited validity of the reported findings.