Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2023
Area-Level Socioeconomic Inequalities in Intracranial Injury-Related Hospitalization in Korea: A Retrospective Analysis of Data From Korea National Hospital Discharge Survey 2008-2015.
Although inequality in traumatic brain injury (TBI) by individual socioeconomic status (SES) exists, interventions to modify individual SES are difficult. However, as interventions for area-based SES can affect the individual SES, monitoring or public health intervention can be planned. We analyzed the effect of area-based SES on hospitalization for TBI and revealed yearly inequality trends to provide a basis for health intervention. ⋯ Inequality in hospitalization for ICIs by area-based SES tended to increase during the observation period. Practical preventive interventions and input in healthcare resources for populations with low area-based SES are likely needed.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2023
ReviewStatus of the Newborn Hearing Screening in the 4-Months Age National Infant Health Checkup in Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.
The aims of this study are to review data on 4-months age National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children (NHSPIC) using a National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database, and to analyze the newborn hearing screening (NHS) results and related characteristics of the 4-months NHSPIC for 7 years in South Korea. ⋯ The estimated overall NHS performing rate in Korea gradually increased and was 88.9% in 2016. The overall referral rate was low as 0.6%, and it was significantly different depending on the infant's health condition and household income levels. We assume that our finding would help to establish policies managing hearing impaired children, and to develop the customized hearing care service programs considering the household economic levels.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2023
Long-Term Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients According to Average and Visit-to-Visit Variations of HbA1c Levels During the First 3 Years of Diabetes Diagnosis.
It remains unclear whether a combination of glycemic variability and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) status leads to a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore, to investigate CVD risk according to the glucose control status during early diabetes, we examined visit-to-visit HbA1c variability among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). ⋯ To our knowledge, this is the first long-term study to analyze the importance of both HbA1c change and visit-to-visit HbA1c variability during outpatient visits within the first 3 years. Lowering glucose levels during early diabetes may be more critical than reducing visit-to-visit HbA1c variability.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2023
Bacterial Co-Infection and Empirical Antibacterial Therapy in Patients With COVID-19.
The rate and composition of bacterial co-infection in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were evaluated when microbiological testing was conducted on the majority of patients. We also evaluated whether the use of empirical antibacterials was associated with mortality. ⋯ In this study including only patients underwent microbiological testing, bacterial co-infection was not frequent, and the co-infected organisms varied depending on previous antibacterial exposures. Given the rarity of co-infection and the lack of potential benefits, empiric antibacterial use in COVID-19 should be an important target of antibiotic stewardship.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2023
Proper Depth of Percutaneous Central Venous Catheter via the Great Saphenous Vein for Very Low Birth Weight Infants: A Single-Center, Prospective Cohort Study.
A proper depth of percutaneous central venous catheter (PCVC) is very important to reduce procedural time and prevent various complications in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants who require minimal handling or have a sensitive skin. The objective of this study was to suggest a formula for faster and proper insertion of PCVC in VLBWIs to prevent unintended consequences of patients' conditions. ⋯ The formula derived from this study to predict the optimal PCVC insertion length could benefit VLBW infants by reducing procedural time and lowering the risk of complications.