Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2024
The Epidemiology of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Korea: 15-Year Analysis.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the epidemiological changes in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and assess the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) over the past 15 years in a region endemic to hepatitis B virus (HBV). ⋯ The epidemiology of CHB has undergone significant changes over the past 15 years, encompassing shifts in prevalence, severity, medical costs, and comorbidities. Furthermore, the impact of COVID-19 has been observed to decrease healthcare utilization among patients with CHB when compared to controls.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2024
ReviewAntibiotic Resistance of Helicobacter pylori: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications.
Helicobacter pylori is a pathogenic bacterium associated with various gastrointestinal diseases, including chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and gastric cancer. The increasing rates of H. pylori antibiotic resistance and the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains pose significant challenges to its treatment. ⋯ These approaches aim to improve the treatment outcomes of H. pylori infections while minimizing the development of antibiotic resistance. The continuous evolution of treatment perspectives and ongoing research in this field are crucial for effectively combating this challenging infection.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2024
ReviewPrevalence and Burden of Human Adenovirus-Associated Acute Respiratory Illness in the Republic of Korea Military, 2013 to 2022.
Human adenovirus (HAdV) is a common cause of acute respiratory disease (ARD) and has raised significant concerns within the Korean military. Here, we conducted a comprehensive epidemiological analysis of HAdV-associated ARD by evaluating its prevalence, clinical outcomes, and prognosis. ⋯ Our findings indicate that HAdV posed a significant public health concern within the Korean military prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Given the potential for a resurgence of outbreaks in the post-COVID-19 era, proactive measures, such as education, environmental improvements, and the development of HAdV vaccines, are crucial for effectively preventing future outbreaks.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2024
ReviewMid-Term Strategic Plan for the Public Health and Medical Care Cooperation in the Korean Peninsula.
As extensive as the concept of and the resources required for 'Health for Korean Unification' are, and due to the limited access to information on the state of health and medical care in North Korea, discussion on 'Health for Korean Unification' has tended to be intermittent and lacked concrete action plans. In this article, we specifically distinguished areas of cooperation and selected five executable agenda that meet the goals of international development cooperation: 1) Health security; 2) Easing the burden of major diseases; 3) Resilient healthcare system; 4) R&D cooperation; 5) Sustainable cooperation system. ⋯ Throughout the process, we utilized a special platform, the 'Korean Peninsula Healthcare Cooperation Platform,' designed to enable continual communication across sectors engaged in public health and medical care. By doing so, we take the first step to actually carry out the 'Health for Korean Unification,' which tended to have remained on the discussion agenda.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2024
Multicenter StudyClinical Features of Mpox Patients in Korea: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.
Mpox is a viral illness with a characteristic skin rash caused by the monkeypox virus. In 2022, Mpox spread throughout the world, and an epidemic through domestic transmission started in South Korea in early 2023. This study aimed to summarize the clinical features of Mpox patients in South Korea. ⋯ Mpox patients in South Korea were mainly young adult males and were infected through sexual contact. The clinical outcomes were favorable.