Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Nov 2024
ReviewTobacco Use in Korea: Current Epidemiology and Public Health Issues.
Tobacco control efforts in Korea began nearly three decades ago with the enactment of the National Health Promotion Act in 1995. Monitoring smoking prevalence is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of tobacco control measures, as reductions in smoking rates reflect the impact of anti-smoking policies. This review aims to provide an updated overview of the epidemiology of tobacco use in Korea, outline the nation's advancements in tobacco control, and emphasize emerging challenges in tobacco use. ⋯ Furthermore, critical issues in tobacco use persist in Korea, including significant disparities in tobacco use related to age, gender, and disability, the growing use of novel tobacco and nicotine products among adolescents and younger adults, and regulatory blind spots. The reduction in smoking rates in Korea reflects the impact of expanded tobacco control policies and public health initiatives. However, for Korea to advance to the next level in tobacco control policies, it is essential to implement the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control's MPOWER measures more thoroughly.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Nov 2024
Impact of Mass Screening Using Chest X-Ray on Mortality Reduction and Treatment Adherence Among Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients.
Evaluate the impact of chest X-ray (CXR) screening on mortality and treatment adherence by comparing pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cases detected through screening and those routinely diagnosed at healthcare facilities. ⋯ Individuals undergoing CXR screening have a lower risk of both all-cause and TB-specific mortality compared to PCF, but treatment adherence is similar between the two groups, emphasizing the need to improve the linkage between screening, diagnosis, and treatment for the screened population.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Nov 2024
Normative Parameters of Olfactory Bulbs Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Olfactory Function.
Olfactory dysfunction is a frequently encountered sensory disorder that increases with aging, assessed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); however, reference quantitative values for associated anatomical structures have rarely been suggested. The aim of this study was to assess the parameters of the olfactory bulbs (OBs) and olfactory sulcus (OS) in Korean adults according to age, along with their olfactory function. ⋯ Based on MRI, we proposed reference OB and OS values in adults of different age groups, highlighting the reduction in OB parameters, especially height and APD along with volume associated with aging and olfactory decline. These values can be useful for evaluating adult patients undergoing MRI for olfactory dysfunction.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Nov 2024
Sites of Metastasis and Survival in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Results From the Korean Renal Cancer Study Group Database.
In patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), sites of metastatic involvement have been reported to be associated with a difference in survival. However, the frequency and survival according to different sites of metastases in Korean patients with mRCC remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the frequency of metastatic site involvement and the association between sites of metastatic involvement and survival in Korean patients with mRCC. ⋯ In Korean patients with mRCC, metastases to the lung, lymph nodes, bone, liver, adrenal gland, and brain were more frequent than those to other organs. Metastases to the liver, bone, and pleura were associated with poor CSS. The findings of this study may be valuable for patient counseling and guiding future study designs.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Nov 2024
Obstetric and Perinatal Outcomes in 44,118 Singleton Pregnancies: Endometrial Preparation Methods for Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer.
This study aimed to investigate the obstetric and perinatal outcomes of singleton deliveries following frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles using different endometrial preparation methods. ⋯ The rate of adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes was higher in AC-FET compared to NC-FET, highlighting NC-FET as a valuable option owing to better maternal and fetal safety. In cases where NC-FET is not feasible, SC-FET presented as a favorable alternative, exhibiting lower miscarriage rates than NC-FET and better obstetric outcomes than AC-FET.