Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2023
Eight-Month Follow-up After the Third Dose of BNT162b2 Vaccine in Healthcare Workers: The Question of a Fourth Dose.
A fourth dose of vaccination is known to help reduce the severity and mortality rate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The South Korean vaccination guidelines for the fourth dose do not include healthcare workers (HCWs) as priority candidates. We investigated the necessity of the fourth dose in South Korean HCWs based on an 8-month follow-up period after the third vaccination. ⋯ For HCWs who had coronavirus disease 2019 infection after completing a third vaccination, a sufficient antibody response was maintained until eight months after the third dose. The recommendation of the fourth dose may not be prioritized in subjects with hybrid immunity.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2023
Case ReportsConcurrent Subacute Thyroiditis and Graves' Disease After COVID-19: A Case Report.
There are many reports of subacute thyroiditis (SAT) that occurred after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but no such case has been reported in Korea. Moreover, the simultaneous occurrence of SAT and Graves' disease (GD) is rare. Here, we describe a patient who developed SAT and GD after the second episode of COVID-19. ⋯ However, this case had some atypical features, such as an elevated thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin level, relapse of thyrotoxicosis in short-term follow-up, and increased Tc-99m pertechnetate uptake, suggesting the coexistence of GD. About two months after methimazole (15 mg/day) was prescribed, she was lost to follow up again. We report the first case of unusual co-occurrence of SAT and GD following COVID-19.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2023
Weight Changes and Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors Are Associated With Dysmenorrhea in Young Women.
This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and to investigate the effect of weight changes or unhealthy weight control behaviors on dysmenorrhea in young Korean women. ⋯ Weight changes (≥ 3 kg) or unhealthy weight control behaviors are common among young women, which may adversely affect dysmenorrhea. Therefore, attention needs to be paid to excessive weight changes and unhealthy weight control behaviors to improve dysmenorrhea in young women.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2023
Trends in the Incidence and Etiology of Non-Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study From 2007 to 2020.
Although patients with non-traumatic spinal cord injury (NTSCI) have distinct epidemiological characteristics compared to those with traumatic spinal cord injury, no previous study has reported the incidence of NTSCI on a national scale in Korea. In this study, we examined the trend in incidence of NTSCI in Korea and described the epidemiological characteristics of patients with NTSCI using nationwide insurance data. ⋯ The annual incidence of NTSCI in Korea is increasing significantly, particularly among older adults. As Korea is one of the countries with most rapidly aging population in the world, these results have significant implications, indicating that preventive strategies and sufficient rehabilitation medical services are warranted for the population of older adults.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2023
Analysis of the Effects of COVID-19 on Hip Fractures in Korea Without Lockdown: Interrupted Time Series Analysis Using a Nationwide Cohort.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in the incidence rate, length of hospital stay (LOS), in-hospital mortality rate, and surgical method of hip fractures during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in South Korea where lockdown restrictions were not implemented. ⋯ In 2020, the incidence rate of hip fracture did not significantly decrease, and in-hospital mortality rate did not significantly increase compared to the expected rates, which were projected based on the HIRA hip fracture data from 2011 to 2019. Only LOS increased slightly.