Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2023
Comparison of a Tobacco-Specific Carcinogen in Tobacco Cigarette, Electronic Cigarette, and Dual Users.
4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) is known as a lung carcinogen. The objective of this study was to investigate associations of urine NNAL concentrations and smoking status. ⋯ E-cigar only, dual-user, and cigarette only smoker groups showed significantly higher geometric mean concentrations of urine NNAL than the past-smoker group. Conventional cigarette, dual users, and e-cigar users can potentially show harmful health effects from NNAL.
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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
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.