Journal of Korean medical science
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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.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2024
Multicenter Study Observational StudyThe Risk of COVID-19 and Its Outcomes in Korean Patients With Gout: A Multicenter, Retrospective, Observational Study.
This retrospective cohort study aimed to compare coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related clinical outcomes between patients with and without gout. Electronic health record-based data from two centers (Seoul National University Hospital [SNUH] and Boramae Medical Center [BMC]), from January 2021 to April 2022, were mapped to a common data model. ⋯ Within 30 days after COVID-19 diagnosis, no significant difference was observed in terms of hospitalization (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.03-3.90), severe outcomes (HR, 2.90; 95% CI, 0.54-13.71), or mortality (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.06-16.24). Similar results were obtained from the BMC database, suggesting that gout does not increase the risk for COVID-19 diagnosis or severe outcomes.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2024
Factors Affecting Adherence to National Colorectal Cancer Screening: A 12-Year Longitudinal Study Using Multi-Institutional Pooled Data in Korea.
Consistent uptake of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is important to reduce the incidence and mortality from advanced-stage CRC and increase the survival rate of the patients. We conducted a longitudinal study to determine the factors affecting CRC screening compliance in Korean adults using individual-level linked data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Korean National Health Insurance Service, and Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. ⋯ The lack of regular participation in CRC screening programs in the Republic of Korea was found to be an issue that requires attention. Policies on CRC screening must place increased emphasis on strengthening educational and public relations initiatives.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Jan 2024
Spirometric Interpretation and Clinical Relevance According to Different Reference Equations.
Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI)-2012 reference equation is currently suggested for interpretation of spirometry results and a new local reference equation has been developed in South Korea. However, lung function profiles according to the different reference equations and their clinical relevance have not been identified in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. ⋯ GLI-2012 reference equation may not accurately reflect FEV1 (%) in the Korean population, but the Z-score using GLI-2012 equation can be a viable option for assessing FEV1 and airflow limitation in COPD patients. Similar to the other two equations, the GLI-2012 equation demonstrated significant associations with PROs.