Development of a Risk Score to Predict Short-term Smoking Relapse Following an Inpatient Smoking Cessation Intervention.

This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting smoking relapse and to develop predictive models among Korean national 5-day smoking cessation program participants. The subjects were 518 smokers and follow-up was continued for 6 months after discharge. A predictive logistic model and risk score were developed from the multivariate logistic models and compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (area under the curve [AUC]). The smoking relapse rate within 6 months after program participation was 38.4%. The AUCs of the logistic regression model and risk score model were similar (odds ratio [OR] = 0.69; 0.69, respectively) in the development data set, and those of the risk score model were similar between the development and validation data sets (OR = 0.68). The risk score used by the six risk factors could predict smoking relapse among participants who attended a 5-day inpatient smoking cessation program.

Relationship between mid-sleep time and depression, health-related quality of life, and sleep deprivation in the 2018 Korea Community Health Survey.

This cross-sectional study examined the relationship of mid-sleep time (MST) with depression, quality of life, and sleep deprivation. This study included 173 284 adults aged ≥ 19 years who participated in the 2018 Korea Community Health Survey. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depression, EuroQol-5 dimension for health-related quality of life, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for MST, daytime sleepiness, and sleep quality were used. Regression and logistic regression analysis was used for complex sample analysis. The results showed that individuals with later MST had a higher risk of depression, poor quality of life, poor sleep quality, and excessive daytime sleepiness than intermediate-type individuals, whereas earlier MST was associated with good sleep quality in the total population. This association was significant in both men and women. The later type was associated with all items of health-related quality of life in both men and women. These findings suggest that the later type is a significant predictor of mental health, quality of life, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness. Identifying an individual's mid-sleep time may help tailor interventions and treatment strategies that optimize sleep, mental health outcomes, and quality of life.

Is colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection safe and effective for 15-19-mm tumors?

PURPOSE: The outcomes of colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in 15-19-mm tumors are unclear. This study compared the effectiveness and safety of colorectal ESD for 15-19-mm tumors and tumors exceeding that size. METHODS: From August 2018 to December 2020, 213 cases of colorectal tumors removed by colorectal ESD at a tertiary hospital were enrolled in this study. The cases were divided into two groups according to the pathologically measured size of the resected lesion: an intermediate group (15-19 mm, n = 62) and a large group (≥ 20 mm, n = 151). The en bloc resection rate, complete resection rate, and complications were investigated retrospectively. RESULTS: The en bloc resection rate was significantly higher in the intermediate than large group (100% vs. 94%, p = 0.049), and the mean total procedure time was shorter in the intermediate than large group (29.2 [Formula: see text] 12.6 vs. 48.4 [Formula: see text] 28.8 min, p < 0.001). However, the mean procedure speed was significantly lower in the intermediate than large group (0.25 [Formula: see text] 0.10 vs. 0.28 [Formula: see text] 0.11 cm2/min, p = 0.031). The complete resection rate, post-procedural bleeding, and perforation rate were not significantly different between the two groups. In multivariate analyses, the total procedure time and mean procedure speed were significantly associated with lesion size. CONCLUSION: Colorectal ESD of 15-19-mm lesions is effective, and has a shorter procedure time and higher en bloc resection rate than the same procedure for larger lesions.

Korea Seroprevalence Study of Monitoring of SARS-COV-2 Antibody Retention and Transmission (K-SEROSMART): findings from national representative sample.

OBJECTIVES: We estimated the population prevalence of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including unreported infections, through a Korea Seroprevalence Study of Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Retention and Transmission (K-SEROSMART) in 258 communities throughout Korea. METHODS: In August 2022, a survey was conducted among 10,000 household members aged 5 years and older, in households selected through two stage probability random sampling. During face-to-face household interviews, participants self-reported their health status, COVID-19 diagnosis and vaccination history, and general characteristics. Subsequently, participants visited a community health center or medical clinic for blood sampling. Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to spike proteins (anti-S) and antibodies to nucleocapsid proteins (anti-N) SARS-CoV-2 proteins using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. To estimate the population prevalence, the PROC SURVEYMEANS statistical procedure was employed, with weighting to reflect demographic data from July 2022. RESULTS: In total, 9,945 individuals from 5,041 households were surveyed across 258 communities, representing all basic local governments in Korea. The overall population-adjusted prevalence rates of anti-S and anti-N were 97.6% and 57.1%, respectively. Since the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has reported a cumulative incidence of confirmed cases of 37.8% through July 31, 2022, the proportion of unreported infections among all COVID-19 infection was suggested to be 33.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The K-SEROSMART represents the first nationwide, community-based seroepidemiologic survey of COVID-19, confirming that most individuals possess antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and that a significant number of unreported cases existed. Furthermore, this study lays the foundation for a surveillance system to continuously monitor transmission at the community level and the response to COVID-19.

Does REM Sleep-Dependent Obstructive Sleep Apnea Have Clinical Significance?

(1) Background: The clinical significance of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep-dependent obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remains controversial because various criteria have been used to describe it. This study determined the clinical significance of REM-OSA in Koreans using data from patients with sufficient total sleep time (TST) and REM sleep duration. (2) Methods: We investigated 1824 patients with OSA who were diagnosed by polysomnography (PSG). REM-OSA was defined as an overall apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5, NREM-AHI < 15, and REM-AHI/NREM-AHI ≥ 2. Demographic and medical data were collected from digital medical records and sleep questionnaires. We compared clinical and PSG data between REM-OSA and REM sleep-nondependent OSA (nREM-OSA). (3) Results: In total, 140 patients (20.2%) were categorized as REM-OSA. Those patients were predominantly female (53.6% vs. 21.7% of the overall cohort, p < 0.001). REM-OSA is frequent in the mild (69.3% vs. 18.8%) to moderate (30% vs. 27.9%) range of OSA (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: The prevalence of REM-OSA was similar to that in previous study findings: frequent in mild to moderate OSA and females, which is consistent with results in Western populations. Our findings suggest that REM-OSA does not have clinical significance as a subtype of OSA.

Does precutting prior to endoscopic piecemeal resection of large colorectal neoplasias reduce local recurrence? A KASID multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: It would be expected that local recurrence could be reduced by performing precutting (with sufficient margins) prior to endoscopic piecemeal mucosal resection (EPMR). We explored the clinical outcomes and local recurrence after precutting EPMR of large colorectal neoplasias. METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2015, in total, 223 patients with colorectal neoplasias ≥ 2 cm in diameter removed via EPMR in four tertiary hospitals were enrolled. The patients were divided into a precut EPMR group (n = 62) and a non-precut EPMR group (n = 161). We retrospectively evaluated clinical outcomes and factors associated with local recurrence. RESULTS: The mean total procedure time was significantly shorter in the non-precut EPMR group than in the precut EPMR group. However, the number of pieces, and the complete resection and recurrence rates, did not differ significantly [for the latter, precut 8.1% vs. non-precut 9.9%, P = 0.668]. The complete resection rate, number of pieces, and use of argon plasma coagulation (APC) were significantly associated with the local recurrence rate on univariate analysis. In the Cox's proportional hazards model, prophylactic APC [hazard ratio 0.307, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.114-0.823; P = 0.019] and complete resection rate (odds ratio 0.083, 95% CI 0.011-0.655; P = 0.018) were significantly associated with the local recurrence rate. CONCLUSION: Precutting prior to EPMR did not significantly reduce the local recurrence rate or the number of resected pieces. Histologically complete resection, reducing the number of pieces, and prophylactic APC seem to be important in terms of reducing local recurrence.

The Relationship between Plasma Erythropoietin Levels and Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: There are animal models associating dopamine dysfunction with behavioral impairments that model attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Erythropoietin (EPO) has trophic effects on dopaminergic neurons. The aim of this study was to examine the EPO plasma levels and determine whether there was any correlation between plasma EPO levels and clinical characteristics of ADHD. METHODS: Plasma EPO levels were measured in 78 drug-naïve children with ADHD and in 81 healthy children. The severity of ADHD symptoms was determined by scores on the Korean ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS) in ADHD children and healthy controls. RESULTS: The difference between median plasma EPO levels in ADHD children and in healthy controls was not statistically significant. Adjusting for age and sex, a linear regression analysis showed that inattention score was significantly higher in the second highest tertile of plasma EPO compared to those in the lowest tertile. Hyperactivity-impulsivity score was significantly higher in the highest tertile of plasma EPO compared to those in the lowest tertile. Moreover, total K-ARS scores were significantly higher in the second highest tertile of plasma EPO compared to those in the lowest tertile. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that plasma EPO levels were related to some ADHD symptoms, which could be used in the monitoring of the disorder.

Association between eveningness preference, socio-behavioral factors, and insomnia symptoms in Korean adolescents.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Studies focusing on insomnia in adolescents are relatively scarce compared to those on excessive daytime sleepiness. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of insomnia symptoms and associated factors in Korean high school students. PATIENTS/METHODS: A total of 8565 students (girls: 4104) were investigated nationwide, across 15 South Korean districts using an online self-report questionnaire. Insomnia symptoms were evaluated using the Global Sleep Assessment Questionnaire. The participants' mean age was 16.77 ± 0.85 years. RESULTS: The prevalence of insomnia symptoms was 39.43% (n = 3377). Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of insomnia symptoms associated with sleep characteristics and social behaviors after adjusting for the relevant covariates. Evening preference (OR, 2.51, 95% CI, 2.20-2.86), perception of insufficient sleep (OR, 3.55, 95% CI, 3.11-4.06), snoring usually/always (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.00-1.55), witnessed sleep apnea usually/always (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.17-2.46), increased internet addiction (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.02-1.03), bad sleep environment (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.50-2.10), ≥3 private extra classes (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.01-1.49), often coffee consumption (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.10-1.56), and often nocturnal eating (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.06-1.45) were associated with insomnia symptoms. Evening preference (OR, 3.48; 95% CI, 2.52-4.82) was also associated with insomnia symptoms in the perceived sufficient sleep subgroup. CONCLUSION: Insomnia symptoms were common in Korean high school students. Evening preference was the major factor associated with insomnia symptoms. Various socio-behavioral factors were also associated with insomnia symptoms.

Association between morningness-eveningness, sleep duration, weekend catch-up sleep and depression among Korean high-school students.

The present study aimed to examine the association between morningness-eveningness preferences, sleep duration, weekend catch-up sleep duration and depression among Korean high-school students. A total of 8,655 high-school students participated from 15 districts in South Korea and completed an online self-report questionnaire. The following sleep characteristics were assessed: weekday and weekend sleep duration, weekend catch-up sleep duration, morningness-eveningness preference, perceived sufficiency of sleep, self-reported snoring and sleep apnea, daytime sleepiness, and sleep environment. Age, gender, body mass index, number of private classes, proneness to internet addiction, and depressive mood were also evaluated. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to compute odds ratios for the association between depression and sleep characteristics, after controlling for relevant covariates. Eveningness preference was a significant predictor of depressive mood (adjusted OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.47-1.99). Weekend CUS durations that were ≥2 hr and enrollment in numerous private classes were associated with a lower risk for depression (0.68, 0.55-0.85; 0.76, 0.60-0.95; respectively). Female gender, underweight and obese body weight, short weekday sleep durations, excessive daytime sleepiness, perceived excessiveness and insufficiency of sleep, self-reported snoring and sleep apnea, proneness to internet addiction and a non-optimal sleep environment were associated with an increased risk for depression. Eveningness preference and insufficient weekday sleep duration were associated with an increased risk for depression. Weekend CUS duration ≥2 hr reduced the risk for depression. Diverse aspects, including sleeping habits and sleep-related environmental factors, should be considered to reduce depressive symptoms in late adolescents.

Performance of a Community-based Noncommunicable Disease Control Program in Korea: Patients 65 Years of Age or Older.

BACKGROUND: In Korea, the Korean Community-based Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control Program (KCNPC) was implemented in 2012 for the management of patients with chronic diseases. Nineteen primary care clinics, public health centers, and education and consulting centers (ECCs) participated in the implementation of this program. This study assessed the effectiveness of this chronic disease control model by comparing mortality rate and the incidence of complications between patients participating in the KCNPC program and a control group. METHODS: Using data from the National Health Insurance Service and data from hypertension and diabetes patients registered with 19 ECCs between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012, hypertension and diabetes patients who had been treated at a clinic were selected. The final analysis included 252,900 patients, with the intervention group and control group having 126,450 patients each. Survival for the two groups was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Complications were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rate in the intervention group (0.88) was higher than that in the control group (0.86). Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that the intervention group had lower risk for mortality (0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82-0.86) compared to the control group. Hospitalization due to complications and the proportional risk of hospitalization were also lower in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: The KCNPC model for prevention and control of chronic disease in Korea was found to be effective for hypertension and diabetes patients. Therefore, the KCNPC will be necessary to strengthen the capabilities of local communities, primary medical institutions, and individuals for prevention and control of chronic disease. Expanding the efficient prevention and control policies of the KCNPC to a nationwide scale may be effective as has been demonstrated through limited implementation in some regions.

Automatic Derivation of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Settings: Comparison with In-Laboratory Titration.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate differences in the final recommended pressure setting between that derived from an autotitrating continuous positive airway pressure (APAP) device and manual in-laboratory continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) titration, as well as the factors that influence pressure differences in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: This study enrolled 50 patients with OSA. All patients underwent both APAP titration and manual CPAP titration. We obtained the average device pressure ≤90% of the time (APAP90) from the downloaded manual for the APAP machine and the optimal pressure obtained by manual CPAP titration (CPAPmanual). We placed the subjects into three groups based on the pressure difference (ΔP) obtained by subtracting CPAPmanual from APAP90: 1) Prequal (ΔP=0), 2) CPAPmanual+ (ΔP ≤-1), and 3) APAP90+ (ΔP ≥1). Regression analysis was conducted to identify predictive factors associated with ΔP. RESULTS: The values of APAP90 and CPAPmanual were 9.50±3.03 cmH2O and 9.48±2.71 cmH2O (mean±SD), respectively (p=0.95). The Prequal, CPAPmanual+, and APAP90+ groups comprised 9 (18%), 23 (46%), and 18 (36%) subjects, respectively. Regression analyses revealed that male sex [ß=3.539, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.040-7.039], body mass index (BMI) (ß=0.186, 95% CI=0.020-0.352), and average usage per day (ß=0.768, 95% CI=0.077-1.459) were associated with ΔP. CONCLUSIONS: While the mean pressure in the overall cohort did not differ significantly between APAP90 and CPAPmanual, there was a discordance majority showing different single pressures obtained when applying the two titration methods. Being Male, having an increased BMI, and having an increased average usage per day of APAP were significantly correlated with increased ΔP in this study.

Impact of Endoscopists' Personality Traits on Adenoma and Polyp Detection Rates in Colonoscopy: A KASID Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: The personality traits of endoscopists have been suggested to affect the adenoma detection rate (ADR). We thus evaluated the relationship between endoscopists' personality traits and the ADR during colonoscopy using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). METHODS: In total, 1230 patients (asymptomatic and aged 50-80 years) who underwent screening or surveillance (≥ 5 years) colonoscopy were recruited from 13 university hospitals by 20 endoscopists between September 2015 and December 2017. We retrospectively measured the ADR, polyp detection rate (PDR), and number of adenomas per colonoscopy (APC). All 20 endoscopists completed all 567 true/false MMPI-2 items. RESULTS: The overall mean colonoscopy withdrawal time, PDR, ADR, and APC were 7.3 ± 2.8 min, 55%, 45.3%, and 0.97 ± 1.58, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the MMPI-2 clinical scales (e.g., hypochondriasis and psychasthenia), content scales (e.g., obsessiveness and type A character), or supplementary scales (e.g., dominance and social responsibility) between the high ADR group (ADR ≥45%, n = 10) and the low ADR group (ADR < 45%, n = 10). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the ADR was associated significantly with patient age and sex. The ADR was related significantly to endoscopists' colonoscopy experience and the per-minute increase in the colonoscopy withdrawal time (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.06-1.38, p = 0.005). In a logistic regression analysis adjusted for patient factors, the ADR was associated significantly with ego strength (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.09, p = 0.044), as measured by the MMPI-2. CONCLUSIONS: With the exception of ego strength, the endoscopists' personality traits were not associated with adenoma or polyp detection.

Effects of Comorbid Sleep Disorders on Cardiovascular Complications of Hypertension Among Patients With Newly-diagnosed Hypertension: An Analysis of the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effects of comorbid sleep disorders (SD) on the incidence of cardiovascular complications among newly-diagnosed hypertension (HTN) patients. METHODS: As study population, 124 057 newly-diagnosed essential HTN patients aged 30 or older, without cardiovascular complications at diagnosis with HTN, were selected from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort. The incidence of cardiovascular complications was calculated, Cox proportional-hazards regression model was used to analyze the risk of complications, and the population attributable fraction (PAF) for cardiovascular complications of having comorbid SD at HTN diagnosis was calculated. RESULTS: Over 10 years, 32 275 patients (26.0%) developed cardiovascular complications. In HTN patients with comorbid SD at diagnosis of HTN, the incidence of cardiovascular complications (78.3/1000 person-years; 95% confidence interval [CI], 75.8 to 80.9) was higher than in those without comorbid SD (58.6/1000 person-years; 95% CI, 57.9 to 59.3) and the risk of cardiovascular complications was 1.21 times higher (95% CI, 1.17 to 1.25), adjusting for age, gender, income, area of residence, and comorbid diabetes mellitus. The PAF of having comorbid SD at diagnosis of HTN for the incidence of cardiovascular complications was 2.07% (95% CI, 1.69 to 2.44). CONCLUSIONS: Newly-diagnosed essential HTN patients aged 30 or older who had comorbid SD at the time of their HTN diagnosis had a higher incidence of cardiovascular complications than those without comorbid SD. Age, gender, income, area of residence, and comorbid diabetes mellitus had a significant effect on the incidence of cardiovascular complications. Approximately 2% of cardiovascular complications were found to occur due to the presence of SD.

Prospective comparison of endoscopic bilateral stent-in-stent versus stent-by-stent deployment for inoperable advanced malignant hilar biliary stricture.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although the efficacy of palliative bilateral biliary drainage using self-expandable metal stents has been demonstrated, it is unclear which bilateral method is optimal for advanced malignant hilar biliary strictures (MHSs). This pilot study compared bilateral stent-in-stent (SIS) with stent-by-stent (SBS) deployment for advanced MHSs. METHODS: Patients with inoperable high-grade MHSs were enrolled in this prospective randomized multicenter study. The primary outcome was the rate of adverse events, whereas secondary outcomes were technical and clinical success, reintervention, therapeutic outcomes, stent patency, and survival duration. RESULTS: This study randomized 69 of 74 pathologically diagnosed patients to the SIS (n = 34) or SBS (n = 35) groups. The total adverse event rate after stent deployment did not differ between the 2 groups (23.5% in the SIS group vs 28.6% in the SBS group, P = .633). The primary technical success rate was 100% (34/34) and 91.4% (32/35) in the SIS and SBS groups, respectively (P = .081). The clinical success rate was 94.1% (32/34) and 90.6% (29/32), respectively (P = .668). The stent patency rate at 3 months was 85.3% in the SIS group and 65.7% in the SBS group (P = .059). At 6 months, the stent patency rate was 47.1% and 31.4%, respectively (P = .184). The median cumulative stent patency and survival probability did not differ between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Efficacy of bilateral SIS and SBS deployment may be similar in terms of total adverse events, technical and clinical success, stent patency, and survival. The stent patency rates at 3 and 6 months was higher in the SIS group without statistical difference. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT01141088.).

High risk of obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, and daytime sleepiness among commercial motor vehicle drivers.

PURPOSE: We investigated the prevalence of sleep problems, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), insomnia, and daytime sleepiness in commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers compared with that in the general population. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study comparing sleep habits and sleep problems in 110 truck drivers with 1001 matched controls from the general population. The assessment was based on self-administered questionnaires that included the Berlin questionnaire, the insomnia severity index, and the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS). Multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine whether CMV drivers were independently associated with these sleep problems compared with controls. RESULTS: The prevalence of a high risk of OSA and insomnia was 35.5% and 15.2%, respectively, in CMV drivers, which was significantly higher than in controls with a prevalence of 12.2% and 4.1%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Although CMV drivers showed higher ESS scores than controls, the prevalence of daytime sleepiness did not differ between the two groups (19.1% vs. 16.8%, P = 0.54). After adjusting for covariates, CMV drivers had 3.68 times higher odds (95% CI 2.29-5.84) of OSA and 2.97 times higher odds (95% CI, 1.46-6.06) of insomnia compared with controls. However, the degree of daytime sleepiness was not independently associated with CMV drivers. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of OSA and insomnia in CMV drivers was higher than that in the general population. Daytime sleepiness was associated with increased BMI, depression, OSA, and short sleep duration, regardless of CMV driving as an occupational factor.

Efficacy of 3 fine-needle biopsy techniques for suspected pancreatic malignancies in the absence of an on-site cytopathologist.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration/biopsy (EUS-FNA/B) has a high diagnostic accuracy for pancreatic tumors. Most reports have focused on the diagnostic yield of cytology or histology; the ability of various FNA/B techniques to obtain an adequate mass of cells or tissue has rarely been investigated. METHODS: Patients with suspected pancreatic malignancy underwent EUS-FNB using a 22-gauge ProCore needle by either the stylet slow-pull-back technique (group A), conventional negative suction after stylet removal (group B), or non-suction after stylet removal (group C) in the absence of an on-site cytopathologist. The adequacy of the 3 techniques based on the diagnostic yield, cellularity, blood contamination, and core-tissue acquisition was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients (27 males) were analyzed. The mean tumor size was 21 to 40 mm in 54%. The rate of a good or excellent proportion of cellularity was highest in group A compared with groups B and C (72% vs 60% vs 50%, P = .049). A >25% rate of blood contamination was more prevalent in group B (30% vs 42% vs 10%, P = .009). The rate of adequate core-tissue acquisition was not different (52% vs 34% vs 50%, P = .140). Based on the multivariate generalized estimation equation, the stylet slow-pull-back technique and a tumor size >40 mm were favorable factors for diagnostic adequacy. CONCLUSIONS: The stylet slow-pull-back technique might enable acquisition of tissue and assessment of cellularity for the diagnosis of pancreatic tumors suspected to be malignant. (Clinical trial registration number: KCT0002190.).

Relationship between the endoscopic withdrawal time and adenoma/polyp detection rate in individual colonic segments: a KASID multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Appropriate colonoscopy withdrawal times for individual colonic segments are not well known. The relationship between withdrawal time and adenoma detection rate (ADR)/polyp detection rate (PDR) in individual colonic segments was examined in this study. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study involving 724 patients who underwent colonoscopy screening or surveillance colonoscopy from October 2015 to February 2017 at 10 university hospitals. RESULTS: In the right side of the colon, the ADR (33.2% vs 13.7%, P < .001), PDR, serrated polyp detection rate, and number of adenomas per colonoscopy (APC) were significantly higher when the colonoscopy withdrawal time was ≥2 minutes compared with <2 minutes. When the withdrawal time was ≥4 minutes in the proximal colon and ≥3 minutes in the left segment of the colon, the ADR, PDR, and APC were significantly higher compared with withdrawal times of <4 minutes and <3 minutes, respectively. Multivariate analyses showed that the ADR was significantly associated with withdrawal times of ≥2 minutes in the right side of the colon (odds ratio [OR], 2.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.72-5.15; P < .001), ≥4 minutes in the proximal colon (OR, 4.48; 95% CI, 3.15-6.36; P < .001), and ≥3 minutes in the left segment of the colon (OR, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.74-4.91; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The PDR and ADR appeared to be significantly increased when the withdrawal time was ≥2 minutes in the right-sided colon segment, ≥4 minutes in the proximal colon, and ≥3 minutes in the left-sided colon segment compared with shorter withdrawal times.

Correction to: Factors Predictive of Complete Excision of Large Colorectal Neoplasia Using Hybrid Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A KASID Multicenter Study.

The original version of the article unfortunately contained errors in author affiliation. Affiliation of third and ninth author was incorrectly assigned.

Periodic Limb Movements During Sleep Are Not Associated With Hypertension in a Clinical Cohort of Korean Adults.

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence of increased cardiovascular risk including hypertension in patients with periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS). In a multiethnic cohort study, the association between prevalent hypertension and PLMS varied according to ethnicity. We evaluated whether PLMS are associated with hypertension in Koreans. METHODS: We enrolled 1,163 subjects who had polysomnography (PSG) from 2 tertiary hospitals. All subjects completed a sleep questionnaire before the PSG study. Coincidental hypertension was recorded according to past medical history. We analyzed the association between periodic limb movement index (PLMI), periodic limb movement associated with arousal index (PLMAI), and coincidental hypertension. Covariates were age, sex, body mass index (BMI), restless legs syndrome, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), arousal index, and average oxygen saturation. RESULTS: A total of 304 subjects (26.1%) had hypertension. The proportion of subjects with hypertension in the PLMI ≥ 15 category was higher than that in the PLMI < 15 category (32.4% vs. 25.0%; P = 0.04). The proportion of subjects with hypertension in the PLMAI ≥ 1 category was 32.6%, which was higher than that in the PLMAI < 1 category (24.6%; P = 0.02). In a multivariate regression model, neither PLMI (odds ratio [OR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75-1.68) nor PLMAI (OR, 1.21; 95% CI 0.83-1.76) were associated with hypertension. Statistical significance was found between coincidental hypertension and the following variables: age, smoking history, BMI, and AHI. CONCLUSIONS: In a retrospective hospital-based study, there was no association between coincidental hypertension and PLMI/PLMAI in Koreans.

The Effect of Employment and Occupational Factors on Late-Life Depression in Korea.

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the prevalence of depression using Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) across general and occupational characteristics in older Koreans and identified associations between depression and occupational factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and analyzed 2426 participants (more than 50 years older). Complex sample logistic regression analysis was performed after adjusting general characteristics. RESULTS: Using Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data we identified the employment status and occupational factors (working hours per week, working status, occupation type, working schedule) are associated with the prevalence of late-life depression after adjusting general characteristics among older Korean men. CONCLUSIONS: The occupational environment associated with mental health is an important social issue for increasingly aging workers. There is a need for appropriate occupational environments and high-quality occupations enabling older people to work with public interest and collaborative effort of social and governmental institutions.