The year 2020 saw the emergence of a novel coronavirus—the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2— which has led to an unprecedented pandemic that has shaken the entire world. The pandemic has been a new experience for Malaysia, especially during the implementation of large-scale public health and social measures called the Movement Control Order (MCO). This paper seeks to describe the experiences of the Malaysian healthcare system thus far in combatting the pandemic. The Malaysian healthcare system comprises two main arms: public health and medicine. The public health arm focuses on early disease detection, contact tracing, quarantines, the MCO, and risk stratification strategies in the community. The medical arm focuses on the clinical management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients; it encompasses laboratory services, the devising of clinical setting adjustments, and hospital management for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. Malaysia experienced intense emotions at the beginning of the pandemic, with great uncertainty regarding the pandemic’s outcome, as the world saw a frighteningly high COVID-19 mortality. As of writing (May 30, 2020), Malaysia has passed the peak of its second wave of infections. The experience thus far has helped in preparing the country’s healthcare system to be vigilant and more prepared for future COVID-19 waves. To date, the pandemic has changed many aspects of Malaysia’s life, and people are still learning to adapt to new norms in their lives.

Citations

• Speech-language Telepractice Services During the COVID-19 Lockdown: Perspectives from Parents in Malaysia
  Jing Feng, Xiao P. Choong, Pui J. Woi, Siaw C. Chai, Tian K. Quar, Jaehoon Lee, Shin Y. Chu
  International Journal of Telerehabilitation.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Geographical Debate on COVID-19’s Impact on Healthcare Access and Utilization in Vulnerable Malaysian Communities
  Lay Im Lim, Mohammad Javad Maghsoodi Tilaki, Sharifah R. S. Dawood, Su Jinxia
  Societies.2025; 15(7): 172.     CrossRef
• Unveiling the Nexus Between Intellectual Capital Efficiency and Financial Performance in Malaysia's Healthcare Sector Amidst the Covid-19 Crisis
  Noor Sharida Badri Shah, Roslan Ja’afar
  Information Management and Business Review.2024; 16(1(I)): 262.     CrossRef
• An Online Survey of the Perceptions of Clinical and Non-Clinical Professionals on Healthcare for Non-Communicable Diseases and COVID-19 Measures During the Pandemic in Malaysia
  Sugitha Sureshkumar, Feisul Mustapha, Haironi Yusoff, Kibachio Joseph Mwangi, Kailing Marcus, Bogomil Kohlbrenner, David Issom, Mohamed-Rida Benissa, Sigiriya Aebischer-Perone, Nirit Braha, Egidio Candela, Kumar Gaurav Chhabra, B. R. Desikachari, Arianna
  International Journal of Public Health.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef

Aging has become a global problem, and the interest in healthy aging is growing. Healthy aging involves a focus on the maintenance of the function and well-being of elderly adults, rather than a specific disease. Thus, the management of frailty, which is an accumulated decline in function, is important for healthy aging. The adaptation method was used to develop clinical practice guidelines on frailty management that are applicable in primary care settings. The guidelines were developed in three phases: preparation (organization of committees and establishment of the scope of development), literature screening and evaluation (selection of the clinical practice guidelines to be adapted and evaluation of the guidelines using the Korean Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II tool), and confirmation of recommendations (three rounds of Delphi consensus and internal and external reviews). A total of 16 recommendations (five recommendations for diagnosis and assessment, 11 recommendations for intervention of frailty) were made through the guideline development process. These clinical practice guidelines provide overall guidance on the identification, evaluation, intervention, and monitoring of frailty, making them applicable in primary care settings. As aging and “healthy aging” become more and more important, these guidelines are also expected to increase in clinical usefulness.

Citations

• Summary of best evidence for prevention and management of frailty
  Yinning Guo, Xueyi Miao, Jieman Hu, Li Chen, Yimeng Chen, Kang Zhao, Ting Xu, Xiaoman Jiang, Hanfei Zhu, Xinyi Xu, Qin Xu
  Age and Ageing.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Frailty: Assessment and Intervention
  Hana Moon, Geon Ho Lee, DaeHyun Kim
  Keimyung Medical Journal.2024; 43(2): 100.     CrossRef
• Clinical practice guidelines for frailty vary in quality but guide primary health care: a systematic review
  Huaxin Si, Jiaqi Yu, Qinqin Liu, Yanyan Li, Yaru Jin, Yanhui Bian, Xiaoxia Qiao, Wenyu Wang, Lili Ji, Yan Wang, Jian Du, Cuili Wang
  Journal of Clinical Epidemiology.2023; 161: 28.     CrossRef
• Yaşlılarda Kırılganlığın Önlenmesi ve Yönetiminde Kanıta Dayalı Yaklaşımlar
  Ayşe Buket DOĞAN, Özlem CANBOLAT
  Sağlık Bilimlerinde Değer.2023; 13(3): 501.     CrossRef
• Validation of the Korean Academy of Geriatric Dentistry screening questionnaire and oral frailty diagnostic criteria in community-dwelling older adults
  Jeong-Hyun Kang, Seong-Chan Park, Hoi-In Jung, Sun Jae Jung, Hye-Jin Park, Soo-Min Kim, Min-Ji Jo, Yun-Seon Lee, Sun-Young Han
  Epidemiology and Health.2023; 46: e2024008.     CrossRef
• Up-to-date knowledge of frailty
  Chang Won Won
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2022; 65(2): 108.     CrossRef
• Current status of nutrient intake in Korea: focused on macronutrients
  Seung-Won Oh
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2022; 65(12): 801.     CrossRef

Citations

• Understanding Vaccination Among Hesitant Adopters of the COVID-19 Vaccine Using the Increasing Vaccination Model
  Ramey Moore, Rachel S. Purvis, Sheena CarlLee, Emily Hallgren, Shashank Kraleti, Don E. Willis, Pearl A. McElfish
  Journal of Health Communication.2023; 28(7): 458.     CrossRef
• Understanding and Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Healthcare Providers in Bexar County, Texas
  Hari N. Krishnakumar, Jay H. Shah, Lucas S. Rivas, Jason A. Rosenfeld, Courtney G. Denton, Melanie Stone, Anita Kurian, Ruth E. Berggren
  AJPM Focus.2022; 1(2): 100022.     CrossRef
• Health Care Professionals’ Interest in Vaccination Training in Switzerland: A Quantitative Survey
  Pia Lucas Ramanathan, Nadja Baldesberger, Léna G. Dietrich, Camilla Speranza, Alyssa Lüthy, Andrea Buhl, Martina Gisin, Roswitha Koch, Dunja Nicca, L. Suzanne Suggs, Benedikt M. Huber, Michael J. Deml, Philip E. Tarr
  International Journal of Public Health.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef

Background
The diagnosis of food allergies needs to be confirmed through an oral food challenge (OFC). However, specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) concentrations analyzed by serological tests are also helpful in determining OFC items and predicting the presence of allergic reactions. Unfortunately, there is a limit to the number of antigens that can be simultaneously evaluated at one time. The purpose of this study was to analyze the possibility of detecting sIgE antibodies against food using clues in self-reported food allergy symptoms.
Methods
Medical records of 377 patients aged 3 years or younger were collected for egg white-, cow’s milk-, walnut- and soybean-sIgE sensitization, and related clinical history. Each clinical history was classified into class 1: direct-isolated intake resulting in anaphylaxis or hives with consistent clincical history; class 2a: class 1 with inconsistency; class 2b: indirect-mixed intake resulting in anaphylaxis or hives regardless of consistency; class 2c: direct/indirect-isolated/mixed intake resulting in itching without hives, vomiting, or diarrhea with consistent clincical history; or class 3: class 2c with inconsistency or asymptomatic to direct, isolated exposure.
Results
The area under the curve (AUC) of class 1 for cow’s milk was 0.790, and the accuracy was 78.0%. The AUC of class 1 and 2 for egg white was better than that of class 1 (0.750), and the accuracy rate was 77.6%. The AUCs of class 1 for walnut and soybean were 0.775 and 0.662, respectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sIgE sensitization to foods could be predicted by the combination of exposure and selfreported symptoms in children under 3 years of age.

Citations

• Oral Food Challenge in Children with Tree Nut and Peanut Allergy: The Predictive Value of Diagnostic Tests
  Ludovica Cela, Alessandro Gravina, Antonio Semeraro, Francesca Pastore, Rebecca Morelli, Lavinia Marchetti, Giulia Brindisi, Francesca Olivero, Maria Grazia Piccioni, Anna Maria Zicari, Caterina Anania
  Diagnostics.2024; 14(18): 2069.     CrossRef

This case illustrates the medical complication of a child that arose as a consequence of parents with intellectual disabilities in a primary care setting. A 9-month-old girl presented with multiple admissions because of recurrent pneumonia and was later diagnosed with failure to thrive based on child neglect resulting from the parents’ disabilities. This exemplifies a failure to thrive case with a complex and undiagnosed psychosocial background that required interdepartmental involvement to mitigate the health problem.

Background
It is a well-known fact that exclusive breastfeeding benefits both mothers and their babies. The aim of this study is to assess the associated factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding of babies until 6 months of age.
Methods
The study used data from the 2017 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey. Overall, 1,542 women who had infants aged below 6 months were included in the study. Sociodemographic and maternal health service utilization factors were examined for association with exclusive breastfeeding, using logistic regression for a complex sample design.
Results
The proportion of exclusive breastfeeding was 52.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.498–0.548). Parity, antenatal care visits, early initiation of breastfeeding, low-income households, and rural areas were significant factors associated with the increased likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding. However, working status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.70; 95% CI, 0.57–0.86) and caesarean delivery or C-section (aOR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.57–0.99) were factors for a lower likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding.
Conclusion
Working women are at risk of discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding. Mothers who had a normal vaginal delivery and practiced early initiation of breastfeeding had a higher rate of exclusive breastfeeding. These findings have important implications for developing comprehensive guidance and resources for women regarding the importance of exclusive breastfeeding during the early postpartum period.

Citations

• Correlations between family characteristics and childcare in optimizing the growth of children under six years
  Laili Rahayuwati, Desy Indra Yani, Sri Hendrawati, Arlette Suzy Setiawan, Damar Irza, Sherllina Rizqi Fauziah
  BMC Public Health.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Economic and environmental impacts of commercial milk formula in Indonesia: estimates and comparisons using the Cost of Not Breastfeeding, Green Feeding, and Mothers’ Milk Tools
  Nabila Nur Septiani, Andini Pramono, Tuan Thanh Nguyen, Roger Mathisen, Julie Smith
  International Breastfeeding Journal.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Educational Packages on Breastfeeding Increase Behavior and Self-Efficacy of Mothers
  Stefi Maizuputri, Muthia Mutmainnah, Meinarisa
  Jurnal Berita Ilmu Keperawatan.2024; 17(2): 152.     CrossRef
• Role of proper postnatal care in continued exclusive breastfeeding among young Indonesian mothers
  Wahyu Triadmajani, Shinta Prawitasari, Abdul Wahab
  Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics.2024; 67(12): 686.     CrossRef
• Does caesarean section have an impact on exclusive breastfeeding? Evidence from four Southeast Asian countries
  Kyaw Lwin Show, Nampet Jampathong, Pyae Linn Aung, Kyawt Mon Win, Chetta Ngamjarus, Porjai Pattanittum, Thae Maung Maung, Khaing Nwe Tin, Su Mon Myat, Meghan A Bohren, Nogati Chairunnisa, Pisake Lumbiganon
  BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• The practice of exclusive breastfeeding by region in Indonesia
  Haerawati Idris, Dea Widya Astari
  Public Health.2023; 217: 181.     CrossRef
• Social media utilization and knowledge levels in exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Indonesia
  Deswani Deswani, Dea Eki Rahmawati, Yuli Mulyanti, Syafdewiyani Syafdewiyani, Rita Ismail, Sri Djuwitaningsih
  Healthcare in Low-resource Settings.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Analysis of Supporting Factors Associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice in the Urban Setting during the COVID-19 Pandemic
  Agrina Agrina, Dedi Afandi, Suyanto Suyanto, Erika Erika, Yulia Irvani Dewi, Siska Helina, Dita Pramita, Nanda Safira
  Children.2022; 9(7): 1074.     CrossRef

Background
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between near work time and depression.
Methods
Data of 1,551 workers aged 19–49 years from the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were examined. The Patient Health Questionaire-9 scores were used to screen for depression. Participants who scored a total of 10 or above, which is suggestive of the presence of depression, were classified as the depression group; the rest were classified as normal. The correlation between daily near work time and depression was analyzed using multivariate logistic analysis after adjusting for other sociodemographic and health behavior-related variables.
Results
Multivariate logistic analysis found that workers with 3 or more hours of near work were more likely to report depression compared to the reference group who had 2 or fewer hours per day of near work (adjusted odds ratio, 2.471; 95% confidence interval, 1.062–5.747).
Conclusion
Longer near work time was associated with depression among South Korea’s workers. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce near work time to prevent depression.

Citations

• Low Vision Rehabilitation and Eye Exercises: A Comprehensive Guide to Tertiary Prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy
  Tibor Rák, Andrea Kovács-Valasek, Etelka Pöstyéni, Róbert Gábriel, Adrienne Csutak
  Life.2025; 15(6): 857.     CrossRef

Background
This study aimed to explore the relationship between fruit intake, changes in fruit intake, and changes in cardiometabolic factors in people with obesity.
Methods
A total of 21,270 subjects (8,718 men, 12,552 women) aged 40 years and over, from the Korean-based Genome and Epidemiology Study, were followed up for an average of 4.4 years. Fruit intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire at baseline and the second follow-up. The beta coefficient and confidence intervals for changes in cardiometabolic risk factors according to fruit consumption were calculated using a linear regression model.
Results
In men, the abdominal circumference decreased with changes in fruit intake (P=0.029). Fruit intake and increased fruit intake in men were associated with a lower systolic blood pressure (P=0.012 and P=0.02, respectively) and lower triglyceride levels (P=0.002 and P<0.001, respectively). In women, abdominal circumference decreased with both fruit intake and increased fruit intake (P<0.001 and P=0.013, respectively). Systolic blood pressure and triglycerides tended to decrease only with fruit intake (P=0.048 and P<0.001, respectively). Unlike in men, fasting blood glucose tended to decrease in women with both fruit intake and increased fruit intake (P=0.011 and P=0.005, respectively).
Conclusion
Fruit intake and increased fruit intake may have beneficial effects on cardiometabolic risk factors among individuals who are obese.

Citations

• Associations of cMIND Diet with depressive and anxiety symptoms among old people in China: a nationwide study
  Tengfei Niu, Yu Zhang, Xilin Zhou, Kun Shen, Xinyan Ji, Juan Zhu, Ouxiang Wu, Xiaobing Xian
  European Journal of Nutrition.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Fruits and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: The Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study Cohort
  Hojun Yu, Cheol Min Lee, Seung-Won Oh
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2024; 45(1): 44.     CrossRef
• Association between cMIND diet and hypertension among older adults in China: a nationwide survey
  Yazhu Wang, Yu Zhang, Xinrong Zeng, Xiaobing Xian, Jingyu Chen, Tengfei Niu
  Aging Clinical and Experimental Research.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Impact of fruits and vegetables consumption on metabolic health: a case–control study
  Azza Abd El-Shaheed, Nermine N. Mahfouz, May M. Abdel Hamid
  Bulletin of the National Research Centre.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Effects of Semaglutide on Cardiac Protein Expression and Cardiac Function of Obese Mice
  Xiaoyu Pan, Lin Yue, Jiangli Ban, Lin Ren, Shuchun Chen
  Journal of Inflammation Research.2022; Volume 15: 6409.     CrossRef
• Current status of nutrient intake in Korea: focused on macronutrients
  Seung-Won Oh
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2022; 65(12): 801.     CrossRef
• Current status of health promotion in Korea
  Soo Young Kim
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2022; 65(12): 776.     CrossRef

Background
The ultrasonic stadiometer was originally developed as a device to measure and monitor children’s height. However, an ultrasonic stadiometer (InLab S50; InBody Co., Seoul, Korea) was used to measure adults’ height in the 2018 Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS). This study was conducted to assess the reliability and validity of the InLab S50 in adults.
Methods
The study subjects were 120 adults (reliability test, n=20; validity test, n=100) who had visited a health screening center. The intra- and inter-rater reliabilities of InLab S50 were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The agreement between InLab S50 and an automatic stadiometer (HM-201; Fanics, Busan, Korea) was assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman analysis.
Results
The intra- and inter-rater reliabilities of the InLab S50 were excellent (ICC=0.9999 and 0.9998, respectively). The correlation coefficient of the height measured by the two measurement devices was very high (r=0.996). The difference (Δheight [HM-201-InLab S50]) was -0.15±0.78 cm (95% limit of agreement [LOA], -1.69 to 1.38). After excluding the values outside 95% LOA, the difference was further reduced to -0.05±0.59 cm (95% LOA, -1.20 to 1.10).
Conclusion
This study showed that the InLab S50 is a reliable and valid device for the measurement of adults’ height. Therefore, we think that InLab S50 could be used to measure adults’ height in household health surveys such as the KCHS.

Citations

• Validation of portable ultrasonic stadiometers in adults
  Joaquim Huaina Cintra-Andrade, João Victor Alves Martins, Maria Izabel Freire-Correia, Mirele Savegnago Mialich Grecco, Matheus Lima Caetano, Lívia Zulmyra Cintra-Andrade, Wagner Luis Ripka
  Clinical Nutrition ESPEN.2025; 68: 8.     CrossRef
• Contactless Body Measurement System Using Single Fixed-Point RGBD Camera Based on Pose Graph Reconstruction
  Riu Cherdchusakulchai, Sucharn Thoumrungroje, Thanyaporn Tungpanjasil, Alongkorn Pimpin, Werayut Srituravanich, Nattapol Damrongplasit
  IEEE Access.2024; 12: 84363.     CrossRef
• Genetic Evidence of Endocannabinoid System on Perceived Stress and Restricted Food Intake: The Role of Variants rs324420 in FAAH Gene and rs1049353 in CNR1 Gene
  Tania Yadira Martínez-Rodríguez, Elia H. Valdés-Miramontes, José Francisco Muñoz-Valle, Zyanya Reyes-Castillo
  Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Association Between Perceived Noise Pollution and Sleep Quality: Findings from the 2018 Community Health Survey
  Sujin Lee, Jae Ho Chung
  Noise and Health.2024; 26(122): 346.     CrossRef
• Comparing the accuracy of an ultrasound height measurement device with a wooden measurement board among children aged 2–5 years in rural Lao People’s Democratic Republic: A methods-comparison study
  Shan Huang, Joel Conkle, Caroline S. E. Homer, Sengchanh Kounnavong, Khampheng Phongluxa, Joshua P. Vogel, Sayedur Rahman
  PLOS ONE.2023; 18(11): e0289514.     CrossRef
• Differences in accuracy of height, weight, and body mass index between self-reported and measured using the 2018 Korea Community Health Survey data
  Yoonsil Ko, Sunhye Choi, Jisoo Won, Yeon-Kyeng Lee, Dong-Hyun Kim, Seon Kui Lee
  Epidemiology and Health.2022; 44: e2022024.     CrossRef

Background
Smoking is a preventable cause of chronic morbidity. Patient empowerment is a process through which people establish greater control over their health-related decisions and actions. To assess the effect of patient empowerment versus health education on the nicotine dependence score and progress of patients under different stages of smoking cessation.
Methods
This was a single-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial that included 76 smokers attending family medicine clinics. Participants were divided into two groups: empowerment and health education groups. Their nicotine-dependence score and smoking cessation stage were identified. All study participants were subjected to five health education sessions with a 3-month follow-up period.
Results
The mean nicotine-dependence score decreased significantly in both groups after the intervention. This decrease was slightly higher in the empowerment group; however, the difference was not statistically significant. After the intervention, 16.7% of the health education and 30.0% of the empowerment group transitioned from stage 1 to stages 2–4 of smoking cessation, with the change being statistically significant only in the empowerment group. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of study participants who stopped smoking between the health education and empowerment groups.
Conclusion
Both the empowerment model and traditional health education have similar positive effects on decreasing the nicotine-dependence level. There was a significant improvement in the stage of change for patients under the empowerment model, although there was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the number of participants who stopped smoking.

Citations

• The independent and moderator role of communicative health literacy on health, health behaviour and health care utilisation: a population based cross-sectional study
  F. Vincze, F.E.A. Israel, R. Ádány, É. Bíró
  Public Health.2025; 245: 105794.     CrossRef
• Behavioral health care provider’s beliefs, confidence, and knowledge in treating cigarette smoking in relation to their use of the 5A’s intervention
  Midhat Z. Jafry, Jayda Martinez, Tzuan A. Chen, Maggie Britton, Isabel Martinez Leal, Anastasia Rogova, Bryce Kyburz, Teresa Williams, Mayuri Patel, Brian J. Carter, Lorraine R. Reitzel
  Addictive Behaviors Reports.2023; 17: 100493.     CrossRef
• Developing Smoking Cessation Program for Female Smokers and Assessment of Its Impacts
  Kyung Hyun Suh
  STRESS.2023; 31(4): 189.     CrossRef
• Current status of health promotion in Korea
  Soo Young Kim
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2022; 65(12): 776.     CrossRef
• Public Health Intervention for Smoking Cessation
  Soo Young Kim
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2021; 42(5): 343.     CrossRef

Background
Tobacco smoking is associated with several diseases and deaths in older Koreans. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with smoking cessation in older Koreans.
Methods
We selected 579 subjects who started smoking before the age of 65 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016–2018. We excluded the subjects who quit smoking before the age of 65 years, and then categorized the rest of subjects into those who stopped smoking after the age of 65 years and those who are constant smokers. Multivariable logistic analysis was performed to evaluate the factors related to smoking cessation among older Koreans.
Results
Among the participants, 66.1% were persistent smokers. After multivariable analysis, the factors significantly associated with smoking cessation were as follows: being in the age group of 75–79 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.12–7.83), being in the age group of 70–74 years (aOR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.72–5.61), a family history of ischemic heart disease (aOR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.09–10.35), and having had no cancer screening (aOR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.18–0.70).
Conclusion
Further efforts to identify the factors related to smoking cessation will help formulate a smoking cessation policy.

Citations

• Current status of health promotion in Korea
  Soo Young Kim
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2022; 65(12): 776.     CrossRef

Background
High levels burden of long-term care of patients with schizophrenia can disrupt the functioning of family caregivers. This study evaluated a peer-assisted education method on family caregivers’ functioning of patients with schizophrenia.
Methods
In this randomized controlled trial, 64 family caregivers of schizophrenia patients in military hospitals of Tehran, Iran, were selected and randomly allocated to intervention and control groups, in 2018–2019. The peer-assisted education was performed in the experimental group for six 1-hour sessions and the family functioning was measured in both groups by the Family Assessment Device Scale. The data were analyzed by SPSS software ver. 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) and group differences at a level of P-value <0.05 were considered as significant.
Results
There was no significant differences between groups in the pre-intervention phase in all dimensions of family functioning (P>0.05). There were significant differences between intervention and control groups, in the post-intervention phase in mean problem-solving dimension (11.80 vs. 15.53, P=0.012) and in 2 weeks after intervention, in the dimensions of roles (21.71 vs. 23.43, P=0.015), affective involvement (19.03 vs. 21.59, P=0.017), behavior control (23.90 vs. 26.93, P=0.045), general functioning (27.15 vs. 31.40, P=0.013), and total family functioning (134.12 vs. 153.09, P=0.001).
Conclusion
The peer-assisted education significantly influenced the functioning of family caregivers of schizophrenic patients and can be recommended to improve the functioning of caregivers.

Citations

• Strategies to Alleviate the Burden Experienced by Informal Caregivers of Persons With Severe Mental Disorders in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Scoping Review
  Olindah Silaule, Daleen Casteleijn, Fasloen Adams, Nokuthula Gloria Nkosi
  Interactive Journal of Medical Research.2024; 13: e48587.     CrossRef
• Family-based interventions versus standard care for people with schizophrenia
  Wai Tong Chien, Dennis Chak Fai Ma, Daniel Bressington, Huanyu Mou
  Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Peer Support Activities for Veterans, Serving Members, and Their Families: Results of a Scoping Review
  Jean-Michel Mercier, Fardous Hosseiny, Sara Rodrigues, Anthony Friio, Suzette Brémault-Phillips, Duncan Shields, Gabrielle Dupuis
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2023; 20(4): 3628.     CrossRef
• Effectiveness of family interventions for patients with schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
  Sin‐Hyang Kim, Sihyun Park
  International Journal of Mental Health Nursing.2023; 32(6): 1598.     CrossRef
• La pair-aidance pour soutenir le rétablissement en intervention précoce pour la psychose : enjeux autour de son implantation au Québec et dans la francophonie
  Paula Pires de Oliveira Padilha, Geneviève Gagné, Srividya N. Iyer, Esther Thibeault, Mary Anne Levasseur, Hélène Massicotte, Amal Abdel-Baki
  Santé mentale au Québec.2023; 48(1): 167.     CrossRef
• Primary-level and community worker interventions for the prevention of mental disorders and the promotion of well-being in low- and middle-income countries
  Marianna Purgato, Eleonora Prina, Caterina Ceccarelli, Camilla Cadorin, Jibril O Abdulmalik, Francesco Amaddeo, Lyria Arcari, Rachel Churchill, Mark JD Jordans, Crick Lund, Davide Papola, Eleonora Uphoff, Nadja van Ginneken, Wietse Anton Tol, Corrado Barb
  Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Public Health Intervention for Smoking Cessation
  Soo Young Kim
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2021; 42(5): 343.     CrossRef

Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune, and inflammatory disease that affects 2% of the world’s population. In recent years, it has been demonstrated that psoriasis confers a 25% increase in relative risk of cardiovascular disease, independent of factors such as hyperlipidemia, smoking, and obesity. The objective of this review was to analyze and describe the association between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease. In this review, we describe the epidemiological association of psoriasis and cardiovascular disease, pathophysiology, mechanisms, and its association with the well-known cardiovascular risk calculators. In addition, we describe diagnostic tools, such as imaging techniques and novel biomarkers, that are useful in the evaluation of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Finally, we present different systemic therapies that are used in patients with psoriasis and their effect on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This article provides an overview of the current literature on psoriasis and cardiovascular risk, which can be useful for primary care physicians in their daily clinical practice.

Citations

• Cardiovascular risk in patients with a relationship with oxidative stress and dyslipidemia
  Vesna Karanikolic, Mirjana Bakic, Sanja Gluscevic, Filiz Mercantepe, Aleksandra Klisic
  Journal of Medical Biochemistry.2025; 44(3): 614.     CrossRef
• Cardiovascular risk in patients with scarring and nonscarring alopecias: Assessing the current state of evidence
  Rachel Sally, Camille Robinson, Seth J. Orlow, Jerry Shapiro, Michael Garshick, Kristen Lo Sicco
  JEADV Clinical Practice.2024; 3(1): 7.     CrossRef
• Automated mass screening and association rules analysis for comorbidities of psoriasis: A population‐based case–control study
  Bo Ri Kim, Kun Hee Lee, Kyungho Paik, Minjae Kim, Jung Min Bae, Chong Won Choi, Sang Woong Youn
  The Journal of Dermatology.2024; 51(4): 539.     CrossRef
• The impact of serum uric acid on psoriasis: NHANES 2005–2014 and Mendelian randomization
  Minghui Hu, Yangyang Wang, Wenwu Xu, Juan Bai, Xingming Tang
  Frontiers in Genetics.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• SCORE2 Screening Tool for Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Psoriasis—A Case–Control Study
  Tomáš Kampe, Janette Baloghová, Peter Kolarčik, Kvetoslava Rimárová, Erik Dorko
  Journal of Clinical Medicine.2024; 13(11): 3237.     CrossRef
• Bilateral STA-MCA bypass for Moyamoya angiopathy associated with severe erythrodermic psoriasis
  Rohan Jha, Ari D. Kappel, Abdullah H. Feroze, Walid Ibn Essayed, Nirav J. Patel
  Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases.2024; 33(11): 107997.     CrossRef
• Jordanian Population’s Perception and Understanding of Psoriasis: A Cross-Sectional Study
  Rand Murshidi, Nour Shewaikani, Assem Al Refaei, Dana Q Khateeb, Raghad Al-Shami, Bayan E Hwidi, Maram Nasrallah, Leen Alshamasneh, Raghad Murshidi, Mahmoud Abdallat
  Cureus.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• The Impact of Treatment with IL-17/IL-23 Inhibitors on Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Patients with Plaque Psoriasis and/or Psoriatic Arthritis: A Systematic Review
  Aikaterini Tsiogka, Stamatios Gregoriou, Alexander Stratigos, Stergios Soulaidopoulos, Natalia Rompoti, Pantelis Panagakis, Marina Papoutsaki, Panagiotis Kostakis, George Kontochristopoulos, Konstantinos Tsioufis, Anna Campanati, Annamaria Offidani, Chara
  Biomedicines.2023; 11(2): 318.     CrossRef
• Association between cardio‐cerebrovascular disease and systemic antipsoriatic therapy in psoriasis patients using population‐based data: A nested case–control study
  Bo Ri Kim, Kun Hee Lee, Jinseob Kim, Jee Woo Kim, Kyungho Paik, Woojae Myung, Hyewon Lee, Chong Won Choi, Sang Woong Youn
  The Journal of Dermatology.2023; 50(11): 1442.     CrossRef
• Effect of psoriasis on cardiovascular risk
  Olga A. Kuzmina, Olga Iu. Mironova, Anfisa A. Lepekhova, Karinat S. Tregub, Artem I. Demin, Victor V. Fomin, Olga Yu. Olisova
  Russian Journal of Skin and Venereal Diseases.2023; 26(5): 465.     CrossRef
• Galectin-3 as a Novel Multifaceted and Not Only Cardiovascular Biomarker in Patients with Psoriasis with Regard to Systemic Treatment—Preliminary Data
  Anna Baran, Paulina Kiluk, Julia Nowowiejska, Tomasz W. Kaminski, Magdalena Maciaszek, Iwona Flisiak
  Biology.2022; 11(1): 88.     CrossRef
• Looking beyond the Skin: Pathophysiology of Cardiovascular Comorbidity in Psoriasis and the Protective Role of Biologics
  Isabel Andújar, Juan V. Esplugues, Patricia García-Martínez
  Pharmaceuticals.2022; 15(9): 1101.     CrossRef
• L-Theanine Alleviates IMQ-Induced Psoriasis Like Skin Inflammation by Downregulating the Production of IL-23 and Chemokines
  Yaohan Xu, Jiang Zhu, Jingyi Hu, Ziqi Zou, Yueling Zhao, Lihua Lai, Ping Xu, Yinjing Song, Hao Cheng
  Frontiers in Pharmacology.2021;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Identification of Potential Biomarkers for Psoriasis by DNA Methylation and Gene Expression Datasets
  Yong Liu, Shengnan Cui, Jiayi Sun, Xiaoning Yan, Dongran Han
  Frontiers in Genetics.2021;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Cardiovascular comorbidities in psoriasis (Review)
  Daciana Branisteanu, Alin Nicolescu, Daniel Branisteanu, Catalina Branisteanu, Andreea Dragoi, Camelia Bogdanici, Mihaela Toader, Andreea Tucaliuc, Andreea Dimitriu, Doru Daogaru, Ruxandra Pirvulescu, Elena Porumb
  Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine.2021;[Epub]     CrossRef

“Rusty pipe syndrome” is a condition that needs to be considered in a primiparous woman who presents with bilateral bloody nipple discharge in the early postpartum period. Its prevalence is low and can occur due to physiological condition that arises primarily in primiparous women with increased alveolar and ductal vascularization associated with the onset of lactation. Here, we report a case of a 29-year-old primigravida who presented with bilateral painless bloody nipple discharge after delivery. Her breast examination showed no signs of infection or structural changes, and breast ultrasound did not reveal any significant observations except for a bilateral simple breast cyst. Six days after the onset of lactation, the bloody nipple discharge ceased and lactation continued on demand.

Citations

• Nursing care for women with rusty-pipe syndrome: About a case
  Lidia Sanz Durán
  Enfermería Clínica (English Edition).2023; 33(6): 438.     CrossRef
• Atención enfermera a la mujer con síndrome de tuberías oxidadas o rusty-pipe syndrome: a propósito de un caso
  Lidia Sanz Durán
  Enfermería Clínica.2023; 33(6): 438.     CrossRef
• Grossly Bloody Colostrum—The Need for Staff Education and Maternal Support
  Katarzyna Wszołek, Stanisław Przewoźny, Adrianna Nowek, Angelika Odor, Paulina Małyszka (Hoffmann), Marcin Przybylski, Jakub Żurawski, Małgorzata Pięt, Maciej Wilczak
  Journal of Clinical Medicine.2023; 12(23): 7326.     CrossRef
• Early recognition of rusty pipe syndrome to avoid disruption of breast feeding
  Jia Ming Low, Zubair Amin, Yvonne Peng Mei Ng
  Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition.2022; 107(3): 241.     CrossRef
• Review of Rusty Pipe Syndrome with a Case Report
  Tolga Kalayci, Murat Kartal
  Indian Journal of Surgery.2022; 84(S3): 832.     CrossRef
• Rusty pipe syndrome: a case report and review of the literature
  Huanna Tang, Wenting Zhu, Jianpeng Chen, Dan Zhang
  BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef

Primary cutaneous lymphomas are rare diseases among the general population, and even rarer in children. Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most commonly diagnosed form in childhood. Several atypical clinical variants of MF have been reported, and pityriasis lichenoides-like MF (PL-like MF) is a recently described subtype. We report about a rare case of PL-like MF in an 11-year-old Malay boy with a 2-year history of multiple scaly erythematous papules associated with progressive and generalized hypopigmentation. This case report illustrates the significant dilemma in the diagnosis of the disease, particularly in the early stages, because its symptoms can mimic those of many common childhood inflammatory skin disorders. Later, the widespread hypopigmentation obscured the characteristic lesions, leading to misdiagnosis. Moreover, due to unfamiliarity of the disease, the diagnosis of PL-like MF was missed and delayed until only 2 years after the onset of the dermatosis. Therefore, primary care practitioners must have a high index of suspicion for this cutaneous neoplasm in children with persistent or worsening skin lesions, not responding to standard therapy, to ensure timely referral, diagnosis, and treatment.

Citations

• Febrile Ulceronecrotic Mucha-Habermann Disease Associated With Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
  Caroline Chen, Lauren M. Fahmy, Celine M. Schreidah, Cynthia M. Magro, Larisa J. Geskin
  The American Journal of Dermatopathology.2024; 46(4): 238.     CrossRef
• Pityriasis Lichenoides-Like Mycosis Fungoides: A Case Report
  Lily Park, Claudia Green, Derrek M Giansiracusa, Penelope Hirt, Carlos Ricotti, Francisco Kerdel
  Cureus.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Mycosis fungoides in pediatric population: comprehensive review on epidemiology, clinical presentation, and management
  Rohit Kothari, Jacek C. Szepietowski, Martine Bagot, Sunmeet Sandhu, Anant Patil, Stephan Grabbe, Mohamad Goldust
  International Journal of Dermatology.2022; 61(12): 1458.     CrossRef
• Pityriasis Lichenoides Chronica-like CD8-Positive Mycosis Fungoides
  Thilo Gambichler, Ekaterina Heinzer, Carlo Hendricks, Nicole Duschner, Stefanie Boms
  Dermato.2022; 2(4): 121.     CrossRef

Background
Milk consumption is associated with bone mineral density (BMD), but reports are limited in terms of participant age, sex, and number of study subjects. We investigated the association between milk consumption and BMD in South Korean adults (≥20 years).
Methods
We analyzed men and women aged ≥20 years who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2008–2011. We used linear regression to calculate the mean BMD and 95% confidence interval (CI) based on the frequency of milk consumption. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CI for T-scores ≤-2.5 (osteoporosis) in both men aged ≥50 years and postmenopausal women.
Results
In total 8,539 subjects were studied. Drinking milk more than once a day was associated with higher BMD in the total femur and femoral neck in men aged <50 years and lumbar spine in men aged ≥50 years, compared to less than once a week. It was also associated with lower ORs for osteoporosis of the femoral neck and lumbar spine in men aged ≥50 years (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.125–0.979 and OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.143–0.804, respectively). In postmenopausal women who consumed milk 2–6 times weekly, higher BMD and lower OR for osteoporosis were observed in the total femur (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.055–0.958).
Conclusion
This study suggests that frequent milk consumption could potentially reduce osteoporosis incidence in South Korean adults. Further prospective study is necessary to elucidate the effect of milk consumption on BMD.

Citations

• Dietary riboflavin (vitamin B2) intake and osteoporosis in U.S. female adults: unveiling of association and exploration of potential molecular mechanisms
  QianKun Yang, Li Zhang, Dong Sun, Shen Jie, XiaoLiang Tao, Qing Meng, Fei Luo
  Nutrition Journal.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Is it advisable for Asians to drink milk, especially those at risk of osteoporosis?
  Hao-tian Jiao, Yu-Shan Yue, Shuai Yuan, Xiao-jie Zhou, Chong Li
  Frontiers in Nutrition.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Graphene-based biosensors in milk analysis: A review of recent developments
  Sule Bayrak, Hazal Gergeroglu
  Food Chemistry.2024; 440: 138257.     CrossRef
• New insights into dairy management and the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis: The shift from single nutrient to dairy matrix effects—A review
  Kaili Wang, Xu Zhao, Sijia Yang, Xiaoxi Qi, Aili Li, Wei Yu
  Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Does Changing the Ratio of Dietary Sodium-to-Potassium Intake Affect Bone Mineral Density?
  Soo Young Kim
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2023; 44(1): 1.     CrossRef
• Evaluation of the Association between Amount and Type of Milk Consumption and Periodontitis: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2018)
  Eun Jeong Min, Siseong Jeong, Jun-Beom Park
  Nutrients.2023; 15(4): 914.     CrossRef

Background
Dietary supplements (DS) use is known to be common among cancer survivors. However, detailed information on the factors influencing DS use seems insufficient, including cancer-related and psychological factors.
Methods
Study subjects were 1,852 Korean adult cancer survivors recruited from cancer survivor clinic of two university-affiliated hospitals. Data were collected retrospectively through review of medical records and self-administered questionnaires. Psychological factors were assessed using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form. Factors associated the DS use were evaluated by multiple logistic regression analysis after adjusting for covariates.
Results
The prevalence of long-term DS use was 15.7% in overall (17.5% in female and 11.6% in male). Female survivors were 3.14 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.89–5.22) more likely to use DS than male. In male cancer survivors, ever-smoking and previous radiotherapy were positively associated with DS use. In females, breast cancer survivors were 0.32 times less likely to use DS compared with stomach cancer survivors, and survivors with family history of cancer were 1.39 times more likely to use DS than those without. After adjusting for sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors, survivors with anxiety (HADS ≥8) used DS 1.38 times (95% CI, 1.01–1.91) more frequently, compared with those without anxiety.
Conclusion
Diverse factors such as female sex, cancer treatment modality, smoking history, family history and anxiety status were associated with DS use in Korean cancer survivors. Targeted strategies with consideration of these factors are needed for counseling DS use for cancer survivors.

Citations

• Exploring men’s cancer journeys in Norway: a comprehensive survey on diet, supplements, and use of complementary and alternative therapies
  Agnete E. Kristoffersen, Kiwumulo Nakandi, Arne Johan Norheim, Mona Bjelland, Jorunn V. Nilsen, Eran Ben-Arye
  BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Regulatory systems and scientific evidence for health functional foods in Korea
  Seung-Won Oh
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2025; 68(5): 311.     CrossRef
• Supplement use and its impact on daily life of cancer patients: a cross-sectional study
  Youssef El Toum, Tarek Costa, Elissa El Toum, Tina Haddad, Pascale Salameh, Fady El karak, Marwan Ghosn, Fady Nasr, Georges Chahine, Joseph Kattan, Hampig Raphael Kourie
  Supportive Care in Cancer.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Factors Associated with Long-Term Dietary Supplement Use among Korean Breast Cancer Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Study
  Seonghye Kim, Yohwan Yeo, Jinyoung Shin, Dong Wook Shin, Belong Cho, Yun-Mi Song
  Nutrients.2023; 15(18): 4087.     CrossRef
• Addressing Patient Requests to Add Dietary Supplements to Their Cancer Care—A Suggested Approach
  Moshe Frenkel, Meroe B. Morse, Santhosshi Narayanan
  Nutrients.2023; 15(24): 5029.     CrossRef
• Differences in the Perception of Dietary Supplements between Dietary Supplement/Medicine Users and Non-Users
  Tsuyoshi Chiba, Nanae Tanemura
  Nutrients.2022; 14(19): 4114.     CrossRef
• The Self-Administered Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Supplements and Antioxidants in Cancer Therapy and the Critical Role of Nrf-2—A Systematic Review
  Paula Krejbich, Marc Birringer
  Antioxidants.2022; 11(11): 2149.     CrossRef

Background
In hemodialysis patients, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) levels are affected by particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm or less (PM₁₀). We conducted this study to determine whether there is an association between short- and long-term PM₁₀ exposure and baPWV in apparently healthy adults aged 40 years and older.
Methods
A total of 1,628 subjects who underwent health examinations between 2006 and 2009 were included in the study. On the basis of the day of medical screening, the 1–3-day and 365-day moving averages of PM₁₀ concentrations were used to evaluate the association between short- and long-term exposure to PM₁₀ and high baPWV (≥the third quartile of baPWV, 1,534 cm/s) using logistic regression models. Additional subgroup analyses were conducted according to age, sex, obesity (body mass index ≥25.0 kg/m²), and comorbidities such as metabolic syndrome.
Results
No statistically significant associations were identified between short-term and long-term exposure to PM₁₀ and baPWV in any of the subjects and subgroups. A 10-μg/m³ increase in the 2-day moving average of PM₁₀ exposure was marginally associated with high baPWV in non-obese subjects (odds ratio, 1.059; P=0.058). This association in non-obese subjects was significantly different from that in obese subjects (P=0.038).
Conclusion
This study did not show statistically significant associations between short-term and long-term exposure to PM₁₀ and baPWV in apparently healthy subjects. With short-term exposure to PM₁₀, non-obese subjects showed a marginally unfavorable association with baPWV. Further studies are necessary to validate and elucidate the mechanism underlying the effect of PM₁₀ on baPWV.

Citations

• Long-term exposure to reduced specific-size ambient particulate matter and progression of arterial stiffness among Chinese adults
  Dankang Li, Shouling Wu, Linxi Tang, Shuohua Chen, Feipeng Cui, Yudiyang Ma, Run Liu, Jianing Wang, Yaohua Tian
  Journal of Hazardous Materials.2024; 466: 133482.     CrossRef
• Association between exposure to air pollution and arterial stiffness in participants with and without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
  Haoyu Zhang, Jinghao Sun, Yinghua Zhang, Keling Xiao, Yang Wang, Jin Si, Yan Li, Lijie Sun, Ting Zhao, Ming Yi, Xi Chu, Jing Li
  Clinical Research in Cardiology.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Long-Term Exposure to Fine Particulate Constituents and Vascular Damage in a Population with Metabolic Abnormality in China
  Lijin Lin, Huxiang Huang, Fang Lei, Tao Sun, Ze Chen, Kun Qin, Manyao Li, Yingying Hu, Xuewei Huang, Xingyuan Zhang, Peng Zhang, Xiao-Jing Zhang, Zhi-Gang She, Jingjing Cai, Shujuan Yang, Peng Jia, Hongliang Li
  Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis.2023; 30(11): 1552.     CrossRef

Background
As indoor activity increases with modern lifestyles changes, reduced exposure to sunlight may lead to reduced vitamin D synthesis. Previous studies demonstrated that increased vitamin D level is associated with decreased risk of colon cancer; therefore, this study attempted to determine the association between vitamin D and colon polyps, which may be precancerous lesions, in participants who underwent colonoscopy exams.
Methods
A total of 31,004 participants who underwent routine health checkups, including vitamin D level and colonoscopy, at Samsung Medical Center in South Korea from 2010 to 2018 were included in the study. Colorectal polyps were diagnosed through biopsy after performing colonoscopy exams. Participants were categorized into three groups according to level of vitamin D (deficient: <20 ng/mL), insufficient: 20≤ vitamin D <30 ng/mL, and sufficient: ≥30 ng/mL). We analyzed the presence of colorectal polyps according to vitamin D level, and performed multiple logistic regression analyses for the association between vitamin D level and colorectal polyps.
Results
About 50% of participants had colorectal polyps (hyperplastic polyp, n=4,864; adenomatous polyp, n=10,470; adenocarcinoma, n=24). There were no significant associations between vitamin D categories and colorectal polyp and colorectal cancer. However, when further analyzing by type of polyp, the risk of hyperplastic polyps significantly decreased with increasing vitamin D levels (P for trend=0.006).
Conclusion
We did not find evidence for an association between vitamin D and overall colorectal polyps; however, we observed a trend for decreased odds of hyperplastic polyps with increased vitamin D levels in comparison to vitamin D deficient subjects.

Citations

• Genetic prediction of micronutrient levels and the risk of colorectal polyps: A mendelian randomization study
  Siyao Lv, Yunyi Ding, Junli Huang, Yixin He, Ruijie Xie, Xiaohong Shi, Wei Ye
  Clinical Nutrition.2024; 43(6): 1405.     CrossRef
• Exploring Vitamin D Deficiency and IGF Axis Dynamics in Colorectal Adenomas
  George Ciulei, Olga Hilda Orășan, Angela Cozma, Vasile Negrean, Teodora Gabriela Alexescu, Simina Țărmure, Florin Eugen Casoinic, Roxana Liana Lucaciu, Adriana Corina Hangan, Lucia Maria Procopciuc
  Biomedicines.2024; 12(8): 1922.     CrossRef
• Effects of intermittent or single high-dose vitamin D supplementation on risk of falls and fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  Seung-Kwon Myung, Heram Cho
  Osteoporosis International.2023; 34(8): 1355.     CrossRef
• Association of 25(OH)-Vitamin D and metabolic factors with colorectal polyps
  Chih-Hsiang Chiang, Yu-Jun Chang, Sin-Ru He, Jih-Ning Chao, Chih-Huai Yang, Yen-Tze Liu, Yavuz - Ayar
  PLOS ONE.2023; 18(6): e0286654.     CrossRef
• Research Progress on Risk Factors and Protective Factors of Colorectal Adenomatous Polyps
  帆 王
  Advances in Clinical Medicine.2023; 13(06): 10340.     CrossRef
• Association between dietary factors and colorectal serrated polyps: a systematic review and meta-analysis
  Zhixin Zhu, Xifei Guan, Nawen Liu, Xiaoxia Zhu, Sheng Dai, Dehai Xiong, Xiuyang Li
  Frontiers in Nutrition.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Prospective pilot trial for evaluating the feasibility of an artificial intelligence algorithm for predicting the risk of colorectal adenoma using health screening questionnaire
  Kiho You, Jungil Jung, Kyung Su Han, Chang Won Hong, Bun Kim, Byung Chang Kim, Dae Kyung Sohn
  Journal of Innovative Medical Technology.2023; 1(1): 29.     CrossRef
• Effectiveness of Maternal Vitamin D Supplementation in Preventing Respiratory Tract Infections in Children
  Soo Young Kim
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2022; 43(3): 155.     CrossRef

Background
Obesity is associated with increased mortality as a significant risk factor for chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Several people believe that weight gain is harmful, and weight loss helps maintain health. However, some studies have shown that weight loss, particularly among older adults, is more likely to increase the risk of mortality than weight gain.
Methods
We used data for the cohort of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, which is a nationwide stratified multi-stage sample of adults aged 45 years. The all-cause mortality risk was assessed using the survival status and the number of months of survival calculated from 2006 (baseline year) to 2016. Cox proportional hazard regression were used to study the causal link between weight change and all-cause mortality risk.
Results
The results showed interactive associations between weight loss and mortality among middle-aged and older adults. The hazard ratio was 1.62 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10–2.40) for the participants aged 45–65 years with weight losses greater than 5 kg and 1.56 (95% CI, 1.29–1.89) for those older than 65 years with weight losses greater than 5 kg. The results for the group with weight gain above 5 kg were not significant. Middle-aged and older men showed an increase in all-cause mortality associated with weight loss of more than 5 kg, but only the older women showed significant results.
Conclusion
This large-scale cohort study in Korea showed a relationship between weight loss and all-cause mortality in middle-aged and older individuals.

Citations

• Body mass index trajectories and all-cause mortality in older Chinese adults: Hong Kong’s Elderly Health Service Cohort
  Man Ki Kwok, Siu Yin Lee, Gabriel M Leung, C Mary Schooling
  Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.2025; : jech-2025-223659.     CrossRef
• Associations of obesity indices change with cardiovascular outcomes: a dose-response meta-analysis
  Lyu Wang, Hanyue Ding, Yunyang Deng, Junjie Huang, Xiangqian Lao, Martin C. S. Wong
  International Journal of Obesity.2024; 48(5): 635.     CrossRef
• Social isolation and depression as risk factors for weight loss of 5kg or more among older Korean adults
  Youngjoon Bae, Mark C. Pachucki, Ellen L. Idler
  PLOS ONE.2024; 19(3): e0299096.     CrossRef
• Associations of short‐term changes in obesity indices with all‐cause mortality and cardiovascular disease
  Lyu Wang, Yun‐Yang Deng, Tsung Yu, Xiang‐Qian Lao, Martin C. S. Wong
  Obesity.2024; 32(8): 1568.     CrossRef
• In-hospital outcomes of older patients with gastric cancer and their risk factors: large comprehensive institution-based study
  Lei Huang, Yunmei Liu, Lei Wang, Lan Rong, Weiguo Hu
  European Geriatric Medicine.2024; 15(6): 1909.     CrossRef
• Weight loss rather than weight gain has a detrimental effect on successful aging in older adults: A 4-year longitudinal study in China
  Nan Liu, Tao Liu, Yihan Pan, Jin Wang, Xiaoguang Zhao
  Geriatric Nursing.2024; 60: 297.     CrossRef
• Association of weight change with all-cause and cause-specific mortality: an age-stratified analysis
  Qing-Mei Huang, Dong Shen, Jian Gao, Huan Chen, Jia-Hao Xie, Hao-Yu Yan, Bin Wu, Zhi-Hao Li, Gang Liu, Chen Mao
  BMC Medicine.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Associations of Change in Body Size With All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality Among Healthy Older Adults
  Sultana Monira Hussain, Anne B. Newman, Lawrence J. Beilin, Andrew M. Tonkin, Robyn L. Woods, Johannes T. Neumann, Mark Nelson, Prudence R. Carr, Christopher M. Reid, Alice Owen, Jocasta Ball, Flavia M. Cicuttini, Cammie Tran, Yuanyuan Wang, Michael E. Er
  JAMA Network Open.2023; 6(4): e237482.     CrossRef
• Association between Weight Loss and Hand-Grip Strength with Cause-Specific Mortality in Middle-Aged and Older Adults
  Inhwan Lee
  Exercise Science.2023; 32(3): 339.     CrossRef
• Weight Change and Risk of Atherosclerosis Measured by Carotid Intima–Media Thickness (cIMT) from a Prospective Cohort—Analysis of the First-Wave Follow-Up Data of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)
  Jian Liu, Newman Sze, Miya Narushima, Deborah O’Leary
  Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease.2023; 10(10): 435.     CrossRef
• Weight maintenance and gain were significantly associated with lower risk of all-cause and cancer-related mortality in Korean adults who were newly diagnosed with cancer based on the Korean NHIS-HEALS cohort
  Yong-June Kim, Seung Park, Won Tae Kim, Yoon-Jong Bae, Yonghwan Kim, Hee-Taik Kang
  Medicine.2023; 102(47): e36184.     CrossRef
• Obesity in Caucasian Seniors on the Rise: Is It Truly Harmful? Results of the PolSenior2 Study
  Monika Puzianowska-Kuznicka, Alina Kurylowicz, Lukasz Wierucki, Aleksander Jerzy Owczarek, Kacper Jagiello, Malgorzata Mossakowska, Tomasz Zdrojewski, Jerzy Chudek
  Nutrients.2022; 14(21): 4621.     CrossRef

Background
Sedentary behavior is associated with several adverse health outcomes. Data on factors that influence sedentary behavior are lacking in Bhutan. This study examined factors associated with increased sedentary behavior in Bhutan, with a focus on exploring sex differences.
Methods
Data of 2,796 adults from the nationally representative 2014 Bhutan STEP-wise surveillance (STEPS) survey were analyzed. Factors associated with sedentary behavior were identified using backward elimination multiple logistic regression analysis, disaggregated by sex. The analysis accounted for the complex survey design used in the primary survey.
Results
The overall prevalence of sedentary behavior was 8.2%, with a higher proportion among women than men (10.3% vs. 4.9%). In the full sample, female sex, being single, high education and income, urban residence, inadequate physical activity, and high blood sugar were associated with increased odds of sedentary behavior. Among females, those who had high education and income, were single, physically less active, and urban residents were more likely to be sedentary. Self-employment was related to reduced odds of sedentary behavior among women and in the overall sample population. In males, being single, higher education level, and urban residence were associated with sedentariness.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that interventions targeting females, especially those who are physically less active and from higher socioeconomic groups, urban residents, and those with hyperglycemia can potentially help reduce sedentary behavior and avert the associated detrimental impacts.

Citations

• High sedentary behavior and low physical activity among adults in Afghanistan: results from a national cross-sectional survey
  Supa Pengpid, Ahmad Siyar Noormal, Karl Peltzer
  Frontiers in Public Health.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Status of Sedentary Time and Physical Activity of Rural Residents: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study in Eastern China
  Jiayuan Wang, Ya Wang, Mallikarjuna Korivi, Xi Chen, Rong Zhu
  Frontiers in Public Health.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Trends in sedentary behaviour and associated factors among adults in Mongolia: results from national cross-sectional surveys in 2009, 2013 and 2019
  Supa Pengpid, Karl Peltzer
  BMJ Open.2022; 12(6): e058330.     CrossRef
• Current status of health promotion in Korea
  Soo Young Kim
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2022; 65(12): 776.     CrossRef

Background
This study aimed to investigate trends in the prevalence of current smokers and motivation to quit among Korean male cancer survivors.
Methods
Out of 20,012 men who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V (2010–2012), VI (2013–2015), and VII (2016–2017), 742 cancer survivors were included. A cancer survivor was defined as a person who concurred to the item, “The cancer has been diagnosed by a doctor” in the health questionnaire. Smoking status was classified as current, former, and never smokers. Regarding motivation to quit smoking, we defined those who had a willingness to quit within 6 months as the willing group. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine trends in the prevalence of current smokers and the proportion of the willing group among current smokers.
Results
Overall, 3.7% of Korean men who participated in the study were cancer survivors. Current smokers constituted 19.5%, 19.1%, and 15.3% of cancer survivors in phases V, VI, and VII respectively which did not show significant changes (P for trend=0.33). However, the proportion of current smokers in the non-cancer group was significantly reduced to 46.6%, 41.2%, and 38.9% in phases V, VI, and VII, respectively (P for trend <0.001). The proportion of those with a motivation to quit smoking did not show a significant trend in the cancer survivors (P for trend=0.964) and non-cancer group (P for trend=0.884).
Conclusion
Prevalence of current smokers and motivation to quit in Korean male cancer survivors did not show significant trends.

Citations

• Current status of health promotion in Korea
  Soo Young Kim
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2022; 65(12): 776.     CrossRef
• Smoking Cessation in Cancer Survivors
  Young Gyu Cho
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2021; 42(4): 258.     CrossRef

Background
The simplified Palliative Prognostic Index (sPPI) substitutes a single item from the Communication Capacity Scale (CCS) for the delirium item of the original PPI. This study aimed to examine the validity of the sPPI for patients with advanced cancer in a home-based hospice care setting.
Methods
This study included 75 patients with advanced cancer who received home-based hospice care. We used medical records maintained by professional hospice nurses who had visited the patients in their homes. Based on their sPPI score, patients were divided into three groups—A (<4), B (≥4 and <6), and C (≥6)—to compare survival. Further, we investigated the sPPI’s accuracy using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and sensitivity and specificity for 3- and 6-week survival. We used three sPPIs including different substitutions for the delirium item (two methods using the CCS and one using the Korean Nursing Delirium Screening Scale).
Results
The median survival was 60–61 days for group A, 27–30 days for group B, and 12–16 days for group C. The difference in survival was significant (P<0.05). The AUC was 0.814–0.867 for 3-week survival and 0.736–0.779 for 6-week survival. For 3- and 6-week survival, prognostic prediction showed sensitivities of 76.2%–90.9% and 76.3%–86.8%, and specificities of 64.2%–88.7% and 51.4%–70.3%, respectively.
Conclusion
The sPPI, which is measured by professional hospice nurses, has acceptable validity to predict survival for patients with advanced cancer in a home hospice setting in South Korea.

Citations

• Comparison of Simplified Palliative Prognostic Index and Palliative Performance Scale in Patients with Advanced Cancer in a Home Palliative Care Setting
  Yusuke Hiratsuka, Sang-Yeon Suh, Seok Joon Yoon
  Journal of Palliative Care.2024; 39(3): 194.     CrossRef
• Survival prediction in advanced cancer patients – a narrative review
  Shing Fung Lee, Charles B. Simone
  Current Opinion in Supportive & Palliative Care.2023; 17(2): 105.     CrossRef

Hypoglycemia is one of the severe complications of diabetes. To prevent hypoglycemia, an emphasis is placed on maintaining an appropriate balance between nutrition, activity, and treatment, which can be achieved by the repetition of self-trials based on self-monitoring. Clinicians routinely focus on patients’ contribution, including timely intake of an adequate amount of carbohydrates, physical activity, antidiabetic medication, and abstinence from alcohol. Recently, many guidelines have highlighted the importance of clinicians’ factors and recommend individualized treatments according to lifestyle patterns and specific needs following the de-intensification of treatment. The optimal value of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels for blood glucose level regulation remains controversial among countries, but it generally does not exceed 8.0%. In populations that are at a risk of hypoglycemia, such as the older adults, it is advisable to adjust the target blood glucose level to less than 8.0%. Meanwhile, a blood glucose level of 7.0%–7.5% is generally recommended for healthy older adults. If the expected lifetime is shorter than 10 years or in patients with chronic kidney disease and severe cardiovascular disease, the HbA1c level target can be increased to 7.5%–8.0%. For even shorter lifetime expectancy, the target can be adjusted up to 8.0%–9.0%. To prevent hypoglycemia, the target blood glucose level needs to be adjusted, particularly in older adult patients. Ultimately, it is important to identify the maximum blood glucose levels that do not cause hypoglycemia and the minimum blood glucose levels that do not cause hyperglycemia-associated complications.

Citations

• Initiating an Insulin Safety Campaign to reduce the incidence of glycemic harm events for hospitalized adults 65 and older
  Michelle Cohen, Kristen de Grandpre, William M. Herlihy, Lise Cooper
  Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.2025; 73(2): 602.     CrossRef
• Hyperglycaemia aversion in type 1 diabetes: A grounded theory study
  Vicky McKechnie, Nick Oliver, Stephanie A. Amiel, John R. E. Fox
  British Journal of Health Psychology.2024; 29(1): 254.     CrossRef
• Review—Glucose Monitoring Sensors: History, Principle, and Challenges
  Yanzhen Jing, Shwu Jen Chang, Ching-Jung Chen, Jen-Tsai Liu
  Journal of The Electrochemical Society.2022; 169(5): 057514.     CrossRef

Physical inactivity is a global health burden. Promoting physical activity in primary care through physical activity counseling is an effective intervention. This article provides an overview of and perspectives on physical activity counseling in primary care. The identification of physical inactivity as a health problem may increase the awareness of physical inactivity among patients and primary care providers, which will lead to an action plan. The contents of physical activity counseling should be based on evidence-based recommendations. Safety issues should be evaluated appropriately to optimize the utilization of primary care services. Physical activity counseling methods should be “tailored” for an individual using appropriate counseling methods and setting-specific resources. Multilevel barriers to physical activity counseling in primary care (i.e., healthcare providers, patients, and systems) must be addressed. Setting-specific strategies to overcome these barriers should be implemented to maximize the effectiveness of physical activity counseling in primary care.

Citations

• Exploring the Physical Activity Counselling for Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis—Perceptions of Nurses and Physiotherapists
  Katja Lehtomäki, Iina Ryhtä, Jaana Peltonen, Minna Stolt
  Musculoskeletal Care.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Physical Inactivity and Cardiovascular Health in Aging Populations: Epidemiological Evidence and Policy Implications from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  Abdulaziz M. Alodhialah, Ashwaq A. Almutairi, Mohammed Almutairi
  Life.2025; 15(3): 347.     CrossRef
• Práctica del “running”. Un enfoque desde la medicina preventiva
  JA Castillo Calderón, Claudia Liliana Sánchez Vargas
  Revista Iberoamericana de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte.2025; 14(1): 306.     CrossRef
• Feasibility trial protocol assessing the use of aerobic exercise to promote recovery from work-related concussion
  Jacob I. McPherson, Jeffrey C. Miecznikowski, Haley Chizuk, Patrick Sparks, John J. Leddy, Mohammad N. Haider, Christopher J. Stavisky, Johanna Pruller
  PLOS One.2025; 20(6): e0325701.     CrossRef
• GP specialty trainees’ knowledge and values towards physical activity: a national survey of Scottish trainees
  Callum Leese, Robert H Mann, Emma J Cockcroft, Kirstin Abraham
  BJGP Open.2024; 8(1): BJGPO.2023.0051.     CrossRef
• Physical Activity with Sports Scientist (PASS) programme to promote physical activity among patients with non-communicable diseases: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial protocol
  Apichai Wattanapisit, Poramet Hemarachatanon, Kamlai Somrak, Saranrat Manunyanon, Sanhapan Wattanapisit, Areekul Amornsriwatanakul, Piyawat Katewongsa, Sorawat Sangkaew, Polathep Vichitkunakorn, Ping Yein Lee, Siti Nurkamilla Ramdzan, Hani Salim, Chirk Je
  BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine.2024; 10(2): e001985.     CrossRef
• Guidelines for physical activity counseling in primary healthcare clinics
  Yun Jun Yang
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2024; 67(4): 265.     CrossRef
• A movement for movement: an exploratory study of primary healthcare professionals’ perspectives on implementing the Royal College of General Practitioners’ active practice charter initiative
  Callum J. Leese, Robert H. Mann, Hussain Al-Zubaidi, Emma J. Cockcroft
  BMC Primary Care.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Physical Activity Assessment of Physicians in Primary Healthcare Centers in Makkah, Saudi Arabia
  Alaa G Alolayan, Salman Alsubhi
  Cureus.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Physical Activity Is Predictive of Conditioned Pain Modulation in Healthy Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study
  Sophie Van Oosterwijck, Mira Meeus, Jacob van Der Wekken, Evy Dhondt, Amber Billens, Jessica Van Oosterwijck
  The Journal of Pain.2024; 25(11): 104639.     CrossRef
• Bewegungsempfehlungen in der Prävention und Therapie der Adipositas
  Christine Joisten
  Adipositas - Ursachen, Folgeerkrankungen, Therapie.2023; 17(01): 19.     CrossRef
• Narrative review – Barriers and facilitators to promotion of physical activity in primary care
  Callum Leese, Kirstin Abraham, Blair H Smith
  Lifestyle Medicine.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Tools to guide clinical discussions on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and/or sleep for health promotion between primary care providers and adults accessing care: a scoping review
  Tamara L. Morgan, Emma Faught, Amanda Ross-White, Michelle S. Fortier, Mary Duggan, Rahul Jain, Kirstin N. Lane, Amanda Lorbergs, Kaleigh Maclaren, Taylor McFadden, Jennifer R. Tomasone
  BMC Primary Care.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Does Excessive Smartphone Use Reduce Physical Activity in Adolescents?
  Soo Young Kim
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2023; 44(5): 247.     CrossRef
• Current Status of Physical Activity in South Korea
  Yoo Bin Seo, Yun Hwan Oh, Yun Jun Yang
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2022; 43(4): 209.     CrossRef
• Barriers to and Facilitators of the Use of Digital Tools in Primary Care to Deliver Physical Activity Advice: Semistructured Interviews and Thematic Analysis
  Paulina Bondaronek, Samuel J Dicken, Seth Singh Jennings, Verity Mallion, Chryssa Stefanidou
  JMIR Human Factors.2022; 9(3): e35070.     CrossRef
• Perceived barriers to physical activity behaviour among patients with diabetes and hypertension in Kosovo: a qualitative study
  Ariana Bytyci Katanolli, Nicole Probst-Hensch, Katrina Ann Obas, Jana Gerold, Manfred Zahorka, Naim Jerliu, Qamile Ramadani, Nicu Fota, Sonja Merten
  BMC Primary Care.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Summary and application of the WHO 2020 physical activity guidelines for patients with essential hypertension in primary care
  Apichai Wattanapisit, Chirk Jenn Ng, Chaisiri Angkurawaranon, Sanhapan Wattanapisit, Sirawee Chaovalit, Mark Stoutenberg
  Heliyon.2022; 8(10): e11259.     CrossRef
• Current status of health promotion in Korea
  Soo Young Kim
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2022; 65(12): 776.     CrossRef
• Primary Health Care Providers’ Perspectives on Developing an eHealth Tool for Physical Activity Counselling: A Qualitative Study
  Apichai Wattanapisit, Sanhapan Wattanapisit, Titiporn Tuangratananon, Waluka Amaek, Sunton Wongsiri, Prachyapan Petchuay
  Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare.2021; Volume 14: 321.     CrossRef
• Challenges of Implementing an mHealth Application for Personalized Physical Activity Counselling in Primary Health Care: A Qualitative Study
  Apichai Wattanapisit, Waluka Amaek, Sanhapan Wattanapisit, Titiporn Tuangratananon, Sunton Wongsiri, Prasert Pengkaew
  International Journal of General Medicine.2021; Volume 14: 3821.     CrossRef
• What Elements of Sport and Exercise Science Should Primary Care Physicians Learn? An Interdisciplinary Discussion
  Apichai Wattanapisit, Marisa Poomiphak Na Nongkhai, Poramet Hemarachatanon, Soontaraporn Huntula, Areekul Amornsriwatanakul, Chirawat Paratthakonkun, Chirk Jenn Ng
  Frontiers in Medicine.2021;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Usability and utility of eHealth for physical activity counselling in primary health care: a scoping review
  Apichai Wattanapisit, Titiporn Tuangratananon, Sanhapan Wattanapisit
  BMC Family Practice.2020;[Epub]     CrossRef

Citations

• Risk of Subsequent Primary Cancers Among Adult-Onset 5-Year Cancer Survivors in South Korea: Retrospective Cohort Study
  Yoon Young Choi, Myeongjee Lee, Eun Hwa Kim, Jae Eun Lee, Inkyung Jung, Jae-Ho Cheong
  JMIR Public Health and Surveillance.2024; 10: e48380.     CrossRef

Citations

• Fulminant Type 1 Diabetes—East and West
  Akihisa Imagawa, Toshiaki Hanafusa
  The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.2023; 108(12): e1473.     CrossRef

Pancytopenia represents a unique challenge for primary care doctors and its etiological causes encompass various specialties, including hematology and rheumatology. Despite the existence of effective tests such as bone marrow biopsy and immunoassays to rule out the potential causes of pancytopenia, it is often difficult to pinpoint the exact diagnosis. In this case report, we have described such a ‘gray zone’ patient, who presented with pancytopenia, neutropenia, and splenomegaly, and was being treated for fungal pneumonia before being transferred to Severance Hospital (department of family medicine). As the patient had a 10-year history of multiple, long-term hospital admissions that were having a severely debilitating impact on the quality of life, we performed a partial splenic embolization as a potential cure for the symptoms. Although this induced acute blood count recovery, it failed to prevent eventual mortality from septic shock.