Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Oct 2023
Impact of Nonpharmacological Interventions on Severe Acute Respiratory Infections in Children: From the National Surveillance Database.
Nonpharmacological interventions (NPIs) reduce the incidence of respiratory infections. After NPIs imposed during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic ceased, respiratory infections gradually increased worldwide. However, few studies have been conducted on severe respiratory infections requiring hospitalization in pediatric patients. This study compares epidemiological changes in severe respiratory infections during pre-NPI, NPI, and post-NPI periods in order to evaluate the effect of that NPI on severe respiratory infections in children. ⋯ Strict NPIs including school and daycare center closures effectively reduced severe respiratory infections requiring hospitalization of children. However, childcare was severely compromised. To prepare for future respiratory infections, there is a need to develop a social consensus on NPIs that are appropriate for children.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Oct 2023
Preoperative Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, and Mortality After Major Cancer Surgery: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Korea.
Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were used to evaluate nutritional status and obesity. We aimed to examine whether preoperative BMI or WC was associated with mortality after cancer surgery. ⋯ Preoperative BMI < 18.5 kg/m² and > 35 kg/m² is associated with an elevated risk of 90-day mortality after major cancer surgery. However, preoperative WC was not significantly associated with 90-day mortality after cancer surgery.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Oct 2023
Patient Anxiety and Communication Experience in the Emergency Department: A Mobile, Web-Based, Mixed-Methods Study on Patient Isolation During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Anxiety and communication difficulties in the emergency department (ED) may increase for various reasons, including isolation due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, little research on anxiety and communication in EDs exists. This study explored the isolation-related anxiety and communication experiences of ED patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ ED patients were not anxious and were generally satisfied with medical providers' communication regardless of their isolation status. However, patients need clinical process information for anxiety reduction and better communication.