Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Dec 2023
An Analysis of the Demographics and Clinical Characteristics of Transgender and Intersex Populations in Korea: A Retrospective Study Using HIRA Database.
Transgender and intersex populations have long remained under-documented in South Korea, largely due to the absence of comprehensive epidemiological data. With increasing societal acknowledgment, there's an urgent need to understand the demographics and health challenges faced by these communities. ⋯ This is the first large-scale study highlighting the demographics and clinical characteristics of the transgender and intersex populations in Korea. The study reveals a consistent growth of these communities over the past 15 years, with a significant proportion under 30 years of age facing mental and behavioral challenges. Findings underscore the need for targeted healthcare interventions, early psychological support, and comprehensive insurance coverage tailored to the specific needs of these individuals in Korea.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Dec 2023
Multicenter Study Observational StudyModified Cardiovascular Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score in Sepsis: External Validation in Intensive Care Unit Patients.
There is a need to update the cardiovascular (CV) Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score to reflect the current practice in sepsis. We previously proposed the modified CV SOFA score from data on blood pressure, norepinephrine equivalent dose, and lactate as gathered from emergency departments. In this study, we externally validated the modified CV SOFA score in multicenter intensive care unit (ICU) patients. ⋯ In patients with sepsis in the ICU, the modified SOFA score performed better than the original SOFA score in predicting 28-day mortality.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Dec 2023
Impact of an Emergency Department Isolation Policy for Patients With Suspected COVID-19 on Door-to-Electrocardiography Time and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction.
Rapid electrocardiography diagnosis within 10 minutes of presentation is critical for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients in the emergency department (ED). However, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted the emergency care system. Screening for COVID-19 symptoms and implementing isolation policies in EDs may delay the door-to-electrocardiography (DTE) time. ⋯ Our study showed that ED screening or isolation policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to delays in DTE time. Timely evaluation and treatment of emergency patients during pandemics are essential to prevent potential delays that may impact their clinical outcomes.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Dec 2023
Significant Gap Between Guidelines and Practice in the Management of LDL Cholesterol: Insight From the Survey of the Korean Society of Myocardial Infarction.
The Guidelines of the 2019 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the 5th Society of Lipid and Atherosclerosis (KSoLA) for the Management of Dyslipidemia advocate a more intensive lipid-lowering strategy. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the current status of lipid management in Korean patients in real-world practice. ⋯ Although most participants were aware of the changes in the ESC and the KSoLA guidelines, more than half of them did not agree with lowering the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels to < 55 mg/dL, because its safety and efficacy have not yet been proven in Koreans. A substantial disparity exists between lipid management guidelines and current clinical practices, highlighting the necessity for clinical research that specifically targets East Asians and Koreans to bridge this gap.