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Trends and Sociodemographic Characteristics of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections in South Korea: A Nationwide NHIS-Based Study (2010-2022)

2026-04-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Trends and Sociodemographic Characteristics of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections in South Korea: A Nationwide NHIS-Based Study (2010-2022) Authors: Seo, Jeong Mi; Kang, Sungchan; Lim, Taeyoon; Shin, So-mi; Whang, Jake; Ko, Jinsoo; Lee, Gyeong In Abstract: Background: In South Korea, nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is not a notifiable disease, while the absence of a national surveillance system hampers accurate assessment of its incidence. Therefore, this study utilized National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) claims data to investigate nationwide trends in NTM occurrence over the past decade. Methods: We used NHIS claims (2010-2022) to assemble a cohort with International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision A31 (A31.0, A31.1, A31.8, A31.9). For incidence, cases diagnosed in 2010-2011 were excluded. Incidence was estimated under three definitions: >= 2 outpatient visits or >= 1 inpatient admission with A31 during the study period; same as A, but with <= 180 days between visits; meeting B plus >= 1 antibiotic prescription within 180 days (treatment initiation). Age-standardized prevalence and incidence were calculated using the 2010 Korean population. Results: A total of 178,287 newly diagnosed NTM cases were identified from 2012 to 2022 (mean age 51.4 years; 66.8 % female). The age-standardized prevalence increased from 15.5 to 69.8 per 100,000 in 2010 to 2022. Incidence peaked in 2017 (38.9/100,000), then declined to 26.9 in 2022. Age-specific incidence of NTM infection showed distinct sex-related patterns. Among men, incidence was consistently concentrated in older adults, particularly those >= 80 years, throughout 2012-2022. In contrast, women experienced a marked epidemiologic shift beginning in 2017, with incidence in their 20s and 30s surpassing older age groups. Medical Aid beneficiaries consistently showed higher incidence rates. By region, Daejeon and Chungnam showed the greatest increase in incidence rates in 2022, compared to 2012. Conclusion: NTM infection is increasing in Korea, with distinct epidemiologic patterns by sex, age, and socioeconomic status. The rising burden, especially among young women and the socioeconomically disadvantaged, warrants targeted public health strategies.

Radiologic and Clinical Predictors of Reoperation Following Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

2026-03-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Radiologic and Clinical Predictors of Reoperation Following Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study Authors: Shin, Jun Jae; Kim, Keonhee; Park, Se Jun; Jeong, Won Joo; Yoo, Sun Joon; Shin, Dong Ah; Shin, Joongkyum; Jang, Hyun Jun; Chin, Dong Kyu Abstract: Purpose Unilateral biportal endoscopic discectomy (UBE) is an effective and minimally invasive technique for the treatment of degenerative lumbar diseases. However, reoperation may be required, and evidence on how risk factors vary according to the timing of reoperation remains limited. This study aimed to identify the clinical and radiologic factors associated with short-term (<6 months) and long-term (>= 6 months) reoperations following UBE. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 80 patients who underwent reoperation after UBE between January 2016 and December 2023 with a minimum 24-month follow-up. The patients were classified into short-term and long-term reoperation groups. Clinical and radiologic parameters, including disc degeneration grade, facet joint osteoarthritis grade, and comorbidities, were compared between groups. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate preoperative factors predicting postoperative functional improvement. Results Reoperations were performed for incomplete decompression (27.5%), facet cysts (10.0%), recurrent herniation (8.8%), restenosis (8.0%), and postoperative instability (43.7%). Long-term reoperation was associated with greater disc degeneration, a higher grade of facet joint osteoarthritis, and a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM). Short-term reoperation was mainly due to inadequate decompression, whereas long-term reoperation was largely attributable to postoperative instability. Multivariable analysis identified a higher preoperative grade of facet joint osteoarthritis as a predictor of postoperative functional improvement. Conclusion Short-term reoperation after UBE is primarily related to inadequate decompression, whereas long-term reoperation is linked to advanced disc degeneration, severe facet joint osteoarthritis, postoperative instability, and DM. These findings highlight the importance of thorough preoperative assessment of facet arthropathy and disc degeneration, ensuring adequate initial decompression, and careful postoperative management, particularly in patients with DM.

Effects of Trunk Extension-Based Inspiratory Muscle Strengthening on Respiratory Function, Balance, and Gait in Patients with Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2026-03-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Effects of Trunk Extension-Based Inspiratory Muscle Strengthening on Respiratory Function, Balance, and Gait in Patients with Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial Authors: An, Kwang-Bin; Jeon, Hye-Joo; Choi, Yu-Sik; Lee, Soo-Yong; Chang, Woo-Nam Abstract: Objectives: This study investigated the effects of trunk extension-based inspiratory muscle strengthening on respiratory function, balance, and gait in patients with stroke. Methods: Thirty stroke patients were randomly assigned to the study group (n = 15) or control group (n = 15). The study group performed inspiratory muscle strengthening exercises in a trunk extension posture, while the control group received conventional inspiratory muscle training. Both groups trained five times per week for six weeks. Outcome measures included maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal inspiratory flow rate (MIFR), maximal inspiratory volume (MIV), peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), weight distribution ratio (WDR), limits of stability (LOSs), Timed Up and Go (TUG), gait velocity, cadence, and stride length. Results: The study group showed significantly greater improvements in respiratory parameters (MIP, MIFR, MIV, PEF, FEV1) and functional outcomes (WDR, LOS, BBS, TUG, gait velocity, cadence, stride length) compared to the control group. Conclusions: Trunk extension-based inspiratory muscle strengthening effectively improves respiratory function, balance, and gait in stroke patients, and may serve as a valuable addition to stroke rehabilitation programs.

Effect of Manganese Exposure on Multi-Finger Coordination with Asymptomatic Welder

2026-03-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Effect of Manganese Exposure on Multi-Finger Coordination with Asymptomatic Welder Authors: Lee, Jiseop; Song, Junkyung; Park, Jaebum Abstract: Chronic exposure to manganese in occupational settings such as welding is known to accumulate in the basal ganglia and disrupt motor control. Although clinical symptoms emerge only after considerable neural damage, subtle motor deficits may exist in asymptomatic individuals. This study aimed to identify such subclinical motor alterations by examining multi-finger coordination in professional welders. Nine professional welders with more than 20 years of welding experience and ten age-matched healthy controls participated in the study. Participants performed three isometric finger force tasks: a maximal voluntary contraction task to assess maximal finger forces, a single-finger ramp task to evaluate finger enslaving, and a multi-finger quick pulse task to analyze motor synergies and anticipatory synergy adjustments (ASA). Surface electromyogram was recorded to quantify muscle co-contraction. Compared to controls, welders exhibited reduced motor synergy strength, delayed and decreased ASA, and increased antagonist muscle co-contraction. These findings suggest that long-term occupational welding exposure, which involves manganese as a major component, is associated with subtle but measurable alterations in motor coordination and neural control strategies, even in the absence of clinical symptoms. Multi-finger synergy analysis and co-contraction metrics may serve as sensitive markers for detecting early motor dysfunction in populations occupationally exposed to neurotoxic substances.