Multi-Functional PEDOT:PSS as the Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells.

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), particularly in its complex form with poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), stands out as a prominent example of an organic conductor. Renowned for its exceptional conductivity, substantial light transmissibility, water processability, and remarkable flexibility, PEDOT:PSS has earned its reputation as a leading conductive polymer. This study explores the unique effects of two additives, Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) and Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), on the PSS component of PEDOT:PSS films are shown. Both additives induce grain size growth, while DGEBA makes the PEDOT:PSS layer hydrophobic, which acts as a passivation to protect the perovskite layer, which is vulnerable to moisture. The other additive, DMSO, separates the PSS groups, resulting in increased conductivity through the free movement of holes. With these multi-modified p-type PEDOT:PSS, the ITO/M-PEDOT:PSS/Perovskite/PCBM/Ag structured reverse structure solar cell has improved the power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 15.28% to 17.80% compared to the control cell with conventional PEDOT:PSS. It also maintains 90% for 500 h at 60 °C and 300 h at 1 sun illuminating conditions.

Association between the utilization of senior centers and participation in health check-ups.

The global older adult population is increasing. Early detection and intervention through health check-ups are crucial for successful aging, as they play a significant role in identifying and addressing diseases. This study explored the relationship between the utilization of senior centers and the promotion of health check-ups. It utilized data from 10,097 individuals aged 65 years and above, sourced from the 2020 Elderly Survey in South Korea. The primary variable of interest was classified into two groups: those who utilized senior centers and those who did not. Subgroups were further categorized based on the frequency of usage and the presence of family members among senior centers users. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between the utilization of senior centers and participation in health check-ups. Both men and women utilizing senior centers demonstrated a higher likelihood of participating in health check-ups compared with those who did not use senior centers. Participants visiting senior centers in a week exhibited a progressively higher likelihood of engaging in health check-ups compared with those who visited such senior centers zero times a week. Senior centers can serve as effective intervention methods to enhance health check-ups among older adults. Furthermore, this can contribute to fostering successful aging among older adults.

Association between watching eating broadcast "Mukbang and Cookbang" and body mass index status in South Korean adolescents stratified by gender.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that Mukbang and Cookbang, a type of eating broadcast originating from Korea and gaining popularity, may contribute to obesity. However, despite suggestions that Mukbang might contribute to obesity, studies investigating the impact of watching Mukbang on obesity is lacking. The goal of this study is to analyze the relationship between watching Mukbang and Cookbang and body mass index (BMI) status in Korean adolescents. All analyses were stratified by gender. METHODS: This study utilized data from the 2022 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Surveys. The anonymous online survey was conducted with 56,213 students, and 51,850 students (92.2%) who participated in the survey were analyzed. Participants reported the frequency of watching Mukbang and Cookbang per week over the previous 12 months. BMI was categorized into four subgroups based on percentiles: underweight (< 5th percentile), normal (5th - 85th percentiles), overweight (85th - 95th percentiles), and obese (> 95th percentile). This study used multinomial logistic regression for analysis. RESULTS: The likelihood of being obese was significantly higher in Mukbang-watching boys compared to those who never watched Mukbang and Cookbang (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-1.32). A dose-dependent association was found between the frequency of Mukbang and Cookbang watching and the likelihood of obesity among boys (p-for-trend < 0.0001). Subgroups that currently smoke, currently drink alcohol, frequently consume fast food, or drink sweetened beverages showed significantly higher odds of being obese in the "Ever" group than those in the "Never" group. CONCLUSION: This study found a relationship between watching Mukbang and Cookbang and obesity in boys. Appropriate interventions should be considered for boys watching Mukbang and Cookbang.

Uncovering risk factors for adverse events and infections in rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis with interstitial lung disease under treatment with biologics or targeted synthetic DMARDs: insights from the KOBIO Registry.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with overall adverse events (AEs) and infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and comorbid interstitial lung disease (ILD), receiving biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs), using data from the Korean College of Rheumatology Biologics registry. METHODS: We analysed data from a cohort of 2,266 adult patients with RA who received b/tsDMARDs, including 169 patients with comorbid ILD. We identified the risk factors for overall AEs and infections in both the all RA group and the subgroup of patients with RA-ILD and investigated the impact of infections on mortality in patients with RA-ILD. RESULTS: Among all patients with RA, 45.7% withdrew b/tsDMARDs, whereas among those with RA-ILD, a higher proportion of 57.4% withdrew their treatment regimen. The main reason for withdrawing b/tsDMARDs in the RA-ILD group was AEs, with infections accounting for the largest proportion of reported AEs. In multivariable analysis of the risk factors for overall AEs and infections in the RA-ILD group, older age was identified as a risk factor for overall AEs (odds ratio [OR], 3.01; p=0.014), and only a current smoking status was identified as a risk factor for infections (OR, 2.11; p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with RA-ILD exhibited a higher rate of b/tsDMARDs withdrawal due to overall AEs and infections than those with RA without ILD. In the RA-ILD group, older age was identified as a risk factor for overall AEs, whereas a current smoking status was identified as a risk factor for infections.

Selection of Catechin Biosynthesis-Related Genes and Functional Analysis from Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly in C. sinensis L. Variety 'Sangmok'.

Camellia is an important plant genus that includes well-known species such as C. sinensis, C. oleifera, and C. japonica. The C. sinensis cultivar 'Sangmok', one of Korea's standard types of tea landraces, is a small evergreen tree or shrub. Genome annotation has shown that Korean tea plants have special and unique benefits and superior components, such as catechin. The genome of Camellia sinensis cultivar 'Sangmok' was assembled on the chromosome level, with a length of 2678.62 Mbp and GC content of 38.16%. Further, 15 chromosome-scale scaffolds comprising 82.43% of the assembly (BUSCO completeness, 94.3%) were identified. Analysis of 68,151 protein-coding genes showed an average of 5.003 exons per gene. Among 82,481 coding sequences, the majority (99.06%) were annotated by Uniprot/Swiss-Prot. Further analysis revealed that 'Sangmok' is closely related to C. sinensis, with a divergence time of 60 million years ago. A total of 3336 exclusive gene families in 'Sangmok' were revealed by gene ontology analysis to play roles in auxin transport and cellular response mechanisms. By comparing these exclusive genes with 551 similar catechin genes, 17 'Sangmok'-specific catechin genes were identified by qRT-PCR, including those involved in phytoalexin biosynthesis and related to cytochrome P450. The 'Sangmok' genome exhibited distinctive genes compared to those of related species. This comprehensive genomic investigation enhances our understanding of the genetic architecture of 'Sangmok' and its specialized functions. The findings contribute valuable insights into the evolutionary and functional aspects of this plant species.

Association between antidepressants and the risk of diabetic foot ulcers and amputation in antidepressant-naïve type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: A nested case-control study.

AIMS: Antidepressants are widely used by individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to explore the correlation between antidepressant use, considering specific antidepressant subclasses or cumulative doses, and diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) risk. METHODS: This nested case-control study was conducted using a representative population-based Korean cohort database from 2002 to 2019. Participants with DFUs were matched with participants without DFUs based on age, sex, date of T2DM diagnosis, and follow-up duration. In total, 791 DFUs and 3900 controls were included. The association between antidepressant use or cumulative dose of each antidepressant subclass, DFU risk and amputation risk was examined using a conditional logistic regression model. RESULTS: Antidepressant ever-use was associated with an increased incidence of DFUs compared with non-use. Furthermore, an increase in DFU risk was evident with increasing cumulative antidepressant dosage, particularly among tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) ever-users and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) ever-users. Additionally, antidepressant ever-users displayed a higher risk of DFUs requiring amputation, which was consistently observed when the cumulative dosages of overall antidepressants and TCAs were considered. CONCLUSION: Caution is advised when administering TCAs and SSRIs in antidepressant-naïve T2DM patients to reduce DFU and the consequent amputation risk.

Effect of the peripartum depressive symptoms on the Internet use disorder of their offspring in late childhood: retrospective longitudinal study.

Internet use disorder (IUD) is an emerging social and mental health concern. This study aimed to analyze the relative risk of IUD in late childhood among children whose mothers experienced peripartum depressive symptoms. This study included 762 participants (397 boys and 365 girls) and was conducted in 2017 (aged 9) and 2019 (aged 11). We analyzed the adjusted relative risk of being at high risk for IUD based on whether the mother experienced depressive symptoms during pregnancy or one month after delivery. We also considered the persistence of depressed mood for 4 months after delivery and the severity of peripartum depressive symptoms. From 2017, 20.7% of boys and 14.0% of girls were at high risk of developing IUD. Compared to the non-peripartum depressive group, girls whose mothers experienced peripartum depressive symptoms and those that persisted for 4 months were 1.084 and 1.124 times more likely to be at high risk of IUD (95% confidence interval = 1.005-1.170 and 1.013-1.248), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences among boys. Peripartum depressed mood could be one of risk factors of IUD. IUD needs to be monitored in children whose mothers experienced peripartum depressive symptoms.

From synapses to circuits: What mouse models have taught us about how autism spectrum disorder impacts hippocampal function.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts a variety of cognitive and behavioral domains. While a genetic component of ASD has been well-established, none of the numerous syndromic genes identified in humans accounts for more than 1% of the clinical patients. Due to this large number of target genes, numerous mouse models of the disorder have been generated. However, the focus on distinct brain circuits, behavioral phenotypes and diverse experimental approaches has made it difficult to synthesize the overwhelming number of model animal studies into concrete throughlines that connect the data across levels of investigation. Here we chose to focus on one circuit, the hippocampus, and one hypothesis, a shift in excitatory/inhibitory balance, to examine, from the level of the tripartite synapse up to the level of in vivo circuit activity, the key commonalities across disparate models that can illustrate a path towards a better mechanistic understanding of ASD's impact on hippocampal circuit function.

Mesial temporal atrophy in preoperative MRI rather than steep Trendelenburg position is associated with postoperative delirium in patients undergoing a major urologic surgery.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether steep Trendelenburg in a major urologic surgery is associated with postoperative delirium, and to examine other potential clinical and radiologic factors predictive of postoperative delirium. METHODS: 182 patients who received a major urologic surgery and underwent a 3.0-T brain MRI scan within 1 year prior to the date of surgery were retrospectively enrolled. Preoperative brain MRIs were used to analyze features related to small vessel disease burden and mesial temporal atrophy. Presence of a significant mesial temporal atrophy was defined as Scheltens' scale ≥ 2. Patients' clinico-demographic data and MRI features were used to identify significant predictors of postoperative delirium using the logistic regression analysis. Independent predictors found significant in the univariate analysis were further evaluated in the multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Incidence of postoperative delirium was 6.0%. Patients with postoperative delirium had lower body mass index (21.3 vs. 25.0 kg/m2, P = 0.003), prolonged duration of anesthesia (362.7 vs. 224.7 min, P < 0.001) and surgery (302.2 vs. 174.5 min, P < 0.001), and had more significant mesial temporal atrophy (64% vs. 30%, P = 0.046). In the univariate analysis, female sex, type of surgery (radical prostatectomy over cystectomy), prolonged duration of anesthesia (≥ 6 h), and presence of a significant mesial temporal atrophy were significant predictors (all P-values < 0.050), but only the presence of significant mesial temporal atrophy was significant in the multivariate analysis [odds ratio (OR), 3.69; 95% CI 0.99-13.75; P = 0.046]. CONCLUSION: Steep Trendelenburg was not associated with postoperative delirium. Significant mesial temporal atrophy (Scheltens' scale ≥ 2) in preoperative brain MRI was predictive of postoperative delirium. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

Structural and Cognitive Social Capital of Older Korean Adults and Their Relationship with Depression Trajectories: Latent Class and Growth Curve Analyses.

This study examined whether the identified latent classes of structural and cognitive social capital are differently associated with depression trajectories in older Korean adults. From the five waves (2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2018) of the Korean Welfare Panel Study, 3,606 participants aged ≥65 were analyzed. The latent class analysis identifies structural and cognitive social capital subgroups. Latent growth curve analysis examined the latent classes' effect on depression trajectories. Three classes were identified: medium-structural and high-cognitive (Class 1), high-structural and cognitive (Class 2), and low-structural and cognitive (Class 3). Classes 1 and 2 showed lower depression at baseline; however, the trajectory change rate was opposite than Class 3. Compared to Classes 1 and 2, depression was highest at baseline but with a slower change rate in Class 3. Therefore, it is important to identify older adults' structural and cognitive social capital classes to depression trajectories.

Calcium-enriched biochar shifts negative effects of fluoride on the properties of arid sandy soil.

This study sheds light on the influence of fluoride on the changes in the properties of alkaline sandy soils and the efficiency of calcium-enriched biochar application. The investigation involved an incubation experiment with soil contaminated with varying NaF concentrations (0, 400, 800, and 1200 mg NaF kg-1 soil) and biochar (1% w/w). The data revealed that adding NaF to the soil resulted in significant increases in soil pH and decreases in total nitrogen (TN) content. Short-term fluoride pollution did not affect the microbial abundance due to certain factors such as increased soil pH and decreased microbial metabolism promoting the survival of cells under fluoride stress. However, a shift from bacterial to fungal-dominated microbial communities was observed at the highest NaF concentration. The nitrogen functional gene amoA was found to be highly sensitive to fluoride toxicity. The decrease in the abundance of amoA gene and the increase in soil pH can explain reduced nitrogen concentration. On the other hand, our findings indicated a significant decrease in enzyme activity in soil contaminated with mild to severe levels of NaF. This reduction in enzyme activity can be attributed to increased soil pH, decreased TN content, and the inhibition of microbial metabolism due to fluoride toxicity. Furthermore, the addition of calcium-rich biochar reduced fluoride solubility and adjusted pH, mitigating the negative effects of fluoride toxicity on soil properties. The use of biochar was also found to inhibit the accumulation of soil fluoride-resistant microbial genes.

Bilateral late hematomas after breast augmentation mimicking anaplastic large cell lymphoma: A case report.

RATIONALE: Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is rare, but its incidence has recently increased. It is characterized by a sudden onset of seroma collection after implantation of textured breast implants. However, BIA-ALCL may be confused with late hematoma, which is also a rare finding in aesthetic breast surgery. The cause of late hematoma is mostly unknown, and patients rarely present with specific symptoms. PATIENT CONCERNS: We presented a case of late hematoma that occurred in a patient who underwent augmentation mammoplasty 25 years ago and was on anticoagulants for 7 years. DIAGNOSES: Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging could not rule out the possibility of BIA-ALCL. INTERVENTIONS: Bilateral implant removal was performed, and massive amounts of late hematoma and organizing tissues were removed. OUTCOMES: The pathologists confirmed the biopsy results as late hematoma with organizing tissues. Capsules from both sides were confirmed as fibrous capsules with chronic inflammation and foamy macrophage infiltration. LESSONS: Although malignancy needs to be primarily ruled out, late hematoma can occur beyond expectations, especially in anticoagulated patients, and must be included in the differential diagnosis.

Understanding the Trap Characteristics of Perovskite Solar Cells via Drive-Level Capacitance Profiling.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are gaining significant interest as the future of photovoltaics owing to their superior performance and cost-effectiveness. Nevertheless, traps in PSCs have emerged as issues that adversely affect the efficiency and stability of the devices. In this study, the methylammonium chloride (MACl) additive and phenyltrimethylammonium iodide (PTMAI) posttreatment were applied to passivate bulk and surface defects. Furthermore, variations of the traps' quantitative spatial arrangement have been monitored by using the drive-level capacitance profiling (DLCP) analysis. A similar magnitude of trap reduction was observed for the bulk perovskite layer and two interfaces (electron transport layer (ETL)/perovskite and hole transport layer (HTL)/perovskite) with an optimal concentration of the MACl additive. However, the effect of perovskite posttreatment in reducing the trap density was much more noticeable at the HTL/perovskite interface compared to the bulk and ETL/perovskite regions. This observation was reinforced by the outcomes of the 500 h thermal stability tests at 60 °C from seven independent batches, which demonstrated a substantial suppression of trap accumulation, particularly at the HTL/perovskite interface, by an order of magnitude.

Highly Accurate Sequence- and Position-Independent Error Profiling of DNA Synthesis and Sequencing.

A comprehensive error analysis of DNA-stored data during processing, such as DNA synthesis and sequencing, is crucial for reliable DNA data storage. Both synthesis and sequencing errors depend on the sequence and the transition of bases of nucleotides; ignoring either one of the error sources leads to technical challenges in minimizing the error rate. Here, we present a methodology and toolkit that utilizes an oligonucleotide library generated from a 10-base-shifted sequence array, which is individually labeled with unique molecular identifiers, to delineate and profile DNA synthesis and sequencing errors simultaneously. This methodology enables position- and sequence-independent error profiling of both DNA synthesis and sequencing. Using this toolkit, we report base transitional errors in both synthesis and sequencing in general DNA data storage as well as degenerate-base-augmented DNA data storage. The methodology and data presented will contribute to the development of DNA sequence designs with minimal error.

Observation on cadavers and through ultrasonography using a 2 mm needle length for intradermal injections.

BACKGROUND: An intradermal injection is a medical procedure that involves administering a small amount of medication or substance into the dermal layer of the skin. This research focused on identifying the most suitable injection needle for precise intradermal administration of skin boosters. METHODS: The study involved conducting intradermal injections on four cadavers and participants using a 2 mm length, 34-gauge needle (N-Finders, Inc., South Korea). During the cadaveric study, the polynucleotide prefilled syringe was dyed green, and an anatomist performed dissections, removing only the skin layer. Ultrasonographic observations were carried out to ensure accurate intradermal injection placement. RESULTS: In all four cadavers, the facial injections at the anterior cheek region were precisely administered intradermally at a 30-degree injection angle. However, the 90-degree injection was found just below the dermal layer upon skin layer removal. DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that using a 2 mm needle length allows for easy and convenient intradermal injections.

Hema-seq reveals genomic aberrations in a rare simultaneous occurrence of hematological malignancies.

Co-occurrence of multiple myeloma and acute myelogenous leukemia is rare, with both malignancies often tracing back to multipotent hematopoietic stem cells. Cytogenetic techniques are the established baseline for diagnosis and characterization of complex hematological malignancies. In this study, we develop a workflow called Hema-seq to delineate clonal changes across various hematopoietic lineages through the integration of whole-genome sequencing, copy-number variations, cell morphology, and cytogenetic aberrations. In Hema-seq, cells are selected from Wright-stained slides and fluorescent probe-stained slides for sequencing. This technique therefore enables direct linking of whole-genome sequences to cytogenetic profiles. Through this method, we mapped sequential clonal alterations within the hematopoietic lineage, identifying critical shifts leading to myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell formations. By synthesizing data from each cell lineage, we provided insights into the hematopoietic tree's clonal evolution. Overall, this study highlights Hema-seq's capability in deciphering genomic heterogeneity in complex hematological malignancies, which can enable better diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Association between stress-related disorders and the risk of dementia using the Korean National Sample Cohort: a matched cohort study.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with the development of dementia; however, the association of dementia risk with overall stress-related disorders is less known. This study investigated the association between stress-related disorders and the risk of dementia in a Korean nationwide sample cohort. The data analyzed in this study were acquired from the Korean National Health Insurance Service National Sample Cohort between 2002 and 2013. Using a 1:3 propensity score matching, 8906 patients with stress-related disorders and 26,718 control participants were included in the analysis. Patients with stress-related disorders had a higher risk of developing dementia after adjusting for covariates (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.30) than control participants. Patients with PTSD showed the highest risk of increase (HR = 1.78) than those with other types of stress-related disorders. Patients with stress-related disorders showed the highest and significantly increased risk for Alzheimer's dementia (HR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.04-1.56). These results indicated an association between a history of stress-related disorders and the risk of dementia in the South Korean population. Further research investigating the causal mechanisms is needed.

The predictability of ASDAS on drug survival in patients with ankylosing spondylitis on biologic therapy: data from the KOBIO registry.

Background: The Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) is largely used for assessing disease activity in patients with AS. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the predictability of ASDAS on drug survival in patients with low Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) during biologic therapy. Design: Using data from multi-center, prospective, observational prospective cohort, Korean College of Rheumatology Biologics and Targeted Therapy (KOBIO) registry. Methods: The study population consisted of patients enrolled in the KOBIO registry from December 2012 to December 2018. The baseline demographic data and variables such as extra-articular manifestations, HLA-B27 positivity, family history of spondyloarthritis, ASDAS C-reactive protein (CRP), BASDAI, and Bath AS Functional Index scores were collected from the database. The disease activity indices were followed yearly after initiating a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor (TNFi). Disease activities were defined as high (ASDAS-CRP ⩾ 2.1, BASDAI ⩾ 4) and low (ASDAS-CRP < 2.1, BASDAI < 4). Results: Data from 1773 patients were analyzed. Among 269 patients with low BASDAI at baseline, 151 (56.1%) patients had high ASDAS-CRP, yet in 142 patients with low ASDAS-CRP at baseline, only 24 (16.9%) patients had a high BASDAI. High ASDAS-CRP captured more patients who had initiated or switched to a TNFi than those with high BASDAI (92.5% versus 84.8%, respectively, p < 0.001). Moreover, among AS patients with low BASDAI after 1 year of therapy, drug persistence in the following year was significantly lower in patients with high ASDAS than in those with low ASDAS (68.7% versus 82.5%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: ASDAS-CRP not only has its advantages over BASDAI in assessing disease activity but also low ASDAS-CRP at 1 year can be a marker of long-term drug survival of TNFi therapy.

Unveiling difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis: long-term impact of biologic or targeted synthetic DMARDs from the KOBIO registry.

BACKGROUND: While the availability of biological or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs) has improved outcomes for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, there remains a subset of individuals who fail to achieve low disease activity or remission despite multiple cycles of b/tsDMARDs. This state is referred to as 'difficult-to-treat (D2T)' RA. METHODS: Data from the Korean College of Rheumatology Biologics registry were utilized to analyze patients with RA who were treated with b/tsDMARDs. RESULTS: Among 2,321 RA patients with RA treated with b/tsDMARDs, 271 (11.7%) were diagnosed with D2T RA. Lower age (OR = 0.98, p < 0.001), longer disease duration (OR = 1.06, p < 0.001), lower patient global assessment (OR = 0.89, p = 0.045), higher SDAI (OR = 1.06, p = 0.014) and RAPID3 (OR = 1.06, p = 0.002), lower RF positivity (OR = 0.65, p = 0.04), and lower prior use of methotrexate (OR = 0.44, p = 0.008), sulfasalazine (OR = 0.59, p = 0.003), and leflunomide (OR = 0.67, p = 0.013) were associated with D2T RA. The drug survival rate of b/tsDMARDs did not differ between patients with D2T RA and non-D2T RA (p = 0.35). However, the drug survival of individual b/tsDMARD differed between patients with D2T RA and non-D2T RA after eight years. Patients with D2T RA withdrew from b/tsDMARDs due to inefficacy more frequently than those without D2T RA (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: D2T RA patients experienced higher disease activity despite maintaining b/tsDMARD therapy. Withdrawal rates due to inefficacy were higher in D2T RA. Effective therapeutic strategies are needed to improve disease control and treatment outcomes in this unique patient population.

Short-term effect of household indebtedness and risk of alcohol use disorder among Korean youth: 2017-2020 longitudinal panel study.

Background: In Republic of Korea, household debt has increased recently among young adults, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Household debt may potentially lead to numerous outcomes including alcohol use disorder (AUD). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between a change in indebtedness and the risk of developing AUD. Methods: A total of 5,091 participants (2,720 men and 2,371 women) were included during a 4-year study period. Indebtedness was divided into four groups: no debt a year ago and at present (group 1), paying off a year's debt (group 2), newly incurred current debt after a year when there was no debt (group 3), and indebtedness a year ago and at present (group 4). Groups 2, 3, and 4 were also divided into subgroups based on debt characteristics. AUD risk was evaluated by the CAGE scale, and a score of 2 or higher was defined as AUD high risk. Several time-varying socioeconomic and health-related characteristics were adjusted. Results: Participants who indicated indebtedness at present (groups 3 and 4) were more likely to be AUD high-risk compared to group 1 in both genders (men: adjusted relative risk [aRR] = 1.031, 95% CI [1.014-1.049] in group 3, aRR = 1.028, 95% CI [1.007-1.050] in group 4; women: aRR = 1.039, 95% CI [1.016-1.163] in group 3, aRR = 1.028, 95% CI [1.007-1.050] in group 4). Even paid-off debt affected the risk of AUD among female participants (aRR = 1.018, 95% CI [1.001-1.034] in group 2). Women whose amount of debt increased for 1 year were more likely to be AUD high-risk compared to group 1. Women showed higher aRR than men for increasing CAGE scores by one unit in all debt subgroups. Conclusion: Our research demonstrated a possible link between indebtedness and a heightened risk of AUD. These results underscore the importance of implementing targeted screening and interventions for AUD, particularly among young women who are facing mounting levels of debt.