Aims: The purpose of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of telemonitoring for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and CINAHL up to September 2018. We selected randomised controlled trials comparing telemonitoring and control groups for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management. Two reviewers independently examined articles based on eligibility, extracted data and evaluated the risk of bias. The Cochrane tool was applied for assessing the risk of bias. The 95% confidence interval was calculated. Results: A total of 28 randomised controlled trials were included. Meta-analysis revealed that there were no variables showing a statistically significant difference between telemonitoring and control groups. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation rate (six studies) was not different between two groups (risk ratio 0.67, 95% confidence interval 0.31–1.42). Subgroup analysis showed that telemonitoring reduced exacerbation rates when the intervention continued for longer than six months or pulmonary function was monitored. No differences between groups were noticed for mortality (seven studies, risk ratio 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.60–1.34). Similarly, no differences between groups were observed in the patient-reported outcomes (St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire, Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire-Dyspnea score) and for health service utilization (length of hospital stay, number of hospital admissions, number of emergency room visits). Conclusions: Telemonitoring for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was unlikely to result in statistically significant improvements in health outcomes. However, our novel finding was that at least six months of intervention duration and monitoring of pulmonary function play roles in activating the effects of telemonitoring.

Literacy in research studies of artificial intelligence (AI) has become an important skill for radiologists. It is required to make a proper assessment of the validity, reproducibility, and clinical applicability of AI studies. However, AI studies are generally perceived to be more difficult for clinician readers to evaluate than traditional clinical research studies. This special report-as an effective, concise guide for readers-aims to assist clinical radiologists in critically evaluating different types of clinical research articles involving AI. It does not intend to be a comprehensive checklist or methodological summary for complete clinical evaluation of AI or a reporting guideline. Ten key items for readers to check are described, regarding study purpose, function and clinical context of AI, training data, data preprocessing, AI modeling techniques, test data, AI performance, helpfulness and value of AI, interpretability of AI, and code sharing. The important aspects of each item are explained for readers to consider when reading publications on AI clinical research. Evaluating each item can help radiologists assess the validity, reproducibility, and clinical applicability of clinical research articles involving AI.

Pediatric obesity is a serious global health challenge. In East Asia, rapid socioeconomic changes have increased obesity rates. This study examines weight distribution and obesity trends in East Asian children using WHO criteria. Data from the Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor Collaboration was used to analyze weight categories (thinness, normal weight, overweight, and obesity) among children aged 5 to 19 in China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Data were collected through probabilistic sampling and national surveys and classified using WHO BMI standards. Age standardized prevalence rate enabled cross-country comparisons for boys and girls from 2010 to 2022. Statistical methods included arithmetic statistics, linear regression, and time series analysis using the ARIMA model, with SAS 9.4 and SPSS for analysis. Significant trends were found (p for trend < 0.05). Taiwan and South Korea showed increased thinness, while China and Japan showed decreases. Normal weight prevalence declined, notably among South Korean boys. Overweight and obesity rates rose, especially among South Korean boys and Chinese girls. Japan’s rates remained stable, while Taiwan showed minor fluctuations. Boys had higher overweight and obesity rates than girls in all countries. The highest rates were among children aged 10 to 11 years. East Asia, particularly South Korea and China, has seen rising obesity rates. Increasing thinness in South Korea and Taiwan also requires attention. The decline in healthy-weight children is concerning. Interventions should target children before ages 10 to 11. Urgent, tailored public health interventions are needed.

Park SH, et al. Korean J Radiol. 2023 Jul;24(7):601-605. https://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2023.0448

Jhang H, et al. Korean J Radiol. 2024 Mar;25:e32. https://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2023.1281

Jieun Ju, Jahye Jung, Yong Hee Hong, Minsoo Shin, Yoon Lee, Ah-Ram Sul. J Obes Metab Syndr -0001;0:0-. https://doi.org/10.7570/jomes24052