Kosin Medical Journal

Case report

Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy can occur in women: a series of three cases: Ji Ho Park, Sung Hyuk Moon, Su-Jin Kim, Dong Jun Lee, Heejin Yoon, Heeyoung Choi; Received February 27, 2026 Accepted May 19, 2026 Published online August 19, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.7180/kmj.26.161 [Epub ahead of print]

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Abstract PDF PubReader ePub: We report three cases of Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) in women. All three patients were young women who presented with subacute or progressive visual disturbance. Visual field testing revealed central scotomas, and optical coherence tomography showed temporal retinal nerve fiber layer thinning and/or ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thinning. Fundus examination revealed optic disc pallor or papillomacular bundle defects during the disease course. Patient 1 was initially treated with steroid pulse therapy for suspected atypical optic neuritis; subsequent mitochondrial genetic testing identified the m.11778G>A mutation, consistent with LHON. Patient 2 had progressive bilateral visual loss for approximately 2 years before additional genetic testing confirmed LHON associated with the m.13051G>A mutation. Patient 3 had a history of taking topiramate and other medications for depression and obesity, and genetic testing identified the m.11778G>A mutation. LHON should be considered in women with sequential or progressive bilateral optic neuropathy of subacute onset, particularly when central scotomas, papillomacular bundle defects, temporal retinal nerve fiber layer thinning, and poor visual recovery are present. Early diagnosis is important to support timely genetic counseling and consideration of treatment.

Original articles

The association between oral contraceptive use and the risk of metabolic syndrome in Korean women: a national population-based study: Hong Kyu Park, Taehong Kim; Kosin Med J. 2025;40(2):128-135. Published online June 10, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.7180/kmj.24.161

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Background
This study aimed to evaluate the association between oral contraceptive (OC) use and the incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in Korean women.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study including 11,084 Korean women between 2012 and 2020 based on nationally representative data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between OC use, MetS, and its components.
Results
In total, 11,084 women were included in the study, of whom 1,117 (10.1%) used OCs and 8.5% had MetS. The prevalence of MetS was higher in the OC users (11.5%) than in the non-OC users (8.1%) (p<0.001). The OC users had an increased risk of MetS (odds ratio [OR], 1.480; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.215‒1.802; p<0.001). Additionally, OC users had higher risks of abdominal obesity (OR, 1.319; 95% CI, 1.119‒1.555), hypertension (OR, 1.557; 95% CI, 1.302‒1.863), and hypertriglyceridemia (OR, 1.521; 95% CI, 1.287‒1.797).
Conclusions
The incidence of MetS was higher among OC users, with waist circumference, hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia being significantly more prevalent components of MetS. These findings can provide valuable evidence to support the development of evidence-based health policies related to women’s health.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Oral contraceptives: balancing intended use with metabolic syndrome risk
Bukyung Kim
Kosin Medical Journal.2025; 40(2): 85. CrossRef

Iodine nutritional status and awareness of iodine deficiency among adults, including pregnant women, in Tuguegarao, Philippines: Young Sik Choi, Kwang-Hyuk Seok, Jong Jin Lee, Gina Jieun Hong, Pablo M. Afidchao, Bu Kyung Kim, Jee-Yeong Jeong; Kosin Med J. 2018;33(1):64-74. Published online January 21, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.7180/kmj.2018.33.1.64

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Abstract PDF PubReader: Objectives
Iodine deficiency causes multiple health problems. Previously we reported that 96% of high school students in Tuguegarao, Philippines had adequate iodine levels. However, iodine deficiency-associated problems remain among adults in the Philippines. Therefore, we evaluated iodine nutritional status and goiter prevalence among adults, including pregnant women, in Tuguegarao, Philippines.
Methods
A total of 245 adults, including 31 pregnant women, provided samples for urinary iodine analysis, and all pregnant women completed a questionnaire about iodine deficiency.
Results
The median urinary iodine level was 164.0 ± 138.4 g/L; 38.4% of the participants were iodine deficient, according to the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD) criteria. No severe iodine deficiency was observed. Among the 31 pregnant women, 24 (77.5%) fell into the iodine deficient category defined by a stricter World Health Organization (WHO) guideline, in which iodine deficiency is considered when urinary iodine levels are below 150 g/L. Almost half (42%) of the pregnant women were unaware of the harmful effects of iodine deficiency on the human body and their fetus.
Conclusions
Although iodine nutritional status in the Philippines has improved, iodine deficiency still exists among adults, especially among pregnant women. Therefore, our study strongly suggests that a better strategy should be established to monitor iodine nutritional status among adults continually, and to focus on populations susceptible to iodine deficiency, including pregnant women and women of reproductive age, to achieve the total elimination of iodine deficiency.

Review article

Women, Stress and Heart Health: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Cardiovascular Disease: Kyoung-Im Cho; Kosin Med J. 2016;31(2):103-112. Published online January 20, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.7180/kmj.2016.31.2.103

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Abstract

Psychological stress including depression and anxiety are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality, especially in women. Emotional regulation plays a mediating role in the development of depression and physical illness, and can alter resting physiologic responses associated with the stress response. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a structured group program that employs mindfulness meditation to alleviate suffering associated with physical, psychosomatic, and psychiatric disorders. MBSR was originally developed for the management of chronic pain, which is now used widely to reduce psychological morbidity associated with chronic illnesses and to treat emotional and behavioral disorders. In cardiovascular disease, MBSR may be helpful for controlling several risk factors for coronary heart disease such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, oxidative and psychosocial stress, obesity, and smoking, and improvements in submaximal exercise responses and heart rate variability. Although the most effective mode of stress reduction therapy is yet to be established, increasing recognition is being given to MBSR therapy.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Chronic Stress, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Disease: Epidemiologic Evidence, Pathogenetic Insights, and Therapeutic Strategies
Mahri Hatamova, Mario Rizk, Keston Rattan, Andrew Gaballa, Samy I. McFarlane
Cureus.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Mindfulness, professional calling, and academic engagement: a parallel mediation model of presence and search among medical students
Aamer Aldbyani, Afnan Alhimaidi, Guiyun Wang, Zhang Chuanxia, Jie Leng
BMC Medical Education.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Psychosomatic Approach to Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Concept, Diagnosis and Treatment
Sang-Shin Lee
Kosin Medical Journal.2021; 36(2): 79. CrossRef
Investigating the effect of meditation on spiritual wellbeing of Type-2 diabetic amputees: A clinical trial study
Ali Heydari Movahed, Fakhri Sabouhi, Reza Mohammadpourhodki, Sepideh Mahdavi, Sima Goudarzian, Malihe Amerian, Mona Mohtashami, Mansoure Kheiri, Malihe Imeni
Heliyon.2020; 6(11): e05567. CrossRef

Original articles

Relationship with Serum Gamma-glutamyltransferase and Hypertension in Healthy Women: Eun Hee Kong; Kosin Med J. 2009;24(2):98-102. Published online December 31, 2009

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Relationship with Metabolic Syndrome by Grade of Nonalcoholic Fatty Livers: Eun Hee Kong; Kosin Med J. 2009;24(2):103-108. Published online December 31, 2009

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A survey of Attitude Toward Sex of College Girls in Busan: Young Lim Oh, Heung Yeol Kim; Kosin Med J. 2009;24(2):14-19. Published online December 31, 2009

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