Scabies is a skin disease caused by the parasite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis, which is primarily transmitted via direct skin or sexual contact or, less commonly, via contact with infested fomites. In Korea, the incidence of scabies has decreased from approximately 50,000 cases per year in 2010 to about 30,000 cases per year in 2021. However, outbreaks are consistently observed in residential facilities, such as nursing homes, especially among older adults. The clinical manifestations of scabies vary based on the patient’s age, health status, the number of mites, and the route of transmission. Typical symptoms of classic scabies include intense nocturnal itching and characteristic skin rashes (burrows and erythematous papules), with a predilection for the interdigital web spaces, inner wrists, periumbilical areas, axillae, and genital areas. In contrast, older adults with immunodeficiency or neurological disorders may exhibit hyperkeratotic scaly lesions or an atypical distribution with mild to no itching (crusted scabies). The diagnosis of scabies is based on clinical symptoms and the results of diagnostic tests aimed at identifying the presence of the parasite. While a history of close contact and characteristic clinical findings suggest scabies, confirmation of the diagnosis requires detecting scabies mites, eggs, or scybala. This can be achieved through light microscopy of skin samples, non-invasive dermoscopy, and other high-resolution in vivo imaging techniques.

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• A case of scabies that was misdiagnosed as psoriasis
  Jun Ho Kwak, In Ho Bae, Hoon Choi, Chan-Ho Na, Min Sung Kim, Bong Seok Shin
  Journal of the Korean Society for Psoriasis.2025; 22(1): 46.     CrossRef

Treatment should be initiated for all suspected, clinical, or confirmed cases of scabies. Patients affected should be adequately isolated, and high-risk groups with close contact histories should be treated regardless of their symptoms. Optimal treatment strategies can be selected based on age, clinical subtype, and the patient's health status. In Korea, commercially available preparations for scabies treatment include topical 5% permethrin, topical 10% crotamiton, and oral ivermectin. Topical 5% permethrin is the first-line selective treatment for both classic and crusted scabies. Alternative treatments include topical 10% crotamiton and oral ivermectin. After completing treatment, follow-up visits at 2 and 4 weeks are recommended to monitor the therapeutic response. Treatment is considered to have failed if scabies mites or burrows are detected, new clinical characteristics develop, or there is an aggravation of pruritus. Scabies itch should be adequately managed with emollients, oral antihistamines, and topical corticosteroids. Preventive measures, including personal hygiene, patient education, and environmental control, should besd implemented to reduce the transmission of scabies.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to develop a reporting guideline for epidemiological survey reports, referred to as “Guidelines for Survey Reporting (G-SURE).”

Methods: To develop G-SURE, we adopted a systematic approach, starting with a detailed review of recent survey reports in Public Health Weekly Report, Eurosurveillance, and Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and an analysis of current reporting standards. After drafting the guidelines, our team conducted an in-depth internal evaluation to assess their effectiveness and applicability. We then refined the guidelines based on insights from external experts and potential users, particularly those with significant experience in survey reporting. The plan also includes ongoing efforts to widely share the guidelines and update them periodically, incorporating new findings and user feedback.

Results: G-SURE will provide a structured framework for reporting outbreak investigations, comprising a detailed checklist and Explanation & Elaboration documents. These will improve the transparency, consistency, and quality of public health documentation.

Conclusion: In this protocol article, we introduce G-SURE, a guideline developed to improve epidemiological survey research. G-SURE addresses the critical need for uniform reporting standards in epidemiological surveys, aiming to improve the quality and relevance of research outcomes in this area. This guideline is also designed to be a key resource for peer reviewers and editors, aiding them in efficiently assessing the thoroughness and accuracy of survey reports. By providing consistent reporting criteria, G-SURE seeks to minimize confusion and irregularities, which are often encountered in the process of scientific publication.

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• 「주간 건강과 질병」 보고 지침 개발
  수영 김, 석현 유, 소연 류, 선 허, 미나 하, 보율 최, 원영 정
  Public Health Weekly Report.2025; 18(9): 399.     CrossRef

Objectives: The objective of this study was to develop the Guidelines for Recommendation Reporting (G-RECO) for use in the Public Health Weekly Report (PHWR) in Korea, aiming to improve the standardization, scientific accuracy, and practical applicability of recommendation reports in clinical practice guidelines.

Methods: The methodology of this study aligned with the EQUATOR Network standards. A multidisciplinary research committee was formed, comprising experts in various relevant fields. The development process included a comprehensive literature review, analysis of existing guidelines, and formulation of a structured G-RECO framework with 21 key items. This was supplemented with Explanation & Elaboration documents for each item. The draft underwent rigorous revisions and evaluations by both internal and external experts.

Results: By November 2023, significant progress had been made in developing a detailed G-RECO checklist and accompanying E&E documents. These tools are designed to guide authors in clear and consistent reporting of recommendation reports. The team is poised to finalize and publish the checklist and E&E documents by December 2024.

Conclusion: The G-RECO guidelines represent a significant advancement in the formalization and standardization of recommendation reports for the PHWR. They are expected to improve the quality of research and publications in clinical practice guidelines, contributing to the evolution of the field and enriching public health discourse. The guidelines, with their comprehensive nature and user-friendly design, will become an invaluable resource for researchers, editors, and peer reviewers in public health and epidemiology.

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• 「주간 건강과 질병」 보고 지침 개발
  수영 김, 석현 유, 소연 류, 선 허, 미나 하, 보율 최, 원영 정
  Public Health Weekly Report.2025; 18(9): 399.     CrossRef

Objectives: Surveillance reporting, which is integral to public health and safety, involves the systematic collection, analysis, and dissemination of data crucial for various health and security scenarios. Despite its importance, standardized Guidelines for Surveillance Reporting (G-SIRE) are lacking, leading to inconsistencies and affecting data reliability and comparability. To address this gap, this study aimed to develop the G-SIRE, tailored to improve the clarity, transparency, and consistency of surveillance reports, thereby increasing the accuracy and usability of surveillance data for better public health outcomes.

Methods: The methodology adhered to the EQUATOR Network standards, employing a multidimensional approach with a diverse expert team. The process included forming a research committee of multidisciplinary experts, conducting a thorough literature review of recent surveillance report publications, reviewing existing reporting guidelines, and developing a new set of guidelines. Continuous updates and revisions are planned to keep the guidelines relevant and effective.

Results: Significant progress has been made as of November 2023 in developing comprehensive reporting guidelines for surveillance reports. A detailed checklist and Explanation & Elaboration documents have been formulated, which are anticipated to be finalized and published by December 2023.

Conclusion: The G-SIRE guidelines signify a major advancement in standardizing surveillance. They provide a structured approach that increases scientific accuracy, transparency, and practical applicability in this domain. The guidelines are expected to improve the quality of surveillance reporting significantly, contributing to the advancement of public health research and discourse.

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• 「주간 건강과 질병」 보고 지침 개발
  수영 김, 석현 유, 소연 류, 선 허, 미나 하, 보율 최, 원영 정
  Public Health Weekly Report.2025; 18(9): 399.     CrossRef

Objectives: Outbreak reports are essential for documenting the spread of and responses to disease outbreaks. However, there is a lack of standardized reporting guidelines that encompass broader perspectives on outbreaks. We aimed to develop a universal reporting guideline applicable to diverse outbreak reports and community epidemic interventions, the “Guidelines for Community Outbreak Investigation Reporting (G-CORE).”

Methods: G-CORE is designed to address the challenges in documenting various outbreak scenarios, including infectious diseases and non-infectious environmental hazards. The development of G-CORE involved a structured process, including a comprehensive literature review of recent outbreak reports from leading journals and an analysis of existing reporting guidelines. The process also involved project registration with the EQUATOR Network and collaboration with experts in various fields. Following the initial drafting, an internal (team) review was conducted to evaluate the guidelines' robustness and relevance. Subsequently, the guidelines underwent revision based on feedback from external experts and potential users, including authors with experience in outbreak reporting. The project also includes plans for widespread dissemination and periodic revisions to adapt to developments and user feedback.

Results: G-CORE will provide a structured framework for reporting outbreak investigations, comprising a detailed checklist and Explanation & Elaboration documents.

Conclusion: G-CORE establishes a new standard in outbreak reporting, facilitating comprehensive, clear, and actionable public health communications. Its development marks a significant advance in the documentation and management of public health outbreaks.

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Citations to this article as recorded by  

• 「주간 건강과 질병」 보고 지침 개발
  수영 김, 석현 유, 소연 류, 선 허, 미나 하, 보율 최, 원영 정
  Public Health Weekly Report.2025; 18(9): 399.     CrossRef