The Cancer Risk among Physicians in Taiwan, a Population-Based Propensity Score Matched Cohort Study.

Background: The field of physician health is gaining increasing attention; however, most research and interventions have concentrated on factors such as job stress, mental health, and substance abuse. The risks of major cancers in physicians remain unclear. We used a propensity score-matched analysis to investigate the risk of cancer in physicians relative to the general population who had no healthcare-related professional background.

A high-resolution computed tomography-based scoring system to differentiate the most infectious active pulmonary tuberculosis from community-acquired pneumonia in elderly and non-elderly patients.

Objective: The objective of this study was to use high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) imaging to predict the presence of smear-positive active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in elderly (at least 65 years of age) and non-elderly patients (18-65 years of age).

Methods: Patients with active pulmonary infections seen from November 2010 through December 2011 received HRCT chest imaging, sputum smears for acid-fast bacilli and sputum cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Smear-positive PTB was defined as at least one positive sputum smear and a positive culture for M.

A high resolution computer tomography scoring system to predict culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in the emergency department.

This study evaluated the use of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) to predict the presence of culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in adult patients with pulmonary lesions in the emergency department (ED). The study included a derivation phase and validation phase with a total of 8,245 patients with pulmonary disease. There were 132 patients with culture-positive PTB in the derivation phase and 147 patients with culture-positive PTB in the validation phase.

Prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease in patients with COPD in Taiwan.

Aim: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and the associated risk factors for patients with COPD.

Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study enrolled 427 COPD patients (mean age: 70.

Prevalence of asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease and related risk factors in younger and elderly patients in Taiwan.

We determined the prevalence of asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and cardiovascular risk factors in Taiwan. Ambulatory participants (n = 1915) without symptoms of PAD were enrolled (mean age of 61.2 years).

Cost per QALY (quality-adjusted life year) and lifetime cost of prolonged mechanical ventilation in Taiwan.

Introduction: Patients who require prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) are increasing and producing financial burdens worldwide. This study determines the cost per QALY (quality-adjusted life year), out-of-pocket expenses, and lifetime costs for PMV patients stratified by underlying diseases and cognition levels.

Methods: A nationwide sample of 50,481 patients with continual mechanical ventilation for more than 21 days was collected during 1997-2007.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Taiwan - a population-based study.

Background: This study took advantage of a large population-based database of the Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) to investigate the epidemiology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in Taiwan.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study based on secondary analysis of prospectively collected data in the NHI system and governmental data on death registry in Taiwan during 1997-2007. By using the broad and narrow definitions for IPF, we estimated incidence and prevalence rates of IPF, and its associated clinical outcomes.

Improved survival for an integrated system of reduced intensive respiratory care for patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Background: The introduction of reduced respiratory care may lead to worse long-term outcomes for patients undergoing prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) for more than 21 days. The objective of this study was to determine the survival for an integrated system of reduced intensive respiratory care (ISRIRC) by the Taiwan Bureau of National Health Insurance, in patients requiring PMV.

Methods: A 10-year retrospective study was performed in a 1,000-bed teaching hospital in Taiwan.

Outcomes of prolonged mechanic ventilation: a discrimination model based on longitudinal health insurance and death certificate data.

Background: This study investigated prognosis among patients under prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) through exploring the following issues: (1) post-PMV survival rates, (2) factors associated with survival after PMV, and (3) the number of days alive free of hospital stays requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) care after PMV.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study based on secondary analysis of prospectively collected data in the national health insurance system and governmental data on death registry in Taiwan. It used data for a nationally representative sample of 25,482 patients becoming under PMV (> = 21 days) during 1998-2003.

Bowel-cleansing methods affecting PET-CT image interpretation.

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate bowel-cleansing methods for colonic preparation, based on the findings of PET-computed tomographic (CT) scans.

Methods: A total of 175 patients were enrolled in this study. Patients with medical histories of colorectal cancer, abdominal operation, or abdominal malignancies were excluded from this study.

Life expectancies and incidence rates of patients under prolonged mechanical ventilation: a population-based study during 1998 to 2007 in Taiwan.

Introduction: The present study examined the median survival, life expectancies, and cumulative incidence rate (CIR) of patients undergoing prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) stratified by different underlying diseases.

Methods: According to the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, there were 8,906,406 individuals who obtained respiratory care during the period from 1997 to 2007. A random sample of this population was performed, and subjects who had continuously undergone mechanical ventilation for longer than 21 days were enrolled in the current study.

Estimation of quality-adjusted life expectancy in patients under prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to estimate the quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE) and the expected lifetime utility loss of patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV).

Methods: PMV was defined as more than 21 days of mechanical ventilation. A total of 633 patients fulfilled this definition and were followed for 9 years (1998-2007) to obtain their survival status.

Measurement of quality of life using EQ-5D in patients on prolonged mechanical ventilation: comparison of patients, family caregivers, and nurses.

Purpose: This study reports how QOL (quality of life) assessments differ between patients on prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) and their proxies (family caregivers and nurses).

Methods: We enrolled consecutive subjects on PMV for more than 21 days from five institutions. We conducted QOL assessments using the Taiwanese version of the EQ-5D in face-to-face interviews.

Chest wall abscess due to Prevotella bivia.

Prevotella bivia is associated with pelvic inflammatory disease. A 77-year-old man developed a rapidly growing chest wall abscess due to P. bivia within days.

Predictors of successful noninvasive ventilation treatment for patients suffering acute respiratory failure.

Background: To identify predictors of successful noninvasive ventilation (NIV) treatment for patients with acute respiratory failure.

Methods: This was a prospective intervention study of the intensive care unit of a teaching hospital in Chia-Yi, Taiwan. Patients were enrolled if they had acute respiratory failure and had been admitted to the intensive care unit of our hospital between October 1, 2004 and September 30, 2005 inclusively.

Complicated parapneumonic effusion and empyema: pleural decortication and video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Complicated parapneumonic effusion or empyema, in which the fluid becomes more exudative, develops in 10% to 20% of patients with parapneumonic effusions. Early diagnosis and effective treatment strategies are required. New treatment strategies such as fibrinolytic therapy and decortication or debridement through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, have changed the choice of treatment for different stages of empyema or complicated pleural effusion.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for bilateral primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

Objective: To review our experience of the treatment of bilateral primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

Materials And Methods: Retrospective chart review was followed by an on-clinic or telephone interview. Patients were cared for by one thoracic surgeon in four medical centers or community hospitals in Northern and Central Taiwan.