PCR-based diagnosis and clinical insights into parasitic keratitis.

Purpose: This retrospective study aimed to investigate demographic characteristics, predisposing factors, and clinical outcomes in patients with parasitic keratitis.

Methods: Medical records of patients with molecularly confirmed Acanthamoeba or microsporidia, identified through corneal scraping specimens (collected between September 21, 2017, and June 27, 2023), were reviewed. Demographic data, clinical profiles, such as symptom duration before confirmed diagnosis, antiviral treatment pre-diagnosis, contact lens use, tap water and soil contamination, ocular trauma, and treatment regimens, were analyzed.

Sex differences in psychiatric comorbidities of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among children, adolescents, and adults: A nationwide population-based cohort study.

This cross-sectional, nationwide, population-based study aimed to elucidate sex differences in psychiatric comorbidities of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) across children, adolescents, and adults. We analyzed data from Taiwan's comprehensive healthcare database, including 112,225 individuals diagnosed with ADHD, categorized by age (0-12, 13-18, ≥18 years) and sex. Psychiatric comorbidities were assessed using ICD-9-CM codes, focusing on age and sex-specific prevalence.

Sociodemographic factors and comorbidities are associated with an elevated risk of herpes simplex keratitis: a population-based study in Taiwan.

To investigate the association among comorbidities, sociodemographic factors, and herpes simplex keratitis (HSK). This nationwide, population-based, retrospective, matched case-control study included 27,651 patients with HSK identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database based on the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code 054.42 for dendritic keratitis and 054.

Developing a novel transitional care model for older emergency department patients and exploring the target population in Taiwan.

Aim: Transitional care in the emergency department (ED) has the potential to improve outcomes for older patients, but the specific population benefits from it and impact in Taiwan remain unclear. Therefore, we conducted this study.

Methods: An interdisciplinary team comprising emergency physicians, dedicated transitional care nurse (TCN), nurse practitioners, nurses, geriatricians, and social workers was established at a tertiary medical center.

Navigating the obesity paradox in bladder cancer prognosis-insights from the Taiwan National Health Insurance System Database.

Purpose: This study investigates the complex relationship between body mass index (BMI) and bladder cancer outcomes, utilizing Taiwan's national database. Bladder cancer remains a significant health concern, especially in Taiwan, prompting a comprehensive retrospective analysis to explore the impact of obesity on survival outcomes.

Materials And Methods: A meticulous exclusion process, based on Taiwan National Health Insurance System Database, refined the initial dataset of 15,086 bladder cancer patients to 10,352.

Seasonal variations in peptic ulcer disease incidence in Taiwan, a country spanning both tropical and subtropical regions: a real-world database analysis.

Objective: Previous studies have shown that the incidence of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) exhibits seasonal variations. This study aimed to investigate the seasonal variation in PUD incidence in Taiwan, which spans both tropical and subtropical regions, using a nationwide database.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using real-world claims data from Taiwan, which includes a representative sample of 2 million individuals.

Survival benefit of surgery in elderly patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Neoadjuvant therapy followed by radical surgery is standard for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). However, compared to younger patients, elderly patients often had multiple commodities and may refuse surgery due to being medically unfit or the high risk of operative mortality. This study aims to explore the effects of surgery on short- and long-term mortality in elderly LARC patients using a nationwide cancer registry.

Stroke Risk Following Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy.

Importance: The association between nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and an increased risk of stroke has been a subject of debate. However, multinational studies on this topic are scarce.

Objective: To evaluate the short-term and long-term stroke risk after NAION compared with a matched control group.

Exploring Predictors of Long-Term Care Facility Admissions in Stroke Survivors: Insights from a Taiwanese Hospital-Based Study.

Purpose: Acute stroke significantly increases the risk of long-term care facility (LTCF) admission, due to sudden functional impairments. This study aims to identify risk factors associated with LTCF admission among stroke patients, specifically targeting those who transitioned from independence to disability after stroke.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 2027 stroke patients admitted between 2017 and 2022 from the Chi Mei Medical Center's stroke registry in Southern Taiwan, focusing on those with pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores ≤ 2 and post-stroke mRS scores ≥ 3.

Impact of Smoking on Overall and Cancer-Specific Mortality in Prostate Cancer: Elevated Risks in Older and Early-Stage Patients-A Population-Based Study.

Prostate cancer (PCa) ranks sixth in cancer mortality among Taiwanese men, with smoking rates remaining high despite the 2009 Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act. This study used the Taiwan Cancer Registry to evaluate smoking's impact on PCa mortality, providing important information for healthcare strategies and patient management. From 2011 to 2017, 23,107 PCa patients were analyzed, with 7164 smokers and 15,943 non-smokers.

Does the utilization of fluoroscopy affect the accuracy of prosthesis position in patients undergoing hip replacement surgery via the direct anterior approach compared to the posterolateral approach for an experienced surgeon? A single-center retrospective study.

Background: The direct anterior approach (DAA) for total hip arthroplasty (THA) has gained popularity due to perceived advantages in achieving better early outcomes. However, the theoretical benefits such as precise implant positioning and accurate leg length restoration are still inconsistent. In this study, we compared implant position and leg length discrepancy (LLD) of the DAA and posterolateral approach (PLA) conducted by a single surgeon who had mastered both approaches.

Association of Atopic Dermatitis and Risk of Glaucoma Surgery: A Global Population-Based Study.

Prcis: Severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in patients with glaucoma heightens the risk of requiring surgical intervention, necessitating prompt specialist care and strict surveillance.

Objective: The impact of AD on the prognosis of patients with glaucoma is rarely studied. This study aims to assess the risk of requiring glaucoma surgery among patients with glaucoma with and without AD.

Surgical Outcomes of Open and Laparoscopic Hartmann Reversal: A Single-Center Comparative Study.

Background And Objectives: Hartmann reversal (HR) is challenging and traditionally requires a large laparotomy wound. With the development of minimally invasive techniques, laparoscopic reversal of Hartmann's operation (HO) was attempted. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of laparoscopic Hartmann reversal (LHR) versus open Hartmann reversal (OHR).

Impact of the Home-Based Medical Integrated Program on Health Outcomes and Medical Resource Utilization in Home Healthcare Patients in Taiwan.

Purpose: The home-based medical integrated program (HMIP) is a novel model for home healthcare (HHC) in Taiwan, initiated in 2016 to enhance care quality. However, the outcomes of this program on health outcomes and medical resource utilization in HHC patients remain unclear. Thus, we conducted this study to clarify it.

Hypothyroidism following carbon monoxide poisoning: An epidemiological study supported by animal experiments.

Previous studies have suggested a possible association between carbon monoxide poisoning (COP) and hypothyroidism, but the evidence is limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to further investigate this relationship. Using data from the Taiwan National Health Research Database, we identified 32,162 COP patients and matched with 96,486 non-COP patients by age and index date for an epidemiological study.

Implementation of a novel computer assisted telephone follow-up model for older patients after emergency department discharge in an Asian population.

Background: While the impact of telephone follow-up (TFU) for older emergency department (ED) patients is controversial, its effects on the Asian population remain uncertain. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a novel computer assisted TFU model specifically for this demographic.

Methods: At a Taiwanese tertiary medical center, we developed a TFU protocol that included a referral and case management system within the ED hospital information system.

Heat-related illness and dementia: a study integrating epidemiological and experimental evidence.

Background: Heat-related illness (HRI) is commonly considered an acute condition, and its potential long-term consequences are not well understood. We conducted a population-based cohort study and an animal experiment to evaluate whether HRI is associated with dementia later in life.

Methods: The Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database was used in the epidemiological study.

Alcohol abuse may increase the risk of autoimmune connective tissue disease: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Objectives: Altered immune and inflammatory responses resulting from alcohol abuse have been implicated in increasing the risk of autoimmune connective tissue disease (ACTD). However, limited research has been conducted on this topic in the Asian population. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate and address this knowledge gap.

Characteristics of "do not resuscitate" orders among elderly patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit in Taiwan.

Objective: As patient life expectancy has increased and people are living longer than before, the rate of mechanical ventilation among elderly patients in the intensive care unit has increased. Older patients who receive mechanical ventilation and have multiple comorbidities are more likely to have a do not resuscitate order than are younger patients with fewer comorbidities. The aim of our study was to describe the patient characteristics and predictive factors of do not resuscitate orders during hospitalization among elderly patients who received ventilation in the intensive care unit.

Shock index to predict outcomes in patients with trauma following traffic collisions: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: Taiwan, which has a rate of high vehicle ownership, faces significant challenges in managing trauma caused by traffic collisions. In Taiwan, traffic collisions contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality, with a high incidence of severe bleeding trauma. The shock index (SI) and the modified shock index (MSI) have been proposed as early indicators of hemodynamic instability.