Sex-specific associations of Notch signaling with chronic HBV infection: a study from Taiwan Biobank.

Background: Hepatitis B, a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), can develop into a chronic infection that puts patients at high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer. In this study, we aimed to investigate the difference of reactome pre-Notch expression and processing between males and females by using gene to function analysis in FUMA.

Methods: We analyzed Taiwan Biobank (TWB) data pertaining to 48,874 women and 23,178 men individuals which were collected from 2008 to 2019.

Prevalence and effects of sleep-disordered breathing on middle-aged patients with sedative-free generalized anxiety disorder: A prospective case-control study.

Objective: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) share similar symptoms, such as poor sleep quality, irritability, and poor concentration during daily activities. This study aims to investigate the proportion of undiagnosed SDB and its impacts on anxiety severity and autonomic function in newly diagnosed, sedative-free GAD patients.

Methods: This prospective case-control study included newly diagnosed GAD patients and control participants with matched age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) in Taiwan.

Short- and Long-term Risks of Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment with Incident Opportunistic Infections among People Living with HIV/AIDS.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) causes a rapid increase of CD4 + T cells counts during the first 3-6 months of treatment and may enhance the development of opportunistic infections (OIs). However, the short- and long-term effects of HAART exposure on the development of incident OIs has not been extensively studied. This nationwide longitudinal study followed up a total of 26,258 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) to ascertain the short- and long-term effects of HAART on incident OIs.

Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 infection among men who have sex with men in Taiwan from 2013 to 2015.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) is the major risk population of HIV-1 infection in Taiwan, and its surveillance has become critical in HIV-1 prevention. We recruited MSM subjects from 17 high-risk venues and 4 community centers in northern and southern Taiwan for anonymous HIV-1 screening during 2013-2015. Blood samples were obtained for genotyping and phylogenetic analysis, and a questionnaire survey covering demographic variables and social behavior was conducted.

Risk of Diffuse Infiltrative Lymphocytosis Syndrome in HIV-Infected Patients: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Objective: Diffuse infiltrative lymphocytosis syndrome (DILS) is the term used for sicca syndrome in HIV patients and has similar clinical manifestations as Sjögren syndrome. In this nationwide population-based study, we aimed to determine the association between HIV infection and DILS in the Taiwanese population.

Methods: The National Health Insurance Research Database was searched for cases of DILS in HIV-infected individuals diagnosed between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2012.

AIDS incidence trends at presentation and during follow-up among HIV-at-risk populations: a 15-year nationwide cohort study in Taiwan.

Background: Although Taiwan has implemented several important interventions for various HIV-at-risk populations to combat the HIV epidemic, little is known regarding AIDS incidence at presentation and during follow-up among the various HIV-at-risk populations in Taiwan. A better understanding of AIDS incidence trends would help improve patient care and optimize public health strategies aimed at further decreasing HIV-related morbidity and mortality.

Methods: Data from Taiwan Centers for Disease Control-operated Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System and Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (1998-2012) was divided into five cohort periods (consecutive 3-year groups).

Association of highly active antiretroviral treatment with incident tuberculosis in people living with HIV/AIDS.

Purpose: To determine the short-term and long-term effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on incident tuberculosis (TB) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

Methods: From 2000 to 2012, we identified adult PLWHA from Taiwan Centers for Disease Control HIV Surveillance System. All PLWHA were followed up until December 31, 2012, and observed for TB occurrence.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Increases the Risk of Incident Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan.

Background: Currently, the association between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and subsequent development of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) remains unclear. This nationwide population-based cohort study aimed to determine the association between incident AIHA and HIV infection in Taiwan.

Methods: During 2000-2012, we identified people aged ≧15 years living with HIV (PLWH) from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control HIV Surveillance System.

HIV Infection Increases the Risk of Incident Psoriasis: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan.

Background: HIV can cause an imbalance of T lymphocytes, which may contribute to the onset of psoriasis. However, the association of HIV with incident psoriasis has not been extensively studied.

Objectives: The aim of this nationwide population-based cohort study was to determine the association of HIV with incident psoriasis.

Association of HIV and Opportunistic Infections With Incident Stroke: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan.

Background: HIV-associated vasculopathy and opportunistic infections (OIs) might cause vascular atherosclerosis and aneurysmal arteriopathy, which could increase the risk of incident stroke. However, few longitudinal studies have investigated the link between HIV and incident stroke. This cohort study evaluated the association of HIV and OIs with incident stroke.

Incidence of autoimmune diseases in a nationwide HIV/AIDS patient cohort in Taiwan, 2000-2012.

Objectives: It is not known if the incidences of autoimmune diseases are higher in individuals living with HIV infection or AIDS. Our study investigated the incidences of autoimmune diseases among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Taiwan during 2000-2012.

Methods: The Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database was used to identify PLWHA.

Association of Cytomegalovirus End-Organ Disease with Stroke in People Living with HIV/AIDS: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Objectives: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection might increase the risk of cardiovascular event. However, data on the link between incident stroke and co-infections of CMV and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are limited and inconsistent. This nationwide population-based cohort study analyzed the association of CMV end-organ disease and stroke among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

Effects of periodontal therapy on metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease: a meta-analysis.

Epidemiologic studies have reported increased incidence, prevalence and acuity of periodontitis in adults with diabetes and some have also suggested that treating periodontal disease may improve glycemic control in diabetic patients. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of different periodontal therapies on metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontal disease. We searched the Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane Library (Central) databases up to January 2014 for relevant studies pertaining to periodontal treatments and glycemic control in adults with T2DM.

Cancer incidence in a Nationwide HIV/AIDS patient cohort in Taiwan in 1998-2009.

Background: The aims of this study were to investigate the cancer incidence and risk in HIV/AIDS patients relative to the general population in Taiwan.

Methods: Using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, 15,269 HIV/AIDS patients were identified between 1998 and 2009. Gender-specific incidence densities (IDs) of both AIDS-defining cancers (ADC) and non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADC) after HIV infection were calculated.

Changes in causes of death and associated conditions among persons with HIV/AIDS after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy in Taiwan.

To assess the pattern of change in the causes of death among HIV/AIDS patients in Taiwan after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), national HIV/AIDS registry data were linked with cause of death and health insurance claims data from 1994 to 2002 for analysis. Although HIV/AIDS remained the leading underlying cause of death among HIV/AIDS patients during the study period (552/752 = 73.4%), an increased proportion of deaths was due to non-HIV/AIDS causes (other infectious diseases, cancers, liver diseases, etc.

Community-based study on summer-winter differences of component of metabolic syndrome in Kinmen, Taiwan.

Background: A community-based study was conducted to investigate summer-winter differences of component of metabolic syndrome in Kinmen, Taiwan.

Methods: A total of 8251 residents aged 40 and over were enrolled in the mass survey in Kinmen. They were investigated while on summer (July and August) and winter vacation (January and February) during 2000-2003.

Screening for low bone mass with quantitative ultrasonography in a community without dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry: population-based survey.

Background: Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the criterion standard to identify low bone mineral density (BMD), but access to axial DXA may be limited or cost prohibitive. We screened for low bone mass with quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) in a community without DXA, analyzed its reliability and obtained reference values and estimated the prevalence of low QUS values.

Methods: We enrolled 6493 residents of Kinmen, Taiwan, and a reference group (96 men and 70 women aged 20-29 years) for this cross-sectional, community-based study.

Evaluating the comparability of different grouping schemes for mortality and morbidity.

Comparison of mortality and morbidity is a commonly used method in health related studies. The International Classification of Disease (ICD) consists of thousands of codes for classifying cause of death and disease categories. A grouping scheme is needed to cluster related categories into a meaningful and manageable number for comparative purposes.