Long-Term Use of Immunosuppressive Agents Increased the Risk of Fractures in Patients with Autoimmune Diseases: An 18-Year Population-Based Cohort Study.

The risk of fractures is higher in patients with autoimmune diseases, but it is not clear whether the use of immunosuppressive agents can further increase this risk. To investigate this issue, a retrospective study was conducted using data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients diagnosed with autoimmune diseases between 2000 and 2014, including psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, were included in the study.

Pretreatment Radiologically Enlarged Lymph Nodes as a Significant Prognostic Factor in Clinical Stage IIB Cervical Cancer: Evidence from a Taiwanese Tertiary Care Center in Reaching Consensus.

The incidence of lymph node (LN) involvement and its prognostic value based on radiological imaging in stage IIB cervical cancer (CC) remains unclear, and evidence regarding oncological outcomes of patients with stage IIB CC with LN metastases is limited. In this study we retrospectively reviewed the incidence and prognostic significance of pretreatment radiologic LN status in 72 patients with clinical stage IIB CC (FIGO 2009), with or without radiologic evidence of LN enlargement. An enlarged LN was defined as a diameter > 10 mm on CT/MRI.

Synergistic therapeutic effect of low-dose bevacizumab with cisplatin-based chemotherapy for advanced or recurrent cervical cancer.

Background: Cisplatin-based chemotherapy (CBC) is highly efficacious for advanced cervical cancer; its efficacy can be enhanced by combining with 15 mg/kg (standard dose) bevacizumab (BEV). However, this standard dose is associated with various adverse events (AEs). Therefore, in this retrospective study, we analyzed the survival outcomes and AEs in patients with advanced or recurrent cervical cancer treated with CBC in combination with BEV 7.

Primary hemiarthroplasty after unstable trochanteric fracture in elderly patients: mortality, readmission and reoperation.

Background: Most unstable trochanteric fractures are treated with internal fixation and often with high complication rates. Hemiarthroplasty might be an alternative method in difficult condition, especially in unstable comminuted fracture in fragile bone. However, few have investigated the long-term outcomes after hemiarthroplasty for unstable trochanteric fracture.

Lower rates of mortality, readmission and reoperation in patients receiving acupuncture after hip fracture: a population-based analysis.

Background: Studies on the effects of acupuncture on mortality and complication rates in hip fracture patients are limited by small sample size and short follow-up time. We aimed to assess the associations of acupuncture use with mortality, readmission and reoperation rates in hip fracture patients using a longitudinal population-based database.

Methods: A retrospective matched cohort study was conducted using data for the years 1996-2012 from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database.

Fat distribution may predict intra- or extra-capsular hip fracture in geriatric patients after falling.

Introduction: Hip fractures can be divided into intra-capsular and extra-capsular fracture based on fracture location; these two types of fracture have different pathogeneses, treatments and prognoses. Many factors influence the patterns of hip fractures, including the injury mechanism, areal bone mineral density and the geometry of the hip. However, the relationship between body composition and hip fracture pattern has not yet been discussed.

Radical Hysterectomy After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Bulky-Size Cervical Cancer: A Retrospective Comparative Analysis between the Robotic and Abdominal Approaches.

Radical hysterectomy (RH) is the standard treatment for early stage cervical cancer, but the surgical approach for locally bulky-size cervical cancer (LBS-CC) is still unclear. We retrospectively compared the outcomes of women with LBS-CC treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and subsequent RH between the robotic (R-RH) and abdominal approaches (A-RH). Between 2012 and 2014, 39 women with LBS-CC FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage IB2-IIB were treated with NACT-R-RH ( = 18) or NACT-A-RH ( = 21).

Protective effects and network analysis of natural compounds obtained from Radix dipsaci, Eucommiae cortex, and Rhizoma drynariae against RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Osteoporosis is one of the most common bone diseases; it is characterized by bone loss and is a risk factor for hip fracture. Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) and their related natural compounds have been used for treating many diseases, including bone diseases, since ancient times in China and are regarded as a cost-effective complementary therapy.

Aim Of The Study: The goal of this study was to investigate the osteoprotective mechanisms of these three Chinese herbs and their related natural compounds.

Effects of Chinese Herbal Medicines on the Risk of Overall Mortality, Readmission, and Reoperation in Hip Fracture Patients.

Hip fracture is a major public health concern, with high incidence rates in the elderly worldwide. Hip fractures are associated with increased medical costs, patient dependency on families, and higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is typically characterized as cost-effective and suitable for long-term use with few side effects.

Mortality, readmission, and reoperation after hip fracture in nonagenarians.

Background: Osteoporotic hip fractures are associated with high mortality and morbidity in people of advanced age; however, few studies have investigated the complication rates in nonagenarians. In this study, we applied a competing risk analysis to estimate the mortality, readmission, and reoperation rates after surgery for hip fracture among nonagenarians.

Methods: A total of 11,184 nonagenarians (aged ≥ 90) who received surgery for hip fracture during the period 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2010 were selected from Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) database.

Incidence and excess mortality of hip fracture in young adults: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Background: This study assessed the incidence and excess mortality of hip fractures among inpatients aged 20-40 years in a nationwide population database in Taiwan.

Methods: Subjects were selected from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database for the period 2001-2008 and were followed up until the end of 2010. A total of 4,523 subjects were admitted for the first time with primary diagnosis of hip fracture and treated with operation.

Outcomes after fixation for undisplaced femoral neck fracture compared to hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fracture among the elderly.

Background: This study compared the rates of mortality, medical complication, and reoperation after fixation surgery for displaced femoral neck fracture with those after hemiarthroplasty surgery for undisplaced femoral neck fracture using competing risk analysis in inpatients aged 60 years and above from a population database in Taiwan.

Methods: We identified 13,772 subjects who underwent fixation for undisplaced cervical fracture and 13,772 matched controls who underwent hemiarthroplasty for displaced cervical fracture from 1998 to 2007, and followed them up until the end of 2009. The outcomes of patients who received internal fixation for undisplaced fracture and those of patients who received hemiarthroplasty for displaced fracture were compared.

Mortality and complications after hip fracture among elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Background: Osteoporotic hip fractures cause high mortality and morbidity in elderly adults. Compared to the general population, subjects with end-stage renal disease and hemodialysis often develop mineral bone disorders and have a higher risk for hip fractures.

Methods: We conducted a matched cohort study design and used competing risk analysis to estimate the cumulative incidence of the complication rate.

Mortality and complications of hip fracture in young adults: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Background: This study assessed the mortality and complications of hip fractures using in-patients aged 20-40 years from a nationwide population database in Taiwan.

Methods: Subjects were selected from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database for the period 2000-2008, and these subjects were followed up until the end of 2010. A total of 5,079 (3,879 male and 1,200 female) subjects were admitted for the first time with primary diagnosis of hip fracture and treated with operation.