Corrigendum: The Association Between Emergency Department Revisit and Elderly Patients.

[This corrects the article on p. 20 in vol. 10.

Do initially non-dehydrated patients with acute ischemic stroke need fluid supplement?

: We previously found that dehydration is an independent predictor of early deterioration after acute ischemic stroke and rehydration helps to improve outcomes. There is limited evidence of how to treat patients who are initially non-dehydrated. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that rehydration therapy, based on the daily urine specific gravity, will improve the outcome of ischemic stroke patients who are initially non-dehydrated.

The Association Between Emergency Department Revisit and Elderly Patients.

Background: Emergency department (ED) revisits may be associated with a higher percentage of adverse events and increased costs. Our hospital is a university affiliation hospital accepted regional referral patients, and located in the region in Taiwan with the highest percentage of elderly people. In this study, we attempted to identify whether old age was a risk factor of ED revisit.

Massive transfusion in upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a new scoring system.

Massive transfusion in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) was not investigated. We developed a new scoring system to predict massive transfusion and to enhance care and early resource mobilization. Massive transfusion was defined as transfusion with ≥10 units of red blood cells within the first 24 h.

The Relationship Between Fluid Accumulation in Ultrasonography and the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Patients with Necrotizing Fasciitis.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe soft-tissue infection with a high mortality rate. There is little literature on the relationship between the ultrasonographic finding of fluid accumulation along the deep fascia and the diagnosis and prognosis of necrotizing fasciitis. This retrospective study showed that when fluid accumulation was present along the deep fascia, patients with clinically suspected necrotizing fasciitis had a higher probability of having necrotizing fasciitis.

Factors associated with outcomes in traumatic cardiac arrest patients without prehospital return of spontaneous circulation.

Background: Prognostic factors for the outcomes in traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) patients transported to hospitals without prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) remain uncertain. The aim of this study is to investigate factors associated with outcomes in TCA patients without prehospital ROSC.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a multi-institutional, 5-year database.

The association between red blood cell transfusion and outcomes in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background: The benefits of transfusion for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) have not been well established; however, previous studies suggest that transfusion is associated with adverse outcomes. We performed an observational study using a 10-year database to analyze the association between red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and outcomes in patients with UGIB in the emergency department (ED).

Method And Findings: All adult patients with UGIB were identified through diagnostic codes.

Urine-Specific Gravity-Based Hydration Prevents Stroke in Evolution in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Early neurological deterioration after ischemic stroke (stroke-in-evolution [SIE]) is associated with poorer outcomes. Previous studies have demonstrated a link between hydration status and the development of SIE. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that rehydration therapy, administered on the basis of urine-specific gravity (USG) findings, might reduce the development of SIE.

Effects of fine particulate matter and its constituents on emergency room visits for asthma in southern Taiwan during 2008-2010: a population-based study.

This population-based study evaluated the short-term association between fine particulate matter (PM) concentrations and its constituents and hospital emergency room visits (ERVs) for asthma in southern Taiwan during the period 2008-2010. Data on hospital ERVs for asthma and ambient PM levels and its constituents were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research database and the Environmental Protection Administration, respectively. The quasi-Poisson generalized additive model was used to explore the associations between PM and hospital ERVs for asthma.

Favorable outcome of blood urea nitrogen/creatinine-based hydration therapy 3 months after acute ischemic stroke.

Background: Dehydration is associated with acute ischemic stroke. However, the relationship between hydration therapy given during acute ischemic stroke and clinical outcomes remains unclear.

Aims: We determined whether hydration therapy in patients with a blood urea nitrogen/creatinine (BUN/Cr) ratio of at least 15 improved clinical outcome.

The association between hypertension and traumatic intracranial haemorrhage.

Background: Control of blood pressure is considered essential in the management of trauma patients. In patients with head injuries, both hypotension and hypertension are associated with poor outcomes. The present study was undertaken to ascertain whether hypertension at emergency triage is associated with traumatic intracranial haemorrhage.

Red cell distribution width is an independent predictor of mortality in necrotizing fasciitis.

Introduction: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly progressing and potentially lethal infectious disease of the soft tissue. An elevated red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with increased risk of death in patients with heart disease and infectious disease. We retrospectively assessed the association of elevated RDW with in-hospital mortality due to NF.

Remote effect of lower limb acupuncture on latent myofascial trigger point of upper trapezius muscle: a pilot study.

Objectives. To demonstrate the use of acupuncture in the lower limbs to treat myofascial pain of the upper trapezius muscles via a remote effect. Methods.

Serum D-dimer as a predictor of mortality in patients with acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

It has been found that the hemostatic system is activated following a brain injury. To explore the role of D-dimer in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), this prospective study aimed to evaluate the association between serum D-dimer concentration, clinical outcome and radiographic findings of ICH patients in the emergency department (ED). Patients with acute (<24 hours) spontaneous ICH were enrolled in this study.

Outcomes of trauma patients: direct transport versus transfer after stabilisation at another hospital.

Background: In this study, we attempted to identify differences in the outcomes of patients with severe trauma who were directly transported to our hospital, and those who were stabilised initially at other hospitals in south-central Taiwan.

Methods: We performed a prospective observational study to review the records of 231 patients with major trauma (Injury Severity Scores (ISS) >15) who visited our hospital's emergency department from January 2010 to December 2010. Among these patients, 75 were referred from other hospitals.

The association between skull bone fractures and outcomes in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Background: In traumatic brain injury (TBI), computed tomography (CT) provides a good assessment of anatomic pathologic findings and the prognostic value of CT characteristics has been well discussed. However, few studies have focused on skull bone fracture and its clinical prognostic importance. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the effects of skull bone fracture on patients with severe TBI admitted to the emergency unit.

Waist-to-height ratio, waist circumference, and body mass index as indices of cardiometabolic risk among 36,642 Taiwanese adults.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the association of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) with cardiometabolic risk.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 21,038 men and 15,604 women who participated in a health check-up were included.

Results: In both men and women, the area under the curve (AUC) of WHtR was significantly greater than that of BMI or WC in the prediction of diabetes, hypertension, high total cholesterol, high triglycerides, and low HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.

Serum leptin is associated with cardiometabolic risk and predicts metabolic syndrome in Taiwanese adults.

Background: Leptin is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, few studies have assessed its relationship with metabolic syndrome, especially in an Asian population. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess leptin levels and evaluate its association with CVD and metabolic syndrome.

Methods: In 2009, 957 subjects, who underwent a routine physical examination and choose leptin examination, were selected to participate.

The association between anemia and the mortality of severe traumatic brain injury in emergency department.

Background: Anemia is a common medical problem for critically ill patients. Blood transfusion to augment oxygen delivery for these patients has been a traditional therapy. However, few studies have identified the impact of anemia on individuals suffering from severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Is direct transport to a trauma centre best for patients with severe traumatic brain injury? A study in south-central Taiwan.

Objective: This study attempted to identify any differences between the outcomes of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) who were directly transported to Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and those who were stabilised initially at other hospitals in south-central Taiwan.

Methods: A retrospective review of the records of 254 patients with isolated severe TBI who visited this hospital's emergency department from July 2003 to June 2008, of whom 167 were referred from other hospitals. Logistic regression was used to assess the effects of transfer and its components on mortality.

Severe anemia associated with transient ischemic attacks involving vertebrobasilar circulation.

Transient ischemic attack is one of the most common causes of transient neurologic deficit. Anemic hypoxia results from reduced hemoglobin content with normal arterial oxygen tension and saturation. Anemic hypoxia caused by blood loss or hemolysis has not been considered as an independent factor leading to significant neurologic problems because cerebral homeostasis adjusted by the physiologic regulation in cerebral hemodynamics and oxygenation would meet the brain oxygen requirement in most circumstances even with profound anemia.