Frequent use of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is not associated with reduced vascular access recreation in a longitudinal ecology study.

The frequency of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) procedures has substantially increased, but its effect on vascular access recreation (VAR) remains inconclusive. We conducted a population-based retrospective analysis of Taiwan hemodialysis (HD) centers from 2004 to 2012. Data was accumulated into center-level characteristics, including patients' demographics, baseline characteristics, PTA procedures, and VAR.

Association between wet-bulb globe temperature and kidney function in different geographic regions in a large Taiwanese population study.

The worldwide prevalence and incidence rates of end-stage renal disease have been increasing, and the trend is pronounced in Taiwan. This is especially evident in southern Taiwan, where the wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) is consistently higher than in other regions. The association between kidney function and WBGT has not been fully investigated.

Validating the accuracy of the Hendrich II Fall Risk Model for hospitalized patients using the ROC curve analysis.

This retrospective study was conducted at a medical center in southern Taiwan to assess the accuracy of the Hendrich II Fall Risk Model (HIIFRM) in predicting falls. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and optimal cutoff points were analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Data analysis was conducted using information from the electronic medical record and patient safety reporting systems, capturing 303 fall events and 47,146 non-fall events.

Cerebral white matter burden is linked to cognitive function in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease is related to neurodegeneration and structural changes in the brain which might lead to cognitive decline. The Fazekas scale used for assessing white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) was associated with poor cognitive performance. Therefore, this study investigated the associations between the mini-mental status examination (MMSE), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), cognitive abilities screening instrument (CASI), and Fazekas scale in patients under hemodialysis (HD).

Association Between Trimethylamine N-oxide and Adverse Kidney Outcomes and Overall Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Context: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the major contributor to chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The influence of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) on kidney outcomes in T2D remains unclear.

Objective: To examine the association between fasting serum TMAO levels and adverse kidney outcomes in patients with T2D.

Taiwan renal data report system: Framework, function, and development.

The world healthcare system is actively seeking possible solutions for the rapid growth of kidney disease threats. The Taiwan Renal Data System (TWRDS) was central in assisting kidney health and care policymaking to reduce end-stage kidney disease incidence and mortality. This article summarizes the TWRDS framework, recent applications, and developments to provide new insights for some international researchers to promote planetary kidney health.

Associations of air pollutant concentrations with longitudinal kidney function changes in patients with chronic kidney disease.

This longitudinal cohort study investigated the associations of air pollutant exposures, including CO, NO, NO, NO, O, PM, PM, and SO, with long-term kidney function changes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We enrolled 447 CKD patients who took part in a universal hospital pre-ESRD care program during 2011-2015. The daily average air pollutant exposures and temperature were estimated for each patient, with different levels of air pollutant concentrations defined by 5-knot and restricted cubic spline function.

Explainable Machine Learning to Predict Successful Weaning of Mechanical Ventilation in Critically Ill Patients Requiring Hemodialysis.

Lungs and kidneys are two vital and frequently injured organs among critically ill patients. In this study, we attempt to develop a weaning prediction model for patients with both respiratory and renal failure using an explainable machine learning (XML) approach. We used the eICU collaborative research database, which contained data from 335 ICUs across the United States.

Reliability analysis of a novel measurement system for quantifying human skin color.

Background: Precision is crucial in determining the appropriate procedure for implementing further trials. We conducted a study to explore the reliability of a novel measuring system for human skin color.

Methods: The novel skin color measuring system was used to capture the skin color of four volunteers (2 males and 2 females) from the same location on each subject by the same operator.

Factors associated with renal function state transitions: A population-based community survey in Taiwan.

Background: Understanding renal function state transition risk and associated factors in community residences is vital for appropriate preventive and care actions. We aim to investigate factors affecting renal function state transitions through 10-year longitudinal community screening surveys.

Methods: The prospective cohort study included participants who attended the screening program ≥2 times from 2001 to 2009 and were divided into two cohorts: those with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 ( = 46,278) and those with eGFR 59-30 mL/min/1.

Dialysis Duration and Glucose Exposure Amount Do Not Increase Mortality Risk in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Population-Based Cohort Study From 2004 to 2012.

Background: Although the bio-incompatibility of glucose-based peritoneal dialysis (PD) solution is well documented, it is used worldwide. How PD duration and the amount of dialyzate glucose exposure affect survival in patients with end-stage renal disease remain inconclusive due to improper study designs in the extant literature.

Methods: All incident patients with PD from 2004 to 2007 who were older than 18 years in Taiwan were included.

CKD Care Programs and Incident Kidney Failure: A Study of a National Disease Management Program in Taiwan.

Rationale & Objective: Taiwan implemented national pay-for-performance programs for chronic kidney disease (CKD) care in 2006 and 2011; however, it is unknown whether this affected trends in maintenance dialysis. This study assessed the temporal trends in the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of individuals treated with maintenance dialysis from 2002-2016 in Taiwan.

Study Design: Follow-up study using Taiwan Renal Disease System Databases.

PKD2 founder mutation is the most common mutation of polycystic kidney disease in Taiwan.

Autosomal Dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited adult kidney disease. Although ADPKD is primarily caused by PKD1 and PKD2, the identification of several novel causative genes in recent years has revealed more complex genetic heterogeneity than previously thought. To study the disease-causing mutations of ADPKD, a total of 920 families were collected and their diagnoses were established via clinical and image studies by Taiwan PKD Consortium investigators.

Kidney Function Change and All-Cause Mortality in Denosumab Users with and without Chronic Kidney Disease.

Denosumab is approved for osteoporosis treatment in subjects with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD). Confirmation is required for its safety, treatment adherence, renal function effect, and mortality in patients with CKD. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to compare new users of denosumab in terms of their two-year drug adherence in all participants (overall cohort) and CKD participants (CKD subcohort), which was defined as baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 60 mL/min/1.

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Asia: a systematic review and analysis.

Introduction: The burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is growing rapidly around the world. However, there is limited information on the overall regional prevalence of CKD, as well as the variations in national prevalence within Asia. We aimed to consolidate available data and quantify estimates of the CKD burden in this region.

Trends of treated hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis infection in long-term hemodialysis patients in Taiwan: A nationwide survey in 2010-2018.

Background/purpose: Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and tuberculosis (TB) infections affect patient morbidity and mortality and challenge infection control procedures within dialysis facilities. Thus, updated information on the yearly infection trends in the dialysis population is pivotal to preventing and improving the management of these infectious diseases.

Methods: This study used reimbursement data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

Multidisciplinary care program in pre-end-stage kidney disease from 2010 to 2018 in Taiwan.

Background: The Taiwanese government launched a universal pay-for-performance (P4P) program in 2006 to promote multidisciplinary care for patients with stage 3b-5 chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aimed to understand the enrollments, care processes, and outcomes of the P4P program between 2010 and 2018.

Methods: We conducted a population-based study using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Data.

U-Shaped Association between Waist-to-Hip Ratio and All-Cause Mortality in Stage 3-5 Chronic Kidney Disease Patients with Body Mass Index Paradox.

The obesity paradox, referring to the association of high body mass index (BMI) with low all-cause mortality risk, is found in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Central obesity is associated with metabolic syndrome and may have better prognostic value than BMI for all-cause mortality. Whether central obesity is associated with all-cause mortality in cases of obesity paradox in CKD patients remains unknown.

Effect of Nephrology Care on Mortality in Incident Dialysis Patients: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Long-term and continuous nephrology care effects on post-dialysis mortality remain unclear. This study aims to systematically explore the causal effect of nephrology care on mortality for patients with dialysis initiation. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to include incident patients with dialysis for ≥ 3 months in Taiwan from 2004 through 2011.

Incidence and survival variations of upper tract urothelial cancer in Taiwan (2001-2010).

Objectives: To assess temporal patterns and regional differences in the incidence rate, and factors associated with survival of urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.

Methods: The medical records of 8830 patients with new diagnoses of urinary tract urothelial carcinoma in the years 2001-2010 were retrieved from Taiwan National databases. Temporal trends, regional disparity and related survival factors were evaluated using the Cochran-Armitage trend test, local Moran's I statistic and log-rank test, respectively.