Association between Albumin-Globulin Ratio and Mortality in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Malnutrition and inflammation are highly prevalent and tightly regulated with each other in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Inflammation can lead to malnutrition in patients with sufficient nourishment, while malnutrition may also induce an inflammatory response. This study investigated whether the albumin-globulin ratio (AGR) can predict the mortality risk in CKD patients.

Association between End-Stage Renal Disease and Incident Diabetes Mellitus-A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Glucose is one of the constituents in hemodialysates and peritoneal dialysates. How the dialysis associates with the incident diabetes mellitus (DM) remains to be assessed.

Methods: The claim data of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who initiated dialysis from and a cohort of matched non-dialysis individuals from 2000 to 2013 were retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to examine the risk of incident DM among patients on hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Decreasing catheter-related bloodstream infections in the intensive care unit: interventions in a medical center in central Taiwan.

Background: A high catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) rate, in comparison with that in the National Healthcare Safety Network report, is an important concern in our hospital. Therefore, evidence-based interventions have been introduced to reduce the rate of CRBSI.

Methods: A surveillance study conducted from March 2008 to May 2010 to observe the reduction of infection rate after interventions in two intensive care units (ICUs).