Appendicitis is associated with an increased risk of systemic lupus erythematosus: a nationwide, population-based, case-control study.

Objective: To examine the association between appendicitis and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Using claims data from the 2003-2013 Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database, we selected 6054 patients with newly diagnosed SLE from 2007 to 2012 and 36,324 age-, sex- and year of SLE diagnosis date-matched (1:6) non-SLE controls. After controlling for potential confounders, a multivariable conditional logistic regression model was used to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association of appendicitis history with SLE.

Effect of Intragastric Botulinum Type A Injection Combined with a Low-Calorie High-Protein Diet in Adults with Overweight or Obesity.

(1) Background/aims: Intragastric botulinum toxin A injection (IGBI) combined with diet control is a new and effective weight loss method for grade 2 obese patients. However, the application of IGIB on overweight or obese adults still needs further research to confirm its efficacy. (2) Methods: We retrospectively collected medical data from 1 July 2021 to 1 January 2022 from a total of 71 patients without diabetes who participated in the bariatric clinic with a body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2.

Analysis of antiviral efficacy after switching from brand to generic entecavir in patients with treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B.

Background/aims: Entecavir (ETV) can suppress chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus replication as a standard of treatment drugs. For the treatment of CHB, affordable generic drugs may be more widely used in developing and undeveloped countries. However, there is little real-world data regarding the clinical efficacy of switching from entecavir-brand-name drugs (ETV-Brand) to entecavir generic drugs (ETV-Generic) with 0.

Comparing the controlled attenuation parameter using FibroScan and attenuation imaging with ultrasound as a novel measurement for liver steatosis.

Background/aims: In a recent study, attenuation imaging (ATI) with ultrasound was used as a new approach for detecting liver steatosis. However, although there are many studies on ATI and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) that prove their practicability, there are few studies comparing these two methods. As such, this study compared CAP and ATI for the detection and evaluation of liver steatosis.

Type 2 diabetes and the risk of colorectal polyps: A retrospective nationwide population-based study.

The incidence rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and colorectal polyps have been increasing over the last decades. However, direct associations between T2DM and colorectal polyps have not been extensively reported. We will explore the relationship between T2DM and colorectal polyps.

Retrieval of lost patients in the system for hepatitis C microelimination: a single-center retrospective study.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the major causes of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Most of the infected people have no clinical symptoms. The current strategy for HCV elimination includes test and treatment.

Attenuation Imaging with Ultrasound as a Novel Evaluation Method for Liver Steatosis.

In recent years, ultrasound attenuation imaging (ATI) has emerged as a new method to detect liver steatosis. However, thus far, no studies have confirmed the clinical utility of this technology. Using a retrospective database analysis of 28 patients with chronic liver disease who underwent ultrasound liver biopsy and ATI, we compared the presence and degree of steatosis measured by ATI with the results obtained through liver biopsy.

Reduction of Shear Wave Elastography but Not Shear Wave Dispersion After Successful Hepatitis C Treatment With Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents.

Objectives: Successful antiviral treatment in patients with hepatitis C can lead to reduced liver stiffness. In this study, we attempted to compare 2-dimensional (2D) shear wave elastography (SWE), shear wave dispersion (SWD), and attenuation imaging (ATI) with transient elastography (TE) and the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) in patients under direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy.

Methods: Patients with chronic hepatitis C infection undergoing DAA therapy from January 2017 to June 2020 were retrospectively examined.

Effect of New-Onset Diabetes Mellitus on Renal Outcomes and Mortality in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: The incidence rates of diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are increasing worldwide and their coexistence can have a large negative impact on clinical outcomes. However, it is unclear how incident DM affects CKD patients.

Methods: Incident CKD patients between 2000 and 2013 were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan; they were classified as non-DM ( = 10,356), pre-existing DM ( = 6982), and incident DM ( = 1103).