Risks of hypertension associated with cyclosporine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and systemic glucocorticoids in patients with psoriasis: a nationwide population-based nested case-control study in Taiwan.

Purpose: Patients with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are known to have increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Hypertension, an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is highly prevalent in patients with psoriasis and/or PsA. The effects of anti-psoriatic medications - including cyclosporine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and glucocorticoids - on hypertension remain unclear.

Increased risk of diabetes mellitus in relation to the severity of psoriasis, concomitant medication, and comorbidity: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Background: The association between psoriasis and diabetes mellitus (DM) has been explored previously. However, no studies have been reported regarding the severity of psoriasis, comorbidities, and concomitant medications on the risks of DM in patients with psoriasis.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the impact of the severity of psoriasis, comorbidities, and concomitant medications on the risk of type 2 DM in patients with psoriasis.

The risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer, lymphoma and melanoma in patients with psoriasis in Taiwan: a 10-year, population-based cohort study.

Background: Hospitalized psoriasis patients are known to have a higher risk of malignancy (e.g., nonmelanoma skin cancer [NMSC], lymphoma, and melanoma) than the general population; currently, it is unclear whether this risk is affected by psoriasis severity.

Association of HLA class I with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection.

Background: The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system is widely used as a strategy in the search for the etiology of infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders. During the Taiwan epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), many health care workers were infected. In an effort to establish a screening program for high risk personal, the distribution of HLA class I and II alleles in case and control groups was examined for the presence of an association to a genetic susceptibly or resistance to SARS coronavirus infection.

Lyme disease in childhood: report of one case.

We report a pediatric patient of Lyme disease in Taiwan, confirmed by laboratory tests. An 8-year-old overseas Chinese girl from New Jersey, USA, visited our dermatological clinic with joint pain and multiple expanding annular erythema rashes (measured up to 17x10 cm) for three days. Lyme disease was diagnosed by the presence of the antibody against Borrelia burgdorferi.