Can oral cancer screening reduce late-stage diagnosis, treatment delay and mortality? A population-based study in Taiwan.

Objective: This study evaluates the effectiveness of Taiwan's nationwide oral cancer screening programme in reducing late-stage diagnosis, treatment delays and mortality.

Design: A retrospective cohort study was conducted.

Setting: The study utilized Nationally representative datasets, including the Cancer Registry, Oral Mucosal Screening and National Health Insurance databases in Taiwan.

Effect of a Hydration Game-Based Learning Program in Improving Fluid Intake and Hydration Status in Institutional Residents.

Background: Approximately 50% of residents living in institutions have insufficient fluid intake, and 20%-30% experience dehydration. Implementing strategies that effectively increase fluid intake is crucial to preventing dehydration-related complications and reducing complications and comorbidities in this population.

Purpose: This study was designed to explore the effects on fluid intake and hydration status of a hydration game-based learning program in institutional residents.

Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults With Multimorbidity in Taiwan.

Background: Medication-related problem is a concerning issue in older adults with multimorbidity due to complexity of disease conditions and polypharmacy, and may lead to increase in risk for adverse health outcomes. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of potentially inappropriate medication use among the growing population of older adults with multimorbidity in Taiwan.

Method: The study population was composed of patients who were aged 65 years or older with multimorbidity (two or more chronic diseases) and had at least one outpatient clinic visit with drug prescription in 2018 identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

Impact of Mobile Apps in Conjunction With Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy on Patients' Complications, Quality of Life, and Health-Related Self-Care Behaviors: Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is commonly chosen for long-term enteral nutrition support. However, common complications of PEG include wound infection, leakage, obstruction, bleeding, dislodgement, pneumonia, peritonitis, and more. The anticipation of these complications by both patients and their family caregivers underscores the essential requirement of ongoing technical guidance for the daily care of PEG and the adoption of preventative strategies.

Effects of a biopsychosocial-spiritual group therapy on quality of life among institutionalized older adults with disabilities: A randomized controlled trial.

The traditional biomedical care approach has been unsatisfactory to meet the complex needs of seniors with long-term multimorbidity and irreversible disability, particularly for those living in residential LTC facilities. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week biopsychosocial-spiritual (BPS-S) group intervention with the attempt to enhance quality of life (QoL) and meaning in life among senior residents with disability. This single-blind randomized controlled trail was conducted in eight residential LTC facilities.

Comparison of long-term effects of exergaming (Xbox one kinet) and companionship programs on attitude towards dementia and the older adults among adolescents: a quasi-experimental longitudinal study.

Background: Many studies have been performed on the use of intergenerational programs to improve the negative attitudes and misunderstandings of adolescents toward older people with dementia. However, the findings of these studies are inconclusive. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term effects of exergaming (Kinect) and companionship programs on attitudes toward dementia and the elderly among adolescents.

Comparing survival between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by open or thoracoscopic oesophagectomy in patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to investigate the overall survival between open and thoracoscopic oesophagectomy in patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT).

Methods: The Taiwan Cancer Registry was queried for ESCC from 2008 to 2016. We enrolled 2250 patients with ESCC receiving NCRT plus open (n = 487) or thoracoscopic (n = 1763) oesophagectomy.

Survival Comparison Among Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Followed by Esophagectomy, Definitive Chemoradiotherapy, and Esophagectomy Alone for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: For patients with locoregional esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), survival outcomes among neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by operation (nCRT-OP), definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT), and esophagectomy alone remain controversial.

Patients And Methods: Information from the 2008-2016 Taiwan Cancer Registry was used. A total of 7637 cT1b-4, N0/+, M0 ESCC patients receiving nCRT-OP (n = 1955), dCRT (n = 4122), or esophagectomy alone (n = 1560) were included.

The Effectiveness of Pay-for-Performance Program of Diabetes Care for Psychiatric Patients: A Regional Psychiatric Hospital Experience.

Background: The Pay-for-performance (P4P) program of diabetes care has demonstrated successful outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the effectiveness of this multidisciplinary care model for psychiatric patients has never been evaluated. The objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of P4P program of diabetes for psychiatric patients with diabetes.

Survival Comparison Between Open and Thoracoscopic Upfront Esophagectomy in Patients With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: The survival outcomes of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after open or thoracoscopic upfront esophagectomy remained unclear.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare overall survival between open and thoracoscopic esophagectomy for ESCC patients without neoadjuvant chemodatiotherapy (CRT).

Methods: The Taiwan Cancer Registry was investigated for ESCC cases from 2008 to 2016.

The effect of caregiver's and nurse's perception of a patient's discharge readiness on postdischarge medical resource consumption.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to validate patient's primary caregiver and their nurse's perception of patient discharge readiness assessment and their association with postdischarge medical consumption.

Design: The study employed a descriptive research, prospective longitudinal study design.

Method: The study was performed in a ward of a medical centre in Taipei, Taiwan, from June 2017-May 2018.

The effects of cement fixation on survival in elderly patients with hip hemiarthroplasty: a nationwide cohort study.

Background: Hip hemiarthroplasty (HHA) is a common treatment for hip fractures in the elderly population. Because of the fatal effects of bone cement implantation syndrome, the safety of cement utilization to enhance implant firmness in the femur is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the postoperative survival of elderly patients receiving HHA with and without cement fixation.

Hospital and Patient Characteristics Regarding the Place of Death of Hospitalized Impending Death Patients: A Multilevel Analysis.

To explore the influence of hospital and patient characteristics on deaths at home among inpatients facing impending death. In this historical cohort study, 95,626 inpatients facing impending death from 362 hospitals in 2011 were recruited. The dependent variable was the place of death.

Mental Disabilities Increase the Risk of Respiratory Infection-related Healthcare Utilization.

Patients with chronic mental illness are highly vulnerable to chronic respiratory problems. We examined the influence of mental disability on respiratory infection-related utilization risk in individuals with and without mental disabilities. A population-based, retrospective cohort design and two-part model were used to analyze respiratory infection-related utilization in individuals with MDs (MD group) and a matched reference group.

A practical thrice weekly ertapenem in hemodialysis patients.

Change of ertapenem dosage from 500 mg daily to thrice weekly after each hemodialysis session can maintain the plasma concentration above 2 mg/L, and be practical in hemodialysis patients.

Continuity of outpatient care and avoidable hospitalization: a systematic review.

Objectives: Continuity of care (COC) is a core element of primary care, which has been associated with improved health outcomes. Hospitalizations for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSCs) are potentially preventable if these conditions are managed well in the primary care setting. The aim of this article is to conduct a systematic review of literature on the association between COC and hospitalizations for ACSCs.

The prognostic predictors of six-month mortality for residents with advanced dementia in long-term care facilities in Taiwan: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Although hospice or palliative care for patients with advanced dementia has been implemented for more than 30 years, few studies have investigated the prognostic predictors of 6-month mortality in these patients. Prognostication has been a major obstacle, and 6-month prognostic predictors for patients with advanced dementia are still considered elusive.

Objectives: To better understand the dying trajectories of patients with advanced dementia, we performed a longitudinal prospective cohort study to investigate the predictors of 6-month mortality for residents with advanced dementia in long-term care facilities in Taiwan.

Comparison Between Esophagectomy and Definitive Chemoradiotherapy in Patients With Esophageal Cancer.

Background: This study compared survival between definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and esophagectomy alone among patients with locoregional esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods: Data were obtained from the Taiwan Cancer Registry between 2008 and 2014. Included were 5,487 patients with clinical I, II, or III esophageal SCC who received definitive CRT or esophagectomy alone.

Association between continuity of care and emergency department visits and hospitalization in senior adults with asthma-COPD overlap.

Objective: To investigate associations between continuity of care (COC) and emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalization for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma among elderly adults with asthma-COPD overlap (ACO).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed using the Taiwan National Health Insurance research database. A total of 1141 ACO patients aged ≥65 years during 2005-2011 were observed and followed for 2 years.

Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Versus Upfront Esophagectomy in Clinical Stage II and III Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: The benefits of neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NCRT) compared to upfront esophagectomy (UE) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is controversial. Our purpose was to determine whether clinical stages based on the 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer Tumor-Node-Metastasis staging system could guide treatment decision.

Methods: Data from 2503 patients with clinical stages II and III ESCC diagnosed between 2008 and 2014 were obtained from a nationwide database.

Efficacy of acupressure to prevent adverse reactions to anti-tuberculosis drugs: Randomized controlled trials.

Aim: To determine whether acupressure can prevent or relieve the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Background: People receiving drug treatment for TB often experience ADRs that may cause them to stop taking their medication. Acupressure is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that can be applied to alleviate or prevent disease symptoms.

Survival Impact of Total Resected Lymph Nodes in Esophageal Cancer Patients With and Without Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation.

Background: Current esophageal treatment guidelines suggest that, when more than 15 lymph nodes are detected, dissection should be done as the minimum requirement for staging in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients undergoing esophagectomy without induction chemoradiotherapy (CRT). However, for neoadjuvant CRT, there is limited information. We sought to clarify the role of lymphadenectomy in ESCC patients with and without neoadjuvant CRT.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and prognosis in Taiwan.

The prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is poor. In order to find out appropriate treatment for each group of patients, we aim to examine the prognostic factors influencing survival for esophageal cancer patients in Taiwan. Data were obtained from the Taiwan Society of Cancer Registry.

Application of the Eighth AJCC TNM Staging System in Patients With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: The eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer Tumor-Node-Metastasis staging system separates classifications for the clinical (c), pathologic (p), and postneoadjuvant pathologic (yp) stages. We aimed to evaluate its application in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods: Patient data were obtained from the Taiwan Cancer Registry database.