Use of Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitors in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and the Incidence of Retinal Vein Occlusion in Taiwan.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of newly diagnosed retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) using sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) compared to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i).

Methods: Claims data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan were used in this nationwide retrospective cohort study. A target trial emulation framework was applied.

MACE and Hyperthyroidism Treated With Medication, Radioactive Iodine, or Thyroidectomy.

Importance: Excessive thyroid hormones from hyperthyroidism increase cardiovascular risks. Among 3 available treatments for hyperthyroidism, comparisons of long-term outcomes associated with antithyroid drugs (ATDs), radioactive iodine (RAI), and surgery to treat newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism are lacking.

Objective: To compare risks of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality among patients with hyperthyroidism treated with ATDs, RAI, or surgery.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors and the risk of venous thromboembolism: A nationwide population-based study and meta-analysis.

Aims: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) have off-target effects on haemoconcentration and anti-inflammation. The impact of SGLT-2i on the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of newly diagnosed VTE in patients with DM using SGLT-2i in comparison to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA).

Association between bisphosphonate use and stroke risk: a meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: Previous studies have suggested that bisphosphonates may reduce stroke risk. This meta-analysis, which included 21 studies with 741,274 participants, revealed that bisphosphonates might be associated with lower stroke risk. However, evidence derived from randomized controlled trials identified no statistically significant association.

Risk of serious hypoglycaemia in patients with atrial fibrillation and diabetes concurrently taking antidiabetic drugs and oral anticoagulants: a nationwide cohort study.

Aims: Evidence regarding the risks of serious hypoglycaemia for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and diabetes mellitus (DM) taking antidiabetic medications with concurrent non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) vs. warfarin is limited. This study aimed to investigate this knowledge gap.

Risk of heart failure in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation and diabetes taking different oral anticoagulants: a nationwide cohort study.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a critical complication in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Recent preclinical studies suggested that non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) can potentially suppress the progression of cardiac fibrosis and ischemic cardiomyopathy. Whether different oral anticoagulants influence the risk of HF in older adults with AF and DM is unknown.

Association of bisphosphonates with diabetes risk and glycemic control: a meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: Previous evidence suggests that bisphosphonates may improve glycemic control. The present meta-analysis, comprising seven studies with 1,233,844 participants, demonstrated that bisphosphonate use was significantly associated with a lower risk of diabetes. However, in the randomized controlled trial subgroup, a non-significant association was found.

Association between Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State and Venous Thromboembolism in Diabetes Patients: A Nationwide Analysis in Taiwan.

Background: Previous studies in Western countries have shown that a hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE); in these cases, prophylactic anticoagulant treatment is suggested. However, the association between HHS and VTE in Asian populations remains undetermined. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether HHS is associated with an increased risk of VTE in diabetic Taiwanese patients.

Diabetes-Related Complications and Mortality in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Receiving Different Oral Anticoagulants : A Nationwide Analysis.

Background: Evidence about the association between types of oral anticoagulants and hazards of diabetes complications is limited in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and diabetes mellitus (DM).

Objective: To compare the hazards of diabetes complications and mortality between patients with AF and DM receiving non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and those receiving warfarin.

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Evaluating the "holiday season effect" of hospital care on the risk of mortality from pulmonary embolism: a nationwide analysis in Taiwan.

We aimed to determine whether hospital admissions during an extended holiday period (Chinese New Year) and weekends were associated with increased mortality risk from pulmonary embolism (PE), compared to admissions on weekdays. We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Data of newly diagnosed PEs during the months of January and February from 2001 to 2017 were obtained from patient records and classified into three admission groups: Chinese New Year (≥ 4 consecutive holiday days), weekends, and weekdays.

Mortality risk from acute aortic dissection among hospital admissions during weekends and holiday season.

Background: Acute aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition associated with high mortality rate. Findings from previous studies addressing the "weekend effect" on the mortality rate from an acute aortic dissection mortality have been inconsistent. Furthermore, the effect of admission for acute aortic dissection during the holiday season has not been previously investigated.

Fracture Risks in Patients Treated With Different Oral Anticoagulants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background Evidence on the differences in fracture risk associated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) and warfarin is inconsistent and inconclusive. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the fracture risk associated with NOACs and warfarin. Methods and Results We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.

Lower Risk of Dementia in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Taking Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background A higher risk of developing dementia is observed in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Results are inconsistent regarding the risk of dementia when patients with AF use different anticoagulants. We aimed to investigate the risk of dementia in patients with AF receiving non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) compared with those receiving warfarin.

Risk of developing diabetes in patients with atrial fibrillation taking non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants or warfarin: A nationwide cohort study.

Aim: To compare the risk of diabetes development in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and warfarin.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Adult patients with new onset of AF, treated with NOACs or warfarin between 2012 and 2016, were included.

Cataract and the increased risk of depression in general population: a 16-year nationwide population-based longitudinal study.

Cataract is the primary cause of visual impairment and can be corrected by cataract surgery. We investigated the impact of cataract on the risk of depression along with the benefits of cataract surgery. Patients newly diagnosed with cataract by ophthalmologists between 2001 and 2015 were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan.

Exercise Capacity and Ventricular Remodeling After Transcatheter Ventricular Septal Defect Closure in Asymptomatic or Minimally Symptomatic Adolescents and Adults.

Background: Transcatheter ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure is a safe and efficacious alternative to surgery. However, its benefits in asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients remain unknown.

Methods: Sixty patients with VSD aged 12 to 60 years underwent cardiopulmonary exercise test and echocardiography 1 day before transcatheter VSD closure and 6 months after intervention (closure group).

Hypothyroidism and the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background:  Previous studies have shown that hypothyroidism may have an impact on blood coagulation. However, how hypothyroidism and thyroxine replacement therapy (TRT) affect the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains controversial. This study aimed to examine the associations of hypothyroidism and TRT with VTE risks.

Fracture risks among patients with atrial fibrillation receiving different oral anticoagulants: a real-world nationwide cohort study.

Aims: To evaluate the fracture risk among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) or warfarin.

Methods And Results: We conducted a real-world nationwide retrospective cohort study using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. All adult patients in Taiwan newly diagnosed with AF between 2012 and 2016 who received NOACs or warfarin were enrolled and followed up until 2017.

Risk of Osteoporosis in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Using Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants or Warfarin.

Background Warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist, has been shown to affect bone mineral density and cause osteoporosis. However, studies investigating the relationship between non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and osteoporosis are limited. We thus compared the risk of osteoporosis in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with either NOACs or warfarin.

Association of Hypothyroidism and Mortality in the Elderly Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Context: The evidence of whether hypothyroidism increases mortality in the elderly population is currently inconsistent and conflicting.

Objective: The objective of this meta-analysis is to determine the impact of hypothyroidism on mortality in the elderly population.

Data Sources: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception until May 10, 2019.

Does the 'Chinese New Year effect' exist? Hospital mortality in patients admitted to internal medicine departments during official consecutive holidays: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Objective: Our study aimed to compare the mortality risk among patients admitted to internal medicine departments during official consecutive holidays (using Chinese New Year holidays as an indicator) with that of weekend and weekday admissions.

Design: Nationwide population-based cohort study.

Setting: Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database.

Holiday Season and Weekend Effects on Stroke Mortality: A Nationwide Cohort Study Controlling for Stroke Severity.

Background The effect of holiday season admission for stroke on mortality has not been investigated. Thus, we aimed to evaluate whether "holiday season" and "weekend" effects exist on mortality risk for stroke admission. Methods and Results A nationwide cohort study was conducted using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database.

Association between diuretic use and the risk of vertebral fracture after stroke: a population-based retrospective cohort study.

Background: Stroke is a major risk factor for osteoporosis and fractures. No study has evaluated the association between diuretic use and risk of vertebral fracture in stroke patients, although a considerable proportion of stroke patients are prescribed diuretics for hypertension. Our study aimed to investigate whether treatment with thiazides or loop diuretics affects the risk of vertebral fracture after stroke.

Association between benzodiazepine use and risks of chronic-onset poststroke pneumonia: a population-based cohort study.

Objectives: To investigate the association between benzodiazepine (BZD) use and the risk of chronic-onset poststroke pneumonia.

Design: Population-based propensity-matched retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database.