Prediction by genetic MATS of 4CMenB vaccine strain coverage of invasive meningococcal serogroup B isolates circulating in Taiwan between 2003 and 2020.

serogroup B (NmB) strains have diverse antigens, necessitating methods for predicting meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccine strain coverage. The genetic Meningococcal Antigen Typing System (gMATS), a correlate of MATS estimates, predicts strain coverage by the 4-component MenB (4CMenB) vaccine in cultivable and non-cultivable NmB isolates. In Taiwan, 134 invasive, disease-causing NmB isolates were collected in 2003-2020 (23.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in Taiwan: optimizing health gains in children and older adults through constrained optimization modeling: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines optimization in Taiwan.

Objectives: Budgetary constraints force healthcare authorities to set priorities for optimal vaccine interventions. A comprehensive decision-making tool would help inform the best combination and sequence of introduction of vaccines within constrained budgets.

Methods: Looking at available vaccines against pneumococcal infections in Taiwan (10/13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines [PCV10, PCV13] and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine [PPV23]), a constrained optimization (CO) model was used to assess the optimal combination of vaccines in children and older adults that would maximize the quality-adjusted life years under predefined budget constraints.

Psychometric properties of the World Health Organization Quality Of Life Assessment-Brief in methadone patients: a validation study in northern Taiwan.

Background: Quality of life (QOL) is an important outcome measure in the treatment of heroin addiction. The Taiwan version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment (WHOQOL-BREF [TW]) has been developed and studied in various groups, but not specifically in a population of injection drug users. The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the WHOQOL-BREF (TW) in a sample of injection drug users undergoing methadone maintenance treatment.

Changing trends in the prevalence of common mental disorders in Taiwan: a 20-year repeated cross-sectional survey.

Background: Macrosocial changes might affect mental health. We investigated whether the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs) changed over a 20-year period of industrialisation in Taiwan.

Methods: We used the 12-item Chinese Health Questionnaire to assess mental status of Taiwanese adults in 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010.

Psychometric comparison of the shortened Fugl-Meyer Assessment and the streamlined Wolf Motor Function Test in stroke rehabilitation.

Objective: We aimed to compare the responsiveness, concurrent and predictive validity of the shortened Fugl-Meyer Assessment (S-FMA) and the streamlined Wolf Motor Function Test (S-WMFT) in persons with subacute stroke.

Design: Test-retest design.

Setting: Departments of physical medicine and rehabilitation at three hospitals.

Assessing the stroke-specific quality of life for outcome measurement in stroke rehabilitation: minimal detectable change and clinically important difference.

Background: This study was conducted to establish the minimal detectable change (MDC) and clinically important differences (CIDs) of the physical category of the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale in patients with stroke.

Methods: MDC and CIDs scores were calculated from the data of 74 participants enrolled in randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of two rehabilitation programs in patients with stroke. These participants received treatments for 3 weeks and underwent clinical assessment before and after treatment.

Assessing the streamlined Wolf motor function test as an outcome measure for stroke rehabilitation.

Objective: This study investigates the clinimetric properties of the streamlined Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), a 6-item version of the performance time scale of the WMFT.

Methods: The streamlined WMFT, along with 2 criterion measures, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS), were administered to 64 stroke patients before and after a 3-week intervention. Responsiveness was examined using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and standardized response mean (SRM).

Psychometric comparisons of the Stroke Impact Scale 3.0 and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale.

Purpose: This study compared the responsiveness and criterion-related validity of the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL) for patients after stroke rehabilitation.

Methods: The SIS and SS-QOL, along with five criterion measures-the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, the Motor Activity Log, the Functional Independence Measure, the Frenchay Activities Index, and the Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living Scale-were administered to 74 patients with stroke before and after a 3-week intervention. Responsiveness was examined using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and standardized response mean (SRM).

Minimal detectable change and clinically important difference of the Stroke Impact Scale in stroke patients.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to establish the minimal detectable change (MDC) and clinically important differences (CIDs) of the physical domains of the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) and to assess the proportions of patients' change scores exceeding the MDC and CIDs after stroke rehabilitation.

Methods: Seventy-four patients received 1 of 3 treatments for 3 weeks and underwent clinical assessment before and after treatment. The MDC was calculated from the standard error of measurement to indicate a real change with 95% confidence for individual patients (MDC(95)).