A proposed approach to confirm heroin administration - Regional differences in heroin purity is a major factor.

In forensic toxicology, a marker of street heroin use is urgent especially in the absence of urinary 6-monoacetylmorphine. ATM4G, the Glucuronide of Acetylated product of Thebaine compound 4 Metabolite (ATM4), arising from byproducts of street heroin synthesis has been considered as a useful marker in some European studies. However, whether ATM4G is a universal marker particularly in Southeast Asia due to 'street' heroin with high purity, it's still unclear.

Macrocytosis among patients with heroin use disorder.

Purpose: Few empirical studies have investigated hematological parameters among people with a heroin use disorder. This study explores the prevalence of macrocytosis and associated factors among patients with heroin use disorder who were entering methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in Taiwan.

Patients And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, hematological parameters were measured and the prevalence of macrocytosis was assessed in a sample of 958 patients with a heroin use disorder entering the MMT program at Tsaotun Psychiatric Center in Taiwan.

Allergic rhinitis increases the risk of incident panic disorder among young individuals: A nationwide population-based cohort study in Taiwan.

Background: Studies have reported an association between allergy and panic disorder. However, few studies have explored the relationship between allergic rhinitis and panic disorder. Previous studies were limited by cross-sectional study designs, self-reported symptoms, absence of matched controls, and lack of consideration of the influence of steroid and comorbidities.

Leptin/Adiponectin ratio as a potential biomarker for metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia.

Objective: Leptin and adiponectin are adipokines which have opposing roles in the development of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Leptin/adiponectin ratio (L/A ratio) has been proposed as a good biomarker for MetS in general population. This study aimed to compare the strength of association between MetS and leptin, adiponectin and L/A ratio, as well as to assess their performance to diagnose MetS in patients with schizophrenia.

Sleep disturbance and its associations with severity of dependence, depression and quality of life among heroin-dependent patients: a cross-sectional descriptive study.

Background: Sleep disturbance is common and may adversely affect treatment outcome, mental health, and quality of life in heroin-dependent patients. Previous studies have focused upon patients receiving treatment. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study to explore the 1-month prevalence of sleep disturbance and its associations with socio-demographic, substance-related characteristics, severity of dependence, severity of depression, and quality of life among heroin-dependent patients before entering treatment program.

Effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on glaucoma: A nationwide population-based study.

Background: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are one of the most commonly prescribed classes of antidepressants. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness globally and iatrogenic glaucoma has been implicated across disparate medication classes. Available studies that have sought to determine the association between SSRI exposure and glaucoma have provided mixed results.

Depression and severity of substance dependence among heroin dependent patients with ADHD symptoms.

Background And Objectives: Comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are highly prevalent among heroin-dependent patients. We aim to investigate differences in dependence severity, depression, and quality of life between heroin-dependent patients with and without ADHD-screened positive.

Methods: Heroin-dependent participants (n = 447) entering methadone maintenance treatment were divided into ADHD-screened positive (ADHD-P) and ADHD-screened negative (ADHD-N) groups according to scores of Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS).

Comparison of socio-demographic characteristics, substance, and depression among male heroin users attending therapeutic community and methadone maintenance treatment program in Nantou, Taiwan.

Background: Little is known about differences between the characteristics and psychopathological symptoms of heroin users attending TC or MMT in Asia. This study aimed to compare characteristics and prevalence of depressive disorders among male heroin users in TC and MMT program in Nantou, Taiwan.

Methods: The study sample (n = 705) comprised male heroin users with heroin dependence recruited from the MMT program and TC program at a psychiatric center in Nantou, Taiwan between 2006 and 2014.

Differential effects of olanzapine and clozapine on plasma levels of adipocytokines and total ghrelin.

Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) have been associated with an increased liability for weight gain and metabolic side effects. Among SGAs, clozapine and olanzapine had great liability to induce weight gain and metabolic adverse reactions. Leptin, adiponectin, and total ghrelin play important roles in energy homeostasis and are suggested to be biomarkers of metabolic disturbances.

Effect of amphetamine on corrected-QT interval change during methadone maintenance treatment in Taiwan: a prospective cohort study.

Introduction And Aims: Previous studies have suggested that methadone is associated with prolonged corrected-QT (QTc) interval, but published prospective research studies in this area are relatively scarce. This study investigates QTc interval change among methadone maintenance patients and possible associated risk factors. One of the aims is to explore the effect of amphetamines.

Prevalence, correlates, and risk perception of HIV infection among heroin users in Central Taiwan.

We investigated the prevalence and correlated factors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among heroin users attending methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) programs in Central Taiwan, and explored the degree of risk perception of HIV infection among the participants. Our study participants were 781 heroin users seeking treatment at the MMT program at Tsaotun Psychiatric Center in Taiwan. The presence of HIV antibodies was identified by microparticle enzyme immunoassay and confirmed by western blot.

High prevalence but low awareness of hepatitis C virus infection among heroin users who received methadone maintenance therapy in Taiwan.

Background: This study investigates the prevalence and correlates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among heroin dependent individuals who received methadone maintenance therapy in Taiwan. Also, we investigate users' awareness of HCV.

Methods: Participants were 773 heroin users entering the methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program at Tsaotun Psychiatric Center in Taiwan.

Essentiality of HIV testing and education for effective HIV control in the national pilot harm reduction program: the Taiwan experience.

In 2005, a national pilot harm reduction program (PHRP), which mainly included a methadone maintenance treatment program (MMTP) and a needle/syringe exchange program (NSP), was implemented in Taiwan. We conducted this study to evaluate the effectiveness of harm reduction measures on HIV control among injecting drug users (IDUs) between PHRP and nonPHRP. The data on HIV, collected from incumbent Taiwanese authorities, were analyzed for their associations, risk and protective factors with PHRP measures.

A prospective study of glucose homeostasis in quetiapine-treated schizophrenic patients by using the intravenous glucose tolerance test.

Increasing attention has been paid recently to the potential diabetogenic effect of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs). The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of quetiapine treatment on pancreatic beta-cell function in SGA-naïve schizophrenic patients. Seventeen schizophrenic subjects completed an eight-week trial.

Severity of heroin dependence in Taiwan: reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS[Ch]).

The development of instruments to assess substance use that are easy to use, valid and reliable across cultures is an important task. The present study investigates the reliability and validity of the Chinese language version of the SDS (SDS([Ch])) when used to measure severity of dependence among heroin users in Taiwan (n=522). Data were collected on demographic data, heroin use behaviours, and criminal convictions.