Association of changes in the number of teeth on psychological distress among community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan.

Background: Aging populations worldwide face a substantial burden of psychological distress that affects their quality of life and overall health. Oral health is associated with psychological distress; however, the effect of changes in the number of teeth on psychological distress remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the association of changes in the number of teeth with the development of psychological distress among community-dwelling older adults in Taipei City.

Denture Use Mitigates the Cognitive Impact of Tooth Loss in Older Adults.

Background: Denture use may contribute to maintaining cognitive function by addressing the masticatory difficulties caused by tooth loss. However, reports on the association between tooth loss and cognitive impairment have been inconsistent. The impact of changes in tooth number and denture use on the development of cognitive impairment in older adults remains unclear.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in healthcare workers: a cohort study at a designated COVID-19 hospital in Taiwan.

Objectives: This cohort study aimed to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of Metabolic syndrome (MetS) among healthcare workers at a dedicated COVID-19 hospital in Taiwan.

Methods: This study recruited 397 healthcare workers who completed health checkups before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The differences of MetS and its components prevalence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were compared using the paired samples t-tests for normally distributed variables, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for non-normally distributed variables.

A Simple, Fast, and Reliable Method for the Identification of .

Background: Candida is one of the common pathogens in nosocomial infections. Culture is the gold standard for diagnosing candidemia. is identified via the germ tube test, which uses serum as the culture medium, which is costly and time-consuming.

Modification of Risk for All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease-Related Mortality with Changes in the Body Mass Index in Older Individuals: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Introduction: Existing evidence evaluating the impact of change in body mass index (BMI) on the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality in older people is limited and inconsistent. This population-based cohort study evaluated the association of changes in BMI over time with all-cause and CVD-related mortality in older adults.

Methods: We recruited 55,351 adults aged over 65 years between 2006 and 2011 from Taipei Elderly Health Examination Program who underwent repeated annual health examinations at 3.

Factors associated with willingness to receive coronavirus disease vaccination during the pandemic: A nationwide survey in Taiwan.

Background/purpose: Vaccination is the most important preventive measure to protect people from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Governments worldwide have prioritized their vaccination policy against COVID-19. However, there is a lack of relevant research on Taiwanese attitudes and considerations toward COVID-19 vaccination.

Impact of household income on the risk of overweight and obesity over time among preschool-aged children: a population-based cohort study.

Background: The temporality of household income level with overweight/obesity in children has not been extensively studied. Little research has been conducted to determine the impact of household income on the risk of childhood overweight/obesity over time. This population-based cohort study aimed to investigate the impact of household income on the risk of overweight/obesity over time among preschool-aged children in Taiwan.

Poor Quality of Life in HIV-Infected Men Who Have Sex with Men is Associated with Excess-Type Constitution of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Introduction: This study explored the pathological constitution as it relates to low quality of life in HIV-infected MSM patients, as a reference for clinical treatment.

Methods: It had a cross-sectional research design using structured questionnaires to collect data, including patient's basic data, CD4, CD4/CD8 ratio, Wang Qi constitution, and WHOQOL-BREF-Taiwan version questionnaires. We considered the association between constitutions and quality of life of HIV-infected MSM patients.

Nosocomial infection and spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection among hospital staff, patients and caregivers.

Background: There are difficulties in diagnosing nosocomial transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in hospital settings. Furthermore, mortality of cases of nosocomial infection (NI) with SARS-CoV-2 is higher than that of the general infected population. In the early stage of the pandemic in Taiwan, as patients were not tested for SARS-CoV-2 at admission, NIs often go undetected.

Comparison of intuitive assessment and palliative care screening tool in the early identification of patients needing palliative care.

The intuitive assessment of palliative care (PC) needs and Palliative Care Screening Tool (PCST) are the assessment tools used in the early detection of patients requiring PC. However, the comparison of their prognostic accuracies has not been extensively studied. This cohort study aimed to compare the validity of intuitive assessment and PCST in terms of recognizing patients nearing end-of-life (EOL) and those appropriate for PC.

Utilization of Palliative Care Screening Tool to Early Identify Patients with COVID-19 Needing Palliative Care: A Cohort Study.

There are very few programs that identify patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who need palliative care. This cohort study presents a model to use a validated palliative care screening tool (PCST) to systematically identify hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in need of palliative care. In this prospective study, we consecutively recruited patients with COVID-19 admitted to Taipei City Hospital between 1 January and 30 July 2021.

Therapeutic effect of simultaneous intravitreal dexamethasone and aflibercept on diabetic macular edema.

Aims: To report the effect of simultaneous intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) and aflibercept for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME).

Methods: This retrospective analysis of an open-label, multicenter, consecutive case series included 102 eyes of 81 patients with DME. Patients were selected into two groups.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with the Reuse of Mask during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Survey in Taiwan.

Mask usage is an effective measure to prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) infection; however, mask reuse is not recommended. Studies examining the factors associated with mask reuse during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic are limited. This nationwide survey aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with mask reuse among Taiwanese citizens during the pandemic.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare-Seeking Behaviors among Frequent Emergency Department Users: A Cohort Study.

In 2020, Taiwan's healthcare system faced a notable burden imposed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Emergency department (ED) is a high-risk area for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission. The effect of COVID-19 on the utilization of ED services among frequent ED users remains unknown.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Utilization of Hospice Care Services: A Cohort Study in Taiwan.

Context: Hospice care focuses on improving the quality of end-of-life care and respecting patients' preferences regarding end-of-life treatment. The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the utilization of hospice services is unknown.

Objectives: To investigate the utilization of hospice care services before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Albumin levels and cause-specific mortality in community-dwelling older adults.

To investigate the association between serum albumin levels and cause-specific mortality among community-dwelling older adults. This cohort study was based on data obtained from the government-sponsored Annual Geriatric Health Examination Program for the older adults in Taipei City between 2006 and 2010. The study sample consisted of 77,531 community-dwelling Taipei citizens (≥65 years old).

Association of TSH Elevation with All-Cause Mortality in Elderly Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a widespread condition in the global population and is more common in the elderly. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level increases with aging, and hypothyroidism is highly prevalent in CKD patients. However, the relationship between low thyroid function and mortality in CKD patients is unclear.

Abnormal Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone and Chronic Kidney Disease in Elderly Adults in Taipei City.

Objectives: To examine whether older people with abnormal thyroid function are more likely to develop chronic kidney disease (CKD) over a 5-year follow-up period.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Health examination data from the Taipei Databank for Public Health Analysis.

What Constitutes Normal Hemoglobin Concentrations in Community-Dwelling Older Adults?

Objectives: To assess the relationship between hemoglobin concentration and cause-specific mortality.

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: Data from the government-sponsored Annual Geriatric Health Examination Program.

High Blood Pressure and All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease Mortalities in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Although hypertension is common among older adults, the optimal blood pressure (BP) for survival in older adults remains unclear. We attempt to use a large cohort to assess the relationship between BP and mortality and to gain insight into what level of BP is required for optimal survival in older adults.A total of 77,389 community-dwelling adults, aged ≥65 years, were followed between 2006 and 2010.

Association Between Tooth Loss, Body Mass Index, and All-Cause Mortality Among Elderly Patients in Taiwan.

To date, the effect of tooth loss on all-cause mortality among elderly patients with a different weight group has not been assessed. This retrospective cohort study evaluated the data obtained from a government-sponsored, annual physical examination program for elderly citizens residing in Taipei City during 2005 to 2007, and follow-up to December 31, 2010. We recruited 55,651 eligible citizens of Taipei City aged ≥ 65 years, including 29,572 men and 26,079 women, in our study.

High Serum Uric Acid Levels Are Associated with All-Cause and Cardiovascular, but Not Cancer, Mortality in Elderly Adults.

Objectives: To estimate the all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality risks associated with serum uric acid levels in elderly adults.

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: The Annual Geriatric Health Examination Program database from 2006 to 2010.

The association of physical activity with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortalities among older adults.

Objective: To evaluate the association of physical activity with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortalities among older adults.

Methods: A study sample consisting of 77,541 community-dwelling Taipei citizens aged ≥ 65 years was selected based on data obtained from the government-sponsored Annual Geriatric Health Examination Program between 2006 and 2010. Subjects were asked how many times they had physical activity for ≥ 30 min during the past 6 months.

Association of body mass index with all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in the elderly.

Objectives: To evaluate the associations of body mass index (BMI) with all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and expanded CVD mortality in the elderly.

Design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: Annual physical examination program for the elderly from 2006 to 2010.

Cognitive impairment assessed at annual geriatric health examinations predicts mortality among the elderly.

Objective: To determine whether cognitive impairment assessed at annual geriatric health examinations is associated with increased mortality in the elderly.

Method: This cohort study was based on data obtained from the government-sponsored Annual Geriatric Health Examination Program for the elderly in Taipei City between 2006 and 2010. The study sample consisted of 77,541 community-dwelling Taipei citizens aged 65 years or older.