Prescription Opioid Use among Patients with Chronic Noncancer Pain before and after the COVID-19 Outbreak in Taiwan: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study.

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak disrupted medical access for patients receiving chronic opioid therapy. This study investigated their prescription opioid dosages before and after the 2020 outbreak in Taiwan.

Methods: A prospective questionnaire survey was conducted among registered outpatients receiving long-term opioids before July 2019 in Taiwan.

Gender Differences in Depression and Sex Hormones among Patients Receiving Long-Term Opioid Treatment for Chronic Noncancer Pain in Taiwan-A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Long-term use of opioids for chronic noncancer pain is associated with sex hormone disturbances. The interferences with sex hormones, sexual function, and depression were investigated in patients with chronic noncancer pain.

Methods: A cross-sectional multicenter survey was conducted on 170 officially registered outpatients receiving long-term opioid treatment in nine medical centers in Taiwan between October 2018 and July 2019.

Tuning consciousness: Anesthetic-sparing effect of varying sound on sedative anesthesia.

This study aimed to identify the anesthetic-sparing effect of different intraoperative sound on sedated patients under propofol target controlled infusion anesthesia (TCI). 90 patients scheduled for transvaginal oocyte retrieval surgery (TVOR) were available and randomized into three groups: patients isolated from background noise(S), patients listened to a voice calling their names (CN), or patients listened to the classical music (CM). The main outcome was the value of total propofol consumption/surgical time.

A Pilot Survey of Potentially Hazardous Trace Elements in the Aquatic Environment Near a Coastal Coal-Fired Power Plant in Taiwan.

Background: A limited number of potentially hazardous trace elements were quantified in the aquatic environment near the world's second largest coal-fired power plant (CFPP) and the coal combustion residual (CCR) disposition sites in Central Taiwan. We postulated that contamination from specific trace elements would be present in the abovementioned aquatic environments.

Methods: Cross-sectional sampling of trace elements was first performed between September 24, 2017 and October 3, 2017 outside the CFPP, in the effluent sampled from Changhua, a county south of metropolitan Taichung, and at the historical CCR disposal sites, using the intertidal zone surface seawater and the seawater in an oyster farm as controls.

Pain management experience at a central Taiwan medical center.

Pain management is typically more developed in western countries compared to Asia. From the accreditation standard of the Joint Commission International (JCI), there is a broad scope for pain management. In 2008, our medical center established the pain management policy, and the goal is to be a pain-free medical facility.

A comparison of spinal and epidural anesthesia for cesarean section following epidural labor analgesia: A retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate different types of regional anesthesia for cesarean section (CS) following epidural labor analgesia that could lead to various perioperative and postoperative outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively included those parturients who received epidural labor analgesia but needed subsequent CS under regional anesthesia in our institution from January 2008 to June 2012.

Results: In all, 2341 of 6609 parturients underwent painless labor, and 334 of them converted to CS.

An open label trial of the effects and safety profile of extended-release tramadol in the management of chronic pain.

Objectives: Tramadol is a synthetic centrally-acting opioid analgesic. The newly developed extended-release formulation of tramadol offers a more stable plasma concentration and could improve patients' compliance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and adverse events of extended release tramadol in Taiwanese patients with moderate to severe chronic noncancer pain.