The effect of colchicine on cancer risk in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: a time-dependent study based on the Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database.

Background: To determine the effect of colchicine on cancer risk in patients with the immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs)-related to colchicine use.

Methods: This is a time-dependent propensity-matched general population study based on the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. We identified the IMIDs patients (n = 111,644) newly diagnosed between 2000 and 2012 based on the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM)-274,712, 135, 136.

Modified CAVE score for predicting late seizures after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Background And Purpose: Seizures commonly occur in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Anticonvulsants are commonly used for preventing seizures in patients with ICH. Thus, patients with ICH at high risk of seizures must be identified.

The impact of antiplatelet drugs on recurrent stroke in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

Background: The influence of antiplatelet drugs on the risk of hemorrhagic stroke and the reduction of ischemic stroke in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of antiplatelet therapy on the risk of recurrent stroke in ICH patients.

Methods: The study encompassed ICH survivors discharged from a central Taiwanese teaching hospital between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2019.

Clinical course and risk factors for sleep disturbance in patients with ischemic stroke.

Background: Studies on insomnia in patients with ischemic stroke, particularly in the acute phase, are limited. The proportion of patients with sleep disturbance during the acute stroke period who are likely to develop insomnia in subacute and chronic stages of stroke is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for sleep disturbance and the clinical course of the disease in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Risk factors for stroke recurrence in patients with hemorrhagic stroke.

The risk factors for recurrence of hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke in patients with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) are inconclusive. This study was designed to investigate the risk factors for stroke recurrence and the impact of antiplatelet on stroke recurrence in patients with ICH. This population-based case-cohort study analyzed the data obtained from a randomized sample of 2 million subjects in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

Discontinuation of preventive antiepileptic drugs in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

Background: The risk factors for seizures in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) stroke and the effect of seizure prevention by anticonvulsant are not well understood. Limited studies have investigated the risk of seizure after discontinuing antiepileptic drugs in patients with ICH. This study aimed to investigate the role of valproic acid (VA) for seizure prevention and to access the risk of seizure after anticonvulsant withdrawal in patients with spontaneous ICH.

Efficacy of aspirin, clopidogrel, and ticlopidine in stroke prevention: A population-based case-cohort study in Taiwan.

Background: In real-world practice settings, there is insufficient evidence on the efficacy of antiplatelet drugs, including clopidogrel, aspirin, and ticlopidine, in stroke prevention.

Purpose: To compare the efficacies between aspirin and clopidogrel and aspirin and ticlopidine in stroke prevention.

Methods: This population-based case-cohort study utilized the data obtained from a randomized sample of one million subjects in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

The Impact of Loading Dose on Outcome in Stroke Patients Receiving Low-Dose Tissue Plasminogen Activator Thrombolytic Therapy.

Background: Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) (0.9 mg/kg, maximum 90 mg) with a bolus of 10% of the total dose given within 1-2 mins is the standard therapy for patients receiving thrombolytic therapy. Low-dose (0.

D-methionine improves cisplatin-induced anorexia and dyspepsia syndrome by attenuating intestinal tryptophan hydroxylase 1 activity and increasing plasma leptin concentration.

Background: Cisplatin is a widely used antineoplastic drug. However, cisplatin-induced dyspepsia syndromes, including delayed gastric emptying, gastric distension, early satiety, nausea, and vomiting, often force patients to take doses lower than those prescribed or even refuse treatment. D-methionine has an appetite-enhancing effect and alleviates weight loss during cisplatin treatment.

The Relationship Between Occupational Exposure to Low-dose Ionizing Radiation and Changes in Thyroid Hormones in Hospital Workers.

Background: The effects of ionized radiation on the thyroid have been extensively studied. However, most studies have focused on high-dose radiation received accidentally or through therapy, and few were on low-dose occupational exposure.

Methods: Using a retrospective cohort study design, we collected health examination reports from employees who worked on jobs with occupational exposure to radiation at a hospital to evaluate possible changes in the serum thyroid hormones and determine whether there is a dose-response effect.

Progression of Mild to Moderate Stenosis in the Internal Carotid Arteries of Patients With Ischemic Stroke.

Severe stenosis in the internal carotid artery may increase the risk of ischemic stroke. The factors that affect the progression of carotid artery stenosis in patients with ischemic stroke are poorly studied. No guidelines for the duration of follow-up of patients with ischemic stroke through carotid ultrasonography exist.

Carpal tunnel syndrome after an electrical injury: a case report and review of literature.

Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is prevalent in workers who utilize hand-held vibration tools, engage in tasks involving repetitive wrist movements, and suffer from wrist overuse. Although electrical injuries involving the median nerve are a relatively rare but plausible cause of CTS, the related literature is limited. Here, we report a case of CTS in which the symptoms developed after an electrical injury, and review the related literature.

Sex-related differences in the risk factors for in-hospital mortality and outcomes of ischemic stroke patients in rural areas of Taiwan.

Background And Purpose: Sex-related differences in the clinical presentation and outcomes of stroke patients are issues that have attracted increased interest from the scientific community. The present study aimed to investigate sex-related differences in the risk factors for in-hospital mortality and outcome in ischemic stroke patients.

Methods: A total of 4278 acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to a stroke unit between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2014 were included in the study.

Outcome of stroke patients receiving different doses of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator.

Background And Purpose: Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) at a dose of 0.9 mg/kg body weight is associated with a high hemorrhagic transformation (HT) rate. Low-dose tPA (0.

Epidemiology of brain abscess in Taiwan: A 14-year population-based cohort study.

Brain abscess (BA) is a severe neurological emergency, which remains a challenge for physicians despite medical advancements. The purpose of this study is to describe the epidemiology of BA in Taiwan and to investigate potential factors affecting the survival of patients with BA. By using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified hospitalized patients with a discharge diagnosis of pyogenic BA (324.

Clinical Profile and Outcome of Myasthenic Crisis In Central Taiwan.

Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease caused by antibodies to acetylcholine receptors of the skeletal muscle. Myasthenic crisis (MC) is a complication observed during both early and late stage MG cases. In this study, we examined current treatments and three years outcomes in patients with MG and MC.

Correction: Age-Dependent Sex Difference of the Incidence and Mortality of Status Epilepticus: A Twelve Year Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Atrial fibrillation is a predictor of in-hospital mortality in ischemic stroke patients.

Background/purpose: In-hospital mortality rate of acute ischemic stroke patients remains between 3% and 18%. For improving the quality of stroke care, we investigated the factors that contribute to the risk of in-hospital mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Materials And Methods: Between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2011, 2,556 acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to a stroke unit were included in this study.

Underestimated Rate of Status Epilepticus according to the Traditional Definition of Status Epilepticus.

Purpose: Status epilepticus (SE) is an important neurological emergency. Early diagnosis could improve outcomes. Traditionally, SE is defined as seizures lasting at least 30 min or repeated seizures over 30 min without recovery of consciousness.

Association Between Abnormal Course of Carotid Artery and Cerebrovascular Disease.

Purpose: Abnormal course of the carotid artery (ABCA) is commonly identified during carotid sonography studies. Whether ABCA is related to the risk of stroke and stroke risk factors remains unclear. The purpose of the study is to investigate the prevalence of ABCA and the relationship with stroke and the risk factors of stroke.

Age-dependent sex difference of the incidence and mortality of status epilepticus: a twelve year nationwide population-based cohort study in Taiwan.

Status epilepticus (SE) is a serious neurologic emergency associated with a significant mortality. The objective of this study is to investigate its epidemiology in terms of age- and sex-specific incidences and mortality. By using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database during 2000 to 2011, we identified hospitalized patients with a discharged diagnosis of SE and calculated the incidence and in-hospital mortality of SE with respect to age and sex.

Association between Sjogren's syndrome and respiratory failure: put airway, interstitia, and vessels close together: a national cohort study.

Objectives: Few studies have evaluated the association between Sjogren's syndrome (SS) and respiratory failure (RF). Thus, we conducted a retrospective national cohort study to investigate whether Sjogren's syndrome (SS) increases the risk of respiratory failure (RF).

Methods: The cohort consisted of 4954 newly diagnosed patients with SS but without a previous diagnosis of RF, and 19816 patients as the comparison cohort from the catastrophic illnesses registry, obtained from the 2000-2005 period.