Quality of life and its associated factors among patients with two common types of chronic mental illness living in Kaohsiung City.

Aim: This study explored the associations of personal, disease, family, and social factors with quality of life (QoL) in patients with two common types of chronic mental illness (CMI) living in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.

Methods: Using a convenience sample and a cross-sectional design, 714 patients (50.1% male, 49.

Early prediction of clinical response in schizophrenia patients receiving the atypical antipsychotic zotepine.

Objective: Prior early prediction models for antipsychotic treatment response demonstrate good specificity but poor sensitivity (i.e., high false-negative rates).

The relationship between quality of life and posttraumatic stress disorder or major depression for firefighters in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Objective: The work of firefighters involves the risk of exposure to the harmful effects of toxic substances as well as the possibility of enormous emotional shock from disasters, which may result in psychiatric impairments and a lower quality of life. Therefore, we examined quality of life, prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression, and the related risk factors for firefighters in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Methods: This is a two-stage survey study.

Factors affecting time to rehospitalization for patients with major depressive disorder.

Major depressive disorder is a common psychiatric condition. Hospitalization is usually indicated for patients with more severe symptoms and severe functional impairment. Rehospitalization is known as the re-emergence of significant depressive symptoms.

Effects of Asian dust storm events on daily hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease in Taipei, Taiwan.

In spring, windblown dust storms originating in the deserts of Mongolia and China make their way to Taipei city. These occurrences are known as Asian dust storm (ADS) events. The objective of this study was to assess the possible effects of ADS on the hospital cardiovascular disease (CVD) admissions of residents in Taipei, Taiwan, during the period from 1996 to 2001.

Effects of Asian dust storm events on daily stroke admissions in Taipei, Taiwan.

In spring, windblown dust storms originating in the deserts of Mongolia and China make their way to Taipei city. These occurrences are known as Asian dust storm (ADS) events. The objective of this study was to assess the possible associations of ADS on the hospital stroke admissions of residents in Taipei, Taiwan, during the period from 1996 to 2001.

The attitude toward truth telling of cancer in Taiwan.

Objective: This study examined a group of Taiwanese subjects at a medical university hospital regarding their attitudes toward truth telling of cancer.

Method: Self-report survey with convenience sampling of 195 participants admitted for a 3-day comprehensive health examination in a medical university hospital in Taiwan. Three instruments used to collect the data included the Brief Psychiatric Symptom Rating Scale (BPSRS), Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ), and the Attitude Toward Truth Telling of Cancer List.

Effects of Asian dust storm events on daily mortality in Taipei, Taiwan.

In spring, windblown dust storms originating in the deserts of Mongolia and China make their way to Taipei City. These occurrences are known as Asian dust storm events. The objective of this study was to assess the possible effects of Asian dust storms on the mortality of residents in Taipei, Taiwan, during the period from 1995 to 2000.

Depression in chronic haemodialysed patients.

From April 2000 to April 2001, a total of 108 chronic stable haemodialysed patients (34 males aged 57.76 +/- 12.68 years under haemodialysis treatment for 31.

Relationship between ambient air pollution and hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases in kaohsiung, taiwan.

This study was undertaken to determine whether there is an association between air pollutants levels and increased number of hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Hospital admissions records for CVD and ambient air contaminant data collected from monitoring station in Kaohsiung were obtained for the period 1997-2000. The relative risk of hospital admission for CVD was estimated using a case-crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends.