Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
-
Concomitant tibial shaft and posterior malleolar fractures (PMFs) are often encountered in clinical settings. Plain films were reviewed for concomitant PMF, and fracture patterns were analyzed by focusing on the integrity of the fibula and the location of the fibular fracture. ⋯ We recommend careful radiographic examination to evaluate PMF, especially in patients with distal tibial spiral fractures combined with proximal fibular fractures or intact fibulas.
-
Previous studies have reported that the attainment of goals for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are globally suboptimal, but contemporary data are scarce. The CEntralized Pan-Asian survey on tHE Under-treatment of hypercholeSterolemia (CEPHEUS-PA) is the largest evaluation of pharmacological treatment for hypercholesterolemia in Asia. The study reported here analyzed the Taiwan cohort in CEPHEUS-PA to identify the determinants of successful treatment. ⋯ This study showed that there is a discrepancy between the updated Adult Treatment Panel III recommendations for LDL-C control and the control attained by this group of Taiwanese patients. In particular, treatment with statins was largely underused in patients with diabetes and in those with metabolic syndrome. These findings highlight the need for more intensive treatment in high-risk patients and those with multiple risk factors, particularly patients with metabolic syndrome.
-
Due to its persistent and debilitating nature, refractory chronic migraine (RCM) can cause significant socioeconomic burden. This study retrospectively reviewed the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) in the treatment of RCM. Predictors of treatment response were also investigated. ⋯ About 40% of patients with RCM obtained ≥ 30% reduction in headache frequency at 12 weeks after BoNT-A injection, and treatment-related adverse events were transient and acceptable. Ocular-type headache may predict treatment response.
-
Chronic visceral pain is the predominant symptom of functional gastrointestinal disorders and chronic pancreatitis. Such pain can impair the patients' quality of life, and can also serve as one of the principal reasons for these patients to seek medical help. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms of chronic visceral pain have remained unclear, and much of what we know about visceral pain has been derived from studies of somatic nociception. ⋯ Minocycline (a microglia inhibitor) reversed the hyperalgesia in rat models of chronic visceral pain, whereas fractalkine (FKN, a microglia activator) reproduced the visceral nociception in naïve rats. These preliminary results support the pronociceptive role of spinal microglia in mediating visceral hyperalgesia. Consequently, spinal microglia may serve as a promising target for controlling the chronic visceral pain.
-
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is one of the most common surgical interventions performed by spine surgeons. As efforts are made to control healthcare spending because of the limited or capped resources offered by the National Health Insurance, surgeons are faced with the challenge of offering high-level patient care while minimizing associated healthcare expenditures. Routine ordering of postoperative hematologic tests and observational intensive care unit (ICU) stay might be areas of potential cost containment. This study was designed to determine the necessity of routine postoperative hematologic tests and ICU stay for patients undergoing elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and to investigate whether the elimination of unnecessary postoperative laboratory blood studies and ICU stay inhibits patient care. ⋯ Cost savings per admission amounted to approximately 10% of the hospitalization cost by the elimination of unnecessary postoperative routine laboratory blood studies and observational ICU stay without waiving patient care in the current volatile, cost-conscious healthcare environment in Taiwan.