J Formos Med Assoc
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Observational study of dronedarone in Taiwanese patients with atrial fibrillation.
Currently, data on the real-world use of dronedarone, an antiarrhythmic drug for atrial fibrillation (AF), are contradictory and often based on patient populations comprised of Caucasians. We prospectively investigated the efficacy and safety of dronedarone and risk factors related to treatment outcomes in a real-world use setting. ⋯ This six-month study showed dronedarone to be relatively safe and efficacious and to improve quality-of-life in Taiwanese patients with atrial fibrillation. Odds of treatment success were related to the patient's gender, age, and AF type.
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Multicenter Study
Risk stratification of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease across body mass index in a community basis.
The features and risk analysis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a community-based setting remain elusive. The predictors between obese and lean subjects need further clarification. We aimed to assess the characteristics of NAFLD during a community screening. The associated metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular risk assessment were also analyzed. ⋯ IR is predictive of NAFLD irrespective of BMI. The cardiovascular risk may exist in lean NAFLD subjects.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of electroacupuncture merged with rehabilitation for frozen shoulder syndrome: A single-blind randomized sham-acupuncture controlled study.
Frozen shoulder syndrome (FSS) causes pain and reduces the range of motion in the shoulder joint. To investigate the short and medium-term effects of electroacupuncture in people with FSS, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of true and sham electroacupuncture on pain relief and improvement of shoulder function. ⋯ These results suggest that electroacupuncture plus rehabilitation may provide earlier pain relief for patients with FSS and could be applied clinically.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized controlled clinical effectiveness of adjunct 660-nm light-emitting diode irradiation during non-surgical periodontal therapy.
The irradiation of 660-nm light-emitting diodes (LEDs) has exhibited potential to accelerate oral wound healing and prevent periodontal breakdown in rodents. This study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of 660-nm LEDs during non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT). ⋯ LED light irradiation during or after scaling and root planing assisted in the recovery of periodontium and can be used as an adjunct treatment during NSPT, specifically for sites with severe periodontal breakdown.
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Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has been gradually introduced in the diagnosis of mediastinal tuberculous (TB) lymphadenitis. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the utility of polymerase chain reaction for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB-PCR) using EBUS-TBNA rinse fluid and to explore the factors that influence the accuracy of EBUS-TBNA. ⋯ EBUS-TBNA is a valuable tool for diagnosis of mediastinal TB lymphadenitis. Using TB-PCR assay and targeting LNs with a necrotic component would improve the diagnostic performance of EBUS-TBNA.