J Formos Med Assoc
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Rituximab is effective in treating pemphigus both as the first-line treatment and as an add-on treatment for refractory disease. A high rate of relapse among patients receiving rituximab means that maintenance therapy is frequently required. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the use of azathioprine as maintenance therapy for patients receiving rituximab and to investigate the efficacy and safety of one or multiple cycles of rituximab treatment. ⋯ This study provides an insight that azathioprine could serve as a good choice of maintenance therapy for patients receiving rituximab. The efficacy and safety of rituximab remain favorable even with repeated administration.
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The impact of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not fully elucidated. We aimed to assess the correlation between NAFLD and CKD in a large population study. ⋯ NAFLD per se was not a risk factor for CKD, but NAFLD patients with advanced fibrosis faced a higher possibility of CKD. Hence, patients with NAFLD and advanced fibrosis should be screened for CKD and prompted to receive treatment if the diagnosis was made.
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Although the lung function test has played an important role in respiratory care for a long time, valid spirometry reference values in the Chinese population in Taiwan remain to be elucidated. ⋯ This study addressed the up-to-date spirometry reference equations and values for a healthy adult Chinese population in Taiwan.
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Observational Study
10-year outcome of temporary structured treatment interruption (STI) among HIV-1-infected patients: An observational study in a single medical center.
Lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended for HIV-1 infected patients but may lead to intolerance or poor adherence. Structured treatment interruption (STI) is a strategy for drug holiday or to boost HIV-specific immunity. But the long-term outcome of STI was never reported in literature. ⋯ Temporary STI may not lead to worse long-term outcome among highly selected patients. The policy may partially control viral replication through reminding the HIV-1 specific T cell immunity.
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To examine ethnic disparity in prevalence and associated factors of myopia in adolescents using the Unites States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset. ⋯ Risk factors for myopia vary with race/ethnicity.