J Formos Med Assoc
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Real-world evidence on the safety and effectiveness of fingolimod in patients with multiple sclerosis from Taiwan.
Multiple sclerosis is classified as a rare disease in Taiwan. This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of fingolimod in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) from routine clinical practice in Taiwan. ⋯ Fingolimod 0.5 mg/day treatment with an average of 2 years of exposure was associated with a manageable safety profile, and maintained/improved effectiveness in RRMS patients from Taiwan.
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Typhoon Morakot in August 2009 caused significant damages and health and socio-economic impacts in Taiwan. Therefore, we evaluated the mental health status of adult and patients who lived in the affected area after the disaster. ⋯ The mental health statuses of patients who experienced a major natural disaster deteriorated in the elderly population after the disaster. However, we still need pay more attentions on the elderly of the affected population to decrease the risk for insomnia and depressive disorders after the disaster.
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Anastomotic stricture (AS) is a major morbidity of patients with esophageal atresia (EA) after surgical reconstruction. Our study determined the risk factors of AS after EA reconstruction. The therapeutic efficacy and complications of esophageal dilatation for children with AS were also evaluated. ⋯ A gap >1.5 cm between the esophageal pouches and type A EA are risk factors for AS after esophageal reconstruction. Esophageal dilatation is both safe and effective for managing strictures and improves nutritional status in EA children with AS.
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Esophageal neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are very rare and mostly carcinomic, carrying poor prognosis. There is still no guideline or consensus on the treatment for esophageal NET. ⋯ Mixed component of an esophageal NET is commonly observed. Staged workup and the principle of treatment can follow that for the common cancer type of esophagus. The risk factors and behaviors of esophageal NEC in Taiwan seem to be similar to that of esophageal SCC.
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The transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair using MitraClip has been a safe and effective treatment for severe mitral regurgitation (MR). In patients with severe MR and cardiogenic shock under hemodynamic supporting devices, emergent surgical mitral valve interventions carry extremely high risk for peri-operative morbidities and mortalities. The feasibility and efficacy of emergent MitraClip to rescue patients in critical conditions remains elucidate. ⋯ When open-heart surgery is not feasible, trans-catheter mitral valve repair is an alternative way to rescue patients in cardiogenic shock status.