J Formos Med Assoc
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The Quick Mild Cognitive Impairment (Qmci) test has been suggested to be an easy-to-use and precise screening tool for detecting postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). To provide essential information for future POCD studies in Taiwan, the present study provided data regarding the Taiwan version of the Qmci (Qmci-TW) test conducted in the normative Taiwanese population and changes in them over time. ⋯ The present study provided data regarding the Qmci-TW test conducted in the normative Taiwanese population and its time trajectory during the 6-month follow-up.
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Sport-specific adaptations of athlete's hearts are still under investigation. This study sought to 1) identify athlete groups with similar characteristics by clustering echocardiographic data; 2) externally validate the data-driven clusters with sport classifications of various dynamic or static loads to support the conventional hypothesis-driven approach in delineating the athlete's heart. ⋯ Hierarchical clustering could analyze complicated multiparametric interactions among numerous echocardiography-derived phenotypes to discern the adaptive propensity of the athlete's heart. The endorsement or generation of hypotheses by a data-driven approach can be applied to various domains.
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Anticoagulant therapy is suggested within 45 days after Watchman device implantation for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). A previous study demonstrated that non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) were a feasible peri- and postprocedural alternative to warfarin. The present study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of using different anticoagulants (low-dose NOACs vs. warfarin) within 45 days after Watchman device implantation in a Chinese population. ⋯ The safety and efficacy of low-dose dabigatran and rivaroxaban were comparable to those of warfarin within 45 days after Watchman device implantation in a Chinese population.
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Previous studies have seldom investigated the psychological factors that are associated with dissatisfaction with healthcare services. We therefore examined the associations of depression and anxiety with service dissatisfaction among older adults. ⋯ Psychological symptoms were consistent correlates of dissatisfaction with healthcare services among older adults, although the specific symptoms had different associations with the various dimensions of dissatisfaction.
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The Taiwan Association for the Study of the Liver (TASL) HCV Registry (TACR) is a nationwide registry of chronic hepatitis C patients in Taiwan. This study evaluated antiviral effectiveness of ledipasvir (LDV)/sofosbuvir (SOF) in patients in the TACR. ⋯ LDV/SOF is effective and well tolerated in routine clinical practice in Taiwan. Cure rates were high across patient populations.