J Formos Med Assoc
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This study aimed to evaluate geographic variations and differences in the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia between Taiwan's townships. ⋯ Geographic variations exist in the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesterolemia. Our findings indicate that the prevention and treatment services in these high prevalence areas should be a priority.
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In advanced or high-grade prostate cancer (PCa), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is usually elevated, however, some patients may present with low initial PSA (iPSA) levels. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether different iPSA levels were associated with dissimilar clinical outcomes among men with high-grade PCa and advanced disease after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RaLRP). ⋯ In patients with high-grade locally-advanced PCa, a low iPSA level was associated with a higher risk of disease progression, but not with biochemical recurrence. In this unique population, serum PSA may not be a reliable marker to detect disease progression. Monitoring of these patients may warrant other biomarkers or imaging.
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The aim of this study was to determine the value of drug-induced sleep ultrasonography (DISU) for evaluating tongue base thickness (TBT) from the awake state to drug-induced sleep, to further understand the impact of dynamic changes in TBT in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients. ⋯ Our findings validate the use of DISU in objectively assessing the tongue base collapse in OSA patients. It provides a convenient and non-invasive way to evaluate the upper airway changes in OSA patients in the future.
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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.