J Formos Med Assoc
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now a global liver disease. The fatty liver index (FLI), which is calculated by the equation comprising waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), triglyceride, and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), is frequently used for hepatic steatosis evaluation. This study aimed to evaluate the optimal cut-off point of FLI to select subjects for abdominal ultrasonography (US) screening for NAFLD in the community. ⋯ FLI could be a tool to select subjects for abdominal US in a large community survey. The cut-off point of FLI might be set to 10 for female and 20 for male subjects, to increase the sensitivity for selecting subjects to receive abdominal US.
-
Nationwide newborn screening for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency has been implemented in Taiwan since 1987 and the G6PD enzyme activity levels were applied for diagnosis confirmation. As the reference value of G6PD enzyme activity was not available for infants aged 7-90 days, this study was performed to determine the enzyme level in different genotypes. ⋯ We determined G6PD enzyme activity levels in infants aged between 7 and 90 days in Taiwan. Completing the reference data and determining the cutoff values for different G6PD deficiency disease statuses will help pediatricians to make accurate diagnoses.