J Formos Med Assoc
-
Skin diseases are common in children. Epidemiologic studies of skin diseases in schoolchildren performed by direct inspection by dermatologists are limited in Taiwan. The current study surveyed the prevalence of selected childhood dermatoses in Magong City, Penghu, the largest offshore island of Taiwan. ⋯ Compared with our previous study in Kaohsiung County using similar methodology, the point prevalence of atopic dermatitis and ephelides was significantly higher whereas that of fungal infection was lower in Penghu. Unexpectedly, tinea nigra was not rare in Penghu.
-
Clinicians need to decide whether to begin isolation and empiric therapy for patients suspected of having infectious tuberculosis (TB). This study aimed to identify the demographic, clinical and radiographic characteristics of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear-positive patients and to create a smear-positive TB prediction rule, which clinicians may use to predict risk. ⋯ The smear-positive TB prediction model may help clinicians decide if a patient with pending sputum smear results should first be placed in isolation and empiric anti-tuberculous therapy started.
-
Nosocomial tuberculosis (TB) infection is still a problem in many Taiwanese hospitals. The objectives of this study were to explore the intervals before TB diagnosis and isolation at a regional hospital in Taiwan, and to provide useful knowledge to hospitals for the purpose of TB infection control. ⋯ Delayed diagnosis was most likely in the case of hospitalized patients and least likely in outpatient clinics. Delayed diagnosis in hospitalized patients also contributed more severely to TB exposure time than others. Enhancing the quality, speed and ability of specialists and physicians to diagnose TB, especially in emergency departments and in hospitalized patients, is essential.
-
Depressive illness is highly recurrent, frequently chronic and associated with a high level of functional disability. Studies have shown that depression combined with anxiety is the most common reason for admission worldwide. This study aimed to examine the variables associated with treatment response or length of stay (LOS) among a group of inpatients with major depression. ⋯ There was no evidence to show that patients with a long hospital stay would gain treatment benefits over patients with short stay. This study provides evidence to support that a structured inpatient treatment plan might gain some economic benefits without compromising treatment efficacy. The admission of hospitalization repeaters should be managed optimally based on the considerations of treatment efficacy and its impact on longer hospital stay.
-
Histologic diagnosis of suspicious small subpleural lung lesions is difficult and often impossible using existing image-guided needle biopsy techniques including video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge resection. Preoperative lung lesion localization provides a more obvious target to facilitate intraoperative resection. This study reviewed the indications, results and complications of CT-guided hook wire localization for subpleural lung lesions in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). ⋯ CT-guided hook wire fixation is useful, helps in precise lesion localization in VATS wedge resection, and has a low rate of minor complications.