J Formos Med Assoc
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The value of the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) in predicting the mortality of patients with community-acquired pneumonia has not been reported in Taiwan. This study investigated the value of this scoring system in estimating mortality of inpatients with community-acquired pneumonia. ⋯ The PSI provided a useful prediction of medical outcome in patients with community-acquired pneumonia. To decrease unnecessary admission, further prospective studies are needed to determine whether outpatient therapy is appropriate for class I or class II patients with community-acquired pneumonia.
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is characterized by fever with rapid progression to acute respiratory distress and it is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Transmission patterns suggest spread by respiratory droplet or close person-to-person contact. To elucidate the correlation of clinical presentation to the pathogenesis and course of the disease, we reviewed the pulmonary pathologic specimens of SARS patients taken at different stages of the disease. ⋯ The histologic evolution of SARS coincided with the different stages of DAD: acute, proliferative organizing, and fibrotic stages. SARS cannot be differentiated from the other etiologies of DAD by morphologic examination alone. The absence of DAD does not rule out the possibility of SARS-CoV infection, particularly in the early stage of the disease.
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Hysterectomy is among the most frequently performed surgical procedures in developed countries, but few studies from the Asia-Pacific region have assessed the appropriateness of hysterectomy. The purpose of this study was to examine the rate of inappropriate hysterectomy in Taiwan and its association with patient characteristics and indications for the procedure. ⋯ This study found a high rate of inappropriate hysterectomy in Taiwan. Gynecologists and physician organizations should take action to improve physician agreement on the use of hysterectomy, especially for indications associated with high rates of inappropriate procedures.
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Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with increased incidence and severity of HPV-related cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer in women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This study examined the incidence of genital HPV infection in HIV-infected Taiwanese women and its relationship with cervical neoplasia. ⋯ The risk of genital HPV infection was significantly increased in HIV-infected women. Due to the association between high-risk HPV infection and the development of cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer, regular follow-up of Papanicolaou test is necessary in these women.
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Reports of leptospirosis have recently been increasing in Taiwan. We report a case of leptospirosis with the unusual initial manifestation of pulmonary hemorrhage. The patient presented with cough for 1 week and was admitted. ⋯ Pulmonary hemorrhage may be an under-recognized manifestation of leptospirosis in Taiwanese patients. Leptospirosis should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary hemorrhage. Early treatment can lead to cure with reduced morbidity.