Chang Gung medical journal
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Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by repetitive pharyngeal collapse, which increases inspiratory resistive load, and causes intermittent oxygen desaturation and frequent arousals during sleep. This could be damaging to respiratory muscles and result in their weakness. Therefore, we investigated respiratory muscle strength before and after nocturnal sleep in patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). ⋯ The respiratory muscle strength of patients with SDB was greater in the morning than at night, which may be contributed to by the restorative effect of nocturnal sleep. This diurnal difference was not correlated to the severity of SDB, which may suggest that respiratory muscles are less impaired by SDB.
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Variations in body weight and length (height) in children in the same age group have increased. Traditional age-based formulas often fail to predict the correct endotracheal tube (ETT) size. In our previous study, we devised a new length-based formula as follows: ETT internal diameter (ID) (mm) = 2 + (body length in cm/30). The current study was undertaken to assess the accuracy of this formula in Chinese children. ⋯ The length-based formula ID (mm) = 2 + body length in cm/30 has high accuracy in predicting the appropriate ETT size in Chinese children.
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This study examined whether different ondansetron dosing schedules plus dexamethasone influenced antiemetic efficacy during multiple cycles of cisplatin-based chemotherapy (CT). Antiemetic activities between previous CT and subsequent cycles were compared. ⋯ No difference in antiemetic efficacy was shown when a triple 8 mg dose of ondansetron was given at 4-hourly intervals or at 24-hourly intervals. However, the latter improved nausea on day 2. A single 8 mg dose of ondansetron can maintain antiemetic efficacy in the majority of complete responders in arm A and arm B.
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Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a prevalent disorder that has a huge impact on the public. It has been proposed that Chinese populations have a higher incidence of SDB than Caucasians due to a narrow cranial base and flat mid-face structure. Few studies have investigated the prevalence of SDB in Taiwan. This study prospectively assesses the complaints of SDB and related conditions via telephone interviews with individual older than fifteen in Taiwan to calculate a possible prevalence. ⋯ This study determined that 51.9% (95% CI 51.13%-52.67%) of Taiwanese snore and 2.6% (95% CI 2.1%-3.1%) have witnessed apnea. Those who snore or have witnessed apnea have a higher incidence of comorbidity with major medical diseases compared to those who do not snore or do not have witnessed apnea.
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To validate the use of the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) for predicting admission of patients revisiting the Emergency Department (ED) within 72 hours. ⋯ CCI was well correlated with the admission possibility of patients revisiting the ED within 72 hours. More clinical management and discharge strategies should target those revisiting patients who have more comorbidities.