Risk of Stroke with Antivenom Usage after Venomous Snakebite in Taiwan: A Population-Based Cohort Study

QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Hsin Hung ◽  
Jie Sung ◽  
Wen-Yee Chen ◽  
Lu-Ting Chiu ◽  
Hei-Tung Yip ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Purpose Stroke is a rare complication of snakebites, but may lead to serious sequelae. We aimed to explore the relationship between venomous snakebite and the risk for acute stroke, in a nationwide population-based cohort study. Methods This retrospective cohort study used claims data between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2012, from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. The study included data of patients aged 18 years or older with venomous snakebite (N = 535), matched for propensity score with controls without venomous snakebite (N = 2140). The follow-up period was the duration from the initial diagnosis of venomous snakebite and administration of antivenom to the date of an acute stroke, or until December 31, 2013. The competing risk model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of stroke, ischemic stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke, after adjusting for demographic and other possible stroke risk factors. Result The adjusted HR for the venomous snakebite group compared with the control group was 2.72 for hemorrhagic stroke (95% CI: 1.41, 5.26). Stratified analysis showed that the older age group (>65 years old) had a higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke. A 2.68-fold significant increase in the risk for hemorrhagic stroke was observed following venomous snakebite with antivenom usage (95% CI = 1.46, 26.63). Conclusion Venomous snakebite is associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke after the use of an antivenom. Further study of the underlying mechanism is warranted.

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e046891
Author(s):  
Chao-Yu Hsu ◽  
Der-Shin Ke ◽  
Cheng-Li Lin ◽  
Chia-Hung Kao

ObjectiveBoth physical diseases such as infection and chronic pain and psychological disorders such as depression have been associated with herpes zoster (HZ) reactivation. However, the relationship between de Quervain syndrome (DQS), a painful tenosynovitis and HZ remains unclear. We investigated whether DQS increases the risk of HZ reactivation.DesignA retrospective population-based cohort study.SettingTaiwan.ParticipantsWe used a subset of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database, the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database which contains the registration files and original claims data of 1 million randomly selected individuals from the National Health Insurance programme. The case group in this study comprised patients newly diagnosed with DQS between 2000 and 2012. Individuals without DQS comprised the control group. Cases and controls were 1:1 matched by age, sex and index year (defined as the year of DQS diagnosis).ResultsApproximately 55% of the participants were ≤49 years. Most participants were women (77%). The incidence rate of HZ in the DQS group was 8.39 per 1000 person years. After adjustments for age, sex and comorbidities, patients with DQS had a 1.30 times higher risk of HZ reactivation than the control group. Stratification analysis revealed taht DQS increases the HZ risk in individuals ≤64 years, women, and patients without comorbidities.ConclusionDQS is associated with an increased risk of HZ. Clinicians should be aware of this risk when dealing with patients with DQS, particularly in young adults.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sze-Wen Ting ◽  
Sze-Ya Ting ◽  
Yu-Sheng Lin ◽  
Ming-Shyan Lin ◽  
George Kuo

AbstractThe incidence of herpes zoster in psoriasis patients is higher than in the general population. However, the association between herpes zoster risk and different systemic therapies, especially biologic agents, remains controversial. This study investigated the association between herpes zoster risk and several systemic antipsoriasis therapies. This prospective open cohort study was conducted using retrospectively collected data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. We included 92,374 patients with newly diagnosed psoriasis between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2013. The exposure of interest was the “on-treatment” effect of systemic antipsoriasis therapies documented by each person-quarter. The outcome was the occurrence of newly diagnosed herpes zoster. During a mean follow-up of 6.8 years, 4834 (5.2%) patients were diagnosed with herpes zoster after the index date. Among the systemic antipsoriasis therapies, etanercept (hazard ratio [HR] 4.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.51–15.17), adalimumab (HR 5.52, 95% CI 1.72–17.71), and methotrexate plus azathioprine (HR 4.17, 95% CI 1.78–9.82) were significantly associated with an increased risk of herpes zoster. By contrast, phototherapy (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.60–0.96) and acitretin (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.24–0.64) were associated with a reduced risk of herpes zoster. Overall, this study identified an association of both etanercept and adalimumab with an increased risk of herpes zoster among psoriasis patients. Acitretin and phototherapy were associated with a reduced risk.


2012 ◽  
Vol 200 (5) ◽  
pp. 374-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaw-Ji Chen ◽  
Yu-Lin Chao ◽  
Chuan-Yu Chen ◽  
Chia-Ming Chang ◽  
Erin Chia-Hsuan Wu ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe association between autoimmune diseases and schizophrenia has rarely been systematically investigated.AimsTo investigate the association between schizophrenia and a variety of autoimmune diseases and to explore possible gender variation in any such association.MethodTaiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database was used to identify 10 811 hospital in-patients with schizophrenia and 108 110 age-matched controls. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed, separately, to evaluate the association between autoimmune diseases and schizophrenia. We applied the false discovery rate to correct for multiple testing.ResultsWhen compared with the control group, the in-patients with schizophrenia had an increased risk of Graves' disease (odds ratio (OR) = 1.32, 95% CI 1.04–1.67), psoriasis (OR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.07–2.04), pernicious anaemia (OR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.04–2.80), celiac disease (OR = 2.43, 95% CI 1.12–5.27) and hypersensitivity vasculitis (OR = 5.00, 95% CI 1.64–15.26), whereas a reverse association with rheumatoid arthritis (OR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.35–0.76) was also observed. Gender-specific variation was found for Sjögren syndrome, hereditary haemolytic anaemia, myasthenia gravis, polymyalgia rheumatica and dermatomyositis.ConclusionsSchizophrenia was associated with a greater variety of autoimmune diseases than was anticipated. Further investigation is needed to gain a better understanding of the aetiology of schizophrenia and autoimmune diseases.


Author(s):  
Ying-Xiu Dai ◽  
Ming-Chun Hsu ◽  
Hsiao-Yun Hu ◽  
Yun-Ting Chang ◽  
Tzeng-Ji Chen ◽  
...  

Background: Previous studies showed conflicting results regarding the mortality risk in psoriasis patients with respect to disease severity and presence of psoriatic arthritis. This study aimed to determine the mortality risk in patients with mild and severe psoriasis and patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods: A nationwide population-based cohort study was conducted based on data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between 2002 and 2012. Incident psoriasis subjects were classified into two groups: psoriasis without arthritis and psoriasis with arthritis. Patients who had received systemic therapy and/or phototherapy were classified as having severe psoriasis; otherwise, patients were classified as having mild psoriasis. Control subjects without psoriasis were selected to match each psoriasis patient from the database within the same observational period. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to compare the hazard ratio (HR) of time to death. Results: A total of 106,701 patients with psoriasis were included in this study. After controlling for demographics and comorbidities, psoriasis patients had a higher mortality risk compared with the control group (HR 1.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.36 to 1.46). Compared with psoriasis alone, the mortality risk was not increased for PsA (HR = 1.01; 95% CI 0.93 to 1.10). Besides, severe psoriasis did not increase mortality risk compared with mild psoriasis (HR = 1.0; 95% CI 0.95 to 1.06). Conclusions: Patients with psoriasis had a higher mortality risk compared with control subjects, whereas psoriasis severity and presence of PsA had no impact on mortality risk in psoriasis patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen-Chu Huang ◽  
Meng-Che Wu ◽  
Yu-Hsun Wang ◽  
James Cheng-Chung Wei

Background: Asthma is one of the most burdensome childhood disorders. Growing evidence disclose intestinal dysbiosis may contribute to asthma via the gut-lung axis. Constipation can lead to alteration of the gut microbiota. The clinical impact of constipation on asthma has not been researched. Therefore, we aim to assess whether pediatric constipation influence the risk of developing asthma by a nationwide population-based cohort study.Methods: We analyzed 10,363 constipated patients and 10,363 individuals without constipation between 1999 and 2013 from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Analysis of propensity score was utilized to match age, sex, comorbidities, and medications at a ratio of 1:1. In addition, multiple Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the adjusted hazard ratio of asthma. Furthermore, sensitivity tests and a stratified analysis were performed.Results: After adjustment for age, sex, comorbidities, and medications, constipated patients had a 2.36-fold greater risk of asthma compared to those without constipation [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 2.36, 95% C.I. 2.04–2.73, p < 0.001]. Furthermore, the severity of constipation is associated with an increased risk of asthma; the adjusted hazard ratio was 2.25, 2.85, and 3.44 within < 3, 3–12, and ≥12 times of laxatives prescription within 1 year, respectively (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Constipation was correlated with a significantly increased risk of asthma. Pediatricians should be aware of the possibility of asthma in constipated patients. Further research is warranted to investigate the possible pathological mechanisms of this association.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tzu-Yuan Wang ◽  
Hsin-Hung Chen ◽  
Chun-Hung Su ◽  
Sheng-Pang Hsu ◽  
Chun-Wei Ho ◽  
...  

Background: To investigate the relationship between pleural empyema (PE) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the National Health Institute Research Database. Univariable and multivariable Cox's proportional hazard regressions were performed to investigate the association between PE and the risk of PAD. Kaplan–Meier method and the differences were assessed using a log-rank test.Results: The overall incidence of PAD was higher in the PE cohort than in the non-PE cohort (2.76 vs. 1.72 per 1,000 person-years) with a crude hazard ratio (HR) of 1.61 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.41–1.83]. After adjustment for age, gender, and comorbidities, patients with PE were noted to be associated with an increased risk of PAD compared with those without PE [adjusted HR (aHR) = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.03–1.35]. Regarding the age-specific comparison between the PE and non-PE cohorts, PAD was noted to be significantly high in the ≤ 49 years age group (aHR = 5.34, 95% CI = 2.34–10.1). The incidence of PAD was higher in the first 2 years, with an aHR of 1.35 (95% CI = 1.09–1.68) for patients with PE compared with those without PE.Conclusion: The risk of PAD was higher if patients with PE were younger than 49 years and within the 2-year diagnosis of PE.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e019661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Feng Wei ◽  
Jung-Yueh Chen ◽  
Ho-Shen Lee ◽  
Jiun-Ting Wu ◽  
Chi-Kuei Hsu ◽  
...  

ObjectiveOur population-based research aimed to clarify the association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and mortality risk in patients with lung cancer.DesignRetrospective cohort studySettingNational health insurance research database in TaiwanParticipantsAll (n=1 37 077) Taiwanese residents who were diagnosed with lung cancer between 1997 and 2012 were identified. Eligible patients with baseline CKD (n=2269) were matched with controls (1:4, n=9076) without renal disease according to age, sex and the index day of lung cancer diagnosis.MethodsThe cumulative incidence of death was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and the risk determinants were explored by the Cox proportional hazards model.ResultsMortality occurred in 1866 (82.24%) and 7135 (78.61%) patients with and without CKD, respectively (P=0.0001). The cumulative incidences of mortality in patients with and without chronic renal disease were 72.8% vs 61.6% at 1 year, 82.0% vs 76.6% at 2 years and 88.9% vs 87.2% at 5 years, respectively. After adjusting for multiple confounding factors including age and comorbidities, Cox regression analysis revealed that CKD was associated with an increased risk of mortality (adjusted HR 1.38; 95% CI 1.29 to 1.47). Stratified analysis further showed that the association was consistent across patient subgroups.ConclusionComorbidity associated with CKD is a risk factor for mortality in patients with lung cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-Pu Liu ◽  
James Cheng-Chung Wei ◽  
Hei-Tung Yip ◽  
Ming-Hsin Yeh

BackgroundInsomnia, depressive disorders, and to a more general view, mood disorders are raising people’s concerns and causing disability of life. Herein, we try to seek the association of such illnesses with subsequent breast cancer.MethodsThis population-based, retrospective cohort study used data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. This study included 232,108 women diagnosed with insomnia, depressive disorders, and mood disorders from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2013. Physician diagnosed insomnia, depressive disorders, or mood disorders using outpatient and inpatient records before diagnosis of breast cancer. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis is adjusted for women with insomnia, depressive disorders, mood disorders, and other factors like insured amount, urbanization, and comorbidities such as having subsequent breast cancer.ResultsSleep medication was associated with a significantly increased incidence rate of breast cancer (aHR = 1.23 (95% CI = 1.13, 1.35), p < 0.001). Insomnia was associated with significant increased hazard of breast cancer (aHR = 1.16 (95% CI = 1.07, 1.27), p < 0.001). Annual insured amount >20,000 (TWD), high urbanization area, and hyperlipidemia were associated with increased hazard of breast cancer (aHR = 1.13 (95% CI = 1.01, 1.27), p = 0.04; aHR = 1.41 (95% CI = 1.17, 1.71), p < 0.001; aHR = 1.14 995% CI = 1.02, 1.29), p = 0.02, respectively). There was a positive correlation between depressive disorders and increased incidence rate of breast cancer but not statistically significant (aHR = 1.11 (95% CI = 0.99, 1.25), p = 0.08). Mood disorders were not associated with increased hazard (aHR = 1.11 (95% CI = 0.91, 1.34), p = 0.31).ConclusionIn this study, women with insomnia had increased risk of breast cancer, particularly those in high urbanization or with high insured amounts. Sleep medication (benzodiazepine (BZD) or non-BZD) and hyperlipidemia were independently associated with a higher hazard ratio of breast cancer. Insomnia along with sleep medication did not yield more hazards than each alone. Mood disorders appeared to be not associated with subsequent breast cancer. However, depressive disorders, the subgroups of mood disorders, could possibly increase the incidence rate of breast cancer though not statistically significant.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiao-Wen Chu ◽  
Chien-Heng Lin ◽  
Ming-Chih Lin ◽  
Ya-Chi Hsu

Introduction: Genetic susceptibility and immune dysregulation play important roles in the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease (KD). However, it is still unclear whether KD causes immune disorder later in life or whether inherited susceptibility to immune disorders causes KD. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether inherited immune disease properties from mothers increase the risk of KD from a population-based perspective.Method: Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database was the main data source in this study. Parents and children were linked using the Taiwan Maternal and Child Health Database. Patients diagnosed with KD and younger than 18 years from 2004 to 2015 were enrolled as the study population. The control group was randomly selected from individuals without the diagnosis of KD matched by age, index year, sex, and urbanization level at a ratio of 1 to 10. The prevalence of maternal autoimmune and allergic diseases was compared between groups.Results: In total, 7,178 children were found to have been diagnosed with Kawasaki disease. Then 71,780 children matched by index year, gender, and urbanization were randomly selected to serve as the control group. Children born from mothers with asthma and allergic rhinitis had a higher risk of developing KD. Children of mothers with an autoimmune disorder had a significantly increased tendency to develop KD. Maternal numbers of autoimmune disorders showed a dose-dependent relationship with KD incidence.Conclusion: This is the first population-based study to investigate maternal immune diseases and the risk of KD in their children. Children of mothers with immune disorders tend to have a higher risk of KD.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e000390
Author(s):  
Marc P Morissette ◽  
Heather J Prior ◽  
Robert B Tate ◽  
John Wade ◽  
Jeff R S Leiter

ObjectiveTo investigate associations between concussion and the risk of follow-up diagnoses of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood and anxiety disorders (MADs), dementia and Parkinson’s disease.DesignA retrospective population-based cohort study.SettingAdministrative health data for the Province of Manitoba between 1990–1991 and 2014–2015.ParticipantsA total of 47 483 individuals were diagnosed with a concussion using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes (ICD-9-CM: 850; ICD-10-CA: S06.0). All concussed subjects were matched with healthy controls at a 3:1 ratio based on age, sex and geographical location. Associations between concussion and conditions of interest diagnosed later in life were assessed using a stratified Cox proportional hazards regression model, with adjustments for socioeconomic status and pre-existing medical conditions.Results28 021 men (mean age ±SD, 25±18 years) and 19 462 women (30±21 years) were included in the concussion group, while 81 871 men (25±18 years) and 57 159 women (30±21 years) were included in the matched control group. Concussion was associated with adjusted hazard ratios of 1.39 (95% CI 1.32 to 1.46, p<0.001) for ADHD, 1.72 (95% CI 1.69 to 1.76; p<0.001) for MADs, 1.72 (95% CI 1.61 to 1.84; p<0.001) for dementia and 1.57 (95% CI 1.41 to 1.75; p<0.001) for Parkinson’s disease.ConclusionConcussion was associated with an increased risk of diagnosis for all four conditions of interest later in life.


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