Stroke and osteoporosis: a Taiwan cohort study

BackgroundOsteoporosis and stroke are major health problems that have potentially overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms. The aim of this study was to estimate osteoporosis risk in Taiwan patientswho had a stroke.MethodThis study retrieved data contained in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database for a population-based sample of consecutive patients either hospitalised for stroke or treated for stroke on an outpatient basis. A total of 7550 newly diagnosed patientswho had a stroke were enrolled during 1996–2010. Osteoporosis risk in these patients was then compared with a matched group of patients who had not had a stroke randomly selected from the database at a ratio of 1:4 (n=30 200). The relationship between stroke history and osteoporosis risk was estimated with Cox proportional hazard regression models.ResultsDuring the follow-up period, osteoporosis developed in 1537 patients who had a stroke and in 5830 patients who had not had a stroke. The incidence of osteoporosis for cohorts with and without stroke was 32.97 and 14.28 per 1000 person-years, respectively. After controlling for covariates, the overall risk of osteoporosis was 1.82-fold higher in the stroke group than in the non-stroke group. The relative osteoporosis risk contributed by stroke had apparently greater impact among male gender and younger age groups.ConclusionHistory of stroke is a risk factor for osteoporosis in Taiwan. Much attention to stroke-targeted treatment modalities might minimise adverse outcomes of osteoporosis.

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Reduced Risk of Atrial Fibrillation Following Cholecystectomy: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience ◽

10.3389/fnagi.2021.706815 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

Author(s):

Tung Ching Ho ◽

Yu-Ching Chen ◽

Che-Chen Lin ◽

Hsu-Chih Tai ◽

Cheng-Yu Wei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Gallstone Disease ◽

Age Groups ◽

Population Based ◽

Research Database ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Taiwan National Health Insurance ◽

Using Data

Background: Gallstone disease (GD) is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease. However, it is unknown whether GD contributes to atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to investigate the association between GD and AF.Methods: We performed a population-based cohort study using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between 2001 and 2011. A GD cohort of 230,076 patients was compared with a control cohort consisting of an equal number of patients matched for age, sex, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal comorbidities.Results: In total, 5,992 (49.8/10,000 person-years) patients with GD and 5,804 (44.5/10,000 person-years) controls developed AF. GD increased AF risk with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.20 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.16–1.25]. In patients with GD but without cholecystectomy, the HR of AF reached 1.57 (95% CI = 1.50–1.63). After cholecystectomy, the HR of AF significantly decreased to 0.85 (95% CI = 0.81–0.90). Among the three age groups with GD (<45, 45–64, and ≥65 years), the adjusted HRs of AF were 1.59 (95% CI = 1.08–2.33), 1.31 (95% CI = 1.18–1.45), and 1.18 (95% CI = 1.13–1.22), respectively. Compared with patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score equal to 0, the HRs of AF risk among total cohort patients and a score equal to 1, 2, 3, and ≥ 4 were 1.28 (95% CI = 1.15–1.43), 2.26 (95% CI = 2.00–2.56), 3.81 (95% CI = 3.35–4.34), and 5.09 (95% CI = 4.42–5.87), respectively.Conclusion: This population-based longitudinal follow-up study showed that patients with GD had an increased AF risk. Moreover, cholecystectomy was related to reduced AF risk. Cardiovascular checkups may be necessary for patients with GD, especially those who are young and have other typical risk factors.

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Risk of Mitral Valve Prolapse in Patients with Keratoconus in Taiwan: A Population-Based Cohort Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17176049 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (17) ◽

pp. 6049

Author(s):

Yuh-Shin Chang ◽

Ming-Cheng Tai ◽

Shih-Feng Weng ◽

Jhi-Joung Wang ◽

Sung-Huei Tseng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Health Insurance ◽

Mitral Valve ◽

Mitral Valve Prolapse ◽

Population Based ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Research Database ◽

Taiwan National Health Insurance ◽

Cox Proportional Hazard Regression

This retrospective, nationwide, matched-cohort study included 4488 new-onset keratoconus (KCN) patients, ≥12 years old, recruited between 2004 and 2011 from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. The control group included 26,928 non-KCN patients selected from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000. Information for each patient was collected and tracked from the index date until December 2013. The incidence rate of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) was 1.77 times (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.09–2.88; p = 0.0206) higher in KCN patients ≥40 years old and 1.49 times (95% CI = 1.12–1.98; p = 0.0060) higher in female KCN patients than in controls. After using the Cox proportional hazard regression analysis to adjust for potential confounders, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and congestive heart failure, KCN maintained an independent risk factor, MVP being 1.77 times (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.09–2.88) and 1.48 times (adjusted HR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.11–1.97) more likely to develop in patients ≥40 years old and female patients in the study cohort, respectively. We found that KCN patients ≥40 years of age and female KCN patients have increased risks of MVP. Therefore, it is recommended that KCN patients should be alerted to MVP.

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Prevalence and risk factors for myopia in Taiwanese diabetes mellitus patients: a multicenter case–control study in Taiwan

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-87499-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hsin-Ting Lin ◽

Cai-Mei Zheng ◽

Yu-Ann Fang ◽

Ju-Chi Liu ◽

Yun-Chun Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Risk Factors ◽

High Myopia ◽

Age Groups ◽

Population Based ◽

Research Database ◽

Myopia Progression ◽

Taiwan National Health Insurance ◽

One Year

AbstractThis population-based retrospective cohort study investigated the prevalence of myopia among patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and evaluate risk factors for myopia in these groups. Records from 2000 to 2012 with at least one year of follow-up from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were included. This study included 35,538 patients with DM and 71,076 patients without DM. Patients with DM had a significantly higher adjusted hazard ratio for myopia in all age groups and both sexes compared with patients without DM. The subgroup analysis results revealed that the rates of myopia and astigmatism were significantly higher among patients with DM compared with patients without DM aged < 60 years. However, the rates of high myopia or myopia progression to high myopia did not differ significantly between the two groups. These findings indicate that DM is a critical risk factor for myopia and astigmatism among patients aged < 60 years. Therefore, active surveillance and earlier treatment of myopia are critical for patients with DM.

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Conjugated equine estrogen used in postmenopausal women associated with a higher risk of stroke than estradiol

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-90357-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Wei-Chuan Chang ◽

Jen-Hung Wang ◽

Dah-Ching Ding

Keyword(s):

Postmenopausal Women ◽

Population Based ◽

Research Database ◽

Proportional Hazard ◽

Conjugated Equine Estrogen ◽

Cox Proportional Hazard ◽

Hazard Ratios ◽

Taiwanese Women ◽

Taiwan National Health Insurance ◽

Cox Proportional Hazard Regression

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the risk of ischemic stroke (IS) in hormone therapy (HT) with oral conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) and estradiol (E2) in postmenopausal women in Taiwan. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, a population-based healthcare claims dataset. Eligible women, aged 40–65 years, who received HT with E2 and CEE orally were enrolled. The primary outcome was IS. Propensity score matching with menopausal age and comorbidities was used. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to calculate the incidence and hazard ratios (HRs) for IS. The mean menopausal ages of the E2 and CEE groups were 50.31 ± 4.99 and 50.45 ± 5.31 years, respectively. After adjusting for age and comorbidities, the incidence of IS was 1.17-fold higher in the women treated with CEE than in those treated with E2 (4.24 vs. 3.61/1000 person-years), with an adjusted HR (aHR) of 1.23 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–1.44). Moreover, HT with CEE initiated within 5 years of menopause had a higher HR than E2 (aHR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.02–1.42). In conclusion, HT with oral CEE might be associated with a higher risk of IS than E2 in postmenopausal Taiwanese women. The use of HT with CEE should be cautioned with the risk of IS.

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Risk of herpes zoster in psoriasis patients receiving systemic therapies: a nationwide population-based cohort study

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-91356-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sze-Wen Ting ◽

Sze-Ya Ting ◽

Yu-Sheng Lin ◽

Ming-Shyan Lin ◽

George Kuo

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Herpes Zoster ◽

Population Based ◽

Research Database ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Taiwan National Health Insurance ◽

Reduced Risk ◽

Systemic Therapies

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.

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Survival Associations between Patient Age and Treatment Modality in Olfactory Neuroblastoma: A Retrospective Population-Based Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10122685 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 2685

Author(s):

Andre J. Burnham ◽

Phillip A. Burnham ◽

Edwin M. Horwitz

Keyword(s):

Treatment Modality ◽

Age Groups ◽

Olfactory Neuroblastoma ◽

Population Based ◽

Treatment Modalities ◽

Long Term Outcomes ◽

Patient Age ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Patient Âgé

Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is a rare neuroepithelial-derived malignancy that usually presents in the nasal cavity. The rarity of ONB has led to conflicting reports regarding associations of patient age and ONB survival and outcome. Moreover, long-term outcomes of chemotherapy and other treatment modalities are speculated. Here, we aimed to compare survival outcomes across age groups through time and determine associations between treatment modality and survival. In this retrospective population-based study, we analyzed the SEER 2000–2016 Database for patients with ONB tumors. Using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, a significant effect of age and cancer-specific survival (CSS) was observed; geriatric ONB patients had the lowest CSS overall. Generalized linear models and survival analyses demonstrated that CSS of the pediatric patient population was similar to the geriatric group through 100 months but plateaued thereafter and was the highest of all age groups. Radiation and surgery were associated with increased CSS, while chemotherapy was associated with decreased CSS. GLM results showed that tumor grade, stage and lymph node involvement had no CSS associations with age or treatment modality. Our results provide insight for future investigations of long-term outcomes associated with ONB patient age and treatment modality, and we conclude that survival statistics of ONB patients should be analyzed in terms of trends through time rather than fixed in time.

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Statin for Tuberculosis and Pneumonia in Patients with Asthma–Chronic Pulmonary Disease Overlap Syndrome: A Time-Dependent Population-Based Cohort Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm7110381 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (11) ◽

pp. 381 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Jun-Jun Yeh ◽

Cheng-Li Lin ◽

Chung-Y. Hsu ◽

Zonyin Shae ◽

Chia-Hung Kao

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Disease ◽

Inhaled Corticosteroids ◽

Population Based ◽

Overlap Syndrome ◽

Time Dependent ◽

Research Database ◽

Chronic Pulmonary Disease ◽

Oral Steroids ◽

Taiwan National Health Insurance ◽

Study Participants

We investigated the effects of statins on tuberculosis (TB) and pneumonia risks in asthma–chronic pulmonary disease overlap syndrome (ACOS) patients. We extracted data of patients diagnosed as having ACOS during 2000–2010 from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database and divided them into statin users and nonusers. All study participants were followed up from the index date until death, withdrawal from insurance, or TB and pneumonia occurred (31 December 2011). The cumulative TB and pneumonia incidence was analyzed using Cox proportional regression analysis with time-dependent variables. After adjustments for multiple confounding factors including age, sex, comorbidities, and use of medications [statins, inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs), or oral steroids (OSs)], statin use was associated with significantly lower TB [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34–0.70] and pneumonia (aHR 0.52, 95% CI 0.41–0.65) risks. Moreover, aHRs (95% CIs) for statins combined with ICSs and OSs were respectively 0.60 (0.31–1.16) and 0.58 (0.40–0.85) for TB and 0.61 (0.39–0.95) and 0.57 (0.45–0.74) for pneumonia. Thus, statin users had lower TB and pneumonia risks than did nonusers, regardless of age, sex, comorbidities, and ICS or OS use. Pneumonia risk was lower among users of statins combined with ICSs or Oss and TB risk was lower among the users of statins combined with OSs.

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The elevated risk of sight-threatening cataract in diabetes with retinopathy: a retrospective population-based cohort study

BMC Ophthalmology ◽

10.1186/s12886-021-02114-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chan-Wei Nien ◽

Chia-Yi Lee ◽

Hung-Chi Chen ◽

Shih-Chun Chao ◽

Hung-Jui Hsu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cataract Surgery ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Population Based ◽

Cumulative Probability ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Research Database ◽

Proportional Hazard ◽

Cox Proportional Hazard ◽

Cox Proportional Hazard Regression

Abstract Background The effect of diabetic retinopathy (DR) on the development of sight-threatening cataracts was assessed using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. Methods Patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) and DR were enrolled in the study group. Age- and sex-matched DM individuals without DR and patients without DM served as the DM control group and non-DM control group, respectively, both with 1:4 ratios. The outcome was set as the performance of cataract surgery. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to calculate the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of DR considering multiple factors underlying cataract formation. Results A total of 3297 DR patients, 13,188 DM control patients and 13,188 non-DM control subjects were enrolled. The study group included 919 events of sight-threatening cataracts (27.87%), the DM control group included 1108 events (8.40%), and the non-DM control group included 957 events (7.26%). A multivariable analysis indicated that the study group presented a higher aHR of cataract surgery (2.93, 95% CI: 2.60–3.30) and a higher cumulative probability of cataract surgery than both the DM control and non-DM control groups (both log rank P < 0.001). In addition, both the proliferative DR (3.90, 95% CI: 3.42–4.45) and nonproliferative DR (2.35, 95% CI: 2.08–2.65) subgroups showed a higher aHR of cataract surgery than the DM control group. Conclusion The presence of DR increases the risk of sight-threatening cataracts that warrant surgery, and the effect is prominent among patients with both proliferative DR and nonproliferative DR.

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Association Between Subconjunctival Hemorrhage and Acute Coronary Syndrome: A 14-Year Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine ◽

10.3389/fcvm.2021.728570 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Ping-Hao Chiang ◽

Jung-Nien Lai ◽

Yun-Chi Chiang ◽

Kai-Chieh Hu ◽

Min-Yen Hsu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Age Groups ◽

Population Based ◽

Research Database ◽

Coronary Syndrome ◽

Subconjunctival Hemorrhage ◽

Related Risk ◽

Patients With Diabetes

Purpose: Subconjunctival hemorrhage (SCH) is usually a benign ocular disorder that causes painless, redness under the conjunctiva. However, since SCH and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) share many vascular risk factors, studies have suggested that these two disorders may be significantly associated with each other, and evaluate the concomitance of ACS in patients with SCH.Methods: This population-based cohort study, enrolled 35,260 Taiwanese patients, and used the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to identify patients with ACS and SCH. Outcomes were compared between the with and without SCH groups. The study population was followed until the date of ACS onset, the date of withdrawal, death, or December 31st 2013, whichever came first.Results: Of the 85,925 patients identified with SCH between 1996 and 2013, 68,295 were excluded based on the study's exclusion criteria, and a total of 17,630 patients with SCH who were diagnosed by ophthalmologists between 2000 and 2012 were eligible for analysis. After 1:1 propensity score matching for 5-year age groups, gender, and the index year, the results showed that SCH was more common in the 40–59 age group (53.82%) and females (58.66%). As for the ACS-related risk factors, patients with diabetes mellitus (aHR = 1.58, 95% CI = [1.38, 1.81]), hypertension (aHR = 1.71, 95% CI = [1.49, 1.96]) and patients taking aspirin (aHR = 1.67, 95% CI = [1.47, 1.90]) had a notably higher risk of ACS. However, it was found that there were no significant differences in the occurrence of ACS between the non-SCH and SCH patients.Conclusion: This results of this study regarding the risk factors and epidemiology of SCH and ACS were in keeping with previously reported findings. However, the results revealed no significant association between SCH and ACS.

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Time-dependent risks of cancer clustering among couples: a nationwide population-based cohort study in Taiwan

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018968 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. e018968 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jong-Yi Wang ◽

Yia-Wen Liang ◽

Chun-Chen Yeh ◽

Chiu-Shong Liu ◽

Chen-Yu Wang

Keyword(s):

Married Couples ◽

Population Based ◽

Research Database ◽

Malignant Tumours ◽

Lifestyle Risk Factors ◽

Risk Characteristics ◽

Vulnerable Families ◽

Taiwan National Health Insurance ◽

High Age ◽

Lifestyle Risk

ObjectivesSpousal clustering of cancer warrants attention. Whether the common environment or high-age vulnerability determines cancer clustering is unclear. The risk of clustering in couples versus non-couples is undetermined. The time to cancer clustering after the first cancer diagnosis is yet to be reported. This study investigated cancer clustering over time among couples by using nationwide data.MethodsA cohort of 5643 married couples in the 2002–2013 Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database was identified and randomly matched with 5643 non-couple pairs through dual propensity score matching. Factors associated with clustering (both spouses with tumours) were analysed by using the Cox proportional hazard model.ResultsPropensity-matched analysis revealed that the risk of clustering of all tumours among couples (13.70%) was significantly higher than that among non-couples (11.84%) (OR=1.182, 95% CI 1.058 to 1.321, P=0.0031). The median time to clustering of all tumours and of malignant tumours was 2.92 and 2.32 years, respectively. Risk characteristics associated with clustering included high age and comorbidity.ConclusionsShared environmental factors among spouses might be linked to a high incidence of cancer clustering. Cancer incidence in one spouse may signal cancer vulnerability in the other spouse. Promoting family-oriented cancer care in vulnerable families and preventing shared lifestyle risk factors for cancer are suggested.

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