Association of Insomnia, Depressive Disorders, and Mood Disorders as Risk Factors With Breast Cancer: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study of 232,108 Women in Taiwan

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.

Download Full-text

Chinese Herbal Medicine as an Adjunctive Therapy Ameliorated the Incidence of Chronic Hepatitis in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2017/1052976 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Kuo-Chin Huang ◽

Hung-Rong Yen ◽

Jen-Huai Chiang ◽

Yuan-Chih Su ◽

Mao-Feng Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Herbal Medicine ◽

Incidence Rate ◽

Chinese Herbal Medicine ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Population Based ◽

Research Database ◽

Chinese Herbal

We conducted a National Health Insurance Research Database-based Taiwanese nationwide population-based cohort study to evaluate whether Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) treatment decreased the incidence of chronic hepatitis in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. A total of 81171 patients were diagnosed with breast cancer within the defined study period. After randomly equal matching, data from 13856 patients were analyzed. Hazard ratios of incidence rate of chronic hepatitis were used to determine the influence and therapeutic potential of CHM in patients with breast cancer. The patients with breast cancer receiving CHM treatment exhibited a significantly decreased incidence rate of chronic hepatitis even across the stratification of age, CCI score, and treatments. The cumulative incidence of chronic hepatitis for a period of seven years after initial breast cancer diagnosis was also reduced in the patients receiving CHM treatment. The ten most commonly used single herbs and formulas were effective in protecting liver function in patients with breast cancer, where Hedyotis diffusa and Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San were the most commonly used herbal agents. In conclusion, our study provided information that western medicine therapy combined with CHM as an adjuvant modality may have a significant impact on liver protection in patients with breast cancer.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text

Risk of primary gastrointestinal cancers following incident non-metastatic breast cancer: a Danish population-based cohort study

BMJ Open Gastroenterology ◽

10.1136/bmjgast-2020-000413 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. e000413

Author(s):

Kasper Adelborg ◽

Dóra Körmendiné Farkas ◽

Jens Sundbøll ◽

Lidia Schapira ◽

Suzanne Tamang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Colon Cancer ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Metastatic Breast Cancer ◽

Stomach Cancer ◽

Metastatic Breast ◽

Population Based ◽

Gastrointestinal Cancers ◽

Increased Risk

ObjectiveWe examined the risk of primary gastrointestinal cancers in women with breast cancer and compared this risk with that of the general population.DesignUsing population-based Danish registries, we conducted a cohort study of women with incident non-metastatic breast cancer (1990–2017). We computed cumulative cancer incidences and standardised incidence ratios (SIRs).ResultsAmong 84 972 patients with breast cancer, we observed 2340 gastrointestinal cancers. After 20 years of follow-up, the cumulative incidence of gastrointestinal cancers was 4%, driven mainly by colon cancers. Only risk of stomach cancer was continually increased beyond 1 year following breast cancer. The SIR for colon cancer was neutral during 2–5 years of follow-up and approximately 1.2-fold increased thereafter. For cancer of the oesophagus, the SIR was increased only during 6–10 years. There was a weak association with pancreas cancer beyond 10 years. Between 1990–2006 and 2007–2017, the 1–10 years SIR estimate decreased and reached unity for upper gastrointestinal cancers (oesophagus, stomach, and small intestine). For lower gastrointestinal cancers (colon, rectum, and anal canal), the SIR estimate was increased only after 2007. No temporal effects were observed for the remaining gastrointestinal cancers. Treatment effects were negligible.ConclusionBreast cancer survivors were at increased risk of oesophagus and stomach cancer, but only before 2007. The risk of colon cancer was increased, but only after 2007.

Download Full-text

Do Children With Constipation Have Increased Risk of Asthma? Real-World Data From a Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Frontiers in Pediatrics ◽

10.3389/fped.2021.714406 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Yen-Chu Huang ◽

Meng-Che Wu ◽

Yu-Hsun Wang ◽

James Cheng-Chung Wei

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Population Based ◽

Hazard Ratio ◽

Adjusted Hazard Ratio ◽

Research Database ◽

Real World Data ◽

Childhood Disorders ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Increased Risk

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.

Download Full-text

The Association Between Pleural Empyema and Peripheral Arterial Disease in Younger Patients: A Retrospective National Population-Based Cohort Study

Frontiers in Medicine ◽

10.3389/fmed.2021.621330 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Tzu-Yuan Wang ◽

Hsin-Hung Chen ◽

Chun-Hung Su ◽

Sheng-Pang Hsu ◽

Chun-Wei Ho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Peripheral Arterial Disease ◽

Pleural Empyema ◽

Arterial Disease ◽

Population Based ◽

Rank Test ◽

Research Database ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Using Data ◽

Peripheral Arterial

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.

Download Full-text

Risk of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in patients with depressive disorders: a nationwide population-based cohort study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026936 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. e026936

Author(s):

Chiao-Lin Hsu ◽

Shih-Jen Tsai ◽

Cheng-Che Shen ◽

Ti Lu ◽

Yao-Min Hung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ◽

Observation Time ◽

Research Database ◽

Positional Vertigo ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

ObjectiveThe association between depression and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) remains debated. This study aimed to investigate the risk of BPPV in patients with depressive disorders.DesignLongitudinal nationwide cohort study.SettingNational health insurance research database in Taiwan.ParticipantsWe enrolled 10 297 patients diagnosed with depressive disorders between 2000 and 2009 and compared them to 41 188 selected control patients who had never been diagnosed with depressive disorders (at a 1:4 ratio matched by age, sex and index date) in relation to the risk of developing BPPV.MethodsThe follow-up period was defined as the time from the initial diagnosis of depressive disorders to the date of BPPV, censoring or 31 December 2009. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to investigate the risk of BPPV by sex, age and comorbidities, with HRs and 95% CIs.ResultsDuring the 9-year follow-up period, 44 (0.59 per 1000 person-years) patients with depressive disorders and 99 (0.33 per 1000 person-years) control patients were diagnosed with BPPV. The incidence rate ratio of BPPV among both cohorts calculating from events of BPPV per 1000 person-years of observation time was 1.79 (95% CI 1.23 to 2.58, p=0.002). Following adjustments for age, sex and comorbidities, patients with depressive disorders were 1.55 times more likely to develop BPPV (95% CI 1.08 to 2.23, p=0.019) as compared with control patients. In addition, hyperthyroidism (HR=3.75, 95% CI 1.67–8.42, p=0.001) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (HR=3.47, 95% CI 1.07 to 11.22, p=0.038) were potential risk factors for developing BPPV in patients with depressive disorders.ConclusionsPatients with depressive disorders may have an increased risk of developing BPPV, especially those who have hyperthyroidism and SLE.

Download Full-text

Association of chronic kidney disease with mortality risk in patients with lung cancer: a nationwide Taiwan population-based cohort study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019661 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. e019661 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Yu-Feng Wei ◽

Jung-Yueh Chen ◽

Ho-Shen Lee ◽

Jiun-Ting Wu ◽

Chi-Kuei Hsu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Cancer ◽

Chronic Kidney Disease ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Kidney Disease ◽

Renal Disease ◽

Mortality Risk ◽

Population Based ◽

Research Database ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Increased Risk

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.

Download Full-text

Cancer Incidence in Patients With Acromegaly: A Cohort Study and Meta-Analysis of the Literature

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jc.2017-02457 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 103 (6) ◽

pp. 2182-2188 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Jakob Dal ◽

Michelle Z Leisner ◽

Kasper Hermansen ◽

Dóra Körmendiné Farkas ◽

Mads Bengtsen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Cancer Incidence ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Population Based ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Tract Cancer ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Risk Of Cancer

Abstract Context Acromegaly has been associated with increased risk of cancer morbidity and mortality, but research findings remain conflicting and population-based data are scarce. We therefore examined whether patients with acromegaly are at higher risk of cancer. Design A nationwide cohort study (1978 to 2010) including 529 acromegaly cases was performed. Incident cancer diagnoses and mortality were compared with national rates estimating standardized incidence ratios (SIRs). A meta-analysis of cancer SIRs from 23 studies (including the present one) was performed. Results The cohort study identified 81 cases of cancer after exclusion of cases diagnosed within the first year [SIR 1.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.9 to 1.4]. SIRs were 1.4 (95% CI, 0.7 to 2.6) for colorectal cancer, 1.1 (95% CI, 0.5 to 2.1) for breast cancer, and 1.4 (95% CI, 0.6 to 2.6) for prostate cancer. Whereas overall mortality was elevated in acromegaly (SIR 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.6), cancer-specific mortality was not. The meta-analysis yielded an SIR of overall cancer of 1.5 (95% CI, 1.2 to 1.8). SIRs were elevated for colorectal cancer, 2.6 (95% CI, 1.7 to 4.0); thyroid cancer, 9.2 (95% CI, 4.2 to 19.9); breast cancer, 1.6 (1.1 to 2.3); gastric cancer, 2.0 (95% CI, 1.4 to 2.9); and urinary tract cancer, 1.5 (95% CI, 1.0 to 2.3). In general, cancer SIR was higher in single-center studies and in studies with <10 cancer cases. Conclusions Cancer incidence rates were slightly elevated in patients with acromegaly in our study, and this finding was supported by the meta-analysis of 23 studies, although it also suggested the presence of selection bias in some earlier studies.

Download Full-text

Gender differences in the risk of depressive disorders following the loss of a young child: a nationwide population-based longitudinal study

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03421-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hsin-Hung Chen ◽

I-An Wang ◽

Shao-You Fang ◽

Yiing-Jenq Chou ◽

Chuan-Yu Chen

Keyword(s):

Depressive Disorders ◽

Stressful Life Events ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Medical Condition ◽

Mental Healthcare ◽

Population Based ◽

Research Database ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Family Based ◽

Child's Death

Abstract Background Losing a child to death is one of the most stressful life events experienced in adulthood. The aim of the current study is to investigate parental risk of seeking treatment for major depression disorders (MDD) after a child’s death and to explore whether such connection may operate differentially by parents’ prior medical condition. Methods We studied a retrospective cohort of 7245 parents (2987 mothers and 4258 fathers) identified in the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan (NHIRD) who had lost a child with age between 1 and 12 years. For comparison, the parents of 1:4 birth year- and gender-matched non-deceased children were retrieved (16,512 mothers and 17,753 fathers). Gender-specific Cox regression analyses were performed to estimate risk. Results Nearly 5.0% and 2.4% of bereaved mothers and fathers sought treatment for MDD within three years after a child’s death, significantly higher than 0.8% and 0.5% in the non-bereaved parents. With covariate adjustment, the hazard ratio (HR) for maternal and paternal seeking treatment for MDD was estimated 4.71 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.35–6.64) and 1.93 (95% CI: 1.27–2.95), respectively. The increased risk of MDD varied by prior disease history; specifically, the increased risk of seeking treatment for MDD was especially prominent for those without chronic physical condition (CPC) (e.g., mothers with CPC: aHR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.56–3.65 vs. no CPC: aHR = 9.55, 95% CI: 6.17–14.79). Conclusions After the death of a child, parental elevated risk of MDD was especially prominent for the women and those without prior medical condition. Effective strategies addressing bereavement may require family-based, integrated physical and mental healthcare and even extended counseling service.

Download Full-text

Association of gout and colorectal cancer in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based cohort study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-028892 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. e028892

Author(s):

Jen-Pin Chuang ◽

Jenq-Chang Lee ◽

Tzeng-Horng Leu ◽

Atik Choirul Hidajah ◽

Ya-Hui Chang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Health Insurance ◽

Incidence Rate ◽

National Health Insurance ◽

National Health ◽

Population Based ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Research Database ◽

Increased Risk

ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine colorectal cancer (CRC) risks among patients with gout through a follow-up study on a nationwide population-based cohort that included patients with gout and the general population in Taiwan.ParticipantFrom the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified 28 061 patients who were newly diagnosed with gout between 2000 and 2010 as the study cohort. We randomly selected 84 248 subjects matching in gender, age and baseline year as comparison cohort. The cohorts were followed up until CRC occurrence, withdrawal from the system of National Health Insurance, or Dec. 31, 2013.Primary and secondary outcome measuresCumulative incidences and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of CRC between two cohorts were examined. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate risk factors associated with CRC development.ResultsDuring the 13-year follow-up, the incidence rate of CRC development in the gout cohort reached 2.44 per 1000 person-years, which was higher than the 2.13 per 1000 person-years in the control cohort (IRR=1.15; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.26). After adjusting for age, gender, urbanisation status and comorbidities, including hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidaemia, gout showed no significant association with increased risk of CRC occurrence (adjusted HR=1.03; 95% CI 0.93 to 1.14).ConclusionsSimilar risks of CRC incidence were observed in patients with and without gout in Taiwan. Allopurinol and colchicine are commonly used as urate-lowering drug and anti-inflammation medication in Taiwan and had been shown to reduce the risk of CRC incidence. Thus, further pharmaco-epidemiological studies should be carried out to specifically assess the role of allopurinol in the relationship between gout and CRC.

Download Full-text