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

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 381 ◽  
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.

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

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.

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

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e018968 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Gender and Age Differences and the Trend in the Incidence and Prevalence of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease in Taiwan: A 7-Year National Population-Based Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Chih-Ching Liu ◽  
Chung-Yi Li ◽  
Yu Sun ◽  
Susan C. Hu
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
Taiwan National Health Insurance ◽  
Gender And Age Differences ◽  
Prevalence Of Dementia

Background. Very few nationwide studies have focused on the variations in the incidence and prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in Asian countries. This study aims to describe the gender and age differences in the incidence and prevalence of dementia and AD in Taiwan. Methods. The data on dementia and AD were acquired from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database from 2004 to 2010. The sex and age-specific rates were standardized, and the differences of gender and age on dementia or AD were assessed using Poisson regression analysis. Results. Over seven years, the prevalence of dementia and AD significantly increased from 4.7 to 7.6 per hundred people (β = 0.0784, p<0.0001) and 2.3 to 3.5 per hundred people (β = 0.0696, p<0.0001), respectively. However, the incidence of both dementia and AD decreased but not significantly from 10.9 to 10.7 and 4.9 to 4.6 per thousand person-years, respectively. Noticeably, both incidence and prevalence increased with age and were higher in women than in men. Conclusions. The standardized incidence rates of dementia and AD are much lower than the data reported in some studies from Europe, the US, and Japan. Further studies are warranted to explore which factors are associated with the differences in the incidence of dementia and AD in Taiwan.

scholarly journals The prevalence and impact of comorbidities on patients with axial spondyloarthritis: results from a nationwide population-based study

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Imke Redeker ◽  
Johanna Callhoff ◽  
Falk Hoffmann ◽  
Ursula Marschall ◽  
Hildrun Haibel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Functional Impairment ◽  
Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽  
Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Chronic Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Collagen Vascular Diseases

Abstract Background In contrast to other chronic rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, comorbidities in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and their impact on disease outcomes are less well studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of comorbidities and their association with disease activity and functional impairment in a large population-based cohort of patients with axSpA. Methods A random sample of patients with axSpA, stratified by age and sex, was drawn from health insurance data. Patients in the sample received a survey on demographic, socioeconomic, and disease-related parameters. Comorbidities were defined using the Elixhauser coding algorithms excluding rheumatoid arthritis/collagen vascular diseases and including osteoporosis and fibromyalgia, resulting in a set of 32 comorbidities. The prevalence of comorbidities in the axSpA patients and their pharmacological treatment were examined. Multivariable linear regression models were calculated to determine the association of comorbidities with disease activity and functional status. Results A total of 1776 axSpA patients were included in the analyses (response, 47%; mean age, 56 years; 46% female). The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension, depression, and chronic pulmonary disorders. The number of comorbidities was significantly associated with both the BASDAI and BASFI: β (95% CI) = 0.17 (0.09–0.24) and 0.24 (0.15–0.32), respectively. When analysed separately, hypertension, depression, and chronic pulmonary disease were comorbidities with a significant and independent association with BASFI, while for BASDAI, such an association was found for depression and chronic pulmonary disease only. Conclusions Comorbidities are common in axSpA patients and are associated with higher disease activity and higher levels of functional impairment. Higher disease activity and higher levels of functional impairment might be indicators of severe disease resulting in the development of comorbidities.

Chronic Pain Increases the Risk for Major Adverse Cardiac and Cerebrovascular Events: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Asia

Pain Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 1985-1990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kun-Ming Chung ◽  
Chung-Han Ho ◽  
Yi-Chen Chen ◽  
Chien-Chin Hsu ◽  
Chong-Chi Chiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Asian Population ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Renal Diseases ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Cerebrovascular Events ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Taiwan National Health Insurance

Abstract Objective Chronic pain (CP) may increase the risk for major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs); however, this issue is still unclear in the Asian population. We conducted this study to delineate it. Design From the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified 17,614 participants (&lt;65 years) with CP and matched them by age and sex at a 1:2 ratio to participants without CP, who made up the comparison cohort. Several causes of CP and its underlying comorbidities were also analyzed. Outcome Measure A comparison of MACCE occurring in the two cohorts was performed via follow-up until 2015. Results The mean age (SD) was 50.2 (11.5) years and 50.4 (11.7) years in participants with and without CP, respectively. In both cohorts, the percentage of female participants was 55.5%. Common causes of CP were spinal disorders (23.9%), osteoarthritis (12.4%), headaches (11.0%), gout (10.2%), malignancy (6.2%), and osteoporosis (4.5%). After adjusting for hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal diseases, hyperlipidemia, liver diseases, dementia, and depression, participants with CP had a higher risk for MACCE than those without CP (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.3 − 1.4). After conducting subgroup analyses, an increased risk was also found for all-cause mortality (AHR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1 − 1.8), acute myocardial infarction (AHR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0 − 1.4), and stroke (AHR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.3 − 1.4). Conclusions CP is associated with increased occurrence of MACCE. Early detection and interventions for CP are suggested.

scholarly journals Demographics and medical disorders associated with smoking: a population-based study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Sheng Chung ◽  
Pei-Tseng Kung ◽  
Hui-Yun Chang ◽  
Wen-Chen Tsai
Keyword(s):  
National Health ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Suburban Areas ◽  
Medical Disorders ◽  
Smoking Behaviors ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Background Few studies have investigated factors associated with smoking behaviors. In this population-based study, we investigated demographics and medical comorbid diseases to establish a prediction model for smoking behaviors by using the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Methods We enrolled individuals aged ≥40 years who had participated in the NHIS in 2001, 2005, and 2009. We identified the smoking behaviors of the study participants in the NHIS. Smoking behaviors were divided into ever smokers (current smokers and ex-smokers) and nonsmokers (never smokers).We defined medical comorbid disorders of the study participants by using medical claim data from the NHIRD. We used multivariable logistic regression models to calculate the adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for variables associated with smoking. The significant variables in the multivariable model were included in the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) to predict the sensitivity and specificity of the model. Results In total, 26,375 participants (12,779 men and 13,596 women) were included in the analysis. The prevalence of smoking was 39.29%. The mean ages of the 16,012 nonsmokers were higher than those of the 10,363 smokers (57.86 ± 12.92 years vs. 53.59 ± 10.82 years). Men outnumbered women among smokers (68.18% vs. 31.82%). Male sex, young age and middle age, being insured categories, residence in suburban areas, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were independent factors associated with smoking. The area under the ROC curve of these significant factors to predict smoking behaviors was 71.63%. Conclusion Sex, age, insured categories, residence in suburban areas, and COPD were associated with smoking in people.

In-hospital mortality among electroconvulsive therapy recipients: A 17-year nationwide population-based retrospective study

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 29-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.-S. Liang ◽  
C.-H. Chung ◽  
C.-K. Tsai ◽  
W.-C. Chien
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Electroconvulsive Therapy ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Population Based ◽  
National Database ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Taiwan National Health Insurance ◽  
Hospital Stays ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions ◽  
Using Data

AbstractBackgroundElectroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains irreplaceable in the treatment of several psychiatric conditions. However, evidence derived using data from a national database to support its safety is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate in-hospital mortality among patients with psychiatric conditions treated with and without ECT.MethodsUsing data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database from 1997 to 2013, we identified 828,899 inpatients with psychiatric conditions, among whom 0.19% (n = 1571) were treated with ECT.ResultsWe found that ECT recipients were more frequently women, were younger and physically healthier, lived in more urbanized areas, were treated in medical centers, and had longer hospital stays. ECT recipients had lower odds of in-hospital mortality than did those who did not receive ECT. Moreover, no factor was identified as being able to predict mortality in patients who underwent ECT. Among all patients, ECT was not associated with in-hospital mortality after controlling for potential confounders.ConclusionECT was indicated to be safe and did not increase the odds of in-hospital mortality. However, ECT appeared to be administered only on physically healthy but psychiatrically compromised patients, a pattern that is in opposition with the scientific evidence supporting its safety. Moreover, our data suggest that ECT is still used as a treatment of last resort in the era of modern psychiatry.

scholarly journals Risk of Endometriosis and Subsequent Ovary and Breast Cancers in Nurses: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsing-Chi Hsu ◽  
Kai-Yu Tseng ◽  
Hsiang-Chi Wang ◽  
Fung-Chan Sung ◽  
Wei-Fen Ma
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Breast Cancers ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
Taiwan National Health Insurance ◽  
And Control ◽  
Incident Cases

Background: Endometriosis has been associated with the subsequent development of ovarian and breast cancers. This study evaluated whether nurses were at increased risks of developing endometriosis and subsequent ovarian and breast cancers. Methods: From Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database during 2000 to 2011, we established 3 study cohorts, consisting of 23,801 nurses, 11,973 other hospital employees, and 143,096 general women free of endometriosis and cancer. Women in all cohorts were followed to the end of 2011 to measure the occurrences of endometriosis and subsequent ovarian and breast cancers. The incident endometriosis cases and related hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. The incident cases of ovarian cancer and breast cancer and related odds ratio were calculated. Results: The incidence of endometriosis was the highest in the nurse cohort (4.23 per 100, n = 966) followed by other health professionals (3.74 per 100, n = 427) and control cohort (3.06 per 100, n = 4193), with adjusted hazard ratios of 1.28 (95% CI = 1.20–1.38) and 1.13 (95% CI = 1.02–1.25), respectively, comparing to controls. Among those who developed endometriosis, nurses had higher subsequent ovarian cancer and lower breast cancer, but not significant. Conclusions: Nurses are at a higher risk of developing endometriosis. However, the link between endometriosis and subsequent cancers is weak.

Outcomes of chronic subdural hematoma in patients with liver cirrhosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 130 (1) ◽  
pp. 302-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Chang Chen ◽  
Shao-Wei Chen ◽  
Po-Hsun Tu ◽  
Yin-Cheng Huang ◽  
Zhuo-Hao Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Cirrhosis ◽  
Subdural Hematoma ◽  
Simple Procedure ◽  
Chronic Subdural Hematoma ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Taiwan National Health Insurance ◽  
Using Data

OBJECTIVEBurr hole craniostomy is an effective and simple procedure for treating chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). However, the surgical outcomes and recurrence of CSDH in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) remain unknown.METHODSA nationwide population-based cohort study was retrospectively conducted using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. The study included 29,163 patients who underwent first-time craniostomy for CSDH removal between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2013. In total, 1223 patients with LC and 2446 matched non-LC control patients were eligible for analysis. All-cause mortality, surgical complications, repeat craniostomy, extended craniotomy, and long-term medical costs were analyzed.RESULTSThe in-hospital mortality rate (8.7% vs 3.1% for patients with LC and non-LC patients, respectively), frequency of hospital admission, length of ICU stay, number of blood transfusions, and medical expenditures of patients with LC who underwent craniostomy for CSDH were considerably higher than those of non-LC control patients. Patients with LC tended to require an extended craniotomy to remove subdural hematomas in the hospital or during long-term follow-up. The surgical outcome worsened with an increase in the severity of LC.CONCLUSIONSEven for simple procedures following minor head trauma, LC remains a serious comorbidity with a poor prognosis.

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