Cancer screening programs in South-east Asia and Western Pacific.

BACKGROUND: The burden of cancer can be altered by screening. The field of cancer screening is constantly evolving; from the initiation of program for new cancer types as well as exploring innovative screening strategies (e.g. new screening tests). The aim of this study was to perform a landscape analysis of existing cancer screening programs in South-East Asia and the Western Pacific. METHODS: We conducted an overview of cancer screening in the region with the goal of summarizing current designs of cancer screening programs. First, a selective narrative literature review was used as an exploration to identify countries with organized screening programs. Second, representatives of each country with an organized program were approached and asked to provide relevant information on the organizations of their national or regional cancer screening program. RESULTS: There was wide variation in the screening strategies offered in the considered region with only eight programs identified as having an organized design. The majority of these programs did not meet all the essential criteria for being organized screening. The greatest variation was observed in the starting and stopping ages. CONCLUSIONS: Essential criteria of organized screening are missed. Improving organization is crucial to ensure that the beneficial effects of screening are achieved in the long-term. It is strongly recommended to consider a regional cancer screening network.

Assessing government policies' impact on the COVID-19 pandemic and elderly deaths in East Asia.

This study assesses governments' long-term non-pharmaceutical interventions upon the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in East Asia. It advances the literature towards a better understanding of when and which control measures are effective. We (1) provide time-varying case fatality ratios and focus on the elderly's mortality and case fatality ratios, (2) measure the correlations between daily new cases (daily new deaths) and each index based on multiple domestic pandemic waves and (3) examine the lead-lag relationship between daily new cases (daily new deaths) and each index via the cross-correlation functions on the pre-whitened series. Our results show that the interventions reduce COVID-19 infections for some periods before the period of the Omicron variant. Moreover, there is no COVID-19 policy lag in Taiwan between daily new confirmed cases and each index. As of March 2022, the case fatality ratios of the elderly group in Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea are 4.69%, 4.72% and 1.48%, respectively, while the case fatality ratio of the elderly group in Taiwan is 25.01%. A government's COVID-19 vaccination distribution and prioritisation policies are pivotal for the elderly group to reduce the number of deaths. Immunising this specific group as best as possible should undoubtedly be a top priority.

Regulating food labels in East Asia: A tale of two systems: Commentary on Negowetti et al. (2021).

The traditional role of food in promoting health and preventing illness is integral to many Asian cultures. This commentary provides a brief overview of health-related food products regulation in Asia. We cover regulations initiated to promote health and prevent chronic diseases and regulations of traditional medicine food products. We focus on specific regulations in Japan and Singapore that encourage the consumption of certain foods to promote population health and prevent chronic diseases. We also examine the complexity and difficulty of regulating traditional medicine food products in Malaysia and Singapore, where these products are important not just for health but also in promoting cultural traditions.

Association between continuity of care (COC), healthcare use and costs: what can we learn from claims data? A rapid review.

OBJECTIVE: To describe how longitudinal continuity of care (COC) is measured using claims-based data and to review its association with healthcare use and costs. RESEARCH DESIGN: Rapid review of the literature. METHODS: We searched Medline (PubMed), EMBASE and Cochrane Central, manually checked the references of included studies, and hand-searched websites for potentially additional eligible studies. RESULTS: We included 46 studies conducted in North America, East Asia and Europe, which used 14 COC indicators. Most reported studies (39/46) showed that higher COC was associated with lower healthcare use and costs. Most studies (37/46) adjusted for possible time bias and discussed causality between the outcomes and COC, or at least acknowledged the lack of it as a limitation. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas a wide range of indicators is used to measure COC in claims-based data, associations between COC and healthcare use and costs were consistent, showing lower healthcare use and costs with higher COC. Results were observed in various population groups from multiple countries and settings. Further research is needed to make stronger causal claims.

Lessons learnt from easing COVID-19 restrictions: an analysis of countries and regions in Asia Pacific and Europe.

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global crisis. Many countries have implemented restrictions on population movement to slow the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and prevent health systems from becoming overwhelmed; some have instituted full or partial lockdowns. However, lockdowns and other extreme restrictions cannot be sustained for the long term in the hope that there will be an effective vaccine or treatment for COVID-19. Governments worldwide now face the common challenge of easing lockdowns and restrictions while balancing various health, social, and economic concerns. To facilitate cross-country learning, this Health Policy paper uses an adapted framework to examine the approaches taken by nine high-income countries and regions that have started to ease COVID-19 restrictions: five in the Asia Pacific region (ie, Hong Kong [Special Administrative Region], Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea) and four in Europe (ie, Germany, Norway, Spain, and the UK). This comparative analysis presents important lessons to be learnt from the experiences of these countries and regions. Although the future of the virus is unknown at present, countries should continue to share their experiences, shield populations who are at risk, and suppress transmission to save lives.

Control of sexually transmitted infections and global elimination targets, South-East Asia Region.

The World Health Organization (WHO) set targets for a 90% reduction in the incidence of syphilis and gonorrhoea between 2018 and 2030. We review trends in sexually transmitted infections in the WHO South-East Asia Region to assess the feasibility of reaching these targets. Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand reported 90% or greater reductions in the incidence or prevalence of syphilis and/or gonorrhoea between 1975 and 2005. Evidence suggests that smaller, more recent reductions in trends in sexually transmitted infections in India have driven regional declines. In other countries, sexually transmitted infections remain high or are increasing or data are not reliable enough to measure change. Sri Lanka and Thailand have strong control programmes for sexually transmitted infections that ensure universal access to services for these infections and targeted interventions in key populations. India and Myanmar have implemented targeted control efforts on a large scale. Other countries of the region have prioritized control of human immunodeficiency virus, and limited resources are available for other sexually transmitted infections. At national and subnational levels, data show rapid declines in sexually transmitted infections when targeted promotion of condom use and sexually transmitted infection services are scaled up to reach large numbers of sex workers. In contrast, recent outbreaks of sexually transmitted infections in underserved populations of men who have sex with men have been linked to rising trends in sexually transmitted infections in the region. A renewed and focused response to sexually transmitted infections in the region is needed to meet global elimination targets.

L'Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS) a fixé des objectifs pour réduire à 90% l'incidence de la syphilis et de la gonorrhée entre 2018 et 2030. Nous avons étudié les tendances en matière d'infections sexuellement transmissibles dans la Région d'Asie du Sud-Est de l'OMS afin d'évaluer la faisabilité de ces objectifs. Le Myanmar, le Sri Lanka et la Thaïlande ont signalé une diminution de 90% ou plus dans l'incidence ou la prévalence de la syphilis et/ou de la gonorrhée entre 1975 et 2005. Les données semblent indiquer une tendance à la baisse plus récente et moins significative des infections sexuellement transmissibles en Inde, entraînant une décrue régionale. Dans d'autres pays, soit le nombre d'infections sexuellement transmissibles demeure élevé ou continue sa progression, soit les informations disponibles ne sont pas suffisamment fiables pour en mesurer l'évolution. Le Sri Lanka et la Thaïlande ont établi de solides programmes de lutte contre les infections sexuellement transmissibles, permettant d'accéder à des services spécialement conçus pour leur prise en charge et prévoyant une intervention ciblée au sein des populations clés. De leur côté, l'Inde et le Myanmar ont déployé des efforts à grande échelle afin de mener des actions ciblées. D'autres pays de la région ont privilégié la lutte contre le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine; pour les autres infections sexuellement transmissibles, leurs ressources sont limitées. Aux niveaux national et infranational, les données révèlent un rapide déclin des infections sexuellement transmissibles lorsque la promotion ciblée pour encourager l'usage du préservatif et les services dédiés à la prise en charge de telles affections sont renforcés afin de toucher un plus grand nombre de travailleurs du sexe. En revanche, les épidémies d'infections sexuellement transmissibles observées dernièrement au sein de populations défavorisées d'hommes ayant des relations sexuelles avec d'autres hommes ont entraîné une hausse dans la région. Il est donc indispensable d'apporter une réponse remaniée et ciblée face aux infections sexuellement transmissibles dans la région en vue d'atteindre les objectifs mondiaux d'élimination.

La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) fijó como objetivo una reducción del 90% en la incidencia de la sífilis y la gonorrea entre 2018 y 2030. Revisamos las tendencias de las infecciones de transmisión sexual en la Región del Sudeste Asiático de la OMS para evaluar la viabilidad de alcanzar estos objetivos. Myanmar, Sri Lanka y Tailandia informaron de reducciones del 90% o más en la incidencia o prevalencia de sífilis y/o gonorrea entre 1975 y 2005. Los datos sugieren que las reducciones más pequeñas y recientes en las tendencias de las infecciones de transmisión sexual en la India han impulsado los descensos regionales. En otros países, las infecciones de transmisión sexual siguen siendo elevadas o están aumentando, o los datos no son lo suficientemente fiables como para medir el cambio. Sri Lanka y Tailandia tienen sólidos programas de control de las infecciones de transmisión sexual que garantizan el acceso universal a los servicios para estas infecciones e intervenciones específicas en poblaciones clave. India y Myanmar han implementado esfuerzos de control específicos a gran escala. Otros países de la región han dado prioridad a la lucha contra el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana y disponen de recursos limitados para otras infecciones de transmisión sexual. A nivel nacional y subnacional, los datos muestran un rápido descenso de las infecciones de transmisión sexual cuando se amplía la promoción del uso del preservativo y los servicios para las infecciones de transmisión sexual para llegar a un gran número de profesionales del ámbito sexual. Por el contrario, los recientes brotes de infecciones de transmisión sexual en poblaciones desatendidas de hombres que tienen relaciones sexuales con otros hombres se han relacionado con las tendencias al alza de las infecciones de transmisión sexual en la región. Se necesita una respuesta renovada y centrada en las infecciones de transmisión sexual en la región para alcanzar los objetivos mundiales de eliminación.

Early combination versus initial metformin monotherapy in the management of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: An East Asian perspective.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the East Asian population is characterized by phenotypes such as low body mass index, an index of ß-cell dysfunction, and higher percentage of body fat, an index of insulin resistance. These phenotypes/pathologies may predispose people to early onset of diabetes with increased risk of stroke and renal disease. Less than 50% of patients with T2D in East Asia achieve glycaemic targets recommended by national or regional guidelines, which may be attributable to knowledge and/or implementation gaps. Herein, we review the latest evidence with special reference to East Asian patients with T2D and present arguments for the need to use early combination therapy to intensify glycaemic control. This strategy is supported by the 5-year worldwide VERIFY study, which reported better glycaemic durability in newly diagnosed patients with T2D with a mean HbA1c of 6.9% treated with early combination therapy of vildagliptin plus metformin versus those treated with initial metformin monotherapy followed by addition of vildagliptin only with worsening glycaemic control. This paradigm shift of early intensified treatment is now recommended by the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes. In order to translate these evidence to practice, increased awareness and strengthening of the healthcare system are needed to diagnose and manage patients with T2D early for combination therapy.

Urban-rural disparities of antenatal care in South East Asia: a case study in the Philippines and Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: The government is obliged to guarantee equal access to antenatal care (ANC) between urban and rural areas. This study aimed to analyze urban-rural disparities in ≥4 ANC visits during pregnancy in the Philippines and Indonesia. METHODS: The study processed data from the 2017 PDHS and the 2017 IDHS. The analysis unit was women aged 15-49 years old who had given birth in the last 5 years. The weighted sample size was 7992 respondents in the Philippines and 14,568 respondents in Indonesia. Apart from ANC as the dependent variable, other variables analyzed were residence, age, husband/partner, education, parity, and wealth. Determination of urban-rural disparities using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The results show that women in the urban Philippines are 0.932 times more likely than women in the rural Philippines to make ≥4 ANC visits. On the other side, women in urban Indonesia are more likely 1.255 times than women in rural Indonesia to make ≥4 ANC visits. Apart from the type of residence place (urban-rural), five other tested multivariate variables also proved significant contributions to ANC's use in both countries, i.e., age, have a husband/partner, education, parity, and wealth status. CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded that disparities exist between urban and rural areas utilizing ANC in the Philippines and Indonesia. Pregnant women in the rural Philippines have a better chance of making ≥4 ANC visits. Meanwhile, pregnant women in urban Indonesia have a better chance of making ≥4 ANC visits.

COVID-19 Pandemic: The Influence of Culture and Lessons for Collaborative Activities.

The rapid epidemiological shift from an epidemic/outbreak in Wuhan, China, to a global pandemic of COVID-19 in less than 3 months came with lessons the world's health system should learn to prepare for the future outbreaks. Since February 20, 2020, the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has been increased very slowly in the countries of East Asia, including Japan, South Korea, and China, when compared with those in the Western countries. This chapter begins with an overview of the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers and public health facilities, followed by immediate global actions and research in response to the newly emerged pandemic. It includes an evaluation of the potential influence of culture on the implementation of different protective measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic while at the same time offering suggestions that will make it easier for all populations to adapt protective steps against COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases. Finally, the chapter provides a detailed discussion of lessons we have learned from the pandemic, leading to the conclusion that the transition from individualism to collaborative efforts is the treatment of universal pandemics.

Application of Conchal Cartilage Grafts in Nasal Tip Plasty: Comparison and Experience of 3 Methods.

INTRODUCTION: The autologous conchal cartilage of good elasticity is easy to harvest, thus is often used in nasal tip plasty of East Asians. However, the operation techniques vary a lot among different surgeons. This article aims to introduce 3 techniques commonly used in clinical practice. METHODS: One hundred three patients were included in this study and divided into 3 groups according to the shape of the nasal tip during 2017 to 2019. The patients were followed up for at least 6 months. All patients were measured with Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey (SCHNOS). ImageJ software was used to measure and calculate the projection ratio for lateral position standard image, and columella-labial angle (CLA) was measured. RESULTS: In group 1, SCHNOS for nasal obstruction (SCHNOS-O) score were 13.23 ± 7.61 and 14.49 ± 10.55 (P > 0.05); SCHNOS for nasal cosmesis (SCHNOS-C) score were 66.55 ± 31.23 and 21.73 ± 18.91 (P < 0.001); projection ratio were 0.51 ± 0.04 and 0.57 ± 0.05 (P < 0.001); CLA were 91.02° ± 5.67° and 93.55° ± 4.64° (P > 0.05), preoperative and postoperative, respectively. In group 2, SCHNOS-O score were 16.76 ± 13.44 and 15.44 ± 9.26 (P > 0.05); SCHNOS-C score were 61.87 ± 44.14 and 19.16 ± 29.37 (P < 0.001); projection ratio were 0.50 ± 0.05 and 0.58 ± 0.03 (P < 0.001); CLA were 92.32° ± 6.39° and 94.86° ± 5.96°(P > 0.05), preoperative and postoperative, respectively. In group 3, SCHNOS-O score were 15.25 ± 7.83 and 17.73 ± 11.66 (P > 0.05); SCHNOS-C score were 52.03 ± 33.38 and 17.73 ± 11.66 (P < 0.001); projection ratio were 0.53 ± 0.05 and 0.57 ± 0.02 (P < 0.001); CLA were 91.65° ± 5.75° and 93.21° ± 5.38° (P > 0.05), preoperational and postoperational, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: None of these 3 techniques cause or aggravate nasal obstruction, and all of them can achieve high cosmetic satisfaction. Technique 1 and technique 2 are suitable for the patients with moderate and moderate to severe short nose that is common in East Asia, which can better increase the protrusion of the tip and length of the nose. Technique 3 is suitable for the patients with better shape of the nose, who need to slightly increase the protrusion of the nasal tip and increase the upward rotation.

Efficacy and Safety of Aspirin Combined with Low-Dose P2Y12 Receptor Antagonists in East Asian Patients Undergoing PCI.

Previous studies have indicated that low-dose new generation of P2Y12 receptor antagonists may be more suitable compared with clopidogrel at a standard dose for the dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for East Asian patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, there remains no consensus in clinical practice. Thus, in this study, we aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of low-dose P2Y12 receptor antagonists, compared to clopidogrel at a standard dose, in DAPT in East Asian patients after PCI. We systematically searched literatures for randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing low-dose P2Y12 receptor antagonists with standard-dose clopidogrel for the treatment of East Asian patients undergoing PCI. The endpoints of efficacy include major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), all-cause mortality, and the number of target vessel revascularization. The indicators of safety include major and minor bleeding events. Heterogeneity was evaluated by I2 statistic test. Begg's and Egger's tests were used to evaluate publication bias. In total, 2,747 subjects from 8 RCT studies were included. Low-dose new P2Y12 receptor antagonists, that is, ticagrelor or prasugrel, showed significantly lower incidence of MACEs, as compared with standard-dose clopidogrel, in the East Asian patients who are in DAPT after undergoing PCI. Further, no difference was noted for the risk of major and minor bleeding events. In East Asian patients undergoing PCI and receiving DAPT, the use of low-dose P2Y12 receptor antagonists, ticagrelor or prasugrel, has been determined to be superior than clopidogrel at standard dose; this has been evidenced by a lower incidence of MACEs without increasing the risk of bleeding.

Beyond cost-effectiveness: A five-step framework for appraising the value of health technologies in Asia-Pacific.

Given resource constraints and the potential for increasingly high-cost, cost-effective medicines to become available, policymakers require strategies that go beyond cost-effectiveness when making resource allocation decisions. This manuscript presents a five-step framework that complements traditional health technology assessment (HTA) guidance documents that policymakers in Asia-Pacific and elsewhere may consider when setting up HTA guidelines and/or evaluating whether or not to subsidize a medicine or other health innovations. The framework recommends that subsidy decisions be based on five criteria: the relative burden of the condition as compared with other conditions (step 1), comparative and cost-effectiveness of the medicine (steps 2 and 3), the short-term impact on the budget (step 4), and other considerations including patient and societal preferences (step 5). Our approach, which is a complement to traditional HTA guidance documents, is not prescriptive but provides an evidence-based framework that HTA agencies in Asia-Pacific can follow as they aim to deliver value-based medicines to their constituents.

Epidemiological transition in South -East Asia and its Public Health Implications.

South Asia's rich ecological, geographic and cultural diversity make the region unique but also explains why it is volatile and vulnerable in social, economic and environmental terms. It is a high-priority region for many public health concerns. Rising population, increase in number of urban poverty, low government spending (in terms of % of GDP) on health, dwindling health indicators are some of the immediate concerns. Apart from this, the region is facing a dual burden of diseases, where the communicable diseases are still responsible for substantial portion of deaths, burden of non-communicable diseases is steadily increasing. These changes are explained by four main stages of epidemiological transition. Movement through these stages has resulted in a dramatic shift in the cause of death from infectious diseases and malnutrition in the first stage to cardio-vascular diseases (CVDs) and cancers in most high-income countries over the last two centuries. Policy makers, public health specialists and primary care physicians are expected to keep these changes in mind, while draft policies and dealing with patients on a day to day level.

Implementing the End TB Strategy in the Western Pacific Region: Translating vision into reality.

The End TB Strategy aims to end the global tuberculosis (TB) epidemic by 2035 in line with the sustainable development goals targets and has been implemented in the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region since 2015. Significant progress has been made in implementing this strategy. However, several challenges still remain. In 2016, an estimated 1.8 million people developed TB in the region, and of these about 20% were missed by national TB programmes. The gap in diagnosis and enrolment as well as treatment completion is greater with drug-resistant TB. Many TB-affected families face catastrophic costs due to the disease. Sustaining financing for TB care is a long-term challenge in many countries. This article emphasizes targeted interventions in high-risk populations, including systematic screening and patient-centred TB care. Several other approaches including improving TB diagnostic tools and algorithm, and engaging all care providers are suggested to find missing TB patients. Drug-resistant TB requires additional resourcing for laboratories, enrolment and patient support. Specific measures are required at different levels to mitigate financial burden due to TB including linking TB to overall social protection schemes. The Moscow Ministerial conference in 2017 and upcoming United Nations (UN) 2018 high-level meeting provide an opportunity to raise TB higher on the global agenda, forge partnerships and move towards universal health coverage.

[Recent topics in the research field of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS)].

Seven years have passed since the discovery of a novel infectious disease, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) caused by a novel Phlebovirus, SFTS virus (SFTSV), in PR China. It was also confirmed that SFTS was endemic to Japan through an identification of a woman, who died of SFTSV infection in Yamaguchi prefecture in late 2012. Approximately 6 years have passed since the discovery of SFTS-endemicity in Japan. At present, SFTS is endemic to PR China, South Korea and western Japan. SFTSV is maintained between several species of ticks such as Haemaphysalis longicornis and wild and domestic animals in nature. Therefore, we cannot escape from the risk of being infected with SFTSV. Based on the similarity in the characteristics of the clinical symptoms including the high case fatality rate, mode of infection to humans, pathology and virology between SFTS and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), SFTS should be classified as viral hemorrhagic fever. Although the time from the discovery of SFTS is still short, there have been many scientific reports on the epidemiological, clinical, and/or pathological, and virological studies on SFTS. Favipiravir was reported to show an efficacy in the prevention and treatment of SFTSV infections in an animal model. A clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of favipiravir in the treatment of SFTS patients has been initiated in Japan. Specific and effective treatment with antiviral drugs for and preventive measures of SFTS with vaccination shoued be developed through scientific, clinical, and basic research.

Child pneumonia - focus on the Western Pacific Region.

Worldwide, pneumonia is the leading cause of death in infants and young children (aged <5 years). We provide an overview of the global pneumonia disease burden, as well as the aetiology and management practices in different parts of the world, with a specific focus on the WHO Western Pacific Region. In 2011, the Western Pacific region had an estimated 0.11 pneumonia episodes per child-year with 61,900 pneumonia-related deaths in children less than 5 years of age. The majority (>75%) of pneumonia deaths occurred in six countries; Cambodia, China, Laos, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Viet Nam. Historically Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were the commonest causes of severe pneumonia and pneumonia-related deaths in young children, but this is changing with the introduction of highly effective conjugate vaccines and socio-economic development. The relative contribution of viruses and atypical bacteria appear to be increasing and traditional case management approaches may require revision to accommodate increased uptake of conjugated vaccines in the Western Pacific region. Careful consideration should be given to risk reduction strategies, enhanced vaccination coverage, improved management of hypoxaemia and antibiotic stewardship.

The economic burden of advanced gastric cancer in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in both sexes worldwide, especially in Eastern Asia. This study aimed to estimate the economic burden of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) in Taiwan. METHODS: The costs of AGC in 2013 were estimated using resource use data from a chart review study (n = 122 with AGC) and national statistics. Annual per-patient costs, where patients' follow-up periods were adjusted for, were estimated with 82 patients who had complete resource use data. The costs were composed of direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs (healthcare travel and caregiver costs), morbidity costs, and mortality costs. Relevant unit costs were retrieved mainly from literature and national statistics, and applied to the resource use data. A broad definition of morbidity and mortality costs was employed to value the productivity loss in patients with unpaid employment, economically inactive and unemployed as well as the life years after the age of retirement. Their narrow definitions were also used in sensitivity analyses, using age- and/or sex-specific employment rates. Forgone future earnings/productivity loss were discounted at 3%. Annual per-patient costs were projected to estimate the total costs of AGC at the national level with an estimated number of patients with AGC (N = 2611) in Taiwan in 2013. RESULTS: The mean age of the 82 patients was 59.3 (SD: 11.9) years, and 67.1% were male. Per-patient costs were US$26,431 for direct medical costs, US$4669 for direct non-medical costs, US$5758 for morbidity costs, and US$145,990 for mortality costs (per death). These per-patient costs were projected to incur total AGC costs of US$423 million at the national-level. Mortality costs accounted for 77.3% of the total costs, followed by direct medical costs (16.3%), morbidity costs (3.6%), and direct non-medical costs (2.9%). CONCLUSION: AGC was found to exert a significant economic burden in Taiwan, incurring US$423 million in 2013. This represents about 0.08% of the Taiwanese economy. Mortality costs appeared to be the single greatest contributor to the burden, followed by direct medical costs. Early detection and providing effective treatments will help to reduce its burden on patients, caregivers and society as a whole. A poster of this study was presented at the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium in San Francisco, CA, USA.

Adaptation in families of children with Down syndrome in East Asian countries: an integrative review.

AIM: The purpose of this integrative literature review was to understand the experiences of East Asian families of children with Down syndrome and identify factors affecting their adaptation in the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation. BACKGROUND: Socio-cultural factors influence how well families adapt following the birth of a child with Down syndrome. Existing literature in this area has focused primarily on families from Western cultures. This is problematic because nurses care for families from all over the world. Therefore, the focus of this review is on families of children with Down syndrome living in East Asia, where Confucianism is dominant. DESIGN: Integrative literature review. DATA SOURCES: Online databases (i.e. PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO) and a public search engine (i.e. Google Scholar) were used along with manual searches of reference lists and major journals. Studies were limited to original publications written in English and published between 1990-2014. REVIEW METHODS: Two authors independently performed integrative review processes proposed by Whittemore and Knafl and a quality assessment using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS: Like families in Western cultures, some East Asian families of children with Down syndrome adapted well and even thrived while others struggled. Various socio-cultural factors, including some associated with Confucianism, played a role in how individuals, dyads and families adapted. CONCLUSION: An understanding of socio-cultural influences can help nurses implement culturally sensitive family-centred interventions with families of children with Down syndrome. It may also facilitate policy changes concerning resources for these families.