Risk of spinal cord injury in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament: a national cohort study.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to estimate the risk of spinal cord injury (SCI) in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) with and without ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Also, the study compared the incidence rates of SCI in patients who were managed surgically and conservatively. METHODS This retrospective cohort study covering 15 years analyzed the incidence of SCI in patients with CSM. All patients, identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database, were hospitalized with the diagnosis of CSM and followed up during the study period. These patients with CSM were categorized into 4 groups according to whether they had OPLL or not and whether they received surgery or not: 1) surgically managed CSM without OPLL; 2) conservatively managed CSM without OPLL; 3) surgically managed CSM with OPLL; and 4) conservatively managed CSM with OPLL. The incidence rates of subsequent SCI in each group during follow-up were then compared. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed to compare the risk of SCI between the groups. RESULTS Between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2013, there were 17,258 patients with CSM who were followed up for 89,003.78 person-years. The overall incidence of SCI in these patients with CSM was 2.022 per 1000 person-years. Patients who had CSM with OPLL and were conservatively managed had the highest incidence of SCI, at 4.11 per 1000 person-years. Patients who had CSM with OPLL and were surgically managed had a lower incidence of SCI, at 3.69 per 1000 person-years. Patients who had CSM without OPLL and were conservatively managed had an even lower incidence of SCI, at 2.41 per 1000 person-years. Patients who had CSM without OPLL and were surgically managed had the lowest incidence of SCI, at 1.31 per 1000 person-years. The Cox regression model demonstrated that SCIs are significantly more likely to happen in male patients and in those with OPLL (HR 2.00 and 2.24, p < 0.001 and p = 0.007, respectively). Surgery could significantly lower the risk for approximately 50% of patients (HR 0.52, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Patients with CSM had an overall incidence rate of SCI at approximately 0.2% per year. Male sex, the coexistence of OPLL, and conservative management are twice as likely to be associated with subsequent SCI. Surgery is therefore suggested for male patients with CSM who also have OPLL.

Recapitulating the immune system of hemophilia A patients with inhibitors using immunodeficient mice.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Treating hemophilia A patients who develop inhibitors remains a clinical challenge. A mouse model of hemophilia A can be used to test the efficacy of strategies for inhibitor suppression, but the differences in the immune systems of mice and humans limit its utility. To address this shortcoming, we established a humanized NOD/SCID-IL2rγnull hemophilia A (hu-NSG-HA) mouse model with a severely deficient mouse immune system presenting a patient's adapted immune cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: Through intrasplenic injection with patient inhibitor-positive peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), utilizing an adeno-associated viral delivery system expressing human BLyS, and regular FVIII challenge, human C19+ B cells were expanded in vivo to secrete anti-FVIII antibodies. Both the inhibitor and the human anti-FVIII IgG, including the predominant subclasses (IgG1 and IgG4) present in the majority of inhibitor patients, were detected in the mouse model. We further segregated and expanded the different clones of human anti-FVIII-secreting cells through subsequent transplantation of splenocytes derived from hu-NSG-HA mice into another NSG-HA mouse. By transplanting a patient's PBMCs into the NSG-HA mouse model, we demonstrated the success of reintroducing a strong anti-FVIII immune response for a short period in mice with the immune systems of inhibitor-positive patients. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate a potential tool for directly obtaining functional human-derived antigen-specific antibodies and antibody-secreting cells, which may have therapeutic value for testing patient-specific immune responses to treatment options to assist in clinical decisions.

Critical role of hepsin/TMPRSS1 in hearing and tectorial membrane morphogenesis: Insights from transgenic mouse models.

Mutations in various type II transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS) family members are associated with non-syndromic hearing loss, with some mechanisms still unclear. For instance, the mechanism underlying profound hearing loss and tectorial membrane (TM) malformations in hepsin/TMPRSS1 knockout (KO) mice remains elusive. In this study, we confirmed significantly elevated hearing thresholds and abnormal TM morphology in hepsin KO mice, characterized by enlarged TM with gaps and detachment from the spiral limbus. Transgenic mouse lines were created to express either wild-type or a serine protease-dead mutant of human hepsin in the KO background. The Tg68;KO line, expressing moderate levels of wild-type human hepsin in the cochlea, showed partial restoration of hearing function. Conversely, the Tg5;KO or TgRS;KO lines, with undetectable hepsin or protease-dead hepsin, did not show such improvement. Histological analyses revealed that Tg68;KO mice, but not Tg5;KO or TgRS;KO mice, had a more compact TM structure, partially attached to the spiral limbus. These results indicate that hepsin expression levels correlate with improvements in hearing and TM morphology, and its protease activity is critical for these effects. Hepsin's role was further examined by studying its relationship with α-tectorin (TECTA) and ß-tectorin (TECTB), non-collagenous proteins crucial for TM formation. Hepsin was co-expressed with TECTA and TECTB in the developing cochlear epithelium. Immunostaining showed decreased levels of TECTA and TECTB in hepsin KO TM, partially restored in Tg68;KO mice. These findings suggest that hepsin is essential for proper TM morphogenesis and auditory function, potentially by proteolytic processing/maturation of TECTA and TECTB and their incorporation into the TM.

Using neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio to predict discharge among geriatric patients with influenza infection in emergency department.

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is used to predict the prognosis of various diseases, such as coronavirus disease 2019, community-acquired pneumonia, bacteremia, and endocarditis. However, NLR has never been reported to predict patient discharge in geriatric patients with influenza infection. This retrospective case-control study enrolled geriatric patients (≥65 years) with influenza virus infection who visited the emergency department of a medical center between January 01, 2010 and December 31, 2015. Demographic data, vital signs, past histories, influenza subtypes, outcomes, and disposition were analyzed. The optimal NLR cut-off value to predict patient discharge was determined using the Youden index. We also evaluated the accuracy of NLR in predicting patient discharge using logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analysis. The study included 409 geriatric patients in the emergency department with a mean age of 79.5 years and an approximately equal sex ratio. NLR was significantly lower in the discharged group than in the nondischarged group (5.8 ± 3.7 vs 9.7 ± 8.4). Logistic regression revealed that patients with NLR ≤ 6.5 predicted discharge with an odds ratio of 3.62. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was calculated as 0.36, and the adjusted area under the receiver operating characteristic was 0.75. The negative predictive value of NLR ≤ 6.5, to predict patient discharge, was 91.8%. NLR ≤ 6.5 is a simple and easy-to-obtain laboratory tool to guide the physicians to discharge geriatric patients with influenza infection in the crowded emergency department.

A web-based decision support system for dietary analysis and recommendations.

OBJECTIVES: Because of lack of integrated databases for Chinese menus and the need for nutrition information by dietitians in Taiwan, we developed a Web-based platform for dietary analysis and recommendations. METHODS: The fuzzy decision model was utilized to develop a Web-based support system that searches food composition databases, calculates dietary intake, and provides the guidance for decision making in nutrition counseling. RESULTS: The online support system generated menu- or food-based recommendations using a fuzzy decision model. The homogeneity of food composition between five selected menus generated by the fuzzy decision model in a randomly selective case was strongly correlated with a correlation coefficient of 0.31-0.99. The correlation coefficients were 0.42-0.45 and 0.13-0.44 between food composition of five most correlated menus or five selected menus generated by the fuzzy decision model and nutrient requirements computed by the fuzzy decision model, respectively. The most correlated menus and the menus generated by the fuzzy decision model were also similar. CONCLUSIONS: The recommended menus generated by the fuzzy decision model are considerably reliable and valid, and the online support system for dietary analysis and recommendations can provide a Web-based and decision-making tool for dietitians in Taiwan.

National Early Warning Score for predicting intensive care unit admission among elderly patients with influenza infections in the emergency department: an effective disposition tool during the influenza season.

OBJECTIVE: During the influenza epidemic season, the fragile elderlies are not only susceptible to influenza infections, but are also more likely to develop severe symptoms and syndromes. Such circumstances may pose a significant burden to the medical resources especially in the emergency department (ED). Disposition of the elderly patients with influenza infections to either the ward or intensive care unit (ICU) accurately is therefore a crucial issue. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Elderly patients (≥65 years) with influenza visiting the ED of a medical centre between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2015. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic data, vital signs, medical history, subtype of influenza, national early warning score (NEWS) and outcomes (mortality) were analysed. We investigated the ability of NEWS to predict ICU admission via logistic regression and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: We included 409 geriatric patients in the ED with a mean age of 79.5 years and approximately equal sex ratio. The mean NEWS ±SD was 3.4±2.9, and NEWS ≥8 was reported in 11.0% of the total patients. Logistic regression revealed that NEWS ≥8 predicted ICU admission with an OR of 5.37 (95% CI 2.61 to 11.04). The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was calculated as 0.95, and the adjusted area under the ROC was 0.72. An NEWS ≥8 is associated with ICU-admission and may help to triage elderly patients with influenza infections during the influenza epidemic season. CONCLUSION: The high specificity of NEWS ≥8 to predict ICU admission in elderly patients with influenza infection during the epidemic season may avoid unnecessary ICU admissions and ensure proper medical resource allocation.

Five-year medical expenses of central cord syndrome: analysis using a national cohort.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the medical expenses and outcomes of central cord syndrome (CCS), comparing patients who received surgical and non-surgical management. METHODS: Using a 14-year nationwide database in Taiwan, this study followed-up all patients of CCS at least 5 years. The incidence rates, medical expenses, permanently disabled spinal cord injury (SCI), and mortality rates were compared for patients who underwent surgery and those who were managed conservatively. All CCS patients were further stratified by the level of injury (C1-4 vs. C5-7) in the cost analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1,753 patients with CCS were followed and the incidence of CCS was the highest among males aged between 60 and 70 years, at 42.4 per 1,000,000 person-years. The total medical expenses were higher in the surgery than the non-surgery group (46,586.9 vs. 28,472.4, P<0.001) because of rehabilitation. The surgery group had a significantly lower rate of mortality (Odds Ratio= 0.34, P<0.05) and lower rates of permanently disabled SCI (OR= 4.92, all P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The highest incidence rates of CCS were observed among males aged between 60 and 70 years. The expenses were higher but the mortality rate was lower for surgically managed patients. Further investigation is required to correlate the neurological outcomes to the management of CCS.

Serious dysphagia following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: long-term incidence in a national cohort.

BACKGROUND: Although dysphagia is often self-limiting after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), its incidence, risks, and long-term outcomes remain unclear. The present study aimed to analyze dysphagia up to 5 years post-ACDF using a nation-scaled cohort. METHODS: Incidences of permanent dysphagia requiring nasogastric-tube feeding after ACDF were analyzed using three million-sample cohorts derived from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. All identified subjects were stratified into four groups (40's, 50's, 60's, and >70) according to their age at operation, and were subsequently followed up for 5 years. The risks of dysphagia were compared between the groups using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression hazard ratio model. RESULTS: A total of 2723 patients (>40 years old) who received first-time ACDF surgery were identified from a cohort of three million and followed up for a maximum of 5 years post-operation. The 5-year incidence rates of persistent dysphagia (requiring use of a nasogastric tube) were 6.1, 4.0, 12.0, and 22.8 per 1000 person-years for each age group (40's, 50's, 60's, and 70+ years old, respectively). The overall incidence rate of dysphagia after ACDF was 18.4, 10.9, and 8.9 per 1000 person-years at 3 months, 1 year, and 5 years follow-up, respectively. The incidence rates of dysphagia and use of home care services were highest at 3 months postoperatively in all age groups, but dropped to a stable level after one year post-operation. The risks of dysphagia and the necessity of using home care services were higher (hazard ratio= 2.69 and 4.96) in the elderly group (aged 70 years and over) at all follow-up time points. CONCLUSIONS: The elderly patients had higher risks of short- and long-term severe dysphagia after ACDF. Therefore, although the incidence rates were still low (approximately 2.3%), older patients (aged 70 years and over) should be cautioned for dysphagia requiring a nasogastric tube and home care services if they undergo ACDF.

Characteristics of Non-Emergent Visits in Emergency Departments: Profiles and Longitudinal Pattern Changes in Taiwan, 2000-2010.

An increasing number of emergency department (ED) visits have posed a challenge to health systems in many countries, but an understanding of non-emergent ED visits has remained limited and contentious. This retrospective study analyzed ED visits using three representative cohorts from routine data to explore the profiles and longitudinal pattern changes of non-emergent ED visits in Taiwan. Systematic-, personal-, and ED visit-level data were analyzed using a logistic regression model. Average marginal effects were calculated to compare the effects of each factor. The annual ED visit rate increased up to 261.3 per 1000 population in 2010, and a significant one-third of visits were considered as non-emergent. The rapidly growing utilization of ED visits underwent a watershed change after cost-sharing payments between patients and medical institutions were increased in 2005. In addition to cohort effects resulting from cost-sharing payment changes, all factors were significantly associated with non-emergent ED visits with different levels of impact. We concluded that non-emergent ED visits were associated with multifaceted factors, but the change to cost-sharing payment, being female, younger age, and geographical residence were the most predictive factors. This information would enhance the implementation of evidence-based strategies to optimize ED use.

Tetanus Vaccination and Extra-Immunization among Adult Populations: Eight-Year Follow Up Cohort Study of 771,443 Adults in Taiwan, 2006⁻2013.

Under-and extra-immunization of tetanus boosters are important issues to consider in reducing the burden of vaccine-preventable disease in adults. The present study aimed to analyze the trend of vaccination coverage (VC) and risk factors associated with extra-immunization of tetanus during an 8-year period using a national-scale cohort database. Taiwan's one-million representative research database, the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID2005) was used. A total of 771,443 adults aged between 20 and 79 years were enrolled and followed from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2013. VC at the beginning was as low as 35.1%, declining gradually and dropping to 33.9% at the end of follow-up. While a total of 303,480 tetanus boosters were used during the study period, more than half (55.5%) of these boosters were considered as extra-immunized. Both individual characteristics and visit characteristics were strongly associated with extra-immunization. Males, young and older adults, and those with a higher number of comorbidities were more likely to receive extra-immunization boosters, especially when they had more severe symptoms, visited an emergency room, or visited a hospital with lower accreditation levels located in a less urbanized area. This information could enhance implementation of evidence-based programs for tetanus boosters.

Accuracy of a Staging System for Prognosis of 5-Year Survival of Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Who Underwent Chemoradiotherapy.

Importance: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy delivers a high level of tumor control and survival benefits for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, many uncertainties still exist regarding the outcomes of chemoradiotherapy, making a more precise survival prognostic system necessary. Objective: To introduce a new staging system that combines tumor and clinical characteristics to improve the accuracy of prognosis for patients with NPC. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study enrolled 207 patients with newly diagnosed NPC who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2014, at Chi-Mei Medical Center in Tainan, Taiwan. Data on these patients were collected from the cancer registry database of the Chi-Mei Medical Center. Patients who had a history of cancer or were unable to complete a full course of radiotherapy were excluded. Follow-up was completed on September 30, 2016, and the data analysis was performed from January 1, 2017, to February 28, 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures: The risk factors associated with 5-year disease-specific survival were incorporated into the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and the International Union Against Cancer TNM staging system to construct a new prognostic staging system. The χ2 test for linear trend, the Akaike information criterion, and the C statistic were used to evaluate the monotonicity and discriminatory ability of the new prognostic staging system and the AJCC TNM staging system. Results: Of the 207 patients enrolled in the study, 157 (75.8%) were men, and the mean (SD) age was 48 (11) years. Multivariate analysis identified advanced clinical T stage (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 3.20; 95% CI, 1.58-6.48), poor performance status (aHR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.30-5.28), and cumulative cisplatin dose lower than 100 mg/m2 (aHR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.10-4.74) as independent prognostic factors. The ß coefficients from the Cox proportional hazards regression model were used to develop an integer-based, weighted point system; advanced clinical T stage, poor performance, and cumulative cisplatin dose lower than 100 mg/m2 were each assigned a score of 1. The sum of these risk scores was stratified into new stage I (score of 0), new stage II (score of 1), new stage III (score of 2), and new stage IV (score of 3). Compared with the AJCC TNM staging system, the new prognostic staging category had better monotonicity with a higher χ2 value (17.8 vs 25.6) for linear trend, better discriminatory ability with a smaller Akaike information criterion (367 vs 360), and a greater C statistic (0.702 vs 0.740) for 5-year disease-specific survival. Conclusions and Relevance: The new prognostic staging system has a better accuracy of prognosis of survival than the routinely used AJCC TNM staging system and thus is more useful in identifying high-risk patients for more intense treatment and care.

Increased Risk of Stroke in Patients of Concussion: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Long-term morbidities can develop after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Some studies have suggested that the risk of stroke is higher after TBI, but the association between concussion and stroke remains unclear. Using a national cohort, the authors analyzed the incidence of both hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes in patients with previous concussion. A representative cohort of approximately one million people was followed up for four years. Patients with new-onset concussion were identified (n = 13,652) as the concussion group. Subsequently, the incidence rates of later stroke events in the concussion group were compared to a sex-, age- and propensity score-matched comparison group (n = 13,652). The overall incidence rate of stroke in the concussion group was higher than that of the comparison group (9.63 versus 6.52 per 1000 person-years, p < 0.001). Significantly higher stroke risk was observed in the concussion group than in the comparison group (crude hazard ratio 1.48, p < 0.001; adjusted HR 1.65, p < 0.001). In the concussion group, the cumulative incidence rates of both ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke were higher than those of the comparison group (8.9% vs. 5.8% and 2.7% vs. 1.6%, respectively, both p < 0.001). Concussion is an independent risk factor for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Prevention and monitoring strategies of stroke are therefore suggested for patients who have experienced concussion.

Lower Risk of Stroke after Deformity Surgery: Long Term Benefit Demonstrated by a National Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the long-term risk of stroke in adult patients with spinal deformity. Specifically, the study addressed the possible protective effect of surgery for spinal deformity against stroke. METHODS: Using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), a monopolistic national database in Taiwan, this retrospective cohort study analyzed the incidence of stroke in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) in a 11-year period. A total of 13,503 patients, between 55 and 75 years old, were identified for the diagnosis of ASD. The patients were grouped into two: the surgical group (n = 10,439) who received spinal fusion surgery, and the control group (n = 2124) who received other medical treatment. The incidence rates of all subsequent cerebrovascular accidents, including ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, were calculated. Hazard ratios for stroke were calculated use a full cohort and a propensity score matched cohort. Adjustments for co-morbidities that may predispose to stroke, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, arrhythmia and coronary heart disease were conducted. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed to compare the risk of stroke between the two groups. RESULTS: During the total observation period of 50,450 person-years, the incidence rate of stroke in the surgical group (15.55 per 1000 person-years) was significantly lower than that of the control group (20.89 per 1000 person-years, p < 0.001). Stroke was more likely to occur in the control group than in the surgical group (crude hazard ratio 1.34, p < 0.001; adjusted HR 1.28, p < 0.001, by a propensity score matched model). CONCLUSIONS: In this national cohort of more than 13,000 ASD patients covering 10 years, stroke was approximately 25% less likely to happen in patients who underwent spinal fusion surgery than those who received medical management. Therefore, spinal fusion surgery may provide a protective effect against stroke in adult patients with spinal deformity.

Hyperlipidemia and statins affect neurological outcome in lumbar spine injury.

The disabling pathophysiologic effects of lipid and neuroprotective effects of statins have recently been demonstrated for acute spinal cord injuries in animal models. This large scale population-based study aimed to investigate the effect hyperlipidemia and the use of statins in patients with lumbar spine injury. The National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan was used to identify patients with lumbar spine injury. A total of 2844 patients were grouped into three: no hyperlipidemia, hyperlipidemia using low-dose of statins (≤90 of the defined daily dosage (DDD)), and severe hyperlipidemia using high-dose of statins (>90 DDD). A Cox multiple regression model was used to compare the incidence rates of disability among the three groups. The results showed that patients with hyperlipidemia appeared a higher risk of permanent disability (adjusted HR = 1.38, p = 0.28). In subgroup analysis, patients with severe hyperlipidemia had a higher risk of disability (adjusted HR = 3.1, p < 0.004), whereas hyperlipidemia using low-dose statins had a similar risk of permanently disability (adjusted HR = 0.83, p = 0.661). Hyperlipidemia adversely affected the neurological outcomes of lumbar spinal injury. Statins may have the potential to reverse this higher risk of disability. However, this beneficiary effect of statins only existed in patients using a lower dose (≤90 DDD).

Systemic sclerosis and the risk of tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary involvement is common in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and this condition causes substantial morbidity and mortality. Disrupted immunity from the disease or associated medication may render such patients subject to tuberculosis (TB) infection. However, the relationship between SSc and TB has not yet been investigated. METHODS: Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, 838 patients with SSc diagnosed in Taiwan during 2000-2006 were identified and followed for emergence of TB infection. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) of TB compared to 8380 randomly selected age-, sex-, and comorbidity-matched controls without SSc were calculated. The Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate adjustment to identify independent risk factors for TB infection. RESULTS: The risk of TB infection was higher in the SSc cohort than in controls (IRR 2.81, 95% CI 1.36-5.37; p = 0.004), particularly for pulmonary TB (IRR 2.53, 95% CI 1.08-5.30; p = 0.022). Other independent risk factors for TB infection in patients with SSc were age ≥ 60 years [hazard ratio (HR) 3.52, 95% CI 1.10-11.33; p = 0.035] and pulmonary hypertension (PH; HR 6.06, 95% CI 1.59-23.17; p = 0.008). Mortality did not differ for SSc patients with or without TB. CONCLUSION: In this nationwide study, the incidence of TB infection was significantly higher among patients with SSc than in controls without SSc. Special care should be taken in managing patients with SSc who are at high risk for TB, especially those aged ≥ 60 years or who also have PH.

Impact of young age on the prognosis for oral cancer: a population-based study in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Oral cancer leads to a considerable use of health care resources. Wide resection of the tumor and reconstruction with a pedicle flap/ free flap is widely used. This study was conducted to investigate if young age at the time of diagnosis of oral cancer requiring this treatment confers a worse prognosis. METHODS: A total of 2339 patients who underwent resections for oral cancer from 2004 to 2005 were identified from The Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Survival analysis, Cox proportional regression model, propensity scores, and sensitivity test were used to evaluate the association between 5-year survival rates and age. RESULTS: In the Cox proportional regression model, the older age group (>65 years) had the worst survival rate (hazard ratio [HR], 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45-2.22; P<0.001). When analyzed using the propensity scores, the adjusted 5-year survival rates were also poorer for oral cancer patients with older age (>65 years), compared to those with younger age (<45 years) (P<0.001). In sensitivity test, the adjusted hazard ratio remained no statistically elevated in the younger age group (<45 years). CONCLUSIONS: For those oral cancer patients who underwent wide excision and reconstruction, young age did not confer a worse prognosis using a Cox proportional regression model, propensity scores or sensitivity test. Young oral cancer patients may be treated using general guidelines and do not require more aggressive treatment.

Disparities in oral cancer survival among mentally ill patients.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have reported excess cancer mortality in patients with mental illness. However, scant studies evaluated the differences in cancer treatment and its impact on survival rates among mentally ill patients. Oral cancer is one of the ten most common cancers in the world. We investigated differences in treatment type and survival rates between oral cancer patients with mental illness and without mental illness. METHODS: Using the National Health Insurance (NHI) database, we compared the type of treatment and survival rates in 16687 oral cancer patients from 2002 to 2006. The utilization rate of surgery for oral cancer was compared between patients with mental illness and without mental illness using logistic regression. The Cox proportional hazards model was used for survival analysis. RESULTS: Oral cancer patients with mental disorder conferred a grave prognosis, compared with patients without mental illness (hazard ratios [HR] = 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.30-1.93; P<0.001). After adjusting for patients' characteristics and hospital characteristics, patients with mental illness were less likely to receive surgery with or without adjuvant therapy (odds ratio [OR] = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.34-0.65; P<0.001). In multivariate analysis, oral cancer patients with mental illness carried a 1.58-times risk of death (95% CI = 1.30-1.93; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Oral cancer patients with mental illness were less likely to undergo surgery with or without adjuvant therapy than those without mental illness. Patients with mental illness have a poor prognosis compared to those without mental illness. To reduce disparities in physical health, public health strategies and welfare policies must continue to focus on this vulnerable group.

Bacterial pneumonia following acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: The most common serious complication following acute ischemic stroke is pneumonia, which may increase mortality and worsen clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictors of 30-day mortality in patients with pneumonia following acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: From June 2006 to May 2011, we retrospectively included 51 patients with pneumonia following acute ischemic stroke. We analyzed the clinical features, microbiologic data, and outcomes. Predictors of 30-day mortality were investigated by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The acute ischemic strokes were caused by large-artery atherosclerosis in 37 (72.5%) of the 51 patients. We found that the most common pathogen responsible for poststroke pneumonia was Klebsiella pneumoniae, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Ultimately, 12 patients died of progressive sepsis due to pneumonia after the acute ischemic stroke. The 30-day mortality rate was 23.5%. In the univariate analysis, patients who died within 30 days had higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, higher CURB-65 scores, elevated instability of hemodynamic status, and lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores. In Cox regression analysis, a GCS score of <9 on the day of pneumonia onset was only significant indicator for 30-day mortality (hazard ratio, 6.72; 95% confidence interval, 2.12-21.30, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pneumonia after acute ischemic stroke is a severe complication. Once stroke-related pneumonia develops, neurologic assessment, CURB-65 score, and shock can be used to predict the ultimate prognosis.

Association between provider volume and healthcare expenditures of patients with oral cancer in Taiwan: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Oral cancer requires considerable utilization of healthcare services. Wide resection of the tumor and reconstruction with free flap are widely used. Due to high recurrence rate, close follow-up is mandatory. This study was conducted to explore the relationship between the healthcare expenditure of oncological surgery and one-year follow up and provider volume. METHODS: From the National Health Insurance Research Database published by the Taiwanese National Health Research Institute, the authors selected a total of 1300 oral cancer patients who underwent tumor resection and free flap reconstruction in 2008. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was subsequently performed to explore the relationship between provider volume and expenditures of oncological surgery and one-year follow-up period. Emergency department (ED) visits and 30-day readmission rates were also analyzed. RESULTS: The mean expenditure for oncological surgery was $11080±4645 (all costs are given in U.S. dollars) and $10129±9248 for one-year follow up. For oncological surgery expenditure, oral cancer patients treated by low-volume surgeons had an additional $845 than those in high-volume surgeons in mixed model. For one-year follow-up expenditure, patients in low-volume hospitals had an additional $3439 than those in high-volume hospitals; patient in low-volume surgeons and medium-volume surgeons incurred an additional expenditure of $2065 and $1811 than those in high-volume surgeons. Oral cancer patients treated in low-volume hospitals incurred higher risk of 30-day readmission rate (odds ratio, 6.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-27). CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for physician, hospital, and patient characteristics, low-volume provider performing wide excision with reconstructive surgery in oral cancer patients incurred significantly higher expenditure for oncological surgery and one-year healthcare per patient than did others with higher volumes. Treatment strategies adapted by high-volume providers should be further analyzed.

Pneumococcal pneumonia and the risk of stroke: a population-based follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the risk of developing stroke in patients hospitalized following a diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia. METHODS: The study cohorts comprised of patients hospitalized with a principal diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia (n  = 745), with a random sampling of control individuals in 2004 (n  = 1490). The Cox proportional hazard model was used to compare the stroke-free survival rate between the cohorts after adjusting for possible confounding and risk factors for a two-year follow up. Instrumental variable analysis (IVA) was used to address potential biases associated with measured and unmeasured confounding variables. RESULTS: Of the 153 patients with stroke, 80 (10.7%) were from the pneumococcal pneumonia cohort, and 73 (4.9%) were from the control group. The risk of stroke was 3.65 times higher (95% confidence interval, 2.25-5.90; P<0.001) in patients with pneumococcal pneumonia after adjusting for patient characteristics, co-morbidities, geographic region, urbanization level of residence, and socioeconomic status during the first year. IVA showed an additional 14% risk of stroke for pneumococcal pneumonia patients (odds ratio = 1.14; 95% CI, 1.02-1.26, P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with pneumococcal pneumonia carry an increased risk for stroke than the general population. Further studies are warranted for developing better diagnostic and follow-up strategies for patients with increased risk.