Increased risk of psychiatric disorder in patients with hearing loss: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Hearing loss has been shown to be a risk factor for psychiatric disorders. In addition, long-term hearing loss is associated with increased hospitalization and mortality rates; however, the increased risk and duration of effect of hearing loss in combination with other chronic diseases on each psychiatric disorder are still not clearly defined. The purpose of this article is to clarify the risk of hearing loss for each disorder over time. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study, and a national health insurance research database in Taiwan was utilized. All (n = 1,949,101) Taiwanese residents who had a medical visit between 2000 and 2015 were included. Patients with hearing loss and a comparative retrospective cohort were analyzed. Every subject was tracked individually from their index date to identify the subjects who later received a diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder. The Kaplan‒Meier method was used to analyze the cumulative incidence of psychiatric disorders. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify the risk of psychiatric disorders. RESULTS: A total of 13,341 (15.42%) and 31,250 (9.03%) patients with and without hearing loss, respectively, were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that hearing loss significantly elevated the risk of psychiatric disorders (adjusted HR = 2.587, 95% CI 1.723-3.346, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that patients with hearing loss are more likely to develop psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, the various psychiatric disorders are more likely to occur at different times. Our findings have important clinical implications, including a need for clinicians to implement early intervention for hearing loss and to pay close attention to patients' psychological status. Trial registration TSGHIRB No. E202216036.

The synergistic effect of insomnia and depression on risk of herpes zoster.

Sleep problems was associated with increased risk for herpes zoster (HZ). This study examined subjects with insomnia or a combination of insomnia and depression and their risk of HZ. This retrospective cohort study included a total of 47,256 participants, with a control comprising 31,504 age- and sex-matched patients. Clinical data from 2000 to 2013 in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were used for analysis. Insomnia, depression, and HZ were defined according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification. Subjects with insomnia had a significantly higher incidence of HZ (2.77 per 1000 person-years) than the controls (1.81 per 1000 person-years) as well as a higher risk of developing HZ (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) = 1.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.35-1.93). Results shown subjects with insomnia durations of < 4 years, 4-6 years, and > 6 years had a significantly higher risk of HZ compared with the controls (AHR: 6.69, 95% CI 4.44-9.39; AHR: 4.42, 95% CI 3.07-6.36; AHR:1.38, 95% CI 1.14-1.87, respectively). We found a significantly higher risk of HZ in subjects with both insomnia and depression (AHR = 4.95; 95% CI = 3.99-7.02) than in those without related conditions. Patients with insomnia, and even more so those with comorbid depression, had a higher risk of developing HZ. This indicates a joint effect of insomnia and depression on HZ.

Postoperative Bisphosphonates Use is Associated with Reduced Adverse Outcomes After Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty of Hip and Knee: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Bisphosphonates have been associated with a decreased risk of revision surgery after total joint arthroplasty of the hip or knee (TJA) because of their effects on decreased periprosthetic bone loss and prosthetic migration. However, the results in the early literature are inconsistent, and the influence of bisphosphonates on associated complications and subsequent TJA remains unknown. This study investigated the association between the use of bisphosphonates and the risk of adverse outcomes after primary TJA. This matched cohort study utilized the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan to identify patients who underwent primary TJA over a 15-year period (January 2000-December 2015 inclusive). Study participants were further categorized into two groups, bisphosphonate users and nonusers, using propensity score matching. The Kaplan-Meier curve analysis and adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of revision surgery, adverse outcomes of primary surgery and subsequent TJA were calculated using Cox regression analysis. This study analyzed data from 6485 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) and 20,920 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The risk of revision hip and knee arthroplasty was significantly lower in the bisphosphonate users than in the nonusers (aHR, 0.54 and 0.53, respectively). Furthermore, the risk of a subsequent total joint arthroplasty, adverse events and all-cause mortality were also significantly reduced in the bisphosphonate users. This study, involving a large cohort of patients who underwent primary arthroplasties, revealed that bisphosphonate treatment may potentially reduce the risk of revision surgery and associated adverse outcomes. Furthermore, the use of bisphosphonates after TJA is also associated with a reduced need for subsequent arthroplasty.Research Registration Unique Identifying Number (UIN): ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier-NCT05623540 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT05623540 ).

Inactivation of mitochondrial pyruvate carrier promotes NLRP3 inflammasome activation and gout development via metabolic reprogramming.

The nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeats, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a crucial role in innate immunity and is involved in the pathogenesis of autoinflammatory diseases. Glycolysis regulates NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages. However, how lactic acid fermentation and pyruvate oxidation controlled by the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) affect NLRP3 inflammasome activation and autoinflammatory disease remains elusive. We found that the inactivation of MPC with genetic depletion or pharmacological inhibitors, MSDC-0160 or pioglitazone, increased NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL-1ß secretion in macrophages. Glycolytic reprogramming induced by MPC inhibition skewed mitochondrial ATP-associated oxygen consumption into cytosolic lactate production, which enhanced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in response to monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. As pioglitazone is an insulin sens MSDC-itizer used for diabetes, its MPC inhibitory effect in diabetic individuals was investigated. The results showed that MPC inhibition exacerbated MSU-induced peritonitis in diabetic mice and increased the risk of gout in patients with diabetes. Altogether, we found that glycolysis controlled by MPC regulated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and gout development. Accordingly, prescriptions for medications targeting MPC should consider the increased risk of NLRP3-related autoinflammatory diseases.

The association between abused adults and substance abuse in Taiwan, 2000-2015.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether adults suffering from violence were at risk of substance abuse and provides insight into the relationship between male and female abusers and substance abuse from 2000 to 2015 in Taiwan. METHODS: This study used data on outpatient, emergency, and inpatient visits for 2 million people enrolled in universal health insurance from 2000 to 2015. ICD-9 diagnosis codes 995.8 (abused adult) and E960-E969 (homicide and injury purposely inflicted by other persons) were defined in this case study, analyzing first-time violence in adults aged 18-64 (study group). Non-abused patients (control group) were matched in a 1:4 ratio, and the paired variables were gender, age (± 1 year), pre-exposure Charlson Comorbidity Index, and year of medical treatment. SAS 9.4 and Cox regression were used for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 8,726 people suffered violence (control group: 34,904 people) over 15 years. The prevalence of substance abuse among victims of violence was 78.3/104, 61.9/104, and 51.5/104 for tobacco use disorder, alcoholism, and alcohol abuse, respectively. The risk (adults, overall) of drug abuse, drug dependence, and alcoholism after exposure to violence (average 9 years) was 7.47, 7.15, and 6.86 times (p < 0.01), respectively, compared with those without violence. The risk (adults, males) of drug abuse, drug dependence, and alcohol abuse after exposure to violence (average 9 years) was 6.85, 6.27, and 6.07 times, respectively, higher than those without violence (p < 0.01). Risks of drug dependence, alcohol abuse and alcoholism (adults, females) after exposure to violence (average 9 years) were 14.92, 12.26, and 11.55 times, respectively, higher than non-abused ones (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The risks of substance abuse, after adult violence, are higher than in those who have not suffered violent injuries.

Associations between domestic violence and poor pregnancy outcomes in taiwanese women: a nested case-control study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Domestic violence (DV) are one of the important risk factors for women's health outcomes. The aim of this study was explored the risk of DV association with the poor pregnancy outcomes (PPOs), including premature delivery, abortion, and stillbirth. METHODS: A nested case-control study was applied. Data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were collected from 2000 to 2015. A total of 41,730 participants were included in this study, including 8,346 participants in the case group and 33,384 age- and index year-matched control group. Assessments of DA and PPOs were determined according to the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision. We conducted a conditional logistic regression analysis to estimate the effect of DV on PPOs. RESULTS: The mean age was 35.53 in the 41,730 female participants. The overall incidence rate of PPOs of the participants, who had experienced DV, was 84.05 per 100,000 person-years. which was significantly higher than that for the controls (18.19 per 100,000 person-years). The risk of PPOs was higher in the participants who had experienced DV than in the controls (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.31; 95% confidence interval [CI] [95% CI]: 2.83-3.86), including for premature delivery (AOR = 3.57; 95% CI: 3.05-4.17), abortion (AOR = 3.31; 95% CI: 2.83-3.86) and stillbirth (AOR = 2.98; 95% CI: 2.55-3.47). The results showed that the longer a participant has been suffering DV, the risk of PPOs was higher. CONCLUSIONS: Present results reaved the risk of PPOs associated with DV. Especially, the longer a woman has been experiencing DV, the risk of PPOs was higher, showed a dose-response effect.

Migraine and subsequent head and neck cancer: A nationwide population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The association of migraine with the risk of certain cancer has been reported. The aim of this pilot study was to examine the associations between migraine and the onset of head and neck cancers (HNC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1755 individuals were identified through a nationwide population-based cohort registry in Taiwan between 2000 and 2013. The primary end point variable was new-onset head and neck cancers in patients with migraine versus non-migraine controls. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to derive the risk of HNC. Subgroup analyses were performed to determine subpopulations at risk of migraine-associated HNC. Sub-outcome analyses were carried out to provide the subtypes of migraine-associated HNC. Propensity score matching was utilized to validate the findings. RESULTS: A total of four patients out of 351 patients with migraine and seven out of 1404 non-migraine controls developed HNC. The incidence of HNC was higher in patients with migraine than that in non-migraine controls (108.93 vs. 48.77 per 100,000 person-years) (adjusted hazard ratio, aHR = 2.908, 95% CI = 0.808-10.469; p = 0.102). The risk of HNC in patients with migraine with aura (aHR = 5.454, 95% CI = 0.948-26.875; p = 0.264) and without aura (aHR = 2.777, 95% CI = 0.755-8.473; p = 0.118) was revealed. The incidence of non-nasopharyngeal HNC secondary to migraine (112.79 per 100,000 person-years) was higher than that of nasopharyngeal cancer secondary to migraine (105.33 per 100,000 person-years). CONCLUSION: A higher incidence of HNC was observed in a small sample of patients with migraine, especially in those with migraine with aura. Migraine-associated HNC included non-nasopharyngeal HNC. Studies with a larger sample are needed to confirm the finding of the high risk of HNC in people with migraine.

An enigma of hypothyroidism and hyponatremia coexistence: a nationwide population-based retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Hypothyroidism is a rare and possible cause of hyponatremia. However, the clinical epidemiology and risk of mortality (ROM) when they coexist still remain elusive. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the epidemiology and ROM among index patients with coexisting hypothyroidism and hyponatremia via a national population database. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study utilized Taiwan's National Health Insurance program database. Distributions of definite sociodemographic factors were analyzed. The annual incidence among the overall group and sex-subgroups was investigated. In addition, potential factors influencing the ROM were also evaluated. RESULTS: Of 4,549,226 patients from 1998 to 2015, a total of 3,140 index patients with concurrent hypothyroidism and hyponatremia were analyzed. The incidence rate increased tenfold from 1998 to 2015; average annual incidence rate was 174. Among the total participants, 57.1% were women; mean age was 72.6 ± 14.7 years and 88.8% were aged > 55 years. Although average length of stay (LOS) was 13.1 ± 15.4 days, the mortality group had significantly longer LOS than that in the survival group (12.9 days vs 22.2 days). Old age, catastrophic illness, cardiac dysrhythmia, and low hospital hierarchy were independent predictors of hospital mortality. The optimal LOS cutoff value for ROM prediction was 16 days. Index patients with LOS > 16 days increased ROM by 2.3-fold. CONCLUSIONS: Coexistent hypothyroidism and hyponatremia is rare, although the incidence increased gradually. Factors influencing the ROM, such as old age, underlying catastrophic status, cardiac dysrhythmia, hospital hierarchy, and LOS should be considered in clinical care.

New insights into precocious puberty and ADHD: a nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children; however, studies delineating the association between ADHD and central precocious puberty are limited. This study aimed to understand whether children with ADHD are at a higher risk of central precocious puberty. METHODS: This population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan to investigate the association between ADHD and the incidence of central precocious puberty between 2000-2015. We identified ADHD individuals treated with methylphenidate, atomoxetine or not. The control cohort consisted of individuals without ADHD. The outcome measure was central precocious puberty diagnosis. RESULTS: Among 290,148 children (mean age: 5.83 years), central precocious puberty incidence was 4.24 and 1.95 per 105 person-years in the ADHD and control groups, respectively. Children with ADHD treated with medication had a higher risk than those without ADHD. However, medication use did not affect the incidence of central precocious puberty among children with ADHD. CONCLUSION: This study showed an association between ADHD and a higher risk of central precocious puberty. Early referral of children with ADHD to a pediatric endocrinologist for evaluation may facilitate correct diagnoses and early interventions. IMPACT: ADHD is associated with a higher risk of central precocious puberty. This study provides relevant findings, as it is the first nationwide, population-based cohort study to investigate the association between ADHD and the risk of central precocious puberty with a 15-year follow-up. Early referral of children with ADHD to a pediatric endocrinologist for the evaluation of suspected precocious puberty could facilitate correct diagnosis. Early intervention treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist might improve final height in children with central precocious puberty.

Is periodontitis a risk factor of benign or malignant colorectal tumor? A population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the risk of developing benign or malignant colorectal tumors in patients with periodontitis within 15 years using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Database. BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that colorectal carcinoma often develops under inflammatory conditions and changes of microbiota in the gut. Recently, a link between Fusobacterium nucleatum, a periodontal pathogen, and colorectal carcinoma has been proposed. However, whether periodontitis is a risk of developing colorectal tumor remains uncertain. METHODS: In total, 35 124 participants were enrolled from 2000 to 2015 to examine the development risk of benign colorectal tumors, including 11 708 patients with periodontitis who received therapy (group 1), 11 708 patients with periodontitis not receiving periodontal treatment (group 2), and 11 708 non-periodontitis controls after matching for gender, age, and index year. To examine the risk of developing colorectal malignancy, 11 720 participants were assigned to each of the three groups. Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier methods were used to compare the risks. Sensitivity analysis was performed, excluding the diagnoses during the first 1 or 5 years. RESULTS: After the follow-up, 177, 154, and 63 participants in group 1, group 2, and control group had benign colorectal tumors. Patients with periodontitis tended to be associated with a greater rate of having a benign colorectal tumor. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) were 3.77 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.01-4.82, p < .001) and 2.85 (95% CI 1.62-3.74, p < .001) for groups 1 and 2, respectively. Regarding the risk of malignant colorectal tumor, 20, 18, and 14 participants who developed malignant tumors were included in group 1, group 2, and control group; however, no significant increase in malignancy was observed in periodontitis groups (aHR1.92, 95% CI 0.74-2.36, p = .482; aHR 1.50, 95% CI 0.68-1.97, p = .529, for the two periodontitis groups, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that patients with periodontitis may have an increased risk of developing benign, but not malignant, colorectal tumors.

Association of periodontitis with tinnitus: A population-based cohort study in Taiwan.

AIM: Tinnitus, ringing in the ears, is speculated to be driven by inflammation. This study examined whether periodontitis is a risk factor for tinnitus using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the 79,456 patients who visited for dental concerns, 11,055 patients who were diagnosed with periodontitis and underwent periodontal treatment between 2000 and 2015 were enrolled in Group 1. After matching for sex, age, and index year, 11,055 patients with periodontitis who received no treatment were enrolled in Group 2. Similarly, 11,055 participants without periodontitis were included as controls. RESULTS: At the end of the follow-up, 412 and 404 participants in the two periodontitis groups and 321 participants in the control group had tinnitus. Cumulative risk for tinnitus in Group 1 or 2 was significantly greater than in the control group. More periodontitis patients than controls developed tinnitus (adjusted hazard ratios were 1.71 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.49-1.97, p < .001) and 1.64 (95% CI: 1.37-1.86, p < .001) in Groups 1 and 2, respectively). The risks were not significantly different between Groups 1 and 2. Similar findings were obtained after excluding data for the first 1 or 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings indicate that periodontitis is associated with tinnitus.

Trichomonas infection in pregnant women: a nationwide cohort study.

Trichomoniasis is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection worldwide, and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) has received little public health attention, and only limited data are available on prevalence of TV and other Trichomonas-associated syndromes in pregnant women. This study aimed to determine associations between pregnancy and incident trichomoniasis-related diseases. Data of pregnant women were extracted from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. The pregnant cohort included 113,781 women, and cases were randomly matched by age, and index year with those of non-pregnant women (n = 113,781). Risk of incident trichomoniasis-related diseases was also not significantly different between pregnant and non-pregnant women. However, after stratifying by age or level of care, the younger subgroup among pregnant women had a higher risk of incident trichomoniasis-related diseases than did the younger subgroup in non-pregnant women, while the elder subgroup among pregnant women had a lower risk of incident trichomoniasis-related diseases than did the same subgroup in non-pregnant women (all p < 0.05). The higher level of care (medical center) subgroup among pregnant women had a lower risk of incident trichomoniasis-related diseases than did the same subgroup in non-pregnant women. In conclusions, although pregnancy is not significantly associated with risk of trichomoniasis-related diseases, data of the present study support an enhanced high level of medical care for pregnant women, emphasizing the potential of high medical care in reduced incidence of trichomoniasis-related diseases. This may be an effective strategy for reducing various pregnancy complications associated with trichomoniasis-related diseases.

Age and sex differences on the association between anxiety disorders and obstructive sleep apnea: A nationwide case-control study in Taiwan.

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the association between anxiety disorders and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: This is a population-based, retrospective case-control study using Taiwan's nationwide database. We included patients with OSA aged ≥12 years, diagnosed according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes: 327 and 780. Each enrolled patient with OSA needed to undergo a polysomnography examination within 1 year pre- or post-OSA occurrence. Patients with OSA and controls were selected in a 1:4 ratio. Patients with anxiety disorders (ICD-9-CM code 300) were diagnosed by board-certified psychiatrists and required to visit the outpatient clinic at least three times per year. Multivariate logistic regression and interaction analyses were used to evaluate the objective association. RESULTS: This study enrolled 7987 and 31 948 participants with and without OSA, respectively. A significant difference in anxiety exposure was observed only pre-OSA diagnosis but not post-OSA diagnosis. Compared with patients without anxiety disorders: (i) those with anxiety disorders had an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of ≈1.864 in OSA comorbidity (aOR = 1.864; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.337-2.405); and (ii) subgroup analysis showed a significant interaction that anxiety patients of male sex, aged 18 to 44 years, aged 45 to 64 years, and hypertension had a higher aOR in OSA comorbidity (aOR = 2.104 [95% CI = 1.436-2.589], aOR = 1.942 [95% CI = 1.390-2.503], aOR = 2.179 [95% CI = 1.564-2.811], and aOR = 2.092 [95% CI = 1.497-2.706], respectively). CONCLUSION: The study revealed a higher ratio of previous anxiety exposure in patients with OSA. Compared with those without anxiety, anxiety patients of male sex, aged 18 to 64 years, and with hypertension had a higher risk of OSA comorbidity.

Obstructive sleep apnea and injury events in Taiwanese adults: A retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosis and diverse types of injuries. DESIGN: This population-based retrospective cohort study compared records from 2000 to 2013 in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. METHODS: 3025 patients identified with OSA were compared against the control cohort consisting of 12,100 age- and sex-matched patients. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to estimate the effects of OSA on injury risk. FINDINGS: Patients with OSA exhibited a significantly higher overall incidence of injury of 2599 per 100,000 person-years compared to the control cohort (2248 per 100,000 person-years). After the confounding factors were considered, subjects with OSA showed a higher risk of injury than subjects in the control group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.64-1.93). The risk of unintentional injury (traffic, poisoning, falls) and intentional injury (suicide) in the group of patients with OSA was higher than that in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our study strongly supports the conclusion that adults with OSA are at increased risk of injury. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The present results indicate the significance of OSA as a predictor of injury risk, which will provide valuable information for clinical practice and injury prevention.

The association between obstructive sleep apnea and the risk of poor delivery events in women: A population-based nested case-control study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the risk of poor delivery events (PDEs; premature delivery, abortion, and stillbirth) in female subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: The study identified 8346 female subjects with PDEs as cases between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2015 from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005 in Taiwan. A total of 33,384 controls were also identified based on frequency matching for age and year of index date. Diagnoses of OSA and PDEs were determined according to the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision. The risk of PDEs in female subjects with OSA was estimated with conditional logistic regression analyses. FINDINGS: The mean age of the 41,730 female subjects was 35.53 years. The overall incidence rate of PDEs was 506.22 per 100,000 person-years for subjects with OSA, which was significantly higher than that for the controls (501.95 per 100,000 person-years). The risk of PDEs was higher in subjects with OSA than in controls (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] [95% CI]: 1.08-1.43), including for premature delivery (AOR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.16-1.50), and abortion (AOR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.09-1.47). OSA showed no relation to stillbirth (AOR = 1.04; 95% CI: 0.99-1.31). The findings indicate that the longer a subject has been experiencing OSA, the higher the probability of PDEs. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of PDEs associated with OSA was found in this study. In particular, the longer a subject has OSA, the higher the likelihood of PDEs, exhibiting a dose-response effect. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To effectively promote maternal health in clinical practice, health providers need to recognize OSA as a risk factor associated with negative pregnancy outcomes. Furthermore, OSA symptoms should be assessed and managed in all pregnant women to enable more comprehensive maternal care.

The Epidemiology of Entamoeba histolytica Infection and Its Associated Risk Factors among Domestic and Imported Patients in Taiwan during the 2011-2020 Period.

Background and Objectives: Amebiasis remains an important public health problem worldwide, and immigration and increased international travel have affected incident disease cases. This study assesses the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica in Taiwan between 2011 and 2020 by analyzing data from surveillance programs conducted by the Centers for Disease Control of Taiwan (TCDC) on laboratory-confirmed cases. Materials and Methods: The E. histolytica infection-related data reported to the National Infectious Diseases Statistics System at the TCDC from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2020 were collected, including age, gender, place of residence, and the geographic season of exposure for each case. Results: In total, 3066 cases with E. histolytica infections were included in our analysis. Among them, 1735 (57%) cases were imported, and 1331 (43%) were locally acquired. The average annual incidence rate of E. histolytica infections in Taiwan between 2011 and 2020 was 10.6 and 16.1 per 1,000,000 patients. There were statistical differences in gender, age group, and place of residence (p < 0.001) by the source distribution of cases. Also, these differences were found every year (p < 0.05). There were statistical differences in gender and age group (p < 0.001) by place of residence (p < 0.001). The only difference between the distribution of cases and age group was in gender (p < 0.001). Eight patients with amebiasis died, and the fatality rate was 0.3% (8/3066), of whom 75% (6/8) were male, and 75% (6/8) were over 45 years old. This study demonstrates that multiple linear regression analysis shows positive associations between NO2 concentration and amebiasis cases (B value = 2.569, p = 0.019), O3 concentration and amebiasis cases (B value = 0.294, p = 0.008), and temperature and amebiasis cases (B value = 1.096, p = 0.046). Conclusions: This study is the first report of confirmed E. histolytica cases from TCDC surveillance data between 2011 and 2020. This study showed the importance of long periods, air pollutants, and geographically comprehensive analysis for estimating the effect of amebiasis transmission in Taiwan's populations.

Benefit of Uracil-Tegafur Used as a Postoperative Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Stage IIA Colon Cancer.

Background and Objectives: Postoperative adjuvant therapy with uracil and tegafur (UFT) is often used for stage II colon cancer in Japan, but a limited number of studies have investigated the effects of UFT in these patients. Materials and Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study in patients with resected stage II colon cancer comparing the outcomes after postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with UFT with an observation-only group. The data were collected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database from 2000 to 2015. The outcomes of the study were disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). The hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models. Results: No differences in the DFS and OS were detected between the UFT (1137 patients) and observation (2779 patients) cohorts (DFS: adjusted HR 0.702; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.489-1.024; p = 0.074) (OS: adjusted HR 0.894; 95% CI 0.542-1.186; p = 0.477). In the subgroup analyses of the different substages, UFT prolonged DFS in patients with stage IIA colon cancer (adjusted HR 0.652; 95% CI 0.352-0.951; p = 0.001) compared with DFS in the observation cohort, but no differences in the OS were detected (adjusted HR 0.734; 95% CI 0.475-1.093; p = 0.503). Conclusions: Our results show that DFS improved significantly in patients with stage IIA colon cancer receiving UFT as a postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy compared with DFS in the observation group.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Chronic Kidney Disease Risk: A Nationwide, Population-Based Study.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with carbon monoxide poisoning (COP) commonly have long-term morbidities. However, it is not known whether patients with COP exhibit an increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) alters this risk. METHODS: This study identified 8,618 patients who survived COP and 34,464 propensity score-matched non-COP patients from 2000 to 2013 in a nationwide administrative registry. The primary outcome was the development of CKD. The association between COP and the risk of developing CKD was estimated using a Cox proportional hazards regression model; the cumulated incidence of CKD among patients stratified by HBOT was evaluated using a Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: After adjusting for covariates, the risk of CKD was 6.15-fold higher in COP patients than in non-COP controls. Based on the subgroup analyses, regardless of demographic characteristics, environmental factors, and comorbidities, the COP cohort exhibited an increased risk of developing CKD compared with the controls. The cumulative incidence of CKD in COP patients did not differ between the HBOT and non-HBOT groups (p = 0.188). CONCLUSIONS: COP might be an independent risk factor for developing CKD. Thus, clinicians should enhance the postdischarge follow-up of kidney function among COP patients.

Osteoporosis and the risk of temporomandibular disorder in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality worldwide. The coexistence of COPD and temporomandibular disorder (TMD) has been noted, and dysfunctional mastication resulting from TMD can worsen individuals' nutritional status. This association between COPD and TMD has been rarely discussed in previous studies. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether osteoporosis increases the risk of TMD in COPD and whether anti-osteoporosis medications can prevent TMD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective nationwide population-based study utilized the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. We enrolled 52,652 COPD patients between 2000 and 2015: 13,163 with osteoporosis and 39,489 without osteoporosis. Groups of COPD patients with and without osteoporosis were age- and sex-matched. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate the risk of TMD development in COPD patients with and without osteoporosis over 15 years. RESULTS: There was a higher risk of TMD occurrence in COPD patients with osteoporosis than in those without osteoporosis (adjusted hazard ratio 2.564, P < 0.001) after adjusting for demographic variables and associative comorbidities. Osteoporosis, hypertension, vertebral compression fracture, and nonpsychotic mental disorders were risk factors contributing to TMD development in patients with COPD. Anti-osteoporosis medications were associated with the prevention of TMD development concomitant with osteoporosis and COPD (adjusted hazard ratio 0.617, P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COPD and osteoporosis are at a higher risk of developing TMD, and anti-osteoporosis medications can prevent the development of TMD in this context.

Eating disorders and the risk of esophageal and stomach cancers-A nationwide, population-based cohort study in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown elevated cancer risk in anorexia nervosa but the literature on other eating disorders (EDs) is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the association between all EDs and esophageal, stomach, and other cancers. METHODS: We used a retrospective cohort design, based on a two-million randomized longitudinal health insurance dataset, a sub-dataset of Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. From all the potential participants aged 20 years or more, a total of 6,628 participants were enrolled, including 1,657 patients with EDs, with sex-, age-, and indexed date-matched (1:3) 4,971 controls. Each participant was individually tracked from 2000 to 2015 to identify incident cases of cancers, including esophageal cancer (EC), stomach cancer (SC), and all other cancers (AOC). The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was employed to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between EDs and cancer. RESULTS: Of the total 6,628 enrollees, 222 in 1,657 individuals with EDs and 810 in the 4,971 non-ED control individuals developed cancer (1,262.40 vs. 1,472.15 per 100,000 person-years), and the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was not statistically significant (log-rank, p = .324). However, after adjusting for covariates, the risk of EC and SC among the individuals with an ED was significantly higher, with adjusted HRs of 5.32 (95% CI: 1.07-26.49, p < .001) and 4.61 (95% CI: 1.91-11.14, p < .001), respectively. EDs were not associated with other cancers. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence for the association between EDs and the risk for EC and SC. Further research on mechanisms and prevention is therefore needed.