J Formos Med Assoc
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) should be regarded as a high risk factor for myocardial infarction (MI). In addition to anti-hypertensive effect, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) were frequently used as anti-angina drugs in patients with MI. However, the association between CCBs and MI in RA remains unclear. We investigated whether CCBs could decrease incidence of myocardial infarction in patients with hypertension and RA. ⋯ Therapy of CCBs is associated with a lower risk of MI among hypertensive patients with RA. Hence, the prescription of CCBs may be a compelling indication of BP lowering in RA population.
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Thyroid disorders are common in children with Down syndrome (DS), however, such data have rarely been reported in Taiwanese children. This study presents our experience with the management of these children. ⋯ The prevalence of thyroid disorders is higher in Taiwanese children with DS than in the general population. Because symptoms of hypothyroidism overlap those inherent to DS, regular follow-up of thyroid function in children with DS is indicated.
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Observational Study
A functional recovery profile for patients with stroke following post-acute rehabilitation care in Taiwan.
Functional impairment is frequently seen in patients with stroke. Although the progression of functional recovery after stroke has been proposed, the recovery profile after acute stroke is not well described. The objective of this study is to investigate functional recovery in stroke patients entering post-acute rehabilitation care. ⋯ This study showed that the PAC rehabilitation unit was beneficial for patients with acute stroke who had functional impairments. The study results may call for further investigation to identify and develop better models for the delivery of rehabilitation in the stroke PAC unit.
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Little remains known regarding whether newer FQ with less anti-mycobacterial activity (gemifloxacin) would reduce treatment delay. ⋯ While limited by relatively low case number, our study showed that use of gemifloxacin neither results in nor reduces delay in TB treatment. The issue of FQ use on TB treatment delay was also not observed in our study. Early survey and maintaining high clinical alertness remains the key to reducing TB treatment delay.
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Nationwide newborn screening for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency has been implemented in Taiwan since 1987 and the G6PD enzyme activity levels were applied for diagnosis confirmation. As the reference value of G6PD enzyme activity was not available for infants aged 7-90 days, this study was performed to determine the enzyme level in different genotypes. ⋯ We determined G6PD enzyme activity levels in infants aged between 7 and 90 days in Taiwan. Completing the reference data and determining the cutoff values for different G6PD deficiency disease statuses will help pediatricians to make accurate diagnoses.