J Formos Med Assoc
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The outbreak of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to unprecedented impact on mental health globally. Recent empirical data however, indicated that suicide rates in many countries remained unchanged or even decreased. Existing studies assessed the overall rates and did not stratify by age-subgroups. ⋯ Although an overall decrease in annual suicide rates was found after the outbreak, the age-specific subgroup analysis reveals a more nuanced picture. Stratified analysis is crucial to identify vulnerable subgroups in the midst of the pandemic.
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Both prone positioning and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are used as rescue therapies for severe hypoxemia in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study compared outcomes between patients with severe influenza pneumonia-related ARDS who received prone positioning and those who received ECMO. ⋯ While the patients receiving prone positioning had better outcome, the causality between prone positioning and the prognosis is unknown. However, the current data suggested that patients with influenza-related ARDS may receive prone positioning before ECMO support.
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Unresectable anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) has a poor prognosis. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy have limited effects on it. Here, we present four cases who underwent immunotherapy for ATC. ⋯ The patient subsequently received dabrafenib (a BRAF inhibitor) and trametinib (a MEK inhibitor) treatment, which was continued for 10.2 months with a best response of partial remission. She died 18 months after the initial diagnosis (11.4 months after treatment with dabrafenib and trametinib). In conclusion, the treatment responses of immunotherapy, either alone or in combination with other therapies, were highly variable in patients with ATC and should be carefully monitored along with the side effects.
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This study aimed to explore the anatomical and physiological characteristics of patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) symptoms, such as hoarseness, throat clearing, throat pain, globus, and chronic cough, with the novel high-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM). ⋯ Our study suggests that esophageal structural factors and LES IRP-4s may contribute to the occurrence of LPR symptoms. Patients with moderate LPR symptoms were more likely to present with failed peristalsis.