Article
Psychiatry
Yi-Hsuan Lin, Chi-Shin Wu, Chen-Chung Liu, Po-Hsiu Kuo, Hung-Yu Chan, Wei J. Chen
Summary: The study retrospectively reviewed first-admission schizophrenia patients in Taiwan and found that patients using long-acting injectable antipsychotics had the lowest risk of readmission, with a risk reduction of 15-20% compared to oral risperidone. However, the prescription prevalence of LAIs remained low (<10%) during the follow-up period.
SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Mi Jung Kwon, Joo-Hee Kim, Ji Hee Kim, Hye-Rim Park, Nan Young Kim, Sangkyoon Hong, Hyo Geun Choi
Summary: This study verifies the impact of statin use on the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using a large-scale nationwide database. The results suggest that prior use of any statins, especially long-term use of lipophilic statins, may lower the likelihood of developing RA.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Hayne Cho Park, Young-Eun Kwon, Hyung Yun Choi, Hyung Jung Oh, Tae Ik Chang, Ea Wha Kang, Kyoung Sook Park, Ki Hwa Yang, Eun Mi Won, Ji Hyeon Shin, Dong-Ryeol Ryu, Young-Ki Lee
Summary: This study found that low SES as measured by health insurance status was associated with an increased risk of patient mortality and hospitalization in Korean maintenance HD patients. The MA recipient group showed significantly higher mortality risk and hospitalization risk compared to the NHI beneficiary group.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF NEPHROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Mi Jung Kwon, Ho Suk Kang, Joo-Hee Kim, Ji Hee Kim, Se Hoon Kim, Nan Young Kim, Eun Sook Nam, Kyueng-Whan Min, Hyo Geun Choi
Summary: The study found that short-term use of any statin, hydrophilic statins, or lipophilic statins was significantly associated with lower risk of gastric cancer development, with hydrophilic statin use for 180-545 days leading to a 53% lower overall mortality. Beneficial effects on cancer development and mortality were seen in patients >= 65 years old, patients with normal blood pressure, and patients with high fasting glucose levels.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mayur Trivedi, Anurag Saxena, Zubin Shroff, Manas Sharma
Summary: The study examined the experience of PM-JAY beneficiaries in India, focusing on prompt attention, access to information, financial burden, and satisfaction. It found that socio-economically weaker sections are utilizing the scheme, with differences in performance between Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh hospitals as well as between public and private hospitals. There is a need to focus on improving responsiveness, communication with beneficiaries, and reducing out-of-pocket payments.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yu Yan, Yongqian Tu
Summary: This study aimed to understand the disparities in the utilization of mental health services among rural and urban populations in China and assess the reimbursement rates for health insurance. The study found that rural residents had lower utilization of mental health services and that health insurance influenced preferences for mental health treatments. Therefore, uniform measures are needed to develop health insurance policies for rural areas.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Divya Parmar, Christoph Strupat, Swati Srivastava, Stephan Brenner, Diletta Parisi, Susanne Ziegler, Rupak Neogi, Caitlin Walsh, Manuela De Allegri
Summary: India has launched a large health insurance program, PM-JAY, which targets economically and socially disadvantaged individuals. This program has led to an increase in the use of private facilities and a reduction in out-of-pocket expenditures for eligible individuals. However, there was no significant increase in hospitalizations.
HEALTH SYSTEMS & REFORM
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Joo-Hee Kim, Jee-Hye Wee, Hyo Geun Choi, Ji-Young Park, Yong Il Hwang, Seung Hun Jang, Ki-Suck Jung
Summary: The study did not find a significant association between statin prescription and asthma diagnosis in the Korean National Health Insurance Service Health Screening Cohort. However, among patients with asthma, statin prescription was associated with fewer asthma exacerbations.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jeong Min Yang, Su bin Lee, Ye Ji Kim, Douk Young Chon, Jong Youn Moon, Jae Hyun Kim
Summary: This study identifies the negative aspects of private health insurance and confirms that it reduces personal medical expenses but leads to increased outpatient medical resource expenditures and higher public health costs.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Abeer Alharbi
Summary: This study examined the willingness of Saudi Arabian people to pay for a National Health Insurance system. The results revealed that a majority of individuals were willing to contribute financially to the system, and this willingness was influenced by factors such as the type of healthcare provider used and satisfaction with current healthcare services. Age, region, and education were also found to be associated with the amount of money individuals were willing to pay.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Katy Footman, Kratu Goel, Ulrika Rehnstrom Loi, Andrew J. Mirelman, Veloshnee Govender, Bela Ganatra
Summary: This study explores the inclusion of abortion services in health benefit packages globally. The findings reveal that less than half of the countries (45%) include abortion, but treatment for complications from unsafe abortion is more commonly included (63%). Abortion is less commonly included compared to other sexual and reproductive health services, and inclusion varies based on income and legal environment.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jacob Bigio, Emma Hannay, Madhukar Pai, Bachti Alisjahbana, Rishav Das, Huy Ba Huynh, Uzma Khan, Lalaine Mortera, Thu Anh Nguyen, Muhammad Aamir Safdar, Suvesh Shrestha, A. Venkat Raman, Sharat Chandra Verma, Vijayashree Yellappa, Divya Srivastava
Summary: The Lancet Commission on Diagnostics highlighted the lack of access to diagnostic testing, especially at the primary care level, and emphasized the need for countries to include diagnostics in their universal health coverage benefits packages. We analyzed seven Asian low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to understand the inclusion of diagnostics in their health benefit packages. We found heterogeneity among the countries and a lack of clear policy rationale and detailed information on the covered diagnostics.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dinna Prapto Raharja, Retna Hanani, Fransiscus S. Joyoadisumarta, Nasreen S. Jessani, Inke Mathauer
Summary: This study examines how informal non-government patient navigation initiatives have emerged, are organized, and operate to enhance patient empowerment and JKN responsiveness in Indonesia. The findings suggest that informal navigation initiatives fill a gap left by formal initiatives, but have limited effects on systemic change or JKN responsiveness. More collaboration with JKN authorities is needed to advance equitable access to NHI.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Charlie M. Wray, Janet Tang, Lenny Lopez, Katherine Hoggatt, Salomeh Keyhani
Summary: Analyzing data from the National Health Interview Surveys, it was found that food insecurity, social isolation, and low educational attainment in three SDOH domains increase an individual's risk of hospitalization. Additionally, the risk of hospitalization rises as the burden of SDOH increases.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Economics
Nguyen Thi Thu Thuong
Summary: The study found a significant decline in the incidence and intensity of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and medical impoverishment in Vietnam over the study years. The increase in poverty gap was caused by non-poor households becoming poor after out-of-pocket health payments in 2012 and 2014, while existing poor households worsened after healthcare payments in 2008, 2010, 2016, and 2018. Additionally, health insurance had positive impacts on financial protection against CHE and impoverishment in Vietnamese households, suggesting the need for continued review and improvement of the health insurance scheme to promote equity and strengthen the health financing system.
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND POLICY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Gi-Ren Liu, Ting-Yu Lin, Hau-Tieng Wu, Yuan-Chung Sheu, Ching-Lung Liu, Wen-Te Liu, Mei-Chen Yang, Yung-Lun Ni, Kun-Ta Chou, Chao-Hsien Chen, Dean Wu, Chou-Chin Lan, Kuo-Liang Chiu, Hwa-Yen Chiu, Yu-Lun Lo
Summary: This study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence system to evaluate the reliability and consistency of sleep scoring and thus determine the quality of sleep centers. By assessing the interrater reliability, it was found that one hospital had a significant quality issue.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL SLEEP MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mei-Chin Su, Yu-Chun Chen, Mei-Shu Huang, Yen-Hsi Lin, Li-Hwa Lin, Hsiao-Ting Chang, Tzeng-Ji Chen
Summary: This study effectively reduced readmission rates in long-term home care patients using a risk management tool based on LACE predictive score, showing potential as a useful screening tool, especially in infection-related readmissions. While there is room for improvement in the predictive model, larger scale studies are needed to assess generalizability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Medical Informatics
Chien-Wei Wu, Hsing-Yu Chen, Ching-Wei Yang, Yu-Chun Chen
Summary: The study found that patients with Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) managed with Chinese herbal medicine had a lower risk of mortality, potentially benefiting from synergistic renoprotection effects. The framework of integrating real-world clinical databases and web-based biomedical databases could help in exploring the roles of treatments for diseases.
JMIR MEDICAL INFORMATICS
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Kun-Ta Chou, Yu-Lun Tsai, Wan-Yu Yeh, Yuh-Min Chen, Nicole Huang, Hao-Min Cheng
Summary: This study confirmed that workers with obstructive sleep apnea have a higher risk of work-related injuries, and daytime sleepiness is also associated with increased risk. Early identification and management of OSA may be beneficial in reducing the risk of work-related injuries.
JOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Kang-Cheng Su, Hsin-Kuo Ko, Yi-Han Hsiao, Kun-Ta Chou, Yen -Wen Chen, Wen-Kuang Yu, Sheng-Wei Pan, Jia-Yih Feng, Diahn-Warng Perng
Summary: COPD patients with eosinophilic airway inflammation may respond differently to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) can predict eosinophilic inflammation and guide treatment option. Patients with high baseline FENO levels may have better response to treatment with salmeterol/fluticasone.
ARCHIVOS DE BRONCONEUMOLOGIA
(2022)
Article
Dermatology
Shiang-Fen Huang, Yu-Chi Huang, Chen-Te Lee, Kun-Ta Chou, Hsin-Pai Chen, Chia-Chang Huang, Dar-Der Ji, Yu-Jiun Chan, Ying-Ying Yang
Summary: The study found that patients with Aspergillus infection had higher levels of cmvIL-10 in their peripheral blood, which was positively correlated with IFN-gamma levels. A cmvIL-10 concentration >= 100 pg/ml was a predictor for poor outcome in patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. In contrast, CMV viremia or end-organ disease was associated with poor survival in patients with invasive aspergillosis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vincent Yi-Fong Su, Kun-Ta Chou, Chun-Hsien Tseng, Chia-Yu Kuo, Kang-Cheng Su, Diahn-Warng Perng, Yuh-Min Chen, Shi-Chuan Chang
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate nocturnal changes in hematocrit/hemoglobin levels and estimated plasma volume loss in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and their relation to OSA severity and mouth open/breathing. The results showed that OSA patients had greater increases in hematocrit/hemoglobin levels and estimated water loss compared to controls, and the extent of increase was correlated with OSA severity and mouth breathing. OSA patients also had more sleep time with mouth open and complete mouth breathing.
BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yi-Luen Shen, Chia- Shen, Chi-Lu Chiang, Hsu-Ching Huang, Kun-Ta Chou, Chao-Hua Chiu, Yuh-Min Chen, Yung-Hung Luo
Summary: This study aims to investigate the influence of pulmonary function on the prognosis of advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. The results show a strong correlation between reduced pulmonary function and inferior clinical outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Po-Yu Chen, Bih-Ju Wu, Mei-Chin Su, Yen-Hsi Lin, Shu-Chiung Chiang, Jau-Ching Wu, Tzeng-Ji Chen, Yu-Chun Chen
Summary: This study analyzed adverse events (AE) following COVID-19 vaccine booster doses, finding that AE were more common in women and younger individuals, and the vaccine brand was the strongest factor associated with AE. Although AE were not uncommon, almost all events were not serious and could be predicted using incidence rates.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Yi-Chin Lu, Liang-Wei Tseng, Yu-Chieh Huang, Ching-Wei Yang, Yu-Chun Chen, Hsing-Yu Chen
Summary: This study used a network pharmacology approach to explore the potential complementary effects of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) and Western medicine (WM) in the treatment of COVID-19. The study found that CHM and WM had different effects on COVID-19-related target proteins and covered different molecular pathways. The combination of CHM and WM may achieve more promising results in enhancing the anti-inflammatory response for COVID-19.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Fenqing Shang, Shen-Chih Wang, Brendoan Gongol, So Yun Han, Yoshitake Cho, Cara R. Schiavon, Lili Chen, Yuanming Xing, Yingshuai Zhao, Ming'an Ning, Xuan Guo, Fangzhou He, Yuyang Lei, Liuyi Wang, Uri Manor, Traci Marin, Kun-Ta Chou, Ming He, Po-Hsun Huang, John Y-J Shyy, Atul Malhotra
Summary: This study identified the mechanism of endothelial cell dysfunction induced by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and explored potential therapies for OSA-accelerated cardiovascular disease. The study found that miR-210 is associated with OSA and can induce EC dysfunction by regulating mitochondrial function. Additionally, the SREBP2 inhibitor betulin can alleviate the increased systolic blood pressure caused by OSA.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shu-Ling Chen, Chia-Ying Ho, Wei-Chun Lin, Chao-Wei Lee, Yu-Chun Chen, Jiun-Liang Chen, Hsing-Yu Chen
Summary: This study evaluated the characteristics and outcomes of patients with inoperable huge hepatocellular carcinoma (H-HCC) who used Chinese herbal medicine (CHM). The study found that CHM users had higher survival rates and lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to nonusers. Core CHMs with potential pharmacologic pathways were also identified.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Hwa-Yen Chiu, Yung-Yang Liu, Tsu-Hui Shiao, Kang-Cheng Su, Kun-Ta Chou, Yuh-Min Chen
Summary: This study investigated the clinical features of REM-related obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Taiwan. The results showed that OSA patients with high REM-AHI/NREM-AHI ratio are associated with young age, female gender, high BMI, and low AHI. After adjusting for OSA severity, patients with REM-related OSA presented with longer desaturation duration and lower nadir oxygen saturation.
NATURE AND SCIENCE OF SLEEP
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hwa-Yen Chiu, Kun-Ta Chou, Kang-Cheng Su, Fang-Chi Lin, Yung-Yang Liu, Tsu-Hui Shiao, Yuh-Min Chen
Summary: This study investigated the proportion of young adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and sleep-related complaints in a sleep center over a period of 17 years. The results showed that young adults constituted a significant portion of individuals undergoing polysomnography (PSG) and confirmed OSA cases, with a relatively constant proportion over time. Young adults with OSA were found to be sleepier, have a higher body mass index, and engage more in smoking and alcohol consumption. They also reported more snoring and daytime sleepiness. Furthermore, they exhibited higher levels of apnea-hypopnea index and experienced more hypoxemia during sleep compared to other age groups. The study highlights the importance of recognizing OSA in young adults and the need for tailored treatment plans.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Allergy
Vincent Yi-Fong Su, Szu-Wen Ko, Yuh-Lih Chang, Yueh-Ching Chou, Hsin-Chen Lee, Kuang-Yao Yang, Kun-Ta Chou, Chia-Chen Hsu
Summary: This study found that cardioselective beta-blockers, ARBs, and DHP CCB therapies may lower the risk of acute exacerbation in patients with ACO.
ALLERGY ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
