Prognosis Comparison Between Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving a Finite Course of Tenofovir and Entecavir Treatment: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Taiwan

PurposeEntecavir (ETV) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) are both recommended as first-line treatments for patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection according to international HBV treatment guidelines. However, recent studies reported conflicting results regarding the preferred antiviral in the prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This cohort study aimed to investigate this issue by using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, wherein a “finite” but not life-long treatment policy was applied.MethodsFrom January 2008 to December 2013, a total of 12,388 consecutive adult patients with CHB who received a finite course of TDF treatment (n = 1250) or ETV treatment (n = 11,138) were analyzed through screening for study eligibility followed by the 1:4 propensity score matching method.FindingsIn the entire cohort, the annual incidence and survival between the ETV and TDF groups were not significantly different regarding HCC occurrence (2.05 vs 2.74 per 100 patient-years [PY]; P = 0.055; hazard ratio [HR], 0.975; log-rank, P = 0.966), cirrhosis-related complications (1.9 vs 2.4 per 100 PY; P = 0.149; HR, 0.869; log-rank, P = 0.388), or all-cause mortality (2.16 vs 1.6 per 100 PY; P = 0.119; HR, 0.831; log-rank, P = 0.342), respectively. Propensity score matching analyses yielded similar results regarding HCC occurrence, cirrhosis-related complications, and all-cause mortality. In addition, these findings were consistently reproduced in the subgroups of patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis that developed before antiviral treatment.ImplicationsETV and TDF did not significantly differ in prevention of HCC occurrence or reduction of cirrhosis-related complications and all-cause mortality in patients with CHB receiving a finite period of treatment.     

Comparison of screw fixation versus non-fixation in dorsal opening wedge medial cuneiform osteotomy of adult acquired flatfoot

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare the radiographic and functional results between fixation and non-fixation in the Cotton osteotomy for the treatment of adult acquired flatfoot.MethodsA retrospective, case-controlled study of consecutive stage IIB posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) patients treated with the same bony reconstructive surgery including cotton osteotomy between 2013 and 2017. Meary’s angle, the medial arch sag angle (MASA), and medial cuneiform cobb angle (MCCA) were evaluated pre-operation, at first weight bearing after surgery, and 12 months post operation.ResultsForty feet were included in the study. The cotton osteotomy utilized screw fixation (n = 20) or non-fixation technique (n = 20). No significant differences between groups were found in pre-operative and follow-up radiographic parameters, union rate, and functional results.ConclusionThe non-fixation with press fit technique is a reliable procedure for Cotton osteotomy and as effective as screw fixation.Level of evidenceLevel III, case control study     

Is rosacea a systemic disease?

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory facial disease occurring world-wide. The incidence of rosacea is increasing with age, with the clinical course being characterized by relapses. The pathogenesis of rosacea is not completely understood, but neurovascular and immunologic mechanisms are involved. Rosacea has a number of known extrinsic triggers that should be avoided, such as sun exposure, heat and cold, alcoholic beverages, and spicy food. Of greater importance is the observation that rosacea may develop as a manifestation of systemic diseases with a significant morbidity and even mortality. Obesity, Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, and inflammatory bowel disease bear a significant risk for the development of rosacea. Metabolic, psychiatric, and neurologic disorders and certain types of cancer show a significant association with rosacea. The possible link to cardiovascular events is debatable. There are extrafacial and extracutaneous manifestations of rosacea, such as the red scalp syndrome, ocular rosacea, and migraine. Rosacea should be considered a systemic disease.     

The Relationship Between Air Pollution and Lung Cancer in Nonsmokers in Taiwan

Introduction

For never-smokers (smoked <100 lifetime cigarettes), lung cancer (LC) has emerged as an important issue. We aimed to investigate the effects of prevalence changes in tobacco smoking and particulate matter (PM) 2.5 (PM_2.5) levels on LC in Taiwan, in relation to contrasting PM_2.5 levels, between Northern Taiwan (NT) and Southern Taiwan (ST).

Predictors of postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe present study aimed to summarize the predictors of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients after hip surgery.MethodsA literature search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for studies assessing the predictors of AKI after hip fracture surgery. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) of those who experienced AKI compared to those who did not were calculated for each variable. Evidence was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale.ResultsTen studies with 34 potential factors were included in the meta-analysis. In the primary analysis, 12 factors were associated with AKI, comprising males (OR 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14–1.36), advanced age (MD 2.28; 95% CI 0.80–3.75), myocardial infarction (OR 1.39; 95% CI 1.18–1.63), hypertension (OR 1.46; 95% CI 1.13–1.89), diabetes (OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.40–2.42), chronic kidney disease (OR 3.66; 95% CI 2.21–6.07), hip arthroplasty (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.22–1.50), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers use (OR 2.28; 95% CI 1.68–3.08), more intraoperative blood loss (MD 44.06; 95% CI 2.88–85.24), higher preoperative blood urea nitrogen levels (MD 5.29; 95% CI 3.38–7.20), higher preoperative serum creatinine levels (MD 0.4; 95% CI 0.26–0.53), and lower preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (MD −19.59; 95% CI −26.92–−12.26). Another 13 factors related to AKI in individual studies were identified in the systematic review.ConclusionRelated prophylaxis strategies should be implemented in patients involved with the above-mentioned characteristics to prevent AKI after hip surgery.