Resurgence of pertussis in Taiwan during 2009–2015 and its impact on infants

Background/purposePertussis incidence markedly decreased due to universal vaccination, but outbreaks had been noted worldwide in recent decade. This study was conducted to know the epidemiology of pertussis and its impact on infants in Taiwan.MethodsEpidemiologic parameters for confirmed pertussis cases were collected from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control. The incidence of each age group over years was calculated using population data. We also did retrospective reviews of laboratory-confirmed pertussis cases in NTUH to analyze clinical characteristics and disease severity.ResultsA total of 668 confirmed pertussis cases were obtained from the Taiwan CDC open database between 2003 and 2017. There was higher incidence during the period 2009–2015, with a mean incidence of 0.27 cases per 100,000 population, about 2-fold increase compared with mean incidence of 0.12 cases per 100,000 population during the period 2003–2008. Infants accounted for the highest proportion of all cases (49.8%), with mean incidence of 16.1 cases per 100,000 people per year during 2009–2015, and a trend of increase was found from 2003 to 2015. In NTUH, a total of 17 laboratory-confirmed pertussis cases were diagnosed during 2012–2016, and 14 cases were young infants. Among them, 9 infants had been admitted to intensive care unit and 2 infant needed invasive ventilator support.ConclusionThere was a resurgence of pertussis during 2009–2015 and it had significant impact on infants. Young infants with pertussis may be severe and need intensive care, so preventive strategy may be advocated for them.     

Incidence of dementia after age 90 in a multiracial cohort

Introduction

Little is known about dementia incidence in diverse populations of oldest-old, the age group with highest dementia incidence.

Three-dimensional measurement of radiographic bone–implant contact lengths of zygomatic implants in zygomatic bone: a retrospective study of 66 implants in 28 patients

Zygomatic implant treatment is widely applied for severe maxillary atrophy to help rehabilitate the maxillary dentition. This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the actual radiographic bone–implant contact (rBIC) lengths of zygomatic implants. The records of 28 patients who underwent zygomatic implant surgery and subsequent follow-up examinations between August 2013 and September 2018 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital were reviewed. The surgeries were performed by a single surgeon using the same treatment protocol. All patients had a computed tomography scan at 1 year after the surgery. Using three-dimensional imaging software, an investigator measured the rBIC lengths of 66 implants and documented their clinical status. The implant survival rate was 100%. The mean rBIC length was significantly longer in male patients than in female patients (20.80 ± 5.88 mm versus 17.79 ± 6.34 mm; P = 0.028). The mean rBIC length of double zygomatic implants was significantly longer when compared to that of single implants (21.11 ± 6.23 mm versus 17.75 ± 5.85 mm; P = 0.027). This article is novel in reporting the exact rBIC lengths of zygomatic implants in a clinical setting. The results showed that zygomatic implants are a viable treatment modality for full-mouth rehabilitation.     

Complications in patients of acetabular fractures and the factors affecting the quality of reduction in surgically treated cases

IntroductionAcetabulum fractures, though relatively uncommon, are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. These involve high energy trauma and due to their complex nature, the management requires understanding the relevant surgical anatomy, defining the injury via appropriate radiographic assessment and determining a suitable treatment plan. Literature is scarce for the demographic data, fracture patterns, associated injuries, management and early complications in the Indian scenario. These factors play a pivotal role in the ultimate recovery of the patients. Therefore this study was conceptualised to assess the epidemiology and evaluate the complications of these fractures. Furthermore the effects of various factors determining the quality of reduction in surgically treated patients were also assessed.MethodologyThis was a prospective observational study in which patients presenting to the advance trauma centre of our institute with acetabulum fractures were included. Demographical data of the patients, mechanisms of injuries, fractures morphologies, complications and radiological outcomes were recorded prospectively.Results116 patients with acetabular fractures were included in the study. 81% of these were males, with average age of 39.95 ± 15.87 years; with road traffic accidents being the predominant mode of injuries. Mortality was reported in 5 patients; 4 patients had deep venous thrombosis and sciatic nerve injuries were seen in 12 patients of which 4 were iatrogenic. 8 patients had some form of infection, out of which 4 required multiple debridements. 4 cases developed heterotrophic ossification while 2 cases had loss of reduction. The timing of surgery and other associated fractures had significant effect on the quality of reduction (p < 0.05); while age, gender, mode of injury or individual fracture patterns had no such effect.ConclusionsProper radiological assessment and evaluation of fracture configuration is important for management of acetabulum fractures. When indicated, this should be followed by early open reduction and internal fixation to achieve anatomical reduction, with management of associated injuries for better outcomes.     

Treatment sequence network meta-analysis in Crohn’s disease: a methodological case study

Objective: Several biologic therapies are available for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Crohn’s disease (CD). This network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to assess the comparative efficacy of ustekinumab, adalimumab, vedolizumab and infliximab in the maintenance of clinical response and remission after 1?year of treatment.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Key outcomes of interest were clinical response (CD activity index [CDAI] reduction of 100 points; CDAI-100) and remission (CDAI score under 150 points; CDAI < 150). A treatment sequence Bayesian NMA was conducted to account for the re-randomization of patients based on different clinical definitions, the lack of similarity of the common comparator for each trial and the full treatment pathway from the induction phase onwards.

Results: Thirteen RCTs were identified. Ustekinumab 90?mg q8w was associated with statistically significant improvement in clinical response relative to placebo and vedolizumab 300?mg. For clinical remission, ustekinumab 90?mg q8w was associated with statistically significant improvement relative to placebo and vedolizumab 300?mg q8w. Findings from sub-population analyses had similar results but were not statistically significant.

Conclusions: The NMA suggest that ustekinumab is associated with the highest likelihood of reaching response or remission at 1?year compared with placebo, adalimumab and vedolizumab. Results should be interpreted with caution because this is a novel methodology; however, the treatment sequence analysis may be the most methodologically sound analysis to derive estimates of comparative efficacy in CD in the absence of head-to-head evidence.