Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA最新文献

Background: Transvenous coil embolization (TVCE) is a common and effective treatment for cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas (CSDAVFs). However, some patients may experience residual fistulas or worsening visual symptoms after the procedure. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of transvenous coil and Onyx embolization (TVCOE) with TVCE in treating CSDAVFs.

Methods: The study included 207 patients with 222 CSDAVFs referred for TVCE, all of whom had complete angiographic follow-up over 9 years. Ninety patients (mean age, 65.3 years) with 97 CSDAVFs underwent TVCOE after coiling. Clinical data, angioarchitecture, and outcomes were retrospectively assessed and compared to 125 CSDAVFs treated with TVCE.

Results: Key reasons for selecting TVCOE included improvement in immediate complete obliteration (CO) of CSDAVFs (n = 47, 48.5%), presence of cranial nerve palsy (n = 26, 26.8%), residual fistula with persistent pial venous reflux (PVR, n = 22, 22.7%), and redirection of fistula flow to PVR (n = 2, 2.1%). The average volume of Onyx used in TVCOE was 1.7 ml per CSDAVF. The mean coil lengths for TVCOE and TVCE were 143 cm and 228 cm, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( p < 0.05). Immediate digital subtraction angiography showed CO or nearly CO of CSDAVFs in TVCOE and TVCE at rates of 97.9% and 76.8%, respectively, indicating statistical significance in immediate CO ( p < 0.05). Transient hemodynamic instability occurred in 81 (90.0%) patients due to Onyx toxicity, and 1 patient (1.1%) experienced hemorrhagic complications during TVCOE.

Conclusion: The use of a small volume of Onyx as an adjunctive embolic material in TVCOE resulted in reduced coil use and improved immediate CO. This technique is viable for patients with PVR. Aside from the transient hemodynamic instability, periprocedural complications and follow-up angiographic outcomes did not show significant differences between the two groups.

Background: Trauma is consistently among the top ten causes of death worldwide. The aging population, constituting 15.21% of adults aged over 65 in Taiwan as of November 2019, has significantly impacted healthcare expenditures. This study aimed to explore the prognosis and resource utilization in patients with geriatric trauma.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included ER admissions between January 2015 and December 2017 at a Level I trauma center in southern Taiwan. Of the 5,185 eligible patients, 1,743 were elderly. Comparisons between the age groups assessed medical resource use, patient characteristics, trauma profiles, and management. Outcomes examined included mortality, complications, length of hospital stay, duration of ICU stay, and costs.

Results: Elderly patients, predominantly women, exhibit more blunt injuries often resulting from accidental falls. They experienced longer hospital stays and higher medical expenses, as well as increased complication and mortality rates. Mortality predictors included age, GCS score, trauma severity score (≥16), complications, surgery, and initial hypotension. Complications correlated with prolonged length of hospital stay (LOS), early blood transfusion, and mortality, impacting overall expenditure along with trauma severity, ICU days, surgery, and AIS score (≥3).

Conclusion: Elderly patients had a longer LOS, higher mortality and complication rates, and higher total medical costs. The required medical expenses for elderly trauma cases were relatively higher than those for younger individuals. Relevant authorities should consider patient age when formulating policies for trauma reimbursement. Based on our findings, healthcare resource utilization can be reduced by decreasing the length of hospital stay and mitigating trauma severity. We recommend collecting more detailed data, extending the study period, and engaging in multicenter collaborations to validate our findings and provide a roadmap for further research. We suggested that interventional studies are needed to test strategies aimed at reducing resource utilization and improving outcomes in elderly trauma patients, which would be valuable.

Background: Predictors of the efficacy of a single-session of CO 2 laser therapy for female stress urinary incontinence are important for pretreatment consultation. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate these predictors.

Methods: All consecutive women who underwent vaginal CO 2 laser therapy for stress urinary incontinence were prospectively enrolled.

Results: The median duration of subjective improvement (defined as ≥1 on the global response assessment) was 18.3 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 12.1 to 18.3 months, n = 75). Multivariable analysis revealed that low voided volume (dL, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.707; area under the curve [AUC] = 0.66, cutoff value of voided volume ≤4.0 dL), high postvoid residual volume (dL, HR = 2.714; AUC = 0.60, cutoff value of postvoid residual volume ≥1.0 dL), and low functional profile length (HR = 0.956; AUC = 0.58, cutoff value of functional profile length ≤2.8 cm) were predictors of subjective failure. A logit(p) = 1.0 - 0.5 x (voided volume) + 0.9 x (postvoid residual volume) can be used to predict failure (HR = 1.775; AUC = 0.71, cutoff value of logit(p) ≥0.0).Pad weights decreased at 3 and 6-month follow-up visits. At 6 months, 8 women (21%) were cured (<1 g pad weight), and 16 women (42%) showed improvement (>50% decrease in pad weight).Overactive bladder symptoms improved at 3 and 6 months. However, there was no change in female sexual function from baseline.

Conclusion: A low voided volume and high postvoid residual volume can be used to predict subjective failure after one session of transvaginal CO 2 laser therapy. However, the subjective therapeutic effect may diminish within a median duration of 18 months.

Background: Few studies have explored the genetic changes and clinicopathological features of stage II/III gastric cancer (GC) patients with no tumor recurrence, early recurrence, or late recurrence after curative surgery.

Methods: In this study, 376 patients who underwent curative surgery for stage II/III GC were analyzed. The clinical and genetic features of patients with no recurrence, early recurrence (<2 years), and late recurrence (≥2 years) were compared.

Results: Among the 376 patients, 155 experienced tumor recurrence, including 116 with early recurrence and 39 with late recurrence. Patients with early recurrence had larger tumors, fewer superficial tumors, increased lymphovascular invasion, advanced T and N categories, higher TNM stages, and poorer 5-year survival (3.4% vs. 38.5% vs. 63.5%, p <0.001) than those with late recurrence or no recurrence. For intestinal-type GC, patients with early recurrence had more MSI-H tumors than those with late recurrence or no recurrence. For diffuse-type or node-positive GC, patients with early recurrence had more PIK3CA amplifications than did those with late recurrence or with no recurrence. Peritoneal dissemination and lung metastasis were associated with PIK3CA amplifications, whereas liver metastasis was associated with larger numbers of MSI-H tumors and PI3K / Akt pathway mutations. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, tumor recurrence, and pathological T and N categories were independent prognostic factors for both overall survival and disease-free survival.

Conclusion: Distinct clinical features and genetic alterations were observed in specific groups of stage II/III GC patients with differences in time to recurrence and recurrence patterns, and targeted therapy and immunotherapy may benefit these groups of patients.

Since the first transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was performed in China in 2010, TAVR has developed rapidly. However, the temporal trends in the 1-year prognosis after TAVR in China have not been described. This study enrolled patients treated at a high-volume Chinese TAVR center, West China Hospital, between 2015 and 2022, to analyze and characterize the temporal trends in 1-year outcomes. After multivariate adjustment, the 30-day mortality, 1-year all-cause mortality, 1-year cardiac mortality, and 1-year permanent pacemaker implantation rates showed a significantly decreasing trend (adjusted p for trend < 0.05). The 1-year major adverse cardiovascular event and 1-year stroke incident rate also decreased but did not reach significance. In conclusion, this study, for the first time, reveals a declining trend in adverse prognosis among patients who underwent TAVR in China.

Background: Endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs) are an efficient way to manage skull base lesions; however, studies regarding postoperative rhinosinusitis are limited. This study analyzed the incidence of postoperative rhinosinusitis, the associated risk factors, microbial species, and antibiotic usage in patients who underwent EEA.

Methods: Patients who underwent EEAs at a tertiary referral hospital between July 2015 and May 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. Postoperative rhinosinusitis was defined as the presence of a purulent nasal discharge on postoperative endoscopic examination. The mucopus was aspirated and subjected to bacterial culture analysis. The culture results of various groups were analyzed.

Results: This study included 300 patients, and the incidence of post-EEA rhinosinusitis was 59.7%. History of endonasal surgery was an independent predictive factor for post-EEA rhinosinusitis [OR 2.547 (1.284-5.052), p= 0.007]. Lesions in the anterior skull base were associated with prolonged use of antibiotics for rhinosinusitis during postoperative care [OR 3.914 (1.329-11.524), p=0.013]. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common causative pathogen, followed by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (20.7%), Pantoea dispersa (14.4%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11.7%). P. aeruginosa was more significant in the complex reconstruction group than in the control group. While most patients with post-EEA rhinosinusitis experienced a transient clinical course, one female patient underwent ESS for prolonged rhinosinusitis.

Conclusion: Rhinosinusitis is common in the postoperative stage of the EEA. As it usually lasts for a short duration and is treatable with proper medication, aggressive nasal care during the postoperative period is required to prevent related nasal morbidities.

Background: Posterior decompression with Dynesys dynamic stabilization (DDS) is an effective treatment option for degenerative spondylolisthesis. However, postoperative pedicle screw loosening (PSL) often results in poor outcomes. Determining possible risk factors may aid in making informed decisions. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for PSL in patients who underwent elective DDS.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 94 patients with L4-L5 grade I degenerative spondylolisthesis who underwent DSS at a single academic institution between May 2008 and February 2015. Screw loosening was defined as a halo or double halo sign on plain radiography.

Results: The screw loosening rate was 4.8% among screws and 11.7% among patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that age >65 years, smoking, segmental ROM >13°, and L1 vertebral body (VB) Hounsfield unit (HU) <110 were risk factors for PSL after DDS. Five reoperations were performed; however, no screw breakage was observed. The Oswestry Disability Index and visual analog scale scores did not differ significantly at the final follow-up between the screw loosening and no screw loosening groups.

Conclusion: Our study suggests that patients with age >65 years, smoking, segmental ROM >13°, and L1 VB HU <110 had a higher risk of PSL after DDS.

Background: To evaluate the effect of dienogest on urinary symptoms and sexual functioning within a 6-month follow-up period.

Methods: We recruited 22 women with symptoms with dysmenorrhea, deep dyspareunia, and dyschezia accompanied with irritative urinary symptoms including frequency and urgency at Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital from 2017 Jan 1 to 2019 Jan 1. The diagnosis of endometriosis mainly focused on vaginal examination and transvaginal ultrasound was performed in each patient. The participating patients took a daily dose of 2 mg Dienogest and underwent outpatient visits at the beginning, 1, 2, 3, and 6 months following treatment.

Results: Our data showed a significant improvement in the visual Analog Scale (VAS) score from the first month till the sixth month after DNG treatment. The Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6), and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) were significantly improved after the DNG treatment. Besides, serum estradiol was also decreased. Our data also showed that DNG treatment for 6 months did not affect Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score. Some patients with heavy menstruation also improved; however, some patients with regular periods missed or skipped a period after DNG treatment, while other adverse effects were also observed.

Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that DNG could not only alleviate endometriosis pelvic pain but reduce urinary symptoms within the 6-month follow-up as well. DNG did not affect sexual function as measured by the FSFI score, although some adverse effects were recorded.

Background: Circular RNAs play an important role in the development of gastric cancer (GC). circ-low-density lipoprotein receptor class A domain containing 3 (LDLRAD3) has been confirmed to be related to GC progression. miR-137 is also a suppressor in GC. However, the impact of the interaction between circ-LDLRAD3 and miR-137 on the progression of GC remains unclear at present.

Methods: The study identified expression level differences of circ-LDLRAD3, miR-137, and COL4A5 in GC pathological specimens compared to normal tissue samples. Furthermore, through in vitro experiments, including flow cytometry, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, wound healing, Western blotting, and colony formation assays, we further explored the molecular regulatory mechanisms by which these factors promote the progression of GC.

Results: In this study, circ-LDLRAD3 was confirmed to have higher expression, and miR-137 had lower expression in GC tissues and cell lines. circ-LDLRAD3 knockdown and miR-137 overexpression promoted apoptosis and inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion in GC cell lines. Further experiments validated that COL4A5 had a positive relationship with GC and that circ-LDLRAD3 promoted the expression of COL4A5. circ-LDLRAD3 could be sponged and inhibited by miR-137 in GC cells. As a result, the promotional effect of circ-LDLRAD3 on COL4A5 was counteracted by miR-137.

Conclusion: Our study showed that the knockdown of circ-LDLRAD3 suppressed the development of GC by regulating the miR-137/COL4A5 axis.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder whose clinical presentation consists of motor and non-motor signs and symptoms. Among the non-motor symptoms, psychosis can occur in the later stages of the disease. Psychosis in PD (PDP) is a common, complex, and significantly disabling disorder associated with poorer quality of life, accelerated cognitive decline, need for hospitalization or institutionalization, and mortality. Hallucinations are a significant symptom of PDP, sporadic at first but more frequent in the later course of the disease, and significantly disrupt daily activities. Appropriate and timely screening of psychotic manifestations is necessary for adequate therapeutic procedures. After the exclusion of comorbid conditions as a possible cause of psychosis, correction of antiparkinsonian therapy may be required, and if necessary, the introduction of antipsychotics. The latest therapeutic recommendations include the use of pimavanserin, if available, otherwise second-generation or atypical antipsychotics. Although PDP has long been recognized as a possible complication in the course of the disease, further clinical studies are needed to fully understand its etiopathogenesis and pathophysiological mechanisms.