Search

Purpose: Manifestations of metabolic syndrome (MetS) carry risks for atrial fibrillation (AF). The study determined whether any electrocardiographic parameter can reflect increased AF risk in individuals with MetS. Patients and Methods: From our University Hospital database, we examined the presence of AF and its correlation with MetS manifestations, renal function, lipid profiles, and electrocardiographic parameters (P wave duration, PR interval, QRS width, and QTc intervals). Between January 2008 and December 2015, data from 4479 adults (women 41.6% vs men 58.4%) were identified. Results: The overall prevalence of AF was 12.4%, without sex differences (women, 12.8% vs men, 12.1%). Patients with AF were older (age 73.9 ± 11.8 vs non-AF 67 ± 13.5 years), with lower lipid levels (TG, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol, all p < 0.0001), and at lower eGFR level (64.1 ± 30.9 vs non-AF 68.8 ± 41.4 mL/min/1.73m2, p < 0.0001). Besides, sex differences were present in all electrocardiographic parameters (all p < 0.05). Hypertension had the highest odds ratio (1.33; p = 0.026) for AF. Comparing AF to non-AF, the QTc of quartiles was significantly different (p < 0.0089). The shortest and longest QTc quartiles had an increased incidence of AF. Conclusion: AF risk in patients with MetS phenotypes can be reflected by QTc quartiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper bone age assessment is crucial for the clinical diagnosis and evaluation of treatment responses. We investigated the applicability of Greulich and Pyle (GP), and Tanner and Whitehouse 3 (TW3) methods for children in modern Taiwan, using computer‐aided diagnosis. Hand and wrist radiographs were obtained from 611 children (3‐17 years) who came to our emergency department due to trauma. Ages 0 to 2 years old were excluded because of a limited number of cases. Skeletal maturation was assessed using the BoneXpert (version 2.5.4.1 automated software), which determines GP and TW3 bone age. The two scoring systems were evaluated for comparing the chronological ages in each subgroup. In boys, mean GP bone age vs mean chronological ages were delayed for ages 3 to 11 and advanced for age 12 to 17. In girls, mean GP bone age vs mean chronological ages was delayed for ages 4 to 8 and 17, and advanced for ages 3 and 9 to 17. In boys, the mean TW3 bone ages vs mean chronological ages were delayed for ages 5 to 10 except age 8, and advanced for ages 3 to 4, 8, and 11 to 15. In girls, the mean TW3 bone ages vs mean chronological ages were delayed for ages 4 to 12, and advanced for ages 3 and 13 to 14. By using the BoneXpert automatic software, we established bone age reference standards for children in Taiwan. Clinical application of GP and TW3 scoring methods can be adjusted according to our results to better assess bone age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To assess the willingness of nurses to receive vaccines as recommended by Taiwan's "Immunization Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel" (IRHCP), as well as the factors associated with their willingness. Background: Immunisation for healthcare personnel (HCP) is a means of reducing pathogen transmission. Also, vaccinating HCP reduces personnel and labour costs during an epidemic. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted. A self‐administered questionnaire survey targeting nurses working in various service units at three hospitals was used. In total, 413 nurses completed the questionnaire. The main outcome measure was the willingness to receive vaccines recommended by the IRHCP, and the variables we assessed included knowledge regarding the IRHCP, individual perceptions (perceived risk of contracting the infection, perceived severity of the infection and perceived transmissibility after disease onset), perceived benefits and barriers to the vaccination, cues to the vaccination and demographics. This study followed the STROBE checklist for reporting this study. Results: The willingness of nurses to receive vaccines recommended by the IRHCP was high; the highest level of willingness was for the hepatitis B vaccine. The nurses' willingness to receive various vaccines recommended by the IRHCP was predicted by the knowledge regarding the IRHCP and perceived transmissibility after disease onset. Except the diphtheria–tetanus–acellular pertussis vaccine, perceived benefits and perceived barriers were also predictors of the willingness to receive vaccines. Conclusions: Our results showed that interventions focusing on increasing the knowledge regarding the IRHCP and perceived transmissibility after disease onset, emphasising the benefits of the vaccination and reducing the perceived barriers to the vaccination are needed to increase nurses' willingness to receive vaccines. Relevance to clinical practice: It is suggested using health education courses and mass media broadcasts at the individual and societal levels to raise awareness regarding the benefits of vaccines and enhance nurse' confidence in vaccination programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]