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The passive stiffness and strength of periscapular muscles may affect scapulohumeral control, especially in overhead athletes due to sports-specific training. This study tried to assess the relationship between the passive stiffness and strength of periscapular muscles, scapulohumeral kinematics and neuromuscular control during scaption in swimmers. Ten male adolescent competitive front-crawl swimmers were recruited. The passive stiffness and strength of periscapular muscles were measured in standard postures by a hand-held myotonometer and dynamometer, respectively. Surface electromyography and electromagnetic tracking systems were synchronized to record the muscle activities and scapulohumeral kinematics during scaption. Correlations between the passive stiffness or strength of periscapular muscles and the kinematics or muscle activity were examined by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The maximal strength of periscapular muscles correlated positively with the ranges of upward and external rotation of the scapula and negatively with muscle activity during scaption. Passive stiffness of periscapular muscles was associated with the downward rotation of the scapula and triggered an increase in muscle activity. Increased passive stiffness or decreased strength in the periscapular muscles may affect their role in controlling the scapular rotation and contribute to compensation from adjacent muscles. Our findings suggest that when attempting to evaluate scapular behavior, it may be beneficial to examine muscle strength and passive stiffness of periscapular muscles.

Objective To assess the relationship between resilience and quality of life (QOL) of kidney cancer patients, including influencing factors. Methods Based on a cross-sectional study design, participants (N = 103) were recruited from patients who were admitted to the urology clinic of a medical center in Taiwan between April 2020 and January 2021. Data collection was accomplished via a questionnaire. The study variables included demographic information, disease attributes, happiness level, depression, cancer-related self-efficacy, resilience, and QOL. One-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, independent-sample t-tests, hierarchical regression, and process analysis were the statistical methods used to analyze the data. Results Kidney cancer patients who were less depressed exhibited better cancer-related self-efficacy and have better resilience. In non-depressed individuals, higher levels of happiness and better resilience resulted in better QOL. Resilience is a mediator that affects the relationship between depression and QOL. Conclusions Patients with better emotional state experience better resilience and QOL. Patients' better cancer-related self-efficacy is related to better resilience while better resilience is associated with better QOL. Clinical care providers need to evaluate and improve cancer-related self-efficacy, emotional state, and resilience of kidney cancer patients, which will improve their resilience and QOL.

Background and Objectives: Distal femoral fracture is a severe injury that makes surgery challenging, particularly comminuted fractures in the supracondylar region. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of distal femoral fracture treated with the application of an intramedullary fibular allogenic bone strut in open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with precontoured locking plates in patients over 50 years of age. Materials and Methods: The study retrospectively enrolled 202 patients over 50 years of age with traumatic comminuted distal femoral fracture (AO/OTA 33-A3, 33-C2 and 33-C3) treated with ORIF with a locking plate from January 2016 to December 2019. The two groups were divided into patients who received an intramedullary allogenic bone strut and those who did not. Patients were followed for at least 1 year, with their function scores and radiographic data recorded. Results: A total of 124 patients were recruited, comprising 60 men and 64 women with an average age of 62.4 ± 8.5 years. The 36 patients who had received an intramedullary allogenic fibular bone strut reported lower postoperative pain scores at 1 month and lower postoperative Knee Society Scores (KSS) at 3 months than the control group. The application of an intramedullary allogenic fibular bone strut appeared to be significantly correlated with better 3-month postoperative KSS. Conclusions: The ORIF of distal femoral comminuted fracture with an intramedullary allogenic fibular bone strut can reduce pain and improve knee function in the early stages of postoperative rehabilitation and may reduce the time to union in patients over 50 years of age.

Adipose stromal vascular fraction (SVF) has a versatile cellular system for biologically augmented therapies. However, there have been no clinical studies investigating the benefits of the augmentation of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with SVF. We conducted a retrospective study in assessing the effects of intraoperative SVF administration on the functional outcomes in young patients with ACLR. The enrolled patients were divided into the control group (ACLR only) and the SVF group (ACLR with SVF). The functional outcomes in both groups were assessed by the Lysholm knee scoring system, the Tegner activity scale, and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective evaluation form, and compared at several time points during a 12-month follow-up. We found that the sex distribution and pre-surgery scores were similar in the two groups, whereas the mean age of the SVF group was higher than that of the control group (p = 0.046). The between-group analysis and generalized estimating equation model analysis revealed that, while patients in the SVF group significantly improved all their functional outcomes at 12 months after surgery, this improvement was not significantly different from the results of patients in the control group (Lysholm, p = 0.553; Tegner, p = 0.197; IKDC, p = 0.486). No side effects were observed in either group. We concluded that the intraoperative administration of SVF does not improve or accelerate functional recovery after ACLR in young patients.

This study aimed to investigate psychological resilience and demoralisation and their predictors and mediators in prostate cancer survivors (PCSs).A cross-sectional research design was used. PCSs (N = 122; mean time since diagnosis = 54.79 months, range in 13 years and 2 months) were recruited using convenience sampling at the outpatient department of a hospital in Taiwan. Data collection was conducted using self-report structured questionnaires, including one for demographic and disease characteristics, the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite, Cancer Survivors' Self-Efficacy Scale, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and the Demoralisation Scale.In PCSs, a lower most-recent level of prostate-specific antigen and higher cancer-specific self-efficacy were associated with better psychological resilience. Further, fewer hormonal, bowel and urinary symptoms and bother; higher cancer-specific self-efficacy; and better psychological resilience were associated with less demoralisation. Cancer-specific self-efficacy was a mediator for the relationship between urinary symptoms and bother and demoralisation, while psychological resilience mediated the relationship between cancer-specific self-efficacy and demoralisation.The results reveal that cancer-specific self-efficacy is a protective factor against demoralisation and increases psychological resilience in PCSs. Better psychological resilience and fewer physical symptoms and bother are associated with less demoralisation in PCSs.

Sex-related differences among comorbid conditions associated with surgical site infection (SSI) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are unclear. This population-based cohort study used a novel approach with a Phecode system to evaluate preoperative clinical phenotypes (i.e., comorbid conditions) associated with SSI after TKA and delineate sex-related differences in phenotypes. Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (2014–2018), 83,870 patients who underwent TKA were identified. Demographic and SSI data during the 90-day postoperative follow-up were obtained. Comorbidities identified by the International Classification of Diseases within 1 year before TKA were recorded and mapped into Phecodes representing phenotypes. The overall rate of 90-day SSI was 1.3%. In total, 1663 phenotypes were identified among 83,870 patients—1585 and 1458 phenotypes for female (n = 62,018) and male (n = 21,852) patients, respectively. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, the SSI odds ratio significantly increased with the presence of each of the 16 phenotypes. Subgroup analysis revealed that the presence of 10 and 4 phenotypes significantly increased SSI risk in both sexes; only one phenotype was common to both sexes. Therefore, comorbid conditions and sex should be considered in preoperative SSI risk evaluation in patients undergoing primary TKA. These findings provide new perspectives on susceptibility, prevention, and treatment in these patients.

Context The Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer (MAX-PC) has been used in different countries to assess the specific anxiety of patients with prostate cancer. Objectives This research aims to test the reliability and validity of the Taiwanese version of the MAX-PC (MAX-PC-T). Methods Patients with prostate cancer in the urology clinics of three hospitals are recruited via a convenience sampling. Patients completed the MAX-PC-T, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and the Short Form (SF)-12 Health Survey. The internal consistency is tested to determine the reliability of the MAX-PC-T. The correlation among the MAX-PC-T, PANAS, and SF-12 is used to test concurrent and discriminant validity. Confirmatory factor analysis is performed to determine the convergent and discriminant validity of the scale. Results The MAX-PC-T conforms to the three structures of the original MAX-PC, which includes the prostate cancer anxiety subscale, prostate-specific antigen anxiety subscale, and fear of recurrence subscale. The factor loading of the items in each subscale is >0.50. The MAX-PC-T was significantly negatively correlated with the positive affect subscale of the PANAS and the mental component summary of the SF-12 and significantly positively correlated with the negative affect subscale of the PANAS. Cronbach's α value of internal consistency is 0.94 in the MAX-PC-T. Conclusion The MAX-PC-T demonstrates appropriate reliability and validity. It can be used with patients with prostate cancer to assess their specific anxiety.

Background Research has explored the effectiveness of positive thinking on individuals, but only a few studies have investigated the factors that influence individual positive thinking, particularly among patients with prostate cancer. Objectives The aim of this study was to understand the factors that affect positive thinking among patients with prostate cancer and the mediating role of self-efficacy. Methods A cross-sectional design and a convenience sampling method were used to recruit patients with prostate cancer from 2 hospitals in Taiwan. Structured scales were used for data collection, including the General Self-efficacy Scale, Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite, Positive Thinking Scale, and Social Support Scale. Results The total average score for positive thinking among 201 patients was 66.1 (SD, 9.4). The factors that influenced the positive thinking of patients with prostate cancer included self-efficacy, treatment satisfaction, perceived health status, marital status, and appraisal support. The effects of treatment satisfaction and appraisal support on positive thinking were partly achieved through self-efficacy (partial mediation). Conclusions Self-efficacy is a mediator that affects the relationship of treatment satisfaction, appraisal support, and positive thinking. Implications for practice In the course of the disease, healthcare providers can help patients with prostate cancer to promote and maintain appropriate positive thinking by improving treatment satisfaction; increasing appraisal support from family, relatives, and friends; strengthening self-efficacy; and modifying unrealistic expectations.

Organ allocation is of decisive importance in the current situation of organ shortage. The aim of this study is to compare the long-term graft outcomes of deceased donor recipients before and after the new nationwide allocation system in Taiwan.From April 1, 2000 to March 31, 2010, 181 deceased kidney transplantations were reviewed retrospectively, and recipients were divided by the enforcement day (April 1, 2005) of nationwide allocation into group 1 (before) and group 2 (after). Baseline demographics were reviewed. Outcomes, including graft survival (GS) and patient survival, at 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-years after transplantation were analyzed.The baseline demography was similar between the 2 groups except that group 1 is younger. Group 2 has less HLA-B (P .001) and HLA mismatches (P = .005). There were significantly more 0-mismatch recipients in group 2 (6 vs 27, P = .001), as well as extended criteria donor (ECD) recipients (0 vs 7). Group 2 has less optimal 1-year GS (95.6% vs 86.8%, Log-Rank P = .037), which becomes nonsignificant at 3-, 5-, and 10-years after transplantation. By excluding ECD recipients, the GS were similar at all time. There was no difference in patient survival between the 2 groups.The new nationwide allocation system provided us more 0-mismatch kidneys. The nationwide scheme remains beneficial to kidney recipients after the acute adverse effects of ECD and aging vanish.

Osteoarthritis is the main cause for total knee arthroplasty (TKA), followed by rheumatoid arthritis. Previous studies have reported conflicting results concerning the risk of surgical site infection after TKA for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients. Thus, this study aimed to examine whether rheumatoid arthritis patients had a higher risk of acute surgical site infection after TKA compared to osteoarthritis patients. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database of the whole population from 2012 to 2015, and collected the medical records of osteoarthritis patients or rheumatoid arthritis patients who underwent TKA. To evaluate the risk of acute surgical site infection in rheumatoid arthritis patients, propensity score matching was implemented for osteoarthritis patients. Acute surgical site infection was observed in 2.58% of TKA cases in rheumatoid arthritis patients and 2.66% of TKA cases in osteoarthritis patients. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients had comparable risk for 90-day (odds ratio = 0.81, 95% confidence interval: 0.371–1.768) and 1-year (odds ratio = 0.463, 95% confidence interval: 0.121–1.766) surgical site infection. In conclusion, patients with rheumatoid arthritis were not at higher risk of acute surgical site infection after TKA compared to osteoarthritis patients. The current treatment strategy for patients with RA is safe and appropriate if they require TKA.

To assess the relationship between resilience and quality of life (QOL) of kidney cancer patients, including influencing factors.Based on a cross-sectional study design, participants (N = 103) were recruited from patients who were admitted to the urology clinic of a medical center in Taiwan between April 2020 and January 2021. Data collection was accomplished via a questionnaire. The study variables included demographic information, disease attributes, happiness level, depression, cancer-related self-efficacy, resilience, and QOL. One-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, independent-sample t-tests, hierarchical regression, and process analysis were the statistical methods used to analyze the data.Kidney cancer patients who were less depressed exhibited better cancer-related self-efficacy and have better resilience. In non-depressed individuals, higher levels of happiness and better resilience resulted in better QOL. Resilience is a mediator that affects the relationship between depression and QOL.Patients with better emotional state experience better resilience and QOL. Patients' better cancer-related self-efficacy is related to better resilience while better resilience is associated with better QOL. Clinical care providers need to evaluate and improve cancer-related self-efficacy, emotional state, and resilience of kidney cancer patients, which will improve their resilience and QOL.

Background The adductor tubercle (AT) has been used intraoperatively as a landmark to evaluate the joint line position in knee arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the AT could be clearly identified on radiographic imaging as well as if the AT to joint line distance could be accurately measured for use as a radiographic landmark. Methods The distance from the AT to the joint line was measured on each of 78 knees during total knee arthroplasty. Next, the AT was marked with a metal marker for radiographic analysis. On the postoperative radiograph, the location of the AT was determined by tracing the metal marker. Subsequently, the radiographic joint line distance (RJLD) was measured and compared with the intraoperative joint line distance (IJLD) to test the agreement of the measurements. Results Location analysis indicated that the inflection point on the radiographic contour of the distal femur was the predicted location for the AT. The mean IJLD was 45 ± 3 mm and the RJLD was 45 ± 4 mm. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the inter-rater reliability between the two methods; that coefficient was 0.751, indicating good agreement between them. Measurements on the radiograph were comparable to the intraoperative measurements of the operated knees. Conclusions In addition to being an intraoperative landmark, the AT may also be an eligible radiographic landmark for analyzing joint line level. The RJLD measurement may be obtained to plan the joint line position in knees with significant bone loss preoperatively and to follow up the results of surgery postoperatively.

Introduction Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is one of the most common ureteric complications after kidney transplantation that might cause symptomatic infections which deteriorate graft function. Surgical reimplantation has been the standard treatment; recently, endoscopic injection has been an alternative approach. We report our endoscopic treatment results and analyze the long-term outcome, even in patients with less optimal graft function. Materials and methods A total of 16 patients and 19 symptomatic VUR were diagnosed at mean time of 88.3 months after their transplantation. The distribution of VUR grade was 1, 2, 8, 6, and 2 for grade I to V, respectively, with a mean VUR grade of 3.26 according to their voiding cystourethrogram images. Endoscopic Deflux injections were performed by a single urologist via rigid cystoscope with a beveled needle system. They were followed monthly thereafter. Result The average number of admissions due to symptomatic urinary tract infection was 2.68/person, and the mean creatinine level before endoscopic treatment was 1.63 mg/dL. The amount of Deflux injection was 0.7 to 1.2 mL per affected ureter; the mean creatinine level after endoscopic treatment was 1.41 mg/dL. The eGFR remained stationary in both eGFR > 60 and eGFR Conclusion Endoscopic dextranomer-hyaluronic acid injection is a safe and feasible treatment option for VUR after kidney transplantation. Our data showed its efficacy in recipients whose eGFR is less than 60 mL/min.

Osteoarthritis is the main cause for total knee arthroplasty, followed by rheumatoid arthritis. Previous studies have reported conflicting results concerning the risk of periprosthetic infection after total knee arthroplasty for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients. Thus, this study aimed to examine whether rheumatoid arthritis patients had a higher risk of acute periprosthetic infection after total knee arthroplasty compared to osteoarthritis patients. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database of the whole population from 2012 to 2015, and collected the medical records of osteoarthritis patients or rheumatoid arthritis patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty. To evaluate the risk of acute periprosthetic infection in rheumatoid arthritis patients, propensity score matching was implemented for osteoarthritis patients. Acute periprosthetic infection was observed in 2.58% of total knee arthroplasty cases in rheumatoid arthritis patients and 2.66% of total knee arthroplasty cases in osteoarthritis patients. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients had comparable risk for 90-day and one-year periprosthetic infection. In conclusion, patients with rheumatoid arthritis were not at higher risk of acute periprosthetic infection after total knee arthroplasty compared to osteoarthritis patients. The current treatment strategy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing total knee arthroplasty is safe and appropriate.

Background People living with dementia seem to be more likely to experience delirium following hip fracture. The association between mental disorders (MD) and hip fracture remains controversial. We conducted a nationwide study to examine the prevalence of MD in geriatric patients with hip fractures undergoing surgery and conducted a related risk factor analysis. Material and methods This retrospective cohort study used data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database between 2000 and 2012 and focused on people who were older than 60 years. Patients with hip fracture undergoing surgical intervention and without hip fracture were matched at a ratio of 1:1 for age, sex, comorbidities, and index year. The incidence and hazard ratios of age, sex, and multiple comorbidities related to MD and its subgroups were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results A total of 1408 patients in the hip fracture group and a total of 1408 patients in the control group (no fracture) were included. The overall incidence of MD for the hip fracture and control groups per 100 person-years were 0.8 and 0.5, respectively. Among MD, the incidences of transient MD, depression, and dementia were significantly higher in the hip fracture group than in the control group. Conclusions The prevalence of newly developed MD, especially transient MD, depression, and dementia, was higher in the geriatric patients with hip fracture undergoing surgery than that in the control group. Prompt and aggressive prevention protocols and persistent follow-up of MD development is highly necessary in this aged society.

Although urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common perioperative complication among elderly patients with hip fracture, its incidence and effects are often underestimated. This study investigated the effects of severe UTI (S-UTI) on elderly patients with hip fracture and the risk factors for this condition. In this retrospective nationwide cohort study, we searched Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database from 2000 to 2012 for data on patients aged ≥ 50 years with hip fracture who underwent open reduction and internal fixation or hemiarthroplasty for comparison with healthy controls (i.e. individuals without hip fracture). The study and comparison cohorts were matched for age, sex, and index year at a 1:4 ratio. The incidence and hazard ratios of age, sex, and multiple comorbidities associated with S-UTI were calculated using Cox proportional hazard regression models. Among the 5774 and 23,096 patients in the study and comparison cohorts, the overall incidence of S-UTI per 100 person-years was 8.5 and 5.3, respectively. The risk of S-UTI was cumulative over time and higher in the study cohort than in the comparison cohort, particularly in those who were older, were female, or had comorbidities of cerebrovascular accident or chronic renal failure.

Background To evaluate the possible major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) associated with second-line hormonal therapy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Methods We performed a population-based real-world cohort study of 4962 prostate cancer patients between 2014 and 2017 utilizing the Chang Gung Research Database of Taiwan. The second-line hormonal therapies included enzalutamide and abiraterone acetate. The outcomes of interest were MACE, including acute coronary syndrome (ACS), ischemic stroke (IS), and heart failure (HF) events that resulted in hospitalization. Cox proportional-hazards models with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) with propensity scores were used. Results After IPTW, 288 patients were prescribed second-line hormonal therapy and 1575 received first-line androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT). Of all patients diagnosed with MACE, the event rates were 2.92% in the second-line hormonal group and 2.22% in the first-line ADT group. The mean follow-up period was 9.52 months for the second-line hormonal group. Patients who received second-line hormonal therapy exhibited a significantly increased risk for MACE (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.03-4.89), ACS (HR: 4.94; 95% CI: 2.36-10.33), and HF (HR: 2.83; 95% CI: 1.53-5.25), compared with the first-line ADT group, but a similar risk for IS was observed in both groups (HR: 1.70; 95% CI: 0.95-3.04). Conclusions The real-world evidence study revealed increased risks for MACE in mCRPC patients receiving second-line hormonal therapy.

Background: Osteoporotic hip fracture is a common general health problem with significant impact of human life because it debilitates the patients and largely decrease their life quality. Early prevention of the fracture is essential in the recent decades by finding out the related risk factors as reference of further intervention, especially for the vulnerable patient group with comorbidities. Hepatic encephalopathy, a major complication of liver cirrhosis, may increase the rate of falling down and weaken the bone quality. This paper is aimed to finding out the correlation between hepatic encephalopathy and osteoporotic hip fracture in the aged patients from our national population.Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database between 2000 and 2012. We focus on people who were older than 50 years old, using hepatic encephalopathy as compare grouping accordance, and finding the influence of the other common chronic illness. Patients with and without hepatic encephalopathy were matched at a ratio of 1:4 for age, sex, and index year. The incidence and hazard ratios of comorbidities related to aging and poor lifestyle were calculated using Cox proportional hazard regression modelsResults: The average age of the enrolled patients was approximately 66.5 years. The incidence ratio of hip fracture in HE group was 68/2496 (2.7 %), which was significantly higher than that in non-HE group as 98/9984 (0.98 %). Patients with hepatic encephalopathy were 2.15-times more likely to develop osteoporotic hip fractures than patients without hepatic encephalopathy in the whole group and the risk ratio was also significantly higher in female and older patients. The results were also similar in the comorbidity subgroups of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, senile cataract, gastric ulcer and depression.Conclusions: Hepatic encephalopathy is significantly associated with an increased risk of osteoporotic hip fractures and the significance was not affected by the comorbidities in people aged more than 50 years old from the results of our study, and the risk cumulated steadily through time goes by. These patients would benefit from controlling their hepatic encephalopathy and reducing the subsequent osteoporotic hip fractures.

We evaluated the efficacy of second-line hormonal therapy for treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in a real-world retrospective study. We conducted a population-based real-world cohort study of 258 mCRPC patients between 2014 and 2018 using the Chang Gung Research Database (CGRD) of Taiwan. The second-line hormonal therapy included abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide. The clinical efficacy outcomes were overall survival (OS) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) doubling time. The median PSA level was also assessed. In total, 223 mCRPC patients who underwent second-line hormonal therapy met all of the inclusion and exclusion criteria for this study. Among them, 65 (29.1%) patients were in the PSA response group and 158 (70.9%) were in the non-response group. The median age was 72.9 years. The median OS was 12.3 months (range: 9.9–19.9 months) and 9.6 months (range: 5.3–15.9 months) in the response and non-response groups, respectively, and the respective PSA doubling times were 9.0 months (range: 4.4–11.6 months) and 3.9 months (range: 2.2–9.1 months), with a median follow-up period of 10.5 months. A significantly longer median OS was seen in the PSA response group. This real-world database study demonstrated that clinical outcomes of second-line hormonal therapy were better in patients with a PSA response. Further studies are warranted to achieve a better understanding of second-line hormonal therapy for mCRPC in Asian populations.

New-onset carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and trigger finger after distal radius fractures (DRFs) with or without open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) have been reported inconsistently across different studies. This study assessed the incidence of CTS and trigger finger after DRFs using Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. In total, 1454 patients in the case (ORIF) cohort and 1454 patients in the control (non-ORIF) cohort were included in this retrospective study. The mean age was approximately 55 years old, and the female to male ratio was approximately 3/2. Nine patients underwent carpal tunnel release (CTR) surgery after diagnosis of CTS in the case group, and no patients did in the control group; whereas 19 cases of CTS were diagnosed without CTR in the case group, and 4 such cases were observed in the control group. Five cases of trigger finger were diagnosed in the case group, and 3 cases were diagnosed in the control group. CTS were significantly associated with ORIF for DRFs within 9 months after the fracture, whereas trigger finger was not significantly different between groups. Diabetes mellitus was a significant risk factor for CTS and trigger finger within 9 months after the incidence of DRFs.

Aims To explore health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and its individual or mutual influences in people with prostate cancer and their spouses. Background Few studies have explored the influence of prostate cancer-specific anxiety of these people and their spouses on their individual or mutual HRQOL. Design Repeated-measures design. Methods Data on 48 dyadic of people and their spouses were collected from August 2015 - December 2016. Before the people' treatment for prostate cancer, the first data collection occurred for the people and their spouses. The second to fifth data collections were conducted 6, 10, 18, and 24 weeks after the initial measurement. The variables concerned health status, marital satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, prostate cancer-specific anxiety, and HRQOL. The Actor-Partner-Interdependence Model was adopted for data analysis. Results The people who had better physical HRQOL were those with good self-reported health status, higher positive affect and lower prostate cancer-specific anxiety. Better physical HRQOL was observed in the spouses who had good self-reported health status and had lower prostate cancer-specific anxiety. The people with localized cancer stages and lower negative affect had a better mental HRQOL. Better mental HRQOL was detected in spouses who had higher marital satisfaction, higher positive affect and lower negative affect. Conclusion Nurses can improve the HRQOL of people and their spouses by implementing activities that promote health and energy and reduce stress and by administering a mindfulness intervention.

Background Sagittal spinopelvic balance and proper sagittal alignment are important when planning corrective or reconstructive spinal surgery. Prior research suggests that people from different races and countries have moderate divergence; to the best of our knowledge, the population of Taiwan has not been studied with respect to this parameter. Questions/purposes To investigate normal age- and sex-related differences in whole-spine sagittal alignment and balance of asymptomatic adults without spinal disorders. Methods In this prospective study, we used convenience sampling to recruit asymptomatic volunteers who accompanied patients in the outpatient orthopaedic department. One hundred forty males with a mean age of 48 ± 19 years and 252 females with a mean age of 53 ± 17 years underwent standing lateral radiographs of the whole spine. For analysis, participants were divided in three groups by age (20 to 40 years, 41 to 60 years, and 61 to 80 years) and analyzed by sex (male and female). The following eight radiologic parameters were measured: sacral slope, pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, cervical lordosis, C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis, and C7-S1 sagittal vertical axis. Three observers performed estimations of the sagittal parameters twice, and the intraclass correlation coefficients for inter- and intraobserver variability were 0.81 and 0.83. Results The mean pelvic incidence was 49° ± 12°; lumbar lordosis was smaller in the group that was 61 to 80 years old than in the groups that were 20 to 40 years and 41 to 60 years (95% CI of the difference, 4.50–13.64 and 1.00– 9.60; p < 0.001), while cervical lordosis was greater in the 61 to 80 years age group than the other two groups (95% CI of the difference, -14.64 to -6.57 and -11.57 to -3.45; p < 0.001). The mean C7-S1 sagittal vertical axis was 30 ± 29 mm, and there was no difference among the three groups and between males and females. Pelvic tilt was greater in the group 61 to 80 years old than the 20 to 40 years and 41 to 60 years age groups (95% CI of the difference, -10.81 to -5.42 and -7.15 to -2.08; p < 0.001), while sacral slope was larger in 61 to 80 years age group than in the 41 to 60 years group (95% CI of the difference, 0.79–6.25; p = 0.006). C7 slope was greater in 61 to 80 years age group than in the 20 to 40 years group (95% CI of the difference, -7.49 to -1.26; p = 0.002) and larger in 41 to 60 years age group than in 20 to 40 years group (95% CI of the difference, -6.31 to -0.05; p = 0.045). C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis was greater in males than in females (95% CI of the difference, 2.84–7.74; p < 0.001). C7 slope was negatively correlated with thoracic kyphosis (95% CI of the difference, -0.619 to 0.468; p < 0.001) and lumbar lordosis (95% CI of the difference, -0.356 to -0.223; p < 0.001), and positively correlated with pelvic incidence (95% CI of the difference, 0.058– 0.215; p < 0.001) and cervical lordosis (95% CI of the difference, 0.228 – 0.334; p < 0.001). Conclusions Normal values of the spinopelvic sagittal parameters vary by age and sex in Taiwanese individuals. Clinical Relevance Pelvic incidence and sacral slope observed in this population seemed smaller than those reported in other studies of white populations; this seems important when considering spine surgery in Taiwanese patients. Future studies should include collection of whole body sagittal parameters of larger and more-diverse populations, and assessments of patients with symptomatic spinal disorders.

Objectives: Lumbosacral fusion through either an anterior or a posterior approach to achieve good lordosis and stability is always a challenging surgical operation and is often accompanied by a higher rate of pseudarthrosis than when other lumbar segments are involved. This study evaluated the clinical and radiological results of lumbosacral fusions achieved through a combined anterior and posterior approach. Materials and Methods: From June 2008 to 2012, 20 patients who had L5–S1 instability and stenosis were consecutively treated, first by anterior interbody fusion using an allogenous strut bone graft through the pararectus approach and then by posterior pedicle screw fixation. A minimum of 1-year of clinical and radiological follow-up was conducted. Intraoperative blood loss, surgical time, and any surgery-related complications were recorded. Clinical outcomes were assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) and the patient's Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score. After 1 year, radiological outcomes were assessed by analyzing pelvic incidence, lumbar lordosis, and segmental lordosis using static plain films, while fusion stability was assessed using dynamic plain films. Results: The mean operative time and blood loss were 215 min and 325 cc, respectively. After 1 year, the VAS and ODI scores had significantly improved, and stable fusion with good lordotic curvature was obtained in all cases. Conclusion: The surgical results of the combined procedure are satisfactory in terms of the functional and radiological outcomes. Our method offers advantages regarding both anterior fusion and posterior fixation.

Aims and objectives To determine the individual and mutual predictors of the marital satisfaction of couples in which the husband experienced prostate cancer. Background Marital satisfaction of prostate cancer patients has been insufficiently studied in Asian countries as compared with Western countries. Design This study used a prospective and repeated-measures design. Methods Seventy Taiwanese couples in which the husband had prostate cancer completed measures at 6 and 12 months post-treatment. Assessments of physical symptoms, marital satisfaction, coping behaviour, and psychological distress were conducted. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse the data. Results The marital satisfaction of prostate cancer patients and that of their spouses were significantly correlated. At 6 months, spouses’ marital satisfaction, patients’ appraisal of prostate cancer as a threat, and patients’ serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were found to be the predictors of patients’ marital satisfaction. Furthermore, patients’ marital satisfaction and their spouses’ psychological distress were predictors of spouses’ marital satisfaction. At 12 months, spouses’ marital satisfaction and patients’ appraisal of prostate cancer as harm were predictors of patients’ marital satisfaction. Finally, spouses’ marital satisfaction (at 6 months) and appraisal of prostate cancer as a threat were predictors of spouses’ marital satisfaction. Conclusions At 6 months post-treatment, patients’ and spouses’ marital satisfaction will influence each other. However, at 12 months, patients’ marital satisfaction exerts an insignificant effect on spouses’ marital satisfaction. Moreover, patients’ serum PSA level or the negative appraisal of prostate cancer affects their marital satisfaction. Spouses’ marital satisfaction is affected by psychological distress and their negative appraisal of prostate cancer. Relevance to clinical practice The results can be used to develop interventions for prostate cancer couples. Such an intervention can be used to modify couples’ appraisal of prostate cancer by changing incorrect thinking or to ease the psychological distress to improve marital satisfaction. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

多年來臺灣一直積極尋求舉辦國際體育賽事的機會，臺灣的學生運動員有很多機會與來自世界各地的運動員競賽並進行社交互動。本研究旨在探索大專生運動員的英語需求。為此，本研究對臺灣中部某大學的學生運動員和教練進行問卷調查和訪談。研究結果顯示學生運動員對學習英語有相當矛盾的感覺。一方面，他們對學習英語有正面的想法，但另一方面，他們沒有學習英語的習慣，也不知道如何學習英語。此外，研究結果發現英語聽說技能對學生運動員與外國選手溝通及海外參賽的獨立性是必須的，然而基本讀寫能力對學生運動員專業知識的成長與網路信件溝通也有助益不容忽視。研究結果亦進一步發現增進英語技能有可能提升學生運動員的自信心。本研究結論：考量到學生運動員的英語需求，教學重點可放在聽力和口語能力，並進一步以模組單元型式進行旅行英語，社交英語與專業英語的訓練。最後，學校也應提供支援學習的配套課程如：時間管理和學習策略等課程來協助學生運動員學習英語，且行政部門應盡一切努力創造一個支持學習的環境以確保優質的教學和學習。