DataSheet_1_Strong association of lumbar disk herniation with diabetes mellitus: a 12-year nationwide retrospective cohort study.pdf

BackgroundDespite reports on the association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and lumbar disk herniation (LDH), large-scale, nationwide studies exploring this relationship are lacking. We aimed to examine the profiles of DM in individuals with LDH and explore the potential mechanisms underlying the development of these disorders.MethodsThis retrospective, population-based study was conducted between 2008 and 2019 using data from the National Health Insurance (NHI) research database in Taiwan. The primary outcome was the date of initial LDH diagnosis, death, withdrawal from the NHI program, or end of the study period.ResultsIn total, 2,662,930 individuals with and 16,922,546 individuals without DM were included in this study; 719,068 matched pairs were established following propensity score matching (1:1 ratio) for sex, age, comorbidities, smoking, alcohol consumption, antihyperglycemic medications, and index year. The adjusted risk for developing LDH was 2.33-fold (95% confidence interval: 2.29−2.37; PConclusionDM is associated with an increased risk of LDH, and advanced DM may indicate a higher risk of LDH.</p

Data_Sheet_1_A chronological review of COVID-19 case fatality rate and its secular trend and investigation of all-cause mortality and hospitalization during the Delta and Omicron waves in the United States: a retrospective cohort study.PDF

IntroductionCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused more than 690 million deaths worldwide. Different results concerning the death rates of the Delta and Omicron variants have been recorded. We aimed to assess the secular trend of case fatality rate (CFR), identify risk factors associated with mortality following COVID-19 diagnosis, and investigate the risks of mortality and hospitalization during Delta and Omicron waves in the United States.MethodsThis study assessed 2,857,925 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the United States from January 2020, to June 2022. The inclusion criterion was the presence of COVID-19 diagnostic codes in electronic medical record or a positive laboratory test of the SARS-CoV-2. Statistical analysis was bifurcated into two components, longitudinal analysis and comparative analysis. To assess the discrepancies in hospitalization and mortality rates for COVID-19, we identified the prevailing periods for the Delta and Omicron variants.ResultsLongitudinal analysis demonstrated four sharp surges in the number of deaths and CFR. The CFR was persistently higher in males and older age. The CFR of Black and White remained higher than Asians since January 2022. In comparative analysis, the adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause mortality and hospitalization were higher in Delta wave compared to the Omicron wave. Risk of all-cause mortality was found to be greater 14–30 days after a COVID-19 diagnosis, while the likelihood of hospitalization was higher in the first 14 days following a COVID-19 diagnosis in Delta wave compared with Omicron wave. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed the cumulative probability of mortality was approximately 2-fold on day 30 in Delta than in Omicron cases (log-rank p ConclusionMale sex and age seemed to be strong and independent risk factors of mortality in COVID-19. The Delta variant appears to cause more hospitalization and death than the Omicron variant.</p

Comparison of non-blepharitis and blepharitis cohorts.

Comparison of non-blepharitis and blepharitis cohorts.</p

The cumulative incidence curves of ischemic stroke estimated by cause-specific Cox proportional hazard regression model.

The cumulative incidence curves of ischemic stroke estimated by cause-specific Cox proportional hazard regression model.</p

Risk stratification for ischemic stroke in non-blepharitis and blepharitis cohorts.

Risk stratification for ischemic stroke in non-blepharitis and blepharitis cohorts.</p

The risks of ischemic stroke in the blepharitis cohort relative to the non-blepharitis cohort in terms of different follow-up time.

The risks of ischemic stroke in the blepharitis cohort relative to the non-blepharitis cohort in terms of different follow-up time.</p

Risk factors of ischemic stroke.

IntroductionTo investigate the association of blepharitis and ischemic stroke.MethodsThis nationwide retrospective cohort study used population-based data in Taiwan. Individuals aged 20 and above with diagnosis of blepharitis was included based on electrical medical records. After exclusion of ineligible cases, 424,161 patients were identified between 2008 and 2018. The blepharitis and non-blepharitis cohorts were matched based on sex, age, and comorbidities. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards model was adopted to calculate the hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) between blepharitis and non-blepharitis cohorts. The incidence of ischemic stroke was estimated by Kaplan–Meier analysis.Results424,161 pairs of blepharitis cohort and non-blepharitis cohort were 1:1 propensity score matched for statistical analysis. Patients with blepharitis had significantly increased risk of ischemic stroke compared with the individuals without blepharitis (adjusted hazard ratio 1.32, 95% CI 1.29–1.34, P P for interaction P P ConclusionsPatients with blepharitis had an elevated risk of developing ischemic stroke. Early treatment and active surveillance are suggested for patients with chronic blepharitis. Further research is required to determine the casual relationship between blepharitis and ischemic stroke, as well as the underlying mechanism.</div

Study flow chart.

IntroductionTo investigate the association of blepharitis and ischemic stroke.MethodsThis nationwide retrospective cohort study used population-based data in Taiwan. Individuals aged 20 and above with diagnosis of blepharitis was included based on electrical medical records. After exclusion of ineligible cases, 424,161 patients were identified between 2008 and 2018. The blepharitis and non-blepharitis cohorts were matched based on sex, age, and comorbidities. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards model was adopted to calculate the hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) between blepharitis and non-blepharitis cohorts. The incidence of ischemic stroke was estimated by Kaplan–Meier analysis.Results424,161 pairs of blepharitis cohort and non-blepharitis cohort were 1:1 propensity score matched for statistical analysis. Patients with blepharitis had significantly increased risk of ischemic stroke compared with the individuals without blepharitis (adjusted hazard ratio 1.32, 95% CI 1.29–1.34, P P for interaction P P ConclusionsPatients with blepharitis had an elevated risk of developing ischemic stroke. Early treatment and active surveillance are suggested for patients with chronic blepharitis. Further research is required to determine the casual relationship between blepharitis and ischemic stroke, as well as the underlying mechanism.</div