Subgroup analysis results for younger patients aged under 70 years (n = 109).

(a) Nomogram for PCa risk prediction of benign prostatic hyperplasia patients. (b) The predicted probability versus actual probability of the proposed model for PCa with 250 and 500 resampling using the bootstrap method. (c) Comparison results of predictive performance between the proposed model and single risk factors of PCa. PCa, prostate cancer. OE, Occupational exposure. HPV, human papillomavirus. FH score, Family history severity score. (TIF)</p

Multivariate logistic regression model for PCa risk.

Multivariate logistic regression model for PCa risk.</p

Subgroup analysis results for elder patients aged over 70 years (n = 127).

(a) Nomogram for PCa risk prediction of benign prostatic hyperplasia patients. (b) The predicted probability versus actual probability of the proposed model for PCa with 250 and 500 resampling using the bootstrap method. (c) Comparison results of predictive performance between the proposed model and single risk factors of PCa. PCa, prostate cancer. OE, Occupational exposure. HPV, human papillomavirus. FH score, Family history severity score.</p

The predictive performance of proposed model for PCa risk in all patients.

(a) Nomogram for PCa risk prediction of benign prostatic hyperplasia patients. (b) The predicted probability versus actual probability of proposed model for PCa with 250 and 500 resampling using bootstrap method. (c) Comparison results of predictive performance between proposed model and single risk factors of PCa. PCa, prostate cancer. OE, Occupational exposure. HPV, human papillomavirus. FH score, Family history severity score.</p

Characteristics of study cohort.

BackgroundBenign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is common in aging Asian males and is associated with an excess risk of developing prostate cancer (PCa). However, discussions about socially-sensitive experiences such as sexual activity, which can significantly predict PCa risk, may be considered stigmatized in Asian culture. This study aimed to develop a predictive model for PCa risk in Asian males with BPH using non-socially-sensitive information.MethodsA cross-sectional case-control study, with PCa patients as the cases and remaining as the controls, was conducted on a cohort of Taiwanese males with BPH from four medical institutions. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled, excluding those aged over 86 years or who had received human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Non-socially-sensitive variables such as obesity, occupational exposure, HPV infection, and PCa family history score (FH score) were included in a fully adjusted logistic regression model, and depicted using a nomogram.ResultsAmong 236 BPH patients, 45.3% had PCa. Obesity, occupational exposure, HPV infection, and family history of PCa were significantly associated with PCa risk. The FH score (OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.03–3.47, P = 0.041) had the highest impact, followed by HPV infection (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.03–2.11, P = 0.034), occupational exposure (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.15–1.51, P P = 0.005). The nomogram accurately depicted the predictive risk, and the model demonstrated robust performance compared to individual factors. In addition, the subgroup analysis results showed elderly age group could obtain more favorable predictive performance in our proposed model (AUC = 0.712).ConclusionThis non-socially-sensitive predictive model for PCa risk in Taiwanese males with BPH integrates multiple factors that could provide acceptable PCa risk-predictive performance, especially for elderly BPH patients over 70 years, aiding clinical decision-making and early cancer detection.</div

Additional file 1 of Relationship between gut microbiota and lung function decline in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a 1-year follow-up study

Additional file 1. Supplemental Table 1. Comparison of lung function parameters for control and decline groups. Supplemental Fig. 1. Plot of principal component analysis (PCA) for different COPD groups. S1: stage 1; S2: stage 2. Supplemental Fig. 2. The phylogenic tree of the 30 most abundant OTUs across the samples at the genus level. Supplemental Fig. 3. The heatmap analysis of the top 30 OTUs. A: At genus level. B: At species level

The Use of Hypnotics and Mortality - A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study

<div><p>Background</p><p>Sleep disorders, especially chronic insomnia, have become major health problem worldwide and, as a result, the use of hypnotics is steadily increasing. However, few studies with a large sample size and long-term observation have been conducted to investigate the relationship between specific hypnotics and mortality.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We conducted this retrospective cohort study using data from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Information from claims data including basic characteristics, the use of hypnotics, and survival from 2000 to 2009 for 1,320,322 individuals were included. The use of hypnotics was divided into groups using the defined daily dose and the cumulative length of use. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated from a Cox proportional hazards model, with two different matching techniques to examine the associations.</p><p>Results</p><p>Compared to the non-users, both users of benzodiazepines (HR = 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.78–1.85) and mixed users (HR = 1.44; 95% CI = 1.42–1.47) had a higher risk of death, whereas the users of other non-benzodiazepines users showed no differences. Zolpidem users (HR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.71–0.75) exhibited a lower risk of mortality in the adjusted models. This pattern remained similar in both matching techniques. Secondary analysis indicated that zolpidem users had a reduced risk of major cause-specific mortality except cancer, and that this protective effect was dose-responsive, with those using for more than 1 year having the lowest risk.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The effects of different types of hypnotics on mortality were diverse in this large cohort with long-term follow-up based on representative claims data in Taiwan. The use of zolpidem was associated with a reduced risk of mortality.</p></div

Flowchart of sample selection and classification.

<p>(“Mixed” refers to the use of a combination of zolpidem and other non-BZDs or non-BZDs and BZDs).</p

Estimated zolpidem usage from 2000 to 2009 in Taiwan.

<p>(Estimates were calculated by dividing the annual cost by the average price for a zolpidem tablet. Source: Bureau of National Health Insurance in Taiwan).</p