{"title":"Response to the letter for \"Impact of amiodarone on plasma concentration of direct oral anticoagulant in patients with atrial fibrillation\".","authors":"Shin-Yi Lin, Shih-Yu Liu, Chi-Chuan Wang, Sung-Chun Tang","doi":"10.1016/j.jfma.2025.09.034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfma.2025.09.034","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17305,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Formosan Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145206727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yueh-Cheng Tsai, Ping-Hung Lin, Cheng-Han Ho, Yung-Tsung Chen, Jyh-Horng Wang
{"title":"Retrospective study on biceps tendon rerouting and local grafting with coracohumeral ligament for massive rotator cuff repair in Taiwanese population.","authors":"Yueh-Cheng Tsai, Ping-Hung Lin, Cheng-Han Ho, Yung-Tsung Chen, Jyh-Horng Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jfma.2025.09.036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfma.2025.09.036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Surgical management of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears remains difficult. We propose a novel method applied to the Taiwanese patient population: a mini-open, partial superior capsular reconstruction with rerouting of the long head of the biceps tendon and complete rotator cuff repair with the coracohumeral ligament (CHL) as a local graft to improve functional and radiological outcomes after the repair of massive rotator cuff tears.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between July 2020 and October 2022, 95 patients with rotator cuff tears were evaluated, and 11 patients met the inclusion criteria. These 11 patients with symptomatic large-to-massive rotator cuff tears, whose irreparability was confirmed during surgery, underwent this technique and were retrospectively followed up. Preoperative and postoperative acromiohumeral distances, Hamada classification, shoulder range of motion, pain score, and Constant score were compared to evaluate functional and radiographic outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The minimum follow-up period was 1 year (average, 22 months). One-year postoperatively, significant improvements were noted in range of motion. The Constant score significantly increased from 45.2 preoperatively to 79.3 at the one-year follow-up. Acromiohumeral distance measured on plain film showed a significant increase 12 months after surgery. No retears were detected on MRI scans conducted 6-12 months post-surgery.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>When treating irreparable massive rotator cuff tears in the Taiwanese patient population, applying this technique with CHL augmentation improves the clinical and radiographic outcomes without clinical donor-site morbidities. In our study, CHL harvesting in Taiwanese patients is safe and effective in the short term, offering a simple alternative to other graft sources.</p>","PeriodicalId":17305,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Formosan Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145206791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Li-Tan Yang, Kuang-Chien Chiang, Kang Liu, Chien-Chang Lee, Chung-Wei Cheng, Ying-Hsiang Lee, Po-Lin Lin, Ying-Ju Chen, Daniel A Morris, Chung-Lieh Hung
{"title":"Discriminative ability of left atrial strain in heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction.","authors":"Li-Tan Yang, Kuang-Chien Chiang, Kang Liu, Chien-Chang Lee, Chung-Wei Cheng, Ying-Hsiang Lee, Po-Lin Lin, Ying-Ju Chen, Daniel A Morris, Chung-Lieh Hung","doi":"10.1016/j.jfma.2025.09.033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfma.2025.09.033","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The association between left atrial reservoir strain(LASr) and outcomes remains unclear in heart failure with mildly-reduced ejection fraction(HFmrEF). We aimed to explore whether LASr offers incremental prognostic value in HFmrEF patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrospectively conducted comprehensive echocardiographic analyses in HFmrEF patients, including left ventricular(LV) and LA volumes, LVEF, early transmitral filling velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity(E/e'), and LA volume index(LAVi). LV global longitudinal strain(LVGLS) and LASr were analyzed using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. The primary endpoint was a composite of HF rehospitalization(hHF) and cardiovascular death(CVD).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The final cohort comprised 1075 patients (age, 68 ± 15 years; 61 % male) with average LVEF of 45 ± 2 %, LVGLS of 12.3 ± 2.7 %, and LASr of 16.9 ± 6.1 %. Over a median follow-up of 1.42(IQR:0.40-3.57) years, 315(29 %) patients experienced hHF or CVD. LASr was independently associated with hHF and CVD in multivariable analyses (adjusted hazard ratio[aHR]:0.91, 95 % confidence interval[CI]:0.89-0.94, P < 0.001), even after adjustment for medications and either E/e', LAVi, or LVGLS(all P < 0.001). LASr provided incremental value in nested Cox models incorporating clinical variables, E/e', and LVGLS. Restrictive cubic spline analyses identified LASr<18 % as a threshold for elevated risk of hHF and CVD. Adjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis confirmed significantly higher event rates in patients with LASr<18 %(HR:2.23; 95 %CI:1.68-2.94; P < 0.001). LASr≥18 % demonstrated high specificity(83.8 %) and positive predictive value(87.5 %) for identifying event-free patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In HFmrEF patients, LASr has a robust association with hHF and CVD, outperforming conventional echocardiography indices and LVGLS. These findings support the integration of LASr in the routine evaluation of HFmrEF, with further prospective validation warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":17305,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Formosan Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199949","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Halit Ozgul, Remzi Can Cakir, Omer Celik, Mesut Yur
{"title":"Evaluation of level 2 oncoplastic breast surgery outcomes in patients of reproductive age using the BREAST-Q: A comparative analysis.","authors":"Halit Ozgul, Remzi Can Cakir, Omer Celik, Mesut Yur","doi":"10.1016/j.jfma.2025.09.040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfma.2025.09.040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>Oncoplastic breast surgery (OBS) is an alternative to breast-conserving surgery (BCS) aimed at enhancing aesthetic and functional outcomes following breast cancer surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the potential benefits of OBS over BCS in terms of satisfaction with breasts, psychosocial well-being, and sexual well-being using patient-reported outcome measures.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data from patients treated with OBS (n = 93) and BCS (n = 138) between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023, were collected from the treatment records and patient files of a training and research hospital. The patients completed the BREAST-Q questionnaire, and the patient-reported outcomes were compared between the OBS and BCS groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Satisfaction with breasts was 90 % (82-96 %) in the OBS group compared to 66 % (58-72 %) in the BCS group, which revealed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Psychosocial well-being was 88 % (80-96 %) in the OBS group versus 65.5 % (56-72 %) in the BCS group, indicating a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Sexual well-being was 82 % (78-94) in the OBS group and 62 % (56-72) in the BCS group, which was also statistically significant (p < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrated that patients treated with OBS reported better outcomes on the BREAST-Q compared to those treated with BCS.</p>","PeriodicalId":17305,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Formosan Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Corrigendum to \"The association between trajectory of serum cholesterol, statin dosage, and the risk of recurrent biliary stone diseases\" [J Formos Med Assoc. 124 (3) (2025) 246-252].","authors":"Fai-Meng Sou, Chien-Ning Hsu, Yi-Chun Chiu, Cheng-Kun Wu, Lung-Sheng Lu, Chung-Mou Kuo, Shao-Ming Chiu, Seng-Kee Chuah, Yao-Hsu Yang, Chih-Ming Liang","doi":"10.1016/j.jfma.2025.09.024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfma.2025.09.024","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17305,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Formosan Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Methodological considerations on the interpretation of far-infrared therapy findings.","authors":"Yusa Pan, Jianjun Ding","doi":"10.1016/j.jfma.2025.09.028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfma.2025.09.028","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17305,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Formosan Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Usefulness of a novel wired magnetic-assisted capsule endoscopy in stable patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A prospective cohort study.","authors":"Ming-Lun Han, Jer-Wei Wu, Chia-Hung Tu, Chieh-Chang Chen, Wei-Chih Liao","doi":"10.1016/j.jfma.2025.09.035","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfma.2025.09.035","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and aims: </strong>Not all patients with acute upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding need endoscopic intervention. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the potential of a novel wired magnetic-assisted capsule endoscopy (MACE) in identifying the source and cause of bleeding as well as the need for hemostasis and biopsy in stable patients with acute UGI bleeding.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Stable patients with suspected acute UGI bleeding were prospectively enrolled at a referral center to undergo MACE followed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Endpoints included accuracy in identifying the source and cause of bleeding, the need for endoscopic hemostasis or biopsy, and completeness of the examination.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>Thirty patients [mean age (range): 64.1 (34-82) years; 73.3 % male] were analyzed, and MACE enabled accurate determination of the need for hemostasis and biopsy in 93.3 % (28/30) and 86.7 % (26/30), respectively. In the 22 patients (73.3 %) where MACE achieved a complete examination, MACE determined the source and cause of bleeding in 15 (68.2 %) and the need for hemostasis or biopsy in all patients. The 7 patients whose bleeding sources were not detected by MACE had erosions/shallow ulcers requiring no intervention. In the 8 patients with incomplete examinations, MACE identified the source of bleeding and need for hemostasis in 6 (75.0 %) and determined the cause of bleeding and need for biopsy in 4 (50.0 %).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Wired MACE demonstrated accuracy in identifying the source and cause of bleeding, as well as the need for hemostasis and biopsy in stable patients with acute UGI bleeding.</p>","PeriodicalId":17305,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Formosan Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145199935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Integrating cross-sectoral epidemic surveillance, prevention, and control in Taiwan: The National One Health Joint Plan of Action 2026-2030.","authors":"Chuin-Shee Shang, Yu-Min Chou, Chi-Tai Fang","doi":"10.1016/j.jfma.2025.09.038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfma.2025.09.038","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17305,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Formosan Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145182059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Current status of HCV elimination in Taiwan.","authors":"Rong-Nan Chien, Maggie Shu-Mei Hsu, Ya-Xin Luo, Chia-Ling Liu, Li-Ju Lin, Shi-Lun Wei, Chao-Chun Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.jfma.2025.09.031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfma.2025.09.031","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The precision estimation on prevalence of anti-HCV was 2.86 % in Taiwan. Studies have shown that iatrogenic behavior was the major transmission route in geriatric patients. Moreover, it is highest in the specific groups including end stage renal disease during hemodialysis, human immunodeficiency virus infection, person who inject drug (PWID), and those under opioid substitution therapy. The estimated chronic hepatitis C (CHC; HCV RNA positive) patients were 188,126 who need to be treated. Taiwan has accelerated its efforts to eliminate HCV infection since 2017, and the government claims to reach the programmatic and impact targets set by WHO indicating HCV elimination by 2025. The most important and successful factor is government will. The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) conquer several barriers of diagnosis and linkage to care including finance a national program, implementing a harm reduction program, expanding treatment capacity beyond specialists, remove treatment restriction, implement monitoring and evaluation, implement awareness and national screening program and implement national link-to-care program during 2017-2024. Fortunately, the calculated diagnostic and treatment rates are 90.6 % and 92.8 % respectively in the general population and achieve full HCV elimination programmatic targets which is diagnostic rate >90 % and treatment rates >80 % based on the WHO definition.</p>","PeriodicalId":17305,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Formosan Medical Association","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145182010","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Guide for Authors","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S0929-6646(25)00482-6","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S0929-6646(25)00482-6","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":17305,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Formosan Medical Association","volume":"124 10","pages":"Pages e1-e8"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145134838","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}