The impact of chronic carrier of hepatitis B virus on liver function in a 7-day ultramarathon race.

BACKGROUND: Several changes in physiological characteristics occur during long-distance and 24-hour ultramarathons, including hyponatremia, skeletal muscle breakdown, plasma volume changes, iron depletion, anemia, and possible hepatic damage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier status on liver function during multi-day races. METHODS: This prospective study recruited 10 Taiwanese runners who were scheduled to participate in the 7-day 2008 Athens Ultramarathon Festival Race, and three of them were chronic carriers of HBV. Blood samples were collected before, during, and 3 days after the race, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin (ALB), total protein (TP) levels, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin (T-BIL) RESULTS: Ten Taiwanese runners (40% female; average age 52.3 ± 7.9 years) who all planned to run in the race were recruited. Three runners were chronic carriers of HBV (HBV carrier), and all participants were anti-HCV antibody-negative and anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgG-positive. There were no significant time-by-group effects on ALP, ALB, and TP levels, but the change over time effects were significant (p < 0.001, p = 0.001 and p = 0.010, respectively). ALT, AST, and T-BIL increased significantly to markedly higher levels in the HBV carrier group compared to the non-carrier group (group effect p = 0.009, p = 0.004, and p = 0.05, respectively), and the time-by-group interaction was also significant for these liver function markers (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Compared to their counterparts, runners who are HBV carriers had significantly greater increases in levels of ALT, AST, and T-BIL during a 7-day ultramarathon, indicating that the liver function of carriers is more highly impacted in these races.

Effects of 100-km ultramarathon on acute kidney injury.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of acute kidney injury (AKI) in 100-km ultramarathon runners. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: The 2011 Soochow University ultramarathon, in which each athlete ran for 100 km. PARTICIPANTS: All Taiwanese entrants who participated in the 100-km race and lived in the northern part of Taiwan were invited to participate in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Acute kidney injury was defined using the Acute Kidney Injury Network criteria. Blood and urine samples were collected 1 week before, immediately after, and 1 day after the race. RESULTS: Immediately after the race, 85% (22) of the 26 subjects were diagnosed with AKI, 65% (16) with moderate dehydration, 23% (6) with muscle cramps, and 12% (3) with hematuria. Body weight was significantly decreased from prerace to all postrace measurements. Plasma levels of potassium ion, creatinine, renin, and aldosterone were significantly elevated immediately after the race and then significantly reduced 1 day after the race. Changes in plasma levels of sodium, creatine kinase, and creatine kinase-MB, as well as urine potassium and creatinine, were indicative of AKI. CONCLUSIONS: Transient AKI and muscle cramps are very common in 100-km ultramarathon runners. All transient ultra-runners who developed AKI in this study recovered their renal function 1 day later. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ultramarathon running is associated with a wide range of significant changes in hematological parameters, several of which can be associated with potentially serious renal and physiological abnormalities.

Bajiaolian poisoning-a poisoning with high misdiagnostic rate.

BACKGROUND: One of the oldest Chinese herbal medicine, bajiaolian is widely used in traditional therapy. In Taiwan, bajiaolian is the fifth highest cause of poisoning among herbal medicines. The diagnosis is difficult because physicians are unfamiliar with this medicine's multiple presentations in different stages of intoxication. PROCEDURES: The records of 4 major poison centers in Taiwan were searched for all bajiaolian intoxication from July 1985 (the opening of first poison center) to March 2003. Two emergency physicians with toxicologic training reviewed the admission charts and visited case patients for follow-up. FINDINGS: Seventeen patients were identified, of which 15 (88.2%) had been misdiagnosed initially. In the beginning of their medical care, 14 cases were diagnosed as acute gastroenteritis. CONCLUSION: Bajiaolian intoxication is probably misdiagnosed because of early gastrointestinal symptoms followed by neurologic symptoms. A detailed patient history should be taken, and symptoms should be reviewed systemically to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Emergency department (ED) utilization and outcome of oldest old men presenting with geriatric syndromes in a veterans care home in Taiwan.

The first presentation of elderly people in the emergency department (ED) is commonly nonspecific and atypical, often in the form of geriatric syndromes, i.e. falls, immobility, incontinence, or deteriorating mental function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the management and outcomes of institutionalized elderly people who initially presented with geriatric syndrome (GS) in the ED. A retrospective chart review of Banciao Veterans Care Home residents who visited the ED of a tertiary medical center was done. Demographic data including age, sex, modes of arrival, category of triage, time of visit, main presenting symptoms, principal diagnosis, medical expenditures, and clinical outcomes were recorded. From January to December, 2006, 629 ED visits (mean age, 82.1+/-5.3 years, all male) were retrieved. The overall prevalence of GS was 23.8%. When GS subjects were admitted, they were more likely to be transferred to step-down community hospitals for post-acute care (OR = 2.63; 95% CI: 1.36-5.08, p = 0.004). GS was common in institutionalized elderly people calling for ED services, and GS subjects were more likely to be transferred to step-down community hospitals after hospitalization. Comprehensive geriatric assessments may be of value for institutionalized elderly patients visiting the ED.

Urine output and performance of runners in a 12-hour ultramarathon.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the urination pattern and to determine the relationships between urine output and performance of ultramarathon runners. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: The 2005 Soochow University international ultramarathon, in which each athlete ran for 12 hours. PARTICIPANTS: All entrants in the 12-hour race were invited to participate in the study. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Athletes were weighed immediately before and after the race. Urine samples were collected during the race and immediately after the race. RESULTS: There was a trend toward better performance of the group with less urination (LU), although the difference was not statistically significant. Further analysis of hourly running distances between groups showed better performance in the group with LU during the first 11 hours of the competition. Comparison of athletes in 3 levels of running distance (tertiles) showed statistically significant differences between groups in total urine output. The fastest tertile had lower prerace body weight and greater body weight change than the slowest and intermediate tertiles, but the differences were not statistically significant. Linear regression analysis using the stepwise method showed that total urine output and prerace body weight were negatively associated with performance. CONCLUSIONS: Runners with LU had better performance during the first 11 hours of the competition. Linear regression analysis showed that total urine output and prerace body weight were negatively associated with performance.

Emergency department (ED) utilization of oldest old men in a veterans care home in Taiwan.

ED is a common channel for older people to seek for medical services. However, unlike most care homes in the world, veterans care home in Taiwan has a constantly operating outpatient and inpatient services. Therefore, utilization of ED services among veterans care home may be different from most care home residents. Records of residents in Banciao Veterans Home residents visiting the ED of Taipei Veterans General Hospital from January to December of 2006 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Demographic variables including age, sex, modes of arrival, category of triage, time of visit, main presenting symptoms, principal diagnosis, medical expenditure and the disposition after the ED visit or after admission to wards were carefully recorded. In total, 368 residents (mean age=81.9+/-5.9 years, all men) with 635 visits were identified. Nearly a half of Banciao Veterans Home residents had visited ED for at least once in 2006 and the medical expenditure was four times higher than other ED visitors. In average, 52.3% of ED visitors would be hospitalized and the most common diagnosis was infectious conditions. Onsite primary care geriatricians may play an important role in such settings.

Cessation of nail growth following Bajiaolian intoxication.

Bajiaolian (Dysosma pleianthum), a species in the Mayapple family (Podophyllum pelatum), has been widely used as a traditional Chinese herbal medication for the remedies of snake bite, tumor growth, post-partum recovery, and acne. It has also been used in western medicine, especially topically for various skin lesions. Both oral ingestion and dermal application may result in severe toxicity. The clinical presentations reported after Bajiaolian poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, paralytic ileus, urinary retention, hepatorenal dysfunction, leukocytosis followed by leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, prolonged areflexia, prolonged paraethesia and sensory ataxia, dizziness, fever, memory impairment, hallucinations, paranoia, convulsion, fainting, and coma. There are no previous reports in the literature about the cessation of nail growth as a clinical presentation following Bajiaolian poisoning. We present a case of nail growth that was halted for more than seven years after a single case of Bajiaolian poisoning.

Factors related to incomplete flexible sigmoidoscopy among adult Chinese in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Sigmoidoscopy is effective in colorectal cancer screening, but incomplete examinations may overlook colonic pathologies and delay diagnosis. This study aimed to explore risk factors for incomplete insertions of flexible sigmoidoscopy among Taiwanese. METHODS: Healthy adults participating in health check-up in a tertiary medical center were invited for study. Subjects were recruited when they had fully consented and agreed to participate. Factors related to incomplete insertions of flexible sigmoidoscopy were evaluated and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine independent risk factors. A predictive model was generated by the risk factors identified. RESULTS: In total, 1,252 subjects (mean age, 53.9 13.1 years; age range, 2187 years; male/female,780/472) were enrolled, and 278 (22.2%) incomplete insertions were recorded. Multivariate analysis showed that female gender (odds ratio [OR], 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.562.73; p < 0.001), age >or= 60 years (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.262.23; p < 0.001), inadequate bowel preparation (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.212.16; p = 0.001), history of constipation (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.045.69; p = 0.042), and body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m2 (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.051.89; p = 0.024) were all independent risk factors. The probability of incomplete insertion was significantly associated with the sum of the aforementioned risk factors (p < 0.001). Compared with subjects with no risk factors, the risks of incomplete insertions increased significantly among subjects bearing 1 risk factor (OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.474.49; p = 0.001), 2 risk factors (OR, 4.41; 95% CI, 2.527.39; p < 0.001), 3 risk factors (OR, 6.40; 95% CI, 3.5611.52; p < 0.001) and >or= 4 risk factors (OR, 10.00; 95% CI, 3.8925.70; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Female sex, age >or= 60 years, BMI < 25 kg/m2, history of constipation, and inadequate bowel preparation were independent risk factors for incomplete insertion of flexible sigmoidoscopy. Subjects with multiple risk factors may consider alternative modalities for colonic examination.

A rare case of massive pericardial effusion secondary to hypothyroidism.

Massive pericardial effusions secondary to hypothyroidism are rarely seen in the emergency department (ED). The case of a patient presenting with a relatively asymptomatic massive pericardial effusion due to hypothyroidism is described. The patient had a history of laryngeal carcinoma post-total laryngectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy 12 years previous. Although underlying malignancy was in the differential diagnosis, hypothyroidism was diagnosed through a detailed history and physical examination, thereby avoiding the need for pericardiocentesis. Thyroid replacement alone is sufficient for resolution of these effusions, although it may take many months. Pericardiocentesis is indicated only if cardiac tamponade develops. This rare but significant condition should be considered, especially when it occurs after acute cold exposure.

Sea-urchin envenomation.

Sea-urchin stings may produce injurious and venomous wounds. Although numerous writers refer to the danger of pedicellarial stings, there is little worth-while clinical data. We report a case of sea-urchin injury with severe local reaction and acute hepatitis. A 47-y-o Taiwanese woman accidentally stepped on a sea urchin while scuba diving on a beach in Palau Islands. The puncture wounds were numerous and she felt faintness, and immediate and intense pain. Initial management included partial spine removal, betadine immersion, intravenous fluid and analgesics. She developed fever, chills, nausea, and persistent serous discharge and tenderness from the sites of stings in the following days. She was admitted due to right foot cellulitis, sea-urchin injuries of both soles and suspected toxic hepatitis on the 7th day after envenomation. Serum alanine transaminase was 810 U/L and aspartate transaminase 320 U/L; she received i.v. antibiotics and wound debridement for removal of residual stings. She recovered gradually and was discharged 2 w later. Travel related marine animal injury has an increasing tendency throughout the world. This case had the unusual presentation of severe local reaction and hepatitis; immediate and more aggressive spine removal might have lessened the degree of injury.