Associations of lower-limb muscle strength performance with static and dynamic balance control among older adults in Taiwan.

Background: Aging is an inevitable process of life development. These physical changes can cause a decline in the functional adaptability and health status of older adult individuals. Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of lower-limb muscle strength performance with static and dynamic balance control among older adults in Taiwan. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and reviewed data derived from the National Physical Fitness Survey in Taiwan 2015-2016. A total of 20,846 Taiwanese older adult individuals aged 65 years old or older were recruited as study participants. Demographic characteristics, anthropometric assessments, lifestyle habits, and health-related physical fitness measurements from this dataset were analyzed using the chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance, and linear regression analysis. Lower-limb muscle strength performance was classified into 4 groups based on quartile (Quartile 1 [Q1], Quartile 2 [Q2], Quartile 3 [Q3], and Quartile 4 [Q4]) values. Results: Increased lower-limb muscle strength levels were significantly associated with static balance in men (Q2: ß = 2.539, p < 0.0001; Q3: ß = 4.590, p < 0.0001; Q4: ß = 7.700, p < 0.0001) and women (Q2: ß = 2.022, p < 0.0001; Q3: ß = 4.179, p < 0.0001; Q4: ß = 6.920, p < 0.0001) after adjusting for potential confounders. In addition, we observed that increased lower-limb muscle strength levels were significantly associated with dynamic balance in men (Q2: ß = -1.661, p < 0.0001; Q3: ß = -2.434, p < 0.0001; Q4: ß = -3.091, p < 0.0001) and women (Q2: ß = -1.660, p < 0.0001; Q3: ß = -2.548, p < 0.0001; Q4: ß = -3.196, p < 0.0001) after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusion: Lower-limb muscle strength was the most important factor, as it was an improved method for static and dynamic balance control in both genders.

A Patient with Acute Necrotizing Fasciitis after a Total Knee Replacement: A Case Report.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a relatively rare and serious fatal soft-tissue infection that is characterized by a rapidly spreading bacterial infection located in the subcutaneous tissues. We report a 59-year-old man who was diagnosed with acute necrotizing fasciitis, following a primary total knee replacement. He received primary total knee replacement that was uneventful and smooth intraoperatively. An immediate high fever was reported in the next few days, with several complications, confirming a diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. The most effective treatment for this disease is a rapid primary diagnosis and surgical debridement. Gold standard treatment includes intravenous therapy, such as antibiotics, surgical debridement, and intensive care. As a result of possible GI complications that triggered necrotizing fasciitis, the patient underwent flap reconstruction. This report's aim is to review the comprehensive treatment, management, and experience of necrotizing fasciitis, highlighting the roles with a multidisciplinary care team for improving the condition of this patient.

The Association between Osteoporosis and Peripheral Artery Disease: A Population-Based Longitudinal Follow-Up Study in Taiwan.

Background: There are several possible links that have been used to claim that osteoporosis and peripheral artery disease (PAD) are associated; however, the solid evidence is not sufficient. This study aimed to use the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) to determine if osteoporosis is associated with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Method: NHIRD records from 23 million patients were collected to recruit two matched cohort groups: 64,562 patients with and 64,562 patients without osteoporosis. To compare the crude hazard ratio (HR) and the incidence rate ratio between the two cohort groups for PAD, the Cox model was used. Result: With an adjusted HR of 1.18 (95% CI, 1.08-1.29), the osteoporosis cohort group had a significantly greater risk for PAD than the group without osteoporosis. The cumulative incidence of PAD in the cohort group was also statistically higher than it was in the group without osteoporosis (1.71% and 1.39%; p ≤ 0.0001, log-rank) over the 10-year follow-up period. In addition, the osteoporotic patients with ischemic stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and congestive heart failure (CHF) had a significantly increased risk of PAD based on subgroup analysis. Conclusions: There was a positive association between osteoporosis and the development of PAD, as patients with osteoporosis had an increased incidence of PAD over time.

The association between coronary artery disease and osteoporosis: a population-based longitudinal study in Taiwan.

PURPOSE: This large population-based study is the first to analyze the association between coronary artery disease (CAD) and osteoporosis (OP) from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan to determine if CAD is associated with OP. METHODS: Data from NHIRD, a national, population-based, retrospective, matched cohort study of 23 million patients, were collected to recruit two matched cohorts: with (n = 192,367) and without (n = 192,367) CAD. The Cox model was used to compare the incidence rate ratio and crude hazard ratio (HR) between the two cohorts for osteoporotic fracture and OP. RESULTS: The CAD cohort had a significantly increased risk for vertebral compression fracture, with an adjusted HR of 1.74 (95% CI, 1.60-1.89). The cumulative incidence of OP was also statistically higher in the cohort versus without CAD (11.6% vs. 5.6%; p ≤ 0.0001, log-rank) during the 10-year follow-up period. The Cox model showed a 2.04-fold increase in the incidence of OP in the CAD cohort, with an adjusted HR of 2.04 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.99-2.08). CONCLUSIONS: A positive association exists between CAD and development of subsequent osteoporotic fracture and OP. Patients with CAD have a significantly increased risk of developing vertebral compression fracture and a higher incident rate ratio of OP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRB approval number: No. C108094 on February 19, 2020.

Relationship between Regular Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Underweight and Overweight Status in Taiwanese Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of this study was to determine the association between regular leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and various body mass index (BMI) categories in Taiwanese young adults. A total of 10,802 young adults (18−44 years) were enrolled in a national telephone survey. The questionnaire data from this survey included socio-demographic characteristics, zip code of residence, LTPA behaviors, self-reported health status, and self-evaluated anthropometric measurements, which included height, body weight, and BMI. Regular and non-regular LTPA behaviors were defined as follows: (1) Regular LTPA: participants who reported breathing quickly and sweating when participating in 150−300 min per week of moderate-intensity LTPA or 75−150 min per week of vigorous-intensity LTPA. (2) Non-regular LTPA: the rest of the participants. The various BMI categories were defined as (1) underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), (2) normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 24 kg/m2), (3) overweight (24 ≤ BMI < 27 kg/m2), and (4) obese (BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2). When compared with participants with non-regular LTPA, participants with regular LTPA exhibited lower risks of being overweight (odds ratio [OR], 0.837; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.738−0.948) and underweight (OR, 0.732; 95% CI 0.611−0.876). However, there was no significant relationship between regular LTPA and obesity risk when using non-regular LTPA as the baseline after adjusting for potential confounders. The study results revealed that regular LTPA effectively reduced the risks of being underweight and overweight. However, for people with obesity, regular LTPA was unable to significantly decrease their obesity risk.

Comparative outcomes between all-inside arthroscopic suture anchor technique versus arthroscopic transosseous suture technique in patients with triangular fibrocartilage complex tear: a retrospective comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) has become an interest over the last few decades, discovering its understanding in anatomy, pathomechanism, biomechanics, and management in treatments. Currently, TFCC does not have a golden standard procedure, and not one surgical procedure is superior to the other. This study is to evaluate the comparative outcomes in TFCC patients that underwent either in all-inside arthroscopic suture anchors or the arthroscopic transosseous suture technique. METHOD: From 2017 to 2019, 30 patients were analyzed. Eight patients were in an arthroscopic transosseous group and 22 patients were in an all-inside arthroscopic group. Comparison between patients' flexion and extension range of motion (ROM), grip strength, and visual analog pain scale (VAS) preoperative and six-month follow-up were analyzed. RESULT: There were significant increases in flexion ROM, extension ROM, and VAS between preoperative and postoperative in all-inside arthroscopic and arthroscopic transosseous. Only the all-inside arthroscopic group had a significant increase in grip strength. Postoperative flexion ROM had a significant difference between all-inside arthroscopic and arthroscopic transosseous. CONCLUSION: Both the all-inside arthroscopic suture anchor technique and the arthroscopic transosseous suture technique are appropriate treatments to treat patients with TFCC. Both procedures have achieved the ultimate goal of improved longevity and optimal function. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III; retrospective comparative cohort study.