Fu Jen Catholic University

About: Fu Jen Catholic University is a education organization based out in Taipei, Taiwan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Hazard ratio. The organization has 6842 authors who have published 9512 publications receiving 171005 citations. The organization is also known as: FJU & Fu Jen.

Diagnosis of pyogenic liver abscess by abdominal ultrasonography in the emergency department

Abstract: Background: Delayed diagnosis of pyogenic liver abscess remains a challenging problem in the emergency department because of the associated high morbidity and mortality. Objective: To evaluate the sensitivity of ultrasono-graphy in the diagnosis of pyogenic liver abscess in patients presenting to the emergency department and the factors that may influence this sensitivity. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in patients diagnosed with pyogenic liver abscess in the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary care teaching hospital for a period of 5 years. Between May 2001 and April 2006, 268 patients diagnosed with pyogenic liver abscess were evaluated by ultrasonography and/or CT scanning. The age, sex, clinical presentation, location and number of abscesses and the underlying disease of these two groups were compared. Results: Of the 268 patients admitted via the ED who were discharged or died with a diagnosis of pyogenic liver abscess, there was a predominance of men (M/F 173/95) and the mean age was 57.6 years (range 17–90). 38 had false negative findings on ultrasonography (sensitivity 85.8%) and required abdominal CT scanning for definitive diagnosis. In the other 230 cases, ultrasonography alone was sufficient for diagnosis. Location of the abscess in segments 4 and 5 of the liver raised the sensitivity of ultrasound for diagnosis, while location in segment 8 was most associated with delayed diagnosis by ultrasonography. Right costal angle knocking pain was significant for pyogenic liver abscess even if ultrasound was negative. Conclusions: The size and location of the liver abscess and the underlying comorbid diseases may affect the diagnostic sensitivity of ultrasound for pyogenic liver abscess in clinical practice. A high index of suspicion should be maintained in patients with diabetes mellitus, previous biliary tract intervention or gastrointestinal malignancy. Follow-up CT scanning is recommended if right flank knocking pain is present, even if ultrasonography is non-revealing. A diagnostic protocol for liver abscess may be feasible in the future.

A pilot newborn screening program for Mucopolysaccharidosis type I in Taiwan.

Abstract: Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a genetic disease caused by the deficiency of α-L-iduronidase (IDUA) activity. MPS I is classified into three clinical phenotypes called Hurler, Scheie, and Hurler-Scheie syndromes according to their clinical severity. Treatments for MPS I are available. Better outcomes are associated with early treatment, which suggests a need for newborn screening for MPS I. The goal of this study was to determine whether measuring IDUA activity in dried blood on filter paper was effective in newborn screening for MPS I. We conducted a newborn screening pilot program for MPS I from October 01, 2008 to April 30, 2013. Screening involved measuring IDUA activity in dried blood spots from 35,285 newborns using a fluorometric assay. Of the 35,285 newborns screened, 19 did not pass the tests and had been noticed for a recall examination. After completing further recheck process, 3 were recalled again for leukocyte IDUA enzyme activity testing. Two of the three had deficient leukocyte IDUA activity. Molecular DNA analyses confirmed the diagnosis of MPS I in these two newborns. It is feasible to use the IDUA enzyme assay for newborn screening. The incidence of MPS I in Taiwan estimated from this study is about 1/17,643.

Effectiveness of informational support in reducing the severity of postnatal depression in Taiwan

Abstract: Aim. The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of informational support in reducing the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores in Taiwan. Methods. Five hundred Taiwanese women were screened during the fourth week after giving birth and those with a score of over 10 on the EPDS were considered to be at risk of postnatal depression. Seventy postpartum women were randomly allocated to the experimental or control group. Only those in the experimental group received informational support about postnatal depression during the sixth week postpartum. Two groups were assessed by the EPDS at 3 months postpartum to explore their depressive status. Results. Taiwanese women who received informational support about postnatal depression 6 weeks after giving birth experienced lower EPDS scores at 3 months postpartum than those who did not receive this information. Conclusions. The findings suggest that informational support about postnatal depression given to women in the postnatal period may contribute to psychological well-being.