Browsing by Author "Tzeng, Pei-Chuan"

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A systematic review of comparative studies of CO2 and erbium:YAG lasers in resurfacing facial rhytides (wrinkles)
(2017-01-01)
Chen, Kee-Hsin
;
Tam, Ka-Wai
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Chen, I-fan
;
Huang, Shihping Kevin
;
Tzeng, Pei-Chuan
Background: Laser resurfacing is used to minimize wrinkles, solar scars and sequelae of acne. Objective: Purpose of the systematic review was to compare resurfacing outcomes of CO2 laser and erbium: yttrium aluminium garnet (erb:YAG) laser therapies. Materials and methods: Medline, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and Google Scholar databases were searched until 9 April 2015 using the following terms: laser, carbon dioxide/CO2, facial wrinkles, rhytides and erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet/erbium:YAG/Er:YAG. Two-armed controlled split faced studies that compared CO2 laser and erbium:YAG laser in patients with mild-to-moderate facial wrinkles or rhytides were included. Results: The pooled data in this study and findings of other studies support the greater efficacy with the CO2 laser in improving facial wrinkles, but the erb:YAG laser was associated with a better complication profile compared with the CO2 laser. Except one case of hypopigmentation, other complications (i.e., erythema, hyperpigmentation and crusting) and their rates were reported by studies examining both lasers. Conclusion: In general, the CO2 laser appeared to be more efficacious then the erb:YAG laser in treating facial wrinkles. Both lasers treatments were well tolerated.
Lovastatin lowers the risk of breast cancer: a population-based study using logistic regression with a random effects model
(2016-11-08)
Murakami, Rimi
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Chen, Chiehfeng
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Lyu, Shu-Yu
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Lin, Ching-En
;
Tzeng, Pei-Chuan
Background: Laboratory studies have demonstrated statin-induced apoptosis of cancer cells, including breast cancer cells, and evidence is accumulating on the mechanism of statin-induced apoptosis. However, despite numerous epidemiological studies, no consensus has been reached regarding the relationship between statin use and breast cancer risk. Methods: This retrospective case-control study enrolled 4332 breast cancer patients and 21,660 age-matched controls registered in the National Health Insurance program of Taiwan, which covers approximately 99% of the population. The study cases were women for whom a diagnosis of breast cancer (ICD-9-CM code 174. X) had been recorded in LHID2005 between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2010. A logistic regression model was adjusted for potential confounding factors, including the level of urbanization, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index was applied to assess potential comorbidities. We also considered possible bias caused by random urbanization, because nutrition and lifestyle factors are related to breast cancer incidence. Results: Our results showed that lovastatin was associated with a lower risk of breast cancer (adjusted OR 0.596; 95% CI 0.497-0.714; p < 0.001), and atorvastatin exhibited a protective tendency against breast cancer (adjusted OR 0.887; 95% CI 0.776-1.013; p < 0.077). Conclusions: Although no consensus has been established regarding the relationship between statin use and breast cancer risk, our study indicated that lovastatin is a potential chemopreventive agent against breast cancer. Further detailed research is warranted.
The Efficacy of Acupuncture in Post-Operative Pain Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
(2016-03-09)
Wu, Ming-Shun
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Chen, Kee-Hsin
;
Chen, I-Fan
;
Huang, Shihping Kevin
;
Tzeng, Pei-Chuan
Background Postoperative pain resulting from surgical trauma is a significant challenge for healthcare providers. Opioid analgesics are commonly used to treat postoperative pain; however, these drugs are associated with a number of undesirable side effects. Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture and acupuncture-related techniques in treating postoperative pain. Data Source MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases were searched until Sep 30, 2014. Study Eligibility Criteria Randomized controlled trials of adult subjects (>= 18 years) who had undergone surgery and who had received acupuncture, electroacupuncture, or acupoint electrical stimulation for managing acute post-operative pain were included. Results We found that patients treated with acupuncture or related techniques had less pain and used less opioid analgesics on Day 1 after surgery compared with those treated with control (P < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis using the leave-one-out approach indicated the findings are reliable and are not dependent on any one study. In addition, no publication bias was detected. Subgroup analysis indicated that conventional acupuncture and transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation (TEAS) were associated with less postoperative pain one day following surgery than control treatment, while electroacupuncture was similar to control (P = 0.116). TEAS was associated with significantly greater reduction in opioid analgesic use on Day 1 post surgery than control (P < 0.001); however conventional acupuncture and electroacupuncture showed no benefit in reducing opioid analgesic use compared with control (P >= 0.142). Conclusion Our findings indicate that certain modes of acupuncture improved postoperative pain on the first day after surgery and reduced opioid use. Our findings support the use of acupuncture as adjuvant therapy in treating postoperative pain.