Mao-Meng Tiao

Epidemiological features of biliary atresia in Taiwan, a national study 1996–2003

Background and Aim:  The incidence of biliary atresia (BA) varies among different countries. It is supposed to be higher in Asian countries than in Western countries; however, the incidence of BA in Taiwan has not been well investigated. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological characteristics and the incidence of BA in Taiwan.

Analgesic use and the risk for progression of chronic kidney disease

The chronic effect of various analgesics on the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is inconclusive. There is also lack of information on the renal safety of selective cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitors. This study aimed to clarify the renal risk of analgesic use in CKD patients.

Pioglitazone use and the risk of bladder cancer

This study aimed to identify the risk association between pioglitazone exposure and bladder cancer. A nested case–control study was performed using a representative database randomly sampled from National Health Insurance enrollees. The source cohort consisted of newly diagnosed diabetic patients from 1997 to 2009. Cases were identified as those with a diagnosis of bladder cancer from 2002 to 2009. For each case, four matched control individuals were randomly selected. A multiple logistic regression model was used to estimate the relative magnitude of risk in relation to the use of pioglitazone. In total, 259 cases and 1036 controls were identified. The prevalent use of pioglitazone is similar in cases and controls (adjusted odds ratio, 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.58–2.49). Compared to nonusers, these values were 1.08 (0.41–2.88) for those with cumulative pioglitazone use ≤ 8268 mg and 1.35 (0.48–3.79) for those with cumulative pioglitazone use > 8268 mg. This study does not provide support for the risk association between pioglitazone exposure and bladder cancer. Further confirmation is needed due to the limitation of small case number with relatively shorter exposure duration and lower cumulative dose.

Association of Bladder Cancer with Residential Exposure to Petrochemical Air Pollutant Emissions in Taiwan

To investigate the relationship between petrochemical air pollution and risk of death due to bladder cancer, studies were conducted using a matched cancer case-control model based upon deaths that occurred in Taiwan from 1995 through 2005. Data on all eligible bladder cancer deaths were obtained from the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the Taiwan Provincial Department of Health. The control group consisted of individuals who died from causes other than neoplasms or diseases associated with genitourinary problems. The controls were pair matched to the cases by gender, year of birth, and year of death. Each matched control was selected randomly from the set of possible controls for each case. The proportion of a municipalitys total population employed in the petrochemical industry in a municipality was used as an indicator of a residents exposure to air emissions from the petrochemical industry. The subjects were divided into three levels (≤25th percentile; 25th–50th percentile; >50th percentile). Subjects who lived in the group of municipalities characterized by the high levels of petrochemical air pollution had a significantly higher risk of death attributed to bladder cancer than subjects in the group that lived in municipalities with the lowest petrochemical air pollution levels, after controlling for possible confounders. The findings of this study warrant further investigation of the role of petrochemical air pollution in the etiology of bladder cancer.

Epidemiological features of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in Taiwan: A national study 1996–2004

Background and Aim:  The incidence of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) varies among different countries and is supposed to be lower in Asian countries than in Western countries. However, the incidence of IHPS in Taiwan has not been well investigated.

Does Calcium in Drinking Water Modify the Association Between Trihalomethanes and the Risk of Death from Colon Cancer

The objectives of this study were (1) to examine the relationship between total trihalomethanes (TTHM) levels in public water supplies and mortality attributed to colon cancer and (2) to determine whether calcium levels (Ca) in drinking water modify the effects of TTHM on risk to develop colon cancer. A matched cancer case-control study was used to investigate the relationship between the risk of death attributed to colon cancer and exposure to TTHM in drinking water in 53 municipalities in Taiwan. All colon cancer deaths in the 53 municipalities from 1998 through 2007 were obtained from the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the Taiwan Provincial Department of Health. Controls were deaths from other causes and were pair-matched to the cancer cases by gender, year of birth, and year of death. Each matched control was selected randomly from the set of possible controls for each cancer case. Data on TTHM levels in drinking water were collected from the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration. Information on the levels of Ca in drinking water was obtained from the Taiwan Water Supply Corporation. The municipality of residence for cancer cases and controls was presumed to be the source of the subjects TTHM and Ca exposure via drinking water. Relative to individuals whose TTHM exposure level was <4.9 ppb, the adjusted OR (95% CI) for colon cancer was 1.14 (1.01–1.28) for individuals who resided in municipalities served by drinking water with a TTHM exposure ≥4.9 ppb. Data demonstrated evidence of an interaction between drinking-water TTHM concentrations and Ca intake via drinking water. Our findings showed that the correlation between TTHM exposure and risk of colon cancer development is influenced by Ca in drinking water. Increased knowledge of the interaction between Ca and TTHM in reducing colon cancer risk will aid in public policymaking and standard setting.

Trihalomethanes in Drinking Water and the Risk of Death from Colon Cancer in Taiwan

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether exposure to disinfection by-products (DBP) is associated with colon cancer. A matched case-control study was used to investigate the relationship between the risk of death attributed to colon cancer and exposure to total trihalomethanes (TTHM) in drinking water in 65 municipalities in Taiwan. All colon cancer deaths of the 65 municipalities from 1997 through 2006 were obtained from the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the Taiwan Provincial Department of Health. Controls were deaths from other causes and were pair-matched to the cancer cases by gender, year of birth, and year of death. Each matched control was selected randomly from the set of possible controls for each cancer case. Data on TTHM levels in drinking water in study municipalities were collected from the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration. The municipality of residence for cancer cases and controls was assumed to be the source of the subjects TTHM exposure via drinking water. The adjusted odds ratios (OR) for colon cancer death for those with high TTHM levels in their drinking water were 1.02 (0.87–1.2) and 1.04 (0.89–1.21) compared to the lowest group. The results of the present study show that there was no statistically significant association between TTHM in drinking water at levels in this study and risk of death from colon cancer.