National Cheng Kung University

TUESDAY, July 23, 2024 -- The prevalence of impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) is high among patients using sulfonylureas long term, according to a study published in the July/August issue of the Annals of Family Medicine . Hsiang-Ju Cheng, M.D., from the National Cheng Kung University in Tainan, Taiwan, and colleagues investigated the relationship between duration of medication use and prevalence of IAH among patients with insulin-treated or sulfonylurea-treated type 2 diabetes. Analysis included 898 patients (41.0 percent insulin users; 65.1 percent sulfonylurea users). The researchers found that overall, IAH prevalence was 41.0 percent using the Gold questionnaire and 28.2 percent using the Clarke questionnaire among insulin users, and 65.3 and 51.3 percent, respectively, among sulfonylurea users. For sulfonylurea use, prevalence increased with longer duration, whereas it decreased with the duration of insulin use. Five or more years of sulfonylurea use was significantly associated with threefold increases in the odds of IAH, regardless of criteria used. Regular blood glucose testing and retinal examinations cut odds of IAH in both insulin and sulfonylurea users. "The reasons for the differential association of hypoglycemia history with IAH between insulin users and sulfonylurea users need more study," the authors write. Abstract/Full Text Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.

WEDNESDAY, March 22, 2023 -- The risk for adverse maternal outcomes is increased for women involved in motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) during pregnancy, according to a study published online March 20 in Injury Prevention . Ya-Hui Chang, from the National Cheng Kung University in Tainan, Taiwan, and colleagues examined the association between MVCs during pregnancy and adverse maternal outcomes using a population-based nationwide dataset. Data were obtained from 20,844 births from women who had been involved in MVCs during pregnancy. A total of 83,274 control births from women matched on age, gestational age, and crash date were randomly selected. The researchers found that the risks for placental abruption, prolonged uterine contractions, antepartum hemorrhage, and cesarean delivery were significantly higher for pregnant women involved in MVCs than controls (adjusted odds ratios, 1.51, 1.31, 1.19, and 1.05, respectively). In the MVCs with greater severity, such elevated risks tended to be higher. Higher odds ratios of various adverse maternal outcomes were seen for scooter riders versus car drivers. "These findings reinforce the fact that health care workers should be aware of these effects and consider providing pregnant women with educational materials about road traffic safety and choice of vehicle while travelling during pregnancy," the authors write. Abstract/Full Text Posted March 2023

TUESDAY, March 21, 2023 -- “Baby on Board” warning stickers apply even when there's a mom-to-be in the vehicle, a new study argues. Pregnant women involved in traffic collisions are at heightened risk of potentially serious birth complications, even if the wreck only involves minor injuries, researchers report. These complications can include dislodgement of the placenta, very heavy bleeding, and the need for a cesarean section, according to a new Taiwanese study published March 20 in the journal Injury Prevention . Traffic crashes are the leading cause of trauma during pregnancy, with some reports suggesting they account for up to 70% of injuries to pregnant women, researchers said in background notes. To better assess the risk wrecks pose to pregnancies, the researchers analyzed births, insurance claims and deaths registered in Taiwan between 2007 and 2016. During that time, nearly 20,900 births were recorded among about 20,740 women involved in traffic collisions, researchers found. Each woman was matched with four other randomly selected women who were the same age and at the same stage of pregnancy, but hadn’t been involved in a car crash. Compared with their peers, women involved in crashes were: 31% more likely to experience prolonged contractions 51% more likely to experience dislodgement of the placenta (placental abruption) 19% more likely to bleed heavily before birth 5% more likely to require a C-section. Even women involved with minor injuries were at higher risk of birthing problems including placental abruption (70% more likely), induced labor (54% more likely), and prolonged contractions (34% more likely). Women more seriously injured were worse off, researchers found. Women severely injured in a traffic collision were four times more likely to suffer from placental abruption, 61% more likely to need a C-section, and 80% more likely to deliver prematurely, results showed. And women who sought emergency care within three days of a crash were 77% more likely to experience placental abruption, while a woman who needed hospitalization was nearly six times more likely to develop the condition. In placental abruption, the placenta separates from the uterus. It typically happens in the third trimester, according to the Cleveland Clinic, and risks the life of both baby and mother. Women riding scooters in a wreck had significantly higher risks of complications compared to women who crashed in a car, ranging from 6% increased risk of C-section to 83% increased risk of placental abruption, researchers added. “These findings reinforce the fact that health care workers should be aware of these effects and consider providing pregnant women with educational materials about road traffic safety and choice of vehicle while traveling during pregnancy,” researchers led by Chung-Yi Li said in a journal news release. Li is a professor at the National Cheng Kung University’s Department of Public Health in Tainan City, Taiwan. Sources Injury Prevention, news release, March 20, 2023 Posted March 2023