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. METHODS: National Health Insurance (NHI) was implemented in Taiwan in 1995, and covers most of the population (>99%). We use the NHI database to investigate the epidemiological features of BA and compare Taiwan's annual BA incidence with that of other countries. RESULTS: We identified 327 new BA cases during the period from 1996 to 2003. The overall incidence of BA was 1.46 cases per 10 000 live births (0.89-1.90 per 10 000). The estimation was 1.32-1.65 per 10 000 after adjustment for the misdiagnosis rate. The peak incidence occurred in 2002 (1.90 per 10 000), accompanying Taiwan's dengue fever epidemic in 2002. The 5-year overall survival rate during 1999-2003 was higher than that during 1996-1998 (74.8% vs 61.1%, P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Taiwan has the second-highest incidence of BA reported in world literature. Viral infection outbreaks remain a potential candidate as a cause of BA. The management of BA has been improving, with a better 5-year overall survival rate.
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. METHODS: National Health Insurance (NHI) was implemented in Taiwan in 1995, and covers most of the population (>99%). We use the NHI database to investigate the epidemiological features of BA and compare Taiwan's annual BA incidence with that of other countries. RESULTS: We identified 327 new BA cases during the period from 1996 to 2003. The overall incidence of BA was 1.46 cases per 10 000 live births (0.89-1.90 per 10 000). The estimation was 1.32-1.65 per 10 000 after adjustment for the misdiagnosis rate. The peak incidence occurred in 2002 (1.90 per 10 000), accompanying Taiwan's dengue fever epidemic in 2002. The 5-year overall survival rate during 1999-2003 was higher than that during 1996-1998 (74.8% vs 61.1%, P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Taiwan has the second-highest incidence of BA reported in world literature. Viral infection outbreaks remain a potential candidate as a cause of BA. The management of BA has been improving, with a better 5-year overall survival rate.
Authors: Sanjiv Harpavat; Philip J Lupo; Loriel Liwanag; John Hollier; Mary L Brandt; Milton J Finegold; Benjamin L Shneider Journal: J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr Date: 2018-06 Impact factor: 2.839
Authors: Melissa Leyva-Vega; Jennifer Gerfen; Brian D Thiel; Dorota Jurkiewicz; Elizabeth B Rand; Joanna Pawlowska; Diana Kaminska; Pierre Russo; Xiaowu Gai; Ian D Krantz; Binita M Kamath; Hakon Hakonarson; Barbara A Haber; Nancy B Spinner Journal: Am J Med Genet A Date: 2010-04 Impact factor: 2.802
Authors: Kristin Lorent; Weilong Gong; Kyung A Koo; Orith Waisbourd-Zinman; Sara Karjoo; Xiao Zhao; Ian Sealy; Ross N Kettleborough; Derek L Stemple; Peter A Windsor; Stephen J Whittaker; John R Porter; Rebecca G Wells; Michael Pack Journal: Sci Transl Med Date: 2015-05-06 Impact factor: 17.956