PUMA screening tool to detect COPD in high-risk patients in Chinese primary care-A validation study.

The early stage of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not easily recognized. Screening tools can help to identify high-risk patients in primary care settings for spirometry and may be helpful in the early detection in COPD and management. This study aims to validate the PUMA questionnaire for use in Chinese primary care settings.

A randomized clinical trial of genetic testing and personalized risk counselling in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving integrated care -The genetic testing and patient empowerment (GEM) trial.

Aims: We evaluated the effect of personalized risk counseling incorporating clinical and genetic risk factors on patient empowerment and risk factor control in diabetes.

Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with suboptimal glycaemic control (HbA1c ≥ 7.5%) were randomized to a genetic counselling (GC) or control group.

Impact of COVID-19 on loneliness, mental health, and health service utilisation: a prospective cohort study of older adults with multimorbidity in primary care.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the psychological health and health service utilisation of older adults with multimorbidity, who are particularly vulnerable.

Aim: To describe changes in loneliness, mental health problems, and attendance to scheduled medical care before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design And Setting: Telephone survey on a pre-existing cohort of older adults with multimorbidity in primary care.

Correction: Antibiotic resistance rates and physician antibiotic prescription patterns of uncomplicated urinary tract infections in southern Chinese primary care.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Antibiotic resistance rates and physician antibiotic prescription patterns of uncomplicated urinary tract infections in southern Chinese primary care.

Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) are common in primary care. Whilst primary care physicians are called to be antimicrobial stewards, there is limited primary care antibiotic resistance surveillance and physician antibiotic prescription data available in southern Chinese primary care. The study aimed to investigate the antibiotic resistance rate and antibiotic prescription patterns in female patients with uncomplicated UTI.

Risk assessment model for invasive breast cancer in Hong Kong women.

No risk assessment tool is available for identifying high risk population of breast cancer (BCa) in Hong Kong. A case-control study including 918 BCa cases and 923 controls was used to develop the risk assessment model among Hong Kong Chinese women.Each participant received an in-depth interview to obtain their lifestyle and environmental risk factors.

Associations between dietary patterns and psychological factors: a cross-sectional study among Chinese postmenopausal women.

Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the association of dietary patterns with depression, perceived stress, and self-esteem among postmenopausal Chinese women.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 906 participants who attended the screening visits for two soy trials. Dietary data were collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire containing 85 food items.

Association of Circulating 25(OH)D and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Four-Year Prospective Study among Elderly Chinese Men.

The role of vitamin D in relation to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) remains inconclusive. This four-year longitudinal study aims to explore the association of circulating 25(OH)D and LUTS in elderly Chinese men. Two thousand Chinese men aged 65 and older were recruited from a local community, of which 1998 (99.

Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Relation to Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Erectile Dysfunction Among Southern Chinese Elderly Men: A 4-Year Prospective Study of Mr OS Hong Kong.

The role of fruit and vegetable (FV) intake in relation to prostate health remains inconclusive. This 4-year longitudinal study aims to explore the association of FV intake and the development of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS, a cluster of chronic urinary symptoms occurring in bladder, prostate and urethra), incidence of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and erectile dysfunction (ED) in Chinese elderly men. Data were obtained from a 4 years longitudinal study (Mr OS Hong Kong, the largest prospective study on bone health in Chinese elderly).

Help-seeking and antibiotic prescribing for acute cough in a Chinese primary care population: a prospective multicentre observational study.

Acute cough is a common reason to prescribe antibiotics in primary care. This study aimed to explore help-seeking and antibiotic prescribing for acute cough in Chinese primary care population. This is a prospective multicentre observational study that included adults presenting with acute cough.

A Healthier Lifestyle Pattern for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Is Associated With Better Bone Mass in Southern Chinese Elderly Men and Women.

Lifestyle factors have been linked to bone health, however little is known about their combined impact on bone. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and osteoporosis are 2 major public health problems that share some common pathophysiology. We aimed to assess whether higher adherence to American Heart Association diet and lifestyle recommendations (AHA-DLR) was associated with better bone health in Chinese elderly.

Familial risks and estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in Hong Kong Chinese women.

Purpose: The role of family history to the risk of breast cancer was analyzed by incorporating menopausal status in Hong Kong Chinese women, with a particular respect to the estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) type.

Methods: Seven hundred and forty seven breast cancer incident cases and 781 hospital controls who had completed information on family cancer history in first-degree relatives (nature father, mother, and siblings) were recruited. Odds ratio for breast cancer were calculated by unconditional multiple logistic regression, stratified by menopausal status (a surrogate of endogenous female sex hormone level and age) and type of relative affected with the disease.

Greater fruit intake was associated with better bone mineral status among Chinese elderly men and women: results of Hong Kong Mr. Os and Ms. Os studies.

Objectives: Although studies in white populations have reported the beneficial effects of intakes of fruit and vegetables (F&V) on bone mass, limited data are available in Asians, especially among the elderly population. We examined the association of F&V intakes and bone mineral status in Chinese elderly adults and explored the potential mechanisms.

Design, Setting, And Participants: The study was a population-based cross-sectional study among 4000 Hong Kong Chinese men and women aged 65 years and older.

Patient presentation and physician management of upper respiratory tract infections: a retrospective review of over 5 million primary clinic consultations in Hong Kong.

Background: Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) has a significant healthcare burden worldwide. Considerable resources are consumed through health care consultations and prescribed treatment, despite evidence for little or no effect on recovery. Patterns of consultations and care including use of symptomatic medications and antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections are poorly described.

Effect of facemasks on empathy and relational continuity: a randomised controlled trial in primary care.

Background: There is limited evidence to support the use of facemasks in preventing infection for primary care professionals. Negative effects on communication has been suggested when the physician wears a facemask. As communication skills and doctor patient relationship are essential to primary care consultations, the effects of doctor's facemask wearing were explored.

How much do elders with chronic conditions know about their medications?

Background: Patients with chronic diseases often undertake multiple medication regimes to manage their condition, prevent complications and to maintain their quality of life. A patient's medication knowledge has been defined as the awareness of drug name, purpose, administration schedule, adverse effects or side-effects and special administration instructions. Poor medication knowledge can have a negative impact on medication adherence and patient safety and, in increasing the use of medical resources.