The Emergence of is Not Associated with Changes in Antifungal Prescription at Hospitals.

Purpose: This study describes the emergence of in Hong Kong, focusing on the incidence and trends of different species over time. Additionally, the study analyzes the relationship between and antifungal prescription, as well as the impact of outbreaks caused by .

Patients And Methods: Data were collected from 43 public hospitals across seven healthcare networks (A to G) in Hong Kong, including species culture and antifungal prescription information.

Antibiotic use in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a population-based study in Hong Kong.

Background: Hong Kong experienced four epidemic waves caused by the ancestral strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 2020-2021 and a large Omicron wave in 2022. Few studies have assessed antibacterial prescribing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) inpatients throughout the pandemic.

Objectives: To describe inpatient antibacterial prescribing and explore factors associated with their prescription.

Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Treatment Target Achievement in Patients with Myocardial Infarction, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, or Stroke in Hong Kong.

Background: Elevated concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are an important cause of recurrent cardiovascular events. This study aimed to describe the distribution and achieved concentrations of LDL-C among patients with myocardial infarction (MI), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), stroke, or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) in Hong Kong.

Methods: Patients with a lipid test from a public hospital were identified from the Clinical Database and Analysis Reporting System of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority.

Examining family pre-pandemic influences on adolescent psychosocial wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, with social distancing measures in place and a decrease in social activities, emotional states are more likely to be transferred between family members via increased interactions and communication. However, longitudinal evidence, particularly for early adolescents, is lacking. This study investigated family pre-pandemic influences on parental stress and adolescent psychosocial wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vulnerability and resilience in children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having a profound impact on the health and development of children worldwide. There is limited evidence on the impact of COVID-19 and its related school closures and disease-containment measures on the psychosocial wellbeing of children; little research has been done on the characteristics of vulnerable groups and factors that promote resilience.

Methods: We conducted a large-scale cross-sectional population study of Hong Kong families with children aged 2-12 years.

False-positive SARS-CoV-2 serology in 3 children with Kawasaki disease.

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile and eruptive disease with systemic vasculitis predominantly affecting young East Asian children. Recent reports showed that children with KD-like disease from KD low prevalence regions had positive SARS-CoV-2 serology despite a negative SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in respiratory samples.

Objectives: To describe 3 pediatric Kawasaki Disease patients with false positive SARS-CoV-2 serology.

Haematological and immunological data of Chinese children infected with coronavirus disease 2019.

Haematological and immunological data of children with COVID-19 infection is lacking. Between 21st January and 20th March 2020, 244 children who were confirmed to have COVID-19 infection and admitted to the Wuhan Children's Hospital, China were retrospectively reviewed. 193 children were considered as symptomatic, which was defined as having either the presence of clinical symptoms or the presence of CT thorax abnormalities.

A Comparison Between Chinese Children Infected with Coronavirus Disease-2019 and with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2003.

Objectives: To compare the clinical and laboratory features of severe acute respiratory syndrome 2003 (SARS) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in 2 Chinese pediatric cohorts, given that the causative pathogens and are biologically similar.

Study Design: This is a cross-sectional study reviewing pediatric patients with SARS (n = 43) and COVID-19 (n = 244) who were admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital in Hong Kong and Wuhan Children's Hospital in Wuhan, respectively. Demographics, hospital length of stay, and clinical and laboratory features were compared.

Sexual behaviors and intention for cervical screening among HPV-vaccinated young Chinese females.

Background And Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and cervical screening prevent cervical cancer effectively. However, there are concerns whether vaccination leads to high-risk sexual behaviors and less intention for cervical screening. We aimed to evaluate the influence of HPV vaccination on high-risk sexual behaviors, and intention for cervical screening among young Chinese females.

Prevalence, Safety and Long-Term Retention Rates of Biologics in Hong Kong from 2001 to 2015.

Background: Biologic agents were initially introduced as treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but have since been used for other medical conditions. As new biologics become increasingly widespread in treatment regimens, it is important to understand their safety and utilization in the post-marketing context.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate long-term prescribing patterns and the safety of biologics in real clinical settings in Hong Kong.

Methylphenidate for ADHD in children and adolescents: throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

A recent Cochrane review assessed the efficacy of methylphenidate for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. Notwithstanding the moderate-to-large effect sizes for ADHD symptom reduction found in the meta-analysis, the authors concluded that the quality of the evidence is low and therefore the true magnitude of these effects remains uncertain. We identified a number of major concerns with the review, in the domains of study inclusion, approaches to quality assessment and interpretation of data relating to serious adverse events as well as of the clinical implications of the reported effects.

Association Between Acute Neuropsychiatric Events and Helicobacter pylori Therapy Containing Clarithromycin.

Importance: There is a concern that Helicobacter pylori therapy containing clarithromycin might be associated with acute neuropsychiatric events.

Objective: To examine the association between H pylori therapy containing clarithromycin and acute neuropsychiatric events.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A self-controlled case series study was conducted using the Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System database in Hong Kong to explore any association.

Association between oral fluoroquinolones and seizures: A self-controlled case series study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association and to estimate the crude absolute risk of seizure among patients exposed to fluoroquinolones (FQs) in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

Methods: A self-controlled case series study was conducted. Data were collected from the Hong Kong Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System database and the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.

Medication safety research by observational study design.

Observational studies have been recognised to be essential for investigating the safety profile of medications. Numerous observational studies have been conducted on the platform of large population databases, which provide adequate sample size and follow-up length to detect infrequent and/or delayed clinical outcomes. Cohort and case-control are well-accepted traditional methodologies for hypothesis testing, while within-individual study designs are developing and evolving, addressing previous known methodological limitations to reduce confounding and bias.

Cardiovascular outcomes associated with use of clarithromycin: population based study.

Study Question: What is the association between clarithromycin use and cardiovascular outcomes?

Methods: In this population based study the authors compared cardiovascular outcomes in adults aged 18 or more receiving oral clarithromycin or amoxicillin during 2005-09 in Hong Kong. Based on age within five years, sex, and calendar year at use, each clarithromycin user was matched to one or two amoxicillin users. The cohort analysis included patients who received clarithromycin (n=108,988) or amoxicillin (n=217,793).

Brief Report: Databases in the Asia-Pacific Region: The Potential for a Distributed Network Approach.

Background: This study describes the availability and characteristics of databases in Asian-Pacific countries and assesses the feasibility of a distributed network approach in the region.

Methods: A web-based survey was conducted among investigators using healthcare databases in the Asia-Pacific countries. Potential survey participants were identified through the Asian Pharmacoepidemiology Network.

Association between oral fluoroquinolone use and the development of retinal detachment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Objectives: Several observational studies have been published investigating the association between oral fluoroquinolone use and the development of retinal detachment; however, the findings are not concordant. This study is a meta-analysis of the existing literature and estimates the overall absolute risk of such an event.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched for observational studies on the association between oral fluoroquinolone and retinal detachment up to August 2014.

The phenomenon of micronutrient deficiency among children in China: a systematic review of the literature.

Objective: The present study aimed to review the literature on micronutrient deficiency and other factors influencing a deficiency status among children living in China.

Design: A systematic review was performed to analyse the literature.

Setting: Studies were identified through a search of PubMed and secondary references.

Adverse drug reactions - examples of detection of rare events using databases.

It is recognised that randomised controlled trials are not feasible for capturing rare adverse events. There is an increasing trend towards observational research methodologies using large population-based health databases. These databases offer more scope for adequate sample sizes, allowing for comprehensive patient characterisation and assessment of the associated factors.

An investigation of the potential association between retinal detachment and oral fluoroquinolones: a self-controlled case series study.

Objectives: A study reported a significant association between oral fluoroquinolones and the development of retinal detachment among current users of oral fluoroquinolones (Etminan M, Forooghian F, Brophy JM et al. JAMA 2012; 307: 1414-9). However, other published studies have discordant results.

Efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Tofacitinib is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) which was recently approved by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There are several randomised clinical trials (RCTs) that have investigated the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A systematic review with a meta-analysis of RCTs was undertaken to determine the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in treating patients with RA.