Association between body weight and tocilizumab effectiveness in rheumatoid arthritis: results from the BSRBR-RA.

Objectives: Tocilizumab is an IL-6 receptor humanised monoclonal antibody for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) preparations available. Only IV tocilizumab is dosed adjusting for weight. Therefore, we aimed to study the association between body weight and the effectiveness of tocilizumab by the route of administration.

Real-World Study on Effectiveness of Molnupiravir and Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir in Unvaccinated Patients with Chronic Respiratory Diseases with Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infection Managed in Out-Patient Setting.

While molnupiravir (MOV) and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (NMV-r) were developed for treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 infection, there has been a lack of data on the efficacy among unvaccinated adult patients with chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A territory-wide retrospective cohort study was conducted in Hong Kong to investigate the efficacy of MOV and NMV-r against severe outcomes of COVID-19 in unvaccinated adult patients with chronic respiratory diseases. A total of 3267 patients were included.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-18.

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-18.

Methods: This study included 8183 eligible nonpregnant participants aged ≥20 years from the NHANES 2011-18. MetS was defined as the presence of at least three of the following components: central obesity, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, elevated blood pressure, and elevated fasting blood glucose.

Incidence of severe hypokalaemia in patients taking indapamide.

Background: Diuretics are commonly used for the treatment of hypertension. Yet, hypokalaemia is a well-recognised adverse effect. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the incidence of severe hypokalaemia, defined as requiring hospitalisation, among patients on indapamide.

Cancer Risk of Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker Valsartan: A Population-based Study.

Nitrosamine contamination of generic valsartan was found in 2018. This study aimed to investigate whether long-term use of valsartan increases cancer risk. Patients prescribed valsartan or amlodipine (control group) from 1 January 1, 2003, to June 30, 2010, were identified using the Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority, a territory-wide database in Hong Kong.

Use of ticagrelor and the risks of pneumonia and pneumonia-specific death in patients with non-acute coronary syndrome conditions: a population-based cohort study.

Previous studies have shown that ticagrelor reduced risk of pneumonia in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared to clopidogrel, however, its effect in patients with non-ACS cardiovascular diseases remains uncertain. The aim was to investigate the effect of ticagrelor on pneumonia and pneumonia-specific death compared to clopidogrel in non-ACS patients in Hong Kong. This was a population-based cohort study.

Blood lead level and risk of hypertension in the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2016.

Lead is a heavy metal without a biological role. High level of lead exposure is known to be associated with hypertension, but the risk at low levels of exposure is uncertain. In this study, data from US NHANES 1999-2016 were analyzed.

Causal associations between urinary sodium with body mass, shape and composition: a Mendelian randomization study.

Observational studies have found associations between urinary sodium (UNa) with obesity, body shape and composition; but the findings may be biased by residual confounding. The objective of this two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was to analyze their causal associations in both sex-combined and sex-specific models. Genome-wide association studies of UNa, body mass index (BMI), BMI-adjusted waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body fat (BF) percentage and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were identified.

Epidemiology of gout in Hong Kong: a population-based study from 2006 to 2016.

Objective: To determine the incidence and prevalence of gout in the general population and the utilisation of urate-lowering therapy (ULT) among patients with gout in Hong Kong.

Methods: A total of 2,741,862 subjects who attended any outpatient clinics or accident and emergency department (with or without hospitalisation) in 2005 and did not die before 2006 were identified from the Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System (CDARS) of the Hospital Authority in Hong Kong. All subjects were followed until the end of 2016 or death.

Blood and Urine Inorganic and Organic Mercury Levels in the United States from 1999 to 2016.

Background: Mercury is an environmental hazard. Organic mercury is biologically more toxic than inorganic mercury. Therefore, we studied recent trends in the blood levels of organic and inorganic mercury in the United States.

Risk of infections in patients treated with ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: Ticagrelor has been shown to reduce the risk of pneumonia and improve lung function, but the findings across studies were inconsistent. The objective is to investigate the relative safety of ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel on infection outcomes in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

A 2020 Vision of Hypertension.

Hypertension is a common chronic disease affecting a large section of the general population. Hypertension is highly prevalent in the elderly because blood pressure (BP) rises with age. The risk of developing hypertension increases with predisposing genes, intrauterine growth retardation, prematurity and childhood obesity.

Comparative cardiovascular risk in users versus non-users of xanthine oxidase inhibitors and febuxostat versus allopurinol users.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality comparing between xanthine oxidase inhibitors (XOIs) and non-XOI users, and between allopurinol and febuxostat.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of gout patients prescribed anti-hyperuricemic medications between 2013 and 2017 using a territory-wide administrative database. XOI users were matched 1:1 to XOI non-users using propensity scores.

Optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent implantation: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: After implantation of drug-eluting stents (DES), patients usually receive 6-12months of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). However, the optimal duration of DAPT is controversial. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to assess the risks and benefits of different DAPT durations.