Obesity, clinical, and genetic predictors for glycemic progression in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes: A cohort study using the Hong Kong Diabetes Register and Hong Kong Diabetes Biobank.

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a progressive disease whereby there is often deterioration in glucose control despite escalation in treatment. There is significant heterogeneity to this progression of glycemia after onset of diabetes, yet the factors that influence glycemic progression are not well understood. Given the tremendous burden of diabetes in the Chinese population, and limited knowledge on factors that influence glycemia, we aim to identify the clinical and genetic predictors for glycemic progression in Chinese patients with T2D.

Meaning of empowerment in peritoneal dialysis: focus groups with patients and caregivers.

Background: While peritoneal dialysis (PD) can offer patients more independence and flexibility compared with in-center hemodialysis, managing the ongoing and technically demanding regimen can impose a burden on patients and caregivers. Patient empowerment can strengthen capacity for self-management and improve treatment outcomes. We aimed to describe patients' and caregivers' perspectives on the meaning and role of patient empowerment in PD.

Lifetime cost-effectiveness analysis of first-line dialysis modalities for patients with end-stage renal disease under peritoneal dialysis first policy.

Background: This study aimed to determine the lifetime cost-effectiveness of first-line dialysis modalities for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients under the "Peritoneal Dialysis First" policy.

Methods: Lifetime cost-effectiveness analyses from both healthcare provider and societal perspectives were performed using Markov modelling by simulating at age 60. Empirical data on costs and health utility scores collected from our studies were combined with published data on health state transitions and survival data to estimate the lifetime cost, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and cost-effectiveness of three competing dialysis modalities: peritoneal dialysis (PD), hospital-based haemodialysis (HD) and nocturnal home HD.

Direct and indirect costs of end-stage renal disease patients in the first and second years after initiation of nocturnal home haemodialysis, hospital haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Purpose: To estimate the direct and indirect costs of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients in the first and second years of initiating peritoneal dialysis (PD), hospital-based haemodialysis (HD) and nocturnal home HD.

Methods: A cost analysis was performed to estimate the annual costs of PD, hospital-based HD and nocturnal home HD for ESRD patients from both the health service provider's and societal perspectives. Empirical data on healthcare resource use, patients' out-of-pocket costs, time spent on transportation and dialysis by ESRD patients and time spent by caregivers were analysed.

Patient and Caregiver Priorities for Outcomes in Peritoneal Dialysis: Multinational Nominal Group Technique Study.

Background And Objectives: The absence of accepted patient-centered outcomes in research can limit shared decision-making in peritoneal dialysis (PD), particularly because PD-related treatments can be associated with mortality, technique failure, and complications that can impair quality of life. We aimed to identify patient and caregiver priorities for outcomes in PD, and to describe the reasons for their choices.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: Patients on PD and their caregivers were purposively sampled from nine dialysis units across Australia, the United States, and Hong Kong.

Health-related quality of life and health utility of Chinese patients undergoing nocturnal home haemodialysis in comparison with other modes of dialysis.

Background: To compare the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and health utility of Chinese patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing nocturnal home haemodialysis (Home HD) against those patients undergoing other modes of dialysis.

Methods: Chinese ESRD patients undergoing Home HD were recruited in renal specialist outpatient clinics at three public hospitals in Hong Kong. SF-12 Health Survey (SF-12) was used to measure HRQOL and generate the SF-6D heath utility score.

Gene-based meta-analysis of genome-wide association study data identifies independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms in ANXA6 as being associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in Asian populations.

Objective: Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS), which were mainly based on single-variant analysis, have identified many systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility loci. However, the genetic architecture of this complex disease is far from being understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether using a gene-based analysis may help to identify novel loci, by considering global evidence of association from a gene or a genomic region rather than focusing on evidence for individual variants.

Genome-wide search followed by replication reveals genetic interaction of CD80 and ALOX5AP associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in Asian populations.

Objectives: Genetic interaction has been considered as a hallmark of the genetic architecture of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Based on two independent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on Chinese populations, we performed a genome-wide search for genetic interactions contributing to SLE susceptibility.

Methods: The study involved a total of 1 659 cases and 3 398 controls in the discovery stage and 2 612 cases and 3 441 controls in three cohorts for replication.

Effect of alternate night nocturnal home hemodialysis on anemia control in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Nocturnal home hemodialysis (NHHD) has shown promising results in various clinical parameters. Whether NHHD provide benefit in anemia management remains controversial. This study aims to investigate whether anemia and erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) requirement are improved in patients receiving alternate night NHHD compared with conventional hemodialysis (CHD).

Meta-analysis of GWAS on two Chinese populations followed by replication identifies novel genetic variants on the X chromosome associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic autoimmune disease that affects mainly females. What role the X chromosome plays in the disease has always been an intriguing question. In this study, we examined the genetic variants on the X chromosome through meta-analysis of two genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on SLE on Chinese Han populations.

Treatment of phosphate retention: The earlier the better?

Over the last 15 years, our knowledge and understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in the regulation of calcium and phosphate homeostasis in chronic kidney disease have advanced dramatically. Contrary to general opinion in the 20(th) century that moderate hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia were acceptable in treating secondary hyperparathyroidism, the calcium and phosphate load is increasingly perceived to be a major trigger of vascular and soft tissue calcification. The current treatment options are discussed in view of historical developments and the expectations of the foreseeable future, focusing on the early treatment of hyperphosphatemia.

Three SNPs in chromosome 11q23.3 are independently associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in Asians.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has a complex etiology and is affected by both genetic and environmental factors. Although more than 40 loci have shown robust association with SLE, the details of these loci, such as the independent contributors and the genes involved, are still unclear. In this study, we performed meta-analysis of two existing genome-wide association studies (GWASs) on Chinese Han populations from Hong Kong and Anhui, China, and followed the findings by further replication on three additional Chinese and Thailand cohorts with a total of 4254 cases and 6262 controls matched geographically and ethnically.

Minimal change disease caused by exposure to mercury-containing skin lightening cream: a report of 4 cases.

Mercury is a known cause of nephrotic syndrome and the underlying renal pathology in most of the reported cases was membranous nephropathy. We describe here 4 cases of minimal change disease following exposure to mercury-containing skin lightening cream for 2 - 6 months. The mercury content of the facial creams was very high (7,420 - 30,000 parts per million).

Meta-analysis followed by replication identifies loci in or near CDKN1B, TET3, CD80, DRAM1, and ARID5B as associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in Asians.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototype autoimmune disease with a strong genetic involvement and ethnic differences. Susceptibility genes identified so far only explain a small portion of the genetic heritability of SLE, suggesting that many more loci are yet to be uncovered for this disease. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies on SLE in Chinese Han populations and followed up the findings by replication in four additional Asian cohorts with a total of 5,365 cases and 10,054 corresponding controls.

Relationship between autoantibody clustering and clinical subsets in SLE: cluster and association analyses in Hong Kong Chinese.

Objective: This study aims to identify the existence of, and relationship between autoantibody clusters and clinical subsets in Chinese SLE patients.

Methods: Data from 1928 SLE patients from Hong Kong were analysed. Using cluster analysis, patients were grouped by autoantibodies into clusters.

One year experience of nocturnal home haemodialysis with an alternate night schedule in Hong Kong.

Aim: Nocturnal home haemodialysis (NHHD) was started in Hong Kong in 2006. The experience of 1 year of NHHD with an alternate night schedule in two local centres is reported.

Methods: The clinical parameters of 14 patients who had completed 1 year of NHHD were retrospectively analyzed.

Setting up a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis training program.

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) training programs have become fundamental patient education programs in renal centers providing peritoneal dialysis (PD) services. Several key topics must be addressed in setting up a CAPD training program: Health care and organizational issues, Multidisciplinary team approach, Evidence-based practice, Pre-training patient assessment, Patient training Program evaluation. The PD nurses should identify key learning objectives for patient training.

Prophylaxis against gram-positive organisms causing exit-site infection and peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients by applying mupirocin ointment at the catheter exit site.

Objective: We evaluated the effectiveness of local application of mupirocin ointment at the catheter exit site in preventing exit-site infection and peritonitis attributable to gram-positive organisms in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

Methods: This prospective randomized controlled trial included 154 patients. They were randomly allocated to a mupirocin-treated group (group M) and a control group (group C).