Development of salient medication reminders to facilitate information transfer during transition from inpatient to primary care: the Delphi process.

Objective: Transitional care is important to successful hospital discharge. Providing patients with a clear and concise summary of medication-related information can help improve outcomes, in particular, among older adults. The present study aimed to propose a framework for the development of salient medication reminders (SMR), which include drug-related risks and precautions, using the Delphi process.

Bacterial co-infections and antibiotic prescribing practice in adults with COVID-19: experience from a single hospital cluster.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has affected millions of individuals since December 2019, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality globally. During the 1918 Influenza Pandemic, it was observed that influenza was associated with bacterial co-infections. However, empirical or prophylactic antibiotic use during viral pandemics should be balanced against the associated adverse drug events.

Pre-operative patient optimization to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications-Insights and roles for the respiratory therapist: A narrative review.

Background: The preoperative period has gained recognition as a crucial time to identify and manage preoperative medical conditions for preventing perioperative complications. Consequently, preoperative clinics have now become an essential component of perioperative care at many large hospitals. As the prevalence of preoperative clinics continues to grow, and the field of perioperative medicine progresses, respiratory therapists (RTs) will inevitably find a growing role to participate in preoperative patient optimization to mitigate pulmonary complications.

Epidemiology and Natural History of Elderly-onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Results From a Territory-wide Hong Kong IBD Registry.

Background: Elderly-onset inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], defined as age ≥60 at diagnosis, is increasing worldwide. We aimed to compare clinical characteristics and natural history of elderly-onset IBD patients with those of adult-onset IBD patients.

Methods: Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of IBD from 1981 to 2016 were identified from a territory-wide Hong Kong IBD registry involving 13 hospitals.

COVID-19 Viral Load in the Severity of and Recovery From Olfactory and Gustatory Dysfunction.

Objectives/hypothesis: This study investigated olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in the 2020 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients, and their correlations with viral load evaluation.

Study Design: Prospective cross-sectional cohort study.

Methods: One hundred forty-three symptomatic patients being screened for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were invited to participate.

Cancer risk and chemoprevention in Chinese inflammatory bowel disease patients: a population-based cohort study.

Role of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), statin and aspirin in reducing cancer risks in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains controversial. We aimed to examine chemo-preventive effects of these drugs in all cancers in IBD in population-based setting. IBD patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2016 were identified from the Hong Kong IBD Registry and followed from IBD diagnosis until first cancer occurrence.

Stopping anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy in patients with perianal Crohn's disease.

Background: Little is known of the outcome of patients with perianal Crohn's disease after stopping anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy.

Aim: To evaluate the rate of relapse in perianal Crohn's disease (CD) after stopping anti-TNF therapy.

Methods: Consecutive perianal CD patients treated with anti-TNF therapy with subsequent discontinuation were retrieved from prospective inflammatory bowel disease database of institutes in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore from 1997 to June 2019.

Global comparison of cancer outcomes: standardization and correlation with healthcare expenditures.

Background: Cancer outcomes vary widely among different countries. However, comparisons of cost-effectiveness and cost-efficiency of different systems are complex because the incidences of different cancers vary across countries and their chances of cure also differ substantially. We aim to propose a new standardized method for global comparison and to explore its relationship with economic indicators.

Machine learning model to predict recurrent ulcer bleeding in patients with history of idiopathic gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding.

Background: Patients with a history of Helicobacter pylori-negative idiopathic bleeding ulcers have an increased risk of recurring ulcer complications.

Aim: To build a machine learning model to identify patients at high risk for recurrent ulcer bleeding.

Methods: Data from a retrospective cohort of 22 854 patients (training cohort) diagnosed with peptic ulcer disease in 2007-2016 were analysed to build a model (IPU-ML) to predict recurrent ulcer bleeding.

Significant Medical and Surgical Morbidity in Perianal Crohn's Disease: Results from a Territory-Wide Study.

Background: The presence of perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease [CD] denotes increased disease aggressiveness. We studied the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of perianal CD [PCD] using the Hong Kong territory-wide IBD Registry [HKIBDR].

Methods: Consecutive patients with PCD were identified from the HKIBDR, and disease characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were analysed.

Territory-wide population-based study of chronic hepatitis C infection and implications for hepatitis elimination in Hong Kong.

Background: To study the epidemiology of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in Hong Kong and to estimate the service gap for achieving the WHO hepatitis elimination targets of attaining a diagnosis rate of 90%, treatment rate of 80% and 65% reduction in mortality rate by 2030.

Methods: From January 2005 to March 2017, patients who were tested positive for anti-HCV were retrospectively retrieved from all public hospitals in Hong Kong. The epidemiological data of 15 participating hospitals were analysed.

Cancer Risk in 2621 Chinese Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-based Cohort Study.

Background: Studies on cancer risk in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have yielded inconsistent results. We conducted a population-based study to determine the risk of cancer in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Using a territory-wide IBD registry in Hong Kong, we identified 2621 patients with IBD and no history of cancer from 1990 to 2016.

Direct health-care cost utilization in Hong Kong inflammatory bowel disease patients in the initial 2 years following diagnosis.

Background And Aim: There are scanty data on the health-care utilization from Asia where the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rising rapidly. We aim to determine the direct health-care costs in the first 2 years of diagnosis in an IBD cohort from Hong Kong and the factors associated with high cost outliers.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study that included patients newly diagnosed with IBD in a territory-wide IBD registry.

Epidemiology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease from 1981 to 2014: Results from a Territory-Wide Population-Based Registry in Hong Kong.

Background: Incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing in Asia, but population-based prevalence data are limited. This study examined IBD incidence and prevalence based on results of a territory-wide IBD registry in Hong Kong.

Methods: We collected data on 2575 patients with IBD (1541 ulcerative colitis [UC], 983 Crohn's disease [CD], 51 IBD unclassified) from 1981 to 2014 using hospital and territory-wide administrative coding system.

Low-dose azathioprine is effective in maintaining remission in steroid-dependent ulcerative colitis: results from a territory-wide Chinese population-based IBD registry.

Background: Whether low-dose azathioprine (AZA) is effective in maintaining remission in patients with steroid-dependent ulcerative colitis (UC) remains unclear. We assessed the efficacy and safety of low-dose AZA in a Chinese population with UC.

Methods: We identified steroid-dependent UC patients in clinical remission on AZA maintenance therapy from a territory-wide IBD Registry.

Factors associated with mucosal healing in patients with ulcerative colitis in clinical remission.

Background: Mucosal healing (MH) has been associated with improved outcomes in ulcerative colitis but factors associated with MH are not well defined.

Methods: Consecutive patients with ulcerative colitis in clinical remission (Mayo symptomatic subscore = 0) who had at least 1 colonoscopy since diagnosis from 6 centers were included. For patients who had at least 2 colonoscopies during follow-up, each colonoscopy was reviewed to define whether they had early MH (Mayo endoscopic subscore reduced to 0 within 3 yr of clinical remission).

Comparison of acute hepatitis E infection outcome in patients with and without chronic hepatitis B infection: a 10 year retrospective study in three regional hospitals in Hong Kong.

Background: Acute hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection has recently become the commonest cause of acute viral hepatitis in Hong Kong (HK) with majority of HEV belonging to genotype 4. Studies from China have shown that acute hepatitis E patients with underlying chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may have a worse outcome than those without. In India where genotype 1 is more prevalent, superinfection with hepatitis E on patients with chronic liver disease including chronic hepatitis B infection can cause liver decompensation.

High prevalence of colorectal neoplasm in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Objective: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects 20-40% of the general adult population. Due to shared risk factors, it is postulated that NAFLD patients have an increased risk of colorectal neoplasm and should be a target group for screening. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of colorectal neoplasm in NAFLD patients and the risk of colorectal neoplasm in relation to the severity of NAFLD histology.

Surrogate end points and long-term outcome in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background & Aims: It is unclear whether surrogate end points reported in clinical trials correlate with long-term outcome of patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Methods: Patients with chronic hepatitis B who participated in any of 4 randomized controlled trials were followed prospectively for liver-related events (hepatocellular carcinoma, ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, variceal bleeding, liver transplantation, and death). Biochemical (normal ALT levels), virologic (levels of hepatitis B virus DNA below 10,000 copies/mL), and histologic (reduction of necroinflammation grading by 2 points or more with no increase in fibrosis staging) responses were evaluated at the end of each trial.

Long-term follow-up of lamivudine treatment in patients with severe acute exacerbation of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B.

Background: The long-term efficacy of lamivudine treatment for patients suffering from severe acute exacerbation of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B is unknown.

Methods: Consecutive patients with severe acute exacerbation of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B were prospectively recruited from 1999 to 2004 and treated with lamivudine. All patients had alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and serum bilirubin levels 10x and 3x above the upper limit of normal, respectively.

Validation of the NAFLD fibrosis score in a Chinese population with low prevalence of advanced fibrosis.

Objectives: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing in prevalence worldwide. This study aimed to validate the NAFLD fibrosis score in the Chinese population.

Methods: NAFLD patients were prospectively recruited for liver biopsy and blood tests.

Genetic polymorphisms of adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Chinese people.

Background And Aim: Hypoadiponectinemia and high tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels are associated with the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to investigate the genetic polymorphisms of adiponectin and TNF-alpha in Chinese NAFLD patients and their association with disease severity.

Methods: Seventy-nine patients with histology-proven NAFLD (61 with simple steatosis and 18 with stage 2-4 fibrosis) and 40 controls were tested for the nucleotide polymorphisms at adiponectin -11 391, -11 377, +45, and +276 and TNF-alpha promoters -863, -308, and -238.

Metabolic and adipokine profile of Chinese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background & Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome are reaching epidemic levels worldwide, but data in Asia remain scarce. This cross-sectional study examined the metabolic and adipokine profiles of Chinese patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD and factors associated with severe disease.

Methods: Eighty ethnic Chinese with NAFLD and 41 healthy controls were recruited.

Long-term lamivudine treatment is associated with a good maintained response in severe acute exacerbation of chronic HBeAg-negative hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B is difficult to treat and there is little long-term data for lamivudine treatment of severe acute exacerbation. We report a prospective, consecutive cohort of severe acute exacerbation of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients treated by lamivudine between 1999 and 2004. All patients had respectively increased alanine aminotransferase and serum bilirubin to at least 10 and 2 times the upper limit of laboratory normal.