Dense cranial electroacupuncture stimulation for major depressive disorder--a single-blind, randomized, controlled study.

Background: Previous studies suggest that electroacupuncture possesses therapeutic benefits for depressive disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine whether dense cranial electroacupuncture stimulation (DCEAS) could enhance the antidepressant efficacy in the early phase of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods: In this single-blind, randomized, controlled study, patients with MDD were randomly assigned to 9-session DCEAS or noninvasive electroacupuncture (n-EA) control procedure in combination with fluoxetine (FLX) for 3 weeks.

Three-year outcome of phase-specific early intervention for first-episode psychosis: a cohort study in Hong Kong.

Aim: Although phase-specific early intervention for first-episode psychosis has been implemented in many different parts of the world, limited medium-term outcome data are available in non-Western populations with relatively low mental health resources. The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of phase-specific early intervention in first-episode psychosis.

Method: In this cohort study, we compared the 3-year outcome of 700 first-episode psychosis patients who received phase-specific early intervention with that of 700 patients matched for age, sex and diagnosis who received standard psychiatric care prior to early intervention.

Reasons for preferring a primary care physician for care if depressed.

Background: Most studies showed that patients would first go to their primary care physicians (PCPs) when depressed. This choice is probably due to PCP being the entry point into the health care system. We studied the general population's initial choice of mental care in Hong Kong, where patients were unclear about family medicine and free to choose doctors of any specialty.

How do patients choose their doctors for primary care in a free market?

Aims: A recent trend in health care system is to provide more choices to the patients. This study surveyed the general public's choices for primary care in Hong Kong which has the setting of free choices for private or public service and also direct access to specialists.

Methods: We used a combined qualitative and quantitative approach.

The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture therapy in depressive disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Although acupuncture has been used as an alternative treatment for depressive disorders, its effectiveness and safety are not well defined. The purpose of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture as monotherapy and as an additional therapy in treating various depressive conditions, particularly major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-stroke depression (PSD).

Methods: Following systematic review, meta-analysis was conducted on high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Homocysteine level in schizophrenia patients.

Objective: Elevated serum levels of homocysteine have been shown to be associated with schizophrenia in some studies, but the evidence is still limited and mixed. The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate the serum homocysteine level in Chinese in schizophrenia patients and assess its association with clinical phenotypes of the disease.

Method: A total of 250 inpatients and 250 healthy controls were identified at Kowloon Hospital and the Red Cross Blood Donation Centre, respectively.

The pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia in Chinese patients: a comparison of prescription patterns between 1996 and 1999.

Aims: In 1996 a Hong Kong-wide survey of pharmacological treatment for schizophrenic inpatients identified a few idiosyncratic prescription patterns that were not consistent with international standards. In the context of continuous quality assurance, the survey was repeated in 1999 to monitor trends in the pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia and to identify changes in prescribing practices. It was expected that the widespread introduction of novel antipsychotic drugs coupled with continuing medical education would favourably alter prescribing habits.