Add-on astragalus in type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: A multi-center, assessor-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Diabetes leads to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure, requiring dialysis or transplantation. Astragalus, a common herbal medicine and US pharmacopeia-registered food ingredient, is shown kidney protective by retrospective and preclinical data but with limited long-term prospective clinical evidence. This trial aimed to assess the effectiveness of astragalus on kidney function decline in macroalbuminuric diabetic CKD patients.

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: A null COL3A1 variant found in a patient with loin pain without marked cutaneous features (case report).

Patients with null variants may have milder vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, presenting with seemingly non-specific complaints and subtle cutaneous features that may be missed. A high index of suspicion and early genetic testing (aided by next-generation sequencing) were crucial for prevention of life-threatening complications in the patient and family members.

Diagnostic accuracy of using capnography in verification of nasogastric tube placement among adult patients in hospital settings: Protocol of a diagnostic study.

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) detection using capnography for verifying the correct placement of nasogastric tubes (NGTs) among adult patients in hospital settings.

Materials And Methods: A prospective observational diagnostic study will be conducted. Patients ≥ 18-year-old and requiring the insertion of an NGT will be recruited using a convenience sampling method from 39 general medical and geriatric wards, intensive care units, accident and emergency departments, and subacute/rehabilitation/infirmary wards in 21 acute or subacute/convalescent/extended care hospitals.

Long-term spill-over impact of COVID-19 on health and healthcare of people with non-communicable diseases: a study protocol for a population-based cohort and health economic study.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant spill-over effect on people with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) over the long term, beyond the direct effect of COVID-19 infection. Evaluating changes in health outcomes, health service use and costs can provide evidence to optimise care for people with NCDs during and after the pandemic, and to better prepare outbreak responses in the future.

Methods And Analysis: This is a population-based cohort study using electronic health records of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority (HA) CMS, economic modelling and serial cross-sectional surveys on health service use.

Retrospective cohort study to investigate the 10-year trajectories of disease patterns in patients with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus on subsequent cardiovascular outcomes and health service utilisation: a study protocol.

Introduction: Hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM) and are major disease burdens in all healthcare systems. Given their high impact on morbidity, premature death and direct medical costs, we need to optimise effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of primary care for patients with HT/DM. This study aims to find out the association of trajectories in disease patterns and treatment of patients with HT/DM including multimorbidity and continuity of care with disease outcomes and service utilisation over 10 years in order to identify better approaches to delivering primary care services.

Efficacy, safety and response predictors of adjuvant astragalus for diabetic kidney disease (READY): study protocol of an add-on, assessor-blind, parallel, pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a prevalent and costly complication of diabetes with limited therapeutic options, being the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease in most developed regions. Recent big data studies showed that add-on Chinese medicine (CM) led to a reduced risk of end-stage kidney disease and mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes. Astragalus, commonly known as huang-qi, is the most prescribed CM or used dietary herb in China for diabetes and DKD.

A feasibility study on using tablet personal computers for self-reported symptom assessment in newly diagnosed lung cancer patients.

Aim: The study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an innovative tablet-assisted self-reported symptom assessment among newly diagnosed lung cancer patients.

Background: Routine symptom assessment for lung cancer patients in a fast-paced clinical environment is demanding. Mobile health technology offers a potential platform for symptom assessment and paves the way for tailored self-care intervention.

Predictors of levels of functioning among Chinese people with severe mental illness: a 12-month prospective cohort study.

Aim And Objectives: The aim of the study was to identify the predictors of functioning in Chinese people with serious mental illness.

Background: Mental healthcare services for people suffering from serious mental illness are delivered to not only minimise their psychiatric symptoms but also enhance their levels of functioning in the community. Yet, there is insufficient research directed towards the associated or predictive factors that may influence different aspects of functioning, particularly in terms of patients' psychosocial variables.

Promoting Holistic Well-Being in Chronic Stroke Patients Through Leisure Art-Based Creative Engagement.

Purpose: To examine the potential value of a creative art-based activity as a caring modality for promoting holistic well-being among chronic stroke patients, and to explore the feelings and meanings that stroke patients derived from their experience in leisure art-based creative engagement (LACE).

Design: Qualitative design.

Method: Participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling.

Linking research, policy, and action: evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is highly prevalent worldwide, resulting in legislation to regulate the providers and the products accompanied by enhancement of educational and research programs in many countries. Evidence-based Medicine (EBM), an effective approach for making healthcare decisions, can be equally applied to CAM, using innovative research methodology. When using Chinese Medicine (CM) as a proxy for CAM, the challenge is to develop a scientific model that could create a common platform of dialogue between CM and Western Medicine (WM), based on shared interpretation of CM syndromes, the pluralistic diagnostic logic, and multi-dimensional treatment approach.

Attitudes of acutely ill patients towards euthanasia in Hong Kong.

The global euthanasia debate by health care professionals has raised important ethical issues concerning the professional duties and responsibilities of nurses caring for terminal patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of acutely ill patients towards the practice of euthanasia in Hong Kong. A modified form of the 23-item Questionnaire for General Household Survey scale was used.