Prospective relationship between duration of untreated psychosis and 13-year clinical outcome: a first-episode psychosis study.

Background: The adverse effects of a long duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) have been explored in numerous short-term studies. These studies support the development of early interventions that reduce treatment delay and promote recovery. However, the enduring impact of DUP is largely unknown, partly due to the paucity of prospective long-term studies.

A randomized controlled neurophysiological study of a chinese chan-based mind-body intervention in patients with major depressive disorder.

Our previous studies have reported the therapeutic effects of 10-session Chinese Chan-based Dejian mind-body interventions (DMBI) in reducing the intake of antidepressants, improving depressive symptoms, and enhancing the attentional abilities of patients with depression. This study aims to explore the possible neuroelectrophysiological mechanisms underlying the previously reported treatment effects of DMBI in comparison with those of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Seventy-five age-, gender-, and education-matched participants with depression were randomly assigned to receive either CBT or DMBI or placed on a waitlist.

Can leisure activities slow dementia progression in nursing home residents? A cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Background: To examine the effects of complex cognitive (mahjong) and physical (Tai Chi) activities on dementia severity in nursing home residents with dementia.

Methods: Cluster-randomized open-label controlled design. 110 residents were randomized by nursing home into three conditions: mahjong, Tai Chi, and simple handicrafts (control).

Evaluation of a computer-assisted errorless learning-based memory training program for patients with early Alzheimer's disease in Hong Kong: a pilot study.

Background: Improving the situation in older adults with cognitive decline and evidence of cognitive rehabilitation is considered crucial in long-term care of the elderly. The objective of this study was to implement a computerized errorless learning-based memory training program (CELP) for persons with early Alzheimer's disease, and to compare the training outcomes of a CELP group with those of a therapist-led errorless learning program (TELP) group and a waiting-list control group.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial with a single-blind research design was used in the study.

Psychiatric morbidity in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B infection in a local infectious disease clinic.

OBJECTIVE. To determine the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity, identify correlates of psychiatric morbidities, and evaluate the effectiveness of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire as a screening tool for psychiatric morbidity in Chinese patients infected with chronic hepatitis B. METHODS.

A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of brief-CBT for patients with symptoms of posttraumatic stress following a motor vehicle crash.

Background: Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) are leading contributors to the global burden of disease. Patients attending accident and emergency (A&E) after an MVC may develop symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There is evidence that brief cognitive behavioural therapy (B-CBT) can be effective in treating PTSD; however, there are few studies of the use of B-CBT to treat PTSD in MVC survivors.

Acute angle closure glaucoma after sertraline.

Glaucoma is a rare complication of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment. We report a case of acute angle closure glaucoma related to sertraline.

Dementia with lewy bodies in meige syndrome.

Meige syndrome is a rare form of segmental dystonia characterized by blepharospasm and oromandibular dystonia. A few case reports of Meige syndrome have been associated with Lewy body pathologies, and the syndrome was also proposed for inclusion in the spectrum of Lewy body disease. We report a case of an elderly gentleman with a history of Meige syndrome for more than 10 years who developed dementia with Lewy bodies.

Leisure activities alleviate depressive symptoms in nursing home residents with very mild or mild dementia.

Objectives: : To examine whether leisure activities can alleviate depressive symptoms among nursing home residents with very mild to mild dementia.

Methods: : A cluster-randomized open-label controlled design. Thirty-six residents with at least moderate depressive symptoms were randomized by home into three conditions-mahjong (a.

Early intervention for psychotic disorders: Real-life implementation in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is among the first few cities in Asia to have implemented early intervention for psychosis in 2001. Substantial changes in psychosis service have since taken place. We reviewed available outcome data in Hong Kong, with reference to the philosophy of early intervention in psychosis, discussing experience and lessons learned from the implementation process, and future opportunities and challenges.

Cough mixture abuse and rhabdomyolysis.

Cough mixture abuse is an emerging problem among young men in Oriental countries. Its metabolic consequences have been recognised only recently. Such abusers can develop severe folate deficiency, which may be related to peripheral and central nervous system defects.

Depression in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis.

Objectives: To identify the prevalence and correlates of depression among Chinese peritoneal dialysis patients.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, from October 2007 to June 2008, 141 peritoneal dialysis patients were recruited from a local renal clinic. All participants were interviewed by the first author using the Chinese bilingual version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (Axis I) to identify patients suffering from major depressive disorders and psychiatric illnesses associated with elevated depressive symptoms.

Facial emotion recognition in Chinese with schizophrenia at early and chronic stages of illness.

Deficits in facial emotion recognition have been recognised in Chinese patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. This study examined the relationship between chronicity of illness and performance of facial emotion recognition in Chinese with schizophrenia. There were altogether four groups of subjects matched for age and gender composition.

Perspectives of intellectual disability in the People's Republic of China: epidemiology, policy, services for children and adults.

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to provide an overview of the current status and recent developments in epidemiology, public policy and services for children and adults with intellectual disability in China.

Recent Findings: The most recent national survey on disability conducted in 2006 estimated that the prevalence of intellectual disability was 0.75% in China.

Prevalence of and factors associated with psychiatric morbidity in chronic pain patients.

Objective: The reported prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in chronic pain patients (CCPs) was high, although it varied tremendously since structured diagnostic instruments were seldom used for diagnosis in previous studies. Study in this area after the launching of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) was scarce. This study serves to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in patients attending a chronic pain clinic by using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) Axis I disorders and to identify factors highly associated with psychiatric disorders, particularly depression, which is treatable.

Components and developmental differences of executive functioning for school-aged children.

This study examined the developmental differences, components, and underlying factor structure of executive functioning (EF) in school-aged children by utilizing subtests from Test of Everyday Attention for Children and some additional EF tests. The developmental differences identified across age groups between 7 to 14 years for a sample of 185 children support a multistage interpretation of EF development. Structural equation modeling was used to test models with three first-order EF components which included shifting, working memory/updating, and inhibition.

Psychosis related to the use of sibutramine disguised as over-the-counter herbal weight loss remedies: a report of two patients.

Two women presented independently with a clinical picture of mania-like psychosis after taking over-the-counter herbal slimming pills. Subsequent toxicology investigation found sibutramine in the samples of both patients. Sibutramine is an effective pharmacological treatment for obesity with a relatively favourable side-effect profile.

Outcome analysis of occupational therapy programme for persons with early psychosis.

Objective: This study examined the vocational outcomes of young persons with early psychosis after their participation in an occupational therapy program, and identified clinical or process variables that are linked to the vocational outcomes.

Participants: A total of 147 clients, aged between 15 and 25, with early psychosis or schizophrenia participated in this study.

Methods: A retrospective review of case management plans and outcomes was conducted.

Mental health in Hong Kong: transition from hospital-based service to personalised care.

Hong Kong was a UK colony before 1997 but has since been a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. It is located in southern China and has an area of 1104 km. Approximately 95% of Hong Kong's population is ethnic Chinese.

Validation of Self-administrated Questionnaire for Psychiatric Disorders in Patients with Functional Dyspepsia.

Introduction: Psychiatric comorbidity is common in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) but a good screening tool for psychiatric disorders in gastrointestinal clinical practice is lacking.

Aims: 1) Evaluate the performance and optimal cut-off of 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) as a screening tool for psychiatric disorders in FD patients; 2) Compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in FD patients with and without psychiatric comorbidities.

Methods: Consecutive patients fulfilling Rome III criteria for FD without medical co-morbidities and gastroesophageal reflux disease were recruited in a gastroenterology clinic.

Treatment effectiveness of combined medication/behavioural treatment with chinese ADHD children in routine practice.

Background: The effectiveness of a combined methylphenidate/behavioural treatment (BT) versus methylphenidate-only for Chinese children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was tested in routine clinical practice in Hong Kong.

Methods: A randomized group comparison design was adopted with two treatment conditions (methylphenidate-only; methylphenidate/BT), which lasted for 6 months. There were four assessment time points (pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 6-month and 12-month follow-ups), using the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD Symptoms and Normal Behaviours (SWAN) Rating Scale.

A survey on mental health care for adults with intellectual disabilities in Asia.

Background: Mental Health Services for adults with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) in Asia is less described than those in the western world. With the improvements in the economy and medical care in Asia, there is an increase in awareness of mental health services for people with ID in this part of the world. A study was carried out to look into these aspects in Asian countries.

A randomized controlled trial of a supported employment program for persons with long-term mental illness in Hong Kong.

Objectives: Supported employment is an evidence-based practice that has proved to be consistently more effective than conventional vocational rehabilitation in helping people with severe mental illness find and sustain competitive employment. Most research on the effectiveness of supported employment comes from the United States. This study examined the effectiveness and applicability of a supported employment program based on the individual placement and support model in a Hong Kong setting.