Association of circadian rhythm with mild cognitive impairment among male pneumoconiosis workers in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional study.

Weakened circadian activity rhythms (CARs) were associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the general population. However, it remains unclear among pneumoconiosis patients. We aimed to address this knowledge gap.

Differences in Sleep Patterns and Mental Health Problems During Different Periods of COVID-19 Outbreak Among Community-Dwelling Older Men in Hong Kong.

To determine the association of sleep with mental health among Hong Kong community-dwelling older men in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This additional analysis was derived from the community-dwelling men aged >60 recruited during three COVID-19 outbreaks (i.e.

Smoking cessation sharply reduced lung cancer mortality in a historical cohort of 3185 Chinese silicotic workers from 1981 to 2014.

Background: Population-based studies showed an over 50% decrease in lung cancer risk after quitting smoking for 5-6 years, but the beneficial effect in silicotics remains unknown. We aimed to rectify this knowledge gap using a large historical cohort of 3185 Chinese silicotics since 1981 and followed-up till 2014.

Methods: Baseline information on workers' socio-demographics, smoking habits, occupational history, and medical history was collected.

Prediction models and risk assessment for silicosis using a retrospective cohort study among workers exposed to silica in China.

This study aims to develop a prognostic risk prediction model for the development of silicosis among workers exposed to silica dust in China. The prediction model was performed by using retrospective cohort of 3,492 workers exposed to silica in an iron ore, with 33 years of follow-up. We developed a risk score system using a linear combination of the predictors weighted by the LASSO penalized Cox regression coefficients.

Joint effects of smoking and silicosis on diseases to the lungs.

Smokers are subject to being more susceptible to the long-term effects of silica dust, whilst it remains unclear whether the joint effect of smoking and silicosis differs amongst diseases to the lungs; this study aims to address this knowledge gap. This was a historical cohort study comprised of 3202 silicotics in Hong Kong during 1981-2005 who were followed up till 31/12/2006. We estimated the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) in the smoking and never smoking silicotics using the mortality rates of male general population indiscriminately by smoking status, but these SMRs were regarded as biased.

Choice of spirometric reference values for compensation assessment.

Background And Objective: Two sets of local reference values are available for spirometry in Hong Kong, but it is uncertain how well they work in the assessment of occupational lung diseases. This study examined their relative performance in the compensational assessment of silicosis.

Methods: Local reference values published in 1982 and 2006 were compared in two different populations comprising normal construction/quarry workers and silicosis patients.

Determinants of spirometric abnormalities among silicotic patients in Hong Kong.

Background: Silicosis is the second commonest notified occupational disease in Hong Kong.

Aim: To characterize the determinants of spirometric abnormalities in silicosis.

Method: The spirometric patterns of consecutive silicotic patients on confirmation by the Pneumoconiosis Medical Board from 1991 to 2002 were correlated with demographic characteristics, occupational history, smoking history, tuberculosis (TB) history and radiographic features by univariate and multiple regression analyses.

Initial experience on rifampin and pyrazinamide vs isoniazid in the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection among patients with silicosis in Hong Kong.

Objective: To compare the adverse effects and treatment adherence between 2 months of rifampin plus pyrazinamide (2RZ) and 6 months of isoniazid (6H).

Background: Patients with silicosis in Hong Kong are at high risk of acquiring tuberculosis. A previous study showed that treatment with 6H reduced the risk of silico-tuberculosis by one half.

Spontaneous regression of renal cell carcinoma metastases.

Spontaneous regression of some tumours is known to occur. We report here on a patient who developed lung and scalp metastases from renal cell carcinoma approximately 1 year after undergoing a radical nephrectomy. The lung metastasis was documented by computed tomography and histological examination.