Metacognitive training for delusions (MCTd): effectiveness on data-gathering and belief flexibility in a Chinese sample.

Metacognitive training (MCT) was developed to promote awareness of reasoning biases among patients with schizophrenia. While MCT has been translated into 31 languages, most MCT studies were conducted in Europe, including newer evidence recommending an individualized approach of delivery. As reasoning biases covered in MCT are separable processes and are associated with different symptoms, testing the effect of selected MCT modules would help to develop a targeted and cost-effective intervention for specific symptoms and associated mechanisms.

Does Low Dose Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Prevent Pneumonia in Older People With Neurologic Dysphagia--A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Objective: To examine if angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor reduces the risk of pneumonia in older patients on tube-feeding because of dysphagia from cerebrovascular diseases.

Design: Randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Setting: Acute and subacute geriatrics units, speech therapists' clinic, and nursing home.

Cortical thinning and progressive cortical porosity in female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus on long-term glucocorticoids: a 2-year case-control study.

Unlabelled: In this study, we characterized longitudinal changes of volumetric bone mineral density and cortical and trabecular microstructure at the distal radius using HR-pQCT in female systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients on long-term glucocorticoids. Cortical thinning and increased cortical porosity are the major features of longitudinal microstructural deterioration in SLE patients.

Introduction: The study aims to characterize longitudinal changes of volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and bone microstructure at distal radius in female systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients on long-term glucocorticoids.

Physical activity and cognitive function of community Chinese elderly in Hong Kong (HK) and Guangzhou (GZ).

Background: Some studies demonstrated that physical activity may have beneficial effect on cognitive function. The objective of the study was to estimate the association between physical activity and cognitive function in community-dwelling elderly Chinese in Hong Kong (HK) and Guangzhou (GZ).

Methods: In the neighborhood of HK and GZ, a convenience sample of 557 (260 in HK and 297 in GZ) older persons without dementia aged over 60 years (73.

Consensus statements on adherence issues in schizophrenia for Hong Kong.

Aim: In view of the clinical importance of the adherence issues in schizophrenia management, a consensus group of experienced local psychiatrists and nurse specialists gathered to outline a number of consensus statements for clinicians to consider enhancing adherence in their patients.

Process: Prior to the consensus group meeting, three core members drafted eight statements on the issue of adherence in schizophrenia. Using a modified Delphi method, published literature and published guidelines regarding the management of schizophrenia were reviewed by the full panel during the group meeting.

Efficacy of physical exercise in preventing falls in older adults with cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Numerous studies have reported the prevention of falls through exercise among cognitively healthy older people. This study aimed to determine whether the current evidence supports that physical exercise is also efficacious in preventing falls in older adults with cognitive impairment.

Methods: Two independent reviewers searched MEDLINE; EMBASE; PsycINFO; the Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; the Cochrane Bone, Joint, and Muscle Trauma Group Specialized Register; ClinicalTrials.

10-year outcome study of an early intervention program for psychosis compared with standard care service.

Background: Despite evidence on the short-term benefits of early intervention (EI) service for psychosis, long-term outcome studies are limited by inconsistent results. This study examined the 10-year outcomes of patients with first-episode psychosis who received 2-year territory-wide EI service compared to those who received standard care (SC) in Hong Kong using an historical control design.

Method: Consecutive patients who received the EI service between 1 July 2001 and 30 June 2002, and with diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, were identified and matched with patients who received SC first presented to the public psychiatric service from 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001.

Effect of aerobic exercise training on chinese population with mild to moderate depression in Hong Kong.

Background. Exercise has been suggested to be a viable treatment for depression. This study investigates the effect of supervised aerobic exercise training on depressive symptoms and physical performance among Chinese patients with mild to moderate depression in early in-patient phase.

The principle of assessing mental capacity for enduring power of attorney.

With Hong Kong's rapidly ageing population, increasing numbers of people now have some form of cognitive impairment. Enduring power of attorney is a legal instrument that can allow individuals to manage their financial matters if they subsequently become mentally incapacitated. The law requires that the mental capacity of the individual making an enduring power of attorney should be certified by a registered medical practitioner and a solicitor.

Spiritual activity is associated with better cognitive function in old age.

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the association between late-life spiritual activity participation and cognitive function in older Chinese adults in Hong Kong.

Methods: Participants aged 60 years or older without clinical dementia or major psychiatric disorders were recruited. Dementia severity and global cognitive function were assessed using the Clinical Dementia Rating and Cantonese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, respectively.

SLE disease per se contributes to deterioration in bone mineral density, microstructure and bone strength.

Objective: The objective of this report is to assess the effect of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease itself on deterioration of bone mineral density (BMD), microstructure and bone strength.

Method: Thirty age-matched SLE patients on long-term glucocorticoids (GC) (SLE/GC), 30 SLE patients without GC (SLE/non-GC) and 60 healthy controls were examined. Areal BMD (aBMD) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Severity of airflow limitation, co-morbidities and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients acutely admitted to hospital.

Objective: To assess the disease spectrum, severity of airflow limitation, admission pattern, co-morbidities, and management of patients admitted for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Design: Case series.

Setting: An acute regional hospital in Hong Kong.

Cognitive predictors for five-year conversion to dementia in community-dwelling Chinese older adults.

Background: This study evaluates which cognitive measure is best for predicting incident dementia in a population-based random sample of Chinese older adults without dementia over a five-year period.

Methods: A total of 787 community-dwelling Chinese older adults without dementia in Hong Kong were assessed at baseline (T0), at two years (T1), and at five years (T2).

Results: The annual conversion rate to dementia was 1.

Telomere length and cognitive function in southern Chinese community-dwelling male elders.

Background: telomere attrition has been associated with an increased risk of different age-related diseases and is widely accepted as a marker of cellular ageing. On the other hand, it is well known that cognitive function declines with age. The telomere length may therefore act as a marker for the pathway associated with cognitive function.

Prevalence of psychological symptoms in contemporary Chinese rural-to-urban migrant workers: an exploratory meta-analysis of observational studies using the SCL-90-R.

Purpose: (1) To estimate the pooled prevalence of psychological symptoms in Chinese migrant workers (CMWs), as measured using the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) in observational studies conducted in China, and (2) to explore the potential variables associated with the SCL-90-R Global Severity Index (GSI), the overall mental health indicator of CMWs.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature search of the major English and Chinese databases (to June 2012). Cross-sectional surveys and case-control studies of CMWs (and controls where appropriate) that reported at least one subscale score of the SCL-90-R were included.

Structured assessment of mental capacity to make financial decisions in Chinese older persons with mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer disease.

Previous studies suggested that patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia can have impaired and declining financial skills and abilities. The purpose of this study is to test a clinically applicable method, based on the contemporary legal standard, to examine directly the mental capacity to make financial decisions and its component decision-making abilities among patients with MCI and early dementia. A total of 90 patients with mild Alzheimer disease (AD), 92 participants with MCI, and 93 cognitively normal control participants were recruited for this study.

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.

Capacity to make decisions on medication management in Chinese older persons with mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease.

Background: This study aimed to assess if decisional capacity and the four decision-making abilities related to decisions concerning medication management were impaired among community-dwelling Chinese older persons in Hong Kong with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild Alzheimer's disease (AD), as compared with cognitively normal older adults.

Methods: Two hundred and ninety-one Chinese community-dwelling older adults were recruited. The four decision-making abilities and decisional capacity were assessed by using the Chinese version of the Assessment of Capacity for Everyday Decision-Making (ACED) and independent clinician ratings based on the definition in the UK Mental Capacity Act 2005, respectively.

Modulating factors that preserve cognitive function in healthy ageing.

Objectives: Most studies examining factors contributing to cognitive impairments and dementia in late life focused on risks. In this study, we aimed to evaluate factors that might help preserve cognition in healthy Hong Kong elders.

Methods: This was a 2-year prospective study of 476 cognitively healthy community dwellers (aged 60-92 years) recruited in Hong Kong.

Classification of late-life leisure activities among elderly Chinese in Hong Kong.

Objectives: To develop a classification to describe leisure activities of elderly Hong Kong Chinese based on the functions fulfilled, namely: intellectual, physical, social, and recreational.

Methods: A focus group comprising care-for-the-elderly professionals was invited to identify leisure activities commonly practised by elderly Chinese in Hong Kong. An independent panel of occupational therapists in the field of geriatrics and psychiatry was invited to classify the activities into physical, intellectual, social, and recreational categories based on their professional opinion in the context of local practice.

Clozapine use in schizophrenia: findings of the Research on Asia Psychotropic Prescription (REAP) studies from 2001 to 2009.

Objective: Optimizing treatment and outcomes for people with schizophrenia requires understanding of how evidence-based treatments are utilized. Clozapine is the most effective antipsychotic drug for treatment-refractory schizophrenia, but few studies have investigated trends and patterns of its use over time internationally. This study examined the prescription patterns of clozapine and its demographic and clinical correlates in Asia from 2001 to 2009.

Evaluation of spinal mobility measurements in predicting axial psoriatic arthritis.

Axial psoriatic arthritis (PsA) represents a more severe form of disease than peripheral PsA. We evaluate the usefulness of various spinal mobility measurements in predicting a radiographically defined axial PsA. A cross-sectional study on PsA patients with spinal mobility measurement performed.