Multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) of human-isolated Salmonella species: a practical bacterial antibiotic surveillance tool.

OBJECTIVES: Drug-resistant Salmonella plays a significant role in disease morbidity and mortality worldwide. The present study aimed to determine the multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) of Salmonella isolated from children hospitalized for gastroenteritis in Hong Kong. METHODS: Salmonella isolates from stool samples of children aged from 30 days to <5 years were confirmed by using MALDI-TOF MS and subjected to serotyping methods according to the White-Kauffmann-Le Minor scheme. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by agar disc diffusion. RESULTS: A total of 101 Salmonella isolates were serogrouped into Group B (n = 46, 45.5%), Group C (n = 9, 9.0%) or Group D (n = 46, 45.5%), and successfully classified into S. Enteritidis (n = 15) and S. Typhimurium (n = 7). Overall Salmonella susceptibilities demonstrated the highest level of resistance to ampicillin (76.2%), ciprofloxacin (54.0%) and tetracycline (61.2%) whereas MDR strains had high resistance toward ampicillin (100%), tetracycline (100%), cotrimoxazole (84.6%), chloramphenicol (83.3%) and ciprofloxacin (83.3%). MARI revealed that 80.2% of Salmonella including all MDR strains (n = 13) had indexes greater than 0.2. CONCLUSIONS: The MARI captures a snapshot of a high rate of antibiotic use and resistance in the isolated Salmonella, indicating the urgent need for continuous antimicrobial susceptibility surveillance and control of antibiotic prescription in selecting effective treatments for human diseases.

Factors affecting outdoor physical activity in extreme temperatures in a sub-tropical Chinese urban population: an exploratory telephone survey.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) can be affected by extreme temperatures, however fewer studies have identified factors impacting this relationship. This study sought to identify factors associated with changes of outdoor PA during extreme cold/heat events in a sub-tropical Chinese urban population, including factors of sociodemographic, health conditions, temperature-related awareness and attitude, and protective behaviours. METHODS: Two telephone surveys were conducted a week after extreme cold/heat events in 2016 and 2017 among a cohort of Hong Kong residents over age 15. Data was collected on self-reported changes in outdoor PA level during the periods of extreme temperatures, health status, comorbidities, sociodemographic, and temperature-related awareness, and behavioural variables. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses to assess predictors of change in outdoor PA over the two extreme temperature events. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Among 435 participants (42.8% response rate), over a third of the participants reported decreased outdoor PA level in extreme temperature events, while 10% reported an increase in extreme heat. Self-reported cardiovascular diseases were associated with decreased PA level in extreme cold, while hypertension was associated with unchanged/increased PA level in extreme heat. These results suggest physical activity to be an important consideration in the understanding of climate change-and-health pathways and meriting further research.

The effect of temperature on physical activity: an aggregated timeseries analysis of smartphone users in five major Chinese cities.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is an important factor in premature mortality reduction, non-communicable disease prevention, and well-being protection. Climate change will alter temperatures globally, with impacts already found on mortality and morbidity. While uncomfortable temperature is often perceived as a barrier to physical activity, the actual impact of temperature on physical activity has been less well studied, particularly in China. This study examined the associations between temperature and objectively measured physical activity among adult populations in five major Chinese cities. METHODS: Aggregated anonymized step count data was obtained between December 2017-2018 for five major Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. The associations of temperature with daily aggregated mean step count were assessed using Generalized Additive Models (GAMs), adjusted for meteorological, air pollution, and time-related variables. RESULTS: Significant decreases in step counts during periods of high temperatures were found for cold or temperate climate cities (Beijing, Shanghai, and Chongqing), with maximum physical activity occurring between 16 and 19.3 °C. High temperatures were associated with decreases of 800-1500 daily steps compared to optimal temperatures. For cities in subtropical climates (Shenzhen and Hong Kong), non-significant declines were found with high temperatures. Overall, females and the elderly demonstrated lower optimal temperatures for physical activity and larger decreases of step count in warmer temperatures. CONCLUSIONS: As minor reductions in physical activity could consequentially affect health, an increased awareness of temperature's impact on physical activity is necessary. City-wide adaptations and physical activity interventions should seek ways to sustain physical activity levels in the face of shifting temperatures from climate change.

Projecting future temperature-related mortality using annual time series data: An example from Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies projecting future temperature-related mortality under climate change have mostly used short-term temperature-mortality associations based on daily time series data. The present study aimed to project mortality under different Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) in 21st century in Hong Kong by using analysis of annual data during 1976-2018. METHODS: We employed a degree-days approach, calculating the sum of daily degrees above or below certain temperature threshold within a relevant historical year. The yearly age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) were regressed on annual hot and cold degree-days in quasi-Poisson generalized additive models to assess the exposure-response function that was subsequently used to calculate future changes in ASMR. The projection was performed without and with certain human adaptation assumed. RESULTS: ASMRs were projected to have net increases under RCPs 4.5, 6.0, and 8.5, with increased mortality attributable to excess hot days exceeding decreases attributable to excess cold days. The average net changes under RCP8.5 was estimated to be 0.12%, 12.44%, 38.99%, and 89.25% during 2030s, 2050s, 2070s, and 2090s, respectively. Higher projected ASMRs were estimated for those aged over 75 years and for cardiovascular deaths. When human adaptation was considered, slope reduction alone under RCP4.5 and 6.0 and all adaptation assumptions under RCP8.5 might still not offset its corresponding adverse impact. CONCLUSIONS: The projected decreases in cold-related mortality do not compensate for projected increases in heat-related mortality in Hong Kong. Better public adaptations strategies are warranted for coping with the adverse health impacts of climate change on a local scale.

The effect of subjective social status on health-related quality of life decline in urban Chinese older adults: a four-year longitudinal study from Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND: Improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is becoming a major focus of old age care and social policy. Researchers have been increasingly examining subjective social status (SSS), one's self-perceived social position, as a predictor of various health conditions. SSS encompasses not only concrete socio-economic (SES) factors but also intangible aspects of status. This study's main objective was to examine the association between SSS and long-term change in HRQOL in older Chinese adults. METHODS: A longitudinal Hong Kong study recruited 2934 community-dwelling adults (age > 65 years). Participants completed SF-12 physical health (PCS) and mental health (MCS) HRQOL scales. This study analyzed baseline SSS-Society (self-perceived social status within Hong Kong) and SSS-Community (self-perceived status within one's own social network) as predictors of long-term HRQOL decline. After stratifying for sex, multiple-linear-regression was performed on 4-year follow-up SF-12 PCS and MCS scores after adjusting for baseline SF-12 scores, traditional SES indicators, demographic variables, clinical conditions, and lifestyle variables. RESULTS: In the multivariable analyses, lower SSS-Society was associated with declines in MCS in males (ßstandardized = 0.08, p = 0.001) and declines in PCS (ßstandardized = 0.07, p = 0.006) and MCS (ßstandardized = 0.12, p < 0.001) in females. SSS-Community was associated with declines in PCS in males (ßstandardized = 0.07, p = 0.005) and MCS in females (ßstandardized = 0.14, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SSS may be a useful supplementary tool for predicting risk of long-term HRQOL decline in older Chinese adults. Strategies to reduce perceived social inequalities may improve HRQOL in older adults.

Does Low Subjective Social Status Predict Cognitive Decline in Chinese Older Adults? A 4-Year Longitudinal Study From Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVE: Subjective social status (SSS), one's self-perceived social position, encompasses not only concrete socio-economic (SES) factors (e.g., income) but also intangible aspects of status (e.g., social capital). In recent years, there has been increasing research interest in SSS as a predictor of a vast array of health outcomes but very few studies examining effects on cognitive functioning. This study's main objective was to examine the association between SSS and long-term cognitive decline in older Chinese adults. DESIGN: A 4-year longitudinal study. SETTING: Hong Kong, China. PARTICIPANTS: Chinese adults (aged ≥65) (n = 3,153). MEASUREMENTS: This study analyzed baseline SSS-Hong Kong (self-perceived social status within Hong Kong) and SSS-Community (self-perceived status within one's own social network) as predictors of long-term cognitive decline. Multiple-linear-regression was performed on 4-year follow-up Mini-Mental-Status-Examination (MMSE) cognitive function score (score range: 0-30) after adjusting for baseline MMSE scores, traditional SES indicators (e.g., education), demographic variables (e.g., sex), clinical conditions (e.g., stroke history, depression), and lifestyle variables (e.g., physical activity levels). RESULTS: Lower SSS-Community but not SSS-Hong Kong was associated with greater cognitive decline (unstandardized coefficient (95% CI) = 0.13 (0.07, 0.19) standardized ß-coefficient = 0.08, after adjusting for objective SES measures and other background and clinical factors. The standardized ß-coefficients for the SSS-Community variable were similar in magnitude to those for depression and diabetes. CONCLUSION: Cognitive decline is influenced by self-perceived rank in proximal reference groups rather than socioeconomic comparison with society at-large. SSS-Community is a useful, single-item supplementary instrument to improve prediction of cognitive decline in elderly Chinese.

Long-term association between urban air ventilation and mortality in Hong Kong.

While associations between population health outcomes and some urban design characteristics, such as green space, urban heat islands (UHI), and walkability, have been well studied, no prior studies have examined the association of urban air ventilation and health outcomes. This study used data from Hong Kong, a densely populated city, to explore the association between urban air ventilation and mortality during 2008-2014. Frontal area density (FAD), was used to measure urban ventilation, with higher FAD indicating poorer ventilation, due to structures blocking wind penetration. Negative binomial regression models were constructed to regress mortality counts for each 5-year age group, gender, and small area group, on small area level variables including green space density, population density and socioeconomic indicators. An interquartile range increase in FAD was significantly associated with a 10% (95% confidence interval (CI) 2%-19%, p = 0.019) increase in all-cause mortality and a 21% (95% CI: 2%-45%, p = 0.030) increase in asthma mortality, and non-significantly associated with a 9% (95% CI: 1%-19%, p = 0.073) in cardio-respiratory mortality. Better urban ventilation can help disperse vehicle-related pollutants and allow moderation of UHIs, and for a coastal city may allow moderation of cold temperatures. Urban planning should take ventilation into account. Further studies on urban ventilation and health outcomes from different settings are needed.

Does surrounding greenness moderate the relationship between apparent temperature and physical activity? Findings from the PHENOTYPE project.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity can be affected by both meteorological conditions and surrounding greenness, but few studies have evaluated the effects of these environmental factors on physical activity simultaneously. This multi-city comparative study aimed to assess the synergetic effects of apparent temperature and surrounding greenness on physical activity in four European cities. Specifically, we aimed to identify an interaction between surrounding greenness and apparent temperature in the effects on physical activity. METHODS: Data were collected from 352 adult residents of Barcelona (Spain), Stoke-on-Trent (United Kingdom), Doetinchem (The Netherlands), and Kaunas (Lithuania) as part of the PHENOTYPE study. Participants wore a smartphone for seven consecutive days between May-December 2013 and provided additional sociodemographic survey data. Hourly average physical activity (Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET)) and surrounding greenness (NDVI) were derived from the Calfit mobile application collecting accelerometer and location data. Hourly apparent temperature was calculated from temperature and relative humidity, which were obtained from local meteorological stations along with other meteorological covariates (rainfall, windspeed, and sky darkness). We assessed the interaction effects of apparent temperature and surrounding greenness on hourly physical activity for each city using linear mixed models, while adjusting for meteorological, demographic, and time-related variables. RESULTS: We found significant interactions between apparent temperature and surrounding greenness on hourly physical activity in three of four cities, aside from the coastal city of Barcelona. Significant quadratic effects of apparent temperature were found in the highest level of surrounding greenness for Stoke-on-Trent and Doetinchem, with 4% decrease in median MET observed for a 10°C departure from optimal temperature (15.2°C and 14.6°C, respectively). Significant linear effects were found for higher levels of surrounding greenness in Kaunas, whereby an increase of 10°C was associated with ∼4% increase in median MET. CONCLUSION: Apparent temperature and surrounding greenness interacted in the effect on hourly physical activity across three of four European cities, with varying effect between cities. While quadratic effects of temperature suggest diminishing levels of physical activity in the highest greenness levels in cities of temperate climates, the variation in surrounding greenness between cities could be further explored, particularly by looking at indoor-outdoor locations. The study findings support the need for evidence-based physical activity promotion and urban design.

Web-Based Behavioral Intervention Utilizing Narrative Persuasion for HIV Prevention Among Chinese Men Who Have Sex With Men (HeHe Talks Project): Intervention Development.

BACKGROUND: In the era of potent antiretroviral therapy, a high level of condomless anal intercourse continues to drive increases in HIV incidence in recent years among men who have sex with men. Effective behavior change strategies for promoting HIV-preventive behaviors are warranted. Narrative persuasion is a novel health communication approach that has demonstrated its persuasive advantages in overcoming resistance to counterattitudinal messages. The efficacy of narrative persuasion in promoting health behavior changes has been well documented, but critical research gaps exist for its application to HIV prevention. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to (1) capitalize on narrative persuasion to design a web-based multisession intervention for reducing condomless anal intercourse among men who have sex with men in Hong Kong (the HeHe Talks Project) by following a systematic development process; and (2) describe the main components of the narrative intervention that potentially determine its persuasiveness. METHODS: Persuasive themes and subtopics related to reducing condomless anal intercourse were initially proposed based on epidemiological evidence. The biographic narrative interview method was used to elicit firsthand experiential stories from a maximum variation sample of local men who have sex with men with diverse backgrounds and experiences related to HIV prevention; different types of role models were established accordingly. Framework analysis was used to aggregate the original quotations from narrators into collective narratives under 6 intervention themes. A dedicated website was finally developed for intervention delivery. RESULTS: A series of video-based intervention messages in biographic narrative format (firsthand experiential stories shared by men who have sex with men) combined with topic-equivalent argumentative messages were produced and programmed into 6 intervention sessions. The 6-week intervention program can be automatically delivered and monitored online. CONCLUSIONS: We systematically created a web-based HIV prevention intervention derived from peer-generated stories. Strategies used to enhance the efficacy of the narrative intervention have been discussed within basic communication components. This paper describes the methods and experiences of the rigorous development of a narrative communication intervention for HIV prevention, which enables replication of the intervention in the future.

Delayed kidney transplantation in combined liver-kidney transplantation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the impact of delayed kidney transplantation approach in combined (simultaneous) liver-kidney transplantation (CLKT). RECENT FINDINGS: CLKT offers a life-saving procedure for patients with both end-stage liver disease and chronic kidney disease or prolonged acute kidney injury. It is the most common multiorgan transplant procedure in the US accounting for 9-10% of all liver transplants performed. The number of CLKT has also been increasing in other countries with a better understanding of hepato-renal syndrome. US is the only country which implemented a national allocation policy for CLKT in 2017. Due to the different physiological needs of liver and kidney allografts immediately after transplantation, delayed kidney transplantation approach in CLKT has been introduced for the first time by the Indiana Group, naming it as 'the Indiana Approach'. Over the years, many other groups in the US and in Europe published better outcomes in CLKT using the delayed kidney transplantation approach with the support of hypothermic machine perfusion. SUMMARY: Several groups have shown that delayed kidney transplantation in CLKT is a safe procedure with better outcomes in graft(s) and patient survival.

Secular trends in all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates in people with diabetes in Hong Kong, 2001-2016: a retrospective cohort study.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of the study was to describe trends in all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates in Hong Kong Chinese people with diabetes from 2001 to 2016. METHODS: The Hong Kong Diabetes Surveillance Database (HKDSD) is a territory-wide diabetes cohort identified from the Hong Kong Hospital Authority electronic medical record system. Deaths between 2001 and 2016 were identified from linkage to the Hong Kong Death Registry. We used Joinpoint regression analysis to describe mortality patterns among people with diabetes by age and sex, and standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) to compare all-cause mortality rates in people with and without diabetes. RESULTS: Between 2001 and 2016, a total of 390,071 men and 380,007 women aged 20 years or older with diabetes were included in the HKDSD. There were 96,645 deaths among men and 88,437 deaths among women. Mortality rates for all-cause, cardiovascular disease and cancer among people with diabetes declined by 52.3%, 72.2% and 65.1% in men, respectively, and by 53.5%, 78.5% and 59.6% in women, respectively. Pneumonia mortality rates remained stable. The leading cause of death in people with diabetes has shifted from cardiovascular disease to pneumonia in the oldest age group, with cancer remaining the most common cause of death in people aged 45-74 years. The all-cause SMRs for men declined from 2.82 (95% CI 2.72, 2.94) to 1.50 (95% CI 1.46, 1.54), and for women, they declined from 3.28 (95% CI 3.15, 3.41) to 1.67 (95% CI 1.62, 1.72). However, among people aged 20-44 years, the declines in all-cause mortality rates over the study period were not statistically significant for both men (average annual per cent change [AAPC]: -3.2% [95% CI -7.3%, 1.0%]) and women (AAPC: -1.2% [95% CI -6.5%, 4.4%]). The SMRs in people aged 20-44 years fluctuated over time, between 7.86 (95% CI 5.74, 10.5) in men and 6.10 (95% CI 3.68, 9.45) in women in 2001, and 4.95 (95% CI 3.72, 6.45) in men and 4.92 (95% CI 3.25, 7.12) in women in 2016. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Absolute and relative mortality has declined overall in people with diabetes in Hong Kong, with less marked improvements in people under 45 years of age, calling for urgent action to improve care in young people with diabetes.

Secular trends in incidence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in Hong Kong: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There is very limited data on the time trend of diabetes incidence in Asia. Using population-level data, we report the secular trend of the incidence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in Hong Kong between 2002 and 2015. METHODS AND FINDINGS: The Hong Kong Diabetes Surveillance Database hosts clinical information on people with diabetes receiving care under the Hong Kong Hospital Authority, a statutory body that governs all public hospitals and clinics. Sex-specific incidence rates were standardised to the age structure of the World Health Organization population. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to describe incidence trends. A total of 562,022 cases of incident diabetes (type 1 diabetes [n = 2,426]: mean age at diagnosis is 32.5 years, 48.4% men; type 2 diabetes [n = 559,596]: mean age at diagnosis is 61.8 years, 51.9% men) were included. Among people aged <20 years, incidence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes increased. For type 1 diabetes, the incidence increased from 3.5 (95% CI 2.2-4.9) to 5.3 (95% CI 3.4-7.1) per 100,000 person-years (average annual percentage change [AAPC] 3.6% [95% CI 0.2-7.1], p < 0.05) in boys and from 4.3 (95% CI 2.7-5.8) to 6.4 (95% CI 4.3-8.4) per 100,000 person-years (AAPC 4.7% [95% CI 1.7-7.7], p < 0.05] in girls; for type 2 diabetes, the incidence increased from 4.6 (95% CI 3.2-6.0) to 7.5 (95% CI 5.5-9.6) per 100,000 person-years (AAPC 5.9% [95% CI 3.4-8.5], p < 0.05) in boys and from 5.9 (95% CI 4.3-7.6) to 8.5 (95% CI 6.2-10.8) per 100,000 person-years (AAPC 4.8% [95% CI 2.7-7.0], p < 0.05) in girls. In people aged 20 to <40 years, incidence of type 1 diabetes remained stable, but incidence of type 2 diabetes increased over time from 75.4 (95% CI 70.1-80.7) to 110.8 (95% CI 104.1-117.5) per 100,000 person-years (AAPC 4.2% [95% CI 3.1-5.3], p < 0.05) in men and from 45.0 (95% CI 41.4-48.6) to 62.1 (95% CI 57.8-66.3) per 100,000 person-years (AAPC 3.3% [95% CI 2.3-4.2], p < 0.05) in women. In people aged 40 to <60 years, incidence of type 2 diabetes increased until 2011/2012 and then flattened. In people aged ≥60 years, incidence was stable in men and declined in women after 2011. No trend was identified in the incidence of type 1 diabetes in people aged ≥20 years. The present study is limited by its reliance on electronic medical records for identification of people with diabetes, which may result in incomplete capture of diabetes cases. The differentiation of type 1 and type 2 diabetes was based on an algorithm subject to potential misclassification. CONCLUSIONS: There was an increase in incidence of type 2 diabetes in people aged <40 years and stabilisation in people aged ≥40 years. Incidence of type 1 diabetes continued to climb in people aged <20 years but remained constant in other age groups.

Association of technologically assisted integrated care with clinical outcomes in type 2 diabetes in Hong Kong using the prospective JADE Program: A retrospective cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes outcomes are influenced by host factors, settings, and care processes. We examined the association of data-driven integrated care assisted by information and communications technology (ICT) with clinical outcomes in type 2 diabetes in public and private healthcare settings. METHODS AND FINDINGS: The web-based Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation (JADE) platform provides a protocol to guide data collection for issuing a personalized JADE report including risk categories (1-4, low-high), 5-year probabilities of cardiovascular-renal events, and trends and targets of 4 risk factors with tailored decision support. The JADE program is a prospective cohort study implemented in a naturalistic environment where patients underwent nurse-led structured evaluation (blood/urine/eye/feet) in public and private outpatient clinics and diabetes centers in Hong Kong. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 16,624 Han Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes who were enrolled in 2007-2015. In the public setting, the non-JADE group (n = 3,587) underwent structured evaluation for risk factors and complications only, while the JADE (n = 9,601) group received a JADE report with group empowerment by nurses. In a community-based, nurse-led, university-affiliated diabetes center (UDC), the JADE-Personalized (JADE-P) group (n = 3,436) received a JADE report, personalized empowerment, and annual telephone reminder for reevaluation and engagement. The primary composite outcome was time to the first occurrence of cardiovascular-renal diseases, all-site cancer, and/or death, based on hospitalization data censored on 30 June 2017. During 94,311 person-years of follow-up in 2007-2017, 7,779 primary events occurred. Compared with the JADE group (136.22 cases per 1,000 patient-years [95% CI 132.35-140.18]), the non-JADE group had higher (145.32 [95% CI 138.68-152.20]; P = 0.020) while the JADE-P group had lower event rates (70.94 [95% CI 67.12-74.91]; P < 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for the primary composite outcome were 1.22 (95% CI 1.15-1.30) and 0.70 (95% CI 0.66-0.75), respectively, independent of risk profiles, education levels, drug usage, self-care, and comorbidities at baseline. We reported consistent results in propensity-score-matched analyses and after accounting for loss to follow-up. Potential limitations include its nonrandomized design that precludes causal inference, residual confounding, and participation bias. CONCLUSIONS: ICT-assisted integrated care was associated with a reduction in clinical events, including death in type 2 diabetes in public and private healthcare settings.

Contrast Administration to the Deceased Kidney Donor Has No Impact on Post-Transplant Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury may occur in patients undergoing imaging studies. This study reviews all deceased kidney donors at a single center during a 15-y period to determine if donor contrast exposure results in contrast-induced acute kidney injury in the donor or is associated with worse outcomes in the transplant recipient. METHODS: Donor and recipient renal functions were recorded, including donor serum creatinine and recipient delayed graft function, creatinine clearance at 1 y, and early and late graft survival. Donor contrast exposure was recorded as the number of preprocurement contrasted studies. RESULTS: Donor and recipient records were available for 1394 transplants (88%). There were 51% of donors who received any contrasted study (38%, one study; 12%, two studies, and 1%, three studies). Donor contrast exposure was not associated with significant differences in preprocurement serum creatinine levels. Post-transplant, donor contrast exposure was associated with risk of neither delayed graft function (4% for all) nor early kidney graft loss. Creatinine clearance at 1 y was equivalent. Five-year Cox regression demonstrated higher graft survival for contrast-exposed grafts (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: There is no negative effect of donor contrast administration on early and late kidney graft function. These findings included donor kidneys exposed to as many as three contrasted studies.

Ambient temperature, seasonal influenza and risk of cardiovascular disease in a subtropical area in Southern China.

BACKGROUND: Given the regular winter recurrence of influenza epidemics and the biologically plausible association between seasonal influenza and cardiovascular events, researchers assumed a valid and reliable influenza forecast could envision the timing and burden of winter surge in cardiovascular (CVD) hospitalizations. This, however, is well justified only in temperate regions. In this study, we aim to investigate the temporal association between ambient temperature, seasonal influenza and risk of cardiovascular events in a subtropical city. METHODS: Generalized additive model was used in conjunction with distributed-lag non-linear model of quasi-Poisson family to estimate the association of interest with daily CVD admissions as outcome and daily influenza admissions as predictor, while controlling for meteorological factors (i.e. temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and total rainfall) and respiratory pollutants (i.e. nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone and PM10). Results were expressed in the form of relative risk (RR). RESULTS: Using median as the reference value, a U-shaped association was observed between CVD admissions and temperature. A slight decrease in RR was detected mainly towards the lower end of the temperature scale after adjusting for influenza admissions. Risk of CVD admission was found to be positively associated with the number of influenza hospitalization cases; this association remained consistent and statistically significant across subgroups of age except for those aged 5-49 years. CONCLUSION: The slight reduction in CVD admission risk towards the lower end of the temperature scale after controlling for influenza activity might be attributed to the winter peaks of influenza, meaning that the effect of low temperature on CVD admissions might be partly mediated by influenza infection. In summary, this study reassures us that ambient temperature is independently associated with CVD hospital admissions and offers support for a positive association between seasonal influenza activity and cardiovascular events in Hong Kong.

Excess Burden of Mental Illness and Hospitalization in Young-Onset Type 2 Diabetes: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) increases hospitalization risk. Young-onset T2D (YOD) (defined as onset before age 40 years) is associated with excess morbidity and mortality, but its effect on hospitalizations is unknown. Objective: To determine hospitalization rates among persons with YOD and to examine the effect of age at onset on hospitalization risk. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Hong Kong. Participants: Adults aged 20 to 75 years in population-based (2002 to 2014; n = 422 908) and registry-based (2000 to 2014; n = 20 886) T2D cohorts. Measurements: All-cause and cause-specific hospitalization rates. Negative binomial regression models estimated effect of age at onset on hospitalization rate and cumulative bed-days from onset to age 75 years for YOD. Results: Patients with YOD had the highest hospitalization rates by attained age. In the registry cohort, 36.8% of YOD bed-days before age 40 years were due to mental illness. The adjusted rate ratios showed increased hospitalization in YOD versus usual-onset T2D (onset at age ≥40 years) (all-cause, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.7 to 2.0]; renal, 6.7 [CI, 4.2 to 10.6]; diabetes, 3.7 [CI, 3.0 to 4.6]; cardiovascular, 2.1 [CI, 1.8 to 2.5]; infection, 1.7 [CI, 1.4 to 2.1]; P < 0.001 for all). Models estimated that intensified risk factor control in YOD (hemoglobin A1c level <6.2%, systolic blood pressure <120 mm Hg, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level <2.0 mmol/L [<77.3 mg/dL], triglyceride level <1.3 mmol/L [<115.1 mg/dL], waist circumference of 85 cm [men] or 80 cm [women], and smoking cessation) was associated with a one-third reduction in cumulative bed-days from onset to age 75 years (97 to 65 bed-days). Limitation: Possible residual confounding. Conclusion: Adults with YOD have excess hospitalizations across their lifespan compared with persons with usual-onset T2D, including an unexpectedly large burden of mental illness in young adulthood. Efforts to prevent YOD and intensify cardiometabolic risk factor control while focusing on mental health are urgently needed. Primary Funding Source: Asia Diabetes Foundation.

Progression of glucose intolerance and cardiometabolic risk factors over a decade in Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with increased metabolic risk, though data on long-term follow-up of cardiometabolic traits are limited. We postulated that Chinese women with PCOS would have higher risk of incident diabetes and cardiometabolic abnormalities than those without PCOS during long-term follow-up. METHODS AND FINDINGS: One hundred ninety-nine Chinese women with PCOS diagnosed by the Rotterdam criteria and with a mean age of 41.2 years (SD = 6.4) completed a follow-up evaluation after an average of 10.6 ± 1.3 years. Two hundred twenty-five women without PCOS (mean age: 54.1 ± 6.7 years) who underwent baseline and follow-up evaluation over the same period were used for comparison. Progression of glycaemic status of women both with and without PCOS was assessed by using 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) screening with the adoption of 2009 American Diabetes Association diagnostic criteria. The frequency of impaired glucose regulation, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia of women with PCOS at follow-up has increased from 31.7% (95% CI 25.2%-38.1%) to 47.2% (95% CI 40.3%-54.2%), 16.1% (95% CI 11.0%-21.2%) to 34.7% (95% CI 28.1%-41.3%), and 52.3% (95% CI 45.3%-59.2%) to 64.3% (95% CI 57.7%-71.0%), respectively. The cumulative incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in follow-up women with PCOS is 26.1% (95% CI 20.0%-32.2%), almost double that in the cohort of women without PCOS (p < 0.001). Age-standardised incidence of diabetes among women with PCOS was 22.12 per 1,000 person-years (95% CI 10.86-33.37) compared with the local female population incidence rate of 8.76 per 1,000 person-years (95% CI 8.72-8.80) and 10.09 per 1,000 person-years (95% CI 4.92-15.26, p < 0.001) for women without PCOS in our study. Incidence rate for women with PCOS aged 30-39 years was 20.56 per 1,000 person-years (95% CI 12.57-31.87), which is approximately 10-fold higher than that of the age-matched general female population in Hong Kong (1.88 per 1,000 person-years, [95% CI 1.85-1.92]). The incidence rate of type 2 DM (T2DM) of both normal-weight and overweight women with PCOS was around double that of corresponding control groups (normal weight: 8.96 [95% CI 3.92-17.72] versus 4.86 per 1,000 person-years [95% CI 2.13-9.62], p > 0.05; overweight/obese: 28.64 [95% CI 19.55-40.60] versus 14.1 per 1,000 person-years [95% CI 8.20-22.76], p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified that baseline waist-to-hip ratio (odds ratio [OR] = 1.71 [95% CI 1.08-2.69], p < 0.05) and elevated triglyceride (OR = 6.63 [95% CI 1.23-35.69], p < 0.05) are associated with the progression to T2DM in PCOS. Limitations of this study include moderate sample size with limited number of incident diabetes during follow-up period and potential selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: High risk of diabetes and increased cardiovascular disease risk factors among Chinese women with PCOS are highlighted in this long-term follow-up study. Diabetes onset was, on average, 10 years earlier among women with PCOS than in women without PCOS.

Short-term Association Between Meteorological Factors and Childhood Pneumonia Hospitalization in Hong Kong: A Time-series Study.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is a common cause of childhood hospitalization. Both host and pathogen factors are associated with environmental conditions, but the associations between childhood pneumonia and meteorological variables are unclear. This study investigated the short-term associations between childhood pneumonia admissions and meteorological variables. METHODS: A retrospective time-series analysis was conducted using distributed lagged nonlinear models. Daily pneumonia admissions among children <15-year-old in Hong Kong during 2004-2011 were regressed on daily meteorological variables with air pollutants, influenza admissions, seasonal trend, and long-term trend adjusted. Analyses were stratified by age group. RESULTS: There were 34,303 admissions during 2004-2011. Temperature had a u-shaped association with childhood pneumonia admissions with minimum morbidity temperature at 25°C and with a long lagged effect up to 45 days. The cumulative relative risk (cum RR [95% confidence interval]) (vs. 25°C; lag 0-45 days) at 30°C was 1.41 (1.11, 1.79) and was 1.58 (1.21, 2.06) at 12°C. Relative humidity (RH) showed a u-shaped association with minimum risk at 65% and lagged effect up to 45 days. The cum RR (vs. 65%; lag 0-45 days) at 53% was 1.26 (1.04, 1.54) and was 2.22 (1.78, 2.77) at 94%. Children 5- to 14-year-olds were highly sensitive to temperature and RH while admissions among children <5-year-old were only associated with high RH. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood pneumonia admissions were very strongly associated with both high and low temperature and RH for children 5-14-year-olds. Efforts to reduce exposure of children to extreme temperatures and RH may have the potential to reduce the burden of pediatric pneumonia.

Different sensitivities to ambient temperature between first- and re-admission childhood asthma cases in Hong Kong - A time series study.

OBJECTIVES: Asthma can be triggered by various factors due to different etiologies. Environmental factors remain a common trigger of asthma, especially amongst children, and such ambient exposures can be harder to avoid compared to behavioral triggers. As such, the contribution of environmental factors may be enhanced when considering repeat asthma cases compared to initial presentations. To test this hypothesis, we assessed associations between ambient temperature and hospital admissions for asthma in Hong Kong and stratified admission records into first and repeat asthma hospitalizations. METHODS: The daily number of asthma hospitalizations among children aged 0-5 years in Hong Kong during 2007-2011 was regressed on daily mean temperature using distributed lagged nonlinear models, with adjustment for seasonal patterns, day-of-week effects, and other meteorological factors and air-pollutants. Analyses were stratified by summer/winter and by type of admission (first admission and repeated admission). RESULTS: About 33% of the 12284 asthma hospitalizations were repeat admissions. Repeat admissions demonstrated higher sensitivity to high temperature in the summer. During this period, high temperatures were associated with increased risk of repeat admission but not with first admissions: RR (95% CI) comparing 31 °C vs. 29 °C across lags 0-15 days was 3.40 (1.26, 9.18) and 0.74 (0.31, 1.77) for repeat and first admissions respectively. In the cold season, all admissions increased with falls in temperature, with slightly stronger associations apparent for repeat admissions compared to first admission: 1.20 (1.00, 1.44) vs. 1.10 (0.96, 1.26) respectively comparing risk at 15 °C vs. 12 °C across lags 0-5 days. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study to show stronger associations between ambient temperature and repeat asthma admissions compared to first admissions. The higher sensitivity among those experiencing repeat admissions may allow for more personalized disease management. Given the substantial differences in associations by admission type, future studies of ambient exposures on asthma should consider analyzing the two groups separately.

Short-term association between ambient temperature and acute myocardial infarction hospitalizations for diabetes mellitus patients: A time series study.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of death among people with diabetes mellitus (DM) and has been found to occur more frequently with extreme temperatures. With the increasing prevalence of DM and the rising global mean temperature, the number of heat-related AMI cases among DM patients may increase. This study compares excess risk of AMI during periods of extreme temperatures between patients with DM and without DM. METHODS: Distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNMs) were used to estimate the short-term association between daily mean temperature and AMI admissions (International Classification of Diseases 9th revision [ICD-9] code: 410.00-410.99), stratified by DM status (ICD-9: 250.00-250.99), to all public hospitals in Hong Kong from 2002 to 2011, adjusting for other meteorological variables and air pollutants. Analyses were also stratified by season, age group, gender, and admission type (first admissions and readmissions). The admissions data and meteorological data were obtained from the Hong Kong Hospital Authority (HA) and the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). FINDINGS: A total of 53,769 AMI admissions were included in the study. AMI admissions among DM patients were linearly and negatively associated with temperature in the cold season (cumulative relative risk [cumRR] [95% confidence interval] in lag 0-22 days (12 °C versus 24 °C) = 2.10 [1.62-2.72]), while those among patients without DM only started increasing when temperatures dropped below 22 °C with a weaker association (cumRR = 1.43 [1.21-1.69]). In the hot season, AMI hospitalizations among DM patients started increasing when the temperature dropped below or rose above 28.8 °C (cumRR in lag 0-4 days [30.4 versus 28.8 °C] = 1.14 [1.00-1.31]), while those among patients without DM showed no association with temperature. The differences in sensitivity to temperature between patients with DM and without DM were most apparent in the group <75 years old and among first-admission cases in the cold season. The main limitation of this study was the unavailability of data on individual exposure to ambient temperature. CONCLUSIONS: DM patients had a higher increased risk of AMI admissions than non-DM patients during extreme temperatures. AMI admissions risks among DM patients rise sharply in both high and low temperatures, with a stronger effect in low temperatures, while AMI risk among non-DM patients only increased mildly in low temperatures. Targeted health protection guidelines should be provided to warn DM patients and physicians about the dangers of extreme temperatures. Further studies to project the impacts of AMI risks on DM patients by climate change are warranted.