Mental health among parents and their children with eczema in Hong Kong.

INTRODUCTION: This cross-sectional survey research investigated mental health symptoms and quality of life among Chinese parents and their children with eczema at a paediatric dermatology clinic in Hong Kong from November 2018 to October 2020. METHODS: Health-related quality of life, eczema severity, and mental health among children with eczema, as well as their parents' mental health, were studied using the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI), Infants' Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDQOL), Nottingham Eczema Severity Score (NESS), Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM), and the Chinese version of the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21). RESULTS: In total, 432 children and 380 parents were recruited. Eczema severity (NESS and POEM) and health-related quality of life (CDLQI) were significantly positively associated with parental and child depression, anxiety, and stress levels according to the DASS-21, regardless of sex (children: r=0.28- 0.72, P<0.001 to 0.007; parents: r=0.20-0.52, P<0.001 to 0.034). Maternal depression was marginally positively associated with increased anxiety in boys with eczema (r=0.311; P=0.045). Younger parents had higher risk of developing more anxiety and stress compared with the older parents (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=-0.342, P=0.014 and aOR=-0.395, P=0.019, respectively). Depression level of parents with primary to secondary education was 58% higher than their counterparts with post-secondary education or above (aOR=-1.579; P=0.007). CONCLUSION: Depression, anxiety, and stress among children with eczema and their parents were associated with eczema severity and impaired quality of life in those children. These findings regarding impaired mental health in children with eczema and their parents highlight the need to include mental well-being and psychosocial outcomes in future studies and clinical practice.

Total knee replacement in osteoarthritis patients on reducing the risk of major adverse cardiac events: a 18-year retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease, and total knee replacement (TKR) is a successful surgical intervention for knee OA treatment. However, the risks of mortality and major cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients receiving TKR remain unclear. This study investigated the risks of mortality and MACEs in knee OA patients who received TKR. METHODS: For this population-based cohort study, the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 was used. Two million individuals with knee OA defined by ICD-9-CM codes who received physical therapy between 1999 and 2017 were selected. For propensity score matching (PSM), we considered the year of knee OA diagnosis, demographics, comorbidities, co-medications, and knee OA-related hyaluronic acid or physical therapy at baseline. After PSM, regression analyses were performed to assess the association of mortality or MACEs with TKR and non-TKR individuals. RESULTS: We identified patients (n = 189,708) with a new diagnosis of knee OA between 2000 and 2017. In total, 10,314 propensity-score-paired TKR and non-TKR individuals were selected. The PSM cohort algorithm revealed that the risk of mortality or MACEs was lower in the TKR group (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.791; 95% confidence interval: 0.755-0.830) than in the non-TKR group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with knee OA who received TKR had decreased risks of mortality and MACEs than those who did not receive TKR. Moreover, the TKR group received a reduced dosage of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at the 1-year follow-up.

Lower Relative Contribution of Positive Family History to Colorectal Cancer Risk with Increasing Age: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 9.28 Million Individuals.

OBJECTIVES: Existing algorithms predicting the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) assign a fixed score for family history of CRC. Whether the increased CRC risk attributed to family history of CRC was higher in younger patients remains inconclusive. We examined the risk of CRC associated with family history of CRC in first-degree relative (FDR) according to the age of index subjects (<40 vs. ≥40; <50 vs. ≥50; and <60 vs. ≥60 years). METHODS: Ovid Medline, EMBASE, and gray literature from the reference lists of all identified studies were searched from their inception to March 2017. We included case-control/cohort studies that investigated the relationship between family history of CRC in FDR and prevalence of CRC. Two reviewers independently selected articles according to the PRISMA guideline. A random effects meta-analysis pooled relative risks (RR). RESULTS: We analyzed 9.28 million subjects from 63 studies. A family history of CRC in FDR confers a higher risk of CRC (RR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.57-1.97, p < 0.001). This increased risk was higher in younger individuals (RR = 3.29, 95% CI = 1.67-6.49 for <40 years versus RR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.24-1.62 for ≥40 years, p = 0.017; RR = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.94-4.07 for <50 years versus RR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.28-1.69 for ≥50 years, p = 0.001). No publication bias was identified, and the findings are robust in subgroup analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in relative risk of CRC attributed to family history was found to be higher in younger individuals. Family history of CRC could be assigned a higher score for younger subjects in CRC risk prediction algorithms. Future studies should examine if such approach may improve their predictive capability.

How does dose impact on the severity of food-induced allergic reactions, and can this improve risk assessment for allergenic foods?: Report from an ILSI Europe Food Allergy Task Force Expert Group and Workshop.

Quantitative risk assessment (QRA) for food allergens has made considerable progress in recent years, yet acceptability of its outcomes remains stymied because of the limited extent to which it has been possible to incorporate severity as a variable. Reaction severity, particularly following accidental exposure, depends on multiple factors, related to the allergen, the host and any treatments, which might be administered. Some of these factors are plausibly still unknown. Quantitative risk assessment shows that limiting exposure through control of dose reduces the rates of reactions in allergic populations, but its impact on the relative frequency of severe reactions at different doses is unclear. Food challenge studies suggest that the relationship between dose of allergenic food and reaction severity is complex even under relatively controlled conditions. Because of these complexities, epidemiological studies provide very limited insight into this aspect of the dose-response relationship. Emerging data from single-dose challenges suggest that graded food challenges may overestimate the rate of severe reactions. It may be necessary to generate new data (such as those from single-dose challenges) to reliably identify the effect of dose on severity for use in QRA. Success will reduce uncertainty in the susceptible population and improve consumer choice.

Can we identify patients at risk of life-threatening allergic reactions to food?

Anaphylaxis has been defined as a 'severe, life-threatening generalized or systemic hypersensitivity reaction'. However, data indicate that the vast majority of food-triggered anaphylactic reactions are not life-threatening. Nonetheless, severe life-threatening reactions do occur and are unpredictable. We discuss the concepts surrounding perceptions of severe, life-threatening allergic reactions to food by different stakeholders, with particular reference to the inclusion of clinical severity as a factor in allergy and allergen risk management. We review the evidence regarding factors that might be used to identify those at most risk of severe allergic reactions to food, and the consequences of misinformation in this regard. For example, a significant proportion of food-allergic children also have asthma, yet almost none will experience a fatal food-allergic reaction; asthma is not, in itself, a strong predictor for fatal anaphylaxis. The relationship between dose of allergen exposure and symptom severity is unclear. While dose appears to be a risk factor in at least a subgroup of patients, studies report that individuals with prior anaphylaxis do not have a lower eliciting dose than those reporting previous mild reactions. It is therefore important to consider severity and sensitivity as separate factors, as a highly sensitive individual will not necessarily experience severe symptoms during an allergic reaction. We identify the knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to improve our ability to better identify those most at risk of severe food-induced allergic reactions.

Intentions and attitudes towards parenthood and fertility awareness among Chinese university students in Hong Kong: a comparison with Western samples.

STUDY QUESTION: What are the levels of awareness regarding female fertility and the intentions and attitudes towards parenthood among Chinese university students in Hong Kong compared with their counterparts in the West? SUMMARY ANSWER: Chinese university students in Hong Kong were similarly over-optimistic about the age-related fertility decline, although they were less inclined to have children and undergo fertility treatment compared with their Western counterparts. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Past studies of highly educated young adults in Europe and the USA have found that they are not sufficiently aware of the age-related decline in female fertility, and falsely believe that advanced reproductive treatments such as IVF will overcome fertility problems associated with age. Little is known about the perceptions of Chinese students in Hong Kong, a modernized Chinese city where the fertility rate is among the lowest in the world. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: An online cross-sectional survey of Chinese university students in Hong Kong was conducted in 2013. Results were compared with two similar studies in Sweden and the USA. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: A total of 367 university students in Hong Kong (275 female, 92 male; mean age 23) responded to an e-mail invitation to participate in an online survey. Intentions and attitudes towards parenthood and awareness regarding female fertility were assessed using the Swedish Fertility Awareness Questionnaire. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Like their Western counterparts, a large proportion of Chinese university students underestimated the age-related fertility decline (92%) and overestimated the fertility treatment success rate (66%). However, they were less inclined to have children, were more aware of and less concerned with infertility and were less motivated to seek solutions in the event of a fertility problem. These comparisons were significant at P < 0.05. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Self-selection bias was inevitable in the questionnaire survey, and the anonymous nature of the survey did not permit the collection of characteristics of non-responders. International comparisons warrant caution because the Hong Kong sample was older than the US sample (mean age 20), but not older than the Sweden sample (mean age 24). WIDER IMPLICATION OF FINDINGS: While this study was consistent with past Western studies on the lack of fertility awareness among highly educated young people, the findings reveal significant cultural differences in family planning and responses to infertility between Asia and the West.

Precautionary allergen labelling: perspectives from key stakeholder groups.

Precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) was introduced by the food industry to help manage and communicate the possibility of reaction from the unintended presence of allergens in foods. However, in its current form, PAL is counterproductive for consumers with food allergies. This review aims to summarize the perspectives of all the key stakeholders (including clinicians, patients, food industry and regulators), with the aim of defining common health protection and risk minimization goals. The lack of agreed reference doses has resulted in inconsistent application of PAL by the food industry and in levels of contamination that prompt withdrawal action by enforcement officers. So there is a poor relationship between the presence or absence of PAL and actual reaction risk. This has led to a loss of trust in PAL, reducing the ability of consumers with food allergies to make informed choices. The result has been reduced avoidance, reduced quality of life and increased risk-taking by consumers who often ignore PAL. All contributing stakeholders agree that PAL must reflect actual risk. PAL should be transparent and consistent with rules underpinning decision-making process being communicated clearly to all stakeholders. The use of PAL should indicate the possible, unintended presence of an allergen in a consumed portion of a food product at or above any proposed action level. This will require combined work by all stakeholders to ensure everyone understands the approach and its limitations. Consumers with food allergy then need to be educated to undertake individualized risk assessments in relation to any PAL present.

Angiographic factors associated with haemorrhagic presentation of brain arteriovenous malformation in a Chinese paediatric population.

OBJECTIVE: To identify specific angiographic factors associated with haemorrhagic presentation of brain arteriovenous malformation in Chinese paediatric patients. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional observational study. SETTING: Four locoregional tertiary neurosurgical centres in Hong Kong: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Tuen Mun Hospital, Kwong Wah Hospital, and Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. PATIENTS: Patients aged 18 years or younger who underwent pretreatment digital subtraction angiography for brain arteriovenous malformation between 1 January 2005 and 31 July 2013 were included. Patients were divided into haemorrhagic and non-haemorrhagic groups based on the initial presentation. Pretreatment digital subtraction angiographies were independently reviewed by two experienced neuroradiologists. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The following parameters were evaluated for their association with haemorrhagic presentation by univariate and multivariate analyses: nidus location, nidus size, nidus morphology (diffuse or compact); origin and number of arterial feeders; venous drainage; number of draining veins; presence of aneurysms, venous varices, and venous stenosis. RESULTS: A total of 67 children and adolescents (28 male, 39 female) with a mean age of 12 years were included. Of them, 52 (78%) presented with haemorrhage. Arteriovenous malformation size (P=0.004) and morphology (P=0.05) were found to be associated with haemorrhagic presentation by univariate analysis. Small arteriovenous malformation nidus size and diffuse nidal morphology were identified as independent risk factors for haemorrhage by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Smaller arteriovenous malformation size and diffuse nidal morphology are angiographic factors independently associated with haemorrhagic presentation. Bleeding risk is important in determining the therapeutic approach (aggressive vs conservative) and timeframe, particularly in paediatric patients.

Efficient biodiesel production by sulfonated carbon catalyst derived from waste glycerine pitch via single-step carbonisation and sulfonation.

Glycerine pitch is a highly alkaline residue from the oleochemical industry that contains glycerol and contaminants, such as water, soap, salt and ash. In this study, acidic heterogeneous glycerol-based carbon catalysts were synthesised for biodiesel production via single-step partial carbonisation and sulfonation using pure glycerol and glycerine pitch, producing products labelled as SGC and SGPC, respectively. Carbon materials were obtained by heating glycerol and concentrated sulfuric acid (1:3) at 200℃ for 1 h. The produced SGC and SGPC displayed high densities of sulfonic group (-SO3H), i.e. 1.49 and 1.00 mmol·g-1, respectively, alongside carboxylic (-COOH) and phenolic (-OH) acid. In the catalytic evaluation, excellent oleic acid conversions of 96.0 ± 0.4 % and 92.4 ± 0.5 % were achieved using SGC and SGPC, respectively, under optimised reaction conditions: 1:10 M ratio of oleic acid to methanol, 5 % (w/w) catalyst, 64℃ and 5 h. SGPC was found to be recyclable with 68.5 % conversion after the 6th cycle, which was attributed to the loss of -SO3H and catalyst deactivation by the deposition of oleic acid on its surface. Remarkably, despite the impurities present in the glycerine pitch, the obtained results demonstrated that the reactivity of SGPC is comparable to SGC and superior to that of commercial solid acid catalysts, which demonstrated that the presence of impurities appears to have minimal impact on the production of carbon materials and their properties.

Stress and anxiety-depression levels following first-trimester miscarriage: a comparison between women who conceived naturally and women who conceived with assisted reproduction.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the psychological impact following early miscarriage between women who conceived naturally and women who conceived following assisted reproduction. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Assisted reproduction clinic and general gynaecological unit in a university-affiliated, tertiary referral hospital. POPULATION: A cohort of 150 women (75 after natural conception; 75 after assisted reproduction). METHODS: Completed semi-structured interviews using two standard questionnaires [the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the 22-item Revised Impact of Events Scale (IES-R)], at 1, 4, and 12 weeks after a diagnosis of first-trimester miscarriage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The GHQ-12 and IES-R scores for the two groups of women. RESULTS: The GHQ-12 and IES-R scores were significantly higher in the assisted reproduction group than the scores in the natural conception group, at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after miscarriage. Further breakdown of the scores revealed significantly higher hyperarousal symptoms at 4 and 12 weeks in the assisted reproduction group, indicating the traumatic effect of miscarriage to these women. CONCLUSIONS: Following first-trimester miscarriage, subfertile women who conceived after assisted reproduction had higher stress and anxiety-depression levels, and experienced more traumatic impact from the event, than those after natural conception. A timely support and psychological intervention would be beneficial in the management of this group of women.

Sustained virological response following chronic hepatitis C treatment is associated with improvement in insulin resistance.

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance (IR) is a key factor in the development of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Little is known about the impact of viral clearance on IR. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of viral clearance on IR. METHODS: Eighty-six patients treated according to standard clinical practice at an Australian teaching hospital between 2003 and 2007 were prospectively studied. Demographic, biochemical and histological data were collected. RESULTS: The mean pretreatment homeostatic model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR) was similar in the sustained virological response (SVR) and non-SVR groups (2.7 ± 0.5 and 2.8 ± 0.4, respectively), and both values were consistent with significant IR. There was a significant improvement in HOMA-IR (from 3.0 ± 1.0 to 2.2 ± 0.5, P = 0.04) at the end of treatment in the SVR group only. This trended towards significance at 6 months post-treatment. Multiple regression analysis found improvement in both gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and alanine aminotransferase predicted improvement in HOMA-IR when controlled for other potential factors (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Hepatitis C virus clearance is associated with improvement in IR. Although baseline hepatic fibrosis is a predictor of IR, changes in IR appear to be independent of changes in liver fibrosis. Treatment-related improvement in gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and alanine aminotransferase seen with improved IR may be a possible marker of reduction of hepatic oxidative stress.

Can we define a tolerable level of risk in food allergy? Report from a EuroPrevall/UK Food Standards Agency workshop.

BACKGROUND: There is an emerging consensus that, as with other risks in society, zero risk for food-allergic people is not a realistic or attainable option. Food allergy challenge data and new risk assessment methods offer the opportunity to develop quantitative limits for unintended allergenic ingredients which can be used in risk-based approaches. However, a prerequisite to their application is defining a tolerable level of risk. This requires a value judgement and is ultimately a 'societal' decision that has to involve all relevant stakeholders. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the workshop was to bring together key representatives from the stakeholders (regulators, food industry, clinical researchers and patients), and for the first time ever discuss the definition of a tolerable level of risk with regard to allergic reactions to food. RESULTS: The discussions revealed a consensus that zero risk was not a realistic option and that it is essential to address the current lack of agreed action levels for cross-contamination with allergens if food allergen management practice is to be improved. The discussions also indicated that it was difficult to define and quantify a tolerable level of risk, although both the clinical and the industry groups tried to do so. A consensus emerged that doing nothing was not a viable option, and there was a strong desire to take action to improve the current situation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Two concrete actions were suggested: (1) Action levels should be derived from the data currently available. Different scenarios should be examined and further developed in an iterative process. On the basis of this work, a tolerable level of risk should be proposed. (2) 'One-dose' clinical trial with a low challenge dose should be performed in multiple centres to provide additional information about the general applicability of dose-distribution models and help validate the threshold levels derived.

Efficacy and safety of dose-modified docetaxel plus cisplatin-based induction chemotherapy in Asian patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: The beneficial effects of docetaxel plus cisplatin-based induction chemotherapy for patients with unresectable, advanced head and neck cancer (HNC) have been documented in Western countries. However, the efficacy of such treatment has not been confirmed in Asian patients. We aimed to determine whether incorporation of dose-modified docetaxel into a cisplatin-based induction regimen would be both effective and tolerable in our Asian population of patients. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with stage III or IV HNC who had undergone cisplatin-based induction chemotherapy were included in the current analysis. Fifty-three percentage of the patients had received induction chemotherapy with bolus cisplatin and continuous 5-fluorouracil (PF group), while the remaining 47% had additionally received dose-modified docetaxel (TPF group). We assessed the relative impact of the two treatments on clinical outcomes and treatment-related toxicities. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The disease control rate was higher in the TPF group (92·9% vs. 76·5%), although the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0·217). Addition of docetaxel increased the median progression-free survival to 435 days, which was 2·3 times longer than that (188 days) of patients not receiving docetaxel (P = 0·019). Non-haematological toxicity profile was similar and acceptable in both treatment groups. Higher incidence of grade 3/4 neutropenia and more episodes of neutropenic fever-related hospitalization occurred in the docetaxel-treated patients, but most of them were managed uneventfully. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Addition of dose-modified docetaxel to cisplatin-based induction chemotherapy was both efficacious and generally safe. Docetaxel addition significantly prolonged progression-free survival and had an acceptable safety profile in our Asian population of patients with locoregionally advanced HNC.

Is it feasible to discuss an advance directive with a Chinese patient with advanced malignancy? A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Advance directives have been implemented for years in western countries, but the concept is new to Asian cultures. According to traditional Chinese culture, family members usually play a decisive role in a patient's treatment plan. Thus it may be hard to implement an advance directive despite its importance to the treatment of patients. The objectives of this study were to assess the feasibility of advance directive engagement and to explore significant contributing factors to achieving such a goal. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Palliative Care Unit of Clinical Oncology, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: The subjects of the investigation were adult patients diagnosed to have advanced malignancy and newly referred to the hospice service from 24 April 2009 to 30 July 2009. Data were collected from nursing assessment forms, locally designed advance directive forms, a checklist completed by oncologists, and details available in the electronic hospital record. RESULTS: Of the 191 eligible patients, 120 (63%) had the advance directive, whereas 71 (37%) did not. In the Cox regression model, the patient having insight of a poor prognosis was the most significant factor facilitating advance directive engagement (P=0.001). Any family objection in the discussion of advance directives was also an important factor, though it did not reach statistical significance (P=0.082). Other factors like age, gender, education, religion, financial status, living environment, understanding the diagnosis, bereavement experience, type of cancer, nature of illness, courses of chemotherapy or radiotherapy received, main caregiver, in-house supporter, nurse-led clinic attendance, clinical psychologist consultation, and in-patient hospice nurse coordinator interview were all statistically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that it was feasible to discuss an advance directive with Chinese patients with advanced malignancy. When patients have insight about their poor prognosis and family members have no objection, it may be appropriate to discuss an advance directive.