Screening Of Pulmonary Hypertension in Methamphetamine Abusers (SOPHMA): rationale and design of a multicentre, cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Methamphetamine misuse is classified as a 'likely' risk factor for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Nevertheless, the actual prevalence of and a screening strategy for PAH in methamphetamine users have not been established. We plan to study the prevalence of PAH and identify its independent risk factors among methamphetamine users. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Screening Of Pulmonary Hypertension in Methamphetamine Abusers (SOPHMA) study will be a multicentre, cross-sectional screening study that will involve substance abuse clinics, hospitals and rehabilitation facilities in Hong Kong that cater to more than 20 methamphetamine users. A total of 400 patients who (1) are ≥18 years at enrolment; (2) report methamphetamine use in the last 2 years; (3) are diagnosed with methamphetamine use disorder; and (4) voluntarily agree to participate by providing written informed consent will be included. Patients will undergo standard echocardiography-based PAH screening procedures recommended for those with systemic sclerosis. Right heart catheterisation will be offered to participants with intermediate or high echocardiographic probability of PAH. For participants with a low echocardiographic probability of PAH, rescreening will be performed within 1 year. The primary measure will be the prevalence of PAH in methamphetamine users. The secondary measures will be the risk factors and a prediction model for PAH in methamphetamine users. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The SOPHMA study has been approved by the institutional review board. The findings of this study will provide the necessary evidence to establish universal guidelines for screening of PAH in methamphetamine users. Our results will be disseminated through immediate feedback to study participants, press release to the general public, as well as presentation in medical conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals to healthcare providers and academia worldwide.

Validation of the Chinese version of Perception of Care in an acute psychiatric ward in Hong Kong.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to validate and culturally adapt the Perception of Care (PoC) for patients receiving acute psychiatric inpatient services in Hong Kong. METHODS: The PoC was translated and culturally adapted into a written Chinese version (C-PoC). Subjects completed C-PoC, Chinese version of Admission Experience Survey (C-AES) and World Health Organization Quality of Life Measure (WHOQOL-BREF). They were then rated by assessors with Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety and Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale. Explorative factor analysis and correlation between C-PoC, WHOQOL-BREF and C-AES served as the theoretical basis of construct validity. Multivariate analysis was used to identify predictors of satisfaction. RESULTS: The C-PoC has a four-factor structure that resembles the original scale with demonstrating satisfactory construct validity and test-re-test reliability. Psychiatric symptom ratings did not predict any satisfaction ratings. Extrapyramidal symptoms predicted poorer satisfaction. Younger patients with affective diagnoses had better satisfaction. DISCUSSION: The C-PoC is a psychometrically sound translation of the original scale. The current study paves the way for further studies among Chinese-speaking communities on the determinants and implications of patients' satisfaction by offering a psychometrically sound and yet concise instrument.