Hong Kong consensus recommendations on the management of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

This project was undertaken to develop the first set of consensus statements regarding the management of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in Hong Kong, with the goal of providing guidance to local clinicians. A multidisciplinary panel of experts discussed issues surrounding current PDAC management and reviewed evidence gathered in the local context to propose treatment recommendations. The experts used the Delphi approach to finalise management recommendations. Consensus was defined as ≥80% acceptance among all expert panel members. Thirty-nine consensus statements were established. These statements cover all aspects of PDAC management, including diagnosis, resectability criteria, treatment modalities according to resectability, personalised management based on molecular profiling, palliative care, and supportive care. This project fulfils the need for guidance regarding PDAC management in Hong Kong. To assist clinicians with treatment decisions based on varying levels of evidence and clinical experience, treatment options are listed in several consensus statements.

Risks and impacts of thromboembolism in patients with pancreatic cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with pancreatic cancer have a high risk of thromboembolism (TE), which may increase mortality. Most relevant studies have been conducted in Western populations. We investigated risk factors for TE in a predominantly Chinese population of patients with pancreatic cancer, along with effects of TE on overall survival. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients diagnosed with exocrine pancreatic cancer in Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong between 2010 and 2015. Data regarding patient demographics, World Health Organization performance status, stage, treatment, TE-related information, and time of death (if applicable) were retrieved from electronic medical records. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for TE. Survival analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: In total, 365 patients were included in the study. The overall incidence of TE (14.8%) was lower than in Western populations. In univariate logistic regression analysis, stage IV disease and non-head pancreatic cancer were significantly associated with TE (both P=0.01). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that stage IV disease was a significant risk factor (odds ratio=1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.00-1.17; P=0.046). Median overall survival did not significantly differ between patients with and without TE (4.88 months vs 7.80 months, hazard ratio=1.08, 95% CI=0.80-1.49; P=0.58) and between patients with TE who received anticoagulation treatment or not (5.63 months vs 4.77 months, hazard ratio=0.72, 95% CI=0.40-1.29; P=0.27). CONCLUSION: The incidence of TE was low in our Chinese cohort. Stage IV disease increased the risk of TE. Overall survival was not affected by TE or its treatment.

Consensus recommendations for the screening, diagnosis, and management of Helicobacter pylori infection in Hong Kong.

Helicobacter pylori infection causes chronic gastric inflammation that contributes to various gastroduodenal diseases, including peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. Despite broad regional variations, the prevalence of resistance to antibiotics used to manage H pylori infection is increasing worldwide; this trend could hinder the success of eradication therapy. To increase awareness of H pylori and improve the diagnosis and treatment of its infection in Hong Kong, our consensus panel proposed a set of guidance statements for disease management. We conducted a comprehensive review of literature published during 2011 and 2021, with a focus on articles from Hong Kong or other regions of China. We evaluated the evidence using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine's 2011 Levels of Evidence and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system and sought consensus through online voting and a subsequent face-to-face meeting, which enabled us to develop and refine the guidance statements. This report consists of 24 statements regarding the epidemiology and burden, screening and diagnosis, and treatment of H pylori. Key guidance statements include a recommendation to use the test-and-treat approach for high-risk individuals, as well as the confirmation that triple therapy with a proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin remains a valid first-line option for adults and children in Hong Kong.