The influence of the Chinese zodiac on the male-to-female ratio at birth in Hong Kong

We examined the epidemiological profiles and characteristics of suicide attempters admitted to the Accident and Emergency Department of a regional hospital in Hong Kong (Princess Margaret Hospital) in the period from January to December 1995. These consisted of 101 adolescents (16 males and 85 females) aged between 10 to 24 years. There were significantly more female attempters than males, especially in the group aged 10-19, which had a male-to-female ratio of suicide rates of 1:11. Most of the methods used were nonlethal; the attempters were not serious enough and had no real intention to die. The use of painkillers and sleeping pills was most common. The main precipitating factor was interpersonal problems, for example, relationships, spousal and parental problems, especially among teenage girls. More than 90% of the cases stayed at the hospital for further observation, the mean length of stay in the hospital being 3.3 days. The potential health cost to the hospital system was around HK$ 11.7 million. Underestimating the prevalence of attempted suicides in Hong Kong could be a serious matter.

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Seasonality of tuberculosis in intermediate endemicity setting dominated by reactivation diseases in Hong Kong

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-99651-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Leonia Hiu Wan Lau ◽

Ngai Sze Wong ◽

Chi Chiu Leung ◽

Chi Kuen Chan ◽

Alexis K. H. Lau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Regression Models ◽

Seasonal Pattern ◽

The Elderly ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Recent Infection ◽

Female Ratio ◽

Clinical Presentations ◽

Intermediate Endemicity ◽

Male To Female

AbstractSummer-spring predominance of tuberculosis (TB) has been widely reported. The relative contributions of exogenous recent infection versus endogenous reactivation to such seasonality remains poorly understood. Monthly TB notifications data between 2005 and 2017 in Hong Kong involving 64,386 cases (41% aged ≥ 65; male-to-female ratio 1.74:1) were examined for the timing, amplitude, and predictability of variation of seasonality. The observed seasonal variabilities were correlated with demographics and clinical presentations, using wavelet analysis coupled with dynamic generalised linear regression models. Overall, TB notifications peaked annually in June and July. No significant annual seasonality was demonstrated for children aged ≤ 14 irrespective of gender. The strongest seasonality was detected in the elderly (≥ 65) among males, while seasonal pattern was more prominent in the middle-aged (45–64) and adults (30–44) among females. The stronger TB seasonality among older adults in Hong Kong suggested that the pattern has been contributed largely by reactivation diseases precipitated by defective immunity whereas seasonal variation of recent infection was uncommon.

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Study of the Relationship Between Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and Autistic Disorder

Journal of Child Neurology ◽

10.2310/7010.2006.00046 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 199-204 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Virginia Wong

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Tuberous Sclerosis ◽

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex ◽

Autistic Disorder ◽

Pervasive Developmental Disorders ◽

Developmental Disorders ◽

Eastern Region ◽

Behavioral Phenotypes ◽

Female Ratio ◽

Male To Female

There has been increasing awareness that there are behavioral phenotypes in tuberous sclerosis complex with neuropsychiatric symptom complex such as autistic disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the neurobiologic basis of autistic disorder in tuberous sclerosis complex is still unknown. We studied two cohorts of children followed up since 1986 until 2003, one cohort with tuberous sclerosis complex and another cohort with autistic disorder, to determine the incidence of autistic disorder in tuberous sclerosis complex and the incidence of tuberous sclerosis complex in autistic disorder respectively. We established a Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Registry in 1985 at the University of Hong Kong. In 2004, 44 index cases (the male to female ratio was 0.75:1) were registered. Three had a positive family history of tuberous sclerosis complex. Thus, the total number of tuberous sclerosis complex cases was 47. We adopted the diagnostic criteria of tuberous sclerosis complex for case ascertainment. The period prevalence rate of tuberous sclerosis complex for children and adolescents aged < 20 years is 3.5 per 10,000 (on Hong Kong island, excluding the eastern region with 125,100 aged < 20 years in 2003). Of 44 cases with tuberous sclerosis complex, 7 had autistic disorder. Thus, the incidence of autistic disorder in tuberous sclerosis complex is 16%. During the 17-year period (1986—2003), we collected a database of 753 children (668 boys and 84 girls; male to female ratio 8:1) with autistic disorder and pervasive developmental disorders. For all children with autistic disorder or pervasive developmental disorders, we routinely examined for any features of tuberous sclerosis complex by looking for neurocutaneous markers such as depigmented spots, which appear in 50% of children with tuberous sclerosis complex by the age of 2 years. For those with infantile spasm or epilepsy, the clinical features of tuberous sclerosis complex were monitored regularly during follow-up. Of these, seven had tuberous sclerosis complex. Thus, the incidence of tuberous sclerosis complex in autistic disorder is 0.9%. All of these children are mentally retarded, with moderate to severe grades in an intellectual assessment conducted by a clinical psychologist. Future studies should be directed toward looking at the various behavioral phenotypes in tuberous sclerosis complex and defining these with standardized criteria to look for any real association with the underlying genetic mutation of TSC1 or TSC2 gene or even the site of tubers in the brain. ( J Child Neurol 2006;21:199—204; DOI 10.2310/7010.2006.00046).

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Ulcerative Colitis in the Chinese Population of Vancouver, British Columbia

Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology ◽

10.1155/1994/821476 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 303-307 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hugh Chaun ◽

Hugh J Freeman

Keyword(s):

Ulcerative Colitis ◽

British Columbia ◽

Hong Kong ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Age At Diagnosis ◽

Chinese Patients ◽

Female Ratio ◽

Clinical Records ◽

Age Range ◽

Male To Female

The clinical records of 22 Chinese patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) seen in Vancouver, British Columbia from 1975 to 1989 were reviewed. There was a predominance of males, with a male to female ratio of 1.75:1. The age range at diagnosis was 14 to 67 years (mean 38.9). Eighteen of the 22 patients were immigrants, and one was a visitor from Hong Kong. The age at diagnosis of the three Canadian-born patients (14, 26 and 26 years old) was less than the mean age at diagnosis of the immigrant group. The immigrants had resided in Canada for a mean of 9.3 years before developing symptoms of UC. Despite the rarity of UC in Hong Kong, 59% of the Chinese patients in this series were Hong Kong immigrants. This study demonstrates that UC is not as uncommon a disease in Chinese as had been previously perceived. Adequate time is apparently necessary for exposure to environmental factors in the pathogenesis of UC. The opportunity for continued study of defined ethnic immigrant populations in North America may yield useful information related to environmental factors that may be important in the etiology and pathogenesis of UC.

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Disparities between IgG4-related kidney disease and extrarenal IgG4-related disease in a case–control study based on 450 patients

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89844-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Qiaozhu Zeng ◽

Jingyuan Gao ◽

Xinyu Zhang ◽

Aichun Liu ◽

Zhenfan Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Kidney Disease ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Imaging Finding ◽

Age At Onset ◽

Female Ratio ◽

Related Disease ◽

Igg4 Related Disease ◽

Peking University ◽

Chinese Cohort ◽

Male To Female

AbstractWe aimed to compare the demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics between IgG4-related kidney disease (IgG4-RKD+) and extrarenal IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RKD−) in a large Chinese cohort, as well as describing the radiological and pathological features of IgG4-RKD+. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 470 IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) patients at Peking University People’s Hospital from January 2004 to January 2020. The demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiological and pathological characteristics between IgG4-RKD+ and IgG4-RKD− were compared. Twenty IgG4-RD patients who had definite etiology of renal impairment including diabetes, hypertension and etc. were excluded. Among the remained 450 IgG4-RD patients, 53 were diagnosed with IgG4-RKD+ . IgG4-RKD+ patients had older age at onset and at diagnosis. Male to female ratio of IgG4-RKD+ patients is significantly higher. In the IgG4-RKD+ group, the most commonly involved organs were salivary gland, lymph nodes and pancreas. It was found that renal function was impaired in approximately 40% of IgG4-RKD+ patients. The most common imaging finding is multiple, often bilateral, hypodense lesions. Male sex, more than three organs involved, and low serum C3 level were risk factors for IgG4-RKD+ in IgG4-RD patients. These findings indicate potential differences in pathogenesis of these two phenotypes.

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P129 The utility of routine operative swab culture in uncomplicated peri-anal abscesses

BJS Open ◽

10.1093/bjsopen/zrab032.128 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Apoorva Khajuria ◽

Tuba Rahim ◽

Mariam Baig ◽

Kai Leong ◽

Apoorva Khajuria

Keyword(s):

Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽

Perianal Abscess ◽

Female Ratio ◽

Incision And Drainage ◽

Common Presentation ◽

History Of ◽

Inflammatory Bowel ◽

Operative Findings ◽

The Cost ◽

Male To Female

Abstract Introduction Despite perianal abscess being a common presentation, certain aspects of its management remain controversial, especially the routine use of intra-operative swab cultures. Methods A retrospective review of patients that underwent incision and drainage procedures for a perianal abscess over a six-month period was undertaken. Results Over 6 months, 50 patients were identified. The male to female ratio was 3:1 and median ASA score was 1. Only 6/50 patients presented with recurrent abscess and 1 patient had history of inflammatory bowel disease. On the basis of operative findings, 39 patients (78%) had uncomplicated abscess (not associated with cellulitis, sinus or fistula); swab cultures were performed in 26 (67%) of these patients. All patients were discharged on the same day; microbiology reports did not impact the treatment and no patients were followed up in clinic post-operatively or presented with recurrence. The number of unnecessary microbiology swabs undertaken in this cohort equates to approximately 52 unnecessary swabs a year. The cost of one swab is £10.10p, which means £520 could potentially be saved annually. Conclusion Routine intra-operative swab cultures do not impact management decisions, add to unnecessary costs and therefore should not be undertaken in uncomplicated or first presentation of peri-anal abscesses.

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High rates of gastroesophageal cancers in patients with dyspepsia undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in Uganda

Endoscopy International Open ◽

10.1055/a-1480-7231 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 09 (07) ◽

pp. E997-E1000

Author(s):

Ronald Mbiine ◽

Cephas Nakanwagi ◽

Olivia Kituuka

Keyword(s):

Positive Association ◽

Referral Hospital ◽

Outcome Variable ◽

Mulago Hospital ◽

Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy ◽

Female Ratio ◽

Mulago National Referral Hospital ◽

Male To Female ◽

Upper Gastrointestinal ◽

National Referral Hospital

Abstract Background and study aims Dyspepsia is the most common presenting symptom in the gastrointestinal clinic of Mulago National Referral hospital. The etiology is essentially not fully described in our patient population. This study was therefore conducted to establish the causes of dyspepsia based on endoscopic diagnosis among patients with dyspepsia seeking care at the National Referral hospital of Uganda. Patients and methods This retrospective study conducted in the endoscopy unit of Mulago hospital reviewed 356 patient endoscopy reports spanning January 2018 to July 2020 with a focus on those with a referral indication of dyspepsia. Age and sex were the independent variables of interest while the endoscopy findings as reported by the endoscopist were the outcome variable of interest. Results Of the 356 endoscopy reports reviewed, 159 met the inclusion criterion of dyspepsia as the indication. Participant mean age was 47.7 years (± 16.53) with the majority (25.79 %) in the fifth decade while the male to female ratio was 1. The majority of patients had organic dyspepsia (90.57 %) while the commonest finding was gastritis 69 (43.4 %). Gastroesophageal cancers represented (18) 11.32 % of all findings. There was a positive association between age > 50 years with gastroesophageal cancers (7.639) as well as age < 50 years and functional dyspepsia (2.794); however, all these were not statistically significant (P = 0.006 and (P = 0.095, respectively). Conclusions Organic/structural dyspepsia comprises over 90 % of investigated dyspepsia with 11 % comprising cancer among patients seeking endoscopy at the National Referral Hospital of Uganda.

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The Epidemiology of Household Rodenticides Poisoning in Hong Kong and its Risk Factors for Developing Coagulopathy

Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine ◽

10.1177/102490791402100601 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 21 (6) ◽

pp. 339-345 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

N Othman ◽

Ck Chan ◽

Fl Lau

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hong Kong ◽

Emergency Departments ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Case Series ◽

Female Ratio ◽

Intentional Ingestion ◽

Accident And Emergency ◽

Case Series Study ◽

Clinically Significant

Objective To (1) describe the epidemiology of household rodenticides poisoning in Hong Kong, (2) evaluate the proportion of patients who have develop coagulopathy after rodenticide poisoning, (3) identify the risk factors for developing coagulopathy in rodenticide poisoning. Design Case series study. Setting Sixteen accident and emergency departments in Hong Kong. Patients Patients with household rodenticide ingestion who presented to accident and emergency departments during the period from July 2008 to February 2012. Results 110 patients were reported to have rodenticide exposure during the study period. Eighty-seven patients were included in the final analysis. The mean age was 40.1 and the male-to-female ratio was 1.29:1 (49:38). Most patients (91%) took the rodenticide intentionally. Sixty-nine patients (79%) exposed to anticoagulants type of rodenticide based on history or laboratory findings. The ingredient of the rodenticide ingested in 18 patients (21%) was untraceable. The only clinically significant presentation reported after rodenticide exposure was coagulopathy. Thirty-one patients (36%) developed coagulopathy with an international normalised ratio greater or equal to 1.3. Clinical significant bleeding was only observed in one patient. Presence of coagulopathy in rodenticide poisoning was significantly associated with older patient, intentional ingestion, ingestion of warfarin, ingestion of more than one pack and presence of co-ingestion. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that only two factors were independent predictor of coagulopathy: Ingestion of warfarin rodenticide (p=0.001, odds ratio [OR] = 18.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]=3.44-96.42), and ingestion of more than one pack of rodenticide (p=0.02, OR=10.01, 95% CI=1.43-69.87). Conclusions Clinically significant household rodenticide poisoning in Hong Kong is solely related to ingestion of anticoagulant type of rodenticide. Patients who have ingested warfarin rodenticide and higher ingestion dose are more likely in developing coagulopathy. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2014;21:339-345)

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Astrocytomas of the spinal cord in children and adolescents

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/jns.1985.63.5.0669 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 63 (5) ◽

pp. 669-675 ◽

Cited By ~ 135

Author(s):

Ronald Reimer ◽

Burton M. Onofrio

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Histological Grade ◽

Extended Period ◽

Spinal Deformities ◽

Duration Of Symptoms ◽

Female Ratio ◽

Content Type ◽

Orthopedic Procedure ◽

Male To Female ◽

Fine Print

✓ The authors review 32 cases of spinal cord astrocytoma in patients under 20 years of age who were treated at the Mayo Clinic between 1955 and 1980. There was a 1.3:1 male to female ratio. Twenty patients were between 6 and 15 years of age at the time of diagnosis. The duration of symptoms prior to definitive diagnosis varied from 5 days to 9 years, with an average of 24 months. The most common symptoms were pain (62.5%), gait disturbance (43.7%), numbness (18.8%), and sphincteric dysfunction (18.8%). The most common neurological findings were a Babinski response (50.0%), posterior column sensory dysfunction (40.6%), and paraparesis (37.5%). A median follow-up period of 8.6 years (range 0.8 to 25.5 years) revealed that the survival time diminished with increased histological grade of the astrocytoma (p < 0.001). The development of postlaminectomy spinal deformities represented a serious postoperative complication. This occurred in 13 patients and was first recognized between 8 and 90 months postoperatively. Six deformities occurred following cervical laminectomy, and eight patients required at least one orthopedic procedure. It is crucial to follow these patients for an extended period of time to watch for postoperative spinal deformities.

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Clinicohematological Study of Thrombocytosis in Children

ISRN Hematology ◽

10.1155/2014/389257 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Nathiya Subramaniam ◽

Suneel Mundkur ◽

Pushpa Kini ◽

Nalini Bhaskaranand ◽

Shrikiran Aroor

Keyword(s):

Platelet Count ◽

Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Prospective Observational Study ◽

Myelogenous Leukemia ◽

Distribution Width ◽

Female Ratio ◽

Reactive Thrombocytosis ◽

Acute Myelogenous ◽

Male To Female ◽

Primary Thrombocytosis

Introduction. Primary thrombocytosis is very rare in children; reactive thrombocytosis is frequently observed in children with infections, anemia, and many other causes. Aims and Objectives. To identify the etiology of thrombocytosis in children and to analyze platelet indices (MPV, PDW, and PCT) in children with thrombocytosis. Study Design. A prospective observational study. Material and Methods. A total of 1000 patients with thrombocytosis (platelet > 400×109/L) were studied over a period of 2 years. Platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), and plateletcrit (PCT) were noted. Results. Of 1000 patients, 99.8% had secondary thrombocytosis and only two children had primary thrombocytosis (chronic myeloid leukemia and acute myelogenous leukemia, M7). The majority of the children belonged to the age group of 1month to 2 years (39.7%) and male to female ratio was 1.6 : 1. Infection with anemia (48.3%) was the most common cause of secondary thrombocytosis followed by iron deficiency alone (17.2%) and infection alone (16.2%). Respiratory infection (28.3%) was the predominant infectious cause observed. Thrombocytosis was commonly associated with IDA among all causes of anemia and severity of thrombocytosis increased with severity of anemia (P=0.021). With increasing platelet count, there was a decrease in MPV (<0.001). Platelet count and mean PDW among children with infection and anemia were significantly higher than those among children with infection alone and anemia alone. None were observed to have thromboembolic manifestations. Conclusions. Primary thrombocytosis is extremely rare in children than secondary thrombocytosis. Infections in association with anemia are most commonly associated with reactive thrombocytosis and severity of thrombocytosis increases with severity of anemia.

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