OBJECTIVES. To assess the validity (face validity and criterion-related validity) and reliability (test-retest reliability and internal consistency) of a Cantonese (the Chinese dialect predominantly used in Guangdong Province) version of the Cardiff Acne Disability Index.

DESIGN. Questionnaire study.

SETTING. Two secondary schools in Hong Kong.

PARTICIPANTS. The Chinese Cardiff Acne Disability Index was translated according to international guidelines including forward-backward translation, reconciliation, and cognitive debriefing. A questionnaire, which was composed of the resultant Chinese Cardiff Acne Disability Index and the Cantonese Dermatology Life Quality Index (for those aged more than 16 years) or the Cantonese Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (for those aged 16 years or less) was administered to 85 eligible secondary school students.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES. Establishing face validity, criterion-related validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability by standard testing.

RESULTS. The face validity was satisfactory. The strength of the relationship between the Chinese Cardiff Acne Disability Index and Dermatology Life Quality Index was large (gammas=0.58) and significant (P=0.004). The strength of relationship between the Chinese Cardiff Acne Disability Index and Cantonese Dermatology Life Quality Index was also large (gammas=0.72) and significant (P<0.001). Regarding internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha was 0.763. Thirty-three students completed the test-retest reliability test, and the resulting correlation of the first and second administration of the Chinese Cardiff Acne Disability Index was strong (gammas=0.795, P<0.001). The intra-class correlation coefficient was satisfactory (0.784, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION. The Chinese Cardiff Acne Disability Index was equivalent to the original English version, and constitutes a valid and reliable tool for day-to-day clinical use.

Key words: Acne vulgaris; Disability evaluation; Quality of life; Questionnaires; Translating

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OBJECTIVES. To review the oesophagogastroduodenoscopy findings in children with severe neurological impairment and 'normal' children, over a 7-year period from 2000 to 2007.

DESIGN. Retrospective study.

SETTING. Paediatric Unit of Caritas Medical Centre, Hong Kong.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES. The frequencies of Helicobacter pylori status, peptic ulceration, and oesophagitis were compared. The diagnostic value of oesophagogastroduodenoscopy in these two groups of children was also examined.

PATIENTS. Patient data were retrieved from the Hospital Authority Clinical Management system, excluding those under surgical care. The children were divided into two groups: 'normal' and neurologically impaired. Their demographic data, indications for oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, endoscopy diagnoses, and Helicobacter pylori status were compared, as was the diagnostic value of oesophagogastroduodenoscopy.

RESULTS. From 2000 to 2007, 223 oesophagogastroduodenoscopies were performed in 176 patients aged 3 to 22 years; 134 were performed in 'normal' children (median age, 14; range, 3-22 years) and 89 in neurologically impaired children (median age, 12; range, 3-20 years). The three most common indications in 'normal' children were: epigastric pain (60%), gastro-intestinal bleeding (13%), and vomiting (7%). In neurologically impaired children, they were gastro-intestinal bleeding (51%), assessment for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (27%), and follow-up for previous lesions (9%). Among 'normal' children, 14 had duodenal ulcers (associated with Helicobacter pylori in 13), but no patients had gastric ulcers or oesophagitis. Among neurologically impaired children, one had a Helicobacter pylori–negative duodenal ulcer, and four had gastric ulcers (three were Helicobacter pylori–positive). Twenty-four neurologically impaired children had oesophagitis. Neurologically impaired children had significantly more oesophagitis and gastric ulcers (P<0.001 and P=0.004, respectively) but less duodenal ulcers (P=0.024). In 111 children who had gastric biopsies, the Helicobacter pylori infection rate was 35% (31% in 'normal' children and 43% in the neurologically impaired). The diagnostic value was 37% in 'normal' children and 81% in the neurologically impaired (P<0.001). The overall diagnostic value of oesophagogastroduodenoscopy was 50%.

CONCLUSION. The clinical presentation and endoscopic findings in 'normal' and neurologically impaired children were discrepant. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy appeared to confer greater diagnostic value in neurologically impaired than 'normal' children. Diagnostic values in our unit were comparable to reports from western studies.

Key words: Child; Gastritis; Helicobacter infections; Helicobacter pylori; Stomach ulcer

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OBJECTIVES. Objective To investigate the demographics and clinical outcomes of intimate partner violence victims presenting to an emergency department.

DESIGN. Retrospective, observational study.

SETTING. Emergency department of a regional hospital in Hong Kong.

PATIENTS. Adults presented with intimate partner violence during years 1999 to 2004.

RESULTS. We assessed 1695 victims of intimate partner violence with a mean age of 39 (range, 18-84) years, of whom 87% were female. Most of the patients were in the age-group of 31 to 40 years and the overall male-to-female ratio was 1:7. In Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long districts, such cases appeared to be on the increase. Nearly two thirds (65%) of all the victims presented to the emergency department outside the office hours of medical social workers. Approximately 10% had been abused once before, and 40% more than twice. The head (39%), face (30%), upper limbs (37%), and lower limbs (17%) were commonly the injured parts. The majority (73%) had mild injuries; severe injuries being relatively less common. The latter included lacerations or cuts (6.6%), nasal bone fractures (0.3%), limb fractures (0.8%), and ruptured tympanic membranes (0.9%). In-patient management was undertaken for 8% of the victims, due to physical injury in 68% of these individuals and psychological trauma in the remaining 32%. The hospital admission rate dropped from 12% in 2001 to 4% in 2004.

CONCLUSIONS. Variations in demographic data had a significant impact on future service planning and management of intimate partner violence. Accident and Emergency Department and Emergency Medicine Ward services together with extended social worker support could provide timely, multidisciplinary care to meet the various needs of victims and subsequently reduce hospital admissions.

Key words: Battered women; Domestic violence; Emergency medical services; Prevalence; Spouse abuse

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OBJECTIVE. Objectives To explore the prevalence of various categories of hypertension in diabetic patients, and assess any corresponding associations with end-organ complications.

DESIGN. Cross-sectional study.

SETTING. Tertiary centre of a regional hospital in Hong Kong.

PATIENTS. All ambulatory type 2 diabetic patients attending our clinics from January 2002 to November 2004 were invited to participate in the protocol.

RESULTS. A total of 133 diabetic patients were included; 82 had normal clinic blood pressures, 15 (18%) of whom had masked hypertension, the remaining 67 (82%) had 'normotension' The remaining 51 patients had high clinic blood pressures, of whom 28 (55%) had white-coat hypertension and 23 (45%) had sustained hypertension. Urinary albumin excretion rate was higher in patients with masked hypertension (10 mg/day; range, 7-580 mg/day) and sustained hypertension (7 mg/day; 7-3360 mg/day) in comparison to those with white-coat hypertension (7 mg/day; 7-109 mg/day) or 'normotension'(7 mg/day; 7-181 mg/day) [P<0.01]. Likewise, the prevalence of albuminuria was significantly higher in patients with masked hypertension (40%) and sustained hypertension (26%) than in those with 'normotension'(6%) and white-coat hypertension (11%) [P<0.01]. The prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy was significantly higher in subjects with masked hypertension (38%) and sustained hypertension (26%) compared to patients with 'normotension'(8%) or white-coat hypertension (11%) [P<0.01]. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was more prevalent in patients with masked hypertension (46%), sustained hypertension (48%), and white-coat hypertension (43%) in comparison to subjects with 'normotension'(18%) [P=0.01].

CONCLUSION. Masked hypertension is associated with a higher prevalence of albuminuria, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, and hypertrophy. White-coat hypertension carries a more benign prognosis than sustained hypertension and masked hypertension. Our cross-sectional study supports the recommendation to performing ambulatory blood pressure measurements in type 2 diabetic patients.

Key words: Albuminuria; Blood pressure monitoring, ambulatory; Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Hypertension

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OBJECTIVES. To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of patients with renal stone in Hong Kong, and awareness of corresponding prevention strategies.

DESIGN. Telephone public survey.

SETTING. Hong Kong community.

PARTICIPANTS. A public telephone survey concerning the occurrence of renal stone disease and the public awareness of the condition was performed. Respondents whose telephone numbers were randomly selected by computer and the family member of the household who had the closest birthday to that date was chosen for interview. Data collected were further adjusted for the gender and age distribution of the Hong Kong population in mid-2007.

RESULTS. A total of 1010 Hong Kong citizens aged 18 years or above were successfully interviewed in November 2007. Among them, 25 respondents themselves had a history of renal stones, yielding a point prevalence of 2.5%. In addition, 70 respondents had family members with a history of renal stones, yielding an estimated household point prevalence of 6.9%. Stone patients were mainly older, male, and imbibed less fluids than the average for all respondents. The public's concepts with regard to the diet necessary and the importance of taking more fluid to prevent stone formation was poor.

CONCLUSION. Hong Kong has a relatively low prevalence of renal stone disease, compared to neighbouring areas. However, the local public and affected patients had little knowledge and awareness about this important health problem.

Key words: Demography; Food habits; Kidney calculi; Prevalence; Primary prevention

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