OBJECTIVE. To analyse the association between income and health-related quality of life using the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) Chinese version in Hong Kong Chinese working population.

DESIGN. Cross-sectional observation study.

SETTING. A commercial company in Hong Kong.

PARTICIPANTS. All clerical and administrative staff of a commercial company was invited to participate; 876 of the 1003 staff agreed. The subjects were categorised into three income groups according to monthly income in Hong Kong dollars (low, <=10 000; middle, >10 000-25 000; high, >25 000). The mean age of the 288 men and 588 women was 34.9 (standard deviation, 7.9; median, 34.0; range, 18-71) years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES. SF-36 scores on health-related quality of life.

RESULTS. The distribution of income was 30% in high-, 54.8% in middle-, and 15.2% in low-income groups. Women had similar SF-36 scores among different income groups. In men, for most variables there was a significant positive linear correlation between income and SF-36 scores.

CONCLUSION. Low income is associated with a worse health-related quality of life in Hong Kong Chinese men.

Key words: Asian continental ancestry group; Hong Kong; Income; Quality of life

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OBJECTIVES. To determine the incidence of adverse events after ambulatory anaesthesia (postoperative nausea and vomiting, postoperative pain, difficulty in movement), and to evaluate the level of satisfaction of patients with our service.

DESIGN. Retrospective study with questionnaire survey.

SETTING. Tertiary referral centre, Hong Kong.

PARTICIPANTS. All patients whose duly completed questionnaires were available.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES. Incidence of adverse events and level of patient satisfaction.

RESULTS. A total of 9197 patients underwent surgery under general anaesthesia or neuraxial blockade by anaesthetists in ambulatory settings from October 1993 to December 2005: questionnaires filled out by 8231 of these patients were analysed, whereas 549 questionnaires were lost, and 417 patients could not be contacted. The response rate was 90%; 59% of the respondents were males, 50% were younger than 15 years and 5% older than 60 years. Fifty-one percent of surgery with anaesthetists' involvement was performed under general anaesthesia and 48.9% under general anaesthesia and regional blocks and 0.1% under neuraxial blockade. There were 3.3% of patients experienced postoperative nausea and vomiting, 60.2% experienced episodes of pain between the time of discharge and the time of interview, and 46% required analgesics. Nonetheless, 80% resumed normal activities within 5 hours after anaesthesia and 97.5% resumed normal diet the following morning. Over 99% rated our service as good or excellent.

CONCLUSION. Although ambulatory anaesthesia was associated with minor adverse events, patients could resume normal diet and daily activities quickly and were satisfied with the service.

Key words: Ambulatory care; Ambulatory surgical procedures; Anesthesia; Postoperative nausea and vomiting

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OBJECTIVE. To examine risk factors for injury to married women from domestic violence in Hong Kong.

DESIGN. Case control study.

SETTING. Regional public hospital, Hong Kong.

PATIENTS. All married women aged 18 to 60 years who attended an accident and emergency department for treatment of a domestic violence injury from January 2004 to June 2005.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES. Social and health characteristics of abused women and their husbands.

RESULTS. A total of 293 cases were compared to 313 controls. Eight predictive variables were found to be significant by univariate analysis: woman who is a new immigrant (P=0.003), woman with no job (P=0.019), husband with low educational level (P<0.001), presence of extramarital affairs (P<0.001), husband's unemployment (P<0.001), husband's alcohol abuse (P<0.001), husband's illicit drug abuse (P=0.032), husband's mental illness (P<0.001). Five factors were found to be significant in a logistic regression analysis: husband with a low educational level (nil to primary) [adjusted odds ratio=2.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.149-6.727], husband unemployed (adjusted odds ratio=9.031; 95% confidence interval, 5.163-15.796), presence of extramarital affairs (adjusted odds ratio=5.218; 95% confidence interval, 2.899-9.395), husband's alcohol abuse (adjusted odds ratio=6.089; 95% confidence interval, 3.460-10.716), husband's mental illness (adjusted odds ratio=9.443; 95% confidence interval, 2.351-37.926).

CONCLUSIONS. Several significant risk factors have been identified for injury incurred during domestic violence to married women in Hong Kong. It provides information useful for developing local preventive strategies.

Key words: Battered women; Domestic violence; Risk factors

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OBJECTIVE. To compare the efficacy of subcutaneous extralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection versus conservative treatment for chalazion.

DESIGN. Randomised controlled trial.

SETTING. Eye clinics of two regional hospitals in Hong Kong.

PATIENTS. Patients over 18 years old presenting with primary chalazion were randomised into two groups. In group 1, 12 patients were treated with lid hygiene, warm compresses, and chloramphenicol 1% ointment 4 times a day. In group 2, 16 patients were treated with 0.3 mL triamcinolone acetonide (10 mg/mL) injection to the subcutaneous tissue extralesionally via the percutaneous route. Exclusion criteria were: acutely infected chalazion with preseptal cellulitis, recurrent chalazion, small chalazion (<=2 mm), and prior treatment to chalazion.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES. Size of chalazion, recurrence of chalazion, intraocular pressure, and complications from treatment, including skin pigmentary change or atrophy and pyogenic granuloma.

RESULTS. There was a clinically and statistically significant difference between the success rates in group 1 (58.3%) and group 2 (93.8%). In group 1, the mean prior duration of chalazion before treatment was significantly shorter in success cases than in failed cases. One patient with multiple chalazia in group 2 developed hypopigmentary skin changes at one treatment site.

CONCLUSION. Lupus vulgaris and tuberculosis verrucosa cutis remain the commonest forms of true cutaneous tuberculosis, and erythema induratum is the most common tuberculid. Culture and polymerase chain reaction are positive in a small proportion of patients.

Key words: Chalazion; Injections, subcutaneous; Triamcinolone acetonide

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OBJECTIVE. To study the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with intestinal tuberculosis.

DESIGN. Retrospective study.

SETTING. United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong.

PATIENTS. Patients with intestinal tuberculosis diagnosed between January 1995 and December 2004 inclusive.

RESULTS. The median age of the 13 male and 9 female patients was 53 years (range, 12-81 years). Nineteen (86%) had a definitive diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis confirmed by the presence of caseating granulomas and/or acid-fast bacilli in histological specimens. In three (14%) the diagnosis was based on histology revealing non-caseating granulomas and a positive response to anti-tuberculous treatment. Common symptoms included abdominal pain (82%), diarrhoea (55%), weight loss (55%), and fever (45%). Three (14%) of the patients were complicated by intestinal obstruction, and another two (9%) had intestinal perforation. Four (18%) had concomitant active pulmonary tuberculosis. The most frequently involved site was the ileocaecal region, which was affected in 19 (86%) patients. Other sites included the jejunum, ascending and sigmoid colon. The diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis was facilitated by examination of colonoscopic biopsy specimens (11 patients), and by examination of resected surgical specimens in the remainder. Two patients died from terminal malignancy. The remainder completed anti-tuberculous therapy and responded satisfactorily.

CONCLUSIONS. The diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis is difficult due to the lack of specific signs or symptoms. Colonoscopy with ileoscopy are useful tools in the search for colonic and terminal ileal tuberculosis. Surgical exploration is reserved for equivocal cases and for those who present as emergencies.

Key words: Cecum; Colonoscopy; Granuloma; Ileum; Tuberculosis, gastrointestinal

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