Publications (107)411.37 Total impact
-
Article: Rasch analysis of the scoring scheme of the HADS Depression subscale in Chinese stroke patients.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a widely used screening instrument for depression in medically ill patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the optimal scoring scheme, unidimensionality and item fit of the depression subscale of the HADS (HADS-D) in stroke survivors. A research assistant administered the HADS-D to 100 Chinese patients with acute stroke who were consecutively admitted to a general hospital. A psychiatrist, who was blind to the HADS-D scores, administered the SCID-DSM-III-R to all 100 patients and made a DSM-IV diagnosis of depression, which served as the benchmark for judging the performance of the HADS-D in screening for depression. Rasch analysis has shown that the HADS-D was unidimensional; low endorsements for the higher coded alternative response categories were found in the sample. In clinical samples with a low frequency of depression, the scoring categories of the HADS-D may be reduced.Psychiatry Research 03/2007; 150(1):97-103. · 2.52 Impact Factor -
Article: Quality of life measures for depressed and non-depressed Chinese older people.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To compare the perception of quality of life (QoL) between depressed and non-depressed Chinese older people in Hong Kong and examined the factors that influence this perception. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 80 older people with a diagnosis of depression and 179 non-depressed controls. The depressed group had a lower rating in perceived QoL in all aspects than the non-depressed group. Level of depression and functional abilities were predictors of quality of life ratings for the both groups and activities of daily living was the predictor of quality of life for the depressed group only. The study identified the subjective perception of QoL amongst depressed older people is significantly lower than that amongst non-depressed older people. Depression affects the bio-psychosocial status of Chinese older people. This study provides insight for healthcare professionals in planning innovative services to meet their health needs.International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 12/2006; 21(11):1086-92. · 2.42 Impact Factor -
Article: Association between cognitive function, behavioral syndromes and two-year clinical outcome in Chinese subjects with late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To examine associations between behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), cognitive function and clinical deterioration over 2 years. One hundred and four Chinese subjects with late-onset Alzheimer's Disease (AD) who presented to psychogeriatric clinics were followed for an average of 22.5 months. BPSD subgroups were categorized by latent class analysis using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Comprehensive cognitive profiles were performed with the Mattis Dementia Scale, the Hong Kong List Learning Test (HKLLT) and the Category Verbal Fluency Test. Interactions between cognitive function and behavioral syndromes were evaluated. Potential predictors for clinical deterioration were computed with logistic regression analysis. Three latent classes of subjects with similar behavioral syndromes were identified: Low BPSD (44%), Affective (32%) and Psychosis (24%) groups. Association between cognitive functions and BPSD was not significant. At follow-up, a higher proportion of subjects in the Affective (70%) and Low BPSD (49%) groups remained stable at the same Clinical Dementia Rating. Baseline scores in the "recognition" test of the HKLLT and age were significant predictors for "deceased" status at 2-year follow-up. The lack of association between behavioral syndromes and cognitive function suggests that these relatively independent dimensions of dementia should be examined individually for different prognostic significance.International Psychogeriatrics 10/2006; 18(3):517-26. · 2.24 Impact Factor -
Article: A cross-sectional study on the health related quality of life of depressed Chinese older people in Shanghai.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: With an increasing life expectancy, there is a rapidly growing sector that is aging. Depression is the most prevalent functional mental disorder of older population. It is estimated that about 21% of the older population in Shanghai are suffering from depression. This study investigated the self-rated health related quality of life of community-dwelling older people diagnosed with depression in Shanghai, and to examine the relationships between this and mental and physical health, functional status and social support. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in two community centres with a convenience sample of 71 participants. Measures included subjective perception of health related quality of life, level of depression, cognitive function, number of medical conditions, activities of daily living, functional abilities, and social support. The majority of the participants were female (n=52, 73.23%), and married (n=51, 71.8%). A higher level of depression was related to a poorer health related quality of life. Participants were least satisfied with their physical health. The level of depression, activities of daily living and satisfaction with social support were predictors of health related quality of life ratings. The study identified how depression affects the bio-psychosocial status of Chinese older people. Findings are discussed in light of the socio-cultural environment in Shanghai.International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 10/2006; 21(9):883-9. · 2.42 Impact Factor -
Article: Phenotype-genotype relationship and clinical effects of citalopram in Chinese patients.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Although the relationship of CYP2C19 polymorphism to citalopram disposition has been studied in healthy subject, this relationship in combination with dynamic effects (clinical adverse effect of citalopram) has not been well studied in patients. We carried out the present study to investigate the CYP2C19 genotype-phenotype relationship and potentially relate such relationship to the clinical effect (specifically adverse effects) of citalopram in Chinese patients who are known to have relatively high prevalence of poor metabolizers (PMs) of CYP2C19. Fifty-three Chinese adult patients were recruited. One to 2 blood samples at 4 to 24 hours postdose were collected after a minimum of 2 weeks of citalopram administration. The CYP2C19 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and the plasma concentrations of citalopram and desmethylcitalopram were determined by a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. The clinical adverse effects associated with citalopram were assessed according to Toronto Side Effects Scale (TSES). A population pharmacokinetic model was used to analyze the citalopram concentrations. Among 53 patients, 21 were homozygous extensive metabolizers (EMs) (CYP2C19*1/*1), 25 heterozygous EMs (CYP2C19*1/*2 or *1/*3), and 7 PMs (CYP2C19*2/*2 or *2/*3 or *3/*3). The metabolic ratios (plasma concentration of desmethylcitalopram to citalopram) were found to be 0.20 +/- 0.07, 0.15 +/- 0.05, and 0.07 +/- 0.03 in the homozygous EMs, heterozygous EMs, and PMs, respectively (P < 0.001, 1-way analysis of variance). On the basis of the results from our population pharmacokinetic modeling analysis, the citalopram oral clearances in the PMs were 42.9% and 33.3% (both P < 0.05) lower compared with the homozygous and heterozygous EMs, respectively. Statistically significant correlation was observed between the oral clearance and TSES scores in individual patients (rs = -0.37, P = 0.012). The mean TSES score also tended to be higher in PM than EM patients, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.234). The study demonstrated a significant CYP2C19 genotype-phenotype relationship in Chinese patients receiving citalopram treatment. Such a relationship also tended to correlate with the clinical adverse effects of the drug. These results provide important pharmacogenetic implications for citalopram therapy in the Chinese population in whom relatively high frequency of CYP2C19 PM phenotype exists.Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology 08/2006; 26(4):367-72. · 4.10 Impact Factor -
Article: Frequency and clinical determinants of poststroke cognitive impairment in nondemented stroke patients.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence and clinical correlates of poststroke cognitive impairment in Chinese stroke patients in Hong Kong. One hundred seventy-nine stroke patients were interviewed by a psychiatrist 3 months after their stroke. Cognitive impairment was determined according to the Mini-Mental State Examination score. Thirty-nine participants (21.8%) had cognitive impairment. Univariate analysis found that cognitive impairment was associated with age, female sex, level of education, previous stroke, prestroke Rankin score, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale dysarthria and total scores, urinary incontinence, and cerebral atrophy index. Multivariate logistic regression suggested that female sex, education, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale dysarthria score, urinary incontinence, and atrial fibrillation were independent risk factors of poststroke cognitive impairment. After removal of 54 patients with previous stroke from the sample, the frequency of cognitive impairment decreased to 18.4%. It was concluded that cognitive impairment is common among nondemented Chinese stroke patients in Hong Kong.Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology 07/2006; 19(2):65-71. · 3.07 Impact Factor -
Article: Quality of life in Chinese elderly people with depression.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Depression is the most prevalent functional mental disorder of later life. It is estimated that about 5% of the elderly population of Hong Kong are suffering from depression. To investigate the self-rated quality of life of community-dwelling elderly people diagnosed with depression, and to examine the relationships between quality of life and mental, physical health, functional status and social support. A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted in psychiatric outpatient clinics. A convenience sample of 80 Chinese elderly people with a diagnosis of depressive disorder was recruited. Perception of quality of life was measured by the Hong Kong Chinese World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Brief Version. Participants' mental status, functional abilities, physical health condition, and social support status were assessed. Sixty-one (76.3%) participants were female. They were least satisfied with 'meaningfulness of life', 'life enjoyment', 'concentration and thinking', 'energy' and 'work capacity'. Functional abilities had a positive association with participants' perceived quality of life, level of depression and number of physical health conditions had a negative association. Participants had low ratings of quality of life when compared with healthy persons and persons with chronic physical problems. Findings are discussed in light of the socio-cultural environment in Hong Kong. Comprehensive treatment and better control of depression, including different modes of medical and psychosocial intervention, could help to improve participants' perception of quality of life. A longitudinal study with a larger sample with various levels of depression and socio-demographic characteristics is recommended.International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 05/2006; 21(4):312-8. · 2.42 Impact Factor -
Article: Health-related quality of life in community-dwelling men with pneumoconiosis.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: There have been few data on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with pneumoconiosis. HRQOL is an important aspect of daily living in patients with industrial diseases. Objectives: To investigate the HRQOL and factors that contribute to the impairment of HRQOL in patients with pneumoconiosis. 297 patients with pneumoconiosis were recruited from a community-based case registry. The HRQOL was measured with the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Pulmonary function, comorbidity and psychosocial variables were also assessed. Patients' mood state was evaluated with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The mean SGRQ symptom, activity, impact and total scores were 38.0 +/- 19.3, 44.5 +/- 21.9, 34.2 +/- 17.9 and 39.4 +/- 17.4, respectively. These figures were lower than those reported in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who attended chest clinics. The GDS score (r = 0.38), forced expiratory volume in 1 s predicted (FEV(1)% predicted;r = -0.33) and comorbidity (r = 0.21) were the most important predictors of the HRQOL. Besides lung functions, chest clinicians should consider the impact of mood symptoms and comorbidity on the HRQOL in the management of patients with pneumoconiosis.Respiration 02/2006; 73(2):203-8. · 2.26 Impact Factor -
Article: Apolipoprotein E epsilon4 allele is associated with vascular dementia.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The apolipoprotein E (ApoE) exon 4 polymorphism has been associated with vascular dementia (VaD) risk. Since not all studies confirm this finding, we explored this association in a case-control study. We genotyped ApoE in 144 VaD patients and 251 controls. VaD patients were more likely than controls to have ApoE epsilon3/epsilon4 or epsilon4/epsilon4 genotypes: 23.6% versus 15.1%, odds ratio (OR) = 1.7, p = 0.036. This association remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, hypertension and diabetes by multiple logistic regression: OR = 1.9, p = 0.030. The association of epsilon3/epsilon4 or epsilon4/epsilon4 genotypes with VaD was strong among people with hypertension (OR = 2.9, p = 0.007) or diabetes (OR = 6.5, p = 0.011). The association was absent among people without hypertension (OR = 1.1, p = 0.79) or diabetes (OR = 1.3, p = 0.43). This interaction with hypertension and diabetes should be examined in other studies to confirm or refute this observation.Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders 02/2006; 22(4):301-5. · 2.14 Impact Factor -
Article: Association between mind-body and cardiovascular exercises and memory in older adults.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To compare the memory function of older adults who regularly practiced mind-body (MB) or cardiovascular (CV) exercises with that of those who did not engage in regular exercise. Older adults who engaged in both types of exercise were also included to examine the combined effects. Cross-sectional study between 2002 and 2003. Older adults from a local community in Hong Kong. One hundred forty adults aged 56 and older. The Hong Kong List Learning Test was used to assess the memory of all participants. It is a clinically validated Chinese verbal-memory test that measures various aspects of memory processing, including learning, retention, and retrieval abilities. MB and CV exercises were defined using three dimensions: motion speed, emphasis on relaxing the mind, and conscious control of movement. Older adults who practiced MB or CV exercises demonstrated a similar level of memory function, and their learning and memory was better than that of individuals who did not exercise regularly. Those who practiced both types of exercises outperformed all other groups, even after corrected for the total hours of exercise. Although memory change across age was found in older adults who did not exercise, this trend was not observed in individuals who practiced MB exercises. Practicing both MB and CV exercises appears to have a combined effect that might help to preserve memory in older adults. In addition, MB exercises may be considered as an alternative training for older adults who cannot practice strenuous physical exercise.Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 11/2005; 53(10):1754-60. · 3.74 Impact Factor -
Article: Subjective memory complaints in Chinese subjects with mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer's disease.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a transitional state between normal aging and dementia. However, there is inconsistent opinion as to the validity of subjective memory complaints as a criterion for diagnosis. This study aimed to examine the potential significance of applying a short memory questionnaire in the assessment of Chinese subjects with MCI and early dementia. Three hundred and six ambulatory Chinese subjects were recruited. Each participant completed a short memory questionnaire. They were also assessed with the Chinese versions of the mini-mental state examination (CMMSE), Alzheimer's disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog), category verbal fluency test (CVFT) and span tests. Severity of cognitive impairment was evaluated using the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR); subjects with CDR 0.5 were further classified into MCI not demented (MCIND) and MCI possible incipient dementia (MCIID) depending on the subscale scores of CDR. An increasing frequency of memory complaints with increasing CDR was observed (Kruskal Wallis test, chi square = 21.29, df 3, p < 0.001). With a cutoff of 3 or more memory complaints, the memory questionnaire demonstrated a sensitivity of 65.3% and 70.4% in identifying subjects with incipient and early dementia respectively. Significant associations between memory complaints and most cognitive test performance were found (Spearman's correlations, p < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis revealed that educational level, the memory questionnaire, ADAS-Cog total and delayed recall scores were significant predictors of MCIID status. The findings suggested that a short memory questionnaire is useful in the screening of MCI, particularly in subjects who already present with subtle functioning disturbances. Subjective memory complaints were significant correlated with objective performance of memory functions, reflecting the usefulness of memory complaints in the assessment of MCI.International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 10/2005; 20(9):876-82. · 2.42 Impact Factor -
Article: The Geriatric Depression Scale should be shortened: results of Rasch analysis.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to examine the unidimensionality, item fit, redundancy and differential item functioning (DIF) of the 15-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) in a community sample of 300 Hong Kong Chinese patients with pneumoconiosis. Participants were randomly selected from the case register of the Pneumoconiosis Compensation Fund Board of Hong Kong. A trained research assistant administered the GDS to all participants. A psychiatrist, who was blind to the GDS scores, conducted a structured clinical interview to diagnose depressive disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Version IV (DSM-IV) criteria. Of the 300 participants, 37 (12.3%) had a DSM-IV diagnosis of depressive disorders. Eleven out of 15 items (73.3%) had INFIT/OUTFIT statistics between 0.7-1.3. Abbreviated versions were created by removal of misfit and redundant items resulting in similar overall performance as the original 15-item GDS. None of the items had significant DIF for age, level of education and cognitive impairment. Although the GDS was overall unidimensional, there was evidence of item redundancy indicating that a shortened version would be as adequate as the original version.International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 09/2005; 20(8):783-9. · 2.42 Impact Factor -
Article: Attempted suicide in elderly Chinese persons: a multi-group, controlled study.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Attempted suicide in later life is under-researched despite its public health significance. In this study, the authors delineated the characteristics of elderly suicide attempters in a representative Chinese sample by comparing them with suicide completers and comparison subjects age 65 years or over who were randomly selected from the community. There were 224 subjects in this study: 66 suicide attempters, 67 suicide completers, and 91 comparison subjects from the community. Using a case-control design and standardized measuring instruments, authors examined the risk and protective factors associated with attempted suicide, making direct comparisons with the community-comparison subjects and suicide completers. A current diagnosis of major depression was associated with a nearly 60-fold increased risk for attempted suicide, and a population attributable risk (PAR) of 67%. Other risk factors included past suicide attempts, poorer function of self-care, arthritis, and specific personality dispositions, particularly low Conscientiousness. Co-residence with children decreased risk. Although the profiles of suicide attempters and completers were similar, they could be distinguished by suicide intent, recent life events (particularly hospitalization), functional competence, religious denomination, and personality characteristics. A high degree of clinical vigilance and multidisciplinary collaboration are required in the management of elderly suicide attempters. The treatment of depression should form a crucial part of the prevention program. Features that distinguish suicide completers from suicide attempters may also carry implications for the secondary prevention of suicide in elderly persons.American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 08/2005; 13(7):562-71. · 3.64 Impact Factor -
Article: Alcohol consumption, lung function, and quality of life in pneumoconiosis.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To our knowledge, there are no previous data on drinking problems in patients with pneumoconiosis. The aim of this study was to examine drinking patterns and the impact of drinking on lung function and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Chinese patients with pneumoconiosis. Three hundred patients with pneumoconiosis were recruited from a community-based case registry. The HRQOL was measured with the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Pulmonary function, comorbidity, and psychosocial variables were also assessed. The alcohol use of the patients was evaluated with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification questionnaire. Of the 300 patients, 72.3% (217) reported that they had not consumed any alcohol during the past year, whereas 83 patients (27.7%) did report drinking alcohol. In the drinking group, 88.0% (73) consumed <7 standard drinks per week, and none of them exceeded the safety limit of 21 standard drinks per week. The drinking group (n = 83) was younger, had less concurrent medical diseases, and lower (i.e., better) unadjusted SGRQ symptom, activity, impact, and total scores than the nondrinking group (n = 217). The SGRQ scores, which were adjusted for age, duration of occupation, concurrent medical diseases, smoking status, and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec predicted tests (FEV1%), remained significantly lower for the drinking group. Although the drinking group had a higher unadjusted FEV1% predicted, the difference between the FEV1% of the two groups, after adjustment for covariates, was of borderline significance only. Most Chinese patients with pneumoconiosis in this study did not consume alcohol, and among those who did, the level of alcohol consumption was low. This low level of alcohol consumption was associated with a better HRQOL and possibly with better lung function.Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research 07/2005; 29(7):1230-6. · 3.34 Impact Factor -
Article: Prevalence of depression and its correlates in Hong Kong's Chinese older adults.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Because of the rapid aging of the population and inconsistent findings of previous epidemiological studies in Hong Kong, a prevalence study of depression among older adults was timely. The authors assessed the prevalence of depression among older adults and identified factors associated with it. The authors interviewed a random representative sample of 917 community-dwelling Chinese adults age 60 and over. The 15-item Chinese Geriatric Depression Scale with a cutoff of > or = 8 was used to identify clinically significant depression in the older adults. The authors found that 11.0% and 14.5% of older Chinese men and women, respectively, scored above the cutoff, a prevalence rate similar to those found in other countries, including the United States, England, and Finland. Factors that were associated with an increased likelihood of depression among older adults included poor self-rated health, long-term pain, vision problems, higher level of impairment in activities of daily living, residing in Hong Kong less than 20 years, financial strain, and having less social support. The prevalence rate of depression among older Chinese adults in Hong Kong is more or less similar to rates found in Western countries. The data suggest that older adults who receive less social support are more likely to be depressed.American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 06/2005; 13(5):409-16. · 3.64 Impact Factor -
Article: Prevalence of Depression and Its Correlates in Hong Kong's Chinese Older Adults
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Objective: Because of the rapid aging of the population and inconsistent findings of previous epidemiological studies in Hong Kong, a prevalence study of depression among older adults was timely. The authors assessed the prevalence of depression among older adults and identified factors associated with it. Methods: The authors interviewed a random representative sample of 917 community-dwelling Chinese adults age 60 and over. The 15-item Chinese Geriatric Depression Scale with a cutoff of ≥8 was used to identify clinically significant depression in the older adults. Results: The authors found that 11.0% and 14.5% of older Chinese men and women, respectively, scored above the cutoff, a prevalence rate similar to those found in other countries, including the United States, England, and Finland. Factors that were associated with an increased likelihood of depression among older adults included poor self-rated health, long-term pain, vision problems, higher level of impairment in activities of daily living, residing in Hong Kong less than 20 years, financial strain, and having less social support. Conclusions: The prevalence rate of depression among older Chinese adults in Hong Kong is more or less similar to rates found in Western countries. The data suggest that older adults who receive less social support are more likely to be depressed.American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 04/2005; 13(5):409-416. · 3.64 Impact Factor -
Article: Screening of dementia in stroke patients with lacunar infarcts: comparison of the mattis dementia rating scale and the mini-mental state examination.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: There have been no data on the performance of the Initiation-Perseveration subtest of the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS-IP) in screening poststroke dementia (PSDE). Three months after the index stroke, a research assistant administered the MDRS-IP and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to 83 Chinese stroke patients with lacunar infarcts who were consecutively admitted to the stroke unit of a general hospital. A psychiatrist, who was blind to the MDRS-IP and MMSE scores, interviewed all 83 patients and made a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition) diagnosis of dementia, which served as the benchmark for judging the performance of MDRSIP. The optimal cutoff point of MDRS-IP was 22/23. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of MDRS-IP, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 82%, 90%, 0.41, 0.98, and 0.91, respectively. The overall performance of the MDRS-IP was comparable to the MMSE.Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology 04/2005; 18(1):3-7. · 3.07 Impact Factor -
Article: Poststroke depression in Chinese patients: frequency, psychosocial, clinical, and radiological determinants.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: This study attempted to evaluate the psychosocial, clinical, and radiological predictors of poststroke depression (PSD) in Chinese patients. One hundred eighty-nine patients participated in the study. Three months after the index stroke, a psychiatrist administered the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV to all of the patients and made a DSM-IV diagnosis of depression. In addition, a host of demographic, clinical, and radiological variables were examined. Thirty-one (16.4%) of the patients had a diagnosis of PSD that included major depression (n=11, 5.8%,), minor depression (n=16, 8.5%), or dysthymia (n=4, 2.1%). Univariate analysis revealed that PSD was associated with female gender, a lower level of education, a lower Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS) score, subcortical infarcts, and lesions in the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) territory, and the Modified Life Event Scale (MLES) score was borderline for statistical significance. Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that female gender, a high MLES score, and subcortical and ACA lesions were independent risk factors for PSD and that a high LSNS score was a protective factor.Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology 04/2005; 18(1):45-51. · 3.07 Impact Factor -
Article: Executive function impairment in community elderly subjects with questionable dementia.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The neurocognitive profile of community-dwelling Chinese subjects with 'questionable' dementia was studied. One hundred and fifty-four ambulatory Chinese subjects were recruited from local social centers for the elderly. Each subject was examined using the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), the Cantonese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (CMMSE), the Chinese version of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog), the Category Verbal Fluency Test (CVFT), digit and visual span tests, and the Cambridge Neurological Inventory. The neurocognitive profile of nondemented subjects (CDR 0) was compared with that of subjects with 'questionable' dementia (CDR 0.5). Subjects with 'questionable' dementia were older, and had lower educational levels and global cognitive assessment scores than the controls (CMMSE and ADAS-Cog; t tests, p < 0.001). In addition, they also had significantly lower scores in delayed recall, reverse span, verbal fluency tests and worse performance in complex motor tasks related to executive function (Mann-Whitney tests, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that ADAS-Cog, CVFT, and reverse visual span were significant predictors for the CDR of 'questionable' dementia. Aside from memory impairment, executive function deficits were also present in subjects with 'questionable' dementia. To identify groups cognitively at risk for dementia, concomitant assessments of memory and executive function are suggested.Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders 02/2005; 19(2-3):86-90. · 2.14 Impact Factor -
Article: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Hong Kong in 2003: stress and psychological impact among frontline healthcare workers.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) posed an unprecedented threat and a great challenge to health professionals in Hong Kong. The study reported here aimed at investigating the origin of stress and psychological morbidity among frontline healthcare workers in response to this catastrophe. Self-administered questionnaires were sent to frontline healthcare workers in three hospitals. The General Health Questionnaire was used to identify psychological distress. Socio-demographic and stress variables were entered into a logistic regression analysis to find out the variables associated with psychological morbidity. The response rate was 40 %. Sixty-eight per cent of participants reported a high level of stress. About 57 % were found to have experienced psychological distress. The healthcare workers' psychological morbidity was best understood by the perceptions of personal vulnerability, stress and support in the workplace. These findings shed light on the need for hospital administrators to be aware of the extent and sources of stress and psychological distress among frontline healthcare workers during disease outbreak.Psychological Medicine 11/2004; 34(7):1197-204. · 6.16 Impact Factor
Top co-authors
Top Journals
Institutions
-
2013
-
Mental Health Center of Denver
Denver, CO, USA
-
-
1999–2013
-
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- • Department of Educational Psychology
- • Department of Psychiatry
- • The Nethersole School of Nursing
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
-
-
2011–2012
-
Capital Medical University
Beijing, Beijing Shi, China -
Peking University
- Institute of Mental Health
Beijing, Beijing Shi, China
-
-
2002
-
Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong
Kowloon, Hong Kong
-
