Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Woo

Publications and source records attributed to J Woo.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Alendronate prevents bone loss in Chinese women with osteoporosis.

The objectives of the Hong Kong study are to investigate the efficacy of 10 mg alendronate in preventing bone loss at the hip and spine in osteoporotic Chinese women. One hundred osteoporotic Chinese women, aged 60-79 years, were randomized to receive 10 mg of alendronate or placebo, with 500 mg elemental calcium. Bone mineral density (BMD) at the spine and hip were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Seventy-eight subjects completed the study. The alendronate-treated group gained more bone at both the spine (p < 0.01) and femoral neck (p < 0.001), with a mean difference (+/-SE) of 2.4% (+/-0.86%) at the spine and 3.98% (+/-0.95%) at the femoral neck. Of the 100 patients, 6 subjects in the alendronate group and 5 subjects in the placebo group had mild gastrointestinal symptoms. We conclude that alendronate (10 mg) was effective in preventing bone loss in postmenopausal osteoporotic Chinese women.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Relationships among diet, physical activity and other lifestyle factors and debilitating diseases in the elderly.

Diet and physical activity are two major lifestyle factors that play a role in the prevention or management of debilitating conditions affecting older people. Both under- and overnutrition predispose to diseases. Low sodium and high potassium intakes, as well as the consumption of fruits and vegetables are associated with a reduction of hypertension and diseases arising from hypertension such as stroke and dementia. Dietary patterns (consumption of quantity and types of fats, cholesterol, vegetable oils, fish) are important in the prevention of coronary heart disease. Calcium and vitamin D intakes are important factors in the development of osteoporosis, while various dietary factors have been linked to the development of cancer. Physical activity is important in the prevention of functional decline and increased survival, reduced incidence of falls and fractures, and has various cardiovascular health benefits. Apart from prevention of diseases, exercise also has an important role in improving function in some chronic diseases such as heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Both diet and exercise interact, so that public health recommendations often take the form of lifestyle modification advice in the prevention of disease and disability.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Validation of prediction equations for basal metabolic rate in chinese subjects.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the validity of existing prediction equations for basal metabolic rate (BMR) and two generated regression equations in healthy Chinese subjects and patients with chronic diseases. SUBJECTS: One-hundred and thirty-four healthy Chinese volunteers of aged 16-88 among staff working in Shatin Hospital and their relatives, and 30 elderly patients with heart disease, stroke and chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD) were recruited. INTERVENTIONS: Height, weight, biceps and triceps skinfold thickness, body fat percentage, and BMR were measured in the healthy subjects and patients. Two regression equations were derived from 70 healthy Chinese subjects. Three existing equations (WHO, Liu and Jia equations) and two derived equations were then cross-validated in 64 subjects and 30 patients. RESULTS: For the healthy Chinese subjects, as well as patients, the BMR calculated by Liu was the closest to the measured BMR among all the equations, although there was slight underestimation for patients. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that the Liu equation is the most appropriate for predicting BMR in healthy Chinese subjects, but it underestimates the BMR in those with chronic diseases. Fat-free mass is the best predictor of measured BMR. SPONSORSHIP: Unrestricted research grant in nutrition from the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Serum fatty acid, lipid profile and dietary intake of Hong Kong Chinese omnivores and vegetarians.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the serum fatty acid and lipid profiles and dietary intake of Hong Kong Chinese omnivores and vegetarians with respect to cardiovascular health. DESIGN: Random population survey stratified by age and sex. SUBJECTS: One-hundred and ninety-four omnivore subjects (81 men, 113 women) age 25-70 y, and 60 ovo-lacto-vegetarian adults (15 men, 45 women) age 30-55 y. MEASUREMENTS: Nutrient quantitation was by a food frequency method. Serum fatty acids were analysed by gas chromatography, and serum lipid by standard laboratory methods. RESULTS: Compared with omnivores, vegetarians had higher serum concentrations of polyunsaturated (PUFA) and monosaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and lower saturated fatty acids (SFA), long chain omega-3 and trans fatty acids (TFA). They also had lower serum cholesterol and higher apoA-1 concentrations, but the LDL/HDL ratio was not different. The ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids intake was higher in vegetarians. Compared with results from populations with higher incidences of coronary heart disease, while lower myristic and palmitic acid concentrations and higher eicosapentaneoic (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) may partly account for the difference in incidence, linoleic acid concentration was higher. Although the Chinese vegetarian diet may be beneficial for heart health in that antioxidant and fibre intakes are higher and saturated fat lower, the low EPA and DHA due to omission from dietary source and suppressed formation by high linoleic acid level, and the presence of TFA in the diet, may exert an opposite effect. CONCLUSION: There are some favourable features in the serum fatty acid profile in the Hong Kong Chinese population with respect to cardiovascular health, but the consumption of TFA is of concern. The Chinese vegetarian diet also contains some adverse features.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A comparison of polymorphism in the 3'-untranslated region of the prothrombin gene between Chinese and Caucasians in Australia.

The 20210G-->A mutation in the 3'-untranslated (UT) region of the prothrombin gene is extremely rare or absent in the Chinese population (0 in 449 subjects, 140 with a history of thromboembolism). This is in contrast to the results from 302 Caucasians from Australia in our study (4.6% in 153 patients with a thromboembolic history and 1.3% in 149 patients with no history). This rarity implies that the variant of the prothrombin gene is probably not the main cause of venous thromboembolism in the Chinese population. Even among Caucasians this mutation accounts for only a minor percentage of all patients with thromboembolism. The relatively low incidence of venous thromboembolism in the Chinese population compared with Caucasians is probably as a result of the low prevalence of factor V Leiden or other environmental or genetic factors.

3' Untranslated Regions↗
PubMed2000

Factors predicting stroke disability at discharge: a study of 793 Chinese.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors predicting stroke disability at discharge in a Chinese population. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of data collected from stroke patients. SETTING: A 25-bed stroke rehabilitation unit in Hong Kong. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 793 Chinese patients with acute stroke consecutively admitted for inpatient rehabilitation. INTERVENTIONS: All patients received traditional rehabilitation therapies including physical, occupational, and speech therapies when appropriate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Disability was measured with the Barthel index (BI), and mild disability at discharge was defined as a BI score of > or =15. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis revealed that a BI score of > or = 15 points at admission strongly predicted that the patient's BI at discharge would be > or =15. For those whose BI score at admission was less than 15, these factors correlated negatively with a discharge BI of 15: BI at admission of <5 (OR .08, CI .04-.17); National Institutes of Health stroke scale at admission of >7 (OR .23, CI .12-.43); urinary incontinence at admission (OR .35, CI .21-.60); age > or =65 years (OR .44, CI .25-.77); and abbreviated mental test at admission of <7 (OR .56, CI .33-.94). CONCLUSIONS: For Chinese stroke patients, the disability at admission is the most important predictor for disability at discharge. Patients with very severe disability, severe neurologic impairment, urinary incontinence, old age, and impaired cognition at admission are less likely to recover to mild disability at discharge. Although hemorrhagic stroke is more common among Chinese populations, it is not an independent predictor for disability at discharge.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Vegetarianism and ischemic heart disease in older Chinese women.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the risk of ischemic heart disease among older vegetarian Chinese women with that of older non-vegetarian women. METHODS: 90 vegetarian Chinese women over 70 years old in Hong Kong were screened for ischemic heart disease by electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiovascular questionnaire. They were compared with 90 non-vegetarian women of similar age examined in a previous local survey. The effects of confounding factors were adjusted by stepwise logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The percentages of subjects with ischemic heart disease defined by symptoms and ECG or by ECG alone were significantly lower in vegetarian women (p <0.005 and p<0.05 respectively). Vegetarians had lower serum cholesterol levels: more were old age home residents and were less likely to perform regular exercise. On stepwise logistic regression, using probable ischemic heart disease defined by questionnaire and ECG as outcome measure, vegetarianism was the only significant predictor (OR 0.3, 95%CI 0.1-0.6, p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Vegetarian older Chinese women had lower risk of ischemic heart disease when compared with non-vegetarians. Apart from lower serum cholesterol levels, vegetarianism may have other protective factors against ischemic heart disease.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2000

An estimate of long-term care needs and identification of risk factors for institutionalization among Hong Kong Chinese aged 70 years and over.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study is to estimate the long-term care needs of the Hong Kong Chinese population age 70 years and older, and to identify risk factors for institutionalization. METHODS: A three-year prospective follow-up study was carried out in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. 2,032 subjects aged 70 years and older were recruited territory-wide by stratified random sampling of the Old Age and Disability Allowance register, covering over 90% of the elderly population. A questionnaire was administered at baseline to obtain information on social, functional, physical, and mental health status, and place of residence. A repeat interview was carried out at 36 months. The number of subjects moving from home to institution or vice versa, and the number who had died, were noted. Univariate analysis was performed to determine risk factors for institutionalization, and backward stepwise multiple logistic regression was used to identify independent factors predisposing to institutionalization. RESULTS: The institutionalization rate per year is estimated to be 0.7% for the 70-79 age group, and 1.5% for the 80+ age group. Using population figures projected by the Hong Kong Census, the corresponding number of places required will be 24,150 and 42,000, respectively, for the two age groups by 2005, whereas the number of government subvented places projected to be available is unlikely to be more than 40,000 for the whole population. Age, being a woman, being single, not having a formal education, cognitive impairment, physical dependency, and the presence of depressive symptoms were factors predisposing to institutionalization. In multivariate analysis, age, marital status, and dependency were identified as independent factors. CONCLUSION: The requirement for institutional places is unlikely to be met by government, the shortfall likely to be met by the private sector. Maintenance of functional independence, good social support network, engagement in social activities, and good informal carer support may reduce demand for institutional care.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

Do pain and disability differ in depressed cancer patients?

Seventy consecutively admitted Chinese patients with advanced cancer and pain (mean age 62 years) were evaluated with the Chinese version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) Short Form (for patients 65 years old or over) in a prospective study. The HADS and GDS had good concordance (kappa = 0.53). By these depression screening tests, the prevalence of probable depression was 41-49%, and the prevalence of definite depression (HADS > or = 11) was 29%. There was no difference in age, gender and educational level; no difference in nature and severity of pain; and no difference in the level of disability between depressed (using HADS > or = 11) and nondepressed patients with advanced cancer. The study suggests that depression does not correlate with the severity of pain in patients with advanced cancer. It also suggests that impaired activity of daily living (ADL) in these patients is not related to depression.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

Using the comprehensive geriatric assessment technique to assess elderly patients.

OBJECTIVE: To review the concept, components, and characteristics of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment technique. DATA SOURCES: Medline and non-Medline literature search. STUDY SELECTION: The following key words were used: Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment; all available years of study were reviewed. DATA EXTRACTION: Studies that assessed the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment technique's benefits were examined. DATA SYNTHESIS: By using the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment programme, accurate diagnoses can be made, treatable illness can be screened for, therapeutic plans can be formulated, and the optimal placements of patients can be achieved. Assessment should be performed at each level of geriatric care; various well-validated scales are used to measure the activity of daily living of patients. The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment programme can improve functional status; reduce the use of medications, nursing homes, and medical services; and reduce mortality rates. Most studies confirm that a successful programme requires careful patient targeting, implementation of the programme by attending physicians, and patient adherence to the recommendations made. CONCLUSION: A well-targeted Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment programme and the control of patients' adherence to recommendations are effective in improving the well-being of elderly patients.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

Epidemiology of health changes in older women in Hong Kong.

This paper aims to present the baseline social, mental and functional characteristics, the changes of these characteristics over a 36-month follow-up period, and the issues and implications related to these changes, particularly in older women. The cohort comprising 2030 subjects aged 70 and above has been assembled by stratified disproportional random sampling. Registrants with the Old Age Allowance Scheme, which has over 90 percent coverage of the Hong Kong elderly population, was used to define the accessible population. Face-to-face interviews were conducted at the respondents' place of residence. A number of social and health variables were collected at baseline. The surviving subjects had been followed up at 36 months and repeated measurements of the baseline variables were obtained. Older women were over-represented by low level education, financial dependency, as well as residence in institutions. Women had higher prevalence as well as incidence of musculoskeletal problems. While there was a general decline in health and social support in the elderly cohort, we observed a preponderance of older female subjects with mental and functional decline over the follow-up period. An overrepresentation of female subjects with depressive symptoms at baseline and follow-up was also noted. The descriptive data have revealed a host of social and health changes over a three-year follow-up period. Women aged 80 years and above formed a particularly disadvantaged group. The results will have direct implications for the shaping of social and health policy for strategic planning of priorities in social and health care services.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1999

The prevalence of osteoporosis in the Hong Kong Chinese female population.

OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to present population-based age-related bone mass values in the Hong Kong Chinese female population, and to assess the number and proportion of Chinese women considered osteoporotic according to the WHO diagnostic guidelines. METHODS: A total of 769 community-based female subjects were recruited. Social demographic characteristics of these subjects were similar to the Hong Kong general population. All bone mass measurements were performed by means of a dual energy X-ray densitometry (Norland XR 26) at two sites: lumbar vertebrae L2-L4 and left hip. These values were expressed as T-scores, with reference to the mean bone mineral density (BMD) values of the group aged 21-40 years. RESULTS: The study revealed that, in women aged 60 years and above, their mean BMD values are 30% lower than the young normal mean. The prevalence of osteoporosis at the spine increased dramatically from about 10% in the age group 50-59 to 45% in the group aged 60-69. In women aged 70 onwards, over half have osteoporosis at the hip. The prevalence of osteoporosis at the spine is relatively stable in the age groups above 60, while that for osteoporosis at the hip increased exponentially with age. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of osteoporosis in Hong Kong women is comparable to that found in Caucasian populations. Prevention of osteoporosis, involving both immediate and long-term measures, and targeting at different age groups, are required to combat this serious public health problem in Hong Kong.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1999

Lack of allelic association of dopamine D4 receptor gene polymorphisms with Parkinson's disease in a Chinese population.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a multitude of environmental, neurochemical, and genetic factors. The gene for human dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) has been considered as a plausible candidate for the pathogenesis of PD. Different dopamine D4 receptor allelic forms have variable affinity toward certain neuroleptics such as clozapine, suggesting a role for dopamine D4 receptors in neurologic disorders. To test the hypothesis that the DRD4 polymorphism is associated with the susceptibility to Parkinson's disease, we have examined differences in allele frequencies of different DRD4 polymorphisms in 101 Chinese patients with PD and in 105 age-matched control subjects in Hong Kong. The DRD4 gene was analyzed by a non-radioactive polymerase chain reaction-based Southern hybridization with chemiluminescence detection. The number of polymorphic 48 base pair tandem repeats in exon 3 was identified in each study subject. The DRD4 alleles with high frequencies in the control subjects are 4-repeat allele (72.4%), 2-repeat allele (21.4%), and 7-repeat allele (3.8%) which accounted for over 97% of the total alleles in the elderly Chinese population. The most prevalent genotype in the control subjects is the 4/4 (47.6%), followed by 4/2 (38.6), 4/7 (7.6%), and 2/2 (3.0%). None of the variable number tandem repeat polymorphism showed evidence for genetic association with Parkinson's disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) gene 766T polymorphism and Parkinson's disease.

The C766T polymorphism in exon 3 of the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) gene is underrepresented in Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared with normal subjects. We examined this polymorphism in 186 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 187 age-matched normal Chinese subjects in addition to 227 newborns representing the general population. The fraction of individuals with 766T was 12.8% in normal subjects and 11.3% in patients with PD, not a significant difference (p = 0.77). The odds ratio was 0.86 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.44-1.69, thus the LRP C766T polymorphism does not play a major role in risk for PD, although the possibility cannot be excluded that it plays a minor role or is a significant risk factor in other ethnic groups.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and bone mineral density in elderly Chinese men and women in Hong Kong.

Although genetic factors have been strongly implicated in determining bone mineral density (BMD), the role of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphism remains controversial. An overall consensus is difficult, as the populations studied have been heterogeneous with respect to menopausal status and ethnicity. Moreover, some studies have examined only small populations, and relatively few studies have been conducted in Asian populations. There is mounting evidence that calcium homeostasis in Asian populations differs from that in Caucasians. This difference may be mediated, in part, through VDR effects. In a cross-sectional study we have examined the relationship between the VDR polymorphism and BMD in 272 women (mean age 75 years) and 237 men (mean age 73 years) of Chinese origin from Hong Kong. Consistent with other studies in Asian populations we found higher frequencies of the T, b and a alleles compared with those reported in Caucasian populations. Moreover, no significant difference in BMD was observed when subjects were grouped by a combination of the genotypes (bbAATT, bbAaTT, bbaaTT, BbAaTt, BbAATt). These results suggest that VDR polymorphism is not associated with BMD in elderly Hong Kong Chinese men and women.

Aged↗