Clinical trials

This study evaluates a new single-beat echocardiographic technique (TE-e', the time difference between the onset of the mitral inflow E wave and the septal e' wave on tissue Doppler imaging) for estimating left atrial pressure (LAP) in critically ill patients, comparing it against the standard two-beat method. The goal is to determine whether the faster, single-beat method gives results as reliable as the conventional method, and whether it can help identify patients with elevated left atrial pressure without an invasive procedure.

The majority of low-grade pre-invasive lesions of cervix (low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, LSIL).will regress spontaneously over 2 years and immediate treatment may not be necessary. According to the Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (HKCOG), if a low-grade lesion is confirmed by colposcopy and biopsy, the patient can be observed and followed up with HPV testing or co-testing at 12 months, irrespective of age. This randomized controlled study is to determine whether high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of low-grade pre-invasive lesions of cervix, can cause regression of these lesions in more patients within a specific time when compared to observation as a standard management according to HKCOG Guidelines. All eligible patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio into 2 groups: high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) or Observation group. Background information of the patients such as age, parity, body mass index, smoking status and the presence of chronic medical disease will be collected. All patients with cervical HR-HPV status will be tested. Patients randomized into HIFU group will receive HIFU treatment within 2 weeks after randomization. Those randomized into Observation group will have no intervention. All patients will attend follow-up at 6 and 12 months after randomization, during which cervical smear for cytology (with cytopathologists blinded to the treatment group) and HR-HPV testing will be performed. The rate of cytological LSIL regression and HR-HPV clearance rates at 6 and 12 months in both groups will be analyzed. Patients will be referred back to colposcopy clinic for repeat colposcopy if needed according to HKCOG Guidelines. At the 12-month follow-up visit, if referral to repeat colposcopy is not needed, patients will be referred back to their primary care physicians, Department of Health Family Health Service, Family Planning Association or other primary care centres for follow-up cervical smears.

The study will be a prospective, randomized controlled trial comparing prostatic urethral lift (PUL) versus transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) in benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) patients with urinary retention. The primary objective of this study is to compare the catheter-free rates of PUL vs TURP. Secondary objectives include comparison of complications rates, cost effectiveness, patient satisfactory, symptom scores, quality of life measures and urodynamic parameters.

To assess the clinical efficacy of add-on topical timolol 0.5% eye drops to betamethasone valerate 0.1% for the treatment of EGFR-TKI and ALK-TKI induced paronychia.

This study seeks to address the limitations in previous related studies on vitamin D replacement and bronchiectasis exacerbation occurrence through a self-controlled pilot study. The investigators aim to investigate whether vitamin D replacement in bronchiectasis patients with vitamin D deficiency can reduce hospitalized bronchiectasis exacerbation occurrence. Patients who participated in the prior study entitled "Prospective clinical study on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH D) level and risk of bronchiectasis exacerbation" (UW 22-317) will be invited for participation during regular clinic follow-up and management in Queen Mary Hospital. If participants are willing to join the further research, participants will be recruited in this self-controlled study. There are some differences from usual management to non-CF bronchiectasis subjects. The study subjects would be checked for their blood 25-hydroxyvitamin-D level during the study period. The non-CF bronchiectasis subjects with Vitamin D deficiency would be given 1000 IU and 2000 IU (if needed). The investigators aim to correct their Vitamin D deficiency completely, aiming at blood 25-hydroxyvitamin-D level \>=50, i.e. treat to target. The dose depends on the level of Vitamin D after replacement. If blood 25-hydroxyvitamin-D level is 50 or above, then 1000 IU is suffice. If blood 25-hydroxyvitamin-D level is still below 50, the investigators will increase to 2000 IU.

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) for urinary stone is common and widespread nowadays. Approximately 80% of urinary stones are treated by ESWL. Traditionally distal ureteric stones are treated with ESWL in the prone position. However, as some patients cannot tolerate lying in the prone due to medical illness such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), some authors have reported using the supine approach of ESWL for treatment of distal ureter stones. No serious complications had developed in the patients who underwent supine approach. Only minor complications such as self-limiting blood in the urine, painful passage of urine, or local pain that had responded to oral painkillers. There were no serious complications encountered in children as well. In the most recent retrospective review by Tolley et al, they had revealed that patients who had underwent supine ESWL for distal ureteric stones had an improved stone-free rate compared with the traditional prone approach. Patient with radio-opaque distal ureteric stones (stones below the sacroiliac joint) on KUB X-ray, who have opted for ESWL treatment, are randomized into two groups: one undergoing ESWL in the supine position and the other undergoing ESWL in the prone position. Patients will be observed for two hours after ESWL before being discharged. Oral painkillers as necessary will be provided to the patient. The patients will have a KUB Xray at 2 weeks post-ESWL, and then monthly afterwards if required. If there are residual stones at the 2-week follow-up, the patient will be offered ESWL again. Patients are free to withdraw from the study at any time and will continue to be managed as per usual. The investigators aim to have 130 patients, with 65 patients in each group with an interim analyses to be performed when 66 patients have been recruited (33 patients in each group).