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Cheuk Chun Szeto

Publications and source records attributed to Cheuk Chun Szeto.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

An unusual cause of hypercalcemia.

We describe a case of pronounced symptomatic hypercalcemia as a consequence of thyrotoxicosis alone. Primary hyperparathyroidism and other secondary causes of hypercalcemia were excluded. Hypercalcemia completely abated after treatment of thyrotoxicosis. Notwithstanding that hypercalcemia is an unusual manifestation of hyperthyroidism, asymptomatic elevation of serum calcium concentration had been documented in up to one-fourth of patients with proved hyperthyroidism. The current case is unusual in that the patient demonstrated a significant degree of hypercalcemia secondary to hyperthyroidism alone, with a serum calcium level as high as 3.14 mmol/L. We further discuss the putative pathophysiology of this "thyroid bone disease," highlighting the repercussion on calcium and bone metabolism in hyperthyroidism.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Pathogenesis and management of hydrothorax complicating peritoneal dialysis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Hydrothorax complicating continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) appears in approximately 2% of all patients. Recent advances in minimally invasive surgery have revolutionized the treatment strategy of this condition. RECENT FINDINGS: Hydrothorax in CAPD is most commonly secondary to a pleuro-peritoneal communication. Thoracocentesis with biochemical analysis of pleural fluid is the first-line investigation. In uncertain cases, or when there is a clinical need to demonstrate the anatomy of the communication, an imaging approach such as peritoneal scintigraphy is required. Cessation of peritoneal dialysis is indicated if diagnosis of the complication is confirmed. For half of the cases, a conservative approach allows reinstitution of CAPD, presumably because of spontaneous resolution of the leakage. A small-volume exchange is a feasible alternative for children. In patients who failed conservative treatment, video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurodesis or diaphragmatic repair or both allows most of them to continue with CAPD. Chemical pleurodesis is probably indicated for those who failed conservative treatment in centers without video-assisted thoracoscopic support. Currently, only a minority of patients will require open thoracotomy. SUMMARY: Once hydrothorax secondary to pleuro-peritoneal communication is confirmed in CAPD patients, temporary cessation of peritoneal dialysis remains the first-line treatment. Current evidence shows that video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurodesis or repair should be the treatment of choice in patients who failed conservative management.

Humans↗
PubMed2004

Clinical studies of thiazide-induced hyponatremia.

To determine the prevalence and vulnerability of symptoms from thiazide-induced hyponatremia, we reviewed 223 cases of symptomatic hyponatremia enrolled between January 1996 and April 2002. There was a high frequency of neurologic manifestation of thiazide-induced hyponatremia, whereas clinical dehydration was not a discernible feature. Female patients presented with lower serum sodium levels than male counterparts (114+/-8 versus 117+/-8 mmol/L, P=0.02), although the frequency of central nervous system manifestation was comparable between two gender groups. The most frequent symptoms were malaise and lethargy (49%), followed by dizzy spells (47%) and vomiting (35%). Degree of hyponatremia upon presentation predicted the development of confusion and vomiting symptoms. Serum sodium concentration < or =115 mmol/L was significantly associated with the development of confusion (odds ratio 2.6, 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 5.1, P=0.004). Our results show that symptoms from thiazide-induced hyponatremia primarily reflect osmotic water shift into brain cells rather than extracellular fluid volume depletion.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Indication for peritoneal biopsy in tuberculous peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: With the introduction of effective antituberculous chemotherapy, the clinical outcome of tuberculous peritonitis depends much on the diagnostic accuracy of this disease entity. This review summarizes the current state-of-the-art thinking regarding the protean manifestation and diagnostic modalities of this major infectious disease. DATA SOURCES: This review was compiled after an extensive search of the current and historical literature, comprising 1,070 cases of tuberculous peritonitis. A number of important areas were highlighted, with emphasis on the diagnostic value and clinical impact of peritoneal biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: We believe an aggressive diagnostic approach, particularly with peritoneal biopsy, is warranted for the diagnosis and timely treatment of tuberculous peritonitis.

Antitubercular Agents↗
PubMed2003

Secular trend in medical education regarding infectious disease.

OBJECTIVE: The paradigm of global medical health has been re-characterised by a shift in its major focus from infectious disease to chronic illness. Opinions vary as to the declining emphasis on infectious disease. This paper provides clinicians with an understanding of a secular trend in medical education regarding the topic of infectious diseases over a period of 26 years. METHODS: A survey was carried out to evaluate coverage of infectious disease topics within recent general medicine textbooks and journals. RESULTS: The percentage of content dedicated to infectious disease has remained static in 2 major medical textbooks, whereas a trend towards decreasing coverage was shown in 4 major medical journals. Of 901 original articles published in 2000, 16.4% covered certain aspects of infectious disease, as compared with 20.9% of 790 articles published in 1985. Increasing rates of infectious disease mortality in developing countries were not consistently matched with the trend in coverage of infectious disease topics in either medical textbooks or journals. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that coverage of infectious disease topics in publications issued in developed countries was more indicative of global trends in disease mortality rather than those of developing countries. Medical education and knowledge, which are usually delivered by the rich nations where influential medical textbooks and journals are published, place less emphasis on infectious disease relative to the burden infectious disease places on the developing world.

Bibliometrics↗
PubMed2003

Association of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) T869C (Leu 10Pro) gene polymorphisms with type 2 diabetic nephropathy in Chinese.

INTRODUCTION: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is known to play a pivotal role in the regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. Since diabetic nephropathy (DMN) is characterized by basement membrane thickening and mesangial expansion, control of ECM deposition is believed to be important in the pathogenesis of the disease. Recently, TGF-beta T869C (Leu 10Pro) gene polymorphism has been identified which may be associated with circulating TGF-beta levels. METHODS: In order to examine the relationship between TGF-beta gene polymorphism with DMN in Chinese, we carried out a case-control study, which recruited 123 Chinese type 2 diabetic patients with an average duration of diabetes for 12 years. A total of 58 patients who developed DMN (micro- or macroalbuminuria, with or without renal impairment) were compared with 65 diabetic patients without DMN despite similar duration of disease (normoalbuminuric and creatinine <120 micromol/L). TGF-beta T869C (Leu 10Pro) gene polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Both groups of patients had similar baseline characteristics, including blood pressure, diabetic control, and duration of diabetes. Distribution of TGF-beta T869C (Leu 10Pro) genotype among the whole group is confined to Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. The DMN+ group has higher frequency of TGF-beta CC/CT genotypes than the DMN- group [CC, CT, TT = (DMN+) 46, 45, 9 (%) vs. (DMN-) 37, 37, 26 (%), P < 0.05]. C allele frequency is also higher in the DMN+ group than DMN- group (69% vs. 55%, P < 0.05). The adjusted odds ratio for TGF-beta CC/CT vs. TT genotype to develop DMN is 3.8 (3.2 to 4.4). Multivariate logistic regression analysis [hypertension, gender, age, duration of diabetes, hemoglobin (HbA1c), usage of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, and cholesterol level] showed that TGF-beta genotype (P = 0.03) is an independent predictor for type 2 DMN. Among patients with DMN, those with TGF-beta CC/CT genotypes also had worse renal function and increased risk for macroalbuminuria. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that TGF-beta T869C (Leu 10Pro) gene polymorphism is associated with DMN in Chinese.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Retrospective review of neurotoxicity induced by cefepime and ceftazidime.

We reviewed 42 cases of cefepime-induced neurotoxicity and 12 cases of ceftazidime-induced neurotoxicity from the literature and our institution. Clinical characteristics and timing of diagnosis were examined. Common findings were confusion with temporospatial disorientation (96% of patients), myoclonus (33%), and seizures (13%). These neurologic disorders frequently are encountered in uremic and elderly patients, who often are in a confused state when they visit their physician. The risk of delayed diagnosis was greater with cefepime than ceftazidime neurotoxicity. The median interval between symptom onset and diagnosis of cefepime versus ceftazidime neurotoxicity was 5 and 3 days, respectively (p=0.005). Delayed diagnosis of cefepime neurotoxicity may be due to lack of awareness of the adverse effect. Data gathered since these two broad-spectrum antibiotics were first marketed underscore the potential for neurologic adverse events secondary to their administration. Thus, clinicians' awareness must be increased so that the time between symptom onset and diagnosis can be reduced.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 polymorphism is associated with progressive renal dysfunction after acute rejection in renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Plasma level of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 is genetically determined by a polymorphism in the promoter region, involving two alleles, 4G and 5G. Plasma PAI-1 concentrations are higher in subjects homozygous for the 4G allele than other genotypes (5G/5G and 4G/5G). Such genetic variation in fibrinolytic system may affect the long-term renal transplant outcome. METHODS: We determined PAI-1 4G/5G-promoter genotype polymorphism among our renal transplant recipients between 1985 and 2001. Primary event was defined as doubling of baseline serum-creatinine level. RESULTS: Over a median period of 79 months, 130 patients with 132 kidney grafts were assessed. Baseline clinical variables were comparable among three genotype groups. There was no association between primary event and PAI-1 genotype among the entire cohort. However, among subjects with prior acute rejection episodes, those homozygous for 4G had significantly higher risk of serum creatinine doubling than the other two genotypes (relative risk 2.45, 95% confidence interval 1.19-5.04). PAI-1 genotype does not predict primary events in patients without rejection (relative risk 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.07-4.17). CONCLUSIONS: PAI-1 4G/5G-promoter polymorphism modulates the risk of renal transplant outcomes after acute rejection(s). Recipients homozygous for PAI-1 4G allele have a higher risk of progressive renal damage after acute rejection episode(s). PAI-1 promoter polymorphisms are potentially important determinants of renal response to rejection.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

Calcifications.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Calcinosis↗
PubMed2002

Tuberculous peritonitis-associated mortality is high among patients waiting for the results of mycobacterial cultures of ascitic fluid samples.

We identified 60 cases of tuberculous peritonitis during the past 12 years at our health care center. Most of the patients had severe underlying medical conditions, such as cirrhosis, renal failure, diabetes mellitus, and malignancy. Abnormal chest radiograph findings, ascitic fluid lymphocytosis, and biochemical findings for exudates could only identify 33%, 37%, and 53% of the cases, respectively. On the other hand, peritoneal biopsy allowed early definitive diagnosis for 9 patients. Thirty-one patients died, 26 of whom died < or =6 weeks after their initial presentation, often before the result of mycobacterial culture was available. Only 8 patients died of advanced disease after antituberculous therapy was started. Univariate analysis showed that advanced age, underlying diagnosis, and delayed initiation of therapy were associated with higher mortality rates. Standard antituberculous chemotherapy is highly effective. However, conventional microbiologic diagnostic methods are slow and not sensitive enough for establishing a diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis.

Adolescent↗