Hospital Authority (Hong Kong)

Baseline and follow-up DECTs were performed under a standard ULT protocol. Monthly dissolution rates were calculated by simple and compound methods. Correlations with average SU were compared and analyzed. Best-fit regression model was identified. MSU dissolution times were plotted against SU at different endpoints.

In 29 tophaceous gout patients, MSU volume reduced from baseline 10.94 ± 10.59 cm³ to 2.87 ± 5.27 cm³ on follow-up (p = .00). Dissolution rate had a stronger correlation with SU if calculated by compound method (Pearson's correlation coefficient r= -0.77, p = .00) and was independent of baseline MSU load. The ensuing dissolution model was logarithmic and explained real-life scenarios. When SU > 0.43 mmol/l, dissolution time approached infinity. It improved to 10-19 months at SU = 0.24 mmol/l. When SU approximated zero (as with pegloticase), dissolution flattened and still took 4-8 months.

MSU dissolution is better described as a logarithmic function of SU, which explains, predicts, and facilitates understanding of the dissolution process.

The prevalence of daily cigarette smoking has dropped to 10% in Hong Kong (HK) in 2017, however, smoking still kills 5700 persons per yr. Studies suggest that abstinence rates are higher with combined NRT than single NRT, although local data on safety and benefits of combined NRT are lacking. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of combined NRT with single NRT among HK Chinese. This is a one-year, two-arm, parallel randomised trial. Five hundred sixty smokers, who smoked ≥ 10 cigarettes/day for ≥ 1 yr, were randomized to combined and single NRT. Combined NRT group received counseling and nicotine patch & gum. Single NRT group received counselling and nicotine patch. Primary outcome was abstinence rate measured as self-reported 7-day point prevalence with CO validated at 52 wk. Secondary outcomes included smoking abstinence rates at 4, 12, & 26 wk. Crude odds ratio and p-value were reported from logistic regression without adjustment; for trend anal., adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and p-value were reported from Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) (controlling for time). All AORs were adjusted for age, sex, baseline CO and clusters. Abstinence rates at 4, 12, 26 and 52 wk were all higher in the combined NRT group (35.8, 21.9, 16.8, 20.1%) compared with the single NRT group (28, 16.8, 11.2, 14.3%). At 4 wk, combined NRT group was more likely to quit smoking (OR 1.43, 95% CI, 1.00 to 2.05) than the single NRT group. From GEE anal., combined NRT group had a significantly higher abstinence rate (23.6%) than the single NRT group (17.6%) across repeated measures at all-time points. Combined NRT group was more likely to quit smoking (OR 1.43, 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.77). No significant difference in the side effect profile was detected between groups. Smokers given 8 wk of combined NRT were more likely to quit smoking at 4, 12, 26 and 52 wk compared with single NRT. Combined NRT was as well tolerated as single NRT and it should be further promoted in our community.