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Fear of COVID-19 is associated with public health compliance but also with negative well-being; however, no articles have reported associations of such fear with perceived benefits and harms. We assessed the level of fear of COVID-19 in Hong Kong adults and its associations with sociodemographic factors and perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19. In a 6-day population-based cross-sectional online survey in May 2020, 4,890 adults provided data on fear and perceived benefits and harms, personal happiness and family well-being, and sociodemographic characteristics. Linear regression was used to analyze associations. The level of fear was moderate (mean score 6.3/10). Fewer respondents reported perceived benefits (10.6%–21.7%) than harms (13.4%–43.5%). Females, younger age groups, and respondents with lower education or more cohabitants had greater fear. Fear was associated with perceived personal (increased knowledge of personal epidemic prevention) and family benefits (improved family hygiene), both with a very small effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.03). Fear was also associated with lower personal happiness and perceived personal (increased negative emotions, feeling depressed and anxious, decreased income, and decreased work efficiency) and family harms (increased conflicts and negative emotions among family members), with small effect sizes (0.08–0.37). We have first shown sociodemographic differences in the fear of COVID-19 and such fear was associated with both perceived personal and family benefits and harms of COVID-19. Our findings may guide the management of fear to reduce sociodemographic differences, and maximize benefits and minimize harms., Females, younger people, those with lower education or more cohabitants had greater fear of COVID-19. Such fear was associated with both perceived personal and family benefits and harms.

Instant messaging (IM) is increasingly used for family communication amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. However, evidence remains scarce on how family e-chat groups were used and their associations with family and individual wellbeing amidst the pandemic. The numbers of family e-chat groups, functions used, and messages sent and received daily in groups were reported by 4890 adults in May 2020, and their associations with family wellbeing and personal happiness and the mediation effect of family communication quality were examined. Results showed that sending/receiving text messages was most commonly used, followed by receiving/sending photos/pictures, making voice calls, receiving/sending short videos and voice messages, and making video calls. Women and older people used more non-text functions. Higher levels of family wellbeing and personal happiness were associated with having more groups, receiving/sending photos/pictures, video calls, more IM functions used, and more IM messages received/sent daily. Forty-six point two to seventy-five point five percent of their associations with more groups and more functions used were mediated by family communication quality. People having more family e-chat groups and using more IM functions may be more resilient amidst the pandemic, while those without or with low use of family e-chat groups amidst the pandemic would need more attention and assistance in the presence of social distancing.

We assessed the perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19 on family and their associations with sociodemographic factors in Chinese adults in Hong Kong. We conducted an online population-based survey and collected 4891 responses in 6 days. Prevalence estimates were weighted by sex, age, and education of the general population, and associations were analyzed using logistic regression. Our results showed both perceived benefits: 19.0% for family physical health, 7.2% family mental health, and 13.5% family relationships, and harms: 2.3% for family physical health, 37.9% family mental health, 18.6% family relationships, and 37.8% decreased family income. More female or older respondents reported perceived benefits but fewer of them reported perceived harms. More respondents with higher than lower socioeconomic scores (SES) reported perceived benefits on family physical and mental health and family relationships, but more respondents with lower than higher SES reported perceived harm on family income. As the pandemic continues with uncertainties, further studies on the dynamics of benefits and harms are needed. Urgent and additional assistance to underprivileged families and at-risk individuals are needed to reduce the inequities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background Inequalities in health information seeking behaviors (HISBs) using mass media and internet websites (web 1.0) are well documented. Little is known about web 2.0 such as social networking sites (SNS) and instant messaging (IM) and experiences of HISBs. Methods We surveyed representative Hong Kong Chinese adults (N = 10143, 54.9% female; 72.3% aged 25–64 years) on frequency of HISBs using traditional sources, internet websites, SNS (e.g., Facebook, Twitter), and IM (e.g., WhatsApp, WeChat) and experiences measured using Information Seeking Experience Scale. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) for HISBs and experiences by sociodemographic and health-related characteristics were yielded using multivariable Poisson regression with robust variance estimators. aPRs for experiences by HISBs using internet websites, SNS, and IM adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related characteristics were also yielded. Results Being female, higher educational attainment, not smoking, and being physically active were associated with HISBs using any source (all PP for trend = 0.03), internet websites (P for trendP for trendP for trendP for trend = 0.003). Compared with internet websites, HISBs using IM was associated with feelings of frustration (aPR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.08, 1.79), difficulties in understanding the information (aPR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.12, 1.65), and quality concern (aPR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.08, 1.32). Conclusions We identified correlates of web-based health information seeking and experiences in Hong Kong Chinese adults. Providing greater access to and improved information environment of web 2.0 to the target groups may help address digital inequalities.

Study objective: To examine the association of sleep duration and insomnia symptoms with happiness. Methods: A random sample of 1691 Chinese adult (mean age 54 &plusmn, 20.1, male 51%) were interviewed in a population-based telephone survey. Happiness was measured by the subjective happiness scale (SHS) and the one-item global happiness index (GHI). Information on sleep included mean past seven-day sleep duration (&lt, 6 h, &ge, 6 to &lt, 8 h and &ge, 8 h) and insomnia symptoms: Difficulty in initiating sleep (DIS), difficulty in maintaining sleep (DMS), and early morning awakening (EMA). Adjusted beta-coefficient (&beta, ) of SHS and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of GHI in relation to sleep problems were calculated. Interaction effects by age (18&ndash, 65 vs. &ge, 65) and by sex were assessed. Results: Compared to &ge, 8 h of sleep, having &lt, 6 h of sleep had lower SHS (adjusted &beta, &minus, 0.32, 95% CI &minus, 0.46 to &minus, 0.17) and GHI (aOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.78). The associations were stronger in younger adults and in women (p &lt, 0.05). DIS, DMS, and EMA were associated with lower SHS (adjusted &beta, ranged from &minus, 0.20 to &minus, 0.06) and GHI (aOR ranged from 0.57 to 0.89). Dose-response association between the number of insomnia symptoms and lower SHS was observed (p &lt, 0.001). These associations were generally stronger in older adults and among women. Conclusions: Lower levels of happiness were observed, particularly in younger adults and females with short sleep duration and older adults and females with insomnia symptoms. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the findings and understand the mechanisms between sleep and happiness.

To ease the shortage of professionals, lay volunteers were trained to become health promoters and role models for a large community program to enhance physical activity, well-being, and neighborhood cohesion in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups in Hong Kong. This study aimed to examine the effects on health promoters (trainees) and the feasibility and acceptability of capability-building train-the-trainer workshops (TTTs) using Zero-time Exercise (ZTEx) to implement a community program for about 1,000 participants. A four-session (totally 8 hours) TTT introduced an evidence-based ZTEx intervention to enhance physical activity and well-being, and build capacity for community program implementation. Twenty-eight trainees actively participated in the TTT. Twenty-five and 21 trainees completed the 1- and 3-month questionnaires, respectively. Eleven trainees attended the 1-year focus group interview. Repeated measures analysis of variance and Friedman test were used to compare the parametric and nonparametric data, respectively. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The trainees reduced their sedentary behavior and improved their interpersonal communication skills, knowledge, and attitude toward ZTEx, grip strength, balance, and perceived well-being. The community participants reported improvements in neighborhood cohesion and grip strength. The 1-year qualitative results supported the 3-month quantitative findings. This brief and innovative TTT affirmed the feasibility of using ZTEx and the role modeling approach for lay health promoters to reduce sedentary behavior and enhance physical activity, fitness, and well-being. They then contributed to the successful implementation of community programs that benefited many. This study provides a new model for building capacity for health promotion in the community.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction has been recognized to occur in the context of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or tobacco smoking. However, the deleterious effect on vascular function with concurrence of both conditions is largely unknown. Objective: To investigate whether the concurrence of OSA and smoking poses an additive detriment to endothelial dysfunction. Methods: Chinese men without a history of chronic medical illness were invited to complete a questionnaire including smoking pack-year exposure, polysomnography and peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) for endothelial function. Serum 8-isoprostane, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were measured. Results: 114 men were successfully enrolled. PAT ratio, adjusted for age and body mass index, correlated inversely with overall severity of OSA: apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), r = -0.160 (p = 0.092); oxygen desaturation index, r = -0.214 (p = 0.024); duration of oxygen saturation Conclusion: While OSA, in particular intermittent hypoxemia, and tobacco smoking were independent risk factors, the concurrence of moderate-severe OSA and smoking was associated with the most severe impairment in endothelial function.

Our aim was to determine the pathway underlying the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence on intimate relationship with bed partner in men with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We hypothesized that CPAP with good adherence affected the intimate relationship with bed partner directly and indirectly, and it was mediated through daytime sleepiness and activity level in men with OSA.Data were obtained from an education program for enhancing CPAP adherence. Men who were newly diagnosed of OSA and CPAP therapy naïve were recruited in a tertiary teaching hospital.Self-reported quality of life [Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire], daytime sleepiness [Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)], and negative emotion symptoms [depression, anxiety, stress scale] were assessed before and after CPAP treatment at 1-year assessment. Seventy-three men were included in the data analysis, with a mean ± SD age of 52 ± 10 years, body mass index of 29.0 ± 5.2 kg/m(2), ESS of 9.5 ± 5.6, and median [interquartile range(IR)] apnea and hypopnea index of 31 (21, 56) events/h. The median (IR) CPAP daily usage was 4.3(0, 6.1) h/day. From the path analysis, CPAP therapy was shown to improve intimate relationship directly (ß = 0.185) and indirectly (ß = 0.050) by reducing daytime sleepiness and increasing activity level. However, negative emotion symptoms were not the mediators between CPAP adherence and the intimate relationship.CPAP therapy with good adherence is related directly and indirectly to a better intimate relationship with bed partner in men with OSA. It was possibly attributed to reduced daytime sleepiness and increased activity level.

A brief intervention using Zero-time Exercise (ZTEx), a foot-in-the-door approach, was developed to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase physical activity. ZTEx refers to the integration of simple strength- and stamina-enhancing physical activity into daily life, which can be done anytime, anywhere and by anyone. This paper presents the development, feasibility, and preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of this intervention under the Hong Kong Jockey Club FAMILY Project. Needs assessments were conducted with social workers from the Christian Family Services Center(CFSC) and the Social Welfare Department (SWD). This single group prospective ZTEx intervention trial, guided by the Health Action Process Approach, included a 3-hr core session at baseline and a 1-hr booster session at 1-month follow-up. Fifty-six participants (social and service-related workers) from CFSC (n = 28) and SWD (n = 28) received the intervention and completed the self-administered questionnaires at baseline. Forty-nine and 43 participants completed the 1-month and 3-month self-administered questionnaires, respectively. Fifteen participants attended the focus group interviews to share their feedback on ZTEx intervention after implementing their community-based ZTEx activities. Intention-to-treat analysis was conducted with missing data replaced by baseline values. Participants reported significant decreases in sitting time by 27 (2, 52) minutes (mean [95% confidence interval]) and 36 (0.2, 71) minutes on a weekday, increases in physical activity while seated by 0.7 (0.2, 1.4) days and 1.1 (0.6, 1.7) days in a week, and improvements in perceived knowledge, outcome expectancies and plan on doing ZTEx at the 1-month and 3-month follow-up, respectively. Balance and muscle strength significantly improved at the 1-month follow-up. The effect ranged from small to large (Cohen's d: 0.27-1.05, all p < 0.05). The qualitative feedbacks support the quantitative findings. Our findings show early evidence that ZTEx effectively reduced sedentary behaviour and enhanced physical activity and fitness. Further trials on this simple and low-cost intervention as the first step to promote higher intensity exercise are warranted.

Objectives The self-efficacy measure for sleep apnea (SEMSA) questionnaire was shown to be an effective tool to assess adherence-related cognitions on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) subjects. SEMSA helps to solicit fundamental information for formulating strategies to promote CPAP adherence for better treatment outcomes. The objective of our study was to perform a linguistic and psychometric evaluation of a Chinese version of the SEMSA (SEMSA-C). Methods Data were obtained from 100 subjects in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) on CPAP education. Subjects were newly diagnosed of OSA and naive to CPAP therapy. Results A 26-item SEMSA-C was obtained by a rigorous linguistic validation process. Internal consistency was high with Cronbach α >0.88. One-week test–retest intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) ranged from 0.70 to 0.82. Principal component factor analysis identified three of the same hypothesized factors (perceived risks, outcome expectancies, and treatment self-efficacy) as in the original version. CPAP adherence was associated with outcome expectancies and treatment self-efficacy at 3-month assessment. Further, SEMSA-C demonstrated an improvement in self-efficacy after CPAP use. Conclusions SEMSA-C shows similar psychometric properties as the original English version. It is a reliable and responsive instrument to measure perceived risks, outcome expectancies, and treatment self-efficacy in Chinese subjects with OSA.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and treatment of OSA may have a positive impact on cardiometabolic profile. This study investigates the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on glycemic control and cardiometabolic parameters in patients with diabetes. Diabetic patients, who were newly diagnosed of OSA with an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) ≥15 and HbA1c ≥7%, were randomly assigned to either CPAP treatment or no treatment (control) for 3 months. Measurements included HbA1c, blood pressure, fasting glucose and lipids, urinary albumin, and peripheral arterial tonometry (to assess endothelial function). Sixty-four patients (52 men) were randomized, with mean (±SD) age of 55.0 ± 9.6 years, body mass index of 29.9 ± 5.3 kg/m2, HbA1c of 8.1 ± 1.1%, and AHI of 45.3 ± 23.2 events/h. In the intention-to-treat analysis, no significant change in HbA1c but reduction of systolic (10 mmHg (−18 to −2), p

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of oral appliance (OA) treatment for subjects with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to determine the dental parameters associated with treatment outcomes. This study uses a prospective longitudinal design. Consecutive Chinese subjects with severe OSA who refused continuous positive airway pressure treatment were recruited. Their dental measurements were taken from lateral cephalometric radiographs. Polysomnograms with OA were repeated at 3 months and 1 year. Blood pressure was taken in the morning after sleep studies. Thirty-four subjects were evaluated at 3 months and 1 year according to the principle of intention-to-treat analysis. OA reduced AHI significantly in subjects with favorable responses, from 49.3 (37.4–67) to 12.5 (6.1–15.7), p

This study investigated the roles of different potential pathophysiological mechanisms in the determination of blood pressure in relation to obstructive sleep apnea. The study was designed as a cross-sectional study. Consecutive healthy male subjects who were to undergo polysomnography were recruited. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected. Blood pressure measurements were taken in the evening before sleep and the next morning on waking. Overnight urinary samples for catecholamines and fasting blood for cortisol, insulin, glucose, and lipids were taken. Ninety-four men were analyzed, with a mean age of 43.7 +/- 9.3 years and mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 27.5 +/- 26.2 events/h. Sixty-nine patients (73%) had obstructive sleep apnea (AHIor= 5). Urinary catecholamines were positively correlated with severity of sleep apnea, independent of obesity. Blood pressure measurements correlated with age, obesity, severity of sleep apnea, and urinary catecholamines. Regression analysis showed that sleep indices and urinary catecholamines were independent determinants of morning systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively, while total cholesterol and waist circumference were respective additional factors. Urinary catecholamines and waist circumference were determinants of evening blood pressure, with morning cortisol being an additional determinant for diastolic blood pressure. Obstructive sleep apnea and related sympathetic activity contributed significantly to the determination of daytime blood pressure in overweight middle-aged men without overt cardiometabolic diseases, and other contributing factors include abdominal obesity, total cholesterol, and cortisol levels.

The effects of treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) on glucose metabolism have been investigated previously with conflicting results. This study evaluated the impact of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) treatment of OSA on insulin sensitivity. Males with moderate/severe OSA and no significant comorbidity were randomised to a therapeutic or sham nCPAP treatment group for 1 week and then reassessed. Those who received therapeutic nCPAP were further evaluated at 12 weeks. Insulin sensitivity (K(itt)) was estimated by the short insulin tolerance test. Other evaluations included blood pressure, metabolic profile, urinary catecholamines and intra-abdominal fat. In total, 61 Chinese subjects were randomised. 31 subjects receiving therapeutic nCPAP showed an increase in K(itt) (6.6+/-2.9 to 7.6+/-3.2 % x min(-1); p = 0.017), while the 30 patients on sham CPAP had no significant change, and the changes in K(itt) were different between the two groups (p = 0.022). At 12 weeks, improvement in K(itt) was seen in 20 subjects with BMI >or=25 kg x m(-2) (median (interquartile range) 28.3 (26.6-31.5); p = 0.044), but not in the nine subjects with BMI

Study Objectives: Hypoadiponectinemia is associated with cardiovas- cular morbidity and diabetes mellitus. We hypothesize that adiponectin may be downregulated in sleep apnea through various mechanisms, contributing to cardiometabolic risks. This study investigated the rela- tionship between serum adiponectin and sleep disordered breathing and its potential determinants. Design: Cross-sectional study. Subjects and setting: Adult men without prevailing medical comorbid- ity from the sleep clinic in a teaching hospital. Measurements & Results: One hundred thirty-four men underwent polysomnography, with mean age of 43.9 (9.8) years, and median ap- nea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 17.1 (5.7, 46.6). Overnight urine samples for catecholamines and blood samples for analyses of insulin, glucose and adiponectin levels from fasting subjects were taken. Insulin resis- tance was estimated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to quantify the amount of abdominal visceral fat. Serum adiponectin level, adjusted for age, body mass index, and visceral fat volume, was significantly lower in subjects with severe obstructive sleep apnea (AHI ≥ 30) compared with those with an AHI of less than 30: 4.0 (3.1, 5.4) versus 5.4 (3.6, 7.9) µg/mL, P = 0.039. After we adjusted for adiposity, adiponectin levels remained negatively correlated with AHI (P = 0.037), arousal index (P = 0.022), HOMA-IR/fasting insulin (P < 0.001), and urinary norepinephrine and normetanephrine (P < 0.008). In a multiple stepwise regression mod- el, the independent determinants of adiponectin after adjustment for adiposity were HOMA-IR (P < 0.001) and urinary norepinephrine and normetanephrine (P = 0.037). conclusions: Adiponectin was suppressed in subjects with severe ob- structive sleep apnea, independent of obesity. Adiponectin levels were determined by insulin resistance and sympathetic activation, factors that may be totally or partially attributed to sleep disordered breathing.

Background Patients with diabetes mellitus are known to have increased serum levels of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), and this is also associated with insulin resistance. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum AGEs and insulin sensitivity in non-diabetic subjects with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Methods Adult males with no known comorbidities were recruited from the sleep clinic of a university teaching hospital. They underwent overnight in-laboratory polysomnography. Fasting blood was taken to measure serum AGE and plasma glucose levels. Insulin sensitivity was estimated using the short insulin tolerance test. Results In total, 105 subjects with a mean age of 43.5 (standard deviation [SD] 9.2) years, mean body mass index of 27.1 (SD 4.0) kg/m 2 , and median apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) of 17 (interquartile range 5–46) were analysed. Serum AGE levels were significantly higher in subjects with OSA (AHI ⩾5), compared with those without OSA (AHI P = 0.037) after adjusting for confounders. AGE levels were positively correlated with AHI ( r = 0.318, P = 0.001), but not with insulin sensitivity. AGE levels decreased in subjects with moderate-to-severe OSA who received continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for three months ( n = 18, P = 0.017). Conclusions Serum AGE levels correlate with AHI in non-diabetic adult males. This relationship cannot be explained by insulin sensitivity. Supporting the hypothesis of a direct relationship between AHI and AGEs, AGE levels were found to decline with CPAP therapy.

Background and objective: This study was conducted to define normal reference values and lower limits of normal (LLN) for single-breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco) and DLco per unit of alveolar volume (Kco) for Chinese adults in Hong Kong. Methods: Healthy non-smoking men and women aged 18–80 years were recruited by random digit dialling. DLco and Kco were measured according to American Thoracic Society standards. Reference equations were obtained by multiple linear regression; LLN were derived by distribution-free method for estimation of age-related centiles. Results: Tests from 568 subjects (259 men, 309 women) were analysed. DLco declined with age in both genders, and increased with height and the interaction term of height and age in men and women, respectively. Considering Hb values did not improve the reference equations. Kco declined with age and increased with weight in both genders, while height and its interaction term with age were additional determinants in women. The reference DLco was lower than some Caucasian values, and was only explained partially by a smaller body size and alveolar volume in Chinese. The distribution-free method yielded better overall approximation to the fifth percentile compared with the traditional method of determining LLN. Conclusions: The equations for reference values and LLN of diffusing capacity derived in this study are of clinical relevance to Chinese subjects.