Dear Reader,
Glaucoma is commonly known as a silent thief of sight that the disease is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, with an increasing prevalence due to population aging. Given that glaucoma-associated visual field loss may be asymptomatic until the late stages, timely management remains a clinical challenge. Fortunately, recent advancements in therapeutics have significantly improved patient outcomes. In addition to medications and surgical procedures, laser treatment has been advocated to be safe and effective in managing glaucoma. In the current Feature Story, we are glad to invite Dr. Lai Sum Wai Isabel to discuss the pathophysiology and burden of glaucoma, as well as sharing her insights into managing the disease.
In the Focus section, the obstacles in the clinical management of generalised myasthenia gravis (gMG) will be discussed. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is caused by autoantibodies directed against postsynaptic proteins at the muscle end plate, mainly the acetylcholine receptor (AChR), resulting in fluctuating weakness and fatigability. Although medications controlling gMG are available, the high prices hinder patient adherence to treatment. Thus, the management of MG is not merely a clinical challenge, but also a public health issue.
In addition to the thematic topics, updates on pharmacologic management of chronic diseases, including elevated LDL-C, diabetes mellitus (DM), and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) are featured in the Industry Updates. Moreover, the roles of ketoanalogues in low-protein diet for patients with renal impairments and the clinical application of Omega-3 lipid emulsion in parenteral nutrition are discussed. While chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a rare but solid clinical problem, innovative therapeutics countering the disease have been emerging. Recently, a panel of clinical experts from various Asian countries have gathered in Hong Kong and discussed the unmet needs and future challenges for tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment for CML. The fruitful discussion is included in the current issue. Furthermore, the importance of multivitamin supplementation in adults, especially older population, and the association between oral hygiene and systemic health are covered as well.
Last but not the least, a review of sentinel events occurred in the local public healthcare system and the measures implemented by the Hospital Authority (HA) to support patient safety will be highlighted in the Epoch section.
Hope you enjoy this issue! Wish you a merry Christmas!
Dr. Roy Yuen-chi Lau
PhD, DBA, MPH, MMedSc, MA, BSc,
FRSPH, MIET, MRSC, MSB, CBiol, CSci, MRACI CChem
Editor-in-Chief
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