E-mail: gwktang@hkucc.hku.hk

Tel: (852)2255-3400; Fax: (852)2817-5374; (852)2855-0947

 

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
Rm 531, 5/F, Block K, Pokfulam Road, Queen Mary Hospital

Prof. TANG Grace Wai King
MBBS, MD (HK) ; FRCOG ; FHKCOG ; FHKAM (O&G) ; SBS ; JP
Specialist in Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Clinical Professor

Special Interest

  • General Obstetrics & Gynaecology
  • Human Reproduction Endocrinology
  • Endoscopic Surgery


Research Interest

1. Longitudinal Study of menopausal symptoms in Chinese women in Hong Kong

Menopausal symptoms differ in different ethnic groups. There are more vasomotor symptoms in Caucasian women, whereas Asian women have more nervosity (or mood) symptoms. The occurrence of the symptoms will determine how menopausal women are managed. Their attitude towards the menopause is also a determining factor in management. It has been found that Chinese women generally do not regard the menopause as a period of illness, but the thinking changes with time (figure 1). The pattern of menopausal expression also changes over time. There is a 3-fold increase in the symptom of hot flushes from 10% to 30%, which could only be explained that it is a learnt behavior.

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Figure 1 : attitude and thinking about Menopause

 

2. Bone mineral density and bone loss in Chinese women in Hong Kong

Bone mineral density (BMD) differs in different ethnic population, and may even change with time within the same population (figure2 and figure3). The latter could be related to life style changes. These differences are important in the expression of osteoporosis which is a public health issue. There is a need for a simple method to identify at risk population so that they can undergo BMD measurement which is the best surrogate for osteoporotic fracture.

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Figure 2 : BMD measurements in different groups and time

 

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Figure 3 : BMD differences in femoral neck in cohort group in 5 years

 

The rate of bone loss determines the rate of osteoporosis. The greatest rate of bone loss in Chinese women was found to occur during the 5 years postmenopausal, and the rate of loss gradually decreased to reach a plateau (figure 4).

 

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Figure 4 : Rate of bone loss

 

3. Chinese Medicine in the treatment of menopausal women

Chinese Medicine (CM) has been found to be popular in the Hong Kong population, and it has been postulated that the relatively low Hormone Replacement Therapy rate is related to the prevalent use of CM that abolishes menopausal symptoms and gives women a sense of well being.

Whether CM can give the same health benefits by way of decreasing bone turn-over, reducing lipid levels and increasing blood flow suggestive of vaso-relaxation are studies currently being conducted. Neuro-protection is another important area of study of CM in treating menopausal women.