Press Release

Latest update on DH investigation into suspected cases of Cushing's syndrome with history of receiving acupuncture from Chinese medicine practitioner

3 September 2012

The Department of Health (DH) today (September 3) provided the latest update on its investigation into the suspected cases of Cushing's syndrome and other adverse effects affecting patients who have a history of receiving acupuncture or other treatment provided by registered Chinese medicine practitioner (CMP) Ma Siu-wing.

A DH spokesman said that the DH has identified three more cases, either through the hotline 2125 1133 for related public enquiries or from the patients' attending doctor. It took the total number of suspected cases related to this CMP to 13 so far.

The latest three cases include two females and one male aged between 35 and 56 years. All had a past history of receiving acupuncture treatment from the CMP concerned for the management of their illnesses such as eczema before the onset of Cushingoid features or related symptoms. They were subsequently diagnosed as having either adrenal insufficiency or iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome by their doctors. Investigation revealed that there was no apparent source of high dose exogenous steroid received by them during the course of acupuncture treatment by the CMP. Among them, the two female patients, aged 35 and 43, were among the five cases reported so far that had ever received injections (apart from acupuncture) from the CMP.

The patients and their attending doctors have been contacted by the DH for their detailed medical histories, drug histories and relevant laboratory results for further investigation. Meanwhile, these three cases will be referred to the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong for consideration in taking necessary disciplinary action.

The spokesman appealed to patrons of CMP Ma Siu-wing who are uncertain about their suspected adverse events or who are feeling unwell to contact the DH via the hotline 2125 1133, or to consult healthcare professionals for advice as an alternative.

"Up to 4.30 pm today, our hotline 2125 1133 has received 133 enquiries from members of the public since it was set up on the evening of August 23. Eighty-eight callers claimed that they had received acupuncture treatment from the CMP concerned," the spokesman said.

"The DH will follow up the cases with individual callers and continue to monitor the development closely," he added.