The University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Medicine has developed a scoring system to help streamline treatment for some stroke patients with hypertension.

The TRICH score comprises five simple clinical predictors, including kidney function levels, blood pressure, and others. It targets patients with intracerebral haemorrhage.

Dr Teo Kay-Cheong, deputy director of the HKU Stroke Research and Prevention Group, explained that patients currently have to go through a long period of testing before doctors are able to come up with ways to control their blood pressure. During this time, there is a high risk of stroke and death.

"The TRICH score [helps] to select patients that can be given what we call up-front treatment... we can start immediately with triple anti-hypertensive medication."

He said this means that blood pressure management will be enhanced and risks associated with over-treatment will be minimised.

Two University of Hong Kong students, Adrian So and Charming Yeung, developed the scoring system under Teo's supervision.

However, Teo pointed out that it is still early days for the scoring system.

"We need further research to show its effectiveness and its usefulness in patients," he added.