Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Risk Factors For Stroke In, Bolan Medical Complex Hospital Quetta, Muhammad Essa, Amanullah Kakar, Dr Gulandam, Muhammad Saleem Barech, Hina Imtiaz, Sher Zaman Mandokhail, Muhammad Dawood

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Stroke is one of the leading causes of physical impairment and mortality worldwide. Optimizing preventive strategies will help decrease the burden of stroke. The objectives of this study were to determine common stroke risk factors, by analyzing a comprehensive panel of variables in our local population.

200 patients were consecutively enrolled in this prospective observational study at stroke unit (SU) of Bolan Medical Complex Hospital over 6 months from March 2019 to August 2019. Structured questionnaires were prepared History and clinical examination were performed to gather relevant information. CT scan of brain was done to confirm the diagnosis of stroke. …

Suicide, A Convoluted Challenge In Covid-19 Era, Aisha Noorullah

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

No abstract provided.

Optical Coherence Tomography Based Indices In Predicting Functional Outcome Of Macular Hole Surgery: A Retrospective Chart Review, Haroon Tayyab, Rehman Siddiqui, Sana Jahangir, Shiraz Hashmi

Section of Ophthalmology

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the utility of novel macular hole indices of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and predicting the functional outcome of surgery.
Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of 28 eyes who underwent surgery for idiopathic Full Thickness Macular Hole (FTMH) at The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi from January 2016 to March 2020. Data of preoperative OCTs were recovered from data server of OCT machine. Measurements of the pre-operative OCTs were calculated using caliper function of OCT software by two independent technicians. Parameters included Macular Hole Index (MHI), Traction Hole Index …

Spontaneous Closure Of Full Thickness Macular Hole In The Presence Of An Epiretinal Membrane In A Vitrectomised Eye: A Case Report, Rehman Siddiqui, Muhammad Umar Fawad, Nida Ahsan

Section of Ophthalmology

We report the case of a spontaneous closure of full thickness macular hole (FTMH) in the presence of an epiretinal membrane (ERM) in a previously vitrectomised eye. The patient had undergone vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and developed an ERM two weeks after the surgery, which converted into a FTMH after one week. Eight months after the vitrectomy, spontaneous closure of FTMH was observed with an improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from 20/200 to 20/40. The patient was followed up for four years, and the FTMH remained closed. Spontaneous closure of FTMH is possible even in the presence of …

Cardiovascular Fellow-In-Training Feedback On Virtual And Simulator-Based Learning Experience During Covid-19 Pandemic In A Low To Middle Income Country - A Cross-Sectional Study, Pirbhat Shams, Intisar Ahmed, Hunaina Shahab, Zehra Kadani, Aisal Khan, Marvi Shams, Yawer Saeed, Syedah Saira Bokhari, Aamir Hameed Khan

Section of Cardiology

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has introduced us to a greater need of virtual learning platforms and has resulted in less clinical exposure for fellows-in-training. Virtual and simulator-based learning is not widely available in LMIC. It is imperative to analyze feedback of CV fellow-in-training regarding this mode of learning before large scale implementation.
Methodology: This was an observational study conducted between July-August 2020. A multicentered survey was conducted. Survey questionnaire was disseminated to FIT (fellow-in-training) via Google Forms. The questionnaire contained a total of 24 questions about virtual and simulator-based learning during the pandemic.
Results: A total of 68 FIT responded to …

Mental Health During Covid-19 Pandemic Among Caregivers Of Young Children In Kenya’S Urban Informal Settlements. A Cross-Sectional Telephone Survey, Vibian Angweny, Margaret Kabue, Esther Chongwo, Adam Mabrouk, Ezra Too, Rachel Odhiambo, Carophine Nasambu, Joyce Marangu, Derrick Ssewanyana, Eunice Njoroge, Eunice Ombech, Mercy Mokaya, Emmanuel Obulemire, Anil Khamis, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

The emergence of COVID-19 has profoundly affected mental health, especially among highly vulnerable populations. This study describes mental health issues among caregivers of young children and pregnant women in three urban informal settlements in Kenya during the first pandemic year, and factors associated with poor mental health. A cross-sectional telephone survey was administered to 845 participants. Survey instruments included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, General Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, and questions on the perceived COVID-19 effects on caregiver wellbeing and livelihood. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and univariate and multivariate analysis. Caregivers perceived COVID-19 as a threatening condition …

Student Research Mentorship Programme: A Novel Solution For Promoting Research In Medical School, Inaara Akbar, Russell S. Martins, Syeda Sadia Fatima

Medical College Documents

No abstract provided.

Inspire : Vol 4, Issue 9, Department Of Medicine

INSPIRE – Department of Medicine Archives

Content

• Message from the Chair
• Medicine at National and International Forums
• Double Trouble~ Congo and Dengue!
• In-depth- featuring Dr. Moiz Salahuddin
• Featured Faculty- Dr Zain Mushtaq “… A little compassion goes a long way"
• Faculty’s –Favorite poem
• What are Academics Around the World Reading This Month?
• Publications

Mental Health And Well-Being Of Older Adults Living With Hiv In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review, Patrick Nzivo Mwangala, Adam Mabrouk, Ryan Wagner, Charles R J C Newton, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Objective: In this systematic review, we aimed to summarise the empirical evidence on common mental disorders (CMDs), cognitive impairment, frailty and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among people living with HIV aged ≥50 years (PLWH50 +) residing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Specifically, we document the prevalence and correlates of these outcomes.

Design, data sources and eligibility criteria: The following online databases were systematically searched: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase and Scopus up to January 2021. English-language publications on depression, anxiety, cognitive function, frailty and quality of life among PLWH50+ residing in SSA were included.

Data extraction and synthesis: We extracted …

The Etiology Of Pneumonia In Hiv-Uninfected Children In Kilifi, Kenya: Findings From The Pneumonia Etiology Research For Child Health (Perch) Study, Juliet O. Awori, Alice Kamau, Susan Morpeth, Sidi Kazungu, Micah Silaba, Joyce Sande, Angela Karani, Sammy Nyongesa, Salim Mwarumba, Robert Musyimi

Imaging & Diagnostic Radiology, East Africa

Background: In the 1980s, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were identified as the principal causes of severe pneumonia in children. We investigated the etiology of severe childhood pneumonia in Kenya after introduction of conjugate vaccines against H. influenzae type b, in 2001, and S. pneumoniae, in 2011.

Methods: We conducted a case–control study between August 2011 and November 2013 among residents of the Kilifi Health and Demographic Surveillance System 28 days to 59 months of age. Cases were hospitalized at Kilifi County Hospital with severe or very severe pneumonia according to the 2005 World Health Organization definition. Controls …

Residency Training On The Frontlines Of The Covid-19 Pandemic - A Qualitative Study From Tanzania, Mariam Noorani, Hussein Manji, Elizabeth Mmari, Samina Somji, Nahida Z. Walli, Sherin Kassamali, Shabbir Adamjee, Nancy Matillya, Hanifa Mbithe, Aliasger Nagri, Neelam Ismail

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Introduction: the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic has affected residency training globally. The aim of this study was to understand how the pandemic affected teaching and learning in residency programs in low resource settings where residents and faculty were working on the front line treating patients with the disease.

Methods: this qualitative study enrolled residents and faculty from the Aga Khan University in Tanzania who were providing front line care during the pandemic. Purposeful sampling was used and data was collected using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews between August and September 2020. Analysis was done using qualitative content analysis.

Results: …

Duration Of Cessation Of Smoking Before Elective Surgery: Impact On Intraoperative Hemodynamics And Early Postoperative Pain In Developing Country, Mohsin Nazir, Gauhar Afshan, Muslima Ejaz, Amir Raza

Department of Anaesthesia

Aim and Background: It is estimated that up to 20% of patients coming for elective surgery are smokers and carry a risk of perioperative complications. Though smoking cessation and its impact on perioperative outcome are widely investigated worldwide we were unable to find any data in Pakistan. The objective of the study is to determine the impact of the duration of smoking cessation before elective surgery on intraoperative hemodynamics and postoperative pain in Pakistani population.
Methods: It was a prospective cohort study conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi, Pakistan, for one-year duration. A total of 260 patients scheduled …

A Rare Case Of Thiamine Responsive Megaloblastic Anemia Presenting With Seizures, Waleed Shahzad, Tehmina Inayat, Mansoor Iqbal, Muhammad Hassan, Fibhaa Syed, Naveed Ullah Khan, Mazhar Badshah

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Thiamine responsive megaloblastic anemia (TRMA) also known as Rogers syndrome is a rare entity inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder. It consists of a pentad of diabetes-mellitus, megaloblastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia and sensory-neural hearing loss. The defect occurs due to mutations in SLC19A2 gene resulting in the deficiency of a thiamine transporter proteins which prevents the transport of thiamine in to the cells and tissues. Here we report a 13 year old boy with megaloblastic anemia, sensory-neural deafness and young onset diabetes mellitus who presented with generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Diagnosis was based on clinical features and a rapid response to …

Effects Of Intermittent Fasting On Cognition And Neurodegeneration, Dureshahwar Kanwar, Mohammad Wasay

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Intermittent fasting (IF) can facilitate neurodegenerative, neuroadaptive and neuroprotective processes leading to profound effects on cognition and dementias. The impact that IF has on the central nervous system is still not fully known. Several factors come into likely effect including changes in energy metabolism, oxidative damage, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and functional changes related to various neurotransmitters and hormones. During IF ketones are produced in large quantities and the brain consumes these for energy. The presence of ketone bodies increases the expression of the genes for brain derived neurotrophic factor which has a powerful effect on dementia and cognition. Brain derived …

Finding Needle In A Haystack; Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome Disguising Meningitis In A 2-Years-Old Girl, Raman Kumar, Farah Shams Abbasi, Asma Noreen

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Fever with CNS symptoms in children is almost, always considered to be a CNS infection and treated as Meningitis. Central causes of fever are not usually taken in to the account in such cases. We present a case of a 2- year old girl who developed fever and CNS symptoms after she was given anti-emetic medications for her initial presentation of acute gastroenteritis. She developed high grade fever and spasticity and was treated on lines of meningitis empirically without any evidence of infection. She did not improve and once she fulfilled clinical criteria of Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, her condition improved, …

Pediatric Neurology In Pakistan: Past, Present And Future, Iram Javed

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

No abstract provided.

A Rare Case Of X-Linked Bulbo-Spinal Muscular Atrophy With Sensory Neuropathy And Tremors, Waleed Shahzad, Muhammad Hassan, Mansoor Iqbal, Zakir Jan, Tehmina Inayat, Mazhar Badshah, Muhammad Irshad

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Kennedy disease (KD) is also known as spino bulbar muscular atrophy caused by a tandem C-A-G tri-nucleotide repeat. It is an adult-onset X-linked recessive inherited neurodegenerative disease involving lower motor neuron damage with predominance of facial muscles. It is often accompanied with androgen sensitivity, sensory nerve damage and endocrinal involvement. It has similar confusing symptoms and is often mis-diagnosed with most of the neuromuscular diseases like POEMS syndrome, myasthenia gravis, mitochondrial myopathy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Hence clinical differentiation is important to prevent adverse outcomes and un-necessary treatment. Here we describe a rare case of a 46 year old Pakistani …

The Practice Of Burch Colposuspension Versus Mid Urethral Slings For The Treatment Of Stress Urinary Incontinence In Developing Country, Saida Abrar, Lubna Razzak, Raheela Mohsin Rizvi

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness and complications of Burch colposuspension and Mid Urethral Slings (MUS) for the treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI).
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 162 patients who underwent surgery for SUI with Burch colposuspension (n=40), tension free vaginal tape (TVT) (n= 59) or transobturator tape (TOT) (n=63), from 2006 to 2014 at the Aga Khan University Hospital- Karachi. All three groups were assessed in terms of demographics, cure rates, intraoperative and postoperative complications at one and five years using incontinence impact questionnaire-short form-7 (IIQ-7) and urogenital distress inventory -short form-6 (UDI-6).
Results: Mean age …

Barriers And Challenges To Mental Health Care In Pakistan, Fatima Siddiqui, Qurat Ul Ain Khan

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity"(1). Despite being a global health-related burden, and a major cause of morbidity worldwide including Pakistan, mental health diseases are an overlooked entity in our country. In Pakistan, we have seen a rapid improvement in the treatment of conditions related to physical health over the course of years, but mental health issues are still being given limited priority. Pakistan is the 6th most populated country in the world with a current estimated population of 210 million …

Self-Concept, Self- Affirmation And Psychological Distress In Women With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (Pcos), Zeenash Mazhar Dar, Muhammad Nasar Iqbal, Muhammad Rafiq, Shahyan Qamar, Fatima Javed

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

To study the relationship among self-concept, self- affirmation and psychological distress in females having Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

In this correlational study one hundred patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome participated with age ranging from 21-40 years. Self-Concept questionnaire, self-Affirmation scale, and Kessler psychological distress scale were used to collect data

The results of this study revealed that negative-self-concept has significantly positive relationship with psychological distress. Multiple regression revealed that positive self-concept negatively predicted psychological distress in females having polycystic ovarian disease. Independent sample t=test revealed that psychological distress is more in married women (M= 32.96, SD=8.60) as compared to single …

Current Status Of Non-Disease Modifying Gene Therapy In Parkinson’S Disease, Muhammad Shariq Shaikh, Syed Ahsan Ali, Dureshahwar Kanwar

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurological disorder characterized by bradykinesia, tremor, muscular rigidity, and postural instability. The world-wide prevalence is expected to rise further with increasing mean age. Theoretically, if all desired elements required for dopamine synthesis are functionally available, need for exogenous L-DOPA administration can be eliminated or markedly reduced. However, lack of effective long-term treatment has led to extensive gene therapy research focusing both on disease modifying as well as non-disease modifying aspects. Since genetic lesions are found in both familial as well as sporadic PD cases, the principle of introducing a normal gene to cure …

Making Hospitals Health Promotive, Shelina Bhamani, Areeba Zainab Makhdoom

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

No abstract provided.

Safe Thrombolysis During Pregnancy For Recurrent Acute Ischaemic Stroke Due To Concomitant Isolated Left Ventricular Non-Compaction And Bilateral Foetal Posterior Communicating Arteries, Fatimah Juma, Mzee Ngunga, Wangari Siika, Dilraj Sokhi

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Isolated left ventricular non-compaction (ILVNC) is a rare congenital cardiomyopathy and is associated with arrhythmias, heart failure and thromboembolism including ischaemic stroke. Pregnancy is a relative contraindication to thrombolysis for acute ischaemic stroke, although case reports suggest the treatment can be given in selected cases. We report a case of recurrent cryptogenic strokes in a 36-year-old female who was thrombolysed with good outcome at 37 weeks’ gestation and was eventually found to have ILVNC as the cause. She had a predilection to recurrent posterior circulatory strokes due to foetal posterior communicating arteries. To our knowledge this is the first case …

Takayasu Arteritis: A Rare Cause Of Chronic Headache, Linda Barasa, Adil Salyani, Jillo Bika, Fred Otieno, Dilraj Sokhi

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Chronic headache can be a presenting manifestation of Takayasu arteritis, although patients usually have other characteristic features. A thorough clinical assessment remains key in the evaluation of chronic headache.

Flipped Laboratory Sessions Using Video Vignette And Active Learning: A Hybrid Approach For Online Teaching, Sabah Farhat, Rehana Rehman, Syeda Sadia Fatima

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Association Of Care Environment With Hiv Incidence And Death Among Orphaned, Separated, And Street-Connected Children And Adolescents In Western Kenya, Paula Braitstein, Allison Delong, David Ayuku, Mary Ott, Lukoye Atwoli, Omar Galárraga, Edwin Sang, Joseph Hogan

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Importance: In 2015, there were nearly 140 million orphaned children globally, particularly in low- and middle-income regions, and millions more for whom the street is central to their everyday lives. A total of 16.6 million children were orphaned because of deaths associated with HIV/AIDS, of whom 90% live in sub-Saharan Africa. Although most orphaned and separated children and adolescents in this region are cared for by extended family, the large number of children requiring care has produced a proliferation of institutional care. Few studies have investigated the association between care environment and physical health among orphaned and separated youths in …

Causes And Circumstances Of Maternal Death: A Secondary Analysis Of The Community-Level Interventions For Pre-Eclampsia (Clip) Trials Cohort, Annet M. Aukes, Kristina Arion, Jeffrey N. Bone, Jing Li, Marianne Vidler, Mrutyunjaya B. Bellad, Zahra Hoodbhoy, Rahat Qureshi, Sana Sheikh, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Background: Incomplete vital registration systems mean that causes of death during pregnancy and childbirth are poorly understood in low-income and middle-income countries. To inform global efforts to reduce maternal mortality, we compared physician review and computerised analysis of verbal autopsies (interpreting verbal autopsies [InterVA] software), to understand their agreement on maternal cause of death and circumstances of mortality categories (COMCATs) in the Community-Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia (CLIP) cluster randomised trials.
Methods: The CLIP trials took place in India, Pakistan, and Mozambique, enrolling pregnant women aged 12-49 years between Nov 1, 2014, and Feb 28, 2017. 69 330 pregnant women were …

Call For Emergency Action To Limit Global Temperature Increases, Restore Biodiversity And Protect Health: Wealthy Nations Must Do Much More, Much Faster, Lukoye Atwoli, Abdullah H. Baqui, Thomas Benfield, Raffaella Bosurgi, Fiona Godlee, Stephen Hancocks, Richard Horton, Laurie Laybourn-Langton, Carlos Augusto Monteiro, Ian Norman

Internal Medicine, East Africa

The UN General Assembly in September 2021 will bring countries together at a critical time for marshalling collective action to tackle the global environmental crisis. They will meet again at the biodiversity summit in Kunming, China, and the climate conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK. Ahead of these pivotal meetings, we— the editors of health journals worldwide— call for urgent action to keep average global temperature increases below 1.5, halt the destruction of nature and protect health

Endoleaks: Current Concepts And Treatments - A Narrative Review, Zia Ur Rehman

Department of Surgery Docs

Endoleaks are the most common complications following endovascular aneurysm repair. Depending upon their origin, there are five types of endoleaks, types I-V, which can also be classified as direct and indirect endoleaks. Direct endoleaks (type I and III) have higher risk of aneurysm rupture due to rapid sac expansion, and require immediate correction. Indirect endoleaks ( type II, IV and V) have a relatively benign course compared to direct endoleaks. Most of them resolve with time and very few need interventions upon sac enlargement. Type V endotension is a special situation where there is sac enlargement despite no demonstrable endoleak. …

Whole-Genome Sequence-Informed Maldi-Tof Ms Diagnostics Reveal Importance Of Klebsiella Oxytoca Group In Invasive Infections: A Retrospective Clinical Study, Aline Cuénod, Daniel Wüthrich, Helena M. B. Seth-Smith, Chantal Ott, Christian Gehringer, Frédéric Foucault, Roxanne Mouchet, Ali Kassim, Gunturu Revathi, Deborah R. Vogt

Pathology, East Africa

Background: Klebsiella spp. are opportunistic pathogens which can cause severe infections, are often multi-drug resistant and are a common cause of hospital-acquired infections. Multiple new Klebsiella species have recently been described, yet their clinical impact and antibiotic resistance profiles are largely unknown. We aimed to explore Klebsiella group- and species-specific clinical impact, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence.

Methods: We analysed whole-genome sequence data of a diverse selection of Klebsiella spp. isolates and identified resistance and virulence factors. Using the genomes of 3594 Klebsiella isolates, we predicted the masses of 56 ribosomal subunit proteins and identified species-specific marker masses. …