Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Biotinidase Deficiency In Pakistani Children; What Needs To Be Known And Done, Bushra Afroze, Mohammad Wasay

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Giant Cystic Parathyroid Adenoma With Thrombosis Of Internal Jugular Vein Seen On Ct And Tc-99m Methoxy Isobutyl Isonitrile Parathyroid Scan, Maseeh Uz Zaman, Nosheen Fatima, Zafar Sajjad

Department of Radiology

Primary hyper-parathyroidism is attributed by a solitary parathyroid adenoma in 80-85% cases and mostly are non-palpable and needs imaging for localization. Cystic degeneration of parathyroid adenoma is rarely seen in primary hyperparathyroidism. We are presenting a case of giant cystic functioning parathyroid adenoma with associated localized co-morbids.

Short Course Adjuvant Terlipressin In Acute Variceal Bleeding: A Randomized Double Blind Dummy Controlled Trial, Zahid Azam, Saeed Hamid, Wasim Jafri, Mohammad Salih, Zaigham Abbas, Shahab Abid, Hasnain Shah

Section of Gastroenterology

Background & Aims: Terlipressin is recommended for 3-5 days as adjuvant to endoscopic variceal band ligation (EVBL) in esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB). We assessed whether terlipressin can be administered for a shorter period of time to Patients with EVB.

Methods: All eligible EVB Patients received 24 h of open label terlipressin at presentation. After successful EVBL, Patients were randomized to receive active or dummy terlipressin for the next 48 h. We excluded Patients with failure to achieve initial hemostasis, bleeding gastric varices, known hepatoma, and/or portal vein thrombosis, advanced cirrhosis (Child-Pugh score >= 12), and Patients on a ventilator. …

Water Pipe Smoking Amongst The University And College Students Of Karachi, Pakistan, Shehla Batool Jaffri, Aisha Yousuf, Waris Qidwai

Department of Family Medicine

Background:

An extensive literature search revealed that water pipe smoking is an emerging health risk and deserves the attention of health professionals. This study was therefore undertaken to determine the frequency of water pipe smoking among students in college and universities of Pakistan and to assess the practices, knowledge and attitude towards water pipe smoking among them.

Method:

A cross sectional survey was conducted in the College and Universities of Karachi, Pakistan from April 2009 to October 2009. Students were selected through non probability sampling and given self administered questionnaire after the informed consent.

Result:

A total …

Preoperative Cardiac Evaluation In Proximal Femur Fractures And Its Effects On The Surgical Outcome, Kashif Abbas, Masood Umer, Raza A Zaidi

Department of Surgery Docs

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of cardiac risk stratification and preoperative cardiac evaluation on final outcomes in patients with acute proximal femur fractures.

METHODS:

This retrospective review included one hundred and three patients who underwent a preoperative cardiac evaluation prior to proximal femur fracture operation between 2004 and 2007 at a tertiary care hospital. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A included 76 patients who were tested with ECG only and Group B included 27 patients with additional clearance. All of these files were reviewed according to a set pro forma. Statistical …

Response Of A Single 'Mega Intramuscular Dose' Of Vitamin D On Serum 25ohd And Parathyroid Hormone Levels, Aysha Habib, Dileep K Rohra, Shakil A Saghir, Shamsa K Udani, Richard Wood, Abdul Jabbar

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective: To determine the changes produced in serum 25OHD and iPTH levels after 600,000 IU of injection cholecalciferol in volunteers. Study Design: Interventional study. Place and Duration of Study: Section of Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from June 2009 - June 2010. Methodology: Volunteers of either gender aged 18-40 years with known 25OHD, calcium (Ca), creatinine (Cr) and phosphorous (P) levels were included in the study. Subjects on therapy like vitamin D and calcium supplements, corticosteroids or anti-epileptic medicines, primary hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcaemia, with co-morbidity like renal failure, liver disease and history …

Microaesthetics Of The Smile: Extraction Vs. Non-Extraction, Sanam Tauheed, Attiya Shaikh, Mubassar Fida

Section of Dental-Oral Maxillofacial Surgery

OBJECTIVE: To compare microaesthetics in pre- and post-orthodontic cases, treated with non-extraction and extraction treatment and assessed whether the achieved microaesthetic parameters are comparable to the proposed norms.

STUDY DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Orthodontic Clinic, the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 2005 to December 2009.

METHODOLOGY: Orthodontic records of 31 cases treated with non-extraction therapy and 26 cases treated with extraction of upper first premolars were selected. Patients were of Pakistani origin, aged between 12 to 30 years. Microaesthetics was assessed by measuring maxillary central incisor crown width-height ratio, connectors between the maxillary anterior …

Technique Of Anaesthesia For Different Grades Of Caesarean Section: A Cross-Sectional Study, Samina Ismail, Faraz Shafiq, Aliya Malik

Department of Anaesthesia

OBJECTIVE: The percentage use of regional anaesthesia (RA) and failure rate of RA for different grades of caesarean section (CS) has become a marker of quality for obstetric anaesthesia service. The objective of our prospective observational study is to find out the technique of anaesthesia used in different grades of CS, reasons for choosing general anaesthesia (GA) and failure rate of RA in our hospital setting.

METHODS: This prospective cross sectional study was carried in the obstetric unit of Aga Khan University Hospital from 1st January 2010 to 31st May 2011. The anaesthetist performing the procedure filled out the data …

Comparison Of Conventional Cervical Cytology Versus Visual Inspection With Acetic Acid (Via) Among Hiv-Infected Women In Western Kenya, Hillary Mabeya, Kareem Khozaim, Tao Liu, Elkanah Omenge, David Chumba, Latha Pisharodi, J. Carter, Susan Cu-Uvin

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Objective: To determine the accuracy of visual inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) versus conventional Pap smear as a screening tool for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)/cancer among HIV-infected women.

Materials and Methods: 150 HIV-infected women attending the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital HIV clinic in Eldoret underwent conventional Pap smear, VIA, colposcopy and biopsy. VIA and Pap smears were done by nurses while colposcopy and biopsy were done by a physician. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to compare the accuracies between VIA and Pap smear in sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV).

Results: Among …

Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Selective Parathyroidectomy, Montasir Junaid, Zainul Abedeen Sobani, Maliha Kazi, Mumtaz Junaid Khan

Section of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery

Primary hyperparathyroidism is a common condition with surgery being the definitive treatment modality. Controversy exists over the extent of optimal neck exploration, whether unilateral or bilateral exploration should be performed, particularly since 85-90% of primary hyperparathyroidism results from single gland disease. Unilateral neck exploration is now considered to be adequate unless a definitive adenoma is not identified on ipsilateral exploration and where the serum intact Parathyroid Hormone (iPTH) level does not show a decline greater than 60% after removal of a suspected adenoma. It also avoids the potential risk of hypocalcaemia, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury along with extended anaesthesia and …

Randomized Controlled Trial Of Interferon Gamma Versus Amantadine In Combination With Interferon Alpha And Ribavirin For Hepatitis C Genotype 3 Non-Responders And Relapsers, Z Abbas, Sajjad Raza, Saeed Hamid, Wasim Jafri

Section of Gastroenterology

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of triple combination regimens comprising of interferon alpha-2b (IFN-alpha) and ribavirin plus either IFN-gamma or amantadine in genotype 3 patients, responders or relapsers to interferon plus ribavirin combination.

METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive IFN-alpha 3MU thrice a week, ribavirin 800-1200 mg per day with either IFN-gamma 2 MU thrice a week or amantadine 100 mg twice daily. Treatment was continued for 48 weeks in patients showing complete or partial (2 log reduction) early virological response (EVR) at 12 weeks and negative PCR at 24 weeks.

RESULTS: Total enrollments were 44; 25 were …

Relationship Between Vitamin B12, Folate And Homocysteine Levels And H. Pylori Infection In Patients With Functional Dyspepsia: A Cross-Section Study, Shahid Rasool, Shahab Abid, Mohammad Perwaiz Iqbal, Naseema Mehboobali, Ghulam Haider, Wasim Jafri

Section of Gastroenterology

Background

H. pylori infection has been associated with many micronutrient deficiencies. There is a dearth of data from communities with nutritional deficiencies and high prevalence of H. pylori infection. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of H. pylori infection on serum levels of vitamin B₁₂, folate and homocysteine in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD).

Methods

One hundred and thirty-two patients with FD undergoing gastroscopy were enrolled. The serum was analyzed for B₁₂, folate and homocysteine levels before gastroscopy. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by histopathological examination of gastric biopsies and urea breath …

My Patient Has A Lot Of Variability In His Blood Pressure Measurements? Should I Be Worried? What Can I Do Which May Be Better, Quratulain Shaikh, Ayeesha Kamran Kamal

Section of Neurology

No abstract provided.

Knowledge And Attitudes About Tetanus And Rabies: A Population-Based Survey From Karachi, Pakistan, Mohammad Wasay, Abdul Malik, Ammad Fahim, Adnan Yousuf, Rajesh Chawla, Haroon Daniel, Muhammad Rafay, Iqbal Azam, Junaid Razzak

Section of Neurology

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate public knowledge regarding predisposing factors, fatality and prevention of Tetanus and Rabies and attitudes toward vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis.

METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in all the 18 towns of Karachi, the largest metropolitan city of Pakistan, from December 2007 to January 2008. Men and women of more than 18 years of age were included in the study which used a self-reporting questionarre as its tool.

RESULTS: There were 1201 people interviewed by the study. The majority of respondents had known or heard about Tetanus (n = 973; 81%) and rabies (n = 699; 58%). …

My Patient Has A Lot Of Variability In His Blood Pressure Measurements? Should I Be Worried? What Can I Do Which May Be Better?, Quratulain Shaikh, Ayeesha Kamran Kamal

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Short Term Results Of Ligament Reconstruction And Tendon Interposition Resection Arthroplasty For Basal Joint Arthritis, Kashif Abbas, Pervaiz Hashmi, Hasnain Raza

Section of Orthopaedic Surgery

Carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the thumb is the second most common site afflicted by osteoarthritis. Non surgical measures forms the first line of treatment with aim of preventing progression of disease, however, surgery becomes an option when symptoms are refractory to nonsurgical methods. Different procedures have been described in literature. Ligament reconstruction with tendon interposition (LRTI) is the most commonly performed procedure in North America for this problem. The Aim of study was to evaluate early results of ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition for CMC joint arthritis. This is a case series of ten patients operated in a tertiary care …

Antioxidant, Antimicrobial Properties And Phenolics Of Different Solvent Extracts From Bark, Leaves And Seeds Of Pongamia Pinnata (L.) Pierre, Zahid Iqbal Sajid, Farooq Anwar, Ghulam Shabir, Ghulam Rasul, Khalid M. Alkharfy, Anwarul Hassan Gilani

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

This study appraises the antioxidant and antimicrobial attributes of various solvent extracts (absolute methanol, aqueous methanol, absolute ethanol, aqueous ethanol, absolute acetone, aqueous acetone, and deionized water) from bark, leaves and seeds of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre. Maximum extraction yield of antioxidant components from bark (16.31%), leaves (11.42%) and seeds (21.51%) of P. pinnata was obtained using aqueous methanol (20:80). Of the extracts tested, the bark extract, obtained with aqueous methanol, exhibited greater levels of total phenolics [6.94 g GAE/100 g dry weight (DW)], total flavonoids (3.44 g CE/100 g DW), inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation (69.23%) and DPPH radical …

Rates Of Iucd Discontinuation And Its Associated Factors Among The Clients Of A Social Franchising Network In Pakistan, Syed Khurram Azmat, Babar Tasneem Shaikh, Waqas Hameed, Mohsina Bilgrami, Ghulam Mustafa, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Ishaque, Wajahat Hussain, Aftab Ahmed

Community Health Sciences

Background: Modern Intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) is very safe, highly effective reversible and inexpensive family planning method which offers 5-10 years of protection against pregnancy. The contraceptive use in Pakistan has been merely 30% for over a decade with IUCD being the least used method. Higher discontinuation rates are documented in developing countries; however no such data is available for Pakistan. Marie Stopes Society (MSS) established a social franchise outlets network branded as 'SURAJ' (Sun) in Pakistan to provide quality family planning services. This study attempts to determine IUCD discontinuation rates and its associated risk factors. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, …

Hemoglobin E Syndromes In Pakistani Population., Bushra Moiz, Amna Nasir, Anila Rashid, Tariq Moatter, Mashhooda Rasool Hashmi

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background:Hemoglobin E is an important hemoglobin variant with a worldwide distribution. A number of hemoglobinopathies have been reported from Pakistan. However a comprehensive description of hemoglobin E syndromes for the country was never made. This study aimed to describe various hemoglobin E disorders based on hematological parameters and chromatography. The sub-aim was to characterize hemoglobin E at molecular level.

Methods:

This was a hospital based study conducted prospectively for a period of one year extending from January 1 to December 31, 2008. EDTA blood samples were analyzed for completed blood counts and hemoglobin variants through automated hematology analyzer and …

Vitamin D Levels In Asymptomatic Adults--A Population Survey In Karachi, Pakistan, Adil Sheikh, Zeb Saeed, Syed Ali Danial Jafri, Iffat Yazdani, Syed Ather Hussain

Section of Nephrology

Background: It is well established that low levels of 25(OH) Vitamin D (/dL) are a common finding world over, affecting over a billion of the global population. Our primary objective was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the asymptomatic adult population of Karachi, Pakistan and the demographic, nutritional and co-morbidity characteristics associated with serum vitamin D levels. Methods: A cross-sectional population survey was conducted at two spaced out densely populated areas of the city. Serum levels of 25OH vitamin D were measured and GFR as renal function was assessed by using 4 variable MDRD formula. …

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Quality Of Life Of Patients In Karachi, Rozina Barolia, Fauziya Ali, Salma Jaffar

School of Nursing & Midwifery

In the Third World, cardiac Patients often suffer not only from the nature of their illnesses, but also the insufficiency of the facilities available. Although the effectiveness of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is being evaluated in terms of mortality, complications or recurrence of symptoms, empirical studies assessing the change in Patients' quality of life (QOL) after CABG within the Pakistani cultural context are lacking.
Aims: The aims of the present study are to assess and compare the change in health-related quality of life before and 1 month after CABG and to assess the differences in QOL with respect to …

Patient Safety In Developing Countries: Retrospective Estimation Of Scale And Nature Of Harm To Patients In Hospital, R. M. Wilson, P. Michel, S. Olsen, R. W. Gibberd, C. Vincent, R. El-Assady, O. Rasslan, S. Qsous, William Macharia, A. Sahel, S. Whittaker, M. Abdo-Ali, M. Letaief, N. A. Ahmed, A. Abdellatif, I. Larizgoitia

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Objective: To assess the frequency and nature of adverse events to patients in selected hospitals in developing or transitional economies.

Design: Retrospective medical record review of hospital admissions during 2005 in eight countries.

Setting: Ministries of Health of Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia, Sudan, South Africa and Yemen; the World Health Organisation (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean and African Regions (EMRO and AFRO), and WHO Patient Safety.

Participants: Convenience sample of 26 hospitals from which 15 548 patient records were randomly sampled.

Main outcome measures: Two stage screening. Initial screening based on 18 explicit criteria. Records that screened positive were then reviewed …

Species And Tissue-Specificity Of Prokinetic, Laxative And Spasmodic Effects Of Fumaria Parviflora, Najeeb-Ur-Rehman, Malik Hassan Mehmood, Adnan J. Al-Rehaily, Ramzi A. A. Mothana, Anwar H. Gilani

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Background: Fumaria parviflora Linn. (Fumariaceae), is a small branched annual herb found in many parts of the world including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. This study was designed to provide pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of Fumaria parviflora in gut motility disorders. Methods: The in-vivo prokinetic and laxative assays were conducted in mice. Isolated intestinal preparations (ileum and jejunum) from different animal species (mouse, guinea-pig and rabbit) were separately suspended in tissue baths containing Tyrode's solution bubbled with carbogen and maintained at 37 degrees C. The spasmogenic responses were recorded using isotonic transducers coupled with PowerLab data acquisition system. Results: …

Syndrome Of Hepatic Cirrhosis, Dystonia, Polycythemia, And Hypermanganesemia Caused By Mutations In Slc30a10, A Manganese Transporter In Man, Karin Tuschl, Peter T. Clayton, Sidney M., Jr. Gospe, Shamshad Gulab, Shahnaz Ibrahim, Pratibha Singhi, Roosy Aulakh, Reinaldo T. Ribeiro, Orlando G. Barsottini, Maha S. Zaki, Maria Luz Del Rosario, Sarah Dyack, Victoria Price, Andrea Rideout, Kevin Gordon, Ron A. Wevers, W. K. 'Kling' Chong, Philippa B. Mills

Section of Neurology

Environmental manganese (Mn) toxicity causes an extrapyramidal, parkinsonian-type movement disorder with characteristic magnetic resonance images of Mn accumulation in the basal ganglia. We have recently reported a suspected autosomal recessively inherited syndrome of hepatic cirrhosis, dystonia, polycythemia, and hypermanganesemia in cases without environmental Mn exposure. Whole-genome mapping of two consanguineous families identified SLC30A10 as the affected gene in this inherited type of hypermanganesemia. This gene was subsequently sequenced in eight families, and homozygous sequence changes were identified in all affected individuals. The function of the wild-type protein and the effect of sequence changes were studied in the manganese-sensitive yeast strain …

Endocrine Complications In Patients Of Beta Thalassemia Major In A Tertiary Care Hospital In Pakistan, Amina Adil, Zain A. Sobani, Abdul Jabbar, Salman N Adil, Safia Awan

Section of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To determine the major endocrine complications present in patients of Thalassemia major presenting to a tertiary care center in Karachi, Pakistan.

METHODS: Records of all thallasemia major patients at a Haematology Department in a tertiary care hospital of Karachi were retrospectively reviewed from May to August 2009 with specific focus on endocrine data and investigations. The patients' data was recorded in a questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS v.17, frequencies and percentages along with corresponding 95% confidence interval were computed.

RESULTS: Our data revealed that a significantly small percentage of those under care received regular endocrine follow-up. Male hypo-gonadal abnormalities …

Neurology Training In Pakistan, Sarwar Jamil Siddiqui

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

No abstract provided.

Protecting Pakistan's Health During The Global Economic Crisis, Rashid Jooma, A Khan, A A. Khan

Section of Neurosurgery

The world is facing an unprecedented global economic crisis, with many countries needing to reconsider their level of health care spending. This paper explores the many consequences of the global economic turndown on Pakistan's health, including reduced government and donor spending and increased poverty with the consequent diversion of funds away from health. Nevertheless, these challenges may provide opportunities not only to mitigate the adverse effects of the economic crisis but also to institute some much-needed reforms that may not receive political support during more affluent times. Our suggestions focus on setting priorities based on the national disease burden, prioritizing …

Development Of Students' Critical Thinking: The Educators' Ability To Use Questioning Skills In The Baccalaureate Programmes In Nursing In Pakistan, Tanveer Saeed, Shehla Khan, Azra Ahmed, Raisa Gul, Shanaz Hussein Cassum, Yasmin Parpio

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Objective: To enhance the Critical Thinking skills of educators associated with the nursing baccalaureate programmes in Pakistan. By focusing on the type and level of questions asked by the educators.
Methods: Ninety-one faculty members from 14 out of 17 schools participated in the study. Data on the faculty's questioning skills was obtained through classroom observations and field notes. The duration of the observations was 45-60 minutes. Using Bloom's Taxonomy for cognitive thinking, questions were categorised into high and low categories.
Results: Most of the questions (68.9 %) asked by the participants were of lower levels, while some (5.37 %) were …

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy, Gulzar Salman Amlani

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Acute renal failure refers to sudden deterioration in biochemical and physiological functioning of kidneys and often associated with multi organ failure. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) holds special significance for the treatment of renal failure due to a variety of factors. It is believed that CRRT helps in restoration of acid-base imbalances and electrolyte abnormalities. Along with that, with gradual solute removal, it ensures haemodynamic stability and prevents the risk of cerebral oedema in neurosurgery patients. Besides this, several studies have supported that CRRT enables practitioners to adjust drug dosages and prevent drug accumulation and overdose. In addition, gradual removal …

Uchunguzi (Journal Watch/Montre De Journal) March 2012, Benjamin Wachira

Emergency Medicine, East Africa

Uchunguzi means investigation in Swahili and provides a summary of some of the most recent international literature as presented in other leading journals, but with an emphasis on what is relevant to our continent.