Medical Specialties Commons^™

Quality Of Life In Patients With Thalassemia Major In A Developing Country., Sarah H. Siddiqui, Ruba Ishtiaq, Faiza Sajid, Raihan Sajid

Department of Medicine

Objective: To determine the problems faced by thalassemic patients in their personal, psychological and social life.

Study Design: A cross-sectional multi-centre survey.

Place and Duration of Study: Karachi, Lahore and Quetta Centres of Fatimid Foundation, from October 2009 to October 2010.

Methodology: An indigenously developed Qualifty of Life (QoL) questionnaire modified from SF-36 questionnaire was administered to 101 transfusion dependent subjects suffering from thalassemia major. Variables were analyzed using SPSS version 15 for descriptive statistics.

Results: The mean age of the subjects was 10.5 years ranging from 6 - 21 years. Less than one third of the patients felt that …

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors In Cancer Therapeutics: Great Expectations From Small Molecules, Zeeshan A Ansar, Tariq Moatter

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.

Hiv-1 Subtype A Gag Variability And Epitope Evolution, Syed Hani Abidi, Marcia L. Kalish, Farhat Abbas, Sarah Rowland-Jones, Syed Ali

Section of Urology

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the course of time-dependent evolution of HIV-1 subtype A on a global level, especially with respect to the dynamics of immunogenic HIV gag epitopes.
Methods: We used a total of 1,893 HIV-1 subtype A gag sequences representing a timeline from 1985 through 2010, and 19 different countries in Africa, Europe and Asia. The phylogenetic relationship of subtype A gag and its epidemic dynamics was analysed through a Maximum Likelihood tree and Bayesian Skyline plot, genomic variability was measured in terms of G → A substitutions and Shannon entropy, and the time-dependent …

'There Are A Lot Of New People In Town: But They Are Here For Soccer, Not For Business' A Qualitative Inquiry Into The Impact Of The 2010 Soccer World Cup On Sex Work In South Africa, Marlise L. Richter, Fiona Scorgie, Matthew F. Chersich, Stanley Luchters

Population Health, East Africa

Background: Sports mega-events have expanded in size, popularity and cost. Fuelled by media speculation and moral panics, myths proliferate about the increase in trafficking into forced prostitution as well as sex work in the run-up to such events. This qualitative enquiry explores the perceptions of male, female and transgender sex workers of the 2010 Soccer World Cup held in South Africa, and the impact it had on their work and private lives.

Methods: A multi-method study design was employed. Data consisted of 14 Focus Group Discussions, 53 sex worker diaries, and responses to two questions in surveys with …

Transcatheter Versus Surgical Closure Of Atrial Septum Defect: A Debate From A Developing Country, Waleed T. Siddiqui, Tariq Usman, Mehnaz Atiq, Muneer Amanullah

Department of Radiology

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

This study compares the effectiveness and cost of trans-catheter verses surgical closure of secundum atrial septumdefect (ASD). ASD accounts for 10% of congenital cardiac defects. Trans-catheter closure of secundum ASD is increasingly used as the primary intervention. Surgical repair is advised in a proportion of secundum type defects which are unsuitable for device closure.

METHODS:

We reviewed the clinical course of 176 patients who underwent closure of isolated secundum ASD. The patients were assigned to either the device or surgical group depending upon the treatment they received. Successful closure was assessed immediately after the procedure. The following outcomes …

Inter-Observer Variability In Diagnosing Radiological Features Of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; A Preliminary Single Centre Study Comparing Observers From Different Specialties And Levels Of Training, Usman T Siddiqui, Anjum F. Khan, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim, Rana Shoaib Hamid, Muhammad Mehboob Alam, Emaduddin Siddiqui

Department of Surgery Docs

No abstract provided.

Vascular Surgery In Pakistan: Critical Issues, Zia Ur Rehman, Ziad Sophie

Department of Surgery Docs

No abstract provided.

Prevalence, Determinants, And Management Of Chronic Kidney Disease In Karachi, Pakistan - A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study., Saleem Jessani, Rasool Bux, Tazeen Jafar

Community Health Sciences

BACKGROUND:

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing being recognized as a global public health problem. However, there is dearth of information on the prevalence, determinants, and management of CKD from low- and middle-income countries. The objectives of the study were to determine the 1) prevalence of CKD; 2) socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with CKD; and 3) the existing management of these patients with regards to blood pressure control, and use of antihypertensive medications.

METHODS:

We conducted a cross-sectional study on 2873 participants aged ≥ 40 years in 12 representative communities in Karachi, Pakistan. The primary outcome was clinically significant …

Cytokine Changes In Colonic Mucosa Associated With Blastocystis Spp. Subtypes 1 And 3 In Diarrhoea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Javed Yakoob, Zaigham Abbas, Muhammad Waqas Usman, Aisha Sultana, Muhammad Islam, Safia Awan, Zubair Ahmad, Saeed Hamid, Wasim Jafri

Section of Gastroenterology

We determined cytokines (e.g. interleukin-8, 10, 12 and TNF-α) expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in rectal mucosa in diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS) with Blastocystis spp. Eighty patients with D-IBS and Blastocystis spp. infection were classified as 'cases' and 80 with D-IBS without Blastocystis spp. infection were classified as 'control'. Cases were subdivided into D-IBS and Blastocystis sp. defined type 1 (subtype-specific primer SB83) and type 3 (SB227). Stool microscopy and culture were performed. Rectal biopsies were obtained for histology and cytokines by real-time PCR for mRNA expression of cytokines. PBMCs IL-8 was similar in different groups …

Systematic Review Of Facility-Based Sexual And Reproductive Health Services For Female Sex Workers In Africa, Ashar Dhana, Stanley Luchters, Lizzie Moore, Yves Lafort, Anuradha Roy, Fiona Scorgie, Matthew Chersich

Population Health, East Africa

Background: Several biological, behavioural, and structural risk factors place female sex workers (FSWs) at heightened risk of HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other adverse sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes. FSW projects in many settings have demonstrated effective ways of altering this risk, improving the health and wellbeing of these women. Yet the optimum delivery model of FSW projects in Africa is unclear. This systematic review describes intervention packages, service-delivery models, and extent of government involvement in these services in Africa.

Methods: On 22 November 2012, we searched Web of Science and MEDLINE, without date restrictions, for …

Higher Event Rate In Patients With Known Cad Despite A Normal Myocardial Perfusion Scan, Maseeh Uz Zaman, Nosheen Fatima

Department of Radiology

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The negative predictive value of a normal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is very high. However, prognostic implication of a normal SPECT MPI in patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD) is not clear. Objective of this study was to evaluate the cardiac event rate in patients with known CAD who had a normal stress SPECT MPI.

METHODS:

This prospective study accrued 428 consecutive patients with a history of CAD [revascularization or previous myocardial infarction (MI)] who had a normal stress (dynamic exercise or dipyridamole intervention) and rest Tc-99m-MIBI SPECT MPI. These patients were …

Age And Site Of Colonic Neoplastic Lesions: Implications Of Screening In South Asia., Manzoor Hussain, A. B. Khalid, Syed Ahsan Ali, Wasim Jafri, Saeed Hamid, Anam Javed, Sana Wahab

Department of Medicine

Objective : To evaluate the Age of patients and the site of Colonic Neoplastic Lesions (CNL) and to determine the appropriate screening strategy for Colorectal Carcinoma (CRC) (sigmoidoscopy versus colonoscopy) in our population.

Methods : This is a cross sectional study. Data of all patients more than 16 years of age who underwent full colonoscopic examination at the Aga Khan University hospital between January 2011 till December 2013 and were diagnosed to have CRC or advanced adenomas (defined as polyp more than 1 cm and/or having villous morphology on histology) was recorded. Lesions found distal to the splenic flexure were …

Case Report: Nocardia Infection Associated With Ectopic Cushings., Azra Rizwan, Aqiba Sarfaraz, Abdul Jabbar, J. Akhter, Najmul Islam

Department of Medicine

Background: Cushing's syndrome results from exposure to excess glucocorticoids. Ectopic Cushings is endogenous ACTH dependant form of Cushing's associated with markedly raised ACTH and cortisol levels. This leads to an impaired immune response, setting the stage for occurrence of opportunistic infections. Nocardiosis is a gram positive bacterial infection caused by aerobic actinomycetes in genus Nocardia. We report a series of patients diagnosed with ectopic Cushings, having pneumonia with Nocardia spp. In one of these cases, the manifestations of Cushing's disappeared with treatment for Nocardia.

Case Presentation: Two middle aged men of Asian descent presented to the Endocrine clinic: the first …

Drug Resistant Tuberculosis: Challenges Of Urbanization, Rumina Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Central Asian Strain (Cas) Lineage Strains In Pakistan Reveal Lower Diversity Of Miru Loci Than Other Strains, Asho Ali, Zahra Hasan, Sana Jafri, Raunaq Inayat, Rumina Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) Central Asian Strain (CAS) lineage strains are predominant in South Asia. Mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units-variable number of tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR) typing is an effective way of determining genetic diversity of strains. A maximum of 24 loci-based MIRU-VNTR typing can be used, however, it is important to investigate the relevance of specific MIRU loci for regional strains for more cost-effective MIRU typing. MIRU-VNTR typing was performed on MTB strains from Pakistan. Strains were comprised of CAS (n=113) and non-CAS lineages (n=87) - both multi-drug resistant (MDR) and drug susceptible. Hunter Gaston Discriminatory Index (HGDI) for each MIRU loci …

A Study Protocol: Using Demand-Side Financing To Meet The Birth Spacing Needs Of The Underserved In Punjab Province In Pakistan, Syed Khurram Azmat, Moazzam Ali, Waqas Hameed, Ghulam Mustafa, Ghazanfer Abbas, Muhammad Ishaque, Mohsina Bilgrami, Marleen Temmerman

Community Health Sciences

Background: High fertility rates, unwanted pregnancies, low modern contraceptive prevalence and a huge unmet need for contraception adversely affect women's health in Pakistan and this problem is compounded by limited access to reliable information and quality services regarding birth spacing especially in rural and underserved areas. This paper presents a study protocol that describes an evaluation of a demand-side financing (DSF) voucher approach which aims to increase the uptake of modern contraception among women of the lowest two wealth quintiles in Punjab Province, Pakistan.
Methods/design: This study will use quasi-experimental design with control arm and be implemented in: six government …

Rationale, Design, And Cohort Enrolment Of A Prospective Observational Study Of The Clinical Performance Of The New Contraceptive Implant (Femplant) In Pakistan, Syed Khurram Azmat, Waqas Hameed, Anja Lendvay, Babar Tasneem Shaikh, Ghulam Mustafa, Muhammad Ahmed Siddiqui, Sajid Brohi, Asif Karim, Muhammad Ishaque, Wajahat Hussain

Community Health Sciences

Introduction: The use of hormonal implants has gained positive traction in family planning programs in recent times. Compared to other popular methods, such as long-term reversible intrauterine devices, the use of hormonal implants as a family planning method has distinct advantages in terms of long-term efficiency and better user compliance and availability. This paper presents a study protocol to document and evaluate the efficacy, safety, and acceptability of Femplant (contraceptive implant) in Pakistan during the first year of its use among married women of reproductive age (18-44 years) at clinics in two provinces of Pakistan (Sindh and Punjab).
Materials and …

Vincristine-Induced Vocal Cord Palsy And Successful Re-Treatment In A Patient With Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma: A Case Report, Zarka Samoon, Munira Shabbir-Moosajee

Department of Radiation Oncology

Background: Vincristine, a type of vinca alkaloid, is widely used in the treatment of various childhood and adult malignancies. A well-known side effect of vincristine is its neurotoxicity and it is rarely indicted in vagus nerve involvement. Vincristine induced vocal cord palsy is a potentially reversible condition, with the mainstay of therapy being withdrawal of the offending drug. However, there are no clear guidelines regarding the possibility of re-treatment with the causative agent.CASE PRESENTATION: A 58 year old Asian male presented with constipation and abdominal distension. Diagnostic investigations revealed stage IVB diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The patient was …

Global Causes Of Maternal Death: A Who Systematic Analysis, Lale Say, Doris Chou, Alison Gemmill, Özge Tunçalp, Ann-Beth Moller, Jane Daniels, A Metin Gülmezoglu, Marleen Temmerman, Leontine Alkema

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Data for the causes of maternal deaths are needed to inform policies to improve maternal health. We developed and analyzed global, regional, and sub-regional estimates of the causes of maternal death during 2003–09, with a novel method, updating the previous WHO systematic review.

Methods: We searched specialized and general bibliographic databases for articles published between Jan 1, 2003, and Dec 31, 2012, for research data, with no language restrictions, and the WHO mortality database for vital registration data. On the basis of pre-specified inclusion criteria, we analyzed causes of maternal death from datasets.

We aggregated country level estimates to …

Surgical Management Of Pheochromocytoma In A 13-Week Pregnant Woman, Mazhar Ali Memon, Wajahat Aziz, Farhat Abbas

Section of Urology

A 34-year-old 13-week pregnant woman presented with hypertension refractory to medical therapy and on workup was found to have a right adrenal mass. Due to her persistent increased blood pressure she was advised urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and its level was raised. MRI of the abdomen showed a well-circumcised lesion in the right adrenal of 3.0×2.5 cm suggestive of pheochromocytoma. The patient was started on antihypertensives including α-blockers and β-blockers and planned for right open adrenalectomy. Intraoperatively, blood pressure was raised up to 180/110 mm Hg on slight manipulation of adrenal gland which was controlled with glyceryl-trinitrate and volatile agents. …

Hip Reconstruction Osteotomy By Ilizarov Method As A Salvage Option For Abnormal Hip Joints, Masood Umer, Haroon Rashid, Hafiz Muhammad Umer, Hasnain Raza

Department of Radiology

Hip joint instability can be secondary to congenital hip pathologies like developmental dysplasia (DDH) or acquired such as sequel of infective or neoplastic process. An unstable hip is usually associated with loss of bone from the proximal femur, proximal migration of the femur, lower-extremity length discrepancy, abnormal gait, and pain. In this case series of 37 patients coming to our institution between May 2005 and December 2011, we report our results in treatment of unstable hip joint by hip reconstruction osteotomy using the Ilizarov method and apparatus. This includes an acute valgus and extension osteotomy of the proximal femur combined …

Predictors Of Vaccination Card Retention In Children 12-59 Months Old In Karachi, Pakistan, Sana Sadiq Sheikh, Syed Asad Ali

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Objective: To determine the factors associated with retaining the vaccination card among care takers of 12-59 months old children in Karachi, Pakistan.
Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study in Karachi. Households were randomly selected throughout a multistage cluster sampling technique. Data was collected for 504 children of 12- 59 months of age. Questionnaire was administered to caretakers to gather information regarding the children's vaccination status, socio-demographic characteristics and reviewing their vaccination cards. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS 19 using logistic regression.
Results: Among 462 vaccinated children, caretakers of 33% provided vaccination cards. Odds of card retention decrease if …

Strategies For Prevention Of Road Traffic Injuries (Rtis) In Pakistan: Situational Analysis., Adeel Ahmed Khan, Zafar Fatmi

Community Health Sciences

Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are one of the leading causes of death among productive age group. Using systems approach framework (SAF), current preventive strategies for RTI control were reviewed in Pakistan. A review of the literature was done using four international search engines. Only ten studies on preventive strategies for RTI stemming from Pakistan were found. The first Road Traffic Injuries Research Network (RTIRN) surveillance system for road traffic injuries was established in urban city (Karachi) in Pakistan has shown promise for injury control and should be scaled up to other cities. Enforcement of traffic laws on seat-belt and helmet …

Knowledge, Attitude And Practices Regarding Hiv/Aids Among Adult Fishermen In Coastal Areas Of Karachi., Mubashir Zafar, Nighat Nisar, Masood Kadir, Zafar Fatmi, Zeeshan Ahmed, Kashif Shafique

Community Health Sciences

BACKGROUND:

Migrant populations are at high risk of Human Immuno Deficiency Virus infection (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Studies of HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes and practices among fishermen in developing countries have shown gaps in knowledge and fear of contagion with ambivalent attitudes towards HIV/AIDS and inconsistent universal precautions adherence. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding HIV/AIDS among adult fishermen in a coastal area of Karachi, Pakistan.

METHODS:

Community based cross sectional study was conducted among fishermen in coastal area of Karachi from June to September 2012. A total of 297 adult …

Mechanical Thrombectomy Versus Intrasinus Thrombolysis For Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: A Non-Randomized Comparison., Fazeel M. Siddiqui, Chirantan Banerje, Susanna M. Zuurbier, Qing Hao, Chul Ahn, Glenn L. Prid, Mohammad Wasay, Charles B.L.M. . Majoie, David Liebeskind, ,Mark Johnson, Jan Stam

Department of Medicine

Small retrospective studies have shown the benefit of endovascular treatment with intrasinus thrombolysis (IST) or mechanical thrombectomy (MT) with/without IST (MT ± IST) in cases of multifocal cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Our study compares the mortality, functional outcome and periprocedural complications among patients treated with MT ± IST versus IST alone. We reviewed clinical and angiographic findings of 63 patients with CVT who received endovascular treatment at three tertiary care centers. Primary outcome variables were discharge mortality and neurological dysfunction, and intermediate (three months) and long-term (>six months) morbidity. The modified Rankin scale (mRS) was used to assess morbidity. …

Myocarditis Complicating Plasmodium Vivax Malaria., Noreen Nasir, Saima Lalani, Zahra Aziz Samani, Aysha Almas

Department of Medicine

Myocarditis complicating Plasmodium vivax malaria is an extremely rare complication. We report this development in a young girl who was diagnosed to have P. vivax malaria on the basis of peripheral smear. While undergoing antimalarial treatment, she developed respiratory distress requiring invasive mechanical ventilation and inotropic support due to cardiogenic shock secondary to myocarditis. Cardiovascular complications are well recognized with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Nevertheless, a high index of suspicion should be maintained for the same in Plasmodium vivax infection especially if symptoms of heart failure develop in a young patient.

Refeeding Syndrome In A Young Girl With Anorexia Nervosa., Om Parkash, Adil Ayub, Shahab Abid

Department of Medicine

We report the case of a 20-year-old anorexic girl (BMI=12.9), who was misdiagnosed the first time and developed severe electrolyte imbalances due to lack of awareness about refeeding syndrome. Few cases of RS have been reported in literature and protocols have been suggested for prevention and management of this syndrome, including the awareness of circumstances in which it is most likely to develop, refeeding slowly and building-up micronutrient content over several days. Improved awareness and understanding of refeeding syndrome along with a well-coordinated plan are vital in delivering safe and effective nutritional rehabilitation. We suggest a slow and gradual increase …

Real-Time Patient Satisfaction Of Emergency Department Services In A Tertiary-Care Hospital In Karachi, Pakistan, Munawar Khursheed, Jabeen Fayyaz, Nukhba Zia, Asher Feroze, Ahsan Jamil, Syed Muhammad Baqir

Department of Emergency Medicine

Background:

In Emergency Department (ED), patient satisfaction is an important quality indicator. The aim of this study was to assess the patient satisfaction with ED services using real- time patient satisfaction survey.

Methods:

The study was conducted for two weeks in the ED of Aga Khan University in December 2011. A structured questionnaire was used to capture patient’s feedback on service quality in the ED. Patient response was recorded using five-level Likert scale; strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree and strongly disagree. Respondents were either patients or their relatives.

Results:

Total 348 real-time survey forms were completed. Of these 18.6% …

Spousal Discordance On Fertility Preference And Its Effect On Contraceptive Practice Among Married Couples In Jimma Zone, Ethiopia, Tizta Tilahun, Gily Coene, Marleen Temmerman, Olivier Degomme

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Objectives: To assess spousal agreement levels regarding fertility preference and spousal communication, and to look at how it affects contraceptive use by couples. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to collect quantitative data from March to May 2010 in Jimma zone, Ethiopia, using a multistage sampling design covering six districts. In each of the 811 couples included in the survey, both spouses were interviewed. Concordance between the husband and wife was assessed using different statistics and tests including concordance rates, ANOVA, Cohen’s Κ and McNemar’s test for paired samples. Multivariate analysis was computed to ascertain factors associated with contraceptive use. …

Perinatal Distress In Women In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: Allostatic Load As A Framework To Examine The Effect Of Perinatal Distress On Preterm Birth And Infant Health, Shahirose Sadrudin Premji

School of Nursing & Midwifery

In low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), determinants of women's and children's health are complex and differential vulnerability may exist to risk factors of perinatal distress and preterm birth. We examined the contribution of maternal perinatal distress on preterm birth and infant health in terms of infant survival and mother-infant interaction. A critical narrative and interpretive literature review was conducted. Peer-reviewed electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health, CINHAL), grey literature, and reference lists were searched, followed by a consultation exercise. The literature was predominantly from high-income countries. We identify determinants of perinatal distress and explicate changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, sympathetic, …