Knowledge, Awareness and Practices on the Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases Among Community in Gombak, Kuala Lumpur

@#Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of disease which are related to the heart and its circulations. The main modifiable risk factors of the CVD disease are hypertension, hyperglycemia and obesity. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, awareness and practice on cardiovascular disease risk factors among Gombak community in Kuala Lumpur. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaire and anthropometric measurement among 388 subjects in Gombak District, Kuala Lumpur. Descriptive data analysis and multivariate binary logistic regression were carried to identify demographic and factors associated. Results: The prevalence of the risk factors was high among study subjects, including obesity (24.2%), hypertension (42.3%) and hyperglycemia (26.8%). More than half (64.4%) of the study subjects having at least one of the risk factor. The multivariate binary logistic model factor illustrated that compare to Malays, Chinese were 37% less likely to have obesity (CPR=0.67; 95% Cl: 0.26-1.69). Gombak district community are more likely to have the knowledge on the CVD risk factor but lack of awareness and poor in practicing the prevention action. The Indian ethnic group was less likely to be aware (APR: 0.33, Cl: 0.05-2.31) and others bumiputera ethnic group were less likely to prevent (APR: 0.58, CI: 0.20-1.65) the risk of CVD. The Chinese ethnic less likely to have the knowledge (APR: 0.88, Cl: 0.35-2.22). Conclusion: Gombak community was more likely to have the knowledge but less likely to be aware and lack of practice of prevention of the risk factors of CVD.

Health Related Quality of Life [HRQOL] and its correlation with academic performance of medical students

Objective: To determine health related quality of life [HRQOL] of medical students and its correlation with their academic performance

Methods: Cross sectional study at Services Institute of Medical Sciences, included students of 4th and final year MBBS, who filled SF-36 proforma of HRQOL. Scores of 8-domains and of physical component and mental component summary were determined. Marks in all professional examinations were used to stratify students as high performers [>/= 70% marks] and average performing students [< 70%]. HRQOL scores was correlated with academic performance using unpaired student's t-test

Results: Among 267 students included, mental health score [56.2+/-21.3] was lower than physical health component score [69.03+/-18.5]. Role limitation due to emotional health [RE] [44.81], Vitality [VT] [54.19] and general health perception [GH] [58.89] had lower scores among 8domains of questionnaire. Female students had significantly lower scores in role limitation due to emotional problems [p value <0.04], vitality [<0.05], bodily pain [p value <0.05] and general health perception [p value<0.03] than male students. Physical health and role limitation due to physical health domains were better in high performing students

Conclusion: Mental health of medical students is suboptimal, especially among female students. Students with better physical health have better academic performance

Lactate dehydrogenase and beta-glucuronidase as salivary biochemical markers of periodontitis among smokers and non-smokers

Objectives: This study aimed to establish lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] and Beta-glucuronidase as salivary biomarkers of periodontitis among smokers and non-smokers

Methods: This cross-sectional case-control study was conducted at the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India, between January and June 2017. A total of 200 participants were divided into four groups based on their periodontal and smoking statuses. Unstimulated mixed saliva samples were collected to estimate LDH and Beta-glucuronidase levels. In addition, total protein was estimated using Lowry's method

Results: There was a significant increase in enzyme activity in the periodontitis groups compared to the nonperiodontitis groups [P <0.001]. However, significantly lower enzyme activity was observed among smokers, irrespective of periodontal status [P <0.001]. Nevertheless, a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated the diagnostic potential of both enzymes to be fair-to-excellent

Conclusion: Although smoking was found to significantly alter enzyme activity, LDH and â-glucuronidase were reliable salivary biomarkers of periodontitis among both smokers and nonsmokers

usefulness of nap sleep recording during routine electroencephalography: an audit study

Objectives: A measure to increase the electroencephalogram [EEG] outcome includes a short period of nap sleep during a routine standard EEG with the aim of increasing its sensitivity to interictal abnormalities or provoking seizures. As part of an ongoing auditing of our EEG data, we aimed to investigate the contribution of nap sleep during routine outpatient department based EEGs requested for a variety of reasons

Methods: EEG data at the Department of Clinical Physiology at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman, from July 2006 to December 2007 and from January 2009 to December 2010 [total 42 months] were reviewed. The EEGs were for patients older than 13-years referred for possible epilepsy, blackouts, headache, head trauma, and other non-specified attacks. The recording period was between 20 to 40 minutes. Abnormalities were identified during waking and nap sleep periods

Results: A total of 2 547 EEGs were reviewed and 744 were abnormal [29.2%]. Of those abnormal EEGs, nap sleep was obtained in 258 [34.7%] EEGs, and 39 [15.1%] showed abnormalities during nap sleep. Nineteen out of the 39 [48.7%] EEGs were abnormal during awake and nap sleep; and 20 [51.3%] were abnormal during nap sleep, which represented only 2.7% of the total abnormal EEGs [n = 744]

Conclusions: The contribution of the short nap sleep to the pickup rate of interictal abnormalities in EEG was minimal. We recommend the EEG service to include one cycle of spontaneous sleep EEG directed at patients with a history suggestive of epilepsy if their awake EEGs are normal

Periodontal conditions in pregnant and non - pregnant women in Karachi

The objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness of clinical plaque treatment removal in pregnant and non-pregnant females in Karachi, Pakistan. A quasi experimental study was designed with a sample size of 108 women, both pregnant and non-pregnant. Three antenatal clinics from different areas of Karachi were selected. Total duration of study was two and a half years. A total of 86 pregnant females were selected along with 22 non-pregnant females by random sampling. Pregnant females in the first trimester were placed in group-A while from second trimester in group-B. A control group of non-pregnant females were placed in group-C. Groups A and B were given half mouth treatment for the first month. They were retreated with complete mouth therapy in the second month. Groups C were given a full mouth treatment. CPI [Community Periodontal Index] and PU [Plaque Index] were recorded. All subjects were put on a maintenance regimen of Triclosan containing tooth paste. Significant changes in Plaque Index [PLD and Community Periodontal Index [CPI] were recorded after plaque removal. Half mouth plaque removal resulted in a better outcome regarding gingival health and plaque severity in Group A and B as compared to Group C [p<0.05]. Intervention [in terms of plaque removal and triclosan dentifrice] resulted in a significant reduction in PLI and CPI scores in all groups. The intervention by plaque removal at early stage of pregnancy along with maintenance with triclosan had resulted in a more favorable outcome regarding gingival diseases and plaque

Dental caries amongst preschool children in Manghopir, Karachi, Pakistan

To determine prevalence, severity, and pattern of dental caries in preschool children of Manghopir, Karachi, Pakistan. From the area of Manghopir, Karachi a total of 789 randomly selected preschool children, 379 [48%] male and 410 [52%] female, with mean age of 4.7 [SD 0.8] years were examined for dental caries using World Health Organization [WHO] diagnostic criteria. The overall caries prevalence among the sample was 62.1%. The mean decayed, missing, and filled [dmft] score was 3.2 [SD 1.9] with a decay component of 2.4, a missing component of 0.3, and a filled component of 0.5. There was no significant difference [p>.05] in caries prevalence and severity in relation to gender of the children. However, the caries prevalence and severity were significantly higher [p<.05] among children from government preschools as compared to those from private preschools. Among the posterior teeth, mandibular second molars [54.3%], and among anterior teeth, maxillary central incisors [27.9%] had the highest caries prevalence. Among the molars, caries prevalence was generally high in lower molars while among the anterior teeth, upper teeth generally had a higher caries prevalence. The majority of the children [58.4%] had posterior tooth caries only, 34.2% had both posterior and anterior tooth caries, while very few [7.3%] children had only anterior tooth caries. Caries prevalence and severity were high in the study population, and most children had posterior tooth caries

Intrapleural streptokinase in management of complicated parapneumonic effusion and empyema

We report our study of the use of intrapleural streptokinase [IPSK] in ten patients with multiloculated complicated parapneumonic effusion and empyema who had failure of conservative first line of treatment with antibiotics and intercostal tube drainage. In order to break the multiple loculi and facilitate tube drainage, we instilled intrapleurally streptokinase 250,000 units diluted in 100 ml of 0.9% saline. All our patients showed improved fluid drainage after IPSK. Five patients experienced clinical and radiological resolution. IPSK therapy was unsuccessful in the remaining five, who then underwent successful surgical intervention

Maxillary Sinus Carcinoma: a prospective series of 45 cases

To study the epidemiology, etiology and management of maxillary sinus tumors, using parameters like age, sex, socio-economic status, extent of spread, treatment offered and survival rate, and observe if there were any disease outcomes i.e. prognostic factors.Retrospective, descriptive study from Oct. 1997 to Sept. 2003.Dept. of ENT-Head and Neck Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi.45 cases with Maxillary Sinus Carcinoma.The data of all the patients was collected and analyzed.This study revealed that out of the 45 cases, 66% were in the 5th and 6th decade of life. Two-thirds of cases were males, with main presenting symptoms of cheek swelling and nasal obstruction. Most patients presented in Stage 3 with no nodes. Treatment with combined modality i.e. surgery followed by radiotherapy gave a 50% two year survival rate in these cases

Teaching of integrated human nervous system course in the Sultanate of Oman

The College of Medicine at Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman has opted for the credit system that makes the designing of an integrated, multidisciplinary course a challenging proposition. The human nervous system course is no exception to that. The aim of the course is to guide students to understand the structure and function of the brain and to learn about the disorders afflicting it. There are 4 major problems encountered in this course. First, due to the relative weighting of different subjects in the course, the students tend to ignore the topics that have less credit hours and contribute fewer marks to the total marks. Secondly, students make minimal effort to analyze and synthesize information. Thirdly, poor knowledge of the English language hampers comprehension. Finally, it is felt that in its present form the course is too long. We are trying to evolve a version of hybrid problem-based learning that suits our local needs and resources

Topical quinolones versus topical aminoglycosides in the medical management of chronic suppurative otitis media; A comparative trial

The objective of this clinical trial was to asses the efficacy of topical quinolones and compare it with the most commonly used aminoglycoside [gentamicin hydrocortisone] ear drops. Patients and methods: One hundred and twenty patients were recruited in this comparative clinical trial and divided into two groups: aminoglycoside group of 60 patients were treated with gentamycin hydrocortisone ear drops and quinolone group of 60 patients were prescribed norfloxacin topical solution with a dose of 6 drops in the affected ear twice daily for two weeks. In the aminoglycoside group 30 patients had complete cessation of the discharge, in 12 discharge decreased in amount and mucoid in nature and 18 had no change in the amount and nature of discharge. In the quinolone group in 43 patients discharge stopped completely, in 12 discharge reduced and became mucoid whereas in 5 no change in the amount and nature of the discharge occurred. We recommend that in the medical management of chronic suppurative otitis media, the topical quinolones should be considered first line of treatment as there are no ototoxic effects of quinolones, which can be used safely in the presence of tympanic membrane perforation

Management of temporomandibular joint ankylosis

This study on the surgical management of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis was carried out over a period of about ten [10] years, i.e. from February 1992 till June 2001. A total number of 45 patients are included in this study. This paper describes a comparison of various surgical treatment modalities of TMJ Ankylosis including Gap Arthroplasty with interpositional Temporalis fascia, forced opening and Costochondral Graft Arthroplasty. On the whole Gap Arthroplasty with interpositional temporalis fascia provided the most promising results. Costochondral Arthoplasty yielded good results in children of growing age group. Forced opening gave good results in recent, short history of ankylosis cases

pattern of maxillo-facial injuries received at Abbassi Shaheed, KMDC, Karachi

This study was done to determine the trend of Maxillo-facial Trauma at Maxillo-Facial and Oral Surgery Department of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi. The majority of cases were received from local vicinity areas but referred from all over he city. A total of 322 patients with fractures of jaw and severe facial injuries were admitted in Facio-Maxillary ward during the months of February 1992 to June 2001. 267 or 82.9% were mandibular fractures, 12 or 3.73% were maxillary, 39 or 12.11% were zygomatic complex fractures and only 4 or 1.24% were severe facial injuries. The main etiologic factors leading to injury were RTA [Road Traffic Accident, Falls, Gun shots and Fights]

Post-operative bleeding following routine tooth extraction

This is a case report of uncontrolled bleeding on chair-side tooth extraction during a regular operatory procedure performed at KMDC. The patient was immediately shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for management. The presentation of the patient has been discussed considering factors such as selection and administration of local anesthesia, limitations of procedures and the competency levels of undergraduates, graduates and post-graduates

Hemorheologic abnormalities in diabetic children

Hemorheologic abnormalities are known to contribute to the development of vascular complications in diabetes mellitus. However studies of those abnormalities in diabetic children are few. We studied plasma viscosity and red cells filterability in diabetic children without any evident vascular complications and compared it with an age matched control group. Both the plasma viscosity and the red cells filterability were found significantly abnormal in the diabetic group. The clinical significance of these findings was discussed