Fruit and vegetable consumption and its determinants among Saudi university students

Diets rich in Fruits and Vegetables [F and V] are associated with reduced risk of various chronic illnesses. Although World Health Organization [WHO] recommends consumption of at least five portions of F and V a day, very few follow this advice. This study has been designed to assess F and V consumption and factors affecting its usage among students of a Saudi university. This cross-sectional study was carried out at the University of Dammam in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the academic year 2012-2013. A total of 367 university students were randomly selected. F and V consumption was assessed using a questionnaire containing predictive parameters about the frequency and type of food consumption. The association of F and V consumption with various potential determinants was calculated using Chi-square test. The study included 223 [60.76%] male and 144 [39.23%] female participants. The mean age was 22.40 +/- 1.83 while the mean BMI was 23.9 +/- 4.79. Consumption of F and V was not at par with the WHO recommended consumption level of 84.47%. Gender and BMI were not found to be significantly associated with F and V consumption. Living with the family, planning daily menu by themselves, awareness of WHO recommendations about F and V consumption, fitness consciousness and regular exercise were significantly associated with moderate or high F and V consumption [p < 0.001]. F and V consumption in the students of university of Dammam is far less than the WHO recommended level. There is a dire need to educate Saudi youth about the importance of F and V in their diet for a healthier life

Determinants of misconceptions about diabetes among Saudi diabetic patients attending diabetes clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia

To identify the determinants of misconceptions about diabetes in patients registered with a diabetes clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional survey was carried out at a diabetes clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia, from January to December 2012. A total of 200 diabetic patients were interviewed using a questionnaire comprising 36 popular misconceptions. The total misconception score was calculated and categorized into low [0-12], moderate [13-24] and high [25-36] scores. The association of misconception score with various potential determinants was calculated using Chi-square test. Step-wise logistic regression was applied to the variables showing significant association with the misconception score in order to identify the determinants of misconceptions. The mean age was 39.62 +/- 16.7 and 112 [56%] subjects were females. Type 1 diabetics were 78 [39%], while 122 [61%] had Type 2 diabetes. Insulin was being used by 105 [52.5%], 124 [62%] were self-monitoring blood glucose and 112 [56%] were using diet control. Formal education on diabetes awareness had been received by 167 [83.5%] before the interview. The mean misconception score was 10.29 +/- 4.92 with 115 [57.5%] subjects had low misconception scores [<12/36]. On the Chi-square test, female gender, rural area of residence, little or no education, <5 or >15 years since diagnosis, no self-monitoring, no dietary control and no diabetes education were all significantly [P < 0.05] associated with higher misconception scores. Step-wise logistic regression suggested that diabetes education, gender, education and time since diagnosis were significant [P < 0.05] predictors of misconception scores. The strongest determinants of misconceptions about diabetes in our study population were female gender, rural area of residence, illiteracy or little education, <5 or >15 years since diagnosis, no self-monitoring, no diet control and no education about diabetes

Energy drinks consumption pattern, perceived benefits and associated adverse effects amongest students of university of Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Background: There are safety concerns about energy drinks alongside marketing claims of physiological and behavioural benefits. There is no scientific data about usage of energy drinks in Saudi Arabia. This study determined consumption patterns of energy drinks as well as perceived benefits and side effects amongst students at a Saudi university. Methods: This study was carried out in students of University of Dammam from October to December 2010. A questionnaire about energy drink use, reasons for use, benefits and side effects experienced was distributed amongst the university students. Frequencies of responses and differences between male and female students were analysed. Results: A total of 412 students [282 males and 130 females] responded, out of whom 54.60% males and 26.15% female students were energy drink users. Mean age at first use was significantly [p<0.05] less in female students. Inspirations for first time use were friends [both genders] and curiosity [males mainly]. Most students did not have a fixed frequency of use. The commonest reasons for use were company of friends, to keep awake, for more energy and for better performance in driving, sports or exams. Amongst many the commonest [p<0.05] benefit reported was ability to stay awake longer. The students reported a number of adverse effects. Increased urination and insomnia were the commonest in males and females respectively.Only 36.70% males and 14.28% females never experienced an adverse effect. Conclusion: A significant proportion of students at university of Dammam use energy drinks, they have reported a number of effects [perceived as benefits] along with a variety of adverse effects.Keywords: Energy Drinks, Students, Saudi Arabia, Benefits, Adverse effects

Frequency and characteristics of skin cancers diagnosed at Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad Pakistan from 1995-2003

Our histopathology laboratory serves mountainous area of Hazara Division in Northern Pakistan. This study is an analysis of the records of skin cancers reported over a nine years period to develop local statistics about frequency and characteristics of skin cancers. Data from 1995-2003 record of cancers reported by Department of Pathology, Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad were analysed to calculate cumulative and year wise frequency of skin cancers and their major types. Frequency distribution with reference to gender and age was also calculated. Skin cancers were 220 [1.04%] out of the total 21075 cancers recorded during this period. Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in 118 [53.6%], Basal cell carcinoma in 88 [40%] and Malignant melanoma in 14 [6.4%] cases. The mean age for all skin cancers considered together was 58.75 +/- 15.21. Non Melanoma Skin Cancer [NMSC] were seen in all age groups [minimum 15, maximum 103 years], while no malignant melanoma patient was under 35 years of age. Gender difference in distribution was negligible with slight male preponderance [23:21]. Malignant melanoma was significantly [p<0.05] more in males [71.4%], while distribution of both the types of NMSC was non-significantly in favour of males. We found no significant rise or fall in total skin cancers or any type of skin cancer in this 9 years period. At present the frequency of skin cancer is stable at around 1% of total cancers reported at Ayub Medical College, reflecting a stable very low incidence rate of skin cancer in Hazara Division of Pakistan

Sensitivty and specificity of Romhilt-Estes point score system for detecting left ventricular hypertnophy

The present study was conducted to determine the sensitivity and specificity of Romhilt and Estes point score system of ECG for the assessment of left ventricular hypertrophy by comparing it with the gold standard of echocardiography. Fifty clinically diagnosed patients of LVH were included in this collaborative study of Dept. of Physiology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi and Department of Cardiology, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi. ECG of the patients were recorded and Romhilt-Estes point score calculated. This was followed by echocardiography and left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index was calculated. It was found that Romhilt-Estes point score system had a sensitivity of 35% and specificity of 90%. The sensitivity of ECG is low in detecting LVH, however, sensitivity can be increased by combining Sokolow Lyons voltage criteria and Cornell voltage criteria with Romhilt-Estes point score. ECG is however still recommended as a routine investigation because of its cost effectiveness and easy availability

Synergistic interaction of adenosine diphosphate-epinephrine and epinephrine - collagen in aggregation of human platelets

Efficient hemostasis in human body depends on a complicated series of events which actively involve blood platelets. Platelets exhibit diverse responses in a variety of agonists. In vivo, most of the agonists act in synergism, causing aggregation of platelets. In this study, the synergism between ADP ' Epinephrine and Epinephrine ' Collagen has been determined by means of turbidometric method, which measures changes in optical density of platelet suspension. The study was carried out at the department of Hematology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi. The subthreshold concentrations of each of the agonists were established with the help of dose response curve. By adding these agonists in subthreshold concentrations, the synergism between ADP ' Epinephrine and Epinephrine ' Collagen was determined. The combinations of these agonists in subthreshold levels showed the synergistic responses in causing platelet aggregation. These findings indicate that the optimal platelet aggregation does occur between the above mentioned pairs of agonists even when each of the agonist is added to the other in subthreshold doses

Correlation of eosinophil cationic protein with severity of asthma

Activated eosinophils play an important role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. Upon activation eosinophils release their granular proteins. Eosinophil Cationic Protein [ECP] is a highly basic protein of ribonuclease-A family that is released from matrix of eosinophil granules. In the recent past a number of studies have shown increased levels of ECP in serum and induced sputum of asthmatics. We carried out this study to find out correlation of serum ECP with severity of asthma. This study was carried out on 44 asthmatics and 44 matched controls at Department of Physiology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi from June 2002 to December 2003. Lung function tests were done using spirometer [Vitalograph-Compact] and severity of asthma was graded into four classes, mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent and severe persistent. Serum was used to assess ECP by ELISA. Statistical correlation between ECP and severity of asthma as well as lung function tests was calculated. The asthmatics as compared with the controls had significantly more serum ECP. Serum ECP increased significantly with increase in severity of asthma [from mild intermittent to severe persistent]. Serum ECP was negatively correlated with FEV1 and FEV1/FVC[r=-.823 and r=-.772, p<.001 respectively]. There was a significant positive correlation between serum ECP and severity of asthma [r=0.947 p<0.001] Conclusions: We conclude from this study that serum ECP can be used as a useful laboratory investigation for severity of asthma

Top ten stressors in the hysterical subjects of Peshawar

Hysteria develops as a reaction to emotional stress or conflict in presence of a series of environmental, biological and personal vulnerability factors or as a part of the current life situation. This study was carried out to determine the top ten stressors in the hysterical subjects of Peshawar. This study was carried out at Psychiatry department of Khyber teaching Hospital Peshawar Pakistan from January to December 1996. Fifty hysterical subjects satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected by convenience sampling. They were interviewed and results were analysed from the entries in a proforma. Stressors were clearly identified in 45 [90%] subjects while in 5 [10%] subjects there were none. The top ten stressors in our population in order of frequency of subjects were 'disturbed relations with in-laws' [18%], 'engagement/marriage against wishes' [14%], 'disturbed relations with spouse' [12%], 'husband abroad' [10%], 'conflict with parents' [8%], 'conflict at work' [8%], 'failure in exam/study problem' [6%], 'love problems' [6%], 'death of spouse' [4%], 'threat to life [4%]. Conclusions: We concluded that stressors were present and identifiable in most of Peshawar hysterics. The pattern of stressors in our subjects was unique to our population and most of these stressors were easily treatable

Eosinophils and eosinophil products in asthma

Eosinophils are known to be an indirect marker of airway inflammation in asthma. It is known since long that the total eosinophil count reflects asthmatic activity and is useful for regulating steroid dosage and for early detection of exacerbations. Eosinophils are currently regarded as the effector cells responsible for much of the pathology of asthma. Eosinophil-mediated damage to the respiratory epithelium is a major pathogenetic mechanism in asthma. This article is a review of the latest works about the relationship of eosinophil and eosinophil products with asthma. This is a review article

Effect of doubling the altitude on serum testosterone levels of untrained young males subjected to standard exercise

The exercise has got a definite effect on serum testosterone level like many other physical and psychological stressors. Almost no study is available about the effects of standard exercise at two different altitudes in the same group of untrained exercisers. However some data is available regarding trained athletes. This study was designed to compare the effect of doubling the altitude on serum testosterone level in the same group of untrained men exposed to standard exercise. Materials and 10 untrained male subjects were exposed to a standard exercise [submaximal cycle ergometer test] at 4300 feet and 8600 feet ASL [above sea level]. Serum testosterone level was tested in the venous samples taken before and after the exercise. The testosterone levels before the exercise were not significantly different at the two heights, however significant difference was observed in the samples taken immediately after exercise and 2 hours after exercise. In both these cases serum testosterone at the higher altitude was significantly more. Conclusions: Standard exercise at high altitude in untrained men leads to an increase in testosterone level that is significantly more than a siimlar exercise at a lower altitude

Inadequate postprandial compensatory tachycardia in elderly people

The effects of aging on cardiovascular and autonomic systems were evaluated through postprandial baroreceptor activity comparison between a group of young adults [n=20] and a group of elderly subjects [n=50.] through measurements of pulse rate, which is an indicator of baroreceptor activity. Significant rise of pulse rate was observed in the young adults at 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after meal, while similar postprandial compensatory tachycardia was not found in the elderly group. The mean differences in pulse rate in young adult group at 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after meal were 2.05 +/- 0.28, 5.90 +/- 0.37, 5.95 +/- 0.37 and 3.60 +/- 0.42 beats/minute respectively, while the same values at the same time intervals in elderly subjects were 0.48 +/- 0.31, 1.14 +/- 0.54, 0.06 +/- 0.34 and -0.36 +/- 0.26 beats/minute respectively. Highly significant differences [p< 0.001] were observed in the values at all postprandial time intervals between the two groups