Impact of multidisciplinary care in gynecological cancer patients

Objective: To determine the impact of multidisciplinary care in Gynecological cancer patients through multidisciplinary meetings [MDM] at MCH centre, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences [PIMS], Islamabad

Study Design: A pre and post intervention comparative study

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at MCH centre, PIMS and Nuclear Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute, Islamabad from 1[st] April 2009 to 31[st] Mar 2010

Material and Methods: MDM is a regularly scheduled meeting of core and limited team members for the purpose of prospective treatment and care planning of newly diagnosed cancer patients. It was started in 2009 in order to improve the management of the cancer patients according to the international recommendations. In a total of 1 year study period 24 meetings were held. The major audit tool was the documentation of the meeting and its outcomes, patient communication and record of the Nuclear Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute of Islamabad [NORI]. A postgraduate student was deputed for documentation

Results: The study identified that MDM helped in achieving many of the best practices of international recommendations which include team approach to treatment planning as well as to care provision, throughout the complete patient pathway. The workload almost doubled as regards the surgery and outdoor cancer claims. There was a shorter delay to first seen in the cancer clinic and shorter duration from diagnosis to treatment. Team members were present in 90-100% of the meetings

Conclusion: MDM has swiftly improved the quality of care and follow up of patients with gynecological cancers and should be conducted at all tertiary care hospitals. Problems of access to high quality and timely care of poor patients in public sector should be addressed as poor patients are not compliant to timely follow-up

Retrospective analysis of acute hepatitis e infection in hospitalized pregnant cases

Hepatitis E virus [HEV] is endemic in Pakistan with 16-19% seropositivity of HEV IgG antibodies. The HEV is considered fatal during pregnancy as compared to general population. The objective of the study was to determine the maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality in HEV IgM positive pregnant cases. The study was conducted in four hospitals i.e. Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Isra University Hospital Jamshoro, Sindh, Lady reading Hospital and Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa. The medical record of pregnant cases from 2008 to 2011 was retrieved who were positive for HEV IgM. Information about age, gestational age, viral markers [HEV IgM, HBsAg, anti HCV], complications during pregnancy and outcome were recorded on pre design questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 15. Medical record of 70 HEV positive pregnant cases was retrieved and out of these, 34 were found complete and analyzed further. The median age was 26 years. Twenty six pregnancies [76%] were in 3[rd] trimesters, 05 in 2[nd] trimester and 01 in 1[st] trimester. Pruiritis was the commonest symptom [28 cases], followed by jaundice [27], nausea/ vomiting [25] and encephalopathy [18]. Of 34 cases, 12 were artificially induced, 08 had premature labor, 04 delivered spontaneously [full term], 04 died undelivered and 04 continued till term. One got delivered at home and another had an abortion at home before coming to hospital. A total of 12 mothers along with their undelivered babies died, of these 08 were in 3[rd] trimester and 04 in 2[nd] trimester. Four out of 07 babies who were delivered prematurely also died. Maternal mortality was directly associated with delivery as 24 out of 34 mothers survived who were delivered either naturally or were induced while 12 out of 34 who continued their pregnancy died [p<=0 .004]. Third trimester had the highest maternal death. Acute hepatitis E during pregnancy led to 35% maternal and 47% fetal mortality. Acute hepatitis in pregnancy should always be screened for HEV and if found positive should be vigilantly followed to save mother and child