Road traffic crashes in Ramadan: an observational study

The aim of this study was to investigate trends in road traffic crashes [RTCs] managed by an emergency service, Rescue 1122, in 2011 in Punjab, Pakistan. RTC data were collected from 35 districts of Punjab and reviewed retrospectively. Data analysis revealed that the service responded to 12 969 RTC emergencies during August 2011 [Ramadan], compared with an average of 11 573 RTCs per month from January to August 2011. The younger age group [11-27 years] was victims in 29% of RTCs; 39% were due to speeding and 43% occurred in peak rush hours [14:00-18:00] before iftar [breakfast].Results of the study showed that Rescue 1122 faced more RTCs during Ramadan compared with the preceding months. Road safety is an important public health issue in Pakistan. Although there have been great improvements in roads in the past few years, much work needs to be done to deal with mounting trends in RTCs. Public awareness, political will and stringent law enforcement are key factors

Gender differences in the risk of coronary artery disease in Iran

Given gender differences in the risk of coronary artery disease [CAD], the present study sought to investigate these dissimilarities amongst patients who underwent angiography at a major, tertiary heart hospital in Iran. Between 2005 and 2010, 44,820 patients who underwent coronary angiography were enrolled in a registry. Pre-procedural data such as demographics, CAD risk factors, presenting symptoms, and laboratory tests, as well as post-procedural data were collected. The data were, subsequently, compared between the men and women. Out of the 44,820 patients [16,378 women], who underwent coronary angiography, 37,358 patients [11,995 women] had CAD. Amongst the CAD patients, the females were not only significantly older, less educated, and more overweight than were the males but also had higher levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and fasting blood sugar [P< 0.001]. Of all the risk factors, hypertension and diabetes mellitus showed the strongest association in our female CAD patients [OR=3.45, 95%CI: 3.28-3.61 and OR=2.37, 95%CI: 2.26-2.48, respectively]. Acute coronary syndrome was more prevalent in the men [76.1% vs. 68.6%, P< 0.001], and chronic stable angina was more frequent in the females [31.4% vs. 23.9%, P< 0.001]. With respect to post-procedural recommendations, the frequency of recommendations for non-invasive modalities was higher in the females [20.1% vs. 18.6%, P< 0.001] Hypertension and diabetes mellitus had the strongest association with CAD in our female patients. In the extensive CAD patients, medical treatment was recommended to the women more often