Are BP readings taken after a patient-physician encounter in a real-world clinic scenario the lowest of all the readings in a clinic visit

To determine the difference in Blood Pressure [BP] readings taken before, during and after the clinic encounter. Descriptive study. Cardiology Clinic, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January to August 2013. Hypertensive and normotensive participants aged >/= 18 years were recruited. Pre-clinic BP was measured by a nurse and in-clinic BP by a physician. After 15 minutes, two post-clinic BP readings were taken at 1 minute interval. All readings were taken using Omron HEM7221-E. Out of 180 participants, males were 57% and 130 [71%] were hypertensive. Mean SBP [Systolic BP] taken preclinic, in-clinic, post-clinic 1 and post-clinic 2 were: 126 +/- 20 mmHg, 131 +/- 23 mmHg, 126 +/- 20 mmHg and 121 +/- 21 mmHg respectively [p < 0.001]. Mean DBP [Diastolic BP] taken pre-clinic, in-clinic, post-clinic 1 and post-clinic 2 were 77 +/- 12 mmHg, 81 +/- 13 mmHg, 79 +/- 12 mmHg and 79 +/- 11 mmHg respectively [p < 0.001]. BP taken in the post-clinic setting may significantly be the lowest reading in a clinic encounter, making in-clinic BP unreliable to diagnose or manage hypertension

Prevalence of depression among tuberculosis patients

Objectives: To find out frequency of depression among Tuberculosis [TB] patients, to study the causes of depression in them and its effect on treatment and prognosis of T.B

Study Design: Cross-Sectional Study

Study Area: Department of Chest Medicine District Head Quarters and Red Crescent T.B Hospital, Faisalabad

Duration of Study: March - May 2009. Study Population: TB patients admitted in Department of Chest Medicine DHQ and Red Crescent T.B Hospital, Faisalabad

Sample Size: Sample size was 60 TB patients

Sampling Technique: Convenience sampling technique

Data Collection Tool: Beck's Depression Inventory-II[BDI-II in Urdu] semistructured questionnaire was used for data collection for all TB patients who were able to understand it. Diagnosis was made as per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth edition [DSM-IV]

Results: Depression was present in about 80% of the hospitalized TB patient. It was more common in males about 86%, while in the females it was about 71%. According to age, young and elderly patients were found to be more affected. Majority of the TB patients had moderate depression, while some had severe and mild depression. Main causes of depression among the male TB patients 24.7% were due to altered social relationship and among female TB patients 23.33% were due to TB stigma

Conclusion: It is concluded from this study that 80% patients were suffering from depression. The frequency of depression was found to be 86% among males; while 71% of the female patients were found to be depressed. Main causes of depression among the male TB patients were altered social relationship and among female patients TB stigma. Depression had adverse effect on drug compliance and TB treatment