ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine mean bone mineral density in patients with chronic low back pain presenting at Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine Rawalpindi based on dual energy x-ray absorptiometry studies
Study Design: Cross sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine [AFIRM], Rawalpindi from Apr 2015 to Mar 2016
Patients and Methods: Two hundred and forty patients having low back pain of more than 6 months duration fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included both from indoor and outdoor departments through non-probability consecutive sampling. Bone mineral density was measured at lumbar spine by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry studies by the same technical staff using the same equipment. A written informed consent was taken from each patient. Data were collected and recorded on specialized proforma by the principal investigator
Results: Spine BMD on DXA scan ranged from 0.90 to 0.98 g/cm2 with a mean of 0.95 +/- 0.02 as shown in. When stratified, the mean BMD decreased significantly with increasing age and severity of LBP; 20-30 years vs. 31-40 years [0.95 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.92 +/- 0.02; p=0.001]. However, there was no significant difference in mean BMD across genders; male vs. female [0.94 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.94 +/- 0.02; p=0.680]. Similarly there was no significant difference in mean BMD across various durations of low back pain; 7-10 vs. 11-14 months [0.94 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.93 +/- 0.01; p=0.617]
Conclusion: The mean bone mineral density at spine was found to be lower in patients with chronic low back pain. It was significantly lower in older patients and those with severe low back pain. However, it didn't change significantly with various durations of low back pain or gender
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To compare the eficacy of 0.3% topical ofloxacin 4 drops thrice daily with topical gentamycin 0.3%, 4 drops thrice daily in patients with active tubotympanic type of CSOM. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, HMC, Peshawar from Jan 2012 to July 2012. Materials and Methods: This Randomized controlled trial was conducted, consisting of 134 patients with ear discharge for more than three months which were randomly allocated to two groups each consisting of 67 patients. Patients in group A received gentamycin 0.3% in a dosage of four drops thrice daily, while patients in group B received 0.3 % ofloxacin four drops thrice daily for ten days. Patients were followed for two weeks after therapy for ear symptoms assessment, otoscopy and examination under microscopy. Results: A total of 134 patients of chronic suppurative otitis media were included in the study. Results showed that the rate of resolution of ear discharge [otorrhea] is significantly higher in patients treated with topical Ofloxacin than gentamycin [98.5% vs 89.6%]. [Pc0.05] Conclusion: Topical Ofloxocin is a better choice in management of CSOM than topical Gentamycin in terms of resolution of ear discharge.