ABSTRACT
Vitamin D helps in maintaining bone and muscle health. Vitamin D deficiency is a global problem, with the prevalence of deficiency being widespread in Pakistan. The present study was planned to associate serum vitamin D, Parathyroid Hormone [PTH], calcium and phosphate concentrations with dietary habits of individuals living in urban/rural areas of Sindh, Pakistan. This was a crosssectional study at two locations, urban [Karachi] and rural [Haji Goth of Shadadpur city]. The study period was May-October 2012 on 176 healthy subjects, aged 20-80 years. Venous blood was collected for analysis of vitamin D, PTH, calcium and phosphorus. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS-18. Statistical differences between variables were determined by student's t-test and p<0.05 was considered significant. The 176 subjects were divided into non-vegetarians [93, 52.84%] and vegetarians [83, 47.16%] with each group subdivided into urban and rural. The BMI of non-vegetarians vs vegetarians was high [p<0.001]. Vitamin D in non-vegetarians vs vegetarians was low [p<0.001]. The vegetarians of urban compared to rural had low vitamin D [p<0.05]. The PTH of non-vegetarians vs vegetarians was significantly high [p<0.001]. Serum calcium was significantly low [p<0.05] in urban and rural subjects on either diet. Non-vegetarians had severe vitamin D deficiency, while vegetarians had vitamin D insufficiency irrespective of belonging to urban or rural area
ABSTRACT
Generally sub-clinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are diagnosed on the basis of laboratory evaluation and mostly such patients' manifest with mild or devoid of any clinical signs or symptoms. It is known to be a common disorder, also refer to as sub-clinical thyroid disease particularly in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Moreover, it is reported that most patients who were found to have sub-clinical hyperthyroidism depicts TSH values between 0.1 to 0.45 micro IU/L and those with sub clinical hypothyroidism between 4.5 to 10 micro IU/L. In this respect, studies were carried out during January 2006-Dec 2007 in 230 adult patients [98 males, 132 females] for evaluation of sub-clinical thyroid disease. TSH and thyroid hormones [T3 T4, FT3 and FT4] levels of all patients were determined by standard methods to assess the extent of the sub-clinical status. In female group which comprised of 132 patients, a total of n =28 [21.20%] exhibited sub-clinical thyroid disorders [n = 18; 13.63% Sub-clinical hypothyroidism, n=10; 7.57% sub-clinical hyperthyroidism], whereas 59 [44.69%] exhibited true-thyroid disorder. Subsequent assessment in males shows that out of 98 patients; n = 15 patients [15.30%] showed sub-clinical thyroid disorders [n = 9; 9.18% sub-clinical hypothyroidism; n = 6; 6.12% sub-clinical hyperthyroidism], whereas 20 [20.40%] without any sub-clinical or true thyroid disease, respectively and thus presented as normal. It is concluded that sub-clinical thyroid dysfunction prevails in females with 12.17% occurrence whereas 6.52% in males. Furthermore, the evaluation and subsequent review of existing literature and reports, it is also advisable that routine screening for thyroid disease through clinical investigations aided with lab findings be promoted, especially in pregnant women
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Hyperthyroidism/diagnosis , AdultABSTRACT
To evaluate the role of urinary protein to creatinine [P:C] ratio as a predictor of end-stage renal disease [ESRD] in renal failure patients. This study was conducted at Liaquat National Medical College and Hospital, Karachi from Jan-Dec 2006 on 121 patients [77 males, 44 females] with acute renal failure [ARF] and chronic renal failure [CRF]. Clinical history, relevant investigations, renal status, dialysis routine and frequency were recorded. Random Urine samples [single void] were collected and the P:C ratio were calculated. Out of 121 patients, 21 patients developed ESRD including 16 males [12 CRF, 4 ARF] and 5 females [all CRF]. Statistical analyses shows no significant difference between sum of P:C ratio of CRF and ARF patients. However moderate significance [P < 0.05] was noted among P:C ratio of ESRD patients when compared with males CRF and ARF groups. Similarly, female groups also showed non-significant difference, whereas ESRD patients [FCES], depicts moderate [P < 0.05] significance when compared with female CRF and ARF groups. P:C ratio of males and females ESRD groups showed no significance difference. Mean P:C ratio in male CRF end stage category was 4.12 +/- 0.82 [range 2.5 - 9.1] where as in male ARF end stage 3.78 +/- 1.67 [range 1.80- 7.12]. Mean P:C ratio in female CRF end stage category was 3.94 +/- 0.79 [range 1.76 - 5.98]. Patients with > 1.0 of P:C ratio has developed ESRD. Higher the ratio of P:C, the more was risk of deterioration of clinical condition