Study of Some Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Tobacco Chewers and Non Tobacco Chewers.

Tobacco chewing is known causative factor of cardiovascular disorders and cancer. In India tobacco and gutkha chewing is very common. In present study effect of tobacco chewing was studied on other cardiovascular risk factors. This is comparative study done to see the association of smokeless tobacco consumption with blood pressure, heart rate, BMI and serum cotinine in adult male tobacco chewers. Methods: In present study 175 apparently healthy males were selected. Out of these 80 were tobacco non chewers and 95 were tobacco chewers. Parameters such as BMI, B.P., heart rate and serum cotinine were measured in both the groups. Result: No significant difference were observed among tobacco chewers and controls for heart rate and BMI, however, significant increase was observed in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p > 0.001) in tobacco chewers as compared to tobacco non chewers. Conclusion: Significantly increased values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure indicated that tobacco consumption in any form increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases.

Diagnostic utility of F waves in clinically diagnosed patients of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) of median nerve measured across the carpal tunnel, difference between distal sensory latencies (DSLs) of median and ulnar nerves and difference between distal motor latencies (DMLs) of median and ulnar nerves are commonly used nerve conduction parameters for diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). These are having high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Study of median nerve F-wave minimal latency (FWML) and difference between F-wave minimal latencies (FWMLs) of median and ulnar nerves have also been reported to be useful parameters for diagnosis of CTS. However, there is controversy regarding superiority of F-wave study for diagnosis of CTS. So the aim of present study was to compare sensitivity and specificity of median FWML and difference between FWMLs of median and ulnar nerves with that of above mentioned electrophysiological parameters and to find out which parameters are having more sensitivity and specificity, for early diagnosis of CTS. Methods : Median and ulnar nerves sensory and motor conduction, median and ulnar nerves F-wave studies were carried out bilaterally in 125 clinically diagnosed patients of carpal tunnel syndrome. These parameters were also studied in 45 age matched controls. Results : Difference between DSLs of median and ulnar nerves, median SNCV and difference between DMLs of median and ulnar nerves were having highest sensitivity and specificity while median FWML and difference between FWMLs of median and ulnar nerves was having lowest sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of CTS. So in conclusion F-wave study is not superior parameter for diagnosis of CTS.

Dieulafoy lesion in mid-esophagus with esophageal varices.

Dieulafoy lesion is an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Most such lesions are reported in the stomach, though a few have been reported in the distal esophagus. We report a 54-year-old man who presented with upper GI bleeding and had esophageal varices but bled from a Dieulafoy lesion 5 cm above the proximal end of the varices.