Health disparities between Muslim and non-Muslim countries

We examined differences in health indicators and associated factors across countries according to the proportion of the population who are Muslim. Of 190 UN countries, 48 were classified as Muslim-majority countries [MMC] and 142 as non-MMC. Data on 41 potential determinants of health were obtained from 10 different data sources, and 4 primary outcome measures [male and female life expectancy, maternal mortality ratio and infant mortality rate] were analysed. Annual per capita expenditure on health in MMC was one-fifth that of non-MMC. Maternal mortality and infant mortality rates were twice as high in MMC as non-MMC. Adult literacy rate was significantly higher for non-MMC. Four significant predictors explained 52%-72% of the differences in health outcomes between the 2 groups: gross national income, literacy rate, access to clean water and level of corruption

Frequency of depressive symptoms in patients of parkinson's disease

Background: To determine the frequency of depressive symptoms in patients of Parkinson's disease [PD]

Material and Methods: It was an observational study conducted in out-door and in-door departments of the Neurology ward, King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital, Lahore from April 2003 to November 2003. 100 patients of Parkinson's disease [diagnosed by consultant neurologists] were registered and after fulfilling all the inclusion and exclusion criteria, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS] was applied to see the depressive symptoms in patients of PD

Results: Out of 100 patients, 81 [81%] patients were depressed. All the patients with bradykinesia were depressed. Only 07 depressed patients were taking antidepressants

Conclusion: Depression can be viewed as a common clinical feature of PD and goes unrecognized in majority of the patients of PD. Depression and PD are not coexisting diseases but probably biochemical identical diseases. Bradykinesia can be a strong predictor for depression in patients of PD. Majority of PD patients with depression were not being treated for depression

Electrophysiological pattern of neuropapathy in Guillain-Barre syndrome

Guillain Barre Syndrome is an acute immune mediated polyneuropathy. We conducted a prospective study in Neurology Department, Mayo Hospital, Lahore to evaluate different electrophysiological patterns in Guillain Barre Syndrome. A total of 25 cases were registered over the period of one year and nerve conduction and electromyography was done on each patient. The break down of different patterns of neuropathy was 36% demylinated, 12% axonal and 52% of mixed variety having both demylinating and axonal components. From our study we conclude that pattern of neuropathy in GBS is nearly same as reported in most European and local studies except Chinese endemic cases where axonal form is more frequent