Comparison of patterns of lipid profile in type-2 diabetics and non-diabetics

To determine the commonest pattern of lipid profile in type 2 diabetics presenting in Mayo hospital and to compare it with non-diabetics. It was a comparative study. It was conducted in all medical wards, medical OPD and patients seen in emergency. Material and method: Patients were selected according to inclusion criteria. After sampling for all relevant investigations, results were expressed after applying Chi-square test. Serum cholesterol> 240mg/dl seen in 25% diabetics and 11% non-diabetics [p <0.05]. Levels <240 and >200mg/dl seen in 35% diabetics and 19% non-diabetics [p <0.05]. Serum cholesterol < 200mg/dl seen in 40% diabetics and 70% non-diabetics [p<0.05].LDL >160mg/dl seen in 21% diabetics and 5% non-diabetics [p<0.01]. LDL < 130 mg/dl seen in 32% diabetics and 42% non-diabetics [p >0.05].HDL < 35 mg/dl seen in 67% diabetics and 43% non-diabetics [p <0.05]. HDL >35mg/ dl seen in 33% diabetics and 57% non-diabetics [p <0.05]. TG >400 mg/dl seen in 8% diabetics and 3% non-diabetics.TG >200mg/dl seen in 38% diabetics and 93% non-diabetics [p<0.01].TG <200mg/dl seen in 62% diabetics and 3% non-diabetics [p<0.01]. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are closely associated. Diabetic dyslipidaemias are a major risk factor for athrosclerosis. The commonest dyslipidaemia found was low HDL cholesterol followed by high LDL, serum cholesterol and TG levels.The commonest dylipidaemia found among non-diabetics in this study is high TG and low HDL,which might be associated with dietary factors and lack of exercise. Correction of dyslipidaemia is important to retard the progression of atherosclerosis

Stroke in elderly patients admitted at Mayo Hospital, Lahore

Early constitute a major proportion of our population. Our study at West Medical Unit of Mayo Hospital, Lahore was based on elderly patients presenting with various types of stroke. Out of 206 elderly patients, 28 had stroke. 12 were female and 16 male. 3 had transient ischemic attack [TIA], 16 suffered from thrombotic stroke and 9 from haemorrhagic event. 6 patients from study group died and 2 left against medical advice. We concluded that stroke is a disease of the elderly imposing major impact on their mortality rates, age being a major risk factor. Hence stress should be laid on the disease as well on the elderly which constitute a major portion of our population

Coagulation profile in patients with breast cancer

Fifty subjects with breast cancer patients and 25 healthy control were included in this study. Routine hematological investigations i.e. Hb, TLC, platelets count were done by hematology analyzer and specific investigations like prothrombin time [PT], activated partial thromboplastin time [APTT] and fibrinogen level were performed by using commercially available kits. Results obtained were analyzed by using Student's 't' test and level of significance was done. Platelets count and fibrinogen levels were increased in breast cancer patients but PT and APTT were comparable with control group

High altitude pulmonary oedema - response to exercise and cold on systemic and pulmonary vascular beds

Fourteen subjects who were acclimatised to a height of 7000 feet [average duration 3 +/- months] were investigated. Five were normal subjects [Group I] and 9 were those who developed high altitude pulmonary oedema [Group 2]. At the National Institute of Heart Diseases, Rawalpindi, clinical examination, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, haematological tests, thyroid functions, echocardiography and lung function tests were normal. During exercise testing the blood pressure response was exaggerated in Group 2 compared to Group 1 [P < 0.01]. Cardiac catheterisation revealed no significant difference in the intracardiac pressures in the resting state in the two groups [P = NS]. With cold pressor test the pulmonary pressure and aortic pressure rose significantly in Group 2 as compared to Group 1 [P < 0.01]. It is suggested, therefore, that pulmonary and systemic vascular beds are hyper-responsive to cold in the susceptible subjects [Group 2]. This phenomenon may be further aggravated by exertion, hypoxia, and other undetermined factors in producing pulmonary oedema