Hyperuricaemia and the risk of ocular complications in tuberculous patients during therapy

Objective: To determine the risk of ocular complications due to hyperuricaemia in tuberculous patients during therapy. Material and Methods: The study was canducted in chest ward and eye ward BVH, Bahawalpur in collaboration with Department of Chemical Pathology, QMG, Baharvalpur from July 2009 to July 2011 One thousand and fifty tuberculous patients [850 males and 200 females, aged 18 - 70 years] receiving four standard drugs i.e; rifampicin. pyrazynamide, ethambutol, and isoniazid, were included in the study. Approved and fixed dose combination of four drugs of proven bio equivalency was used Serum uric acld and creatinlne levels were estimated on fujly automated chemistry analyzer SELECTRA-XL [Merck Diagnostics] using Merck reagents. before the commencement of treatmenl. Ophthalmic examination of all the patients included in the study was also done by funduscopy and on slit lamp before starling therapy. At 8-1 2 weeks after commencement of therapy serum uric acid and crealinine levels were measured along with fundoscopic and slit lamp examination on all patients under srudy subjects to diagnose any ocular complication by an ophthalmologist. Results: All patients study subjects had hyperuricaernia [mean=9.60 mg/dl +/- 3.4 SD] and ncrmal creatinine. Syrnploms of visual blurring from the corneal haze or foreign body sensation due to epithelial breakdown were found in 86% of study subjects. Uveitis was found in 2 percent of the patients. Scleritis and Episcleritis was seen in 4% of the patients. Corneal deposits of urates were found in 0.5% subjects whiie conjuntiual urate crystals were found in 8.5% of the subjecls Conclucian: Hyperuricaemia is an important risk factor for ocular complications and starts almost after 8-12 weeks of cornmcncement of antituberclosis treatment. If it is left undiagnosed, sight-threatening effects can occur

awareness and prevalence of metabolic syndrome in medical community of Bahawalpur

We investigated the frequency of Metabolic Syndrome and evaluated the level of awareness about this condition in medical community [healthcare workers] of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. It was a cross-sectional study. It was carried out over a period of one year [June 2008 to May 2009]. The following institutions took part in the study: Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Quaid-eAzam Medical College, Paramedical and Nursing Schools and Female Jubilee Hospital, A total of one hundred and ninety four [194] Doctors and Paramedics [Nurses and Dispensers] working in the institutions included in study were selected by simple random sampling technique. Demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical data were recorded, lifestyle features were inquired about, and the level of awareness regarding MetS was surveyed. The criteria recommended by the Adult Treatment Panel [ATP] III were used for the diagnosis of MetS. The presence of MetS was evaluated in all [194] subjects. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 29 participants [14.95%], and there was no statistically significant difference between men and women in this respect. At least three criteria of MetS were correctly listed by 36 participants [18.56%], with physicians showing significantly higher awareness levels [p<0.001]. The frequency of abdominal obesity was 22.68% and it was significantly higher in males than in females [29.29% vs 14.74%; p<0.001]. Current study shows that only a minority of medical community are aware of MetS as a clinical entity. Nurses and other paramedics are unaware of the problem

Frequency of HCV seropositivity and its association to risk factors among healthy blood donors reporting to blood bank at Bahawal Victoria hospital-Bahawalpur

The study was carried out to assess the frequency of HCV sero-positivity and to see the risk factors associated with it. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study, conducted at Blood Bank in Bahawal Victoria Hospital. Bahawalpur. The study was done from July to December 2008. One hundred [100] healthy blood donors of either sex, age between 18 and 50 years, who reported for blood donation were enrolled for this study through convenience sampling method [non-probable technique]. Persons with high blood pressure and H/O previous major surgeries were excluded. The anti-H.C.V. one step Hepatitis "C" Antigen Test Device, a rapid chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of Hepatitis "C" Antigen in serum or plasma-was used. Data were recorded in the structured Performa for further processing of data. Results were compiled by using SPSS [version 12.0] and Microsoft office to process the data. Most [94%] of the healthy, volunteer blood donors were male. Out of 100 subjects, eight [8%] were found to be HCV sero-positive. The independent risk factors associated with HCV sero-positive cases were post-transfusion history of jaundice, history of surgery, dental procedures, needle prick accidents, sexual promiscuity, tattooing, intravenous drug use and razor and scissors sharing. The frequency of HCV sero-positivity among the healthy blood donors is 8% which is quite high and alarming. Most of the risk factors associated with it involve parenteral route of viral transmission

Frequency of hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C in liver cirrhosis

To observe the frequency of hepatitis B and C in cases of liver cirrhosis. This descriptive study was conducted in all the Medical wards of Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur from June 2005 to May 2006. One hundred cases of liver cirrhosis presented through out patient or emergency department in the medicine department of Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Out of 100 patients, 59 [59%] were male and 41[41%] were female. Majority of the patients [80%] were 20 to 59 years old. HBsAg was positive in 28 [28%] patients, HCV RNA in 43 [43%], both HBsAg and HCV RNA were positive in 06 [06%] and negative in 23 [23%] cases. Most of the patients [46%] were in grade "B" of Modified Child Pugh's classifications, Among them 20 were HCV RNA positive and 15 HBsAg positive, While 20 [20%] were in grade "A" and 34 patients [34%] in grade "C". The risk factors for transmission of HBV and HCV infection were identified in 43% of cases. Chronic HCV is a leading cause of cirrhosis in Bahawalpur, followed by chronic HBV infection. Both the viruses in combination account for about three fourth of the total cirrhotics

Prevalence of hepatitis "B" and "C" among the barber community of Bahawalpur city

This study was done to estimate prevalence rate and risk factors for HBV and HCV in Barbers and Beauticians of Bahawalpur City. 100 healthy Barbers and Beauticians were registered for this study. Screening test was applied for HBsAg and Anti-HCV. Blood was drawn with disposable syringe aseptically and serum obtained for HBsAg and Anti-HCV testing. Data was shifted to the master data sheet and analyzed by different tabulation. Data presentation was done by bar and pie diagrams. This Study was carried out from June 2006 to December 2006 at Bahawalpur City. Out of 100 healthy barbers, 6, were found seropositive for Anti-H.C.V antibodies with a prevalence rate of 6%, and 2 persona [2%] wre HBsAg positive. Amongst the seropositive Barbers and Beauticians the risk factors were cuts and pricks during work, major surgery with blood transfusion, IV injections and dental extraction. Only 18% Barbers and Beauticians were having full vaccination done against HBV. The prevalence rate of 2% for Hepatitis B compared to Hepatitis C's seroprevalence at 6% shows the declining attitude of HBV in the community and the retrospective effect of vaccination done against HBV [18%]. The study data further concludes the risk factors this community of Barbers and Beauticians, is facing and with further education, awareness and vaccination hopefully major decline in the HBsAg and Anti-HCV seropositivities will be appreciated