Symptomatology of obsessive-compulsive disorder

The aim of the study was to assess the influence of religion on the symptomatology of Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder. Fifty patients all Muslims, 36 males and 14 females, suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder [OCD] were studied, in order to assess the various forms and contents of obsessions and compulsions in our culture Five types of obsessions were identified; namely doubts, thinking, fear, impulses and images in descending order of their frequency; Compulsions included repetition of prayers and / or their associated washing, cleaning and checking rituals. The content of obsession and compulsions in decreasing order of frequency were religious, contamination, inanimate impersonal, aggression, sex and death. This study reflects the frequency that religion accords as content to various obsessions and compulsions. Seventy Eight% patients who were suffering from severe to extreme OCD on Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale were not willing for admission in Psychiatry unit but continued taking medical advice at an out-patient level. Forty% of patients contacted general medical practitioners for help so it is recommended that primary care physicians should be encouraged to effectively diagnose and treat this condition. Associated features of anxiety and depression were seen in 54% cases, therefore it is recommended that screening OCD should be a routine part of every mental state examination in psychiatric practice, particularly in patients who present with anxiety or depression. The impact of these findings in terms of psychological method of treatment, such as cognitive behavioural therapy could be significant in islamic culture. It is suggested that further studies should be carried out to complement the pharmacological treatment

Electrolytes changes during carbamazepine therapy

Sixty patients receiving tegretol [Carbamazepine] were studied to determine the disturbances in sodium and potassium levels, The results were compared with 61 age matched controls. There was a significant difference between the mean [ +/- S.E.] serum sodium levels of the subjects [138.8 +/- 0.6 mEq/L] and the controls [141.7 +/- 04.mEq/L]. Thirteen of the subjects [21.7%], but none of the controls, had sodium levels of <135 mEq/L. The mean values of potassium [4.3 +/- 0.02 mEq/L] were not significantly changed as compared to controls. The risk of hyponatremia increased with age. The prevalence of hyponatremia was four times higher among subjects aged 30 years or more as compare to those below 30 years

Walking protects our hearts

Comparative study regarding risk factors for ischemic heart disease [I.H.D; C.A.D; C.H.D.] in Cholistan inhabitants of Bahawalpur Division having natural life style particulars walking habits of about 5 Km./day and urban dewellers having sedentary life was carried out at Bahawal Victoria Hospital and Quaid-e-Azam Medical College during January, 1988 to June, 1989. Blood pressure, serum cholesterol and triglycerides were found to be significantly raised in urban sedentary dewellers as compared to natural life styled inhabitants of cholistan [Deserts of Bahawalpur]. Cholistanies were also found to have lower levels of LDL and significantly higher levels of HDL-cholesterol than those of sedentary urban dewellers. LDL/HDL ratios were higher in urban population but not significant

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and malignant hyperthermia

In recent years, reports of neuroleptic malignant syndrome and malignant hyperthormia have been appearing in psychiatric literature with increasing frequency. In this paper experience with eight such cases has been described. Four cases ended fatally within two hours of developing hyperthermia. They all occurred during the hot summer months from June to August and three of them were on lithium in addition to neuroleptics. No warning signs or symptoms of lithium toxicity were observed. Of the four cases who could be saved none of them were on lithium, three occurred during months of May/June, two had developed hyperthermia. Bromocriptine was used in three cases as anticholinergic and intravenous diazepam was not of much help