Cardiorespiratory fitness and its association with adiposity indices in young adults

Objective: This study investigated the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness [CRF] and adiposity in young adults

Methods: Data was collected from 133 students of a medical college of Pakistan. The study was conducted on young adults, aged 17-24 years, recruited from Jinnah Medical and Dental College, Karachi, between Aug-Dec, 2015. Queen's College Step Test was conducted to measure CRF and maximal oxygen uptake [VO[2max]] evaluated. Anthropometric measurements [body mass index, body fat, visceral fat, waist circumference] were taken to assess adiposity. Associations of VO[2max] and adiposity were analyzed

Results: The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 44% overall. The VO[2max] [ml/kg/min] of males and females was 55.41 +/- 9.45 and 39.91 +/- 3.14, respectively, the gender difference being highly significant [p<0.001]. Quartiles of VO[2max] showed strong inverse relationship between adiposity and VO[2max], obese individuals having low VO[2max] [1st quartile] and normal weight individuals having high VO[2max] [4th quartile]. VO[2max] correlated greatest with body fat in males [r = -0.600; p<0.001], and waist circumference in females [r = -0.319; p=0.004]

Conclusion: The results indicate low CRF in young females and a strong inverse relationship between fitness levels and adiposity in young adults of both genders. Improving these parameters in our young population may prevent development of chronic non-communicable disease in later life

Susceptibility pattern of streptococcal isolates from oral cavity against commonly used antibiotics

To assess the susceptibility pattern of streptococcal isolates from oral cavity against commonly used antibiotics. Oral samples, including subgingival swabs, were collected from 120 patients aged 12 to 60 years. Two swabs were collected; first for rapid-strep testing for the presumptive diagnosis of Group A Streptococcal infection and second to culture for definitive bacterial identification. Antibiotic sensitivity of the isolated strains of streptococcus was done by direct disk diffusion method. Four different classes of antibiotics; Penicillin, Cephalosporin, Macrolide, and Vancomycin were tested to determine the sensitivity pattern. Out of 100 isolates recovered, the prevalence of streptococcal species was74%. The greatest zone of inhibition was achieved with amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and vancomycin [16, 17, and 18 mm respectively]. Zones of inhibition measured for cephalosporins and macrolides were less than the other groups [10.5 and 11 mm respectively]. Amoxicillin is still the drug of choice for prophylactic and therapeutic use in our dental settings not only for its better coverage on the streptococcus species but also due to its easy availability and affordability. This corresponds with the international literature, however, the importance of obtaining specimens for culture and sensitivity should be observed as a standard procedure, to minimize the chances of development of resistance and identify the changing trends of the infectivity mode

Level of C-reactive protein in periodontal patients before and after treatment in a teaching hospital selected population

To determine the change in C-reactive protein [CRP] levels in subjects after treatment of chronic periodontitis. 100 patients, aged 30 to 50 years, having chronic periodontitis with a periodontal index [PI] of 6 and 8 were selected from low socioeconomic class. The patients completed a structured questionnaire that included data regarding oral and general health habits. They received treatment for chronic periodontitis and PI was reassessed after 3months.CRPlevelswere similarly measured at baseline and 3months after treatment. The mean PI of all subjects was 7.3 +/- 0.96 and 4.53 +/- 1.93 before and after treatment, respectively. Similarly, the mean CRP level [in mg/L] was 6.34 +/- 2.29 and 5.62 +/- 2.01 before and after treatment, respectively. CRP levels were higher in males as compared to females, at baseline than after treatment. However, both groups responded equally to treatment [P < 0.0005]. CRP levels were also higher in older age groups [> 40 years], both at baseline and after treatment. The CRP levels accompanied the severity of periodontal infection, and decreased significantly after improvement of periodontal health following the treatment

Anthropometric and metabolic indicators in hypertensive patients

To determine the relationship between anthropometric variables with blood glucose and lipid concentrations in different stages of hypertension and evaluate the risk factors involved in progression of pre-hypertension stage in to clinical hypertension stage-1. Case-control study. National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease and General Practitioner's Clinics, Karachi, from 2005 to 2007. The study was conducted on 276 participants aged 25-65 years and classified into four categories of control, prehypertension [pre-HTN], hypertension [HTN] stage I and II, according to 7th JNC report. Anthropometric measurements and blood chemistry were obtained. The relationship between obesity indices [Body Mass Index [BMI], Waist Circumference [WC], Waist Hip Ratio [WHpR], Waist Height Ratio [WHtR], Basal Metabolic Rate [BMR] and Cardiovascular Disease [CVD] risk factors [blood pressure, serum lipids and glucose levels]] were investigated. The analysis of variance and test of Pearson's coefficient correlation were applied to assess relationship of all the variables. The mean WHR had significant correlation with both systolic and diastolic BP in all groups of HTN, as well as with blood glucose level in control and pre-HTN groups. BMI was positively correlated with cholesterol [r=0.29] and triglyceride [r=0.25] in HTN stage-1. Impaired and high blood glucose levels were found in pre-HTN group; all lipid parameters except triglycerides were higher in HTN stage I. WHR was positively and independently related to occurrence of arterial hypertension. Elevated levels of WHR, BMI, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides were responsible for progression of pre-HTN stage in to HTN stage-1

Presentation, staging and diagnosis of lymphoma: a clinical perspective

Due to lack of awareness among health professionals, lymphoma is often misdiagnosed. This study was done to evaluate the clinical features and histopathologic subtypes of lymphoma. Sixty diagnosed cases of lymphoma were selected [aged 12-65 years] from medical units of Civil Hospital Karachi, during 1993 to 1998. Clinical history, physical examination and basic laboratory investigations including imaging procedures were done in all the patients. The diagnosis of lymphoma was based on histology, following the International Working Formulation classification system. This included lymph node biopsy and in some cases, biopsy of the bone marrow. The Ann Arbor Staging Classification was used to classify the extent of disease. Out of 60 cases of lymphoma, 81.6% [49 cases] were diagnosed as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 18.3% [11 cases] as Hodgkin's disease, with an overall male predominance. Both categories exhibited a bimodal age distribution. Lymphadenopathy was the commonest presenting features in both the types of lymphomas; however, patients with Hodgkin's disease had a prominence of 'B' symptoms, whereas abdominal signs and symptoms were more common in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. On histopathology, majority of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas [91.8%] showed a diffuse pattern, while mixed cellularity was the commonest type seen in Hodgkin's disease [81.8%]. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was 4 times more common than Hodgkin's disease. The vast clinical spectrum of lymphoma sometimes delays its diagnosis, leading to its eventual presentation in late stages. A general awareness is hence required among the health professionals regarding its varied clinical presentations

effects of brushing habits and salivary pH on caries status of first year dental students at a private Dental College in Karachi

To study the effect of brushing habits and salivary pH on caries status of dental students. A secondary aim was to promote awareness among the students regarding their oral health. A total of 90 first year dental students, [aged 18 to 21 years] belonging to middle/high socioeconomic class were questioned regarding their toothbrushing and eating habits and later subjected to estimation of salivary pH and oral examination. The subjects were divided into controls and diseased [carious] categories, the later further subdivided into three groups according to their DMFT indices. [expressed as mean+SD] The overall DMFT index was 1.71 and that in groups A, B and C was 1.75 +/- 0.59, 5.16 +/- 0.81 and 8.22 +/- 0.83 respectively. Brushing frequency decreased from 1.89 +/- 0.55 in controls to 1.50 +/- 0.54 in group B, but increased to 1.88 +/- 0.59 in group C. Likewise, the periodontal status was healthiest in group C. The salivary pH of controls was 7.29 +/- 0.47 and progressively fell to 6.55 +/- 0.39 in group C. Marginal differences were seen in the dietary pattern of controls and diseased subjects. Tooth brushing and salivary pH had a direct relation with dental caries; however, further studies are needed to emphasize the importance of salivary pH as a meaningful indicator of current or upcoming oral health problems