Vitamin D deficiency in patients presented in medical OPD with fibromyalgia

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients presented in medical OPD with fibromyalgia/body aches and pains

Study Design: A prospective observational cohort study

Place and Duration of Study: Medical OPD of DHQ teaching hospital Sahiwal from July 2013 to June 2014

Material and Methods: 120 patients 80[66.67%] female and 40[33.33%] male coming to medical OPD of DHQ teaching hospital Sahiwal complaining of body aches and pains and diagnosed as Fibromyalgia according to American College of Rheumatology [ACR] criteria. Patients were not suffering from systemic illness on examination. The reports of serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, CBC and ESR, were normal. Serum level of 25[OH] vitamin D was estimated by Enzyme Linked Fluorescent assay [ELFA technique] using commercially available kit VIDAS[R] 25[OH] vitamin D total [VITD]

Results: Out of 120 patients, 80[66.67%] were female and 40[33.33%] male patients. 56[70%] out of 80 female patients had vitamin D deficiency [<20 ng/mL] and 14[17.5%] out of 80 patients had vitamin D insufficiency [21-29 ng/mL]. 25[62.5%] out of 40 male patients had vitamin D deficiency [<20 ng/mL] and 8[20%] out of 40 male patients had vitamin D insufficiency [21-29 ng/mL]. So, out of 120 patients 81[67.5%] had vitamin D deficiency [<20 ng/mL] and 22[18.33%] patients had vitamin D insufficiency [21-29 ng/mL]. Total 103[85.83%] out of 120 patients were suffering from vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency [<30 ng/mL]. 17 [14.13%] out of 120 patients had sufficient levels of vitamin D [>30 ng/mL]

Conclusion: Fortification of food especially milk and ghee should be done with vitamin D to improve vitamin D deficiency state in the people. Government health authorities should ensure this practice for decreasing the bony problems in the community

Dental fluorosis - an orthodontic adhesive challenge

The purpose of this study, carried out in early 2010, was threefold: Firstly, to assess the frequency of mild to severe type of dental fluorosis in the school children of district Jhang, [Punjab], both males and females with an age range of 6-14 years. The ratio between girls [420] and boys [278] was 1.51:1. Out of a total sample size of 698, 76 girls and 90 boys suffered from dental fluorosis with a total frequency of 23.78%. Secondly, to give a wake up call to those who are responsible for the prevention of this menace from that specific segment of poor and neglected society. Lastly, to get an effective bonding clue for this pretty good quantum of patients who pose a great challenge in orthodontics, in terms of poor sheer bond strength of adhesives due to repeated bond failures while using "standard etching protocol", resulting in a poor treatment outcome. Current orthodontic literature hints that among the various orthodontic adhesive materials, self etching primer has so far played a promising role in these cases, as is evident from various studies

Frequency of ectopic canines - a study

The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of ectopic canines in patients' reporting to the 28 Military Dental Centre Lahore Cantt, seeking orthodontic treatment during the last twelve months. A total of 173 patients were evaluated. Out of which 41[24%] patients [11 were males and 30 were females] with an approximate male to female ratio of 1:3. Most frequent location was labial, 38 out of 41[93%]

Prevalence of Hepatitis B, C and HIV infection in blood donors of Multan region

Acute and chronic viral hepatitis are common public health problems in Pakistan, and associated with serious complications. The carrier rate of HBsAg is quoted to be around 10% in general population while the prevalence of HCV in blood donors is 4.8%. Data regarding the prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections among healthy blood donors is well established in Karachi, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Lahore and Abbotabad areas, but similar data is not available for Multan population. Data regarding the epidemiology of HIV infection among blood donors is not available at most of the blood transfusion centers. In this study six thousands [6000] consecutive young healthy voluntary blood donors [age 16-50 years] comprising of 5476 males and 524 females, belonging to Multan region were included from Blood Transfusion Center Nishtar Hospital Multan and Fatmid Blood Transfusion Center Multan and were tested for HbsAg, Anti-HCV and HIV. Prevalence of Hepatitis B, C and HIV Infection was 3.37%, 0.27% and 0% respectively. The reported prevalence figures for HBsAg and Anti-HCV in other studies are quite variable, depending upon screening protocol, study groups selected and methodology of testing. If data from all the blood transfusion centers of Pakistan is collected and published, we can get representative prevalence values of HBV, HCV and HIV infection of the general population