therapeutic efficacy of pharmacological versus non-pharmacological measures in the management of post burn itch

To standardize the management protocol of post burn itch by comparing therapeutic efficacy of pharmacological with non-pharmacological measures. A prospective, clinical investigative and quasi-experimental study. This study was conducted at Burn emergency Unit, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro for the period of 18 months from January 2006 to June 2007. A total of 80 patients were included in the study, and equally divided into 2 groups. Group A received an oral antihistamine with topical Ibuprofen while Group B received olive oil massage followed by wearing of compressive garments. The demographic data and initial assessment of the severity of itch on linear descriptive scale was made by the research team; while subsequent data for the entire study period was obtained by the attending burn clinician who was blind to the allocated regimen. Results were analyzed using computer statistical software SPSS Group A included 40 patients with 23 males and 17 females having mean age of 28.13 [SD +/- 13.03] and mean body surface area affected 15.387% [SD +/- 5.408] and mean itch scale of 5.500 [SD +/- 2.219]. Group B comprised of 40 patients with 21 males and 19 females with a mean age of 29.38 [SD +/- 14.35] with mean affected body surface area of 16.150% [SD +/- 5.555] and mean itch scale of 5.350 [SD +/- 1.762]. The main outcome measure was the improvement in burn itch. The results after 12 weeks of treatment for both groups showed a remarkable improvement in Group B when compared to Group A [p-value 0.000 and 0.365 respectively]. The non-pharmacological measures are superior to the pharmacologic measure with respect to their clinical efficacy and their improvement is highly significant after 4 weeks of treatment

Role of serum leptin level as a marker of severity of pre eclampsia

To explore the possibility of serum leptin being a marker of severity of pre-eclampsia, so that risk of imminent eclampsia and eclampsia can be reduced. This observational study was conducted at a private hospital of Hyderabad from 31st July to 1st December 2007. Forty primipara with same age, body mass indices and gestational age were included in this study. Twenty women had raised blood pressure in third trimester of pregnancy and 20 women with a normal blood pressure in third trimester of pregnancy. The exclusion criteria included history of diabetes, twin pregnancy, chronic hypertension, liver or renal disease. After counselling and affordability of laboratory testing their blood sample was taken for serum leptin, uric acid, serum creatinine and urine for albumin. The serum leptin level was measured by radio-immunoassay [RIA] kits. All data was filled in a pre-designed proforma after taking detailed history and examination. Statistical analysis was performed on SPSS. Student's t-test was applied where applicable. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure between pre-eclamptic and control group showed a marked difference [p<0.001] ranging from 149.50 +/- 3.44 and 104.40 +/- 3.03 as compared to control 107 +/- 1.56 and 74.50 +/- 1.49 respectively, similarly proteinuria was present in 20 [100%] cases of pre-eclampsia and 07 [35%] of normotensive women. Mean serum leptin level was significantly high in preeclampstic [79.380 +/- 3.287], when compared with a control group [27.825 +/- 1.050]. Mean serum uric acid in pre-eclamptic [5.040 +/- 0.147] showed significant changes than control [3.600 +/- 0.141], while serum creatinine level was insignificant in both groups. It has been observed that Mean +/- SEM value of serum leptin level was much higher in severe pre-eclamptics [76.418 +/- 5.056] than in women with mild pre-eclampsia [40.856 +/- 2.807]. All the parameters correlated positively and significantly with increased blood pressure. Elevated plasma leptin concentration appears to be a marker of pre-eclampsia independently or along with other parameters of pre-eclampsia could be used to reduce the severity of pre-eclampsia thus avoiding risk effects of pre-eclampsia to mother and foetus. This study still needs more research work to prove our results