Liraglutide in diabetes mellitus: more facts and findings

Liraglutide exert favorable effects on most of the diabetes associated cardiovascular [CV] risk factors and this study was designed to further explore the benefits of liraglutide by observing its effect on plasma sialic acid [PSA] in diabetic rats. A total of 30 streptozotocin induced [50mg/Kg; i. p] diabetic rats were randomized into vehicle treated [1 ml/Kg s.c, twice daily] group I, liraglutide treated groups II and III [30 micro g/Kg and 150 micro g/Kg, twice daily respectively] and studied for 6 weeks. Liraglutide treated groups showed significant reductions in fructosamine levels [p

Hemodialysis; psychosocial stressors in patients undergoing

To determine the nature and frequency of psychosocial stressors faced by the patients on hemodialysis admitted in Renal Dialysis Unit of Nishtar Hospital, Multan. A descriptive study. The study was conducted in the Renal Dialysis Unit of Nishtar Hospital, Multan, from 1[st] May, 2014 to 31[st] May, 2014. The sample consisted of 170 [112 Male, 58 Females] consecutive inpatients on Hemodialysis Treatment. They were interviewed and Hemodialysis Stressors Scale [HSS] was administrated to know the frequency of Hemodialysis Stressors. Results showed that all the patients reported Physiological and Psychosocial stressors. Most frequent physical stressors included feeling tired [92%] and stiffening of joints [91%]. In psychosocial stressors restriction of fluid [100%], dependence on dialysis machine and/ or equipment [95%], limitation of physical activity [93%], changes in family responsibilities [93%], dependency on nurses and technicians [93%], length of treatment [92%], dependency on physicians [91%], sleep disturbance [90%] and limitation of food [93%] were the most frequently reported. We concluded that both physiological and psychosocial stressors were present in significant majority of patients

Conversion disorder; childhood sexual abuse in patients, a descriptive study in in-patients of Tertiary Care psychiatric facility

The objective of the study was to find out association and pattern of childhood sexual abuse in patients presenting with conversion disorder. A descriptive study. The study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Bahawal Victoria Hospital and Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur from June, 2011 to December, 2011. The sample consisted of 60 Female in-patients with Conversion Disorder by purposive sampling. They were interviewed and results were analysed from the entries in a semi structured Performa. Out of 60 patients, 34[57%] reported sexually abused in childhood and 26[43%] not abused. There were 19[32%] patients reported uncomfortable sexual talk, sexual touching, 9[15%] reported attempted intercourse which was successful and 6[10%] reported attempted for intercourse but failed in their aim. 14[23%] patients abused by their relatives, 5[8%] by Neighbours and strangers, 3[5%] by their health caregivers, boyfriends and class fellows and 1[2%] by teachers. This study shows a positive association between severe sexual abuse [Uncomfortable talk, sexual touching, penetration or attempted penetration] in childhood and Conversion Disorder in adult life

Acne vulgaris; psychosocial stressors in patients

Objective: To find out the frequency and pattern of psychosocial stressors and adverse life events in patients presenting with Acne vulgaris

Study design: A descriptive study

Place and duration of study: The study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, in collaboration with Dermatological Department, Nishtar Hospital, Multan from September, 2012 to November, 2012

Subjects and Methods: The sample consisted of 50 consecutive out-patients [Female-42, Male-8] with acne. They were interviewed and The Presumptive Stressful life Events Scale [PSLES] was administered to elicit major life events and psychosocial stressors they had to face. Results were analysed from the entries in a semi structured Performa

Results: Out of 50 patients, 94% subjects reported more than one stress and 6% reported no stress. 15[30%] were suffering from the disease 6 months to one year. We found more than one stressor. Results showed 46% of the participants reported Social Withdrawal, 40% had Academic Problems, 38% showed Frustration and Anger, 32% had to face Critical Remarks / Stigmatization, 30% had Low self esteem and Negative thoughts about self, 12% presented with Suicidal Ideas / Attempts, about 22% reported disturbed Relationship with Spouse while 14% reported the Relationship problems with other family members

Conclusions: We concluded that psychosocial stressors and life events were present in significant majority of patients with acne and these emotional, social, behavioural and psychological reactions have strong association in patients suffering from acne vulgaris

Comparison of conventional pyodine dressing with honey dressing for the treatment of diabetes ulcers

To compare the conventional pyodine dressing with honey dressing in terms of recovery time and outcome [healed or ended up with amputation] in diabetic foot ulcers. This quasi-experimental study was performed in surgical "C" ward, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from November 2007 to November 2008. All Wegner's grade I-IV, unilateral diabetic foot ulcer patients were admitted and their blood sugar profile, cardiac and renal status were investigated. Patients were assigned to group A and B with simple convenience method. After ample wound debridement group A and B were treated with daily conventional Pyodine dressing and Honey dressing respectively and their recovery time, outcome were recorded during the 10 weeks follow up period. A total of 100 patients with 50 patients in each group A and B were enrolled in the study with mean age 56 +/- 8.0 years and male to female ratio of 1.7:1. Recovery time was significantly quicker in the Group B [Honey Dressing] as compared with the group A [conventional Pyodine dressing] with a p-valve of <0.0001. Healing rate was 69% and amputation rate was 31% as a whole. Healing rate was 66% in the Group A in comparison with 72% in the group B while amputation rates were 34% and 28% in the group A and B respectively with no statistical significance with a p-value of 0.6658. Honey dressing is more effective than conventional Pyodine dressing in terms of recovery time in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer

Anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients with conversion disorder

To determine symptom pattern of conversion disorder and its association with co-existent anxiety and depressive symptoms. Descriptive, cross-sectional study. The study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry, Services Hospital, Lahore from August 2003 to January 2004. One hundred patients, suffering from conversion disorder, diagnosed on the basis of DSM-IV criteria, were assessed for severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms by using hospital anxiety and depression scale [HADS]. A semi-structured interview was used for demographic details. Anxiety was seen to be present in 35% of cases, depression in 29% and 31% of the patients had both anxiety and depressive symptoms. Overall co-morbidity of anxiety and depressive symptoms in conversion disorder was high i.e. 95% and only 5% of the patients were without any co-morbid anxiety and depressive symptoms. A significant association was found between depressive and sensory symptoms [p=<0.05] in patients with conversion disorders. The patients with a diagnosis of conversion disorder need to be managed for anxiety and depressive symptoms appropriately for better outcome

Obsessive compulsive symptoms as co-morbidity among schizophrenics

Background: Co-morbidity with obsessive-compulsive symptoms is often misdiagnosed or even neglected by psychiatrists. It has been suggested that obsessive-compulsive co morbidity leads to a poorer clinical course, lower levels of functioning, and longer periods of hospitalization compared with schizophrenics who are not obsessive-compulsives. Present study aims to address the issue by exploring the co-morbidity of obsessive compulsive symptoms in schizophrenia and to see their relationship in clinical setting

Methods: The study was conducted at Department of Psychiatry, Services Institute of Medical Sciences and Services hospital, Lahore from September 2003 to May 2004. One hundred and eighty patients with schizophrenia diagnosed on the basis of DSM-IV were included in the study. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia [PANSS] was administered to assess the severity of the positive and negative symptoms. Same patients were evaluated for obsessions and compulsions using Padua Inventory [Pl]

Results: Sample of the patients having schizophrenia co-morbidity with obsessive compulsive symptoms was having mean age of 32 years. Among them, 45.6 % were males, 54.6 % were females and 78 [43.3 %] patients with schizophrenia were having Obsessive Compulsive symptoms. Results show that Obsessive Compulsive symptoms were significantly co morbid with schizophrenia. The correlation was significant for positive and general psychopathology symptoms, whereas, no significant relationship was found for negative symptoms

Conclusion: Obsessive Compulsive symptoms significantly co morbid in patients suffering from schizophrenia with positive symptoms

Frequency of retinopathy among diabetics admitted in a teaching hospital of Lahore

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels of the retina and leads to blindness. Although 4 ' 8 million diabetics exist in Pakistan, very little work has been done on this complication of diabetes. The present study was undertaken to estimate the frequency of retinopathy among diabetics admitted in a teaching hospital of Lahore. Every patient of diabetes mellitus, admitted in departments of Medicine, Surgery, Ophthalmology and Obstetrics and Gynecology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore between June 2001 and September 2001 was included in the study. After adequate mydriasis, detailed fundus examination using indirect opthalmoscope was carried out to determine the presence of diabetic retinopathy and its type. Out of 4414 admissions, 540 patients ' 340 females and 196 males were diabetics. Among 540 diabetics, 132 had Type-1 diabetes [24.4%] while 408 had Type-2 diabetes [75.6%]. The duration of diabetes ranged from 10 to 12 years. The prevalence of diabetes among admitted patents was 12.2%. Among these 540 diabetics, 180 had diabetic retinopathy showing a prevalence of 33.3%. Non-proliferative retinopathy was present in 21.5% diabetics and proliferative retinopathy among 11.8% diabetics. The prevalence of retinopathy was significantly higher [P<0.001] among males [42.8%] as compared to females [27.9%]. The prevalence was similar [33.3%] among both Type-1 as well as Type-2 diabetes as well as similar to that reported from other countries. Since 33.3% of our diabetic population is suffering from retinopathy ' a condition amenable to timely and cost-effective treatment, every diabetic should be made aware of the importance of regular ophthalmologic examination