ABSTRACT
Background: Ca-125 is a large molecular-weight glycoprotein synthesized by different cells originating from the coelomic epithelium. Although classically it has been used to monitor the course of ovarian epithelial cancer, there are other established circumstances associated with high serum Ca -125 levels and pulmonary tuberculosis is one of them. Diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis, which is not bacteriologically positive often very challenging. Because many procedures are available for such cases but they are of limited use because some of them are lengthy or expensive or need sophisticated equipment, highly skilled personnel, etc. Serum CA-125 is a rapid, relatively inexpensive investigation. Objective: The present study aimed to assess the role of CA-125 in distinguishing pulmonary TB from bacterial pneumonia. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Dhaka Medical College Hospital for the period of March 2018 to September 2020.100 pulmonary tuberculosis patients were taken in group I, and 100 bacterial pneumonia patients were taken in group II according to selection criteria. Informed written consent was taken from each of the participants. All were subjected to detail clinical and demographic history along with thorough physical examination. Relevant investigations were done including serum CA-125. All final data were collected in the semi-structured and pretested case record form. After data collection, data were checked for errors, and analysis was done. Results: In this study, the mean CA-125 value was 62.29 (SD±31.51) IU/mL in group I(pulmonary tuberculosis). In group II (bacterial pneumonia) mean value was 22.95(±8.25) IU/mL. The mean value of CA-125 was significantly higher (p-value <0.001) in group I patients compared to group II. About 59.0% of patients in group I had a high level of serum CA-125 which had a significant difference from group II (p<0.001). ROC analysis of CA-125 in the diagnosis of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis showed a cut-off value of ?31.7 IU/mL had sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, PLR, NLR, and accuracy of 72%, 87%, 84.7%, 75.7%, 5.54%, 0.321%, and 79.5% respectively. Conclusion: This study’s findings stated that serum CA-125 may be a useful marker in distinguishing PTB from bacterial pneumonia. Therefore, further study with a more generalized study population is recommended.
ABSTRACT
Background: In chronic kidney disease (CKD), renal regulatory mechanisms may be insufficient to balance intestinal magnesium absorption hence insufficient to maintain homeostasis. But related data are relatively sparse and not readily available, especially in Bangladesh context. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to assess the pattern of serum magnesium level in different stages of CKD patients. Material & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medicine and the Department of Nephrology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for nine months’ period. Approval for the study was taken from the ethical review committee of DMC before the commencement of the study. Diagnosed patients of chronic kidney disease (CKD) were approached for the inclusion of the study. Informed written consent was taken from each patient. All patients were subjected to detailed history taking, physical examination, and relevant investigations. For the study purpose, serum magnesium was done for all patients. Results: After compiling data from all participants, statistical analysis was performed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 22 for windows, and a p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Mean age of the patients was 53 years with male predominance (male 64% vs female 36%). Of all, 6.7% of cases had hypomagnesemia and 55.3% had hypermagnesemia. The mean serum magnesium level was 2.68±0.81 mg/dl. Assessment of serum magnesium in a different stages of CKD showed that hypermagnesemia is associated with higher staging (p<0.05), and there is a negative correlation between lower e-GFR with serum magnesium ((r=-0.753, p<0.01). Conclusion: Nearly two-third of CKD patients were found with altered magnesium level in the form of hypomagnesemia or hypermagnesemia in this study. Serum magnesium was found increased in higher stages of CKD. That means serum magnesium level increases along with higher stage of the disease. Urinary magnesium excretion also decreases when eGFR of patient decreased.
ABSTRACT
Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of rheumatic disease and a leading cause of disability. Current treatments aim at alleviating these symptoms by several different methods: non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments and invasive interventions. Among the regenerative methods, hyaluronic acid (HA) is popular now-a-days where differences exist in concentration, molecular weight, dosage, expected duration of effects and added formulations. Based on HA molecular weight, these products are classified in two groups (high and low). Due to cost effectiveness, low molecular weight HA is commonly used. To find out the outcome of single intra-articular injection of high-molecular- weight HA in patients with knee osteoarthritis.Material & Methods:This was a randomized clinical trial conducted among purposively selected 55 patients suffering from Knee OA attending at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient department, DMCH during July 2020 to June 2021. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups; group A received single dose of high molecular weight HA and designed exercise program and group B received same exercise program only. Pre-treatment and 3 weekly post treatment assessment were done up to 12 weeks in each group. In each follow up visit, pain, and functional status were measured in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) respectively and compared between group A and group B where was considered as significant (p value <0.050.Results:The mean age of the participants in group A and group B were 56.8 (±9.8) and 53.3 (±7.4) years respectively where majority of the patients in both groups were female patients with overweight. In group A, VAS and WOMAC significantly decreased from base line to each follow up till 12th weeks after treatment with high-molecular-weight HA (P<0.001). In group B, VAS and WOMAC significantly decreased from base line to each follow up till 12th weeks after treatment with conservative management (P<0.001). After 6 weeks of intervention, the mean VAS scores of the patients became 4.9 ±1.1 and 6.0±1.0 in group A and group B respectively which showed significant statistical difference (P<0.001). At the end of 12 weeks, the VAS score was significantly decreased in group A (2.8±1.3) than group B (4.9±1.7) (P<0.001). After 3 weeks of intervention, the mean WOMAC scores of the patients became 71.2±6.6 and 75.0 ±4.9 in group A and group B respectively which showed significant statistical difference (P<0.001). At the end of 12 weeks, the WOMAC score was significantly decreased in group A (61.9±6.6) than group B (68.1±4.6) (P<0.001). Conclusion:Single intra-articular injection of high-molecular-weight Hyaluronic Acid is effective in patients with knee osteoarthritis in reducing pain and improving functional impairment. Long term and large scale research studies are needed to establish the effectiveness and safety of this procedure in patients with knee osteoarthritis.