Correlation of services of ischemic stroke with body temperature

Objective: to correlate severity of National Institute of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score with body temperature

Methods: a descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in General Hospital, Lahore. This study is conducted from 1st July 2014 to 30th December 2014. 220 patients with diagnosed ischemic stroke were included in the study after informed consent. Rectal temperature of all patients was measured and recorded with rectal thermometer. NIHSS scoring was done at presentation. Pearson correlation coefficient was determined for correlation between rectal temperature and severity of stroke using SPSS 17

Results: 220 patients with mean age of 55 +/- 3.424 years were included. Age ranged from 39 to 60 years. 141 [64.1 %] were male patients and 79 [35.9%] were females. Body temperature ranged from 95-1020F while mean temperature was 98.18 +/- 2.014 of NIHSS Score of sampled population was 14 to 30 with mean score 23.90 +/- 4.139. There was a statistically significant correlation between body temperature and severity of stroke [p < 0.001, correlation coefficient r=- 0.528]

Conclusions: body temperature as determined by rectal thermometer at time of presentation with stroke is moderately correlated with stroke severity as measured by NIHSS [r=-0.528]

Frequency of hyperthermia and poor outcome in patients with ischemic stroke

Objective: to determine the frequency of hyperthermia in patients with ischemic stroke and compare the frequency of poor outcome in patients with and without hyperthermia along with ischemic stroke

Methods: this descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Medical Unit Ill, Postgraduate Medical Institute/Lahore General Hospital, Lahore over six months period six month from March 18, 2015 to September 17, 2015.Two hundred patients of both gender, aged 18-60 years, reaching within 24 hours of onset of symptoms and signs of ischemic stroke with Glasgow Coma scale [GCS]

Results: in this study a total of 200 cases were enrolled, of which 143 [71.5%] were male. Mean age of the patients was 43.11+/-6.97. it was noted that in 71 [35.5%] cases hyperthermia was present while in 129 [64.5%] cases hyperthermia was not present. Poor outcome in 92 [46%] of cases and was absent in 108 [54%] p-value<0.05

Conclusions: hyperthermia can result in poor outcome in ischemic stroke patients

Detection of esophageal varices in liver cirrhosis using platelet count as a non-invasive parameter

Background: bleeding of the esophageal varices is a major comptication of portal hypertension. At least two-thirds of patients with cirrhosis develop esophageal varices, and about 30% of patients with cirrhosis experience variceal bleeding

Objective: to determine the diagnostic accuracy of platelet count to predict the presence of esophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis taking endoscopic findings as gold standard

Material and Methods: this cross-sectional observational study was carried out over a period of six months from December, 2008 to June, 2009 in five medical wards [I, II, III, IV, and Special] of Services Hospital, Lahore. Total 180 cases were chosen in this study. Initially, non-invasive parameters were used to diagnose varices; later, endoscopy was performed to confirm the diagnosis

Result: mean age of the patients observed was 50.5% +/- 10.9 years. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and diagnostic accuracy of platelet count was 99.2%, 92.2%, 97.1%, 97.3% and 97.2% respectively

Conclusion: Results of current study indicate that patients of chronic liver disease can be screened for esophageal varices using platelet count as a non-invasive parameter

Gastroesophageal reflux disease; frequency of helicobacter pylori infection

To find the frequency of H pylori infection among the patients of gastroesophgeal reflex disease. Descriptive study. Department of Medicine, Unit-I, Services Hospital, Lahore. One hundred patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] were included in this study. For detection and confirmation of helicobacter pylori, endoscopy with antral biopsy was done. Specimens were sent for histopathology, and rapid urease test was performed. Main outcome measures: Frequency of H pylori infection, frequency of regurgitation, dysphagia, nausea, vomiting and haemetemesis. 100 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were taken. There were 65 males and 35 females respectively. Their age ranged from 18 to 48 years. 39 [39%] patients were between 29-38 years while 23 [23%] were of 39-48 years. There were 38 [38%] patients between 18-28 years. The mean age of the patients was 31.79 +/- 7.56. 40 [40%] were found to be H. pylori positive on biopsy and rapid urease test, while 60 [60%] were H. pylori negative. The most common recorded symptom was chest pain/retrosternal burning [90%]. Regurgitation [65%] and nausea [55%] were other common symptoms. Dysphagia and water-brash were present in 40% each. Vomiting [30%], abdominal pain [25%] and cough [20%] were the other symptoms. The least common symptom was haemetemesis [5%]. A causal relationship between GERD and H. pylori infection could not be established. Therefore, routine H. pylori eradication in the treatment of patients with GERD is not recommended