ABSTRACT
Multiple reports indicate that detection of diabetes mellitus in hepatitis C virus infected patient would remain undiagnosed based on Fasting plasma Glucose criteria. In these cases, HbA1C levels proves to be a beneficial tool in detection of DM, as compared to FpG level alone. To detect DM with the help of serum HbA1C level and fasting plasma glucose level as an early marker of the disorder in HCV infected patients. Cross sectional study conducted at pathology department, Holy Family Hospital [HFH] Rawalpindi. Fasting venous blood samples [5 ml] were collected from 30 consecutive anti-HCV antibodies positive patients. Samples were analyzed for FPG, HbA[1c], total cholesterol and triglycerides. FPG of all 30 patients was normal. HbA[1c] of 20% [n 6] patients showed HbA1c >6.7% indicating DM, while in the remaining 80% [n 24] patients the level was normal [HbA1c
ABSTRACT
To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of Diabetes Mellitus [DM] amongst doctors and medical students. This is a questionnaire based survey that was carried out at Army Medical College Rawalpindi and Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, from Jul 2001 to Jul 2009. A questionnaire was designed comprising 20 questions examining knowledge [7 questions], attitude [6 questions] and practice [7 questions] about the etiology, types, diagnostic criteria and treatment of DM. The questionnaire was distributed amongst 219 Post-Graduate Trainees [PGT] including doctors attending courses of various specialties and General Duty Medical Officers [GDMOs] attending basic medical administration courses and 279 Under-Graduate Medical Students [UGS]. The questionnaire was required to be filled within 20 minutes during routine classes of instruction. These students were not informed about this quiz prior to these sessions. Students were instructed not to show their identity on the questionnaire except their specialty. On the basis of Mean Score i.e. mean of correct answers, there was no significant difference amongst various groups [p=0.46]; however, PGT of General Medicine, Paediatrics and sub-specialties of Pathology obtained the highest Mean Score. Similarly Mean Score of UGS of two medical colleges were not significantly different [p = 0.34]. Questions regarding knowledge were answered best by all groups followed by questions on attitude and practice. In our doctors and medical students knowledge is fairly evidence based but practice and attitude need improvement