Impact of age, gender and diabetes on serum lipid levels

To see the effects of age, gender and diabetes on serum lipid levels. Cross sectional analytical study conducted at PMRC Research Centre, Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore from Jun-Dec 2011. One hundred type 2 diabetes mellitus and equal numbers of gender matched healthy controls were randomly selected for the study. After an overnight fasting, blood specimens were drawn for lipid profile where total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were measured by standard enzymatic endpoint methods and LDL-cholesterol by Friedweld's formula. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS-15. Odd ratios of age for total cholesterol [OR 1.198]; high density lipoprotein cholesterol [OR 1.144]; and low density lipoprotein cholesterol [OR 1.576] revealed that subjects aged 45 years or more had greater risk of having deranged lipid levels. Female gender had higher high density lipoprotein cholesterol [p 0.000] and triglycerides [p 0.001]. Odd ratios of men for total cholesterol [OR 0.775]; high density lipoprotein cholesterol [OR 0.183]; and low density lipoprotein cholesterol [OR 0.683] illustrated that men were significantly less prone to dyslipidemia than women. Odd ratio of diabetes for high density lipoprotein cholesterol [OR 1.802] suggested that diabetics had 1.8 times more risk of having low high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Diabetic females over 45 years of age have significantly high chances of having disturbed or high lipid profile. All persons in general and diabetics in particular over the age of 45 years should be screened for dyslipidemia and informed using behavior change communication to prevent disease complications

Pregnancy related medical problems at a tertiary care hospital

To estimate pregnancy related medical problems in cases visiting care hospital for antenatal care tertiary .Retrospective OPD based study done at medical research laboratory of Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore from January 2011 to December 2011. A total of 1806 pregnant cases visited the biochemistry laboratory out of which 1000 cases fulfilled the criteria and had complete record available and were selected for analysis. Variable including hemoglobin, blood group and Rh factor, fasting and post prandial plasma glucose, viral markers like HBsAg, Anti-HCV and Anti-HIV l/ll and complete urine examination. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences [SPSS-15]. The mean age of women was 25.4 +/- 4.29 years and 78.1% were between 21-30 years. The mean fasting and post parandial glucose levels were 84.03 +/- 15 mg/dl and 134.30 +/- 23 mg/dl respectively. Gestational diabetes mellitus was found in 96 cases [6.9%]. HBsAg was present in 1.2%, HCV in 8.5% and both B and C were present in 1 case. None had HIV l/ll infection. Blood group 'B' was commonest [34.2%], followed by group 'O' [30.6%], group 'A' [24.5%] and 'AB' [10.7%]. Rhesus factor [Rh] showed 94% Rh-positive cases and 6.0% Rh negative. Overall anemia was present in 61.1% cases with mild anemia in 87.5%, moderate in 12.2% and severe in 0.1%. Urinary tract infection was seen in 10.1 % cases. Anemia was common in pregnancy. Urinary tract infection [10%], hepatitis C virus exposure [8.5%] and gestational diabetes mellitus [7%] were common. Although the screening of HCV is not recommended internationally but the rate of HCV infection is on increase in Pakistan so there is a need of proper screening of HCV along with routine antenatal screening. It will help to identify asymptomatic women, who may benefit from antiviral therapy at a time when they are more receptive to medical intervention