ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide [anti-CCP] antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis patients on disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy
Study Design: Cross sectional comparative study
Place and Duration of Study: Centre for Research in Experimental and Applied Medicine [CREAM-I], Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with Rheumatology Department, Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Jan 2016 to Jun 2016
Material and Methods: Study sample was seventy in number and was divided into two groups. Group I consisted of thirty five patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, while group II consisted of thirty five healthy individuals who were not suffering from any chronic illness. Non probability purposive sampling was done. ESR was measured using Westergren method, while anti-CCP was estimated by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay [ELISA]
Results: Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 version. Mean age of patients of rheumatoid arthritis was 49.69 +/- 11.5 years and that of control group was 47.4 +/- 10.4 years. Among the study population 30 [43%] individuals were males and 40 [57%] were females. In patient category, there were 10 [29%] males and 25 [71%] females. In control group 20 [57%] males and 15 [43%] females were present. Independent t-test was applied between the two variables i.e. ESR and anti-CCP, with showed significant p-value of less than 0.001
Conclusion: There was significant increase in both ESR and anti-CCP levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients on disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs as compared with control group
ABSTRACT
To compare case based learning with conventional teaching from student's perspective. Cross sectional comparative study. Army Medical College, Rawalpindi from May 2012 to November 2012. A closed ended self-administered questionnaire with twelve questions was prepared and distributed to 427 students of 2[nd] to final year MBBS classes. The responses to the questions were dichotomous either in favour of case based learning or conventional teaching. It included both the genders and all the categories of students from 17 to 23 years of age. Duly filled questionnaires were returned by 397 respondents which were included in the study. Univariate analysis of each question was performed by applying Binomial exact test. Reliability was determined through internal consistency by applying Cronbach's alpha test. A total of 294 [74%] male and 103 [26%] female students with mean age of 19.83 +/- 1.41 years participated in the study. Difference in frequency of respondents was significant for all the questions [p-value < 0.05] except question number 1 and 2. Value of Cronbach's alpha was 0.83 showing high reliability. Case based learning is a preferred instructional strategy as compared to conventional teaching from students' perspective