ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of our study was to compare the presence of hypertension in people consuming hard water or fresh water and level of hardness, in individual water resources in Haji Samoa village near Keti Bundar, Sindh, Pakistan. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Keti Bundar in September 2014. There are two sources of water supply in the area; rain water / hard water. 340 people were included. People > 18 years of age, living in Keti Bundar for > 5 years were included. People having chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or taking anti-hypertensive drugs/oral calcium supplements were excluded. Demographic features, Body Mass Index [BMI] and blood pressure were recorded. Water sample was checked for hardness. Hardness of > 180 ppm was considered to be very hard. Hypertension was compared between people consuming hard or fresh water. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: Out of 340 people, 80 [23.5%] had hypertension; in people consuming hard water 38 [20%] were hypertensive while 42 [28%] people consuming fresh water were hypertensive. This difference was not found to be statistically significant. While testing the hardness of water resources, the level of hardness was found to be very high, 3 out of 4 reservoirs; which were not suitable for human consumption. Conclusion: We conclude that hypertension is no more common in people taking fresh water than hard water; but the underground well water in area of Keti Bundar has high levels of hardness
ABSTRACT
To determine the frequency of seropositive dengue infection using rapid immunochromatographic assay in patients with probable dengue infection as per WHO criteria. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi from July 2008 to January 2009. Patieats presenting with acute febrile illness, rashes, bleeding tendencies, leucopenia and or thrombocytopenia were evaluated according to WHO criteria for probable dengue infection. Acute phase sera were collected after 5 days of the onset of fever as per WHO criteria. Serology was performed using rapid immunochromatographic [ICT] assay with differential detection of IgM and IgG. A primary dengue infection was defined by'a positive IgM band and a negative IgG band whereas secondary infection was defined by a positive IgG band with or without positive IgM band. Among 599 patients who met the WHO criteria for dengue infection, 251[41.9%] were found to be ICT reactive among whom 42 [16.73%] had primary infection. Secondary infection was reported in 209 [83.26%]. Acute phase sera of 348 [58.09%] were ICT non reactive. Four patients died because of dengue shock syndrome among which three had secondary infection. Early identification of secondary infection in acute phase sera using rapid ICT is valuable in terms of disease progression and mortality. However in highly suspected cases of dengue infection clinical management should not rely on negative serological results
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Adult , Middle Aged , Dengue/immunology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Immunoglobulin M/bloodABSTRACT
The objective of study was to detect the abnormalities and establish the evidence against the routinely ordered preoperative chest radiographs in asymptomatic young adults between 15-40 years of age, scheduled for elective non-cardiopulmonary surgery. Descriptive study. Study was conducted at anesthesia clinic of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital from August 2004 to August 2005. A descriptive study of 725 asymptomatic patients, without risk factors and age ranging between 15 to 40 years scheduled for elective non-cardiopulmonary surgery was conducted at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital over a period of one year. Routine chest radiograph define as these ordered for asymptomatic healthy individuals in the absence of any clinical indication and not a candidate for major vascular, abdominal, thoracic surgery. In the study we analyzed the routinely ordered chest X-rays to detect any abnormality. The abnormalities detected on chest X-rays films were classified as significant and insignificant. Data showedinsignificant abnormalities do not influence the management of anesthesia. The routine preoperative chest radiograph ordered in 725, asymptomatic patients without risk factors scheduled for elective non-cardiopulmonary surgery. The age of individuals were ranging between 15-40 years. The abnormalities detected on chest X-rays film were assessed. No significant abnormalities were found in these subjects. In this study we found few insignificant abnormalities includes, borderline cardiome-galy, aortic unfolding, prominent broncho-vascular marking, cervical rib, pleural thickening. These insignificant abnormalities do not influence the peri-operative management of anesthesia. This study support the evidence that routine preoperative chest X-ray in asymptomatic young adults undergoing for elective non cardiopulmonary surgery should be limited to the patients with clinical symptoms and high risk patients. Such routine preoperative chest radiograph should be avoided in young asymptomatic patients. The routine preoperative chest radiograph is still widely overused in our country. The study suggested that history and physical examination are best way to screen the disease. The data showed that routine chest X-rays in asymptomatic patients scheduled for elective non-cardiopulmonary surgery do not influence the peri-operative management of anesthesia. Our study shows that chest radiograph abnormalities are rare and insignificant in asymptomatic patients, age ranging between 15-40years. Study recommended that investigation should be performed as indicated by clinical finding. The study suggests that routine chest radiograph is unnecessary in asymptomatic patient age ranging 15-40 years scheduled for elective non-cardiopulmonary surgery