Assessment of awareness regarding diabetic retinopathy among patients visiting diabetic clinic Sir Ganga Ram hospital, Lahore

Background: The worldwide prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus [DM] has risen dramatically. Diabetics are 25 times more likely to become blind than non-diabetics due to Diabetic Retinopathy [DR]. The DR can either be treated or at least delayed by diagnosis at an early stage which is possible by regular ophthalmoscopic examination. Hyperglycemia is the major pathogenetic factor for DR. Studies show reduction in rate of progression of DR by good glycaemic control and treatment can be offered at an early stage of DR. These goals require awareness of diabetics about complications of DM especially diabetic retinopathy

Subjects and Methods: This study was carried on 250 patients who presented in diabetic clinic at Ganga Ram Hospital [SGRH], Lahore. Ophthalmoscopy was done on dilated pupils of all diabetic patients. Awareness was assessed by questionnaire

Results: Out of 250 diabetic patients, 72 [28.8%] had DR. The stage of DR advanced with increased BSL and duration of DM. Only 20% of patients were aware of DR while only 3.2% had awareness about regular ophthalmoscopic examination; none came for follow-up

Conclusion: Diabetic retinopathy could be prevented or delayed by good glycaemic control and Laser therapy, if detected early by regular ophthamolscopic examination. For this it is vital to increase the awareness about the complications of DM specially DR by educating the patients through the health care professionals and public seminars

Stages of diabetic retinopathy and its relationship with blood sugar level and duration of diabetes mellitus

Background: The worldwide prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus [DM] has risen. Diabetics are 25 times more likely to become blind than non-diabetics due to Diabetic Retinopathy [DR]. The DR could either be delayed or treated by diagnosis at an early stage which is possible by regular ophthalmoscopic examination. Hyperglycemia is the major pathogenetic factor for DR and frequency and progression from non-proliferative to proliferative increases with increasing duration of DM. Studies show reduction in the rate of progression of DR from non-proliferative [background to pre-proliferative to proliferative] by good glycaemic control and treatment with laser can be offered if treating physician identifies it at an early stage

Material and Methods: This descriptive and analytical study was carried out on 250 patients visiting diabetic clinic at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. The aim of this study was to identify the stages of DR and to find effect of BSL and duration of DM on stages of DR

Subjects and Methods: BSL was measured with glucometer. Ophthalmoscopy was done on dilated pupils and stages were noted as background, pre-proliferative and proliferative DR

Results: Out of 250 diabetic patients 72 [28.8%] had DR. The stage of DR had advanced with increased BSL and duration of DM

Conclusion: With increasing duration of DM and poorly controlled BSL, diabetic retinopathy progresses from background to pre-proliferative to proliferative stage. Sight threatening DR can be delayed by good glycaemic control or treated by timely laser therapy which requires identification of stages of DR at an early occasion

Coronary artery disease in elderly patients

The prevalence of coronary artery disease [CAD] and its associated morbidity and mortality increase as age advances. Our study was aimed at analyzing the demographics, risk factors, presentation and mortality of CAD among geriatric patients admitted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 200 patients, aged 60 years and above, admitted consecutively to various departments were included in the study. CAD was present in 81[40.5%] patients, 45 [55.5%] females and 36 [45.5%] males. Following risk factors were found in the CAD patients: hypertension in 59[89.8%], diabetes mellitus in 36[58.1%], dyslipidemia in 4[5%], cardiac failure in 21[25.9%] stable angina in 15[18.5%] 9[11.2%] had unstable angina; 32 [39.5%] suffered from acute myocardial infarction, symptomatic in 17[21%] and silent in 15[18.5%]. Seven [53.9%] patients who died were suffering from CAD. We concluded that carrying a high index of suspicion in the elderly, even in asymptomatic patients, with early identification and treatment of risk factors might improve the prognosis of CAD in this age group

experience with myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis [M.G] is by far the most common human disorder of neuromuscular transmission. Cases are misdiagnosed initially and there may be an average delay of two years before diagnosis is made. An awareness of this condition is important for early diagnosis. Recent modes of treatment like use of Immunosuppressive therapy, thymectomy and plasmapharesis have improved the over all prognosis of this condition