Peak expiratory flow rate; comparison of cotton mills workers and healthy controls in Multan

To ascertain the effects of cotton dust on the peak expiratory flow of cotton mill workers in comparison with the healthy controls who never exposure to the cotton dust. Outpatient Department of Pulmonology, Nishtar Hospital, Multan. August 2011 to March 2012. A total of 200 male subjects [100 healthy controls and 100 cotton mill workers] who strictly met the inclusion criteria were selected from the OPD. The peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR] [L/min] of cotton mill workers was significantly lower as compared to the control subjects and this impairment was directly proportional to the duration of exposure to the cotton dust in the mail. It was concluded from the study that the peak expiratory flow rate was decreased in the cotton mill workers

Pleural effusion; Pattern at Nishtar hospital, Multan

To determine the frequency of various diseases presenting with pleural effusion. Department of Chest Medicine, Nishtar Hospital, Multan. March 2010 to September 2010. A total of 100 patients both sexes, more than 12 years old, with clinically and radiologically confirmed pleural effusion underwent diagnostic thoracocentesis. Pleural fluid was examined grossly and for sugar, protein, LDH, total and differential white cell count and malignant cells. Pleural fluid culture and pleural biopsy was done in case of exudative effusion. Tuberculosis was the most common cause [28%] of exudative pleural effusion followed by parapneumonic effusion [25%] and malignant effusion [9%]. Congestive cardiac failure [13%] and liver cirrhosis [8%] were the commonest cause of transudative pleural effusion. Renal failure [5%], nephritic syndrome [2%], pancreatitis [2%], systemic lupus erythmatosus [2%] were the other significant causes of pleural effusion. Tuberculosis, paraneumonic effusion and malignancies are the common cause of exudative pleural effusion while congestive cardiac failure, liver cirrhosis and nephritic syndrome are common causes of transudative effusion.