Frequency of disordered eating and menstrual dysfunctions in female athletes

Objectives: To determine the frequency of disordered eating and menstrual dysfunctions in female athletes

Material and Method: This was a cross sectional study. A Total of 66 female athletes from different colleges of Lahore participated in the study. Disordered eating was assessed using eating disorder examination questionnaire [EDE-Q] and menstrual dysfunctions were determined using standardized questionnaire

Results: Disordered eating was present in 15.2% while menstrual dysfunctions were present in 4.5% of the female athletes

Conclusion: It is concluded that frequency of disordered eating is high in female athletes while menstrual dysfunctions are not common in female athletes of major teaching institutions of Lahore

Serum angiopoietin 1 as a biomarker of ectopic pregnancy

Objective: To assess the serum angiopoietin1 levels in patients with ectopic pregnancy

Method: A total of sixty females were investigated. All the females were aged between 20-40 years. Thirty females having normal viable intrauterine pregnancy with the gestational age of 6-8 weeks were taken as the control group while 30 females who presented to the hospital with ectopic pregnancy at 6-8 weeks of gestation were taken as the study group

Results: The serum angiopoietin1 levels were decreased significantly [p=0.001] in females with ectopic pregnancyas compared to the females having normal pregnancy

Conclusion: The decreased levels of serum angiopoietin1 in ectopic pregnancy show that it can be used as an important biomarker for early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy

Interleukin-10 as a marker of disease progression in Dengue hemorrhagic fever

Objective: To evaluate the plasma interleukin-10 [IL-10] levels in patients suffering from dengue hemorrhagic fever between 4 to 7 days of onset of disease and 24 hours after the first sample, to find out the association of plasma IL-10 levels with the outcome. Study Design: Analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: All major hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan, from August to November 2012

Methodology: Participants included 50 registered patients of dengue hemorrhagic fever [DHF] aged between 15 - 50 years. Plasma IL-10 concentrations were measured on above stated day. Outcome was described as recovery and shock. Platelet count and hematocrit percentages were also recorded. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS version 19. A p-value

Results: Plasma IL-10 levels were found to be raised in DHF patients and were associated with fatal outcome [p=0.004]. In recovered DHF patients, plasma IL-10 levels decreased after 24 hours [mean 26.54 +/- 16.03 pg/ml] as compared to admission time [mean 74.39 +/- 61.69 pg/ml] but in case of DHF patients suffering from shock, plasma IL-10 was found to be higher after 24 hours [mean 87.69 +/- 7.77 pg/ml] as compared to levels at admission time [mean 42.56 +/- 28.09 pg/ml]. ROC curve analysis revealed a change [30 units pg/ml] of plasma IL-10 concentration, within 24 hours of admission, raised from the base line to be 105 times more critical for shock in DHF patients [100% sensitivity and 71.4% specificity, p < 0.001]

Conclusion: Elevated plasma IL-10 is a potential predictor of disease severity and fatal outcome in DHF patients

Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies

Objective: to compare serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies

Study Design: cross-sectional analytical study

Place and Duration of Study: department of Physiology, Federal Postgraduate Medical Institute, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, in collaboration with Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Lady Willingdon Hospital, Lahore, from March 2012 to April 2012

Methodology: thirty registered preeclamptic patients with systolic and diastolic blood pressure > 140/90 mm Hg on more than two occasions, 6 hours apart, and proteinuria at least 300 mg in 24-hour urine collection; and 30 normotensive uncomplicated pregnant women matched for age, gestational age, parity and BMI were included by convenient sampling technique. Vitamin D levels of less than 50 n mol/l [< 20 ng/ml] were the cutoff point. Spearman's rank correlation of vitamin D with systolic blood pressure and arterial pressure in both preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women was presented in a tabulated form

Results: vitamin D deficiency was found in 95% of preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women. The difference of vitamin D level between the two groups was not found significant. Although there was an inverse correlation between serum vitamin D and systolic blood pressure and arterial pressure in preeclamptic group, but this was not statistically significant

Conclusion: vitamin D deficiency does not seem to be affected by the state of preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancy. The correlation of systolic blood pressure and arterial pressure and vitamin D needs to be explored further by increasing the sample size

Adiposity amongst boys and girls of Mingora city, swat

The dramatic increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its resultant comorbidities are associated with significant health and financial burdens, warranting strong and comprehensive prevention efforts. The objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare the prevalence of obesity in the adolescent boys and girls in Mingora city, district Swat. Both boys and girls of age between 10-20 years. Two hundred subjects, 100 boys and 100 girls of age included in the study. Using BMI as obesity index, prevalence of obesity in boys was compared with that in girls. The antoropometric and cardiovascular parameters of obese group were also compared with control group. The prevalence of obesity in adolescent boys was 6.7% and 8.35% in adolescent girls. Obese subjects had significantly higher weight, body mass index, and blood pressure values, compared to control group. prevalence of obesity was higher in female subjects

Assessment of the modifiable risk factors contributing to obesity in adolescents of different socioeconomic groups

Objective: to evaluate the modifiable risk factors associated with obesity in adolescents belonging to different socioeconomic groups

Material and Methods: this comparative study was carried out in urban district of Lahore. A total of 270 adolescents 13-15 years of age were recruited, 90 each from upper, middle and lower socioeconomic groups [based on the school fee]. Calorie intake, physical activity and hours of television viewing and computer usage was determined by a self-administered questionnaire

Results: there was statistically significant difference regarding daily calorie intake of the upper middle and lower socioeconomic groups [F=4.588, df =2, p<0.05]. There was no significant difference in hours of physical activity per day in the upper, middle and lower socioeconomic groups [F=1.997, dF = 2, p>0.05]. There was a statistically significant difference in the hours of television watching and computer use per day in the upper, middle and lower socioeconomic groups [F=9.491, df=2, p<0.05]

Conclusion: calorie intake was influenced by socioeconomic status being highest in upper socioeconomic group followed by the lower socioeconomic group and was lowest in the middle socioeconomic group. There was no difference in the hours of physical activity per day in the upper, middle and lower socioeconomic groups. Hours of television watching and computer use per day was influenced by socioeconomic status being highest in the upper socioeconomic group followed by middle and then lowest in the lower socioeconomic group

Carbonated drink consumption and BMI in Pakistani adolescents

Objective: to evaluate the relationship between intake of carbonated drinks and weight gain among adolescent Pakistanis

Material and Methods: this comparative study was carried out in urban district of Lahore and total of 270 adolescents 13-15 years of age were studied. Weight and height was measured with Height and Weight Measuring Scale [SMIC]. Obesity was assessed by BMI [wt [kg]/Ht [m2]. Carbonated drinks consumed per week were measured using a self-administered Food Frequency Questionnaire [FFQ]

Results: there was no significant difference between the intakes of carbonated drinks in normal, overweight and obese adolescents

Conclusions: carbonated drink consumption cannot be held responsible for increase in BMI unless combined with other factors

Evaluation of effects of clomiphene citrate on serum testosterone and FSH levels and seminal parameters in idiopathic oligospermia

Clomiphene citrate is a synthetic nonsteroidal drug that acts as an antioestrogen and competitively binds to oestrogen receptors in the hypothalamus and pituitary. This blocks the action of the normally low levels of oestrogen on the male hormone axis and results in increased secretion of GnRH, FSH and LH. The enhanced output of these hormones increases testosterone production and sperm production. A non randomised clinical trial was conducted in a sample of 21 idiopathic oligospermic men from local population with a mean age of 27.75 +/- 4.13 years, to evaluate the effects of clomiphene citrate in a dose of 100mg/day for five days, on serum testosterone, serum FSH, semen volume, sperm density, and total sperm motility. After clomiphene citrate therapy, mean serum testosterone level showed highly significant increase [p<0.05], mean serum FSH level showed significant increase [p<0.1]. Semen analyses were done at periodic intervals, 1[st] at day 1 i.e. before the 1[st] dose of clomiphene citrate, 2[nd] at 6[th] day i.e. 24 hours after the last dose of clomiphene citrate, and 3[rd] at 74[th] day of the trial. Clomiphene citrate administration resulted in statistically significant increase in the mean semen volume at day 6 [p<0.05], increase in the sperm density at day 74 [p<0.05], and increase in the total sperm motility at day 6 [p<0.05]

Correlation between various obesity indices in Pakistani adolescents aged 13-15 years

Objects: obesity during childhood and adolescence is a matter of growing concern and is related to adverse health outcomes. Studies across different countries found correlation between BMI and other obesity indices but extent of the problem has been given less importance in our country

Subject and Methods: to find out the correlation between BM I and other obesity indices, percent body fat and waist hip ratio in adolescents of 13-15 years. This comparative study was carried out in urban district of Lahore and total of270 adolescents 13-15 years of age were recruited. Obesity was assessed by BMI, percent body fat and waist hip ratio. BMI [wt in kg/ht in m2]for adolescents was calculated by standard international cut off points. Triceps skin fold thickness was measured by Harpenden's calipers and then this was used to calculate percent body fat. Waist and hip circumference was measured by using a measuring tape

Results: OBMI and percent body fat was significantly correlated. [Pearson correlation coefficient =0.428 p<0.05]. The correlation between BMI and waist hip ratio was also significant [Pearson correlation coefficient =0.384 p< 0.05]

Conclusion: when BMI increase in adolescents there is an increase in percent body fat and Waist hip ratio

Relationship of heart rate with hypertension in adult population of Mingora city, District Swat

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of heart rate with hypertension in adult population of Mingora city, district Swat. The study comprised of 100 subjects, 34 control, 33 obese and 33 hypertensive. Weight, height, body mass index, heart rate, and blood pressure of hypertensive subjects were compared with obese subjects and control subjects. Hypertensive subjects had faster heart rate than obese normotensive subjects, which in turn had higher value than control subjects. Faster resting heart rate is a potent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality

Oral contraceptives and blood pressure

To study the results of blood pressure in a group of Pakistani women taking oral contraceptive pills and compare them with age matched control. The study group comprised of fifty women [mean age 30.256+/-4.55 years] taking oral contraceptives for a period varying from 1-10 years. Control included fifty age matched women [mean age 30.85+/-4.33 years] using mechanical methods of contraception. Three consecutive blood pressure readings were taken and average of three readings was taken as basal blood pressure. Mean parity rate was 4.576+/-1.7 and 4.23+/-2.12 respectively in oral contraceptive and control. Group. The difference was non significant. The difference of mean ponderal index of the two groups was statistically non-significant. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure in oral contraceptive and control group was 116.255+/-10.65 mmHg and 77.98+/-8.10 mmHg, 112.368+/-11.74mmHg and 74.58+/-7.39mmHg I respectively, blood pressure was in the hypertensive range in 5 women, past history of toxaemia of pregnancy was present in 3 cases of contraceptive and 4 of control group. Urinary tract infection present in 2 and 4 women in the contraceptive and control groups respectively. Family history of diabetes mellitus was present in 9 cases of the control and 5 cases of the contraceptive group. It is suggested that oral I contraceptive drugs should be used with particular care in females with higher parity, history of toxaemia of pregnancy, preexisting hypertension and family history of hypertension

Age-related association between body mass index and blood pressure in normal adult males

To see age related association between body mass index and blood pressure. One hundred and fifty normal adult males were included in the study. According to age, they were divided into five groups, each having thirty subjects. Complete medical history was taken. General physical examination done. Height and weight were measured and body mass index calculated, Average of three blood pressure readings was taken as basal blood pressure. Statistical analysis of the data showed, stronger relationship between body mass index and blood pressure in older age groups than younger age groups. In our subjects the increase in mean blood pressure for a I unit increase in body mass index [kg/m[2]] was 0.41, 0.47, 0.72, 0.80 mmHg in the 18-30, 31-43, 44-56 and 57-69 and above 69 years age group respectively, Age modifies the relation between body mass index and blood pressure. As age advances, blood pressure rises but accelerated rise in blood pressure in later age groups is due to increase in body mass index. So individuals in later age groups should avoid to become overweight and also avoid all possible causes leading to obesity

Causes of chest pain in patients reporting to accident and emergency department

To find out the prevalence of various causes of chest pain in patients reporting to Accident and Emergency Department, 100 consecutive cases of chest pain were studied. The majority of patients [72%] were found to be suffering from cardiac ailments followed by cases of musculo-skeletal disorders [19%] and chest infections [5%]. The findings emphasise the need of proper cardiac evaluation of every case complaining of chest pain