Profile of psychiatric patients presenting to a tertiary care emergency department of Karachi

This study reviewed the presentations of psychiatric patients admitted through the Emergency Department [ED], The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. Psychiatric patients admitted through the ED to the psychiatry ward were compared to those admitted through the same units other than the psychiatry ward, from 2006 to 2010 using medical records. Psychiatric patients were defined as those in whom psychiatry consult was generated and 1127 cases were included in study. There were 550 [48.8%] female patients. Most common presentations in the ED were sleep-related problems [n=205, 15.9%] followed by aggressive behavior [n=191, 14.8%]. Depression was the most common diagnosis made in the ED [n=331, 29.3%] and at the time of discharge from the hospital [n=354, 29.5%]. Psychiatric patients presenting to the ED had signs and symptoms which one generally disregards. However, these minor indicators can lead to major events in a patient's life

Musculoskeletal disorders among dentists and dental students

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders [MSD] have been a longstanding problem among dental practitioners and are known to affect their daily life. The present study was aimed to determine the frequency of musculoskeletal disorders among dental students and dentists at the Institute of Dentistry CMH Lahore Medical College, and the relationship of MSD with their quality of life and dental work. A self-reporting questionnaire was responded by 108 dental students [from first, third and fourth year] and 42 dentists [house officers and faculty members]. The questionnaire included questions regarding demographics, past musculoskeletal pain [MSP], the site, frequency and intensity of MSP, effects of MSP on the respondents' daily activities and whether they perceived their work in dental clinics as the cause of their pain. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Respondents included 109 females and 41 males. The mean age of the respondents was 22 years [SD +/- 3.05]. Majority of the respondents worked 16-30 hours per week. Musculoskeletal pain was reported by 74% dentists and 51% dental students [p=0.011]. The most common complaint was lower back [43%] followed by neck [32%] and shoulder [28%]. Medical treatment was sought by 41% of the respondents and 13% took sick leave. Daily activities were affected in 27% of the respondents with MSD. Quality of life was significantly more affected in dentists, and 64% of respondents perceived work in the dental clinic as the cause of their MSD