ABSTRACT
Few epidemiological studies have been undertaken of measles disease among Sudanese, although measles is the third leading cause of death since 1995among childhood diseases that can be prevented by immunization. The measles vaccine was introduced into the EPI programin 1985. In the run-up to the introduction of the vaccine, the country suffered from measles epidemics periodically and extensively, ranging from 50,000 to 75,000 cases and from 15,000 to 30,000 deaths per year. Simple actions can save a million livesof children throughimmunizationcoverage, eye care programs, maternal and child health education, maintaining and improving the general nutritional status of Sudanesechildren. Continuous surveillance and monitoring systems and evaluation are essential tasks at all levels to improve performance, identify and address problems throughout establishing and increasingthe surveillance system. This review highlights a brief overview of measles epidemiology in Sudan and determinants of a measles outbreak, clinical symptoms, complications, and surveillance sites and the ways for prevention and control of measles disease. The review established that it is crucial to enforce coordination between governmental and non-governmental agencies for an effective disease surveillancesystem in the area, especially in those affected by civil wars
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the outcome of patients receiving radioactive iodine therapy for toxic nodular goiter coming to Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi
Methods: A total of 89 patients who visited the outpatient department of Aga Khan University Hospital from January 2010 to August 2017 were recruited for the study. Toxic nodular goiter was diagnosed on the basis of having hot nodule on thyroid scan with low TSH and high FT4/T4. Other demographic and laboratory data were also recorded
Results: Eighty nine patients with toxic nodular goiter received a dose range from 10 to 30mCi RAI. Six months after RAI, 36.2 percent became hypothyroid, 38.5 percent became euthyroid while 25.3 percent remained hyperthyroid. Thyroid outcome at 3 months were correlating with 6 months results
Conclusion: Radioactive iodine therapy is a safe and effective way of treating toxic nodular goiter which usually results in cure of hyperthyroidism in majority of patients
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria and its association with hypertension and other diabetic complications among Type-2 diabetic patients attending at Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi
Methods: 1280 Type-2 diabetes patients who visited the outpatient department of Aga Khan University Hospital from September 2014 to August 2016 were included in the study. Microalbuminuria was diagnosed if spot urinary microalbumin excretion was confirmed to be more than 20mg/l. Hypertension was diagnosed if BP >140/90 or already on antihypertensive medications. Other demographic, clinical and laboratory data were also recorded
Results: Microalbuminuria was diagnosed in 404[31.56%] patients and among these albuminuric patients 335[82.9%] had hypertension. They were also dyslipidemic, having raised triglyceride levels, lower HDL levels, with more prevalence of background diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy. They also showed higher HbA1C levels and longer duration of diabetes
Conclusion: The prevalence of the microalbuminuria in our patients with Type-2 diabetes is 31.56% and is not only an early sign of diabetic nephropathy but also a host of other diabetic complications and should be dealt early with strict control of their hyperglycemia and hypertension to help prevent the future complications
ABSTRACT
This article reviews the most prevalent sensory illness of mammals especially humans - Genetic Deafness or hearing loss [HL]. For genetic hearing loss more than 100 candidate genes have been discovered. The most common candidate gene of these all that is found all around the world is GJB2 gene. Different types of mutations are found in GJB2 gene. Some of these mutations are non-sense while some are sense mutations. This study is focus on mutation in GJB2 gene and its prevalence in different region of the world
Subject(s)
Humans , Deafness/genetics , Genes , MutationABSTRACT
Objectives: Carcinoma of unknown primary origin [CUP] is heterogeneous group of cancers. Role of gastrointestinal [GI] endoscopy in this entity is under investigated. Aim of this study was to evaluate yield of Colonoscopy and Esophagogastroduodenoscopy [EGD] in localizing primary tumor in patients with CUP
Methodology: Patients with histopathologically proven CUP who underwent colonoscopy / EGD to find the primary tumor from December 2009 to December 2011 were included in the study. Abdominal symptoms and cytokeratin [CK] 7 and 20 markers were correlated with presence of primary in GI tract
Results: After giving informed consent 86 patients were included in final analysis. All patients underwent colonoscopy while 60[70%] got EGD along with colonoscopy. Mean age was 55.10 +/-11.94 years with 52[60%] male. Abdominal symptoms were present in 50%. CK7+/CK20- in 34[40%]; CK7-/CK20+ in 2[2%] while CK7+/20+ in 7[8%] of metastatic tumor samples. Liver was metastatic site in 47[55%], Lymph node 12[14%] and Ascites in 8[9%]. Endoscopy detected primary in 6 [7%] patients with 3 each in stomach and colon. No association of abdominal symptoms and cytokeratin markers was found with presence of GI primary site
Conclusion: Yield of localizing primary lesion in the GI tract by pan-endoscopy was limited. Abdominal symptoms and cytokeratin markers do not predict presence of gastrointestinal malignancies
ABSTRACT
Many childhood diseases that cause great morbidity and mortality in the developing countries are vaccine preventable. Vaccines for six common diseases are available and vaccination programmes against these diseases have been a major factor in decreasing morbidity and mortality among children worldwide. The vaccination programme adopted by Pakistan as the National Expanded Programme on Immunization [EPI] in 1978 was based on World Health Organization's EPI initiative. The last two decades have seen the programme being implemented in Pakistan with lots of promises for disease prevention and/or eradication.. High goals were set but unfortunately the programme has fallen far short of goals and expectations. In this paper. we have reviewed the burden of vaccine preventable diseases in Pakistan and the current state of the EPI Programme. The possible reasons behind the relative failure of the programme are also discussed and our strategies for increasing immunization rates among our children