Diabetes mellitus type 2 as a major risk factor of developing Alzheimer-s disease in Pakistani population

Diabetes mellitus type-2 [DMT2] could increase the risk of Alzheimers disease [AD] specifically related dementia, through several biological pathways, but the relationship between DM and the development of AD remains uncertain. The aim of the present study was to explore the status of diabetes as one of the major risk factors of cognitive decline and dementia in AD and to compare the risk of developing AD among subjects with and without DM. The baseline examination was conducted from January 2008 to October 2010 on 611 subjects of both sexes who were above 50 years of age, to detect the prevalent cases of dementia. The Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] was done on all of these subjects. At each follow-up, random blood glucose levels were determined; all participants underwent a comprehensive clinical examination The study shows that risk of dementia increases with age, duration of diabetes and relevant conditions e.g. obesity. The risk of Dementia increases with duration of diabetes and the chi-square tests verify the claim. The calculated chi-square test statistics value was found to be 130.26 with degrees of freedom 9, corresponding p-value is [<0.005]. It was also found that obese diabetics had higher risk of developing AD, as well as those having borderline diabetes were also at the higher risk. The present study revealed that DMT2 is one of the major risk factors that would increase the risk of AD; but along with other factors like obesity, lifestyle and aging, it can lead to AD and related pathological conditions in individuals markedly characterized by dementia and cognitive decline

Importance of thyroid profile in fertility

Present study was conducted to see the effect of thyroid profile in different menstrual problems and their effects on fertility. Prospective study. A total of eighteen hundred and seventy eight patients reported during the year 2006-8, for the present study to see the role of thyroid hormone in fertility. Out of them, 580[30.9%] males and 1298[69.1%] were females with mean age 35 +/- 5 yr and 32 +/- 5 yr respectively. All data analysis were performed using statistical package SPSS version 12.0 [SPSS, Inc.. Chicago IL, USA]. Mean T3, T4 and TSH levels were found to be 0.85, 0.94 and 0.56. However, significant correlation was found between the thyroid profile and fertility [r=0.535 at p<0.01 with 99% CI]. The contribution of thyroid profile in fertility and menstrual disturbances are substantial. Therefore, it is recommended to know the thyroid status in these cases to minimize the problem

Role of tutors' training in delivering effective medical education

To determine the effectiveness of training of the tutors to conduct small group tutorial sessions. A descriptive study one hundred and thirty nine students of first till fourth year of MBBS course, were introduced to the subject/topic and the learning objectives. In the following week, they attended small group sessions arranged for their respective subjects. Trained tutors were identified on the basis of having taken the tutor training course/workshops arranged by College of Physician and Surgeons, Pakistan. The tutors conducted the small group tutorial sessions as per their assignment. At the end of tutorial sessions the students were asked to complete a questionnaire encompassing the learning outcomes of the students and behaviors of the tutor during the tutorial classes. Learning outcomes were compared using Pearson test. The motivation of the students and their clarification of concepts increased significantly by attending the tutorial sessions with trained tutors [trained 77.7% vs. un-trained 21.58% p<0.005 and trained 80.58% vs. un-trained 19.42% p<0.005 respectively]. Trained tutors facilitated the sessions in such a way that students discussed themselves and found their own queries help in the clarification of the concepts more efficiently. Effective faculty development program should be designed and implemented to enhance the learning process of the students by trained facilitators

Pulmonary function tests in heroin-addicts at Karachi

Pulmonary function tests were performed on 50 heroin addicts ages ranging between 20-45 years who were known to be "dragon chasers" only. 50 tobacco smokers of the same age group were included in the study. [Controls] to compare the extent of pulmonary involvement caused by tobacco alone and tobacco plus heroin [since all heroin addicts were also cigarette smokers]. Forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV1], forced expiratory volume in the first second as a percentage of forced vital capacity [FEV1 / FVC] and forced expiratory flow between 25% - 75% [FEF 25% - 75%] were measured. Both groups showed a reduction in all the spirometric variables as compared to the predicted values. The degree of reduction was more marked amongst the addicts as compared to cigarette smokers. Possible etiologic consideration to explain these findings is a direct effect of the drug on alveolar capillary membrane and terminal airways. We suggest that heroin addicts be examined for pulmonary abnormalities and along with the withdrawal of drug, be treated to avoid chronic obstructive pulmonary disease