ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] is characterized by chronic incompletely reversible poor airflow and air trapping and usually this debilitating disorder limits the outside activities of the patients depriving them of sunlight which is a rich source of Vitamin D. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation in reducing number of acute exacerbation in COPD patients
Methods: This randomized control trial was conducted at East Medical Ward Mayo Hospital Lahore from January to December 2015 as exacerbations of COPD are season dependent. Diagnosis was confirmed by performing Pulmonary Function Tests [PFTs]. Basic demographical information was obtained and baseline PFTs of the patient was done. Only Group A patients was treated with oral vitamin D intake of 2000 IU daily for 6 months. Vitamin D level was measured at 0, 2, 4, and 6 months and exacerbation of COPD, FEV1 and FVC was measured weekly. Both the groups were given standard treatment for exacerbation of COPD. Spirometry was repeated at each visit. Blood samples were collected every 2 months for vitamin D. Supplementation was stopped if vitamin D level exceeded 100ng/ml
Results: The mean age of the patients was 46.28 +/- 8.83 years, the male to female ratio was 1.8:1. The mean 25[OH] level at baseline was 24.08 +/- 2.58 and at 6th month was 29.60 +/- 8.74. The mean FVC at baseline was 77.83 +/- 5.49 and at 6th month was 91.34 +/- 5.52. The exacerbation at baseline was present in all 120[100%] patients and at 6th month was reduced to 4[3.3%]
Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation has significant effect in reducing number of acute exacerbation in COPD patients when it is given for prolonged period
ABSTRACT
Purple Urine Bag Syndrome [PUBS] refers to the purple discoloration of urine and is commonly observed in bed ridden patients with long-term urinary catheters. Although typically benign, the purple discoloration is alarming to both the patients and their attendants. This case report presents an uncommon case of PUBS in a 60-year-old lady with hypertension, type II diabetes, and chronic kidney disease stage 5, who presented to the emergency room with bilateral diabetic foot ulcers of 3 months duration, dry gangrene of ring finger and infected middle and little fingers with abscess over the palmar aspect of right hand of 20 days duration. PUBS is generally associated with alkaline urine as was observed in this patient, although it has also been reported in acidic urine. PUBS has long been documented in association with constipation and so has its association with diarrhea, a finding also observed in this case report