Chemical stress as a consequence of prolong drug use: a study on chronic health condition

Background: Chemical stress is an indication of increase or a lesser amount of chemicals that body has exposed both internal or external environment provided to singe cell such as pollution, smoking, ingested food additives, pesticides, excessive consumption of sugar and alcohol, too many cups of coffee and even passive smoking cause chemical stress. This prolong exposure to any affluence can cause chemical stress that interferes with body's natural balance

Methodology: A cross sectional survey based study was conducted at a local hospital including 3 groups of patients, Group I was using only anti diabetic drugs, Group II was chronic user of cardiac medications while Group III was using both. Demographic data, medical history and drug use duration and dosage were investigated as well as intensity of Chemical stress was calculated by Sadaf stress scale. The patients with severe and psychological and mental illness or any other chronic illness or patients who were failed to provide reliable information were excluded from study

Results: The result showed that there is a stressful built-up of chemicals as a result of altered metabolism due to excess drugs use in these patients. However moderate stress is majorly reported in Group III that indicates increased number of prescribed medications and their correlation with intensity of chemical stress. However, none of the patient scored severe stress which is again an indication that there is a progressive psychophysiological deteriorating state rather than fully damaged that can be improved

Nutritional stress as an adverse effect of anti-diabetic medications

Objective to estimate the intensity of nutritional stress among the diabetic patients

Background non-Communicable diseases [NCDs] are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Pakistan. The WHO report evaluated diabetes at the fourth position among the four types of NCD's, this accounts for 1.5 million deaths annually

Introduction nutritional stress depends on what we give to our body, whether it is toxin loaded, chemically constituted platefuls of food and expect it to cope without a grumble. As, diabetes is metabolic syndrome so there is an altered carbohydrate and fat metabolism in these patients that will lead to the development of nutritional stress in these patients

Methodology a cross sectional survey based study was conducted at a local hospital including diabetic patients on anti-diabetic medicines. Demographic data, medical history and drug use duration and dosage were investigated as well as intensity of nutritional stress was calculated by Sadaf stress scale [SSS]. The patients with severe and psychological and mental illness or any other chronic illness or patients who were failed to provide reliable information were excluded from study

Result the total of 42 patients have participated in the study out of that 50% have reported mild nutritional stress and 36% have reported moderate nutritional stress. The most common reported symptom of nutritional stress includes sleep problem, abdominal bloating, incomplete emptying and sugars and carb craving

Conclusion the patients have reported the nutritional stress due to the altered carbohydrate and fat metabolism and the use of anti-diabetic medicine further increases the intensity of nutritional stress. The symptoms that are reported in diabetic patients are not associated with diabetes instead occur as a result of anti-diabetic medication use. Such as, sleep problem usually associated with increased stress, increased blood pressure, impaired control of blood glucose, and increased inflammation

Association between changes in the angle of mandible and reduced bone mineral density

To establish an association between the angle of mandible on an orthopantomogram [OPG] with reduced bone mineral density of femoral neck and spine on Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry [DXA] scan. Cross-sectional study. Institute of Basic Medical Sciences [IBMS], Dow University of Health Sciences [DUHS], Karachi, from December 2011 to July 2012. Female subjects between 25 and 85 years of age were divided into premenopausal [Group-I] and postmenopausal [Group II] groups. Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry [DXA] scan was done to divide Group-I and Group-II into normal [pre A, post A], osteopenic [pre B, post B] and osteoporotic [pre C, post C] groups. Changes seen in angle of mandible on orthopantomogram [OPG] in subgroups of Group-I were compared with each other and with subgroups of Group-II. SPSS version 16 was used to carry out the statistical analysis. Intragroup significance was evaluated through One Way Analysis Of Variance [ANOVA]. For intergroup significance independent samples t-test was applied. The angle of mandible [A] was significantly decreased in Intragroup comparison of Group-II [0.035] between Post normal [Post A] vs. Post osteopenic [Post B] groups. Intergroup comparison between Group-I and Group-II [0.005] showed a significant decrease in angle of mandible between Pre osteopenic [Pre B] vs. Post osteopenic [Post B]. As decrease in angle of mandible was observed at stage of osteopenia, it can be conveniently used for early detection of osteoporosis

Cortical changes in orthopantomogram [OPG] of human mandible as early detector of osteoporosis

To see whether the cortex of mandible on an OPG can be employed for early detection and screening tool for osteoporosis. Cross sectional study. The study was conducted in IBMS, DUHS Karachi and stretched over a period of eight months from December 2011 to July 2012. One hundred and seventy four female subjects, aged 25 to 85 years, were divided into premenopausal [Group I] and postmenopausal [Group II] groups. Each group was subdivided into normal [pre A, post A], osteopenic [pre B, post B] and osteoporotic [pre C, post C] groups by Dual Energy X- ray Absorptiometry [DXA] Scan. Mandibular morphological changes seen on OPG in subgroups of Group I were compared with each other and with subgroups of Group II. Cortical thickness at mental foramen [CMF] was observed on OPG. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS version 16 using One Way Analysis Of Variance [ANOVA] to evaluate intra group significance and for intergroup significance independent samples T-test was applied. The thickness of Mandibular cortex at mental foramen [CMF] was found to be significantly decreased in osteoporotic patients. In conclusion a simple method of screening was established which can be used as early detector of osteoporosis in a cost effective manner