Beta-carotene, glycemic control and dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a stressful condition in which the increased production of free radicals impairs the generation of naturally occurring antioxidants like vitamins and carotenoids. The present study deals with the changes in serum fl'-carotene in type 2 diabetes mellitus, as modulated by glycemic control and oxidative stress. Multiple biochemical parameters were obtained from plasma of 57 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [25 males and 32 females], on oral hypoglycemic with a disease duration of 1- 15 years and 37 healthy normal subject s of matching age and sex to serve as controls. The biochemical parameters measured in the present study included the glycated Hb [HbAlc], serum lipids [total cholesterol TC, triglycerides TG, high and low density lipoprotein cholesterols, HDL-C and LDL-C], lipid peroxides and serum beta-carotene. Results revealed a marked reduction of beta-carotene in the diabetics in a pattern proportional to that of the glycemic control, dyslipidemia and oxidative stress. Possible causes, mechanisms and suggestions underlining these changes are discussed

Prevalence of neuropathy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a disease that reduces the expiratory flow, thus resulting in hypoxemia in variable severity. Twenty-one chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and 43 age-matched control subjects were included in the study. Nerve conduction study, pulmonary function tests and oxygen saturation were evaluated. The sensory conduction velocities of all the examined nerves were reduced significantly in the patient's group. The motor conduction velocity is reduced but not to a significant level. All the parameters of pulmonary function tests and oxygen saturation were reduced in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. A clear relationship between the degree of airway obstruction and posterior tibial sensory neuropathy was noticed. The abnormality in the nerve conduction velocity is predominantly of sensory type. Low oxygen concentration appears to be the causative agent

Adult asthma in northern Iraq

217 patients attended the out patient department between July 1986-1989 diagnosed to have bronchial asthma depending on clinical history, physical examination and peak flow meter measurement [PEFR]. They included 98 men [45.2%] and 119 women [54.8%]. The age of onset of their first symptoms varied between 13-40 years. The duration of their symptoms ranged between few days to over 20 years. Family history was present in 64 patients [29.5%] and nasal symptoms was present in 60 patients [27.6%%]. The main presenting symptoms were day time and nocturnal dyspnea both indicating moderate to severe air way obstruction with PEFR of 300L/minute or less. The triggering factors precipitating acute attacks in their order of frequency were cigarette smoke, dust, cold weather, respiratory infection and exercise. 106 patients [48.84%] were on no regular medications and only 25 patients [11.5%] were on different types of steroids. Inhalers are underused by our patients. B2 stimulant and steroid inhalers were used in [31.5%] and [3.2%] of our patients respectively

Disribution of ABO and RH blood group systems among Arbil population

Blood group determination was done for 23247 individuals in Arbil city ranging in age from 6 years to 65 years, 11234 of them were males and 12013 females. The distribution of their blood groups was: A32.4%, B23.5%, Ab 6.4% and O 37.7% and group Rh positive 93.39%. The findings were compared to studies in other parts of Iraq and the world

Acute myocardial infarction in patients admitted to c.c.u Arbil teaching hospital comparative study on risk factors and complications

A prospective study on patients admitted to ccu in Arbil teaching hospital was carried out over one year period from June 1988-June 1989, out of [246] patients admitted to the unit, 165 were found to have acute myocardial infarction. 105 [63%] were males, 60 [37%] were females, 102 [61%] had ventricular premature beat, 105 [63%] were smoker or had history of smoking, other risk factors observed less frequently. 76.8% of our patients were admitted after 4th from onset of their symptoms. 10 patients had primary ventricular fibrillation, [5] five were successfully resuscitated. 17 out of 21 patients with asystole died. Total mortality rate 25 of 165 patients was [15.15%]. Our results compared to other studies in other studies in other parts of our country

effect of single dialytic procedure on the level of serum zinc, copper and iron in patients on chronic hemodialysis program

The effect of single dialytic procedure on the level of serum zine, copper and iron was evaluated in 91 patients on chronic haemodialysis. The level was compared to the results in 27 health subjects. Serum zine level was significantly low [P< 0.005] and was affected by dialysis. Serum copper was significantly increased after single dialysis [P<0.005], but was not significantly different compared to the control. serum iron increased after single dialysis but the change was not significant [P< 0.005]. Aetiologies and probable mechanisms were discussed with its clinical and biochemical importance

Prescribing rates of various antihypertensive drugs in Erbil, 1991-1992

The rate of prescribing various antihypertensives was evaluated.of 325 prescriptions. 183 contained single drug therapy while 142 containe combined therapy. The most ccmmonly presented drugs when used as monotherapy are atenolol [30.05%], propranolol [10.92%]. methyl dopa [30%], amiloride +hydrochlorthiazide [16.39%], benz thiazide + triamtren [4.39%], nifedepine [7.1%] and captopril [1.09%]. The most frequently used drugs as monotherapy or in combination are diureties [51.6], B-Blocker [42%], C N S-acting drugs [37.8%]. while diuretics are the most frequently combined drug with C-N.S-acting drug in [38%], with B-blockers in 26.76%, and with calcium channel blocker in [11.26%]. Our result shows that drug availability influences treatment of our hypertensive patients, although our study was conducted during drug embargo on our country in 1991-1992

Accidental poisoning of children in Erbil province

This Is a retrospective study of 541 children with accidental poisoning admitted to Erbil Children Hospital in 1986, 448 children [82.8%] were between 1 and 5 years of age. Kerosine poisoning was the commonest [296 cases, 54.7%] followed by food poisoning [123 cases, 22.7%] and drugs and chemicals poisoning [122 cases, 22.6%] The male to female ratio was 1.5. The period of hospitalization was longer in cases of kerosine poisoning than in the others. The mortality rate was 2/541 [0.3%]. 364 cases [67.3%] were discharged with no complications and 175 [32.3%] took their own discharge. No seasonal variation was observed In kerosine poisoning, but 61% of food Poisoning and 34.5% of drug poisoning occurred in the summer