ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the frequency of prolonged corrected QT interval [QTc] in Child Pugh Class in patients of liver cirrhosis presenting to Combined Military Hospital Peshawar. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, Combined Military Hospital Peshawar, from Dec 2013 to Jun 2014
Material and Methods: One hundred and thirty three patients with liver cirrhosis fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study using non-probability consecutive sampling after taking informed consent. All patients were assigned their Child's Class either A, B or C. Electrocardiogram [ECG] was done and QTc was calculated using Bazett's formula. QTc of more than 0.44 seconds was taken as prolonged
Results: Out of 133 patients, QTc was prolonged in 78 patients yielding frequency of QTc prolongation in cirrhosis of 58.64%. Frequency of QTc prolongation was 61.18% in males and 54.17% in females. QTc prolongation was 15% in Child Pugh grade A, 54.76% in Child Pugh grade B and 73.24% in Child Pugh grade C. There was a statistically significant association between QTc prolongation and the severity of cirrhosis [p<0.001]
Conclusion: This study concludes that there was a statistically significant increase in frequency of QTc prolongation with worsening of Child Pugh Class thereby indicating an association between QTc prolongation and the severity of cirrhosis
ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare the efficacy of pregabalin and amitriptyline in alleviating pain associated with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy [PDPN]. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, Pakistan Naval Ship [PNS] Shifa Karachi, from May 2014 to Nov 2014
Material and Methods: Six hundred and sixty patients [330 in each group] with PDPN fulfilling the inclusion/exclusion criteria were randomized into groups A and B through consecutive non-probability sampling. Baseline pain scores on visual analogue scale [VAS] from 0-10 were recorded. Group-A was given pregabalin and group-B was given amitriptyline. Response was assessed after 6 weeks using VAS. A reduction of >50% on VAS was labeled efficacious
Results: Out of 660 patients, 46.36% [n=153] in group-A and 57.88% [n=191] in group-B had effective relief of pain whereas 53.64% [n=177] in group-A and 42.12% [n=139] in group-B had persistent pain. A p-value was calculated as 0.003
Conclusion: Amitriptyline was significantly more effective for alleviation of pain associated with PDPN when compared with pregabalin