Oral contraceptives in gall stone diseases.

A cross sectional study was under taken to evaluate the prevalence of gallstone in fertile women who are taking oral contraceptives. The aim of study was to determine any significant association between oral contractive use and Cholelithiasis. Total number of patient was 340. A standard written questioner, which is dully filled by concerned doctor and examination done. History of use of oral contraceptive pills, duration of use and time of taking oral contraceptives drugs whether before, in between pregnancy or after family completion is recorded. Total number of patient was 340 of them 186 patient taken contraceptives and 154 patients without contraceptives. Incidence of gallstone shows that with contraceptives the 21-30 years age group 72(39.13%) without contraceptives 22(14.28%), in 31-40 years age group with contraceptives 74 (40%), without contraceptives 28(18.8%) where as in 41-50 years age group with contraceptives 37(20.10%) and without contraceptives 44(28.57%), 51 years and above age group with contraceptives is 01(0.54%) and without contraceptives is 60(38.96%). Significantly higher incidence of gallstones found in younger patient taking oral contraceptives than without contraceptives, but in older age group incidence is more in-patients without contraceptives than with contraceptives. Oral contraceptives increase the incidence of gallstones disease in younger women especially in early part of their use of oral contraceptives.

Monitoring efficacy of commonly used antimalarials by a 14-day in-vivo test in a new settler's camp in endemic zone at Cox's Bazar.

The study was done in a new settler's camp "Barachara" under Sadar thana of Cox's Bazar district. It has a total population of 784 of all age groups, registered in the middle of the study period. A prospective evaluation of all cases of fever were done over 12 months, to see the pattern of febrile illness among the population and to compare the therapeutic efficacy of two alternative drug regimens for uncomplicated falciparum malaria (UM). Blood for malarial parasite (MP) was done in all cases of fever and was treated in line with the new clinical case definitions and treatment guidelines for malaria in Bangladesh. Slide positive UM cases were subjected to a "14-day in-vivo test" for therapeutic efficacy testing of antimalarial agents. The two drug regimens were randomised by lottery--a) 3 days oral chloroquine plus single dose sulphadoxin/pyrimethamine (CQ + SP) and, b) 3 days oral quinine plus single dose sulphadoxin/pyrimethamine (Q3 + SP). Drug administration was supervised by the field assistant and was followed up on days 3, 7 and 14 for blood slide examinations and clinical assessment. Sensitive response was observed in 79% of the cases in the CQ + SP group and 84% in the Q3 + SP group. Early treatment failure (persistently febrile and parasitaemic on days 3 or 7) was observed in 16% in the CQ + SP group and 9% in the Q3 + SP group. Both the evaluated drug regimens had less than 20% failures and can be used as alternative first line agents and Q3 + SP regimens can also be used as the second line agents for treatment failure (to chloroquine and/or SP) UM cases in the study area.

Further study on the effect of norethisterone enanthate, an injectable contraceptive on body functions.

One hundred and fortythree healthy Bengali women have received norethisterone enanthate, as injectable contraceptive in doses of 200 mg. intramuscularly at intervals of 10 to 12 weeks. The drug have been found to be almost 100 percent effective in the control of fertility. Menstrual disturbance, e.g. amenorrhoea, irregular bleeding and spotting, appeared to be the main complaints of the clients during the initial period of the therapy; but these did not persist long. There was no ill effect of the drug on lactation. No significant change in body weight, blood pressure, platelet count, fasting blood sugar, serum cholesterol and total plasma protein level was observed following administration of norethisterone enanthate over one year.