Frequency of peripheral arterial disease in diabetic patients by ankle brachial index

To determine the frequency of peripheral artery disease [PAD] in diabetic patients by assessing ankle brachial index [ABI]. Cross-sectional study. This study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for a period of six month from September 2011 to March 2012. All type 2 diabetics of more than two years disease duration, on treatment, of either gender, were included between 41 years to 70 years of ages. Peripheral artery disease was assessed by ankle brachial index [ABI]. Frequency and percentages were presented for gender, smoking status, family history of type 2 diabetes and PAD. Mean and standard deviation was presented for age of patients, duration of diabetes and smoking status. Chi square test was used to compare relative frequencies. A total of 125 patients were included with a mean age of 57.10 +/- 8.77 years. 68 [54.4%] were female. Mean duration of diabetes was 4.62 +/- 2.21 years. PAD was found in 74 [59.2%] while 51 [40.8%] patients were free from PAD. A high frequency of PAD was detected in the diabetic subjects with a female pre-ponderance, with statistically significant association with increasing age, hypertension and duration of diabetes

Common carotid artery intima-media thickness in patients with ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke

An increase in the intima-media thickness of the common carotid after [CCA-IMT] is generally considered as an early marker of atherosclerosis and has been associated with a higher risk of stroke and myocardial infarction. Cross-sectional Study. This study was conducted in Department of Medicine at Karachi Medical and Dental College and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital from June 2011 to December 2011. We determined cross-sectionally the diagnostic ability of CCA-IMT to distinguish between brain infarction and intracerebral haemorrhage. Total 150 patients aged >40 years of both sexes with hemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke were included, while patients with history of endartectomy, head injury, space occupying lesion and on anticoagulation were excluded. All information was recorded on proforma. Thickness of common carotid artery of >/= 0.5 mm was considered significant. Analysis was performed through SPSS-10.0. Frequencies and percentages were computed to present categorical variables including stroke type and wall thickness of common carotid artery in terms of [ 0.5 mm]. Chi-square test was applied to see association of increased CCA-IMT with stroke type. Statistical significance was taken at p < 0.05. Among 150 patients of stroke, 13 [8.7%] patients of left and 8 [5.3%] patients of right had increased CCA-IMT. The CCA-IMT was significantly higher in patients with ischemic stroke patients [p=0.001]. The present results demonstrate the possible predictive power of non-invasive measure meant of CCA-IMT with respect to brain infarction versus intracerebral hemorrhage and deserve further investigation. Despite high prevalence of hypertension in patients with haemorrhagic stroke, increased CCA-IMT which is considered as an early marker of atherosclerosis is strongly related to ischaemic stroke than haemorrhagic stroke

Megaloblastic anaemia, seen in 48 cases of pancytopenia

To assess megaloblastic anaemia in patients presenting with pancytopenia. Descriptive study. Hospitalized patients referred for bone marrow examination for the work up of pancytopenia were selected. Complete blood count was done on haematology auto analyzer. Bone marrow aspiration was done for cytology. Perl's iron staining was done in patients showing low blood indices. Forty eight [48] patients underwent bone marrow aspiration for cytology for the work up of pancytopenia. Nineteen [19] patients [39%] showed megaloblastic anaemia. Macrocytosis and hypersegmented neutrophils were the most common finding on peripheral blood smear. Fregmented red cells were seen in 13 patients showing classical finding of megaloblastic anaemia. Megaloblastic anaemia was found to be the most common cause of pancytopenia. Diagnosis of megaloblastic anaemia requires only complete blood count, peripheral blood smear and bone marrow cytology, which is cost effective. Nutritional factors and recurrent infection seem to be associated strongly with megaloblastic anemia

Validity of a rapid serologic test for diagnosis of helicobacter pylori

The study was done to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of a rapid serologic test for qualitative determination of Anti H. pylori IgG in human whole blood by chromatographic immunoassay in patients undergoing upper Gastrointestinal endoscopy. Design: Descriptive Sampling: Non-probability, purposive [presenting with upper GI symptoms for more than two weeks]. Site: Medical Unit II, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Duration: July 2002 - Feb 2003. Patients and Subjects: Thirty three patients [16 males; 17 females], age: 18 - 60 yrs, presenting with upper GI symptoms for two weeks or more and who agreed to undergo sure step WB/signify WB test and upper GI endoscopy. Method: A qualitative serologic test for detection of Anti H.pylori IgG was performed on whole blood of the patient who then underwent upper GI endoscopy and biopsy was taken from antrum of the stomach and sent for histopathology. Those who showed mucosal inflammation and presence of H. pylori [by Giemsa stain] were considered true positive. Sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values were determined. Result: For a rapid serologic test for detection of Anti H. pylori antibody in whole blood [sure step; signify] following results were obtained. Sensitivity - 89.47% Specificity - 78.57% Positive predictive value - 85.00% Negative predictive value - 84.60% Qualitative detection of IgG to H. pylori by rapid serologic test on human whole blood is a highly sensitive and specific method for detecting infection with H. pylori