Research design and statistical methods in Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences [PJMS]

Objective: This article compares the study design and statistical methods used in 2005, 2010 and 2015 of Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences [PJMS]

Methods: Only original articles of PJMS were considered for the analysis. The articles were carefully reviewed for statistical methods and designs, and then recorded accordingly. The frequency of each statistical method and research design was estimated and compared with previous years

Results: A total of 429 articles were evaluated [n=74 in 2005, n=179 in 2010, n=176 in 2015] in which 171 [40%] were cross-sectional and 116 [27%] were prospective study designs. A verity of statistical methods were found in the analysis. The most frequent methods include: descriptive statistics [n=315, 73.4%], chi-square/Fisher's exact tests [n=205, 47.8%] and student t-test [n=186, 43.4%]. There was a significant increase in the use of statistical methods over time period: t-test, chi-square/Fisher's exact test, logistic regression, epidemiological statistics, and non-parametric tests

Conclusion: This study shows that a diverse variety of statistical methods have been used in the research articles of PJMS and frequency improved from 2005 to 2015. However, descriptive statistics was the most frequent method of statistical analysis in the published articles while cross-sectional study design was common study design

Bilateral multifocal renal cell carcinoma

Bilateral synchronous renal cell Carcinomas occur in approximately 1-3% of all patients with RCC. Ultrasound and contrast-enhanced CT scan are the most useful tests for diagnosing and staging. US has an advantage over CT in determination of nature of the lesion [solid/cystic]. CT is more sensitive in evaluation of lesion size and detection of calcification and necrosis. CT also has an advantage over US in evaluation of perinephric extension, adjacent organ infiltration and regional lymphadenopathy. Both US and CT are equally sensitive in detection of IVC thrombus

Open pyeloplasty in adult patients with primary PUJ obstruction - experience at urology department, Nishtar hospital, Multan

To assess the clinical presentation of primary PUJ obstruction and outcome of pyeloplasty in adult patients. The study was carried out at the Department of Urology, Nishtar Hospital, Multan from June 2006 to June 2007. A total of 25 adult patients were included in the study. All patients were evaluated in terms of clinical presentation, physical examination and investigations. Different techniques of open pyeloplasty were performed in these patients. Out of 25 patients, 16 were male and 9 were females [male to female ratio was 1.8: 1]. Age of patients ranged between 13 to 45 years. All patients underwent some form of open pyeloplasty. Thirteen patients [52%] had Culp Deweerd spiral flap pyeloplasty, 10 [40%] had Anderson Hynes pyeloplasty while 2 [8%] had Foley Y-V pyeloplasty. Minor complications like superficial wound infection [4 patients, UTI [4 patients] and minor anastomotic leakage [1 patients] was seen in early postoperative period. Twenty three [92%] patients had good symptomatic relief, improvement in overall GFR and drainage across PUJ on DTPA seen at 3 months, 6 months and one year follow up. PUJ obstruction is the most common congenital abnormality of ureter, less invasive procedures are available for treatment of PUJ obstruction, but the pyeloplasty is the most effective in relief of obstruction and can be performed safely

Ultrasound screening of at risk infants optimizes conservative management and can reduce the rate of surgery in developmental dyspalsia of Hip

To determine the usefulness of ultrasound screening of only at risk infants in the management of developmental dysplasia of hip [D.D.H.]. All live births, [9310], were examined by a neonatologist within 24 hours of birth. The infants with unstable hips on clinical examination, clicking hips, family history, breech presentation [vaginal delivery and caesarean sections] and those with concurrent congenital deformity were then seen in the D.D.H. clinic, within 3 weeks of birth .The infants were classified according to the ultrasound appearance of their hips. Graf's typing was used and formed the basis for conservative and surgical management. There were 218 Grade I, normal babies. There were 89 dysplastic hips in 83 patients. 51 Grade II, 23 Grade III and 15 Grade IV dysplasias. During the study of 23 months of study only 3 hips, all with an initial type 1V ultrasound appearance were unresponsive to conservative measures and required open surgery. Ultrasound screening of babies at risk and those with unstable hips on clinical examination optimizes conservative management and can reduce the rate of open surgical intervention in D.D.H

Survey regarding AIDS awareness among indigenous population at Karachi [Pakistan]

A health survey about AIDS awareness in Pakistan was conducted during 1998-99 as a joint venture of International Collaboration Medical Team of Japanese National Institute of Public Health, Nagoya University, School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan and Awan Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. It is important to be aware of the attitude and behavior related to AIDS infection, because the number of people infected by it has been increasing rapidly in many countries of Asia. The information collected in this survey can serve as a guide for health policy in Pakistan. A randomized survey comprising 5110 [2400 male and 2710 female] Pakistani nationals of different age groups were tested in this study. The marital status and educational background were also recorded. A questionnaire was distributed to the subject individuals, which was based upon the information about the modes of AIDS spread. The mass survey for its awareness in general public has successfully been conducted for the first time in Pakistan. The survey revealed several striking facts and figures that will help build up our future strategy to combat the challenge of this deadly disease. With reference to this survey, about 12% of the total population was completely in dark about AIDS [including 9.7% illiterate]. It is recommended that the people at large should be fully made aware of AIDS. The most effective medium for such an education oriented programme [as revealed by this survey] is television. The authorities should allocate sufficient time on television for programmes like drama, group discussions, interviews by the AIDS victims and open question-answer sessions

Prevalence of hepatitis G and associated HBs Ag HCV -Ab viral markers among professional blood donors/drug addicts in Pakistan

Hepatitis B and C viral infections have been prevalent with endemicity throughout the world including Pakistan. In Pakistan no information is yet available about the prevalence of hepatitis G virus in general population and high risk groups. On a small scale some work was done [in collaboration with Nagoya University, Japan], with reference to the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viral infection in different risk groups. The present study pertains to 474 individuals [representing professional blood donors and drug addicts] in order to find out the prevalence of HGV status in Pakistan. Seven [1.5 percent] individuals were screened as hepatitis G virus RNA positive by PCR technique. Interestingly, two of these individuals were found to have co-infection with hepatitis C virus based on HCV-Ab, another two of them were found to have mixed infection with hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses, while rest of the three were exclusively infected with HGV. This suggests for a thorough screening [including HGV] of all blood donors even if their routine hepatitis profile is negative