Prevalence of xerostomia in healthy individuals

Objective:To determine the prevalence of Xerostomia in apparently healthy individuals

Methodology:This prospective cross sectional study was conducted on persons accompanying the patients at Medical and Dental OPD of Muhammad Medical College, Mirpurkhas in collaboration with Liaquat University of Health Sciences [LUMHS] Jamshoro from January 2016 to July 2016. 156 patients visited and the accompanying persons were 3015. Only adults were included and 915 patients consented to participate. Standardized questionnaire regarding demographic details, systemic diseases, use of drugs, and cigarette smoking was filled. Fox questionnaire was used to confirm Xerostomia. The data collected was analyzed by SPSS version 22. Qualitative variables were expressed as number and in percentage

Results: Among nine hundred and fifteen participants, age range was 21-65 years. The mean age was 47+/-7.6years,

those above 30 years were 813 [88.9%], whereas under 30years were 102 [11.1%]. Xerostomia was more common in persons above 30 years and difference between two age groups was statistically significant. In our study, 317

[34.6%] gave history of tobacco consumption as cigarettes or gutka or pan. Out of 915 patients, 508 [55.5%] had systemic diseases. Out of these 508 only 387 [76.1%] were taking medications. A significant association of Xerostomia

with drug intake was seen

Conclusion: The frequency of Xerostomia in apparently healthy subjects was high and alarming. Predisposing factors were age, female gender, systemic disease, use of drug and tobacco consumption.

Glycogen storage disorder

Glycogen Storage Disease [GSD, also called Glycogenosis and Dextrinosis] is the result of defects in the processing of glycogen synthesis or breakdown within muscles, liver, and other cell types. Patients usually present with low blood sugar, enlarged liver, slow growth, muscle cramps, seizures and anemia. Von Gierke disease is the most common type of glycogen storage disorder. Von Gierke[1] described the first patient with GSD type I in 1929 under the name hepatonephromegalia glycogenica. In 1952, Cori and Cori[2] demonstrated that glucose-6- phosphatase [G6Pase] deficiency was a cause of GSF type I. Other types are Pompe, Forbes, Con, Hers and Anderson types. GSD type 5 McArdle disease affects skeletal muscles[3]

Pattern and impact of tea consumption in urban population of Hyderabad

Objective: To find out frequency of tea use with possible health effects in urban population of Hyderabad Sindh

Place and duration: At Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro from 1[st] March 2010 to 30[th] April 2010

Study design: A cross sectional study

Methodology: The study was performed on 1432 healthy individuals. The baseline demographic characteristics were recorded on a specially designed proforma. The socioeconomic status was divided in five categories according to monthly earnings. Consumption of tea was estimated by the number of cups/day and type of tea consumed. Sugar added to tea was calculated by the number of teaspoons. Waist to hip ratio was also calculated. Persons with history of chronic diseases were excluded from the study

Results: 1102 males and 330 females participated in the study [n=1432], the mean age for men was 38+1.54 years and for women it was 30+1.25years. Among the 1102 males, 22.68% consumed 5-6 cups/day, 58.98% 3-4 cups/day and 18.33% only 2 cups/day, while females when inquired only 22% were consuming 2 cups/day with 48.48% 3-4cup/day and 31.5% were having 5-6 cups/day. Tea was prepared mostly by adding milk. 805 [73.04%] males and 250 [75.7%] females were having such tea, while only 3.62% of males 3.03% females were using black tea. The habit of having green tea was seen in 257 [23.32%] males, while none of the females in the present research was using green tea. Socioeconomically most of the participants belonged to lower socio economic group [Table - I] earning 3000-9000 rupees / month [36.47% males and 39.3% females]: Waist to hip ratio was positively correlated with the amount of sugar and frequency of tea intake

Conclusion: Tea can be hazardous for health if the pattern continues to be same, so habit of green tea ingestion should be encouraged as tea mixed with milk and sugar further adds to the burden of future diabetics

Anti hypertensive effects of amlodipine and enalapril in combination with atorvastatin in hypertensive dyslipidemic patients

OBJECTIVES: To compare the antihypertensive effect of Enalapril and Amlodipine along with Atorvastatin in hypertensive dyslipidemic patients

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective and descriptive case study

PLACE AND DURATION: Study was conducted by the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, LUMHS, Jamshoro at Red Crescent hospital, Latifabad, Hyderabad, Pakistan from 2007 to 2009

METHODS: One hundred [100] essential hypertensive, dyslipidemic patients were enrolled in the study

Protocol was approved by ethical committee. After taking written consent patients were divided into two groups [A and B[, each comprising 50 patients. Group A received Enalapril 10mg in the morning along with 20mg Atorvastatin at bed time while group B received 5mg of Amlodipine in morning along with 20mg of Atorvastatin at bed time. Blood pressure and lipid profile were done at the start [Baseline] and after 3 months [end of study] by mercury sphygmomanometer. Results were compared and analyzed statistically by using SPSS-V16 at the end

RESULTS: At the end of the study when both groups were compared for antihypertensive effects. It was observed that the both the antihypertensive drugs have significantly lowered the blood pressure separately but when the effects were compared for both groups there was no significant change at the end of study. Enalapril reduced mean systolic blood pressure from 155.7 + 16.38mmHg at baseline to 140.1 + 8.36 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure to 93.6 + 5.81mmHg to 82.6 + 10.65 mmHg [P value 0.001]. Amlodipine reduced the systolic blood pressure from 157 + 16.72 mmHg to 142.1 + 9.37 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure from 95.6 + 7.11mmHg to 81.4 + 11.06 mmHg [P value 0.001]

Mean systolic blood pressure after treatment in group A was 140.1 + 8.36 mmHg and in group B was 142.1 +9.37 and mean diastolic blood pressure in group A and B after treatment was 82.6 + 10.65 mmHg and 81.4 + 11.06 mmHg respectively [P value 0.58]

CONCLUSION: Both drugs individually reduced the systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly but when compared, there was no significant change noted and both were equally effective

Cetirizine and loratadine - comparing their antagonist effects on isolated trachea of rabbit

To study and compare the antagonist effects of Cetirizine and Loratadine on histamine induced contractions of isolated trachea of rabbit. Comparative controlled invitro experimental study. This study was conducted at The Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI] Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center [JPMC] Karachi, for the period of six months. Isolated tracheal smooth muscles of twenty four rabbits were used. Fresh Kreb's nutritional solution was prepared for each subject. Tracheal smooth muscles were exposed to standard dilution of Histamine, and then they were challenged with serial dilutions [10 [-18]to 10 [-3]gm. /ml] of Cetirizine and Loratadine separately. Responses as rate and amplitudes of contractions were recorded by 7B Grass Polygraph machine. Cetirizine inhibit the rate of histamine induced contractions of tracheal muscles from 0.85 to 12.33% and amplitude from 0.0 to 82.69%, as concentration of drugs increased. While Loratadine inhibit the rate of histamine induced tracheal contractions from 0.85 to 10.59% and amplitude from 6.5 to 76.82% as concentration of drugs increased. Cetirizine found more potent than Loratadine as inhibitor of histamine induced contraction in isolated tracheal smooth muscles of rabbit. Basic Sciences

Pattern of acute intestinal obstruction: is there a change in the underlying etiology?

To study the changing pattern of acute intestinal obstruction at a teaching institute. Patients and It is a prospective descriptive study conducted at a teaching hospital during the period from June 2004 to June 2009. All patients with clinical or radiological evidence of acute intestinal obstruction were included in this study regardless of the gender of the patient. Patients below the age of 10 years were excluded from the study. The treatment strategy was planned ranging from conservative treatment to emergency laparotomy after resuscitation and rehydration of the patient. Details of individual patients were recorded on a pro forma sheet and data analyzed statistically on SPSS version 14. A total of 229 patients with acute intestinal obstruction were admitted and treated. The mean age of the study population was 43.08 +/- 13.07 years. Postoperative adhesions accounted for 41% [n= 95] of the total cases, followed by abdominal tuberculosis [25%, n= 58], obstructed/ strangulated hernias of different types [18%, n= 42]. There was an obvious change in the pattern of etiology of acute intestinal obstruction as the common causes were postoperative adhesions and abdominal tuberculosis instead of obstructed inguinal hernias. An increase in the adhesive obstruction and a concomitant decrease in the incidence of obstructed hernias indicate a changing trend towards early operation before it gets complicated. Abdominal tuberculosis is emerging as another common cause of acute bowel obstruction

Role of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors [Ramipril] and angiotensin receptor blocker [Losartan] on microalbuminuria in diabetes mellitus type-II

All the patients included in the study were divided into three groups. Group A patients received Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor [Ramipril] for a period of six months, the urinary albumin decreased in them by 34.89% while group B patients received Angiotensin receptor blockers [Losartan] for the same period and urinary albumin decreased by 39.73%. The resistant cases of both the groups were included in group C and this group was given a combination of Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and Angiotensin receptor blockers i.e., Ramipril and Losartan in these resistant cases the urinary albumin decreased by 35.8%. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, Angiotensin receptor blockers and combination of both are effective in reducing the excretion of albumin in diabetic patients having microalbuminuria. These drugs beneficially influence the altered glomerular haemodynamics in patients with diabetes mellitus the measurement of albuminuria can prevent the renal damage and that it is a modifiable risk factor