Deoxypyridinoline [DPD], a marker of bone resorption which predicts osteoporosis

With the improvements in medical facilities, the life expectancy of ladies has crossed fifty years in Pakistan. Because of this, problems related to menopause and senility is increasing. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the incidence of osteoporosis in Pakistani postmenopausal women residing at Rawalpindi. This was done by estimation of deoxypyridinoline [DPD], a marker of bone resorption, for its potential for early diagnosis; so that the patients are benefited by early treatment before the disease is severe and crippling. Seventy postmenopausal women having intact ovaries were selected randomly from the general public in the locality. Control group consisted of thirty healthy premenopausal women. The mean urinary DPD level in premenopausal ladies i.e. Controls was [5.8 nmol/mmol of creatinine], while in postmenopausal women the mean DPD level was significantly higher [27.4 nmol / mmol of creatinine]. The very high loser ladies [Urinary DPD level > 30 nmol / mmol of creatinine] were regarded to have osteoporosis. X-ray of the wrist remained a poor diagnostic marker as it was positive in only 15% of postmenopausal subjects. The frequency of osteoporosis was 13.5% in ladies between 50-59 years, while in ladies between 60 - 69 years the frequency was 78% and 100% in ladies over 70 years. These figures are quite alarming

Hyperhomocysteinemia as a risk factor for ischemic heart disease

To determine association of hyperhomocysteinemia with myocardial infarction and conventional risk factors for ischemic heart disease. Design: A non-interventional comparative case control study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the department of Chemical Pathology and Endocrinology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi and Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology / National Institute of Heart Diseases, Rawalpindi from January 2001 to June 2001. Patients and A total of 100 hospitalized patients having myocardial infarction [MI] were randomly selected comprising 85 males and 15 females. The average age of the patients was 53 +/- 4.5 years. A similar number of age and gender-matched healthy controls were also selected. The demographic details, history and clinical examination of both patients and controls were recorded and their blood was collected in fasting state for estimation of serum total cholesterol, plasma glucose and serum total homocysteine. Serum total homocysteine level in controls was significantly lower [10.8 +/- 4.1 mmol/L] as compared to patients [18.0 +/- 5.9 mmol/L] [p < 0.0001]. Smoking showed statistically significant association with hyperhomocysteinemic patients [p = 0.04]. Ischemic heart disease was associated with moderate hyperhomocysteinemia in our patients and it was also associated with smoking