A case control study on the risk factors for diabetes mellitus

The development of prevention programs for non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus is greatly needed. Before such programs are implemented, proper community assessment is essential and this includes a knowledge of relevant risk factors for non insulin dependent diabetes. To determine such risk factors, a study was done on 118 cases of diabetes mellitus from Diabetic Clinic and Wards 1 & 2, Yangon General Hospital. A questionnaire of the patient's family history and drug history, smoking and alcohol history among others were noted. Statistical analysis was done by Odds ratio and 95 percent confidence interval of Odds ratio. In this study significant risk factors for diabetes were physical inactivity, family history of diabetes, especially parenteral, history of taking diuretics and dietary excesses like high carbohydrate and high fat diet. We recommend that exercise be an adjunct to proper diet and weight control for the prevention of non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

The effect of cardiac risk factors in coronary heart disease (CHD) among diabetic patients

To compare the effect of 4 cardiac risk factors namely, hypertension, smoking, hypercholestrolaemia and obesity on coronary heart disease among diabetic patients, a retrospective study was carried out between August 1991 and September 1992. A total of 60 patients with diabetes mellitus were studied. 40 patients had CHD and 20 did not. The average age of the study group was 54.04 years. It was found that in diabetics who had hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia or smoked, had a two-fold risk of developing CHD compared to those who did not have the above risk factors. There was no difference found between those patients who were obese and those who were not.

Effectiveness of the different modes of case detection in Hmawbi Leprosy Control Project, 1964-1974

Leprosy Control in Myanmar was started in 1952 with case finding and domicilliary treatment as the two main strategies. Because of the emphasis on case finding the total number of registered leprosy cases increased from 47280 in 1958 to 271353 in 1976. The study was undertaken to determine the types of cases and the disabilities status among cases that are detected through different means of case detection methods in Hmawbi Township prior to integration of the case finding activities into Basic Health Services. A retrospective study on 320 new cases that have been detected in Hmawbi Township during the period 1964 to 1974 was undertaken. 74.14 Percent of the lepromatous type of new leprosy cases are seen to be suffering from various degree of disabiligy, whereas for Tuberculoid new cases the disability percent is only 33.47 Percent. Out of a total 320 new cases 46.56 Percent of them were detected through active case finding methods. The proportion of lepromatous new cases is seen to be high among new cases detected through mass surveys (23.21 Percent) and passive case detections (23.21 Percent). New cases detected through school children examinations and contact examinations are seen to be suffering from less disability than that of mass surveys, referrals from B.H.S and voluntary examination.

A sociological study of leprosy patients

A sociological study was done in registered leprosy patients in ten urban townships of Rangoon city who have a minimum of 15 yrs. follow up. A total of 542 cases, 76 per cent of 715 registered cases with 15 yrs. follow up were studied.