ABSTRACT
One hundred thirty five hypertensive patients and equal number of age and sex matched healthy controls were taken up for studying the relationship of 24 hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion, sodium-potassium molar ratio and body mass index (BMI) with blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive population in Kashmir. There was statistically significant elevated 24 hour urinary sodium excretion (p < .001), increased Na+-K+ molar ratio, significantly higher BMI in hypertensive population as compared to controls whereas there was a lower 24 hour urinary excretion of potassium (p > .20) in patients with hypertension. Thus sodium and potassium excretion, Na+-K+ molar ratio and body mass index has direct bearing in perpetuation or causation of hypertension in Kashmir which may be related to intake of salt tea.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Blood Pressure/physiology , Body Mass Index , Case-Control Studies , Female , Humans , Hypertension/physiopathology , India , Male , Middle Aged , Osmolar Concentration , Potassium/blood , Potassium, Dietary/therapeutic use , Sodium/blood , Sodium, Dietary/adverse effects , Time Factors , Water-Electrolyte Balance/physiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pleural effusion (PF) is a common clinical presentation in several diseases. Various parameters from pleural fluid have been studied to identify the cause. The diagnostic value of these parameters varies. The present study was carried out to evaluate the value of alkaline phosphatase concentration in the pleural effusions as a diagnostic tool. METHODS: One hundred and one patients with pleural effusion admitted over a period of two years were studied. The diagnosis was confirmed by pleural biopsy and cytology for malignant cells. RESULTS: Pleural fluid alkaline phosphatase levels of more than 75 mg/dl was found in exudative effusions and less than 75 mg/dl in transudative ones. But it did not differentiate tubercular pleural effusions from other exudative ones. CONCLUSION: Pleural fluid alkaline phosphatase of >75 mg/dl is a useful biochemical marker to suggest exudative effusions.
Subject(s)
Adult , Alkaline Phosphatase/analysis , Exudates and Transudates/chemistry , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pleural Effusion/chemistry , Predictive Value of Tests , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
A 55 years post menopausal lady presented with puffiness of face, and a pruritic urticarial rash over face and upper trunk of one week duration with accompanying dysphagia. Clinical examination revealed an urticarial rash over face and upper trunk, two small ulcers over floor of mouth and evidence of bilateral VIII, IX and Xth cranial nerve palsies. Hypocomplementemia, negative immune profile and evidence of vasculitis on skin biopsy suggested a diagnosis of hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis. The patient responded to a course of steroids.