Assessment of predictor variables and clinical consequences associated with surgical site infection in tertiary care setting, Karachi, Pakistan

Among the well-known Health care-associated infections [HAIs], surgical site infections [SSIs] contribute to considerable high mortality and morbidity rate, substantial prolongation in hospitalization period and extra expenses in terms of treatment cost. This study was aimed to evaluate the predictive variables associated with surgical site infections, and their clinical consequences. This was a prospective, cross sectional study conducted in the surgical department of tertiary care setting in Karachi, Pakistan. Each patient was followed up from the time of admission until time of the discharge postoperatively for 30 days. A total of 554 surgical procedures were performed and 81 SSIs were identified. The predictor variable/risk factors significantly associated with the presence of SSI were age, gender, BMI, ASA score, co-morbid condition, surgical wound class, emergency surgeries, duration of surgery, type of anesthesia, prosthetic implant, pre operative length of stay and pre operative blood transfusion. Outcomes of such studies may be utilized in the design of a multi factorial practice to get better patient's safety and clinical outcomes

Pharmaceutical and in vitro therapeutic equivalence studies of ketoprofen enteric coated 100 mg tablets

The objective of this study was to assess the quality of six different brands of enteric coated Ketoprofen 100 mg tablets, KPB[2] to KPB[6] are available in commercial market of Karachi, Pakistan, while KPB[1] was obtained from international source. We performed different physico-chemical assessments i.e. weight variation, diameter, hardness, friability, thickness, disintegration, content uniformity, assay and dissolution test. Results of all the investigations were found to be in adequate limits. Also pharmaceutical equivalence was determined by selecting different tests and assay assessment. Furthermore, in vitro therapeutic equivalence was also estimated at phosphate buffer pH 6.8 and 7.5. Results were evaluated by one way ANOVA, model independent and model dependent methods. ANOVA results showed that release behaviour were found to be similar as p values >0.05, also KPB[1] - KPB[6] followed Weibull model at different dissolution media. Results indicated that innovator and brands not only passes the pharmaceutical equivalence assessment but also comply with the in vitro therapeutic equivalence