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Objectives: To establish the local reference range of prostate volume according to our subset of population. To correlate prostate volume (PV) with age, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Methods: A cross-sectional study with 119 healthy adults aged 40-79 years without any prostatic pathology were recruited .The study population was categorized into 4 age groups (40 - <50 yrs, 50 -<60 yrs, 60-<70 yrs, 70-<80 yrs), 3 BMI groups (healthy, obese and overweight) and 2 WC groups (<90 cm and >90 cm). A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean prostate volume was 21.7±2.2 mls, mean body mass index was 28±6 kg/m², whereas mean waist circumference was 95 cm. PV was found to be higher in obese and >90 cm waist circumference group. After applying multiple regression analysis, waist circumference correlated positively and significantly with prostate volume. Conclusion: Mean prostate volume in our studied population was smaller than that of many western populations. Our study has proved that central obesity is the most important factor influencing prostate volume.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) risk factors clustering has increases the morbidity and mortality of CAD. These factors are responsible for insulin resistance; it leads to the development of Metabolic Syndrome (MS), which later leads to the development of CAD. Endothelial dysfunction leads to CAD. EAT is the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) around the heart. It plays a major role in the development of MS. The aim of this study was to measure the EAT thickness through echocardiography in healthy adults and coronary artery disease patients and to determine its association with Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference. Methodology: 156 diagnosed cases of CAD and age matched 157 asymptomatic individuals were recruited from Cardiology Department of Ziauddin Hospital for this case control study. Waist circumference and BMI were measured. Echocardiography was done for EAT thickness. Results: CAD group had significantly higher EAT thickness as compared to controls. There was no significant difference of EAT thickness with BMI. A weak positive association of EAT thickness with BMI was found. A significant difference of EAT thickness with waist circumference was found. There was weak association of EAT with waist circumference in CAD. Conclusion: The mean EAT thickness is significantly higher in CAD group of Karachi population. EAT thickness has weak positive association with BMI and waist circumference. Therefore, we can conclude that BMI and Waist Circumference are the indicators of generalized obesity while EAT thickness may be considered to be a true indicator of visceral obesity.
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Aims: To identify the frequency of occupational stress and its contributing factors (stressors) existing among healthcare providers working in the Emergency Department (ED) of tertiary care hospitals of Karachi. Study Design: This is a descriptive cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Emergency Department of public and private tertiary care hospitals located in Karachi. The study was conducted for a period of five months from February to June 2013. Methodology: A sample of 120 health care providers in Emergency Departments including doctors and nurses were included in the study (60 doctors, 60 nurses 30 each from public and private tertiary care hospitals). Self administered questionnaire with three parts was used to collect data. The first part pertained to demographics, the second part was adopted from Workplace Stress Scale (WSS) while the third part contained an inventory of Emergency Worker Stress. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 16 (SPSS) and MS excel software 2010 were used for data analysis and presentation. Results: Of the 120 participants including doctors and nurses, 35.8% had ‘Moderate’ level of occupational stress as per Work Stress Scale (WSS). 28.3% were found to have ‘Severe’ level of occupational stress. Significant association was found between levels of stress & hospital status (P- value 0.002) & Work hours in ER (P- value 0.0001). Among the association between occupational stress and ER related stressors, significant moderate association was found with overall stress score and wok responsibility category (r=0.697 & r=0.675 respectively) Conclusion: Health care providers from Emergency Department are under immense stress and workload. This level of stress is likely to lead to more mistakes by the ED staff and general dissatisfaction at workplace. It is important to reassess the system’s flaws and minimize workload and stress among Emergency care providers for a better health care experience.
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Aim: To provide the normal range of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in a subset of Karachi population by Spectralis OCT and to evaluate the effects of age and gender on it. Methodology: 300 eyes from 150 healthy subjects aged 40 years and above with no ocular pathologies were examined using standard protocols by a single examiner. Subjects with high myopia, history of diabetic or hypertensive retinopathy, raised intraocular pressure (> 21 mmHg) and previous intraocular or laser surgery were excluded from the study. The mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was calculated and was correlated with age and gender difference. Results: The mean global retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was found to be 99.02±9.08 μm in our set of population. Out of four quadrants the maximum RNFL thickness was found in inferior quadrant (126.45±16.23 μm) followed by the thickness of 121.50±15.03 μm in superior quadrant, 78.99±13.99 μm in nasal quadrant and 68.90±13.10 μm in temporal quadrant. We found strong negative correlation of RNFL thickness with age (P= 0.001) and not significant relation with gender (P= 0.8). Conclusions: Keeping in mind the variations in RNFL thickness with ethnic differences, this study provides the normal values of RNFL thickness according to our set of population. It is concluded that RNFL thickness decreases significantly with increasing age but gender had no significant effect on it.
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Aims: To find out an association between Human Papilloma Virus and IL 6 gene polymorphism in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma patients. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Ziauddin Hospital (Dental OPD), Karachi, Pakistan. In between the period of January 2014 to May 2015. Methodology: This cross-sectional study consisted of a total of 140 oral squamous cell carcinoma patients of 18 years and above (104 males and 36 females). Detailed questionnaire followed by sample collection from each patient was done. These samples were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction for human papilloma virus and IL 6 gene polymorphism was analyzed through restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: Mean age of the patients was 43.5±11.84 years (range 31-40 years). Most of the patients (45; 32.1%) belonged to the Urdu speaking ethnic group. Pan (87; 62.1%) and Gutka (82; 58.6%) were used by most of the patients. (17;12.1%) patients had history of systemic disease (e.g hypertension, diabetes). And (3021.4%) patients had a positive family history of OSCC. The most common site of OSCC was buccal mucosa (86; 61.4%) in these patients. Majority of the patients (77; 55%) had histologically moderately differentiated OSCC, and more than half of these patients (78; 55.7%) had Group B (stage III & IV) of OSCC. (12;8.6%) out of 140 samples tested positive for human papilloma virus gene and the following pattern was observed for IL 6 gene polymorphism, GG: (46.4%), GC (39.3%), CC (14.3%). A positive association was observed for Group B (stages III & IV) of oral squamous cell carcinoma with IL 6 genotypes: GC heterozygote (OR=3.819, 95% CI=1.782-8.183, P=0.001) and CC homozygote (OR=6.833, 95% CI=2.046-22.822, P=0.002), and also a strong positive association was found between human papilloma virus and CC homozygote genotype (OR=21.333, 95% CI=2.318-196.311, P=0.007). Conclusion: Human papilloma virus association with IL 6 gene polymorphism in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients suggests rapid and aggressive progress of oral carcinogenesis.