Frequency of cardiovascular risk factors among prisoners

To find out frequency of various risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in prisoners. This was an cross-sectional study involving prisoners recruited in Peshawar Heart Study [PHs]. All participants were interviewed in detail including family history, past medical history, smoking history and drug history. All participants pulse, blood pressure, body mass index [BMI] and waist hip ratio was determined. Their random blood sugar and total cholesterol was checked. ECG was carried out. Data was analyzed for cardiovascular risk factors. Total of 166 prisoners were screened and interviewed. Mean age was 62 years. Mean BMI was 26.52 +/- 4.59. Mean systolic BP was 136.8 +/- 22.91 mm Hg and mean diastolic BP was 87.77 +/- 11.93 mm Hg. Mean random blood cholesterol was 178.91 +/- 29.12mg/dl. Mean random blood sugar was 135 +/- 4.93 mg /dl. Out of 166 prisoners, 20 [2%] had random blood sugar more than 180 mg /dl. Active smokers were 36 [21.7%]. Most prisoners were not exercising 119 [71.7%]. We found that risk factors for cardiovascular diseases like lack of exercise, smoking, obesity and hypertension are quite frequent in this group

Prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among journalists in Peshawar - the Peshawar heart study

To assess the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in journalists working in Peshawar. This was a descriptive study involving journalists working in Peshawar recruited in Peshawar Heart Study [PHS]. All participants were interviewed in detail including family history, past medical history, smoking history and medications history. Dietary habits were explored. All participants' pulse, blood pressure, BMI and waist hip ratio was determined. Their random blood sugar and total cholesterol was checked. Twelve lead ECG was recorded. Data was analyzed for cardiovascular disease risk factors. Total of 150 Journalists were interviewed at press club Peshawar. Mean age was 32 +/- 7.7 years. Current smokers were 36% [n=54]. Naswar was consumed by 6% [n=10]. Family history of cardiovascular disease was present in 30% [n=46]. Only 26% [n=40] took regular exercise. Mean Body Mass Index was 25.68 +/- 4.78. Mean W/H ratio was 0.91 +/- 0.03. Mean systolic blood pressure was 115. 31 +/- 14.63 mmHg while 20% [n=31] had systolic of > 140 mmHg. Mean diastolic blood pressure was 75.30 +/- 9.92 mmHg. Mean cholesterol was 158 .53 +/- 20.31 mg%. Mean random blood sugar was 98. 28 +/- 32.12 mg% with five journalists having more than 180mg%.Risks factors for cardiovascular disease like obesity, smoking, sedentary life style, hypercholesterolemia and hypertension were found prevalent among the journalists working in district Peshawar

How aware are the educators of cardiovascular risk factors?

The aim of this study was to know the frequency of CVD risk factors in teachers of Peshawar. Data for this study was derived from Peshawar Heart study [PHS]. PHS was conducted by Cardiology Department Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar to determine various cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, physical inactivity etc. in various occupational groups of Peshawar. Data of 174 school teachers recruited in Peshawar Heart Study [PHS] was analyzed for the frequency of CVD risk factors. Their mean age was 42.95 +/- 8.29 years. Mean BMI was 26.11 +/- 4.53 Kg/m[2] and 35.05% [n=61] were overweight and 47.07% [n=83] were found to be obese. Mean systolic blood pressure was 131.2 +/- 18.16 mmHg and 33.33% [n=58] had systolic blood of >/= 140 mmHg. Mean diastolic blood pressure was 89.25 +/- 12.13 mmHg and 59.77% [104] had their diastolic pressure >/= 90 mmHg and 5.75% [n=10] were known hypertensive. Mean cholesterol was 168 mg/dl while 20.68% [n=36] had cholesterol of >/=180mg /dl. Out of 174 school teachers 4% [n=7] were known diabetic and 6.32% [n=11] had RBS of >/=140 mg/dl. CAD was found in 3.44% [n=6]. Family history of CAD was positive in 18.96% [n=33]. Fifty eight percent subjects admitted to regular exercise. ECGs were also analyzed and it was found that 2.88% [n=5] were having LVH, 1.75% [n=3] were having right bundle branch block [RBBB] and 2.88% [n=5] have changes of previous myocardial infarction. It was demonstrated in this study that CVD risk factors especially lack of exercise, obesity and hypertension were common in school teachers

Role of routine use of thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing major surgery

Routine use of thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing major General Surgical, Pelvic and Hip Surgery is not an established norm in Pakistan, as Venous Thromboembolism is generally considered almost non-existent in this part of the world. As very little research data regarding prevalence/incidence of DVT and PE are available so far in this country, the need for more research cannot be over emphasized. This would help to evaluate the true risk of VTE and suggest the best mode of prophylaxis. Eighty-four surgical patients were randomly selected for this trial. All of them underwent bilateral Doppler sonographical examination of the lower extremities between 7th to 10th post-operative days and later followed up to 30th post-operative days for any clinical evidence of DVT or PE. They were also randomized into three equal sub-groups; A, B and C. Those in group-A [control group] received no prophylaxis, those in group-B was provided with only physical therapy and those in group-C were given both Physical as well as Pharmacological prophylaxis. The results of scanning and clinical outcomes were properly documented for accurate evaluation. Deep vein thrombosis was diagnosed in three out of eighty four [3.57%] patients. As all Doppler positive patients belonged to the control group [A] only, the relative percentage of DVT among those who did not receive any form of prophylaxis was thus 10.71%. None of the patients belonging to either Group-B or C showed any clinical or sonological evidence of DVT when followed up to one month post-operatively. One Doppler positive patient suffered an acute attack of PE [diagnosed clinically] and expired by the end of third post-operative month. Deep vein thrombosis is not a rarity in Pakistan, as is generally believed. Routine use of thromboprophylaxis is strongly recommended in all high risk surgical patients; in particular, those aged over forty years undergoing major surgical procedures