Complementary and alternative medicine: Attitude of medical community in Pakistan

To determine the awareness and use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine [CAM] among General Practitioners [GP's] and Medical students in Islamabad/ Rawalpindi area. In this descriptive study, a self-administered proforma with eight questions was distributed to randomly selected GP's in Islamabad and Rawalpindi area and final year medical students of Shifa college of medicine, Islamabad in 2005-2006. Responses of the participants were analyzed by computer software SPSS version 10. Up to 71% GP's and medical students claim to have self knowledge about CAM. Less than 31% had any formal education [workshop or seminar] about CAM. Less than 45% claim to have used it personally or refer patients for CAM therapy. More than 80% take history from patients about CAM use and about 50% had noted significant side effects of CAM. More than 50% GP's and students think that homeopathy, herbal medicine and acupuncture are effective way of treatment and recommend strongly to include those at National level. Knowledge of GP's and final year medical students about CAM is predominantly based on self-learning without any formal education on this subject. Practice of CAM is quite similar in terms of personal use, patient referral, patient history taking and witnessing of side effects in both groups

C-reactive protein and acute coronary syndrome: Comparison of conservative and interventional management

Inflammation plays a key rote in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis, the most common cause of acute coronary syndrome. C-reactive protein [CRP] that enhances plaque inflammation is synthesized six hours after myocardial infarction. High sensitivity C-reactive protein was measured by Immunoturbiditory method in 50 healthy controls and 100 patients of acute coronary syndrome on conservative or interventional management. Serum C-reactive protein levels [mg/L +/- SEM] at the time of admission were significantly raised in patients of acute coronary syndrome [11.90 +/- 2.30] as compared to controls [2.30 +/- 0.18] and further increased progressively during 24 hours of follow up period. C-reactive protein levels also increased significantly in patients who underwent interventional management [115.90 +/- 7.73] as compared to those who were on conservative management [22.28 +/- 5.54]. Serum C-reactive protein levels were found to be significantly raised in patients with acute coronary syndrome as compared to controls. In addition, patients undergoing interventional management had higher C-reactive protein levels, post intervention, as compared to those on conservative management

Chidhood obesity and Pakistan

Obesity and overweight have become a problem of public health magnitude associated with substantial economic burden not only in the developed countries but also in the developing countries. The number of overweight children and adolescents has doubled in the last two decades in the United States and worldwide, including developing countries. No study on childhood obesity and overweight is available in Pakistan. Obesity in children impacts on their health in both short and long-term and obesity and its preventive strategies are poorly understood. Increasing number of these children and adolescents all over the world demand not only a substantial political will but also an investment for primary and secondary preventive measures and novel approaches in the treatment modalities