Association of serum free IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 with insulin sensitivity and insulin secretory defects in Bangladeshi type 2 diabetes mellitus

Serum free insulin like growth factors-1 [IGF-1] and insulin like growth factor binding protein-1 [IGFBP-1] may have an association with insulin resistance and B-cell secretory dysfunction. Present study is undertaken to explore the independent association of IGF-1 and IGFBP-1with two basic defects in type 2 diabetic patients in a Bangladeshi population. Sixty eight type 2 diabetes mellitus [DM] subjects are studied along with age-, sex- and BMI-matched 61 healthy controls without family history of diabetes or prediabetes. Insulin, free IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 are measured by the standard ELISA method. Insulin secretory capacity [HOMA B] and insulin sensitivity [HOMA S] are calculated using fasting glucose and fasting insulin by HOMA-CIGMA software. Fasting free IGF-1 and IGFBP-1 levels are not significantly different between the study groups. But the level of free IGF-1 is significantly higher [p = 0.03] in type 2 DM subjects compared to controls in the low BMI group [BMI

Health seeking behavior of stroke patients: experience from a tertiary care centre of Bangladesh

This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted to find out the health seeking behavior of stroke patients and their associates as well as to identify the barriers of service intervention. The study was done at Occupational Therapy Department of Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed [CRP], Dhaka, Bangladesh. A purposive sampling technique and pre-tested structured questionnaire were used for data collection. Face-to-face interviews were taken from 133 respondents obtaining informed consent. Majority [74.4%] of the patients took treatment from medical graduates and rest from village doctors [10.5%] and traditional healers [15.0%]. 51.1% patients knew about stroke from hospital whereas 14.3% from Kobiraj/Homeopath and 14.3% from their own experiences. Majority [85.7%] patients knew about the importance of initial treatment and 50.4% respondents had knowledge of better treatment facilities whereas 49.6% didn't. Participants view to seek treatment after stroke was significantly high [p < 0.001] despite barriers. The barriers were lack of money [52.6%], difficulties in transportation [31.6%] and lack of interest and family support [15.8%]. The result might be useful for policy makers to take further initiatives for better management of stroke patients and to improve the quality of their life