Anxiety assessment in orthopedic patients

Orthopedic specialty is a very versatile specialty, it deals with a wide variety of conditions like degenerative joint disorder, deformities of spine and limbs, including congenital and acquired both, bones and joint infections and of course traumatology which is a major part of orthopedic patient. We did a study to assess pre operative anxiety in orthopedic patients. All the patients above the age of 12 years, admitted to orthopedic unit II of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, were asked to fill a performa designed to assess different aspects of anxiety- associated problem. The subjects were also inquired about their knowledge of imminent surgery being, its out come and the time period required to get back to their daily activities. Fifty eight percent of patients were anxious about their upcoming surgery, They were anxious due to different reasons like surgery. anesthesia, pain, the risk of complications and of becoming dependent on others. Our study showed a significant proportion of orthopedic patients undergoing surgery as being anxious. In this regard, social and occupational therapist can play a major role in reducing the anxiety of our patients by doing detailed counseling and making the patients maximally aware of their surgery

Epidemiologic triad of dog bite [a study of 81 cases]

Dog bite accounts for a significant number of traumatic injuries, which often needs medical treatment .Although agent, host and environment characteristics of dog bite have been well documented internationally but it is not done in Pakistan. A study was planed to find Agent, host and environment characteristics of dog bite in local population.The study setting was Emergency Department of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Patients were enrolled in July 2004,on a Performa designed to get different features of epidemiologic triad. Performa contain features of agents [type of animal, nature of attack and vaccination status of animal]host features [Age .gender, body part involved in bite and vaccination] environmental features [Time of bite and site of accident].Performa was filled by Doctors after interviewing each patient individually. Total 81 cases were registered in this study. Male were dominating with 80% [66] cases .Children and adolescent were the main target 65% [53] of the dog bite victims were less than 15 year of age .Mostly lower limbs were involved in the accident and it accounted for 68 % [55] cases.The highest frequency of dog bite were reported from Orangi town 31 % [25], a thickly populated area belonging to very low socioeconomic group