RESUMEN
Background: Trinidad and Tobago ranks number 45 in the world for total deaths due to coronary heart disease. Predictive tests for coronary angiographic results set the basis for earlier monitoring of the disease before additional complications become obvious. Aims and Methods?This study aimed to evaluate the anthropometric and biochemical parameters of 124 patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) in Trinidad and how these parameters correlate to the findings at angiography. Results?The biochemical parameters showed statistically significant correlations with CAD severity by Spearman's rank-order correlation. Two clinical parameters showed significant associations with CAD severity—ethnicity (?2 (4)?=?12.925, p?=?0.012) and presence of type 2 diabetes at baseline (?2 (4)?=?21.483, p?<?0.001). Conclusion?Biochemical parameters such as fasting blood sugar, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, creatinine, and hemoglobin A1c were well correlated and well associated with the severity of CAD after diagnosis by the process of coronary angiography. Hence, these factors can be taken into consideration to predict the severity of CAD.
RESUMEN
Aim:This study seeks to examine the major causative factors for lower extremities amputation (LEA) amongst a Trinidadian diabetic patients as well as to analyse the resulting concerns of said patients.Study Setting and Design: This study mainly comprised patients who were subject to or will be subject to lower limb amputations of differing degrees and were selected via a random stratified methodology. Questionnaire used was designed as to attain data on patient medical history as well as intrinsic and opinionated results.Methods:This study comprised 35 patients who were subject to LEAs of differing degrees and these patients were selected via a random stratified methodology. After obtaining informed consent questionnaire were used to attain subjective and objective data as it pertains to the cause and effects of lower limb amputations. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS to test for distribution and correlations. Results: A number of factors were taken into account and measured as it pertained to the cause of having an amputation. Our study noted that the major factors like diet, alcohol consumption and infection became the reason for amputation.Conclusions:The data of this study showed that the patients are to ensure better self-care and preventative lifestyle changes are to be implemented as to prevent the need for amputations.
RESUMEN
To determine the prevalence of pulmonary dysfunction among persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using spirometry, and to determine the relationship between pulmonary dysfunction and duration of diabetes, glycaemic control (HbA1c), BMI, age, gender, ethnicity and associated systemic dysfunctions. Data was obtained from 93 persons with type 2 diabetes from various clinics in Trinidad via face to face spirometric testing and also by gathering data from their personal medical files. Variables measured include FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, and FEF 25-75. The durations of diabetes of the 93 patients ranged from 0.4 years to 35 years. The majority of patients indicated diabetes duration within the ranges of 0-5 years and 5-10 years, and 3 had duration of 25 years or more. There were no significant differences between the means of the spirometry ratios (FEV1/FVC, FEV1, FVC, and FEF 25-75) for the five year interval ranges of diabetes duration. Approximately 60% (56) of the patients had normal pulmonary function and 40% (37) of the patients had pulmonary dysfunction. The majority of patients were found to have restrictive pulmonary dysfunction, and only 2% presented with obstruction. Within the BMI classes, 5% of the patients were underweight, 36% were normal, 33% were overweight and 26% were obese. There was a significant difference between the means of underweight and overweight patients for FEV1/FVC ratios at alpha level (p<0.05). The mean difference between underweight and overweight FEV1/FVC ratios was 11.20 with a standard error of 3.4634. At alpha level (p<0.05) there was no significant correlation between the spirometry variables and the duration of Diabetes or the BMI of the sample. Under one-half of persons with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus display a restrictive spirometric profile and there are significant differences in FEV1/FVC ratios among underweight and overweight persons.
RESUMEN
The extract of K. pinnata was evaluated for its wound healing activity by using excision wound model in rats. On day 11, animals treated with the ethanolic leaf extract exhibited 86.33 % reduction in the wound area, compared to petroleum jelly treated control (69.36%) and the mupirocin treated standard (85.49%). The hydroxyproline content of extract treated animals was higher, as compared to control and the standard groups. Histological analysis was also consistent with the proposal that K. pinnata leaf extract exhibits significant wound healing potential. The increased rate of wound contraction and hydroxyproline content in the extract treated animals supports the claims made by traditional healers of the benefits obtained from the medicinal use of K. pinnata.