Prevalence of HCV antibodies in haemodialysis population of Multan - Pakistan

To study the prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies in the serum of haemodialysis population of Multan. Design: Study of the HCV antibodies in the maintenance hemodialysis population. Setting: Hemodialysis units of Nishtar Hospital Multan and Shifa Medical Complex Multan. Thirty-two patients who were on maintenance haemodialysis at these centres were included in the study. In thirty-two patients who were on maintenance haemodialysis, second generation ELISA was performed to detect the HCV antibodies. Out of these 32 patients 12 [37.5%] were anti HCV positive. There was significant positive correlation between prevalence of anti HCV and duration of haemodialysis. About 2/3 were being dialysed for more than 20 months. There was higher prevalence among the group having blood transfusions. This group also showed positive correlation between the number of transfusions and sero-positivity. Conclusions:- There is substantial anti HCV positivity in haemodialysis population.- There is positive correlation between anti HCV and duration of dialysis suggesting that factors within the dialysis unit might contribute to the spread of virus. Boold transfused group is dangerously exposed to the virus because the non HCV containing non-screened blood was transfused

Frequency of acute viral hepatitis cases in Nishtar hospital Multan

Acute viral hepatitis [AVH] is a major public health problem in Pakistan. To know its frequency, clinical and biochemical presentation, we studied 1325 patients of AVH admitted in Medical Unit - II, Nishtar Hospital, Multan, from January 1987 to December 1991, with a rate of 11.03% of total admission in the Unit and 0.41% of total admissions in the hospital. Nine-hundred and seventeen [69.21%] were male and 408 [30.79%] were female patients [male:female ratio was 2.25:1]. The mean age was 41.02 +/- 14.20 years. A total of 946 [71.4%] patients were HBsAg positive and there were 296 [22.34%] deaths. The Age <30 years in female patients; <60 years in male patients, a short hospital stay [<3 days], short duration of illness [<7 days]; hepatomegaly <3 cm, hepatic encephalopathy; HBsAg positive status; serum bilirubin <10 mg/dl; Fasting blood sugar <80 mg/dl in and serum ALT > 400 IU/L in females and a prolonged prothrombin time [> 10 sec. as compared to control] were all significantly associated with poor prognosis i.e. high death rate [P< 0.001]. Acute viral hepatitis in Multan area appeared to be more aggressive in type, was associated with high death rate and high frequency of hepatitis B infection, as compared to the studies from Peshawar; Rawalpindi and Karachi and was consistant with a study from Upper Sindh

Effect of gram on blood sugar

The effect of wheat bread and whole gram on postprandial blood glucose levels was studied in 25 healthy individuals and 25 diabetic patients. The values of blood glucose levels obtained were compared with blood glucose levels after glucose load. Blood glucose levels decreased after gram meal more than wheat bread and glucose in both healthy and diabetic subjects

Clinico-epidemiological study of leukemia in Multan

In order to find out the clinico-epidemiological aspect of leukaemia, 105 patients of leukaemia admitted in three Departments of Medicine, as well as Department of Paediatric Medicine and Oncology of Nishtar Hospital, Multan between November, 1982 and June, 1986 were studied. Out of 105 cases of leukaemia, 63 patients [60%] had chronic leukaemia, 38 patients [36.19%] had acute, leukaemia and 4 cases [3.81%] belonged to miscellaneous group [multiple myeloma]. The commonest type leukaemia seen was chronic non-lymphocytic leukaemia or myeloid type [CML], which constituted 47.8% of total cases; 22.9% were acute lymphoblastic leukaemia [ALL]; 13.3% had acute non-lymphoblastic leukaemia [ANLL/AML] 12.4%; had chronic lymphocytic leukaemia [CLL] and 3.6% belonged to miscellaneous group. Among males, half of the cases of leukaemia, both acute and chronic, were seen in 11-40 years of age groups, while in females, half of the cases were in 21-40 years of age group. Out of acute leukaemias, ALL was common in first decade and ANLL/AML in the second decade. Out of chronic leukaemias, CLL was seen in all the age groups, while.-CML was not seen in the first decade. Majority of the patients [91.9%] belonged to low income group, 8% to middle class, while remaining had a higher social status. The exact cause of leukaemia in this area is not clear. The disease is common in poor population and in the males. Not a single case of leukaemia belonged to area of Dera Ghazi Khan where uranium deposits are reported Although leukaemia is reported in those persons who are exposed to non-ionizing radiations from electromagnetic fields and metal fumes, yet only one case of the present series had this type of profession. The role of drugs in the pathogensis of leukaemia in the present series is not clearly established. Majority of cases of leukaemia were from Multan and Sahiwal Districts, where no uranium deposits are reported. Out of 38 cases of acute leukaemia, Total Leucocytic Count [TLC], was less than 100,000/ul in 36 patients, while in only 2 cases of ALL, TLC was above 100,000/ul. In 70% cases of CML and 50% cases of CLL, TLC was 100, 000 and 400,000/ul. Platelets in all cases of chronic leukaemia were more than 100,000/ul except 2 cases, who were in blastic crisis and their platelet count was very low. Both of them had bleeding tendency. Raised serum uric acid leves were seen in 7 out of 50 cases of CML and one out of 13 cases of CLL. Serum uric acid level was normal in all cases of acute leukaemias except in 2 cases of ALL, who had raised serum uric acid level. The common clinical features in acute leukaemias included fever, bleeding tendencies, while masses in the neck and axillae, pains and aches, weakness, mouth ulcers and pallor was also seen. In CLL, enlarged liver, enlarged spleen, fever, lymphadenopathy, masses in the abdomen were seen in this order of occurrence while in CML, enlarged spleen, enlarged liver and spleen, enlarged lymph noes and anaemia were seen. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy were the methods of treatment. Since most of the drugs are costly and not supplied by the hospital, it was at times not possible to give full chemotherapy as majority. Complete follow up of the cases could not be possible due to non-cooperation of the patients and their relatives. Prognosis was bad, especially in: cases of AML as bone marrow transplantation facility does not exist in this country

Effect of honey on blood sugar

Effect of honey on blood sugar in 15 normal volunteers and 15 known diabetic patients observed by giving 75 g. glucose and 83 ml honey on two consective days. In normal volunteers, glucosee and honey showed the same peak at 30 minutes but honey gave somewhat lower blood glucose response after 60 minutes and 90 minutes. In diabetics, blood glucose levels were raised almost equally at all time with glucose and honey except at 120 minutes when the peak moved lower side. Honey when taken in small doses [15 g and 30 g; 1 or 2 dessert spoonful] caused a rise blood sugar both in normal as well as diabetic persons and this rise was dose related thus negating hakim's claim that honey in small doses does not effect blood sugar levels