Comparison of the impaired fasting blood glucose in young healthy individuals with diabetic and non-diabetic first degree relatives

To compare the fasting blood glucose [FBG] level in the healthy young individuals with diabetic first degree relatives considered as high risk and non-diabetic first degree relative considered as low risk. Cross-sectional, comparative study. Department of Medicine, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Hospital, Hyderabad/Jamshoro, from January to November 2008. Individuals aged between 20-40 years were selected and divided into two groups. Group A was considered as high risk included non-diabetic young offspring's of type-2 diabetic parents. Group B was considered as low risk non-diabetic offsprings of non-diabetic family [control group], of same age and gender. Fasting blood glucose levels were measured in each individual. Exclusion criteria were known diabetes and pregnancy. Mean glucose levels were compared using t-test. Proportions of impaired glucose level versus positive family history were compared using chi-square test. Significance was considered at p < 0.05. There were a total of 500 subjects including 250 in each group with equal gender distribution in each group. The mean age was 27.46 +/- 5.71 years. Mean FBG was 87.4 +/- 13.82 mg/dl in group A and 77.7 +/- 15.18 mg/dl in group B [p=0.001]. Twenty five [10%] in group A and five [2%] in group B individuals showed impaired fasting blood glucose [p=0.001]. Impairment of fasting blood glucose was with family history of type-2 Diabetes mellitus in comparison to those without type-2 Diabetes mellitus

Serum zinc and magnesium in Type-2 Diabetic Patients

To assess serum zinc and magnesium level in type-2 diabetic patients and the effect of age, gender, glycemic control and duration of diabetes on these trace elements in comparison with those of control subjects. Non-interventional case control study. Department of Medicine, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Hyderabad, from October 2007 to March 2008. There were 42 diabetic patients and 42 age matched non-diabetic [control] subjects included in this study. Serum zinc, serum magnesium and fasting blood sugar measured among the diabetic and control groups and association of both trace elements were assessed with glycemic status, age, gender and duration of diabetes using SPSS version 16.0 for analysis. Serum zinc level was significantly lower [mean 2.03+0.39 mg/dL] in diabetic patients as compared to control subjects [4.84 +/- 4.217 mg/dL, p = < 0.001]. No significant difference was found in serum magnesium level with mean of 22.67 +/- 24.5 mg/dL in diabetic patients as compared to controls [18.3 +/- 3.4 mg/dL, p = 0.26]. Serum zinc level was significantly lower in type-2 diabetics, whereas no significant difference was found in serum magnesium level when compared with control subjects. There was no association of age, gender, glycemic status and duration of diabetes on the serum concentration of these trace elements in type-2 diabetic patients

Pattern of spinal tuberculosis at Liaquat University hospital, Hyderabad/Jamshoro

To find out the pattern of spinal tuberculosis [TB] presenting as paraplegia/ paraparesis in our set up. A descriptive study. Department of Medicine, Liaquat University Hospital Jamshoro/Hyderabad - Sindh from July 2003 to August 2004. In this study, 44 patients having TB spine presenting as paraplegia/paraparesis were evaluated by haematology, sputum examination, urine analysis, biochemistry and imaging. These patients also underwent a detailed history and clinical examination. Patients having non-tubercular cases of paraplegia and children were excluded from the study. Age range of the patients was 18-62 years. Among study participants, there was male dominance [61.36%] as compared to females [38.64%]. Pott's disease was present in 26 [59.09%] cases, paravertebral abscess with vertebral body destruction in 2[4.54%] cases, without body destruction in 4[9.09%] cases and spinal stenosis in 2[4.54%] cases. Arachnoiditis was seen in 10[22.73%] cases while spinal ischaemia in 2[4.54%] cases. In region-wise distribution, thoracic was involved in 20[45.45%]cases, lumbar 12[27.27%] cases, diffuse 10 cases [22.73%] and cervical 2[4.54%] cases. Thirty [68.18%] cases improved neurologically after medical and surgical treatment while 14[31.82%] cases did not improve because of delay in the diagnosis and treatment. In our set up, TB spine is more common in males than females and mostly presents with history of fever and backache resulting into paraplegia and paraparesis. Thoracic region is more common area of involvement. Most common pattern of TB spine is Pott's disease. Recovery among these patients is remarkable if diagnosed earlier