Effects of PUPA on lipid level in patients with diabetes: hospital based study

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that is associated with dyslipidemia; manifested by high levels of triglyceride, LDL and low HDL which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study investigates the effect of polyunsaturated fat [PUFA] on the glycemic state and the lipid profile of diabetic patients. A 3 months observational study of 63 type 2 diabetic patients, divided the patients in to PUFA group n. =31 given Omacor [omega-3] 1 capsule /day as a source of n-3 PUFA and control group n. = 32 continued on their routine anti-diabetic medication. Subjects took their routine diet and usual diabetic medication. Fasting blood glucose and lipid profile of the two groups were assessed pre and post enrolment in the study. 3 months of n-3 PUFA consumption lowered the levels of fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL in diabetic patients with an increase in HDL level. Although n-3 PUFA improved the lipid profile and the blood glucose level in type 2 diabetic patients yet were of no statistical significance when compared to the initial values of the patients or with the diabetic group who did not have n-3 PUFA. 3 months n-3 PUFA supplementation for type 2 diabetes decreases fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL with an increase in HDL level. Non-statistical significant findings suggest that a longer term clinical trials and /or large sample size are required to conclusively establish the effect of n-3 PUFA on cardiovascular risk, lipid profile and outcomes in type 2 diabetic patients

Computer use and vision-related problems amongst students in Ajman, UAE

Objective: The extensive use of computers as medium of teaching and learning in Universities necessitates introspection into the extent of computer-related health disorders amongst the student population. There are no documented studies done in this regard in Ajman. This study was undertaken to assess the pattern of computer usage and related visual problems, among University students in Ajman, UAE

Materials and Methods: A total of 500 Students studying in Gulf Medical University, Ajman and Ajman University of Science and Technology were approached for the study. A pretested and content-validated self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Demographic characteristics, pattern of usage of computers and associated visual symptoms were recorded in the questionnaire. 471 questionnaires were returned and analyzed. Chi-square test was used to determine the association between the variables. The crude Odds Ratio [OR] was determined using simple binary logistic regression and adjusted OR was calculated using multiple logistic regressions

Results: The most common vision-related problems reported among computer users were headache, burning sensation in the eyes and dry/tired/sore eyes, with 53.3%, 54.8% and 48% of students reporting the same respectively. Female students were found to be at a higher risk. A significantly higher proportion of respondents [60%] employing a viewing distance of less than 50 cm complained of headache. The incidence of headache [51.7%], dry eyes [34.5%] and burning sensation [44.8] was lower when screen filters were used

Conclusion: Sustained periods of close screen work without screen filters were found to be associated with occurrence of the symptoms and decreased productivity of the students. More attention needs to be given in an attempt to reduce the impact of computer-related vision problems and the interruptions in work