Effect of race, gender and age on thyroid and thyroid stimulating hormone levels in north west frontier province, Pakistan

Thyroid is one of the ductless endocrine gland, which is located immediately below the larynx on either side of and anterior to the trachea. The principal hormones of thyroid gland are thyroxine [T[4]] and triiodothyronine [T[3]]. The current study was carried out to investigate the impact of race, gender and area on the levels of Thyroxine [T[4]], Triiodothyronine [T[3]] and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone [TSH] in normal healthy individuals. Serum levels of T[4], T[3] and TSH in 498 normal healthy individuals belonging to different districts of North West Frontier Province, Pakistan, were examined. Serum T[4] and T[3] were analysed by Radio Immuno Assay [RIA] method whereas TSH was estimated by Immunoradiometric assay [IRMA] method. Levels of T[4], T[3] and TSH ranged from 53 to 167 eta mol/L, 0.6 to 3.1 eta mol/L and 0.3-4.8 micro IU/L respectively. The levels of these hormones show significant change from the reference values that are used in clinical laboratories as well as in Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine [IRNUM], Peshawar, Pakistan. It is concluded that the age, gender, race and area, all have an appreciable effect on the levels T[4], T[3] and TSH

Inherited dyslipidaemic disorders contributing to coronary heart disease

Lipoprotein [a] [Lp [a]] is an established independent risk factor for premature myocardial infarction [MI]/coronary artery disease [CAD]. The study was conducted to determine the value of Lp [a] in prediction of CAD or MI in the offspring at risk. A total of 160 subjects were investigated. Serum Lp [a] was measured by ELISA, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides [TG] and HDL-Cholesterol by enzymatic colorimetric methods using standard kits. Differences in levels of total Lp [a] and cholesterol were observed between patients and controls. Both Lp [a] [16.23 +/- 1.95 mg/dL] and cholesterol [175.00 +/- 7.60 mg/dL] of group A [patients] were higher than the corresponding controls. However an opposite trend in results was noted for serum HDL-Cholesterol in patients vs. controls. Persons found to have elevated levels of Lp [a] should focus on controlling the known modifiable risk factor for heart disease, especially smoking, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, hypertension and sedentary life style

Diagnostic yeild of pleural biopsy in exudative pleural effusion

To determine the diagnostic yield of pleural biopsy in exudative pleural effusion. This prospective observational study comprising 50 patients of exudative pleural effusion, was conducted in department of Medicine, Hayatabad Medical complex [HMC], Peshawar. All were included from the hospital OPD. Patients, who were having transudative pleural effusion and those, who were very emaciated, were excluded from the study. History, clinical examination and baseline investigations like FBC, X-Ray chest PA view, Mantoux test, Renal functions and pleural fluid analysis were performed. Pleural biopsy was performed through Abram's pleural biopsy needle. Out of 50 patients, 33 were males and 17 were females. Regarding the presenting symptoms, 86% presented with nonproductive cough, 66% presented with chest pain, 36% with breathlessness and 44% with fever. In 45/50 [90%] patients an adequate pleural tissue was obtained. Out of 45 patients, 40 [89%] patients were having positive yield and 5 [11%] cases had nonspecific inflammation. Out of 40 patients, 27 [67.5%] were having granulomatous inflammatory changes presumptive of tuberculosis, 10 [25%] patients had malignancy and 3 [7.5%] had miscellaneous conditions like Para pneumonic effusion etc. The most common complication was biopsy site pain in all cases. Only 3 [6%] patients developed pneumothorax during the study period. Pleural biopsy has a high diagnostic yield. It is safe, simple and clearly differentiates between malignant and tuberculous effusions