Breast cancer patients: an overview of the relationship between meaning of life and life satisfaction

Objective: The study was planned to investigate the role of meaning in life with life satisfaction among women with breast cancer. The study further analyzed the influence of socio-personal characteristics of these women with their life satisfaction. Study Design: Cross sectional survey. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted from Sep 2015 to May 2016 on patients selected from different hospitals of Islamabad and Rawalpindi

Material and Methods: A total of 60 patients of breast cancer were enrolled for the said research. The present study used two scales i.e., satisfaction with life scale and meaning of life questionnaires. Snow ball sampling technique was used to collect data of clinical groups from different hospitals of the Punjab

Results: To compare group differences-test analysis was computed. The results showed significant relationship between meaning of life and life satisfaction. The study also found that the low sense of identity as a whole, leads women to be dissatisfied with their lives

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the level of meaning of life among women with breast cancer is low. Several factors like marital status and education were found to be significantly associated with the meaning in life and life satisfaction of women with breast cancer

Outcomes of Trauma exposure among adolescents of Pakistan: role of Ptsd and social support

Objective: To examine the outcomes such as delinquency, pro-sociality and future orientation as a consequence of trauma exposure in traumatized adolescents with and without posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] along with examining the mediating role of PTSD

Study Design: Cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: International Islamic University, Islamabad, from Jun to Sep 2018

Material and Methods: A total of 600 adolescents [boys=391; girls=209] of age ranged from 12-18 years including traumatized [n=300] and non-traumatized adolescents [n=300] were randomly selected from different regions of Pakistan. The data was collected by using self report delinquency scale, prosocial personality battery, children's future orientation scale, multidimensional scale of perceived social support and UCLA PTSD RI [DSM 5]

Results: Analysis showed that traumatized adolescents were higher on PTSD and delinquency whereas were lower on social support, future orientation and prosociality than non-traumatized adolescents. Females scored higher on social support, prosociality and PTSD whereas males were found higher on future orientation and delinquency

Conclusion: The study revealed the mediating role of PTSD between the predictor traumatic exposure and outcomes future orientation, prosociality and delinquency in addition to the moderating role of social support. This study indicates the urge for the timely management of the outcomes as a consequence of exposure to traumatic events

Determinants of depression anxiety stress among left behind families in azad jammu and kashmir

Objective: To investigate the determinants of depression, anxiety and unmanageable stress among left behind wives of overseas migrants in Azad Jammu and Kashmir [AJ and K]

Study Design: Cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: International Islamic University Islamabad, 2015

Materials and Method: The sample comprised of 200 left behind wives, selected from two districts of AJ and K through purposive sampling technique. Depression anxiety stress scale along with a demographic sheet was used for the data collection. A t-test and one way analysis of variance [ANOVA] were computed

Results: Findings indicated significantly high depression [M=18.77, p<0.01] stress [M=21.5, p<0.001] among left behind wives belonging to joint family system as compared to left behind wives of nuclear families. Present study has found significant differences on depression [M=18.34, p<0.01] anxiety [M=15.12, p<0.01] and stress [M=21.78, p<0.01] among left behind wives having physical illness. Significantly high depression [M=16.64, p<0.05] and stress [M=19.94, p<0.01] were measured among non-working left behind wives as compared to working left behind wives. Findings of the present study showed significant difference on depression F [7,192] = 2.592, p<0.05 and stress F [7,192] = 2.117, p<0.05 among left behind wives because of the duration of their husbands' migration

Conclusion: Study found more prevalence of depression and stress as compared to anxiety among left behind wives

Detection of temporal bone cholesteatoma by multidetector computed tomography

Objective: To determine the CT patterns of temporal bone cholesteatoma in patients presenting with chronic discharge from ear

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Department of Radiology, Rehman Medical Institute Peshawar from January 2013 to June 2014. 78 patients with chronic discharging ear, who were referred from E.N.T outpatient department, were included in the study. All scans were performed on 128 slice Multidetector Computed tomography [MDCT] scanner.O.Smm reconstructed images in bone window and 3mm images in soft tissue window were viewed on 5.1 vitrea workstation in axial, coronal and sagittal planes. The CT studies were correlated with clinical examination findings, surgical and histopathology. Basic radiologic patterns of cholesteatoma described on CT scan were assessed. The data was processed using Microsoft excel 2007

Results: Cholesteatoma was present in 48 [61%] cases. The disease was bilateral in 7 cases [14 %], 39 [81 %] were unilateral. 25 [52%] were left sided and 14 [29%] right-sided. 24 [30 %] patients were characterized as having otomas-toiditis whereas 7[8%] patients were radiologically difficult to characterize if they were cholesteatoma or not

Conclusion: Cholesteatomas can cause bone erosions and should be detected early. The important role of MDCT lies in the early detection of cholesteatoma, and more conservative surgical procedures can be used to eradicate the disease

Uterine fibroids going into the heart: intra-vascular and intra-cardiac leiomyomatosis: a very unusual presentation

This case report is of a 50 years old female who presented with vague history of long term abdominal pain, shortness of breath and echocardiographic suspicion of right atrial mass. She was investigated using 128-slice Multidetector Computed tomography [MDCT] scanner in the Department of Radiology

Images of lower chest, entire abdomen and pelvis were taken in venous phase. On CT images of our patient, uterus was significantly enlarged and replaced by multiple contour deforming fibroids, which were involving the right ad-nexa, invading the right ovarian vessels, and extending into the right ovarian vein, inferior vena cava [IVC] and right atrium of heart

The findings were confirmed on surgery. Surgery also confirmed extension into right ventricle and pulmonary arteries i.e. pulmonary leiomyomatosis emboli. The histologi-cal findings were consistent with intravascular leiomyoma. MDCT images play instrumental role for preoperative morphologic assessment of IVL as it can easily identify the precise location, extent and provide a roadmap for the surgeons

Death anxiety scale; translation and validation in patients with cardiovascular disease

Patients with cardiovascular disease [CVD] have the symptoms of anxiety in common that may result in adverse outcomes. Due to the significant association of anxiety and CVD, scheduled screening of all cardiac patients has been recommended by the medical authorities like the American Heart Association. But in Pakistan it is not a common practice to use such tools, reason being unavailability of such screening tools in national language therefore specifically death anxiety is unrecognized and no measures are taken for it and patients remain undertreated with death anxiety that may eventually influence on the treatment and prognosis of the patients. Colleges and hospitals of the Rawalpindi and Islamabad. 6 months. The study was designed to translate and validate the Death Anxiety Scale in Urdu language to be used with Pakistani population. The sample consisted of 210 participants [70 Youngsters [normal group] 70 Elderly and 70 patients with cardiovascular diseases [clinical group] from colleges and hospitals of the Rawalpindi and Islamabad. To determine the psychometric properties, reliability and validity; cronbach alpha, split-half reliability, correlation, factor analysis were computed. Death Anxiety Scale-Urdu [DAS-U][] has adequate reliability and validity. Factor analysis showed multifaceted structure for the DAS-U, bearing in mind the apposite psychometric characteristics; it can be used in researches about death anxiety. The use of the scale is reasonable for the measurement of death anxiety in CVD patients and it can be employed in order to have successful treatment and improve the prognosis of the patients

HRCT lung findings in post chemotherapy patients - emerging challenge for radiologists

Objective: to characterize, diagnose and to differentiate various HRCT manifestations of lung abnormalities in post chemotherapy patients

Methodology: this was a retrospective study of 50 patients conducted at Ra-diology department of Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar. Duration of study was 6months i.e from April 2013 to September 2013. Patients were investigated using 128-slice Multidetector Computed tomography [MDCT] scanner in the Radiology department of Rehman Medical Institute Peshawar. 0.5mm reconstructed images in lung window and 3mm images in mediastinal window were viewed on workstation in axial, coronal and sagittal planes. The data was processed using Microsoft excel 2007

Results: a total of 50 patients were included. Age of the patients ranged from 6 to 70 years with a mean age of 35 years. In our study, we found five radiologic patterns on CT scan; [1]non-specific ground-glass attenuation 17[34%],[2] patchy distribution of ground-glass attenuation accompanied by interlobular septal thickening 7[14%], [3]multifocal areas of airspace consolidation 7[14%],[4]extensive bilateral ground-glass attenuation or airspace consolidations with traction bronchiectasis 4[8%], and [5] nodules of variable sizes randomly distributed in both lungs 15[30%]

Conclusion: the most common pattern was found to be patchy areas of ground-glass attenuation. Pulmonary diseases that are induced by chemotherapy represent particular challenges for radiologists due to non-specific and atypical imaging features

Uncommon sites of a common disease - hydatid cyst

Objective: To review uncommon sites of hydatid cysts and to assess radiological features of hydatid disease in head, neck, spine and heart

Methodology: A retrospective study of 50 cases of hydatid disease attended at Radiology department of Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar between May 2012 and November 2013 was conducted to determine the incidence and imaging presentations of atypical localization of the disease. After taking permission from ethical committee, indoor and outdoor patients with hydatid cysts were selected for the study. All data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 10.0.The data was assessed using Microsoft excel 2007

Results: A total number of 50 patients had Hydatid cysts. Two patients had multiorgan involvement i.e., one had liver and lung involvement while other had liver and brain involvement. The cysts were present in brain [n=3, 6%], spine [n=2, 3%], neck soft tissues [n=1, 1%], heart [n=2, 3%], ovary [n=3, 6%], kidney [n=1, 1%], spleen [n=3, 6%], peritoneal cavity [n=2, 4%] and pancreas [n=1, 1%]. Liver was involved in 20 [41%] cases while lung was involved in 14 [28%] cases

Conclusion: Hydatid disease can involve unusual sites like heart, brain, neck, spine and pancreas. It may occur anywhere, from the big toe to the crown of the head and should be kept in consideration when a cystic lesion is encountered anywhere in the body especially in endemic areas

Visualization of a giant coronary artery aneurysm by multi-detector computed tomography

The diagnostic criteria, Computed tomography [CT] appearances, and importance of multidetector CT in diagnosis of coronary artery aneurysms is reviewed in this case report. CT coronary angiography was performed using a 128-slice MDCT scanner in an adult male with chest pain and echocardiographic suspicion of a complex lesion in pericardial cavity. CT revealed giant aneurysm of first obtuse marginal [OM 1] branch of left circumflex coronary artery. It was partly thrombosed. There was mild pericardial effusion raising strong suspicion of aneurysmal leak. Results were confirmed on conventional coronary angiography performed later. MDCT can visualize coronary artery aneurysms very precisely and it provides an excellent view of the anatomy of the coronary artery as well as the surrounding tissues. This exact knowledge of the anatomy is crucial for planning a surgical or interventional approach. With the increasing use of multidetector CT [MDCT] to image the coronary arteries, aneurysms will be identified more frequently

MRI brain findings in patients with high serum prolactin levels

The purpose of the study was to find MRI findings in patients with Prolactin levels above1000mIU/L. Methodology: This Retrospective study was conducted in Radiology Department, Rehman Medical Institute,Peshawar, from December 2009 to October 2012. A total of 86 patients, aged 16-48 years with high Prolactinlevels, were screened with MRI for pituitary gland abnormalities. Only new undiagnosed patientswere considered for the study. Children and patients with known causes for hyperprolactinaemia wereexcluded.The most common abnormality on MRI was microadenoma [n=34, 39.5%] followed by macroadenoma[n=14, 16.3%]. 12[7%] cases of complete/partial empty sella syndrome were seen. Macroadenomawas more common in males [n=6 out of 14, 42.3%] while microadenoma was more common in females[n=32 out of 72, 44.4%]. Majority of Patients had an abnormal MRI finding, showing that MRI screening should berecommended for Prolactin levels above 1000mIU/L. Microadenoma was the most common abnormality,having higher incidence in female patients

study of relationship between perceived parental marital conflict and deviance in male adolescents

The present study aimed to explore the role of parental marital conflict in development of delinquent tendencies among adolescents. For this purpose perceived parental marital conflict and self reported delinquency was assessed by Urdu version of Marital Conflict Scale [Azam, 2006] and Self-Reported Delinquency Checklist [Rifai and Tariq, 1997] respectively. Our findings reveal a significant correlation between the two variables [r =.877]. Linear Regression analysis was also computed with parental conflict as predictor variable and delinquent tendencies among adolescents as an outcome variable. The analysis indicates that 29.8% variance in the dependent variable can be accounted for, by the predictor. The adolescents with high scores on Self-Reported Delinquency Checklist [SRD] obtained high score on Parental Marital Conflict Scale as compared to adolescents rated medium and low on delinquent tendencies. Results further indicate that self reported delinquency is highest among low socio economic class students as compared to middle and high SES groups. The study highlights the significance of parental relationship for optimal psychological development and mental health of adolescents

effect of parenting styles on self-esteem of individuals suffering from stammering

The study aimed at an investigation of the impact of parenting styles on self-esteem of individuals suffering from stammering. Using purposive sampling 50 male patients suffering from stammering were taken from Speech Department of National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine [NIRM], Islamabad. The age range of the participants was 20 to 25 years. All the patients were from middle socioeconomic background. Parental Authority Questionnaire [Babree, 1997] and Self Esteem Scale [Rifai, 1999] was used in the study. The results indicated a positive correlation between authoritative parenting style and self-esteem among stammering individuals. The results also indicated a negative correlation between authoritarian and permissive parenting styles and self-esteem among stammering individuals. The results support our hypotheses

Essential newborn care practice in hospital versus home deliveries

Newborn mortality is one of the most neglected health problems in the developing world. In Pakistan it also remains very high. Most of these deaths could be prevented through cost-effective interventions. A large proportion of births continue to occur at homes. The study was undertaken to describe newborn care practices in the hospital and at homes, as an initiative to focus this alarming problem. This comparative cross-sectional study was carried out during the months of June and July 2005 in District Mardan, Pakistan. Data was collected and compared in hospital-based and community based deliveries. Gynae labour suite in District Headquarter Hospital Mardan was chosen as hospital-based facility. Irum colony in Mardan city was taken as community-based population. Information from 30 delivery cases was gathered; half the cases were hospital-based and half at homes. Sampling method was convenient. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. The result of this study showed that among hospital deliveries 80% were conducted by nurses, 20% by skilled dais and none by doctor. Among these cleanliness was kept in 33%, cord care 100%, thermal protection 83.3%, breast feeding initiation within an hour was noted in 66.6%, spontaneous breathing was 100%. All of the home based deliveries were conducted by unskilled birth attendants. Among these; cleanliness 16.6%, cord care 80%, thermal protection 100%, breast feeding within an hour 14%, spontaneous breathing 100%. In both of these groups eye care was 0%, and immunization was 100%. This small scale study highlighted the deficiencies in the newborn care. Both hospital practices and traditional ones neglected the basic principles of newborn cleanliness, early breast feeding, eye care and cord care. A community based essential newborn care strategy is recommended