Comparison of the frequency of metabolic syndrome among diabetic and non-diabetic outpatients of a tertiary care public sector hospital in Karachi

To compare the frequency of Metabolic Syndrome among diabetic and non-diabetic out-patients of a tertiary care hospital with increased waist circumference. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Medical unit-II of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi from September 2008 to January 2009. A total of 100 patients i.e. 50 diabetics and 50 nondiabetics were selected by non-probability, purposive sampling technique. After taking the informed consent, patients of age 30-50 years with waist circumference >102 cm in males and >88 cm in females non-diabetic and diabetic for three years were inducted in the study from out-patient department, while patients having ischaemic heart diseases, nephrotic syndrome and gestational diabetes were excluded. Blood sample was taken for lipid profile and blood glucose after 12 hours of fasting. Waist circumference in straight standing position was measured. Relevant information including age, sex, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, lipid levels and diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome were recorded on proforma by a physician and analyzed through SPSS-15. Among diabetics, 62% were males and 38% were females while in non-diabetics, 58% were males and 42% were females. Hundred percent diabetic patients had dyslipidaemia compared to 88% non-diabetics. Among diabetics, 88% were hypertensive while 34% non-diabetics were hypertensive. Sixty percent of diabetics and 28% of non-diabetics had metabolic syndrome [p = 0.001]. There was a significantly high proportion of Metabolic Syndrome with increased waist circumference in diabetic patients

Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test [HPSA] for the diagnosis of gastric infection

To determine the accuracy of Helicobacter pylori Stool Antigen test [HpSA], compared with endoscopic histopathology for the diagnosis of gastric HeUcobecter pylori infection. Cross-sectional study. Medical Unit II, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi, from March 2003 to March 2004. A total of 50 patients underwent endoscopy for gastric antral mucosal tissue biopsy for histopathology of H.pyiori and advised for HpSA. Patient's information including age, gender, past history, presenting signs and symptoms, results of HpSA and histopathology were recorded. Sensitivity analysis was performed to calculate sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of HpSA. Among 50 patients, 48% males and 52% females [M: F 1: 1.08], a total of 27 [54%] were true positive while 20 [40%] were true negative. Two patients were false negative and only one was false positive. Sensitivity of HpSA was, therefore, 93.1%, specificity 95% and positive and negative predictive values were 96.42% and 90.9% respectively. Helicobacter pylori stool antigen was an accurate and reliable test for the diagnosis of gastric H. pylori infection