Frequency of risk factors associated with road traffic accidents of motorbike in a big city of a developing country

To determine the frequency of risk factors associated with road traffic accidents of motorbike in Karachi, Pakistan. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the two tertiary care hospitals [Civil Hospital and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center] of Karachi, Pakistan. All male motorbike accident victims presented to the emergency department of the selected hospital, who gave consent, were included in the study. Patients under age 15 years and do not understand Urdu language were excluded. Information was collected through a pretested questionnaire. A total of 127 accident cases from respected hospitals were included in the study. Most [76%] of the accident cases were younger than 33 years. Approximately, 49% of the participants were riding the bikes without driving license. Nearly, 43% never used helmet during riding. Approximately, 21% were reported that they were chewing tobacco at the time of accident. Majority [71%] of the accidents occurred on the working days. Almost 61% of the accidents occurred in the evening time. In 43% of the cases, speed of the motorbikes was more than 50 km/hour. Nearly, 31% of the victims were riding along with their friends/family members. Majority [72%] of the accidents occurred on the main roads. Approximately 45% of the accident cases had fracture. Approximately, 34% of the injuries were severe and lower extremity was involved in 36% of cases. About, 38% of the victims reported that they were in depressed moods while riding bike. Mental depression, young age and lack of driving expertise were the major risk factors for motor bike accidents

Serum cortisol and testosterone levels in idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy.

Context: The preferential occurrence of idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy (ICSC) in males with a typical Type A personality and behavior and a relative absence in females is a possible indicator towards the role of serum cortisol and /or the male sex hormone testosterone. Aims: To study levels of cortisol and testosterone in ICSC. Settings and Design: Case-control study in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 23 cases of ICSC. Twelve patients with unilateral sudden painless loss of vision of less than one month duration served as controls. Serum cortisol and testosterone levels at 8.00 a.m. were estimated by radioimmunoassay in both groups. Statistical analysis used: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 13.0 software. Independent Sample t-test was applied to analyze statistical significance between the two groups. Results: Mean age of patients with ICSC was 37.1 ± 9.7 years and 96% of the patients were males. Mean serum cortisol levels were significantly higher (P=0.002) in patients with ICSC i.e., 495.02 ± 169.47 nano moles/liter (nmol/L) as compared to controls i.e., 362.25 ± 51.54 nmol/L. Mean serum testosterone levels were 3.85 ± 1.81 nano grams/ml (ngm/ml) and 4.23 ± 1.89 ngm/ml in cases and controls respectively and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.58). Conclusions: ICSC is associated with elevated 8.00 a.m. serum cortisol levels. However, mean serum testosterone levels in both patients of ICSC and controls were within normal range.

Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety and their associated factors among medical students in Karachi, Pakistan

To estimate the prevalence of anxiety, depression and their associated risk factors among students of a public medical college in Karachi, Pakistan, A cross sectional study was done on the students of a public sector, who had spent more than six months in the medical college and had no physical or mental illness other than anxiety and depression. A self administered questionnaire was given out to students who were randomly selected from the list of names obtained from the college administration. Primary outcome was anxiety and depression which was defined as a cut of score 19 or above on AKUADS. Multivariable models were built and logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors independently associated with the primary. The mean [SD] age of the students was 21.3 [1.88] years. Majority of the students were females. A very high prevalence of anxiety and depression [70%] was found among students. Students using substance abuse, having family history of depression and anxiety and those who had lost a relative in last 1 year were 2.66, 2.35, 3.4 times more likely to be depressed and suffered from anxiety, respectively. This study suggests that there are certain risk factors other than academic stressors which predispose a medical student to psychological morbidity such as anxiety and depression

Role of recombinant human erythropoietin in predialysis patients of chronic renal failure

Experience with erythropoietin in the treatment of anaemia in predialysis patients is limited. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy, safety and impact of recombinant Human Erythropoietin [r-HU EPO] in the treatment of anaemia in predialysis chronic renal failure patients. The study included 19 patients and the treatment was administration of 50 I.U /kg r-HU EPO subcutaneously twice a week. The dose was reduced to 25 I.U/kg when the Hb level reached between 10-11 gm /dl and stopped when it went above 11 gm/dl. No side effects occurred during the period of study. The study concluded that r-HU EPO therapy improves anaemia in predialysis patients and doses not accelerate the progress to end stage renal disease