Evaluation of current physical symptoms and psychological sufferings of patients during attending department of palliative medicine in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Empirical evidence indicates that anxiety and depression in cancer patients are often overlooked, leading to insufficient assistance for their psychosocial needs. Distinguishing between clinical anxiety and depression and the typical emotional distress post-cancer diagnosis can be challenging but holds significant implications for coping strategies and outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess current physical symptoms and psychological sufferings of patients� during attending in a Palliative care department of a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This cross?sectional study was conducted among 191 patients with cancer attending the department of palliative medicine, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh from November 2021 and March 2022. Data was collected by face?to?face interview using a structured questionnaire. Depression and anxiety were evaluated using a modified version of the primary care evaluation of mental disorders guide. Results: 47 participants (20.7% prevalence of depressive disorders and 13.9% prevalence of anxiety disorders) met the diagnostic criteria for at least one anxiety or depressive disorder, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. The 95% confidence interval for these results was between 20.2 and 29.0. Conclusions: In summary, depression and anxiety disorders are prevalent among patients in palliative care, significantly reducing the quality of life for those facing cancer-related mortality.

Assessing Success Of Vaginal Birth After Cesarean By FLAMM Model In A Retrospective Observational Design

Background: After year 2000 cesareanrates have increased from 15% to 30-50% worldwide. Practice of Trial of labor after cesarean has decreased from last two decades of 20thcentury. Predictors of vaginal birth after cesarean are not uniform and not suitable equally for all populations. FLAMM model was tested in this study for its predictability for a successful vaginal birth after previous one cesarean. Material And Methods:For an observational, retrospective study 72 patient files admitted in 2018 in Obstetric Department of C R Gardi Hospital were included which fulfille d criteria of having second pregnancy after cesarean for non recurrent indications like fataldistress, failure of induction of labor, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, twins and others. Indication of contracted pelvis, rupture uterus, previous classical cesarean section; and multiple pregnancy, medical complications and obstetric complications in this pregnancywere excluded. FLAMM scoreparameters; cervical dilatation, effacement, presence of previous vaginal birth before cesarean, indication of it and age of woman wereused. Observations of successful and failed trial were done by scoring system. Chi square test was used to compare data. Study variables were success of trial in various FLAMM parameters. Result:Higher scores in cervical dilatation (p<0.001), effacement (p<0.001) and prior vaginal delivery (p=0.03) were significantly associated with a successful outcome. Higher theaggregate FLAMM score, higher were chances of successful trial. A non-recurrent indication other than non-progress of labor for previous cesarean had no statistical association with success of trial. Aggregate score of 6 and more has 100 % predictability for a successful vaginal birth. Conclusion:Prediction by FLAMM model resulted in 62. 5%successful trial. FLAMM model maybe used for near to accurate prediction of successful trial of labor after cesarean.

Iron Status in Pre-Eclampsia: A Case-Comparison Study.

Preeclampsia is one of the most leading causes of maternal mortality in developing countries. Many studies have demonstrated the relation between alteration of iron status and preeclampsia. The aim of the study was to assess the status of iron in preeclampsia. This case control study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from July 2010 to June 2011. A total number of 100 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy attending the Obstetrics & Gynaecology Department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital were selected purposively as study subjects. Among them 50 diagnosed cases of preeclampsia were selected as cases and 50 normal healthy pregnant women as controls. Serum ferritin and serum iron concentration were measured in all study subjects. The mean serum ferritin concentration in cases and controls were 95.06±50.07 μg/l and 45.56±27.44 μg/l respectively. Mean serum iron concentration in cases was 121.78±41.93 μg/dl and that in controls was 61.04±24.18 μg/dl. The present study showed significant differences of mean serum ferritin and serum iron between cases and controls. The study revealed presence of significantly higher level of serum ferritin and serum iron in preeclamptic group.

A Study of Serum Zinc level in Cirrhosis of Liver.

Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver diseases. Zinc is a micronutrient that plays an important role in the function of liver. This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Dhaka Medical College, from July 2010 to June 2011 to observe the association of serum zinc level with liver cirrhosis. A total of 100 adults, both males and females with age range of 18-60 years, of which 50 were healthy subjects and 50 adult hospitalised cirrhotic patients were selected purposively for the study according to selection crieteria. Fasting serum zinc level was measured with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum zinc level was found to be low in 72% patients. Mean ±SD of serum zinc levels (μg/L) were 610.32 ± 169.60 and 827.66 ± 267.32 in cases and controls respectively. In cirrhotic patients serum zinc level was significantly lower than that of healthy controls (P<0.001). Though, it is difficult to draw any definite conclusion from this study, because of reduced level serum of zinc found in cirrhotics, Zn may be supplemented to them with a hope of better treatment response.

Our Experience of Conscious Sedation as an Anaesthetic Technique in patients undergoing Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator.

Ten patients with life threatening ventricular arrhythmias who underwent placement of automatic cardioverter defibrillator ( AICD) under conscious sedation are reported. Our clinical experience, patient,s satisfaction, recovery profile and complications of the technique of conscious sedation is presented and discussed.

Seropositivity and pattern of dengue infection in Dhaka city.

Bangladesh is experiencing resurgence of' dengue endemic since 2000. In an attempt to see the pattern of' dengue infection we analyzed retrospectively results of 225 blood samples from patients having fever and clinically suspected to have been suffering from dengue fever who were tested for dengue IgM and IgG in Health Care Development Project (HCDP), Dhaka, an enterprise of Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (DAB) one of the largest private health care facility provider in Bangladesh. Out of 225 samples tested, a total of 156(69.33%) cases were serologically positive for dengue and 69(30.67%) were negative. Of the positive cases, 70(44.87%) were positive for Dengue IgM and 86(55.13%) were positive for Dengue IgG. which showed statistical difference between male and female (p<0.05). Both IgM and IgG, were positive in 23(14, 74%) cases. The mean age +/-SD of affected is 36.86+/-17.60 years and the maximum number of positive cases 114(73.08%) diagnosed were in the months between July-December. It is evident from the present study that dengue is endemic in Dhaka city particularly during monsoon and rainy season. Secondary dengue is more common than primary dengue and both preventive and curative measures are needed to combat this menace.

Planned conception in a hyper immunized rhesus-d negative mother by elective plasmapheresis.

Here we report a case of planned pregnancy in a Hyper immunized Rh D negative Banker lady who was interested to have a healthy baby in her fourth Gestation as previous conceptions were ended by intra uterine death (IUDs) due to Rhesus Hemolytic diseases of new born (HDN) which is a condition where the lifespan of the infant's red cells is shortened by the action of specific antibodies derived from the mother by placental transfer. The disease begins in intrauterine life and is therefore correctly described as hemolytic disease of the fetus (HDF) and new born, but the simple term HDN has been used for a long time and can be taken to include hemolytic disease of the fetus (HDF). This hemolytic process takes place in utero and results in marked compensatory overproduction of young nucleated red cells in fetal erythropoietic sites. For this reason the disease also called erythroblastosis foetalis. Elective plasmapheresis done at the Transfusion Medicine Department of BSMMU, Dhaka on her, 800 ml. plasma were extracted in 4 different sessions during her antenatal period. One healthy male baby was delivered by LUCS at 32 weeks of pregnancy; the Baby has to receive 170 ml. O negative fresh Whole Blood as Exchange Transfusion to correct mild hyper bilirubinimia and anemia. Manual plasmapheresis may thus be practiced to all Hyper-immunized carrying mothers to prevent intra uterine death (IUD) in Rhesus D negative carrying mothers.

Viral hepatitis: recent experiences from serological studies in Bangladesh.

Infections due to hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis E (HEV) viruses are the major causes of hepatitis and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries like Bangladesh. The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of HBsAg, anti-HCV antibody, anti-HAV antibody and anti-HEV antibody in patients suspected of having infection by HBV, HCV, HAV and HEV, respectively. Antibody to HAV was detected in 39% of subjects investigated. HBsAg was identified in 19% of subjects. Antibody to HCV and HEV was detected in 13% and 53% subjects, respectively. Infection with HAV was very high among children < or = 6 years of age (100%). On the contrary, exposure to HEV was higher in adult persons > or => 30 years of age (52%) compared to that in children < or = 6 years of age who had 0% incidence. Our study clearly indicates a high prevalence of those viruses, particularly of enterically transmitted HAV and HEV in Bangladesh, which appeared to be a serious health problem in this developing country. Control measures should be taken on an urgent basis to prevent the spread of infections by these viruses.