Does playing video games effect cognitive abilities in pakistani children?

Objective: To find out the effect of playing video games on cognitive abilities among teenagers

Methods: A comparative cross sectional study was conducted at two schools in Rawalpindi from August 2014 till February 2015. A sample size of 171 was calculated by using WHO sample size calculator using non-probability convenient sampling technique. A mixed questionnaire was used as a data collection tool and two groups were defined as video gamers and non-video gamers. Video gamers were those students who were using video games for two hours or more. Cognitive ability of the students were assess by standardized questionnaire named Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test Questionnaire. Data were entered and analyzed in SPSS version 20

Results: There were 93 [54.4%] gamers whereas 78[45.4%] were non-gamers. Mean age of the participants was 18.86 +/- 1.46 years. Gamers with correct answers to knowledge, analogy, processing speed, deductive reasoning, mathematical intelligence were 57[61.3%], 67[72%], 68 [73%], 58 [62.4%] and 73[78.5%] respectively. Significant association was found between gamer status and gender [p=0.023], analogy [p=0.049], processing speed [p<0.001], deductive reasoning [p=0.003] and mathematical intelligence [p<0.001]. There was no significant association of gamer status with knowledge [p=0.188]

Conclusion: Gamers exhibit better range of cognitive abilities specifically involving analogy, processing speed, deductive reasoning and mathematical intelligence. In this study, those who play video games on long term basis, showed improvement in cognitive abilities, in comparison to those who do not indulge in gaming activities

Prevalence of headache in Kashmir Valley, India

Background: Headache disorders represent a major public health problem globally. It is more so in developing countries with rising trend in young adults affecting negatively their quality of life. There has been very little information on the epidemiology of headache disorder in Kashmir India which has witnessed prolonged and large scale militancy related disturbance. A prospective population based study was undertaken in Srinagar district of Kashmir to determine the prevalence of headache disorder. Methods: The study was a cross sectional survey using cluster sampling with a culturally adapted version of pretested questionnaire translated into local language, in Hazratbal Community Block of Srinagar. In the first phase households were screened. Individuals with headache were then examined by a senior neurologist for migraine and non migraine disorder. Results: The overall prevalence of headache was 66.2 % with female preponderance. Occurrence of headache was as high as 79.90 % in adults of 19-45 years. The prevalence rate declined after the age of 45 years in both the genders. Women had higher prevalence rate than men in all age groups and for all headache categories. Age distribution showed prevalence rate of migraine of 45.69% in young adults of 19-45 years; females 55.44% and males 32.79 %. Non migraine headache was more common than migraine type, and was more prevalent in young age group in both the genders, highest in adolescents (74.20 %). Conclusion: The high prevalence rate of headache both migrainous and non migrainous in Kashmir may be related to the stress the community has been subjected to from militancy related conflict since 1990.

Serum vitamin D deficiency, a new epidemic

Vitamin D deficiency has profound adverse effects on health. Serum calcium, phosphorus and even alkaline phasphatase cannot predict underlying vitamin D deficiency. 1. To determine the frequency of vitamin D deficiency in outpatient private clinic 2. To determine the relation of vitamin D deficiency with the presenting symptom of bone or body aches. To see the relation of its deficiency to the serum calcium, alkaline phosphate and phosphate levels. Descriptive study. One of the local private clinic. 800 patients who presented to the clinic due to any ailment, having presenting complains with bone or body aches or not, were included in this study. The duration of study was 7 months from June to December 2008. The study showed among total 33% [n=264] were male and 67% [n=536] were female. 33 patients [4.1%] were below age of 20 years, 364 patients [45.2%] were having age between 20-40 years, 252 [31 .5%] were between 41 -60 years, 1 43 [1 7.8%] were between 61 -80 years and only 8 patients [1%] were above 80years. Over all vitamin D present in sufficient amount [>30 ng/ml] in only 4 patients [0.5%], reaming patients [n=796, 99.5%] were deficient in vitamin D were further divided into those who were having deficiency [serum level <20 ng/ml] [n=636, 79%] and insufficiency [serum level between 21-29 ng/ml] [n=160, 20%]. All the deficient patients were having normal serum calcium and phosphate levels and only 33 patients were having modestly raised serum alkaline phosphate. Among the sample only 318 [39.7%] were having bone or body aches as a presenting feature while remaining 482 [60.3%] were having no pains. More ever pain has got insignificant relation to any level of serum vitamin D level [p-value=0.201], however younger deficient patients were having lesser chance of bone or body aches as compared to age more then 60 year [p-value<0.001]. Vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent in our community, as compared to published data, targeting young population. Vitamin D supplementation should be planned to decrease its varied and multidimensional ill effects on health

Diabetes mellitus; prevalence of high blood cholesterol, obesity, smoking and physical activity in urban population of Faisalabad

To estimate the prevalence of diabetes high total cholesterol obesity smoking and physical activity in urban population of Faisalabad. The project was limited to population based screening for above mentioned variables using WHO criteria. Study was conducted by holding numerous screening camps in different urban areas over the course of two years. People age 20 years or above were included in the study. Total 5349 people, 58% males [3102] and 42% females [2247] were screened for diabetes and high blood cholesterol. Body mass index was calculated by measuring height in meter square and weight in kilograms. People were interviewed for smoking and physical activity and relevant data was entered in the designed proforma. Within the chosen age range, total prevalence of diabetes was 16% and among them 11% were previously diagnosed and 5% were unaware of their diabetes [newly diagnosed]. Cholesterol was high [>/= 200 mg/dl] in 48% males and 34% females. 9.2% of the males were found to be obese [BMI>30] in comparison to 14.3% of females whereas 36.26% of males and 36.84% of females were overweight [BMI >/= 25 to 29.9 kg/m[2]]. The prevalence of smoking was 38.8% in males and 1.2% in females respectively. In daily routines only 6.8% of the males were doing the physical exercise [30 minutes exercise five days a week or equivalent] whereas among females it was 1.9%. Diabetes and metabolic syndrome in adults is now a global health problem, and the population of developing countries like Pakistan are facing this menace especially in the urban areas where it is on the rise with each passing day

Haemorrhoidectomy

Haemorrhoids are among the commonest surgical problems of anorectal region. Chronic constipation, straining, at defecation or micturation is the main predisposing factors but exact aetiopathogenesis remain unclear. Most patients in the initial stages are treated with conservative or minimally invasive approaches. However haemorrhoidectomy has proven long-term efficacy in the treatment of third degree haemorrhoids. There is still controversy whether open or closed haemorrhoidectomy is treatment of choice. Haemorrhoidectomy whether open or closed is associated with postoperative complications. This study was carried out to compare postoperative complications of both procedures to improve the management of haemorrhoids. To compare postoperative complications in open and closed haemorrhodectomy. Quasi- experimental. Surgical unit-1, Allied Hospital Faisalabad. One year [20/06/o6 to 20/06/07]. 100 cases [50 cases in each]. Convenience sampling. Patients with 3[rd] degree haemorrhoids. * Complicated third degree haemorrhoids. * Patients with other causes of bleeding per rectum. * Patients having associated medical problems. * Patients not willing for surgery. Out of 100 patients 7 had severe postoperative pain, 5 from open and 2 from close group.50 patients had moderate pain, 30 from open and 20 from closed group.8 patients, 5 from open and 3 from closed group got urinary retention. 2 patients both from open group had anal stricture. Closed haemorrhoidectomy is more advantageous with respect to less postoperative pain

Frequency of peptic ulcer in patients having decompensated cirrhosis of liver

Hepatitis B and C are spreading like an endemic disease in developing countries like Pakistan, due to many reasons. The late diagnosis of HCV and HBV infection has resulted in increased number of patients with decompensated liver disease. One of the common complications of cirrhosis is upper GI bleed caused by peptic ulceration in UK. Local data shows peptic ulceration was the second commonest of the lesions causing upper GI bleed after esophageal varices. Present study was conducted to determine the frequency of peptic ulcer in patients having decompensated cirrhosis of liver presenting with upper GI bleed, also to emphasize the importance of primary prophylaxis with proton pump inhibitors for prevention of peptic ulcer in these patients. Descriptive study. MU-III Allied Hospital Faisalabad. Hundred consecutive patients having decompensated cirrhosis of liver were selected according to pre designed proforma and endoscopy was performed to determine the site of bleeding, from Jun to November 2007. This study showed peptic ulcer as the second most important cause of upper GI bleed [34%] after esophegeal varices [57%], also decompensate cirrhotics have increased incidence of peptic ulceration [34%] as compared to general population [8.3%]. Also significant relationship between source of upper GI bleed and serum albumin level in patients having decompensated cirrhosis of liver. [P value = .019] was found. There is definitely an increased frequency of bleeding peptic ulcer in patients having decompensated liver cirrhosis as compared to general population necessitating the need of primary prophylaxis of peptic ulcer with proton pump inhibitor in decompensated cirrhotics