Frequency and causes of anemia in Lymphoma patients

Objective: Purpose of this study was to find out frequency of anemia and its causes in newly diagnosed treatment naive lymphoma patients

Methods: We retrospectively studied all lymphoma patients [> 18 years age] diagnosed and treated at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, from January 2016 till January 2017. The data was collected from electronic Hospital Information System. Descriptive statistics were done by using summary measures for categorical variables as well as continuous variables

Results: Out of a total 408 patients, 272 were males and 136 females. Median age of patients was 33 years [18-76]. Hodgkin lymphoma [HL] and diffuse large B cell lymphoma [DLBCL] were the diagnosis in 201 and 134 patients respectively; rest of the patients had low grade lymphomas. Anemia was present in 184 [45%] patients. Anemia of chronic disease was the commonest cause of anemia and was present in 61 [33.1%] patients. Remaining patients had anemia secondary to marrow involvement 50[27.17%]; iron deficiency anemia, Vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia and hemolytic anemia were the causes in 7.6, 1.6%, % and 0.54% respectively

Conclusion: Anemia is a common feature in newly diagnosed lymphoma patients with anemia of chronic disease as the commonest cause. It is more frequent in patients with higher stages of lymphoma especially when bone marrow is involved by lymphoma. Since anemia is an important adverse prognostic factor for the outcome of lymphoma patients, work up for anemia prior to initiation of chemotherapy should be done in every lymphoma patient in order to help improve the management of these patients

Preventive and curative effects of calendula-officinal's leaves extract on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity

To asses the hepatoprotective potential of leaves of Calendula officinalis against experimentally produced liver damage in animals using acetaminophen as model hepatotoxin. This study was conducted at Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar. Preliminary experiments were performed in mice to estimate the protective effect of plant material against lethal dose of acetaminophen [1gm/kg]. Acute toxicity of plant material up to a dose of 3 gm was assessed in mice to note any behavioural changes and mortality. Hepatic damage in rats was induced by oral acetaminophen [640 mg/kg]. The effect of methanolic extract of leaves of Calendula officinalis was investigated against acetaminophen-induced hepatic damage in 30 male, albino rats. Acetaminophen produced 100% mortality at a dose of 1 gm/kg in mice, while pretreatment of mice with Calendula officinalis [l.0 gm/kg] reduced the death to 30%. Pretreatment of rats with leaves extract [500 mg/kg orally, four doses at 12 hours interval] prevented [p<0.05] the acetaminophen [640 mg/kg] induced rise in serum transaminase [GOT GPT], serum bilirubin and serum alkaline phosphatase. Post treatment with three successive doses of leaves extract [500 mg/kg, 6 hourly] restricted the hepatic damage induced by acetaminophen [P<0.05]. These results indicate that the crude extract of Calendula officinalis leaves exhibits hepatoprotective action

Some studies on heroin addicts

The present study in corporates information on the clinical and socio - economic profile of Forty heroin addicts. A special proforma was used for recording important clinical and laboratory findings, and collecting data on various issues related to the socio - economic aspect of the problem.The majority of the addicts were in the age group of 20 - 30 years. Most of them were uneducated and consumed upto one gram of herion per day. Values of Blood Pressure, heart rate and WBC were in normal range. The values of RBC, haemoglobin and plasma proteins were below normal in the majority of cases. The values of ESR, urea, blood sugar, cholesterol and bilirubin were in normal range, with the exception of three, six, two, one and six subjects respectively. Values for enzymes [SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase] were also in normal range with the exception of two, one and two patients respectively. Low haemoglobin level and RBC count indicate that all the addicts suffered from moderate to severe degree of anaemia. Hypoproteinemia was seen in the majority of the cases showing that the addicts suffered from severe malnutrition. More extensive studies are suggested to arrive at clear - cut conclusions about the effect of heroin addiction on blood urea, cholesterol and bilirubin, and enzymes like SGOT and Alkaline phosphatase