Body packers

To present our experience in the management of 12 patients with intracorporeal drug smuggling. Twelve consecutive patients presented over a period of one year, because of delay in passing the drug packages. The packages were detected by enzyme immunoassay of drug metabolites in their urine, and confirmed by x-rays. Eleven patients passed the packages spontaneously; even with some delay [average hospital stay of 4 days]. One patient needed a laparotomy because of development of symptoms suggestive of acute cocaine intoxication [agitation tachycardia sweating and hyperthermia]. All the 12 patients were well on discharge from the hospital. Conservative management by mild laxatives is the main line of treatment. Instrumentation in the form of enemas or endoscopy should be avoided because of the risk of disruption to the wrappings and subsequent intoxication. Surgery is indicated to retrieve the packages if signs of obstruction or intoxication develop

Serum lipids profile in patients with idiopathic chronic constipation

In twenty patients suffering from idiopathic chronic constipation for a period up to one year, fissure in one and haemorroids complicating idiopathic constipation was included in this study and was treated surgically there was an increase in serum triglycerides [p <0.01] compared with normal control level. However, there was a reduction in total serum lipid [p < 0.01] compared with normal subjects, also a decrease in HDL level [p < 0.01] in both constipating patients and normal subjects. There was no significant change in serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein mean values [p > 0.05]

Effect of control of diabetes mellitus on refraction of the eye in recently diagnosed diabetic patients

This study included 100 eyes of 50 recently diagnosed diabetic patients to detect refractive changes occuring in them after control of diabetes. Two types of refractive changes were detected, hyperopic changes in 86% and myopic changes in 8% of the examined eyes. The mean time needed for stabilization of refraction was 2.8 months

effect of some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents on plasma glucose and insulin levels in non-insulin dependent diabetics

The effect of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Piroxicam, Diclofenac sodium and Naproxen on plasma glucose and insulin levels was determined in thirty non-insulin dependent diabetics [NIDDM] patients with joint pains. A significant decrease in plasma glucose both in the fasting state and 2 hours post-glucose load was accompanied by a significant increase in plasma insulin levels

Comparative study of some hormones in insulin-dependent and non insulin-dependent diabetics

A study of free fatty acids [FFA], insulin, glucagon and growth hormone in insulin-dependent diabetics [IDD] and non insulin-dependent diabetics [NIDD] of obese and non-obese were carried out on 30 diabetic patients of recent onset and 10 healthy controls. The study showed a significant increase in fasting and post prandial [PP] FFA in all diabetic patients but it was more manifested in PP of IDD and obese NIDD than non obese NIDD group. The study revealed also a significant increase in PP insulin level of IDD and NIDD especially of obese group which explained the honey-moon phase of many recent onset IDD and the insulin resistance in the NIDD obese and non-obese groups. Fasting and PP hyperglucagonemia were found in all diabetic patients in comparison to healthy controls. The PP plasma glucagon level showed a significant decrease in healthy controls and non-signinificant decrease in IDD and non-obese NIDD while there was significant increase in PP growth-hormone level as compared to fasting level in IDD group, and NIDD obese group. Also, it was found that growth hormone was higher in IDD than NIDD and in non-obese than obese group

Glycosylated haemoglobin as an indicator of diabetic control

Fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin were investigated in 20 control subjects and 60 diabetic patients, following an overnight fast. Patients were divided into three groups according to their metabolic control: Good control [fasting glycemia 120 mgh/dl] fair control [fasting glycemia 120-149 mg/dl], and poor control [fasting glycemia 150 mg/dl]. All patients except seven [most of them in group 1], showed glycosylated hemoglobin ratio greater than that found in the control subjects. In diabetic subjects, there was an insignificant correlation between fasting blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin ratio in the three groups. Also, there was no significant difference between values of glycosylated hemoglobin in patients with an without micro and macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus. The results were discussed and compared with other reports and investigations