Hypothyroidism in beta thalassemia major patients at Rahim Yar Khan

Background: hypothyroidism is one of the common complications among beta thalasemia

Objective: to determine the frequency of hypothyroidism in patients of beta thalassemia major in Thalassemia center, Rahim Yar Khan

Methodology: study design: Single center cross-sectional study. Place and duration of study: This study was carried out in "Thalassemia Center", Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan over a period of one year from 1[st] January to 31[st] December 2015. This study was carried out on 144 patients of thalassemia major aged 5-16 years. The data was collected regarding demographic variables, serum ferritin, T4 and TSH and duration of transfusion. The data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 19

Results: hypothyroidism was found in 45 [31.2%] patients. Of these, 42 [93.3%] had sub clinical hypothyroidism [normal T4 level with elevated TSH] whereas only 3 [6.7%] patients has overt hypothyroidism [decreased T4 level with elevated TSH]. Frequency of hypothyroidism has significant association with patient's age and duration of transfusion

Conclusion: sub clinical hypothyroidism occurs in a significant proportion of thalassemia major patients. Frequency of hypothyroidism has significant association with age and duration of transfusion. Regular follow-up of thalassemic patients to detect and timely treat such complication could improve the quality of life of these patients

Beneficial effects of sitagliptin and metformin in non-diabetic hypertensive and dyslipidemic patients

Obesity, dyslipidemia and hypertension are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and its associated complications. To evaluate the beneficial effects of sitagliptin and metformin in non-diabetic dyslipidemic and hypertensive patients. A prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted on 70 newly diagnosed dyslipidemic patients with BMI >/= 25 and blood pressure >/= 130/80 at outpatient clinic of medical unit-1 of sheikh medical college /hospital Rahim Yar Khan. They were divided in to three groups each containing 35 patients; First group served as a healthy control while second and third study groups were given tablet sitagliptin 50mg and tab metformin 850mg respectively twice a day for twelve weeks. After three months treatment with sitagliptin and metformin there was significant reduction in body weight [Sitagliptin 6.5% vs Metformin 7.65%] and BMI [Sitagliptin 2.2% vs Metformin 2.8%] with p

Audit of beta-thalassemia cases at sheikh Zayed medical college/ hospital, Rahim Yar Khan

Background: Beta-thalassemia is one of the common genetic disorders in our community. Therefore, it is deem necessary to study and probe it to encompass all aspects of this disorder

Objectives: The objective of the study was to find out the distribution of beta-thalassemia in different age groups, prevalence of transfusion related viral infections and serum ferritin levels

Methodology: All cases of thalassemia major and thalassemia intermedia registered with the Centre for Thalassemia Care, Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, were included in the study. The cases were divided into three different age groups, i.e. 0-5 years, 5.1-10 years, 10.1 years and above. The cases were diagnosed as of beta-thalassemia by history and examination, peripheral blood picture, hemoglobin electrophoresis and confirmed by genetic analysis. All cases were screened for HCV, HBV, and HIV. Some of the cases were tested for serum ferritin levels

Results: Two hundred and eighty three [63% males and 37% females] registered cases of beta-thalassemia were included in the study. Two hundred fifty seven [91%] patients were suffering from thalassemia major and 26 [9%] were having thalassemia intermedia. Out of 283 cases, 196 [69%] were belonging to rural areas and 87 [31%] were residing in urban areas. Fifty-five [19.4%] beta-thalassemic patients were found to be positive with anti-HCV antibody and 3[1%] cases were positive for HBV surface antigen. There was a significant difference [p<0.05] between the means of serum ferritin levels in thalassemia major [2775] and thalassemia intermedia cases [1519]

Conclusion: Majority of thalassemic patients were suffering from beta-thalassemia major. Males were predominantly suffering from beta-thalassemia major while in thalassemia intermedia sex distribution was almost equal. The overall prevalence of beta thalassemia in rural areas was comparatively high. Nineteen per cent of beta-thalassemia patients were positive for anti-HCV antibody. There was significant difference in means of ferritin levels among the patients of thalassemia major and of thalassemia intermedia