Randomized clinical trial of human interleukin-11 in dengue fever-associated thrombocytopenia

To assess the effectiveness of recombinant human [rh] IL-11 to increase platelets count in patients suffering from Dengue fever [DF]. Randomized double blind placebo control study. Farooq Hospital, Lahore, from July to October 2011. Forty hospitalized patients suffering from Dengue fever having platelets count A[2] 30000 per micro liter were randomly categorized into two groups, rhIL-11 [test] and distilled water [placebo] groups. The efficacy outcomes [as indicated by step up in platelets count at 48 hours] for the treatment group were compared with the outcomes for the placebo group. The data revealed that the increase in platelet response with recombinant human interleukin 11, 1.5 mg subcutaneously is significantly more brisk than the placebo group. The platelets response in patients with severe thrombocytopenia was greater in the treatment group [50%] at 48 hours as compared to the placebo group [20%] [p=0.047]. Response rate was slightly greater among males [6/10, 60%] than females [8/16, 50%]; moreover, three-fourth [75%] female responders were in the placebo group, compared to half [50%] male responders in the treatment group. Results of the study suggest that treatment of severe thrombocytopenia accompanying DF with recombinant human interleukin11 may be a useful therapeutic option

Demographics of bronchogenic carcinoma patients and frequency of cell types

Bronchogenic carcinoma can present in many ways. The diagnosis of its different types is important because of its effect on prognosis and management. Geographical and socio-economic factors such as climate, culture, ethnic origin, diet and life style have been noted to influence the occurrence of this disease. We conducted this study to document the frequency of various histological types of bronchogenic carcinoma and correlated it with their demographic characteristics. This descriptive study was carried out in the Department of Medicine, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Thirty consecutive histopathologically and /or cytologically confirmed cases of bronchogenic carcinoma were included in the study. These patients were admitted from January 2001 to May 2002. History was taken in detail with emphases on personal particulars, past and present occupation and living conditions. Specimens for histopathological study were collected by trans-thoracic needle aspiration or bronchoscopy. Four types of bronchogenic carcinoma were found; squamous cell carcinoma 60%, small cell carcinoma 20%, adenocarcinoma 13.33% and large cell carcinoma 6.66%. Among these, seventeen males and one female patient proved to have squamous cell carcinoma were in the age group between 46-89 years and the majority was from the urban areas. While cases with small cell carcinoma belonged to the age group between 56-74 years, being six in total and all were males; four from urban and two from rural areas. On the other hand patients with adenocarcinoma belonged to the age group 50-89 years, being four in total with three females and one male, with only one female from rural area. In addition we found two city dweller males with large cell carcinoma belonging to the age group of 50-79 years. Bronchogenic carcinoma in our setup is more frequent beyond the middle age. It is more common in males and urban dwellers. On histological examination, squamous cell carcinoma is the commonest variety followed by small cell carcinoma. Adenocarcinoma is more common in females

analysis of organophosphates poisoning cases treated at Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur in 2000-2003

To study the socio demographic pattern and mode of presentation of organophosphorous intoxication in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. The study was conducted in the department of Medicine, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur from April 2000 to March 2003. Descriptive study. One hundred and forty three cases of organophosphorous compound poisoning, admitted through the emergency department, were evaluated in the study. In all the cases a previously established clinical and therapeutic protocol was applied and the outcome was recorded. Seventy-eight [54.54%] patients were male, Sixty five [45.45%] were female with the mean age of 25.04 years. One hundred and eleven [77.62%] cases were attempted suicides and 32 cases [22.37%] were due to accidental events. Mean age was 22.1 years in the 111 suicidal cases [77.62%] and 78 [70.27%] of them were less than 24 years. Among the suicide attempts, 63 [56.75%] were female patients. The attempted suicide proportion was 61.53% in men and 96.92% in women. Sixty six per cent of cases were illiterate and 47.55% of the patients were in the lower middle socioeconomic status. The patients' mean arrival time to the hospital after poisoning was 2.1 +/- 6.01 hours. Exposure routes were gastrointestinal in 111 patients [77.62%], respiratory in 8 patients [5.59%], dermal in 10 patients [6.99%] and both dermal and respiratory in 14 [9.79%]. Death of 10[6.99%] patients was related to either the ingestion of higher doses or delay in approaching the hospital for emergency management. Causes of poisoning [suicide vs non-suicide] and time interval between poisoning to arrival at hospital were major determinants of lethality. These findings call for a shift in emphasis in educating the masses towards first-aid care for intoxication