simplified MCQs interpretation guide for faculty

To devise a guide for faculty to interpret Psychometric Analysis of MCQs followed by its assessment. A cross-sectional study. Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad, from January to July 2009. A simplified interpretation guide comprising of a visual format and an interpretive summary was designed for faculty members to help them understand the item analysis of the MCQs in an uncomplicated way. A feedback from the faculty was obtained after administration to see the results. Eighty five percent of course coordinators [n=14] agreed that they could understand the MCQ analysis. Eight percent [n=3] faculty strongly, while 82% [n=13] agreed that analysis is helping them to refine the process of MCQ making. Forty five percent [n=7] faculty agreed that analysis of MCQ was helpful in identifying knowledge gaps in students. All the course coordinators agreed that they found the revised format easy to understand. The faculty found the interpretation guide for MCQs user-friendly and helpful

Coronary heart disease risk factors in male-type androgenetic alopecia

Hyperandrogenaemia and androgenetic alopecia has some association with increased risk of coronary heart disease. Conflicting data has since been reported with regards to levels of biochemical markers of coronary heart disease risk factors in androgenetic alopecia. A case control study was planned to evaluate biochemical markers of coronary heart disease in hyperandrogenaemia of males and androgenetic alopecia. Patients of androgenetic alopecia [n=22] were men with fronto-occipital baldness, aged 20-30 years. Healthy controls [n=20] were age-matched males without alopecia. The individuals with clinical evidence of any systemic or localised scalp disease were excluded. Levels of fibrinogen, glucose, Insulin, uric acid, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were measured. The levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, insulin, glucose, and uric acid in patients of androgenetic alopecia when compared with normal controls were raised significantly. Fibrinogen levels were raised while HDL-Cholesterol was lower in patients than controls but the difference was not significant statistically. The results support the hypothesis that androgenetic alopecia in males is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease

Hormonal changes in male-type androgenetic alopecia

Androgens play an important role in the pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia. Conflicating data has since been reported with regards to gonadotropin and androgen levels in androgenetic alopecia. A case control study was planned to evaluate androgens and gonadotropins in hyperandrogenaemia of males for their role in androgenetic alopecia. Patients of androgenetic alopecia [n=22] were men with fronto-occipital baldness, aged 20-30 years. Healthy controls [n=20] were age matched males without alopecia. The individuals with clinical evidence of any systemic or localised scalp disease were excluded. Levels of FSH, LH, Prolactin and Testosterone were higher in patients of androgenetic alopecia when compared with normal controls but the difference was not significant statistically. Serum SHBG was lower while DHEA-S and androstenedione levels were significantly higher in patients of androgenetic alopecia [p < 0.05]. Testosterone/SHBG ratio as an index of free testosterone was significantly higher [p < 0.01] in patients of androgenetic alopecia as compared to healthy controls. The results support the hypothesis that androgenetic alopecia in males is associated with hyperandrogenaemia

Spectrum of iodine deficiency in school children of Rawalpindi

Pakistan is recognized as one of the severely affected regions of the world regarding iodine deficiency disorders [IDD] and the Northern areas of Pakistan are highly endemic. According to a press release issued by UNICEF in 1994, IDD prevalence of 72% in a city like Islamabad was quoted. Hence a study was carried out to find the prevalence and severity of iodine deficiency disorders in school children of Rawalpindi based on the estimation of urinary iodine, serum thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] levels and presence of goitre. School children aged 8-12 years were randomly selected from four different schools. The goitre was assessed by visual and palpation method. The blood was analyzed for TSH and spot urine for urinary iodine excretion. The values of TSH ranged between 0.5-7.39 mIU/l [within batch and between batch cv of 5.7 and 7.3% respectively]. Only 4% children had TSH above the reference range [0.4-4 mUI/l]. Low urinary iodine was found in 109 children which ranged between < 2-10 ug/dl. No significant difference was noted regarding the use of iodized salt in the children as the urinary iodine excretion was almost the same in the two groups. Goitre assessment showed a total goitre rate of 9.5% in the children [n=210]. Reference range [8.6-18.2 ug/dl] for urinary iodine was established for urinary iodine in children with normal TSH [n=210]. It is concluded that the severity of IDD is not more than 10% and definitely not high as already published