Frequency of pressure ulcers in patients with spinal cord injury

Objectives: To determine the frequency of pressure ulcers in patients with spinal cord injury. To compare frequency of pressure ulcers in complete and incomplete spinal cord injury using ASIA impairment scale

Study Design: Cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: Departments of Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine Rawalpindi, from Jun 2013 to Jan 2014

Material and Methods: After permission from the hospital ethical committee and informed consent, spinal cord injury [SCI] patients were included from the outdoor and the indoor departments of Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine Rawalpindi from June 2013 to January 2014. Patients were divided in two groups of complete SCI and incomplete SCI on the basis of American Spinal Injury Association [ASIA] impairment scale. SPSS version 17 was used for data analysis

Results: Total 62 SCI patients were included. Mean age of patients was 36 +/- 0.93 SD. Males were more in number 79% [49]. On ASIA scoring 51.6% [32] were in ASIA 'A' followed by 19.4% [12], 17.7% [11] and 11.3% [7] patients in ASIA 'B', 'C and 'D' respectively. SCI was complete in 51.6% [32] and incomplete in 48.4% [30]. PU were present in 32.3% [20] patients. PU were in stage 4 in 30% [6] patients. PU were more frequent in ASIA [A] injuries followed by [B], [C] and "D" involving 43.8%, 25%,18.2% and 14.3% of patients respectively. Pressure ulcers [PU] were common in complete injuries involving 43.8% [14] than in incomplete injuries 20% [6] [p=0.041]

Conclusions: Pressure ulsers were more common complication detected after spinal cord injury with more frequency in complete spinal cord injury

Role of pulsed electromagnetic therapy in the management of backache: a study conducted at armed forces institute of rehabilitation medicine, Rawalpindi

To determine the role of pulsed electromagnetic therapy in providing pain relief for backache. This was a quasi experimental study. This study was conducted at Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from Jan 2012 to June 2012. This study included 65 consecutive patients with backache. The pain was assessed on 11 points [0-10] Numeric Rating Scale [NRS] and patients with score >1 were included in the study. Detailed history was obtained and examination was performed. All patients were subjected to pulsed electromagnetic therapy. The pain was assessed at first week, 2nd week, third week and six week after start of the pulsed electromagnetic therapy. Data was compiled and analysed using SPSS version 17. A p-value < 0.05 was considered as significant. There was marked reduction in pain of patients with backache after treatment with pulsed electromagnetic therapy. Reduction in pain as calculated by the NRS [numeric rating scale] value after 1[st] week was 25.35% [p=0.002], after 2[nd] week was 43.66% [p=0.001], after 3[rd] week was 50.7% [p=0.001] and after 6 weeks was 71.83%[p=0.001]. Pulsed electromagnetic therapy is very effective in relieving pain in patients with backache

audit of post operative complications of elective abdominal hysterectomies

To record common post operative complications their risk factors. Obstetrics and Gynaecology unit of DHQ hospital Timergara lower Dir, from 1/01/2006 till 30/12/2006. The complications were recorded on a pre constructed Performa showing demographic data of patient, history, general health, indication for operation and surgeon rank. The Patients were divided in to three groups: A, B and C. Group - A: Complications occurring after operation with in the first 72 hours. Group - B: Complications occurring after and 12 hours but with in hospital stay Group - C: And complications recorded at follow up visit after 6 weeks. Our study showed the over all complications rate of 48.7% which is a significant rate, mortality were 4 out of 478 cases [8.36/1000]. The rate of complications was high in those women who had other associated medical problems, which can be reduced or avoided by Proper Pre-operative assessment, management and Technical factors under surgeon's control