Role of chelating agents in thalassaemia major patients

To evaluate current chelation in thalassaemia major patients. It is a retrospective study. This study was conducted at Sundus Foundation, Shadman, Lahore Pakistan from March 2006 to August 2006. One hundred and seventy patients with transfusion dependent thalassaemia major were evaluated for chelation practice and iron overload. 98.2% were found to be either non-chelators or inadequate chelators whereas 82.3% patients had serum ferritin levels above 2500 ng/ml. Growth failure and hepatosplenomegaly were also common. Survival appears to be limited as only 6 patients were older than 20 years. Patients face risks and complications during treatment of thalassaemia major. Urgent and effective measures should be taken to remove the obstacles for improvement in quality of life in these patients. Involvement of physicians about current concepts in treatment of thalassaemia major can produce promising results

Effect of smoking on erthrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] and lipid profile in adults

The study was designed to find out changes in ESR and serum lipid profile in adult smokers and non-smokers and risk of development of atherosclerosis. It is a comparative and non-interventional study. 1st October to 31st October, 2005 Study was carried out in Department of Pathology, Punjab Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore. A total of 100 males of adult age [18-65 years] were selected, out of which 50 were smokers and 50 were non-smokers. ESR was done by modified Westergren method and lipid profile was done by chemistry analyzer [Microlab 300 MERCK]. A significant increase in ESR, serum total cholesterol [TC], low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-c] and mean serum triglyceride [TG] levels were observed in smokers as compared with nonsmokers. While levels of serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-c] were significantly lower in smokers as compared with non-smokers. Smoking produces adverse effect on lipid profile and ESR thus enhancing the risk of atherosclerosis