Familial predisposition of dysmenorrhea among the medical students

To evaluate familial predisposition of dysmenorrhea among the medical students of Isra University Hyderabad. An observational study was carried out at Isra University Hyderabad, from June to November 2007 in which a total number of 197 students participated.A pre designed questionnaire was administered to the female medical students in which their age, menarcheal age about menstrual cycle, presence or absence of dysmenorrhea, severity of symptoms and positive family history of dysmenorrhea in mothers and in sisters were asked. Exclusion criteria of the study were amenorrhea, irregular menstrual cycle and whose mothers and sisters had secondary dysmenorrhea as this study basically was concerned with primary dysmenorrhea and to observe familial risk. In this study dysmenorrheal was observed in 76%, the mean age of students was 20.9 SD +/- 1.7, mean age at menarche with dysmenorrhea was 13.2 SD +/- 1.1 and without dysmenorrhea was 12.7 SD +/- 0.9. Positive family history of dysmenorrhea was seen in 33% of mothers and 43% in sisters and there was a group of students who had positive history in both mothers as well as in sisters. We found significant correlation of positive family history with dysmenorrhea in the present study. This suggests that genetic factor is involved in the pathogenesis of primary dysmenorrhea and increases the familial tendency. Therefore positive family history could be the strong predictor for occurrence of dysmenorrhea in offspring and in siblings

Risk factors associated with childhood asthma

To identify the risk factors associated with childhood asthma, in children attending Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad. Case-control study. Isra University Hospital between September 2005 to August 2006. The study included 398 age-matched children [200 asthmatic and 198 non-asthmatic]. Information was collected concerning their familial history of atopy, birth weight, environment, breastfeeding, disease and treatment history. Odds ratio was calculated for determining the risk. The children were aged between 12 months and 8 years and 60% were male. The asthmatic children were hospitalized more frequently than the non-asthmatic children [p < 0.0001]. Most of the asthmatic children lived in the urban areas of Hyderabad [odd ratio [OR] = 16.7, 95% CI = 3.1-14.6, p < 0.0001], had a parental history of asthma [OR = 26.8, 95% CI = 10.8-68.2, p < 0.0001] or allergic rhinitis [OR = 4, 95% CI = 1.2-13.4, p= 0.01], 38.5% had at least one person who smoked, and were weaned earlier than the non-asthmatic children [OR =12.4, 95% CI = 1.3-4.4, p < 0.01]. Childhood asthma was strongly associated with a family history of asthma and allergic rhinitis, the urban place of residence, having smokers as parents and early weaning from maternal breast milk. The results highlight the need to educate the parents about the risk of smoking and early weaning in the development of asthma

Efficacy of aloe vera gel in the treatment of vulval lichen planus

To compare the efficacy of aloe vera gel and placebo in the topical management of vulval lichen planus. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Department of Dermatology, Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad, from January 2007 to January 2008. Thirty-four female patients were randomized into two groups to receive aloe vera gel or placebo for local application for 8 weeks. Clinical data and treatment response was graded according to Thongprasom criteria. Z-test was used for comparing response between the groups. Thirty-four consecutive patients participated in the study. We found erosive and ulcerative lesions in 83% and 17%, respectively. The most common site of vulval lichen planus was the labia minora. Fourteen [82%] out of 17 patients treated with aloe vera had a good response i.e. clinically improved by at least 50% after 8 weeks of treatment, while one [5%] of 17 placebo-treated patients had a similar response [p < 0.001]. Furthermore, one patient [5%] treated with aloe vera had a complete clinical remission. No side-effects were found in both groups. Aloe vera gel was a safe and effective treatment for patients with vulval lichen planus

Clinical manifestations of hypokalemia

To observe the clinical manifestations of hypokalemia resulting from acute watery diarrhoea. A descriptive study. Paediatrics department, Isra University Hospital Hyderabad, Sindh from April 2004 to April 2005. Children less than 5 years of age with acute watery diarrhoea and vomiting who were found to have hypokalemia were included in this study. Children with chronic diarrhoea [more than 14 days duration] or hypokalemia of any other cause such as Bartter's syndrome etc. were excluded. Children with paralytic ileus due to other causes such as anti-diarrhoeal drugs etc. were also excluded. Serum potassium levels were checked at Isra University research laboratory by the standard ion selective electrode method. Hypokalemia was defined as serum potassium level of less than 3.5 mEq/l. The clinical presentations of children with hypokalemia were recorded and statistically analysed. During study period, 350 children with acute watery diarrhoea were admitted. Of these, 130 [37.14%] were hypokalemic and were included in this study, whereas 220 [62.85%] children were normokalemic [normal serum potassium level] and therefore were excluded from study. Abdominal distention was the commonest manifestation in 110[84.61%] children followed by head flop in 90[69.23%] cases, diminished bowel sounds in 55[42.30%], paralytic ileus in 30 [23.07%], inability to sit, stand or walk in 45[34.61%] and aphonia or dysphonia in 15[11.53%] children. Five children [3.84%] with hypokalemia had no clinical manifestation. Examination revealed weakness of limbs in 35 children, out of which 30 children had quadriparesis and 5 had paraparesis. Hypokalemia is an important electrolyte disturbance with acute diarrhoea. It may have serious clinical manifestations like abdominal distention, paralytic ileus, and can even lead to cardiac arrhythmias and arrest. Although, it can have fatal morbidities, timely intervention yields encouraging results