Megaloblastic anemia and non-vegetarian diet – Is there a changing trend?

Background: According to various studies, non-vegetarians are not at an inherent risk of developing megaloblastic anemia, a common deficiency of Vitamin B12. However, recent trends of the consumption of non-vegetarian food in the processed form as well as changes in cooking methods may gradually change the trend of the occurrence of megaloblastic anemia in nonvegetarians. Very few studies have been conducted on the same in a non-vegetarian population. Objectives: The objective of this study was to study the prevalence of megaloblastic anemia in a non-vegetarian population. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 100 non-vegetarian adults after due approval of the institutional ethics committee. The patients were evaluated on the basis of their hematological profile including peripheral smear examination and indices. Results: About 29% of total patients presented with features suggestive of megaloblastic anemia, of which 72% of patients agreed to predominantly be consuming non-vegetarian food from processed sources such as fast-food outlets at an average frequency of 3 weeks. Conclusion: There is a changing trend of megaloblastic anemia in the non-vegetarian population. Processing of food and change in conventional cooking practices along with the recent decline in home cooking of meat seem to be the major factors putting the non-vegetarians at a risk of developing megaloblastic anemia.

Anaemia in acute coronary syndrome: a cross-sectional study

Background: Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are an imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand, and the presence of anaemia further potentiates this imbalance. The burden of anaemia in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is significant. Anaemia has the potential to worsen myocardial ischemic insult by decreasing the oxygen content of the blood supplied to the jeopardized myocardium. Present study investigates the prevalence of anaemia in ACS patients attending a tertiary health care institute.Methods: A total of 148 patients with ACS were recruited in the study from July 2018 to October 2018 in Multan institute of cardiology, Pakistan. All patients were subjected to a detailed history and thorough clinical examination and investigations after obtaining informed consent. Patient having any other diseases known to cause anaemia were excluded.Results: Mean age of patients was 49 years. Out of 148, 114 (77%) were males and 34(23%) were females. Prevalence of anaemia was 38% in Male and 58.8% in Female. Among Male, 18.8% were microcytic, 4.54% were macrocytic and 77.27% were normocytic. Among Female, 50% were microcytic and 50%% were normocytic. Prevalence of ACS was higher is patients with diabetes and hypertension combined (31%) than in patient with diabetes alone (17.56%) or hypertension alone (21.62%). 13.51% were pure vegetarians  while 78.37% were on mixed diet consisting of vegetables+meat+pulses.Conclusions: Higher incidence of anaemia was reported in subjects having acute coronary syndrome. Incidence of anaemia in STEMI patients was greater than NSTEMI and unstable angina patients. Severe form of acute coronary syndrome i.e. STEMI was associated with higher incidence of anaemia.

Cephalic Index in Population of District Jhalawar, Rajasthan According to Food Habit and it's Significance

Background: Cephalic index exhibits sexual differences and different shapes of head. This information will be highly important for Plastic surgeons, Forensic Scientists, Anatomists, Human Biologists, Criminologists & Physical Anthropologists. Materials & Methods: The present study was observed on 200 living subjects of Jhalawar district Rajasthan (100 male and 100 female) of 18 to 25 years in the year of 2013 with the objective to study the sex differences and food habitual in cephalic index. Cephalic index was investigated with the help of head length and width with the use of spreading caliper. Results: The study showed that mean cephalic index was higher in females than in males. Conclusion: Predominant head type was dolicocephalic in both sexes.

Lipid Profile and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) in Vegetarians.

Background: Diet deficient in fresh fruits and vegetables are associated with an increased risk of coronary diseases. Low levels of vitamin C, vitamin E and other antioxidants may enhance the production of oxidized LDL and are important independent risk factors for coronary disease. Objective: To make a comparative evaluation of lipid profile and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) between vegetarians and nonvegetarians. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka between July 2011 to June 2012. Vegetarian and nonvegetarian subjects of male sex were the study population. Vegetarians were considered as cases while nonvegetarians as controls. After proper ethical consideration a total of 30 vegetarians and 40 nonvegetarians were consecutively included in the study based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Laboratory investigations were done in the Department of Biochemistry, BSMMU, Dhaka. Results: The vegetarians had significantly lower total cholesterol and LDLcholesterol than the nonvegetarians (p=0.000 and p=0.000 respectively). Serum HDL cholesterol was also lower among the vegetarians (p=0.002) and triglycerides were almost identical in both the groups (p=0.272). Conclusion: The study reveals lower level of total cholesterol, LDLcholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in vegetarians. No difference regarding triglycerides and AIP was found between the groups. So, the findings of this study do not indicate any superiority of vegetarian diet in control and prevention of cardiac diseases.