Prevalence of Clinical Spectrum of Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions in Patients Presenting at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs) are the most common adverse drug reactions reported in the literature. CADRs have resulted in disabling infirmities during hospitalization and complications following outdoor drug therapy. The pattern of CADRs and the responsible drugs usually changes with the introduction of newer drugs and evolving clinical practices. Moreover, several international studies showed variable prevalence, emphasizing the need for local data in light of different socioeconomic and demographic practices. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of adverse cutaneous drug reactions and identify the clinical spectrum and any potential risk factors. METHODOLOGY: The current study is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan. One hundred ninety-three patients who met the study inclusion criteria were included. Data were collected from patients on a proforma after taking informed consent. Quantitative data were presented as simple descriptive statistics giving mean and standard deviation, while qualitative variables were presented as frequency and percentages. Effect modifiers were controlled through stratification to highlight the effect of these on the outcome variable. The post-stratification chi-square test was applied and the p-value of ≤0.05 was statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 193 patients who had cutaneous adverse drug reactions were included in the study. The mean age in this study was 47.78±8.33 years. One hundred eight (56%) were male and 85 (44%) were female. Out of 193 patients, 135 (69.9%), 50 (25.9%), 24 (12.4%), 12 (6.2%), 20 (10.4%), 11 (5.7%) and six (3.1%) had maculopapular rash, acneiform eruptions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiform, urticaria, fixed drug eruptions and toxic epidermal necrolysis, respectively. CONCLUSION: CADRs are a common clinical presentation and awareness and knowledge about their diagnosis and prevention is important. It can be assumed that in our local setup, the clinical trends and medications causing ADRs are strikingly similar to those found in other countries. Physicians commonly come across these cases and they should be well aware of the clinical spectrum of skin reactions to enable early diagnosis and management.

Impact of Body Mass Index on Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Cross-sectional Study in a Pakistani Population.

BACKGROUND:  The prevalence of obesity is on the rise globally. Pakistan ranks ninth out of 188 countries in terms of obesity. Literature regarding any potential role of obesity in gastrointestinal manifestations is limited. Besides, scarce information is available on possible connection between obesity and gastrointestinal pathology. This research, therefore, explores the impact of body mass index (BMI) on gastrointestinal symptoms and endoscopic discoveries. METHODS:  A cross-sectional study was conducted at Darul Sehat Hospital, Zubaida Medical Centre, and Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan from 1st July 2017 to 30th November 2018. Patients scheduled to undergo endoscopy were surveyed before the procedure in which they were asked about demographics, comorbid, and gastrointestinal manifestations. The association between BMI and endoscopic findings and related gastrointestinal symptoms was assessed using Pearson chi square test and binary logistic regression. The significance level was set at 0.05. RESULTS:  A total of 2148 subjects were included in the study out of which 20.2% were overweight (BMI 23-24.9) and 20.9% subjects were obese (BMI >25). Both the gastrointestinal symptoms and endoscopic findings were found to be significantly associated with the BMI (p<0.05 for both). Moreover, binary logistic regression revealed obesity to be a significant contributor of abnormal endoscopic findings (adjusted odds ratio, AOR, 2.93; 95% confidence interval, CI, 2.35-3.65). CONCLUSION:  Based on the study results, obesity was identified as a risk factor associated with gastrointestinal symptoms like gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other related gastrointestinal conditions such as erosive gastritis, duodenal ulcers, reflux esophagitis, and large hiatal hernia.

Effects of Life style factors on the symptoms of gastro esophageal reflux disease: A cross sectional study in a Pakistani population.

BACKGROUND &OBJECTIVE: Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) broadly includes the whole spectrum of reflux disease symptoms like heartburn or acid regurgitation to endoscopic, reflux esophagitis or Barrett's esophagus. Our aim therefore was to study the association between Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms and various lifestyle factors. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the outpatient department of Darul Sehat Hospital, Zubaida Medical Center and Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan from January 2018 to October 2018. The selected candidates were asked to fill a validated GERD questionnaire and they were also asked about their lifestyle factors. Odds ratio and their 95% confidence interval were estimated using binary logistic regression with GERD symptoms as the study outcome. RESULTS: A total of 2000 respondents completed the questionnaire. 69.3% gastroesophageal reflux disease cases were found in participants above 35 years of age while 56.9% subjects were male. The most common lifestyle factors associated with GERD were less exercise time (90.9%) (OR, 6.47; 95% CI, 4.91-8.53), 78.3% participants had habit of eating midnight snacks (OR, 5.08; 95% CI, 4.03-6.40), 87.3% participants reported less interval between dinner and sleep (OR, 6.98; 95% CI, 5.36-9.08). The most important factor relieving GERD symptoms was raising the head of bed during sleep (79.4%) while 43.3% subjects with the habit of post dinner walk reported fewer symptoms of GERD. CONCLUSION: Lifestyle factors particularly less physical activity, late evening meals, inadequate sleep, smoking and post dinner lying were found to be associated with GERD symptoms.

Severe haemolysis and renal failure precipitated by hepatitis E virus in G6PD Deficient patient: A case report.

Hepatitis E virus is the etiological agent for Hepatitis E infection, which is congruent to Hepatitis A infection. The clinical spectrum of the disease range from asymptomatic self-limiting disease which requires no treatment to life threatening fulminant liver disease in pregnancy, G6PD deficient and post-liver transplant patients, which necessitate urgent treatment. Similarly we are reporting a case of a 28 year old male with no previous known comorbids, who presented in emergency department with low grade fever, yellow discolouration of eyes and upper abdominal pain for last 5-6 days. We affirmed the diagnosis of acute viral hepatitis E with G6PD deficiency. This case had a different prospect of HEV infection and its coexistence with G6PD deficiency, which lead to investigations, management and avoidance of complications of the disease.

Factors predicting the recurrence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients with cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of recurrence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in patients with end stage liver disease and the factors responsible for it. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from November 2008 till November 2009. METHODOLOGY: Patients with cirrhosis who were admitted at AKUH with diagnosis of SBP during the study period were included. Any episode of SBP after resolution of the first index case of SBP within one year was considered as recurrence. RESULTS: Out of 238 cirrhotic patients, 157 (66%) had single, while 81 (34%) had recurrent episodes of SBP. History of using proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and diuretics was found in 113 (47.5%) and 139 (58.4%) patients respectively. Only 58 24.4%) patients were on prophylactic antibiotic therapy. Univariate analysis revealed that the female gender (52%), and presence of porto-systemic encephalopathy (PSE, 31%) were statistically significant (p=0.03) among those who had recurrent SBP. On multivariate analysis bilirubin level of > 1.0 mg (OR=7.03; 95%CI=1.55-32), protective factor of hepatitis B (OR 0.31; 95%CI=0.13-0.70) and presence of urinary tract infection (UTI) (OR=2.24; 95%CI=0.99-5.09) were significant in patients with recurrent SBP. CONCLUSION: Recurrent SBP was noticed in 34% patients. Serum bilirubin level of > 1.0 mg, protective factor of HBV and presence of UTI were significant factors present in patients with recurrent SBP.

Acid maltase deficiency--Pompe's disease.

Mutation in genes encoding for proteins involved in glycogen synthesis, degradation or regulation results in various inborn errors of glycogen metabolism. The disorders that result in abnormal storage of glycogen are known as glycogen storage diseases (GSD). We report a rare and interesting case of a young boy who presented with generalized weakness and reduced muscle bulk since childhood. He was diagnosed to have acid maltase deficiency, also known as Pompe's disease, one of the rare types of glycogen storage disease. The case is presented here in the form of a case study, including a review of the pertinent literature on the subject. This case has the potential to be the first reported case of such a disease from Pakistan (to the best of our knowledge).

Career goals of trainee physicians in internal medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To survey Internal Medicine trainees' future career choices and factors influencing their decision-making. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from November 2006 to January 2007. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A standard questionnaire was administered to the residents and Interns working in the Department of Internal Medicine of The Aga Khan University Hospital. The questionnaire covered demographic details, specialty choice, work-time distribution and factors influencing career choice. Descriptive statistics were applied. RESULTS: A total of 49 doctors participated with 57% females; and 43% males, having 33% interns and 67% residents. A minority (22%) opted for internal medicine, while 78% selected sub-specialties with cardiology (20%) being the most sought- after sub-specialty. Majority (69%) wanted to spend more time in clinical activities compared to administration (18%) or research (13%). Majority (92%) wanted to work in an academic setting. Availability of a structured training program (61%), ability to practice broad area of medicine (41%) and prestige of the specialty (41%) highly influenced their career choices. Forty one (82%) wanted to proceed abroad for further training and 80% wanted to eventually practice in Pakistan. CONCLUSION: Most of the interviewed under-training physicians wanted to pursue sub-specialty. Clinical work was more attractive compared to research. A structured training program was detrimental in affecting their choices. Majority wanted further training abroad but eventual settlement in Pakistan. The study results can help us create the basis for reforming the current training programs.

Massive hemoptysis as a rare presentation of metastatic choriocarcinoma.

Choriocarcinoma is an uncommon but rapidly invasive and widely metastasizing tumour. Lung is the commonest organ of spread, usually presenting as mild hemoptysis and chest pain in a patient with a recent miscarriage or known molar pregnancy. One such case of a 25 years old woman is reported who did not have any history of recent pregnancy or miscarriage and presented with a life-threatening massive hemoptysis. She responded well to therapy once the diagnosis of metastatic choriocarcinoma was established .