Energy drinks consumption practices among medical students of a Private sector University of Karachi, Pakistan.

Consumption of energy drinks has become popular among students and athletes over the past few years. To explore the phenomenon, a cross-sectional survey was conducted through a self-administered pilot-tested questionnaire. Frequency of energy drinks consumption was found to be 121(52%) in a sample of 233 medical students. Red bull was the most common brand consumed 101(43%). The major reasons reported for its usage were to gain/replenish energy by 36(15.4%), and studying for examination by 34(14.6%). Television was reported as the major source of information 153(66%) followed by friends 113(48%). There was a high frequency of energy drinks' consumption among medical students of a private university. There is a strong need to create awareness regarding these drinks, especially among adolescents and teenagers.

Hip fragility fractures: Anaemia, calcium and vitamin D supplementation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the burden of anaemia and osteoporosis in hip fracture patients, to determine the rate of blood transfusion per-operatively, to assess the use of calcium and vitamin D supplements and the use of anti-osteoporotic medications postoperatively. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at Aga Khan University and Hospital (AKUH) between June 2009 and May 2011, and comprised record of patients treated for intertrochanteric and femur neck fractures. Patients with associated pathological, open or long bone fractures were excluded. The main study outcome measures were the use of pre-operative and post-operative calcium, vitamin D, bisphosphonates and management of anaemia pre- and post-operatively. Demographic data was also collected including age, gender, and co-morbids. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 19. RESULTS: Of the 129 patients, 65(50.4%) were women. The overall mean age was 67.2±15.5 years. Mean pre-operative haemoglobin level was 12.3±1.5 gm/dl and 39(30%) patients were anaemic, while post-operative haemoglobin was 10.2±1.71 with 90(70%) anaemic patients, but only 14(10.9%) patients received per-operative blood transfusion. Pre-operative and post-operative vitamin D supplementation was advised in 3(2.3%) and 18(14%) patients respectively, whereas pre-operative and post-operative bisphosphonate supplementation was advised in 3(2.3%) and 1(0.8%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: There is a strong need to pay attention to the management of peri-operative anaemia and calcium, vitamin D and bisphosphonate supplementation in the discharge medications of patients with hip fragility fractures.

Cardiac tamponade as initial presentation in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is one of the many diseases known as 'the great imitators' because it can have diverse presentations and so is misunderstood for other illnesses. This case illustrates a 19 years old girl with SLE who presented as cardiac tamponade which is a rare feature of lupus pericarditis requiring medical and surgical treatment. Even after pericardiocentesis and steroid therapy there was a re-accumulation of the pericardial fluid resulting in cardiac tamponade which led to pericardial window formation. This case draws attention to the need to consider the diagnosis of tamponade in patients with connective tissue disease and dyspnea or hemodynamic compromise. It also outlines the treatment options available so that surgical referral, if needed, can be done timely for this rare but life threatening manifestation of SLE.

Hypertension in a young boy: an energy drink effect.

BACKGROUND: Use of energy drinks has significantly increased in recent times. Besides athletes, teenagers and students are among the most common consumers. However, popularity is also increasing among the younger and older age groups. Most of the users believe that they are a good source of instant energy and are unaware of its high Caffeine content resulting in harmful effects on health. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a young boy who presented with palpitations and high blood pressure as a result of energy drinks usage. He had been consuming a "Sting" energy drink on regular basis while studying for long hours during his O' level Exams. His medical examination revealed Sinus tachycardia and high blood pressure. Rest of the examination and lab workup was within normal limits. His pulse and blood pressure returned to normal range after discontinuing Sting usage. CONCLUSION: Several studies have reported numerous health hazards including cardiac effects associated with energy drinks. Warning labeling should be done on these drinks regulating the content of Caffeine and its harmful effects on health.