Rare finding of duodenal lymphangioma in a patient with Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis: A case report.

RATIONALE: Lymphangiomas are lymphatic malformations most commonly found in the head, neck and axilla. Their incidence in gastrointestinal tract, especially duodenum is very rare. They are mostly congenital and are usually seen in children. Owing to their asymptomatic nature, these tumors are often diagnosed incidentally. Surgical resection is the definite treatment. PATIENT CONCERNS: We represent a case of a 30-year-old male with duodenal lymphangioma with presentation of intermittent dyspepsia for 1 year, partially relieved by a proton pump inhibitor. DIAGNOSES: Upon physical examination, there was mild tenderness observed in the epigastrium. The rest of the physical examination was unremarkable. His complete blood count report was unremarkable. Upon a negative stool for Helicobacter pylori antigen test, the patient underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy which revealed H pylori gastritis and a duodenal lymphangioma. INTERVENTIONS: Patient was put on triple therapy (clarithromycin, amoxicillin and omeprazole) for 14 days and his symptoms improved. The lymphangioma was not resected owing to small size. OUTCOMES: Patient was followed till 1 year and his symptoms had improved. LESSONS: The case describes a correlation between H pylori gastritis and a duodenal lymphangioma. There is likely to be an association between the two and therefore, further studies are required to find out any relationship that may exist between the 2 conditions.

The frequency and pattern of deranged lipid profile in patients with ischemic stroke: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Ischemic Stroke has been recognized as the principal cause of disability and the third leading cause of mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and pattern of dyslipidemia in patients presenting with ischemic stroke at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan and to evaluate the effect of demographic and clinical factors on the frequency and pattern of dyslipidemia in ischemic stroke subjects.   Methods: A cross-sectional study carried on a sample size of 235 patients presenting to the out-patient clinic with paralysis, difficulty in speech, and/or loss of consciousness lasting for one hour or more. Blood samples were analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) by the enzymatic colorimetric methodology. These values were recorded on the pre-defined proforma by the investigators. All analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0.   Results: The average age of the patients was 50.84±11.51 years and 62.1% of them were males. The frequency of dyslipidemia was observed in more than half (n=134/235, 57.02%) of ischemic stroke patients. Regarding the dyslipidemia pattern, TC, VLDL-C and TG levels were deranged in more than 50% of the cases. The most commonly deranged values were of TC and VLDL-C, followed by TG levels. It was observed that patients with a previous history of DM (73.9%, p=0.002) and HTN (81.3%, p=0.001) had significantly higher rates of deranged lipid profiles. Lipid values were found to be more deranged in patients aged 41-50 years (p=0.002) however, no statistically significant differences were observed with respect to BMI (p=0.192) and symptoms duration (p=0.334).   Conclusions: Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor for ischemic stroke, and elevated LDL-C is usually the lipid fraction implicated in the pathologic mechanism of stroke.

Gastric Tuberculosis.

Gastric tuberculosis is a very rare disease posing a diagnostic challenge to physicians, pathologists and radiologists. It usually occurs in females aged 25 to 45 years. Symptoms include epigastric pain, vomiting, fever, weight loss, upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleed and gastric outlet obstruction. High index of suspicion and endoscopic or endoscopic ultrasound guided biopsies may help in making an early diagnosis, particularly in patients with non-healing gastric ulcers. We report a case of gastric tuberculosis in a 55-year male, who presented with persistent vomiting, epigastric pain and significant weight loss. His upper GI endoscopy finding with histopathology results favoured the diagnosis of gastric tuberculosis. He was successfully treated with antituberculous regimen.

Dengue Knowledge In Indoor Dengue Patients From Low Socioeconomic Class; Aetiology, Symptoms, Mode Of Transmission And Prevention.

BACKGROUND: Dengue fever has emerged as an emerging public health issue during last decade bearing significant morbidity and economic burden particularly in third world countries. Current study aims to assess various domains of knowledge of indoor dengue patients.. METHODS: This descriptive crosssectional study was conducted at Medicine dept. Rawal Institute of Health Sciences Islamabad and BBH Rawalpindi over 6 months. One hundred & twenty-five adult indoor confirmed cases of dengue from lower socioeconomic class were included after ethical approval. The 25-item dengue knowledge questionnaire including aetiology, symptoms, modes of transmission and prevention of dengue was filled. RESULTS: Among 125 cases (77% males and 23% females), mean age was 30±13 years. Mean knowledge score was 11±5 points; with excellent knowledge in 6%, good knowledge (22%), moderate knowledge (23%), fair knowledge (34%) and poor knowledge (17%). Mosquito being a vector of dengue was identified by 78%, with peak time in afternoon (48%). Symptoms identified include fever (95%), headache (55%), muscle pain (44%), rash (33%), retro-orbital pain (32%), joint pains (28%) and abdominal pain (18%). Flies and ticks aren't the vectors of dengue according to 61% and 74% respectively, special mosquito is vector (54%), i.e., Aedes aegypti (18%) that breeds in standing water (53%). Preventive measures identified were netting (56%), insecticide sprays (54%), covering water containers (38%), removing standing water (36%), mosquito repellents (17%), cutting down bushes (22%) and pouring chemicals in standing water (18%). CONCLUSIONS: Our patients from lower socioeconomic class, though aware of vector and mode of transmission, have insufficient knowledge of prevention and vector control measures. There is need to strengthen dengue awareness through community-based programs, social media, schools and health care centres for high risk people well before the expected epidemic season about mode of transmission, vector control, screening and early approach to health care facility.

Pattern Of Dyslipidaemia And Its Association With Hypovitaminosis D In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Macrovascular atherosclerosis is an important long-term complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Concurrent dyslipidaemia acts as an additional risk factor for these complications. Hypovitaminosis D has been associated with adverse cardiovascular events. These modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular disease are inter-related. In the presence of an increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its associated metabolic abnormalities and widespread vitamin D deficiency in Pakistan, this association needs to be investigated. The purpose of our study was to determine the pattern of dyslipidaemia and its association with low vitamin D levels in South Asian diabetics. METHODS: The study was designed as a quantitative cross-sectional study. It was conducted at the Department of Medicine, Sir Syed College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Karachi from January to June 2014. A total of 168 adult consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus of both the genders were included. Data was collected and analysed using SPSS-20.0. The association of dyslipidaemia with vitamin D status was computed through Chi-square test. RESULTS: We found that dyslipidaemia is highly prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Pakistan. High total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides show significant association with vitamin D deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: In order to decrease the development of diabetic complications aggressive management of hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia is required. Vitamin D supplementation may play a dual role in these situations.

Alzheimer and vascular dementia in the elderly patients.

OBJECTIVES: To find out the frequency of Alzheimer's and Vascular dementia in the elderly patients. METHODS: This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in Department of Medicine, Ziauddin Hospital Karachi from 1st October 2013 to 31st March 2014. Patients with symptoms of dementia for more than 6 months duration, and Mini Mental State Examination score <24 were included in this study. Patients who fell in category of dementia were assessed for duration of symptoms. Patients underwent CT scan of brain. Patients with generalized atrophy of brain on CT scanning of brain were labeled as Alzheimer's dementia, while patients with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke on CT scan of brain were labeled as vascular dementia. RESULTS: Four hundred twenty two patients were included in this study. There were 232 (54.98 %) male and 190 (45.02 %) were female. The mean age ± SD of the patients was 72.58±5.34 years (95% CI: 72.07 to 73.09), similarly average duration of symptoms was 10.14±2.85 months. About 18.96% of patients were illiterate, 32.23% were matric, 28.44% were intermediate and 20.33% were graduate and post graduate. Hypertension and diabetes were the commonest co-morbid i.e. 81.3% and 73.7%, hyperlipedimia and smoking were 38.2% and 45% respectively. Frequency of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia in the elderly was observed in 3.79% (16/422) and 2.61% (11/422) cases. CONCLUSION: A good number of patients, 27 out of 422, in this hospital based study were suffering from Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Early detection and prompt treatment can reduce the burden of the disease in our population.

Frequency of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis on Histopathology in Patients of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Duration of More than 5 Years.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) on histopathology in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus with duration of more than 5 years. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Medicine, Dow Medical College, Civil Hospital, Karachi, from November 2013 to April 2014. METHODOLOGY: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus of more than 5 years duration having raised alanine transaminases level and fatty liver on ultrasonography were selected. Informed consent was obtained and liver biopsy was performed in all patients by experienced physician of Civil Hospital Karachi. All samples of biopsy were sent for histopathology. Those patients with hepatitis B, C and D and steatosis like alcoholic and hypertriglyceridemia were excluded from the study. Descriptive statistics were calculated on SPSS version 17. RESULTS: Out of the 262 cases, 56.49% (148/262) showed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis on the basis of histopathology. The mean age of the patients was 50.72 ±8.48 years. Median (interquartile) duration of diabetes mellitus of the cases was 9 years (15 - 4). Out of 148 NASH cases, 56.1% (83/148) were males and 43.9% (65/148) were females. CONCLUSION: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is an increasingly important and unrecognised spectrum of chronic liver disease associated with high prevalence of diabetes that is often overlooked and diagnosed with complications. So early recognition of these patients can prevent further complications.

Hepatorenal Syndrome In Patients With Cirrhosis Of Liver According To 2007 International Ascites Club Criteria.

BACKGROUND: Heptorenal syndrome is a complication of cirrhosis of liver and is characterized by progressive renal failure. This study was done to determine the frequency of hepatorenal syndrome according to 2007 international ascites club criteria among patients of cirrhosis attending Medical Units of Civil hospital Karachi. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on the hospitalized patients in the Department of Medicine-Civil Hospital Karachi from 01-04-2014 to 30-09-2014 where total 265 patients of either gender, age >18 years & <60 years & diagnosed case of CLD were included. Patients with shock, SIRS, sepsis, known cases of intrinsic renal diseases, or history of diabetes mellitus, Hypertension or connective tissue diseases were excluded. Mean±SD were expressed for continuous variable like, age, duration of CLD. Frequency & percentages of other categorical variables, i.e., gender, residence were expressed. Effect modification was tested through Chi-square with p-value <0.05 significant. RESULTS: The mean±SD age of patient was 48.23±7.87 years with range 18-60 years. Mean±SD duration of chronic liver disease was 5.60±1.92 years with a range of 3-12 years. More than 155 (58%) participants in this study were male and females were 110 (41.51%). More than 36 (13%) were of age less than and equal to 40 years; 121 (45.67%) were from 41-50 years, while 108 (40.75%) were from age 51-60 years. More than 176 (66.41%) belonged to rural areas while only 89 (33.58%) belonged to urban areas. The study observed that according to IAC 2007 criteria of diagnosis of hepatorenal syndrome 15.09% of patients with cirrhosis were found to have HRS. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatorenal syndrome represents the end stage of a sequence of reduction of renal perfusion induced by advanced liver failure. Almost every seventh patient of Cirrhosis can develop hepatorenal Syndrome. This should be looked up at an early stage so that it can be prevented.

THE EMERGENT CONCERN OF SEROPOSITIVE STATUS OF HEPATITIS-B VIRUS AND HEPATITIS-C VIRUS IN THE PREGNANT FEMALES ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.

BACKGROUND: Viral hepatitis is a global problem affecting millions of people including pregnant females. Viral hepatitis during pregnancy is associated with both maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. This study was an attempt to assess the seropositive status of hepatitis-B and C infection among pregnant women in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS: This cross sectional observational study was conducted at Sir Syed College of Medical Sciences and Trust Hospital, Karachi from January to September 2012. Patients were recruited by consecutive sampling. At the booking visit, blood was drawn and tested for HbsAg and Anti HCV by Eliza method. RESULTS: Among the screened population, 2% were reactive for HBV and 13.3% were found reactive for HCV. All HbsAg and HCV positive pregnant patients had one or more than one delivery. CONCLUSION: In our study sample, high frequency of HBV and HCV is suggestive of the importance of antenatal screening of these viral diseases, which has impact on the mother as well as the new born baby. HCV was more common as compared to HBV which is quite alarming.

Prevalence of hepatitis D in HBsAg positive patients visiting liver clinics.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis D in HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) positive patients visiting liver clinics. METHODOLOGY: All HbsAg positive patients who had visited two liver clinics; in Karachi and in Jacobabad, from October 2007 to March 2008, were included in this study. These patients were tested for HBV DNA and HDV RNA by PCR technique, HBeAg and anti-HDV. Clinical status of the patients was evaluated by examination, routine biochemical tests and ultrasound. RESULTS: Total numbers of patients included in the study were 362 comprising of 151 patients from the clinic in Jacobabad and 211 from Karachi. The patients ranged from 4 to 70 years age (mean age 29.75 +/- 11.27). Out of the total patients 297 (82%) were males. All the patients were screened for HDV antibody out of which 212 (58.6%) tested positive. Total 65 anti-HDV positive patients were tested for the HDV RNA by PCR, out of which 30 (46.2%) tested positive for the virus. Three hundred and forty (340) patients were screened for HBeAg, out of which 71 (20.9%) tested positive. Three hundred and seven patients were screened for HBV DNA by PCR, out of which 88 (28.7%) were positive for the virus. HBV DNA was positive in 16.2% of HbeAg negative patients (pre-core mutants). The frequency of positive HDV antibody was 69.23% in patients from Kashmore, 67% in Jacobabad, 65.4% in Jaffarabad, 65.21% in Quetta, 60% in Naseerabad, 36.58% in Karachi, 58.33% in other areas of Balochistan and 60.71% in other areas of Sindh. Positive HDV antibody status was associated with more severe and advanced disease (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This data shows extremely high prevalence of hepatitis D in the referred patients from some areas of Southern Pakistan. Effective preventive measures are the need of the hour and Pakistan may be considered as one of the areas of highest HDV prevalence around the globe.