Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Diseases In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients.

BACKGROUND: There is an association of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study was designed to determine the frequency of GERD in COPD patients. METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Pulmonology Unit Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad. Patients more than 40 years of age of both genders presenting with features of COPD such as cough and breathlessness for more than 6 months and confirmed by spirometry were included in the study. A total of 118 consecutive patients were included in the study. Patients who had spirometry showing FEV1 <70% predicted & FEV1/FVC ratio <70% were included. Patients of asthma, with known oesophageal disease such as cancer, stricture, achalasia or active peptic ulcer disease, Pregnancy (precipitates GERD) and those patients who had used proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in the last 15 days were excluded. RESULTS: The mean age of COPD patients was 65.25 years. Among COPD patients 89 (75.4%) were males. Fifty-five (46.6%) patients had moderate COPD (FEV1:50-69%). Frequency of smokers was 68.6% with mean duration of 12.5years and mean number of cigarettes smoke per day were 13.4. Thirty-five (29.75%) had GERD; 27% in males and 30% in females. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that a higher proportion of gastro oesophageal reflux (GERD) symptoms are present in COPD patients and it also shows that GERD is more common in severe COPD patients.

Depression In Myocardial Infarction Patients At Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad.

BACKGROUND: There is a considerably high prevalence of depression in post myocardial infarction (MI) patients. This study was designed with an aim to detect depression in patients with acute MI admitted to the CCU at Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad.. METHODS: This descriptive crosssectional study enrolled 246 male and female patients with acute MI. The patients were interviewed on the 3rd day of admission and their answers were marked according to the HADS-D scale. RESULTS: With a cut-off score of 11, the frequency of depression in study participants was 27.24% (n=67). No statistically significant association was found between the age and sex of patients and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Depression is fairly common following acute MI and the management plans should include a consultation with psychiatric for individualized management of depression in post myocardial infarction patients..