Background and Aims:Garment workers are exposed to long working hours, high output demands, and limited social support that increase vulnerability to psychological distress. However, their mental health conditions remain underexplored in Bangladesh. This study aimed to estimate the rates of depression, anxiety, and stress among Bangladeshi garment workers and sociodemographic and occupational factors associated with these outcomes. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in Savar, Bangladesh, between March 2023 and December 2025. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire from 281 adult garment workers. Psychological distress was assessed using the Bangla version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyzes were performed to identify factors associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported, and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:Overall, 58.7% of participants reported depressive symptoms, 73.6% reported anxiety symptoms, and 19.9% reported stress. Female workers had higher rates than males for all three outcomes. In multivariate analyzes, female sex was independently associated with higher odds of depression (AOR = 2.98) and anxiety (AOR = 2.90). Older age, longer duration of work, and higher monthly income were significantly associated with depression and anxiety. Stress was independently associated with older age, longer job tenure, substance abuse (AOR = 3.03), and higher income. Conclusion:Depression, anxiety, and stress are highly prevalent among garment workers in Bangladesh, with women and older, long-tenured workers disproportionately affected. The findings highlight the urgent need for workplace-based mental health screening, gender-sensitive interventions, stigma reduction, and accessible psychosocial support services to improve worker well-being and productivity.
Introduction: Blood transfusion is an integral part for managing transfusion dependent patients, surgical-gynecological emergencies and many other cases. Symmetry should be maintained between blood component requisition and utilization to ensure the optimization of blood transfusion service. Understanding the trend of proportion between demand and supply of blood component can set prediction for future. Optimum utilization of blood transfusion service will save time and laboratory resources. This study was conducted to evaluate the pattern of requesting and utilizing the blood components in a tertiary care hospital. Materials & method: It is a retrospective study. It was held in transfusion medicine and clinical hematology department of a tertiary care hospital from July to December 2024. Patient’s ID, blood request form and requested unit were kept under record. Simultaneously blood component units delivered for transfusion and units returned or not transfused were also recorded. Data were analyzed for cross match transfusion ratio (CT ratio), transfusion index (TI) and transfusion probability calculation (%T). Result: Over the six-month period 4,903 units of blood components were crossmatched for 4,454 patients. A total of 3,711 units were transfused to 3,035 patients. In this study C:T ratio was found 1.31, transfusion probability (%T) was 68.19 and transfusion index (TI) was 0.82 overall six months period. Analysis of the result of our study signifies appropriate use of blood units. Conclusion: Blood transfusion is a life-saving procedure for those with a genuine medical need. So, its use should always be under monitoring to prevent misuse of this valuable resource. Various transfusion indices like C:T ratio, %T and TI can be used as standard tools for ensuring appropriate use of blood. Persistent improvement in good transfusion practice can be achieved by continuous surveillance. Pulse Vol.17, 2025 P: 15-18
Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a common metabolic complication of pregnancy characterized by glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Early detection and management of GDM are critical to prevent adverse maternal and foetal outcomes. Cystatin C; traditionally known as a renal marker, has recently been implicated in metabolic dysfunctions such as insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association of high serum Cystatin C with glycaemic parameters and insulin resistance in pregnant women with GDM. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM) General Hospital, Dhaka, from March 2024 to February 2025. Total 160 pregnant women between 24–28 weeks of gestation were enrolled; including 80 diagnosed GDM (cases) and 80 age and gestational week matched healthy pregnant women (controls). Selection was done using convenient and purposive sampling. GDM was diagnosed based on the American diabetes association (ADA) 2023 criteria. Clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical parameters, including fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour post-load plasma glucose, serum insulin, HOMA-IR, and serum Cystatin C, were measured. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean BMI was significantly higher in the GDM group (28.97 ± 3.75 kg/m²) compared to controls (27.97 ± 4.04 kg/m², p < 0.002). Fasting plasma glucose (5.92 ± 2.14 mmol/L vs. 4.41 ± 0.40 mmol/L, p < 0.001), 2-hour post load plasma glucose (9.03 ± 2.92 mmol/L vs. 6.53 ± 1.02 mmol/L, p = 0.041), and HOMA-IR (5.87 ± 3.94 vs. 3.99 ± 1.78, p < 0.001) were significantly elevated in the GDM group. Serum insulin was higher among cases but not statistically significant (p = 0.38). Serum Cystatin C level was significantly elevated in the GDM group (0.932 ± 0.23 mg/L vs. 0.734 ± 0.11 mg/L, p < 0.001). The high level (>0.80 mg/dl) serum Cystatin C was strongly associated with GDM (OR-9, CI-5.0 to 16.3, p< 0.001). Cystatin C was positively correlated with fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.321, p <0.05); 2-hour post load plasma glucose (r = 0.303, <0.05) and HOMA-IR (0.323, P< 0.05). Correlations of Cystatin C with serum insulin (r = 0.121, p>0.05) and BMI (r = 0.150, p>0.05)) were positive but not statistically significant. Conclusion: High serum Cystatin C levels exhibit strong, positive, and statistically significant association with the presence of GDM and a positive correlation was found with glycaemic parameters and insulin resistance. So, woman with elevated Cystatin C suggest a higher risk of developing GDM. Bangladesh Medical Res Counc Bull 2025;51(3): 117-122
Abstract not available BIRDEM Med J 2023; 13(3): 122-123
Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are among the most serious and challenging complications of diabetes mellitus, frequently leading to infection, prolonged hospitalization, and lower-limb amputation. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the rate of complete wound closure and complications of VAC therapy in treating diabetic foot ulcers. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at a specialized diabetic foot care centre in Dhaka over 18 months (April 2020 to October 2021) and included 90 patients with Wagner’s grade 2 to grade 4 diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy was administered. Dressings were changed every 6–7 days, and each patient underwent 2–5 treatment cycles according to ulcer severity Data analysis was done by SPSS version 25.0. Results: Among 90 diabetic foot ulcer patients, male (80%) was predominant, with a mean age of 54.35 years. Most ulcers were Wagner grade 3(40%). Treatment outcomes showed that 21.6% achieved complete ulcer closure, while secondary closure and skin grafting accounted for 31.4% and 23.3%, respectively. Hospital stays ranged from 4 to 10 days, and healing time to granulation varied between 18 and 40 days. Complications were rare, affecting only 5.5% of patients, primarily due to minor bleeding or wound deterioration. Conclusion: VAC therapy is an effective and safe treatment for diabetic foot ulcers, significantly enhancing wound healing and reducing hospital stay. Its low complication rate and positive clinical outcomes support its use as a valuable modality in managing DFUs. J Rang Med Col. 2025 Sep;10(2): 43-48
