Northern International Medical College is a medical school in Dhaka, Bangladesh, affiliated with University of Dhaka and approved by Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC). It was established in 2005.
Background Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) therapy has been proven effective and safe for retinal vascular diseases, but the use of this agent is scarce in resource-constrained countries, including Bangladesh. Considering the limited literature, we have described 17 cases and their outcome using an anti-VEGF agent (brolucizumab) for retinal vascular diseases. Methods This retrospective case review described patients undergoing intravitreal brolucizumab at a tertiary eye care center in Bangladesh from January 2022 to December 2023. Eighteen eyes of 17 patients with complete best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) data for four follow-ups were included. Outcomes of the treatment over six months were changes in BCVA and optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements, including foveal center point thickness, central subfield retinal thickness, and macular volume. Results Ten eyes were refractory cases who switched from other anti-VEGF agents, while eight were treatment naïve. The median age of the patients was 56 years (Interquartile range or IQR: 48-68 years). Out of all, 52.9% were female patients (n=9) and 47.1% were male patients (n=8). Diabetic retinopathy (n=10, 55.6%) was the most common indication, followed by age-related macular degeneration (n=6, 33.3%). Average BCVA improved in both naïve and refractory eyes over the course of treatment. Median OCT measurements showed a decrease in both naïve and refractory cases. No adverse events occurred. Conclusion Brolucizumab demonstrated visual gain in the short term with a favorable safety profile in a series of cases in the real-world settings of Bangladesh. Larger studies with extended follow-up can further elucidate its long-term utility.
Hepatic fibrosis is a potential marker of the severity and outcome of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The objective of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of non-invasive hepatic indices (FIB-4, APRI, and AST/ALT ratio) compared with FibroScan for assessing the stage of fibrosis in individuals with NAFLD and T2DM. This cross-sectional study was conducted including patients with NAFLD and T2DM at Cumilla Diabetic Hospital from January to December 2024. The FIB-4, APRI, and AST/ALT ratio were calculated and their correlation with FibroScan score were evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the diagnostic performance. We included 255 patients (mean age 45 years) with 71
Abstract not available Northern International Medical College Journal Vol. 15 No. 1-2 July 2023-January 2024, Page 688-694
Background: Blood and blood product transfusions are common among hospitalized neonates in this advanced era at NICU, particularly in those of preterm low birth neonates. Objective: In this study we try to find out the types of transfusion in a neonatal intensive care unit among the sick neonates. Methods: Neonates who required blood or blood product transfusion between 1st Jan 2022 to 31st March 2023 at the neonatal intensive care Unit (NICU) of Ad- Women’s Medical college Hospital were included in this prospective observational study. Total 86 inborn and out-born babies with regular maternal antenatal care (ANC) check up with ANC book and other papers with good documentation were selected for the study. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain medical data i.e maternal and neonatal medical problems, indications for blood or other types of transfusion, type of blood products transfused and the frequency of transfusion during the hospital stay. We also observed maternal illnesses during pregnancy and neonatal demography as well as illnesses during the time of admission. Written consent was obtained from the parents or caregiver each time of blood and blood product transfusion as well as for the inclusion in the study. Statistical analysis was done with computer software SPSS version 16 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). All data were processed and analyzed. Analyzed data were presented in the form of tables, charts, and graphs with due interpretation. Results: Out of 743 neonates who were admitted during the study period, 86 (10.9%) were studied who required one or more episode of blood or blood product transfusion. Five (5.80%) neonates required whole blood for the double volume exchange transfusion. Neonates required packed red blood cell (PRBC) for anemia was in 40(46.51%), fresh frozen plasma (FFP) for abnormal coagulation profile (with/ without active bleeding) in 64 (74.41 %), platelet for thrombocytopenia in 44(51.16%),albumin for hypoalbuminemia in 23(26.73%) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in 9(11%) for severe thrombocytopenia. Four types of transfusion FFP+ PRBC +Albumin+ PLT required in 7(8.10%) neonates, 3 types of transfusion FFP+ platelet+ PRBC in 11(12.79%), FFP+ PLT+albumin in 3(3.48%) neonates, 2 types of transfusion FFP+PRBC in 9(10.46%), FFP+ albumin in 6(6.90%), FFP+ Platelet in 10(11.62%). Single type of transfusion in the form of Platelet or PRBC or FFP or whole blood in 7(8.12%), 10(11.62%), 11(12.79%) and 5(5.80%) respectively. So multiple transfusions were required in 53(61.62%) neonates. Conclusion: In this study we found that the Fresh frozen plasma transfusion was highest and the IVIG was the lowest number of transfusions in a neonatal intensive care unit. Northern International Medical College Journal Vol. 15 No. 1-2 July 2023-January 2024, Page 672-677
Abstract not available Northern International Medical College Journal Vol. 15 No.1-2 July 2023-January 2024, Page 653-654
