THQ

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia in older adults, with diabetes mellitus (DM) serving as a significant risk factor. The interplay of aging, glycemic control, and comorbid conditions such as hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) heightens the prevalence and associated risks of AF in this population. Objective: To determine the prevalence of AF in older adults with DM and identify key associated risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 137 older adults with DM recruited from clinical settings. Participants underwent clinical evaluations, including demographic data collection, glycemic control assessment (HbA1c), and screening for comorbidities. Standard 12-lead electrocardiography was used to detect AF, with all diagnoses confirmed by certified cardiologists. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression, were performed using SPSS version 25. Results: The overall prevalence of AF was 11.7% (16/137), with 43.8% (7/16) newly diagnosed cases and 31.3% (5/16) asymptomatic AF. Advanced age (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.11–1.88; p=0.005) and CKD (OR: 2.87; 95% CI: 1.33–6.21; p=0.007) were significant independent predictors. Conclusion: The study highlights a significant prevalence of AF, including silent cases, in older adults with DM, emphasizing the need for routine screening and early intervention in high-risk populations.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a micro-chronic diabetic consequence induced by metabolic and hemodynamic abnormalities. Free radicals react with other critical cellular components, causing progression of aberrant renal function. This case control study was aimed to determine the role of IL-6 and IL-18 in diabetic nephropathy in Pakistani population. The study's subjects (n = 180 from Lahore, Gujranwala, and Karachi) were divided into control, diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic nephropathy (DN) groups. The serum concentration of IL-6 IL-18 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression analysis of IL-6 IL-18 were performed by Real Time PCR. The significant increase in serum levels of IL-6 were observed among the control, DM and DN groups (15.3 ± 24.1 pg/ml, 34.7 ± 24.0 pg/ml, 52.6 ± 33.2 pg/ml) whereas no significant difference was observed in serum levels of IL-18. The expression analysis of IL-6 was increased by more than forty three fold in DN group (n-fold = 43.6) as compared to DM control whereas the expression profile of IL-18 decreased in DN group (n-fold = 0.89). In DN group the correlation analysis revealed direct association of GFR with serum IL-6 (r = 0.1114) inverse relationship with serum IL-18 (r = − 0.097). In multiple regression analysis using GFR as the dependent variable, BMI and expression of IL-18 were determinants in DM subjects, but only uric acid in DN subjects. The present study implicates that increased expression of IL-6 and decreased of IL-18 was associated with development of DN in Pakistani population.

Background: Since beauty standards have widely change over the last few decades, women feel self-conscious about having unwanted hair that leads to low self-esteem and some develop depression. Although hirsutism can be emotionally distressing, it can be treated. Females have a lot of pressure to undergo painful procedures of hair removing like plucking, treading and creams that can temporarily remove or reduce the visibility of unwanted facial and body hair. In the past two decades of digital technology, lasers have modernized their use in the treatment of many skin conditions including hirsutism. As intense pulsed light is economical and more cost effective, it can be a more suitable option for those who cannot meet the high expenses of laser treatment. Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of intense pulsed light in females with hirsutism. Study Design: Place and Duration of Study: Department of Dermatology, HIT Hospital Taxila from 1st October 2020 to 30th September 2021. Methodology: Sixty patients of idiopathic hirsutism more than 15 years of age were enrolled. Both the history and examination were done. Diagnosis of idiopathic hirsutism was made on clinical examination using and necessary investigations. Those who had photosensitivity, hormonal therapy or hormonal disturbance, infertility, white hair hirsute, pregnancy, and history of keloid or hypertrophic scar were excluded from the study. Treatment was given for six sessions, with one month apart. Parameters of IPL were adjusted according to (Fitzpatrick) skin type, the density of hair, and fluency, the fluence will be increased subsequently depending upon the response of the patient. Post treatment, participants were evaluated and a 4-point scale was used to grade the results. Patients were told to revisit after 6 months to assess the regrowth of hair on face. Conclusion: Intense pulsed light is the cheap, effective and safe option for hirsutism that a third world country like ours needed where the socio-economic status is relatively low. Keywords: Idiopathic hirsutism, Intense pulsed light (IPL), Fitzpatrick skin type

Background & Objectives: The study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of body and blood fluid exposure incidents such as needle stick injuries, direct contact, splashes, and cuts among health care personnel (HCP) in operation theaters (OTs). The study objective was to investigate perception of safety culture and potential challenges faced by HCP in Pakistani context. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted in four tertiary care hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad that were Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital (ANTH), Fauji Foundation Hospital (FFH), Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH) and Holy Family Hospital (HFH) during March, 2019 to June, 2019. The data of the current study was collected from surgical staff in OTs at four tertiary care teaching hospitals including nurses, house officers, post graduate trainees, registrars, consultants, and technicians in the twin cities i.e., Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Results: In our findings (N=367) there was a high prevalence of exposure incidents in past six months, 45% had had got a needle injury, 36% have got a splash, 28.8% had direct contact and 35.6% had a cut once respectively in past six months, the occurrence of exposure incidents twice, thrice and more is also enormous. Conclusion: The study reflected a dire need of trainings at hospitals so that very strategically the importance of safety being a priority and value of HCP is inculcated on daily basis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of Xerosis in children presenting with chronic pruritus to Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan and compare it with national and international data. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross sectional study, carried out in the Department of Dermatology, Hayat Abad MedicalComplex Peshawar from 24th May 2020 till 24th November 2020. All patients of either gender with age range up to 13 years, presenting with chronic pruritus were enrolled for this study.All the findings were recorded on a preformed proforma and results were compiled and tabulated. RESULTS: Out of 136 patients presenting with chronic pruritus, 75 were male (55.1%) and 61 (44.9%) were female. 85 (62.5%) patients were having dry skin (Xerosis) while 37.5% were having normal skin. CONCLUSION: Xerosis is a common and under diagnosed skin condition commonly associated with chronic pruritus and screening all children for Xerosis is simple measures to improve quality of life of affected children.