The International Journal of Frontier Sciences

Background: Tuberculosis is a global pandemic which affects millions of people every year. The treatment of tuberculosis consists of simultaneous use of several drugs for a prolonged period of time, therefore anti-tuberculosis treatment induced toxicity is a real problem. It is the most common side effect leading to interruption of therapy. Wide variations have been found in the reported incidence of hepatotoxicity during short-course chemotherapy. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of ATT induced hepatotoxicity in pulmonary TB patients.Methodology: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at Gulab Devi Chest Hospital Lahore from November 2015 to January 2016. Total 137 pulmonary TB patients were included in this study according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data of patients was collected by Questionnaire. Blood samples were taken and LFTs were done. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 16.Results: Data of 137 patients was taken in the study. Out of which 60 (43.8%) were male and 77 (56.2%) were female. The mean age was 40.59±16.57. 45 (32.8%) patients out of 137, develop hepatotoxicity while 92 (67.2%) shows normal patterns of liver function. 22 (16.1%) patients out of 137 showed elevation of serum bilirubin levels.Conclusion: ATT induced hepatotoxicity is a frequent complication in Pulmonary Tuberculosis patients. So, all patients put on ATT must be followed up for at least the initial month. The patients and the treating physicians must be well-educated about the adverse effects of the ATT, its early recognition and management. Full article

AbstractBackground: To compare between the outcomes of streptokinase and primary PCI in acute myocardial infarction. The inappropriate treatment, misdiagnosis, contraindications of procedures can result in complications of procedures and increased mortality of patients. The present study aimed to compare between the outcomes of streptokinase and primary percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction patients to minimize the death rates in MI patients.Methodology: The descriptive study was conducted at Gulab Devi Chest Hospital. All the samples were collected from cardiac department. A Performa was designed for recording the risk factors, ST elevation, clinical findings and lab results of the patients.Results: In this cross-sectional study of 100 patients, the mean age was 51.02+ 10.956. Male gender was predominant. There were more chances (67.00%) of acute LVF in streptokinase and less chances (21.00%) in primary PCI. According to this study, there was more chances (67.00%) of cardiogenic shock in streptokinase and less chances (21.00%) in primary PCI. In this study, there were equal chances of stroke in streptokinase and primary PCI. In this study there were more chances (28.00%) of bleeding from any site in streptokinase and less chances (0%) in primary PCI. According to results there were chances (24.00%) of renal failure in streptokinase and less chances (0%) in primary PCI. There were more chances (9.43%) of rescue PCI in streptokinase and less chances in primary PCI. In this study, there were more chances of arrhythmias (26.41%) in streptokinase patients and less chances in primary PCI. In this study, there were also more chances of death (1.92%) in streptokinase and less chance in primary PCI. So according to my study primary PCI was better than streptokinase with less complications.Conclusion: Primary PCI was better than streptokinase to cure the myocardial infarction and better to minimize the complications after procedure. Full article

Abstract:Background: Ectopic pregnancy is the implantation of a fertilized ovum anywhere outside the uterine cavity. Around 95% of ectopic pregnancies occur in the Fallopian tubes. Most of these are occurring in the ampulla region. Other sites include the interstitial or the corneal region of the myometrium, cervix, ovary, peritoneal cavity (abdominal pregnancy) and in caesarean section scars. The objective of this study was to see the association of different risk factors of ectopic pregnancy.Methodology: It was a case-control study. The data was collected from Obstetrics & Gynaecology department Jinnah Hospital, Lahore and the study was completed at Gulab Devi PGMI, Lahore. For the analysis of data, SPSS version 16.00 was used.Results: 180 pregnant females were taken in which 90 were cases and 90 were controls. 16 females were more than 35 years in age of which 16% females had ectopic pregnancy. There were 3 females had history of smoking in which 3% females had ectopic pregnancy. There were 82 females who had history of pelvic surgery in which 43% female had ectopic pregnancy. There were 17 females have had history of previous ectopic pregnancy of which 14% were having ectopic pregnancy. There were 6 females have had history of IUCD (Intra uterine contraceptive device) of which 6% females were having ectopic pregnancy. There were 23 females who had history of PID (Pelvic inflammatory disease) of which 26% females were having ectopic pregnancy. There were 2 females have had history of tubal disease and had ectopic pregnancy. There were 21 females who had history of ART (Assisted reproductive technique) in which 3% females were presented with ectopic pregnancy. There was 1 female who had history of endometriosis in which 2% females were presented with ectopic pregnancy.There were 16 females have had history of low socioeconomic status of which 9% females were presented with ectopic pregnancy. There was 1 female who had history of tuberculosis and having ectopic pregnancy.Conclusion: In the present study age more than 35 years, smoking, previous ectopic pregnancy, insertion of IUCD, PID, assisted reproductive technique, tubal disease, history of pelvic surgery, endometriosis and tuberculosis had a great association with ectopic pregnancy. Full article

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is an important risk factor for Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB). Diabetes and Tuberculosis often present together and complicate each other at many levels. There is inadequate data on the frequency of diabetes mellitus in TB patients in Pakistan. Implementation of bidirectional screening for both diseases in patients with tuberculosis will not only ensure early case detection but also better management of diabetes at the same time. The study was conducted to assess the frequency of diabetes in patients presenting with pulmonary tuberculosis.Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 137 sputum positive TB patients were selected by non-probability (purposive) sampling technique and data was collected using a questionnaire. All cases of tuberculosis, more than 18 years of age, were screened for diabetes. Diabetes was confirmed by determining fasting blood sugar level using cut-off value of 126mg/dl.Results: The frequency of diabetes among pulmonary T.B patients in this study is was found to be 34.3% of which 29.9% were known DM cases and 4.4% were newly diagnosed.Conclusion: This study concludes high frequency of Diabetes mellitus in pulmonary tuberculosis. Diabetes is a common co-morbidity in people with TB, screening TB patients with fasting blood sugar estimation will help in early detection of diabetes. Full article

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a bond of bilateral cooperation between China and Pakistan to enhance economic growth of both the countries. As far as Pakistan is concerned, CPEC is one of the supreme strategies to modernize Pakistani infrastructure and to empower Pakistani economic growth in terms of transportation, energy, and numerous industrial reforms. Economic growth is considered a determinant of population health. It has been noted, “Wealthier nations are healthier nations” as they spend more on preventive medicine and on healthcare delivery. Hence, economic gains from CPEC development can flow into health gains as well. Full article

AbstractBackground: Coronary artery disease is the most common and life threatening cardiac emergency presenting to a hospital. Having significant mortality and morbidity are on the rise in Pakistan. The objective of the study is to examine the association of elevated level of serum uric acid with ischemic heart disease among adult population, to guide planning for primary and secondary prevention of this disease in community.Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study studied 110 consecutive patients from 20-80 years of age presenting with IHD (Myocardial infarction, unstable angina). All the subjects who were approached to participate in the study, gave their consent. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire followed by laboratory tests.Results: Association of serum uric acid were lined up as gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, menopause, dyslipidemia, family history and obesity. In this study, out of 110 patients 35 (32%) were females and 74 (68%) were males. Minimum Age of patients in this study was 30 years and maximum age was 70 years This study revealed that chest pain was the most occurring symptom which was observed in 39 patients which are 35.45% of the total patients and the second most occurring symptom was Dyspnea which was observed in 32 patients which 29.09% of the total patients. The study reveals that the major risk factor observed in CAD patients is ‘HTN’ which was found in 81 patients which are 73.64% of the total patients. However, ‘Smoking’ and ‘DM’ are proximate in occurrence and were found in 59 (53.64%) and 56 (50.91%) patients respectively. The study revealed that hyperuricemia was more in males that was 34(22.67) than in females.Conclusion: This study concluded that there was no significant association between hyperuricemia with ischemic heart disease. Full article

Introduction: Pakistan is vulnerable to many hazards due to its geography and climate condition, like floods, earthquakes, droughts and landslides. Some manmade hazards also provoking us like, road traffic accidents, fire, structural collapse, radiological and chemical spills etc. Pakistan have faced many of these which affects us badly at every perspective of life for example health, communication, water and sanitation and infrastructure.This study focused on health problems experienced by pregnant females during any type of disasters. Females faced so many problems because of very sensitive issues like unavailability of health facilities, lack of food, and unavailability of clean water, accommodation and transportation.Methodology: This is the descriptive cross-sectional study. The objective of the study was to identify health problems faced by the pregnant females during disasters. Annual disaster report of National Disaster Management Authority Pakistan and Pakistan Red Crescent Society is employed to identify these problems.Discussion: Unexpected environmental events cause natural disasters which affect entire communities and are likely to endanger life and property. In addition to causing casualties and economic losses, exposure to natural disasters can precipitate transient and more enduring somatic and psychological symptoms that relate to posttraumatic stress disorder and depression.Conclusion: Pakistan is exposed to different hazards due to its geography and climate situation. Catastrophic incidents, both natural and manmade, bring about heavy loss of human lives and livelihoods, damage to property and infrastructure. Such episodes can also aggravate natural processes, such like sudden tectonic movements, which promote earthquakes and tsunamis, resulting in frequent cyclones, continuous dry conditions cause prolonged droughts, severe storms, unexpected heavy rains, excessive snowfalls, floods, landslides, and avalanches, etc. The country is also vulnerable to manmade disasters, for example industrial hazards, bomb blasts, building fires, armed conflicts and nuclear and radiological events. Full article