Status of Serum Calcium, Phosphate and Intact Parathyroid Hormone in Predialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients of Stage-3 to Stage-5 Compared To KDOQI Guideline

The chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a variety of bone disorders and disorders of calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Bone disease associated with chronic kidney disease having higher rate of CKD progression and increased risk of death. To see the status of serum calcium, phosphate and intact parathyroid hormone in pre-dialysis CKD (stage- 3 to 5) patients. This was a across sectional study done in outpatient department of Nephrology of National Institute of Kidney Diseases and Urology, Dhaka, between 1st June 2012 to 31st May 2013. The patients of CKD stage 3, 4 and 5 yet not on dialysis attending out patients department of Nephrology, NIKDU by using MDRD-4 equation according to K/DOQI guidelines and reviewing previous medical records and investigation reports were enrolled in this study. There after serum calcium (corrected for serum albumin), phosphate and iPTH levels were measured and compared with the recommended target ranges in K/DOQI guideline. The number of patients with serum levels according to K/DOQI guidelines for different stages CKD(3,4,5) were as follows: serum calcium: 56.6, 58.5 and 76.7; serum phosphate: 55.2, 58.5 and 56.7; iPTH 37.9, 12.2 and 36.7 and Ca x P product 100.0, 97.6 and 86.7, respectively. The percentages of patients (who received drug) with serum calcium levels within according to K/DOQI guidelines for stages 3, 4 and 5 were as follows: serum calcium: 63.2%, 64.7% and 83.3%; respectively, serum phosphate: 63.2%, 61.8% and 66.7%; respectively, iPTH 42.1%, 14.7% and 4.7% and Ca x P product 100.0%, 100.0% and 87.5%, respectively. On the other hand patients who didn't receive drug the percentages of patients with serum calcium levels according to K/DOQI guidelines for CKD stages 3, 4 and 5 were as follows: serum calcium: 50.0%, 28.6% and 50.0%; respectively, serum phosphate: 40.0%, 42.9% and 16.7%; respectively, iPTH 30.0%, 14.7% and 16.7% and Ca x P product 100.0%, 85.7% and 83.3%, respectively. The patients achieving the four recommendations of K/DOQI guidelines was 4(13.8%) in stage-3, 3(7.3%) in stage-4 and 5(16.7%) in stage-5. More than half of the pre-dialysis patients of CKD were within target range of serum calcium and phosphate recommended in K/DOQI guideline and this proportion was more in those who were taking both phosphate binder and Vit-D. Ca x P was within target range in almost all patients so it may not be an important parameter for therapeutic decision making. However majority of the patients were out of target range of iPTH even though having normal serum calcium and phosphate level. So emphasis should be given in monitoring of iPTH level in early stages of CKD.

Diabetes Self-care Activities and Their Relation with Glycemic Control in Patients Presenting to The Indus Hospital, Karachi

Introduction Nowadays, chronic conditions are increasing globally, stressing on self-management and patients' responsibility toward recognizing and resolving issues related to their illness. Diabetes is also a chronic illness, and diabetes-related self-care activities have been shown to be promising towards preventing its complications and achieving optimal glycemic control. Objective 1) To assess the association between glycemic control and diabetes-related self-care activities 2) To evaluate the association of patients' sociodemographic characteristics with diabetes-related self-care activities 3) To examine the impact of patients' sociodemographic characteristics on glycemic control Materials and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at The Indus Hospital Karachi from February 2019 to July 2019. A total of 288 patients of both genders, age ≥18 years, having type 2 diabetes mellitus with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) done within the last three months from the interview date were enrolled in the study using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Whereas patients not giving consent for participation in the study, ICU admitted patients, critically ill patients, pregnant women, comatose, patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, coexisting and chronic liver disease were excluded from the study. Results Majority of the patients were female (n=209; 72.6%) and had uncontrolled glycemic control (n=235; 81.6%). Furthermore, less than half of the patients had inadequate diabetes-related self-care activities (n=140; 48.6%). The Mean ± SD of age was 51.9±10.2 years. The significantly higher proportion of patients who have had a duration of illness and treatment ≥3 years had uncontrolled diabetes but adequate diabetes-related self-care activities. Moreover, there was no association between diabetes-related self-care activities and glycemic control. Conclusion There was no significant relationship between diabetes-related self-care activities and glycemic control. Moreover, a higher proportion of patients with a longer duration of diabetes (≥3 years) had poor glycemic control but adequate diabetes-related self-care activities.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Patients and Their Measurement of Neck Circumference: A Cross-sectional Study

Background The utilization of neck circumference (NC) as a valuable tool to evaluate metabolic syndrome (MetS) is still unclear. MetS has been extensively reported worldwide mainly due to the increasing trend of central obesity and the risk of developing coronary artery disease. In Pakistan, its incidence is reported to be between 18% and 49% among the urban population. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan; in total, 392 patients (body mass index [BMI] >23 kg/m², age ≥18 years, both genders) were recruited through consecutive sampling, and informed consent was obtained. Results The majority of patients were females (n = 344, 87.8%), and the mean ± SD of age and NC of all patients was 50.5 ± 9.6 years and 38 ± 4.6 cm, respectively. The majority (n = 375, 95.7%) of patients were found to have MetS, with 90% of both males and females having NC ≥38 cm and 34 cm, respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of MetS was found to be very high in overweight and obese patients. Moreover, the majority of patients with MetS were found to have higher NC.

Long-term treatment of chronic venous insufficiency of the leg with micronized purified flavonoid fraction in the primary care setting of India

Objective: This study investigates whether micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) is effective and acceptable without compression or surgical intervention for the management of chronic venous insufficiency of the leg (CVIL) in the primary care setting of a tropical country such as India.

Methods: A prospective observational study on patients with early CVIL drawn from the clinical practice of randomly selected physicians distributed across India. Patients received MPFF 1000 mg/day for six months without compression stockings or surgery. The primary outcome was a change in their CEAP (clinical, aetiological, anatomical, pathophysiological) classification of CVIL severity. Secondary outcomes were changes in leg oedema, symptom intensity and quality of life.

Results: Of the 308 patients recruited by 72 physicians, 166 (53.9%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 48.3-59.5) had regression in the CEAP severity stage. Mean leg circumference in those with oedema decreased by 2 cm (95% CI 1.7-2.3, P <0.05). Patient-assessed mean percentage decrease in symptom intensity was 32.3 for cramps (28.9-35.7, P <0.01); 32.4 for heaviness (29.8-35.7, P <0.01); 28.2 for pain (25.6-30.8, P <0.01); and 21.5 for swelling (18.7-24.3, P <0.01). Quality of life improved by 21.7% (16.9-26.5, P <0.01) in the physical domains, 25.9% (20.8-31.0, P <0.01) in the social domains, and 19.2% (14.7-23.7, P <0.01) in the psychological domains.

Conclusions: When used alone, MPFF was effective and acceptable for the management of CVIL in primary care. This may be useful in tropical climates where compliance with compression stockings is poor and access to surgery limited.

Surgical treatment of hydatid cyst of liver

Results of surgery in 52 cases of hepatic hydatid disease are described. Ultrasound examination proved to be the most useful and accurate diagnostic tool. All the patients were treated by enucleation of cyst and closed suction drainage of the cavity lined by pericyst. Mebendazole was given routinely pre-operatively for 15-30 days and postoperatively for 3 months. This mode of treatment had greatly reduced the morbidity and mortality as compared to conventional hydatid cyst surgery.

Amoebic liver abscess. Review of 220 cases

Two hundred and twenty cases of amoebic liver abscess were seen between 1981-1986. The majority were young or middle aged males belonging to the lower socio-economic group and 85% gave a history of drinking toddy (fermented palm juice). The highest incidence of the disease occurred during the peak toddy season (April to July). Toddy drinkers become susceptible perhaps because of the large dose of Entamoeba histolytica and bacteria ingested with the drink, associated malnutrition, poor hygiene, hepatic dysfunction and possible suppression of amoebistatic substance. Useful investigations consisted of skiagram and ultrasonography, the later being sometimes used to guide the aspiration needle to abscesses situated at unconventional sites. Over 88 per cent responded well to conservative treatment with aspiration(s). Laparotomy was required in slightly over 10% of cases and in these the mortality was 12% as compared to 2% with conservative treatment. Although a large amount of liver tissue appears to be destroyed, the residual liver damage is clinically, biochemically, macroscopically and microscopically minimal.

Closed pyloroduodenal digital dilatation as a complementary drainage procedure to truncal vagotomy

Out of a total of 300 consecutive cases of duodenal ulcer undergoing surgery, 51 patients were treated by truncal vagotomy and a closed pyloroduodenal digital dilatation. A peroperative assessment of the pyloroduodenal canal was carried out, and in patients with a mobile, supple duodenum showing minimal scarring a standard drainage procedure was not considered necessary. In these patients it was possible to perform a closed pyloroduodenal digital dilatation using the two thumbs to achieve an effective dilatation of 20-30 mm. Post-operative clinical evaluation (Modified Visick grading) and "special" barium meal revealed 86% of patients in Grade I and II at the end of two years (maximum follow-up 3.5 yrs.), with no evidence of lasting gastric stasis. The method is easy, safe and simple. It maintains the anatomical and physiological integrity of the pyloroduodenal ring thereby obviating the hazards of an "incontinent" stomach. Its main limitation appears to be its restricted selectivity and in the present series it could be carried out in about 17% of cases.