The diploma in family medicine examination; a scientific exercise

The Diploma in Family Medicine (DFM) Examination is a new certification offered by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan, and its Department of Medical Education designed a scientific examination. First, the Expert Advisory Committee for Family Medicine was formed, relevant training objectives were determined, a training programme to achieve the objectives was designed and a valid syllabus was chosen. Then the examination was designed, where the candidates must pass the objective theory papers before taking the clinical examination. The clinical examination consisted of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and traditional case presentations. The candidates had to pass each of the components, and attain an overall aggregate of 60%. In the first six examinations, 752 candidates sat for the theory examinations, 332 (44.14%) were eligible for the clinical examination, and 170 (23%) passed. If 60% marks obtained in case presentations is taken as the gold standard which is the current CPSP policy and compared to OSCE marks, then 75% marks in OSCE had a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 79%.

Association of Helicobacter pylori with acid peptic disease in Karachi

The prevalence of H. pylori infection in 200 dyspeptic patients undergoing upper G.I. endoscopy was investigated by histology and rapid urease test. H. pylori was associated with 86% cases of chronic gastritis, 84.6% cases of duodenal ulcers and 78.5% of gastric ulcers. None of the 15 histologically normal gastric biopsies showed H. pylori.

A placebo controlled trial of bismuth salicylate in Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis

In a placebo controlled prospective clinical trial of bismuth salicylate in helicobacter pylori associated gastritis, 52 adult patients were randomly allocated to treatment with bismuth salicylate or placebo. Helicobacter pylori were totally cleared in 77% patients in bismuth group but none in placebo group (P less than 0.001). Resolution of gastritis (P less than 0.001) and improvement of symptoms (P less than 0.01) were significantly better in patients where H. pylori infection cleared as compared to patients where the infection persisted.

Effects of methotrexate and total body irradiation on mouse lungs

Separate and combined effects of methotrexate and total body irradiation were studied on normal lungs of mouse. Forty female albino mice weighing 25 to 30 gms were divided into five groups including that of controls. On gross inspection, 70% of lungs of combined therapy group showed signs of congestion, 10% edematous changes and 20% blackish mottling. Microscopic examination revealed marked histopathological changes in the lungs of combined therapy group and milder changes in the methotrexate (Group III) and total body irradiation (Group IV) groups. These findings confirm the enhanced effects of combination of radiations and methotrexate.

Ultrastructural study of Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis

Endoscopic biopsies of antral mucosa from 26 patients with Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis were studied by electron microscopy (EM). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed clustering of H. pylori in the intercellular areas, being entrapped by the microvilli which were decreased at the sites where the bacilli were seen. The observations of SEM were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which showed adherence of the bacilli to the cell surface, producing cup-shaped depressions in the epithelial cells, and occasionally intracellular infiltration by H. pylori. There were also depletion of mucus granules, degenerative changes, and disruption of intercellular junction complexes of the epithelial cells. Post-treatment biopsies showed complete disappearance of the bacilli, and ultrastructural changes associated with H. pylori infection were resolved.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in Karachi

The present study defines the clinical presentation and examines possible aetiological factors in the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in Karachi, Pakistan. Histologically proven cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 366) were seen over 16 years. The maximum frequency occurred in the age range 51-60 years (range: 8-98 years), and the male to female ratio was 2.5:1. The place of birth, place of longest stay and various addictions did not have any association with the occurrence of liver carcinoma. Only three cases had a history of liver cancer in their immediate relatives. The main presenting features were right hypochondrial mass (85%) and pain (79%). The liver size did not correlate with the duration of illness. alpha-Fetoprotein titres were more than 200 ng/mL in 62% of cases. Using a reverse passive haemagglutination assay method, HBsAg and anti-HBc positivity were 32% and 60%, respectively. Antigen figures rose to 60% when radio-immunoassay was used; 41% of cases were anti-delta positive (EIA). Aflatoxin contamination varied between 10% and 17% in various localities of Karachi, suggesting an association of liver cancer with HBsAg and aflatoxins. Histopathologically 73% were trabecular, and 2.5% were mixed hepatocholangiocarcinomas. Follow-up was available in 45% of cases. All except two (1.2%) died within 6 months.

A histological study of the effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the gastric and duodenal mucosa

The effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the gastric and duodenal mucosa was studied in 53 patients. On endoscopic biopsies, 87% patients showed gastritis and 90% duodenitis. Chronic superficial gastritis was the most frequent lesion in the stomach (49%); and mild duodenitis in the duodenum (54%). The antrum was the most frequently involved site in the stomach. An interesting finding in cases of duodenitis was the presence of dilated intestinal glands plugged with mucus.