scholarly journals Prevalence of Melanin Pigmentation in a Yemeni Population and its Relation to Some Risk Factors

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Nasser Alhajj ◽  
Wadhah Abdulnasser Alhajj

Objective: The present study aimed to explore the prevalence of melanin pigmentation in a sample of Yemeni population and its relation to some possible risk factors. Material and Methods: This crosssectional study was performed on 440 patients attending a private clinic. Printed questionnaires were introduced to the patients and a clinical examination was performed for each patient. The questionnaire included questions regarding demographic data, and questions regarding some common habits such as smoking, khat chewing and consuming of hot drinks. Melanin pigmentation was assessed regarding its presence, most affected areas and the numbers of affected quadrants. The data were managed and analyzed using SPSS software program. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were performed and the associations of melanin with risk factors were evaluated at P value < 0.05. Results: Four hundred and forty patients with mean age 29 ± 8.21 years were included in the study. Of them, 67.5% were fair-skinned, 26.8% were smokers, 48.2% were khat chewers and 33.6% were hot drinks consumers. The prevalence of melanin pigmentation was 62.7%, with class I represented 56.5% of cases. Males showed more prevalence (67.9%) of melanin pigmentation than females (57.7%) with no significant difference. Results also showed more prevalence of melanin pigmentation in patients > 25 years, and darkskinned patients. Regarding habits, smoking, khat chewing and hot drink consumption habits showed significant associations with melanin pigmentation. Whereas the association of khat chewing and hot drinks alone with melanin pigmentation showed no significant relationship with melanin pigmentation while, the merge effects of khat chewing and smoking habits together with melanin pigmentation showed significant relationship with melanin pigmentation. Conclusion: It can be concluded that Yemeni people had high prevalence of melanin pigmentation with more prevalence of CL I type. Males, patients > 25 years and dark-skinned patients showed more prevalence of melanin pigmentation. Smoking, khat chewing and hot drinks consuming habits had significant associations with melanin pigmentation.KEYWORDSMelanin; Yemeni; Smoking; Khat chewing; Risk.

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-122
Author(s):  
Zulfiqar Ali Shaikh ◽  
Noshaba Noor ◽  
Aisha Farooq ◽  
Maryam Khaleel ◽  
Darakhshan Naqvi ◽  
...  

Background: House Officers report significant levels of work-related stress that demands to be immediately addressed as it adversely affects their ability to function their best as doctors. This study aimed to assess the risk factors of psychological distress among the currently working house officers (2016-2017). Objectives: To assess the various risk factors of work-related stress amongst the house officers working in tertiary care hospitals, Karachi Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in Civil Hospital, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi during October 2016 and March 2017. A total of 384 house officers were approached for the study as per the sample size calculated using the Open-epi software. The questionnaire comprised of demographic data, 10-items perceived stress scale, and 12-items list of potential stressors. The severity of each stressor was measured using a five-point Likert scale (1-5) ranging from always (1) to never (5). Results: A total of 384 house officers were approached out of whom 315 (82%) participated. Among them, 115 (36.50%) were found to be under stress of whom 24 (20.8%) were males and 91(79.2%) were females. Significant difference for stressors by gender was found, these included their job having an effect on their health, change in eating habits and lack of paramedical staff cooperation (P < 0.05). Factors like increased hesitancy to take on tasks and increased tendency to make errors were found to have an impact on clinical performance (P value <0.05). Conclusion: There is high level of perceived stress in house officers of tertiary care hospitals, Karachi. Therefore, adequate steps are needed for stress management which should be dealt in terms of preventive rather than curative strategy.


Author(s):  
Dipali S. Sivasane ◽  
Rekha G. Daver

Background: Early pregnancy loss is very common and, in most cases, it can be considered as nature’s method to select for a genetically normal offspring. Threatened abortion is a relatively common complication during pregnancy, occurring in approximately 20% of all pregnancies. Maternal age, Outcome of previous pregnancies, health of mother, any infection etc can be decisive factors in the risk of pregnancy loss.Methods: The present study was a cross sectional study where patients admitted with threatened abortion were interviewed using pretested semi-structured questionnaire after the treatment. Outcome of pregnancy was recorded. Their basic socio-demographic data along with possible risk factors were recorded. TORCH Ig M and Ig G were done in all patients.Results: Out of 95 patients admitted with threatened abortion, 42 (44%) patients undergone abortion whereas in 53 (56%) patients, pregnancy was continued. Out of total 60 patients admitted with the complain of only vaginal spotting, in 39 pregnancy continued and in 21 patients pregnancy was aborted. (p-value<0.05). 50.52% were from age group of 21 to 25 years of age. It was also seen that after 35 years of age, significant number of patients aborted. Out of these 11 patients with high BMI, pregnancy was continued only one patient. Out of total 20 patients positive for IgM of toxoplasma infection, pregnancy was aborted in 13 (65%) patients. Out of total 15 patients positive for IgM of cytomegalo virus infection, pregnancy was continued in 11 (73.3%) patients.Conclusions: Patients of threatened abortion with only symptom of spotting per vagina have good chances of continuation of the pregnancy. Increased maternal age above 35, Overweight and bad obstetric history are also associated with pregnancy loss. Though there was no statistically significant difference it was evident that among all TORCH infections, IgM toxoplasma and Rubella are associated more with pregnancy loss.


Author(s):  
I. N. Aprioku ◽  
C. S. Ejimadu

Aim: To determine the correlation between Ocular axial length (AL) and body mass index (BMI) in a black population. Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study carried out in Port Harcourt City LGA, Nigeria. Subjects were selected using multistage random sampling with inclusion criteria of Visual Acuity > 6/18, age greater than 18 years with no history of past ocular surgeries or trauma. Socio demographic data was obtained through an interviewer based structured proforma. Data obtained included age, sex, tribe, occupation and level of education. Weight, height and Body Mass Index (BMI) were measured using a standard height and weight automated scale (SECA 769,220). Ocular examinations done included visual acuity, applanation tonometry and ophthalmoscopy. Axial length (AL) was measured using Amplitude (A) scan ultrasonography (SONOMED PACSCAN 300AP). Data obtained from one eye of the subjects were analyzed using SPSS (Version 17), and p value was set at ≤ 0.05. Results: Four hundred and sixty six (466) subjects participated in the study made up of two hundred and twelve (212) males (45.5%) and two hundred and fifty four (254) females (54.5%) with M: F ratio of 1:1.2. The age range was 18-92 years and mean age of the subjects studied 43.0±14.2 years. Findings revealed mean AL, Body Mass Index, Height and Weight to be (23.2±1.0 mm), (26.9±6.2 kg/m2), (162.5±9 cm) and (70.5±14.8 kg) respectively. The mean AL was greater in males than females. There was no statistically significant relationship between age and axial length. There was a statistically significant relationship between height and AL in both gender with AL increasing by 0.035 mm (p=0.001, r=0.261) with one centimeter change in height in males and 0.025 mm (p=0.001, r=0.2680) in females and between AL and level of education (p=0.001). There was also a statistically significant (0.009 mm) increase in AL per one kilogramme change in weight in females (p=0.0001, r=0.188). Males had longer AL than females in all the BMI groups with a statistically significant difference found between the different BMI classes. Conclusion: This study noted that although there is no statistically significant relationship between AL and BMI, there are significant relationships between AL and height and weight respectively. Estimated AL in mm= 16.91 + 0.039 (height in cm).


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 205031212110202
Author(s):  
Rgda Mohamed Osman ◽  
Mounkaila Noma ◽  
Abdallah Elssir Ahmed ◽  
Hanadi Abdelbagi ◽  
Rihab Ali Omer ◽  
...  

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. This study aimed to determine the association of interleukin-17A-197G/A polymorphism with rheumatoid arthritis in Sudanese patients. Methods: A case–control study was conducted between March and December 2018. Clinical and demographic data of the study participants were collected and analyzed. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism molecular technique was done to investigate interleukin-17A-197G/A polymorphisms. All statistical tests were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. Results: The study population included 266 participants aged between 1 and 85 years, with an average of 40 years, classified into 85 (31.2%) cases (mean age 48.5 ± 11.3 years), and 181 (68.8%) controls (mean age 35.3 ± 15.9 years). The interleukin-17A homozygote AA genotype was more frequent among the control group compared to the case group; 95 (52.5%) and 7 (8.2%), respectively. The homozygote GG and the heterozygote AG genotypes were proportionally not different among the cases and control groups; 13 (54.2%) and 11 (45.8%), and 65 (46.4%) and 75 (53.6%), respectively. According to the distribution of interleukin-17A genotypes, a statistically significant difference was observed among cases with the interleukin-17A AA and AG genotypes, p values 0.001 and 0.004, respectively. For the association interleukin-17A genotypes and family history a negatively significant association was reported (95% confidence interval, –0.219, p value = 0.001). There was also a negatively significant association of interleukin-17A genotypes and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (95% confidence interval, −0.141, p value = 0.002). Conclusion: This study is the first study in Sudan established the association between interleukin-17A-197G/A (rs2275913) polymorphisms and susceptibly to rheumatoid arthritis. These findings appeal for further research in Sudan to investigate the exact role of IL-17A in immunopathology and disease severity among Sudanese rheumatoid arthritis


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-110

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, with insulin resistance proposed as a linking factor. It is common and is increasing in prevalence worldwide, largely attributed to increasing obesity and sedentary lifestyles, and now is both a public health and clinical problem. This community-based, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted during 2015 to identify metabolic risk factors and associated morbidities among adult urban people in Pyin Oo Lwin Township. A total of 355 participants, 94 men (26.5%) and 261 women (73.5%) were enrolled. Age distribution was from 18 to 85 years with mean of 49.98 (SD:15.22) years. Metabolic risk factors were identified according to National Cholesterol Education Programme Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) guideline. In this study, central obesity was the highest component with 145 subjects (40.8%) followed by elevated triglycerides 129(36. 3%), elevated blood pressure 104(29.3%), low HDL-cholesterols 85(23.9%), and elevated fasting glucose in only 48 individuals (13.5%). The total prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 35.2% with 26.6% in men and 38.3% in women, respectively. There were statistically significant associations above all five metabolic risk factors with metabolic syndrome (p value <0.001). Regarding its associated morbidities, ECG examinations showed normal 296 cases (83.4%) and abnormal in 59 cases (16.6%) but there was no significant difference between metabolic syndrome and abnormal ECG findings. In conclusion, this study recognizes the high prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome and can be depicted about the metabolic risks as the baseline data for implementation of further activities to reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. ID20
Author(s):  
Shahid Alam ◽  
Sardar Bakht Khan ◽  
Qamar Wahid Khattak ◽  
Syed Zain Ul Abidin ◽  
Salman Farooqi ◽  
...  

Background: Physical activity is one of the leading health indicators, considered an essential factor in the population's health and quality of life promotion. Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality. Physical inactivity has been linked with chronic disease and obesity in most populations. This study aims to compare the prevalence of physical activity and overweight/obesity among students of the university. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to September 2019 on undergraduate students from different departments of Peshawar University. A sample of 377 (male n = 243, female n = 134) was taken through convenience sampling. Those individuals who were physically disabled and not willing to participate were excluded from the study. Those meeting the inclusion criteria were given the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ short form). Demographic data included age, weight, and height was self-stated by the participants. The levels of physical activity in each of three domains (leisure, transport, and domestic) were calculated and presented as metabolic equivalent (M.E.T.) hour per week in the form of means, percentage, and frequency in different physical activity domains. Results: The overall sample showed that 13.70% of participants were inactive, 27.76% showed a low level of physical activity, 41.29% showed moderate physical activity level, and 17.24% showed a high level of physical activity. A total of 90.98% of participants were involved in leisure physical activities, 93.10% presented transport-related physical activity, and 74.80% were involved in domestic-related physical activity. Average time spent during sitting was found to be 53.32 hrs/week and 7.61 hrs/ day, with females being more involved in sitting activities as compared to males. A significant difference was found between B.M.I. and sitting domain (p-value 0.002) with a Pearson value of -0.12 showing a negative correlation. Conclusion: The B.M.I. and Physical Activity are found negatively associated with each other. Male students were more physically active than females as females spend their majority of time sitting. It is concluded that students are moderately active, while a minimal percent of students are highly active. There were a few numbers of respondents too who were physically inactive, which shows that there is still unawareness of physical activity on the university level.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 144-150
Author(s):  
Ali Alkazzaz ◽  
Murtadha Najah Jawad ◽  
Zeyad Tareq Kareem

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving receive anti-TNF agents are at increased risk of reactivation of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). The tuberculin skin test (TST) is widely used to screen LTBI and providing preventive treatment, in an effort to meet the WHO target of a 90% reduction in TB by 2035. Objectives: To determine the proportion of TST conversion among RA patients after 1 year of anti-TNF treatment and association of positive TST result with patients’ socio-demographic characteristics and medical history. Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Rheumatology of Marjan Teaching Hospital in Iraq, for a period of 1 year. Patients with RA/and spondyloarthropathy, and who received anti-TNF therapy for >1 year, underwent TST. Their demographic data and medical history were also obtained. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (Version 20) and, p < 0.05 was considered as a sign. Data from the baseline and 1 year follow-up was subjected to the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to determine whether they were normally distributed. Chi-Square test used to test significance of TST among etanrecept and infliximab at the end of the study. Results: A total of 96 patients were enrolled, including 55 (57.3%) males and 41 (42.3%) females with an average age of 41.1, and mostly 68 (70.8%) from Babylon Governorate of Iraq. A total of 40 (41.7%) patients had rheumatoid arthritis alone, and the remaining 56 (58.3%) had a comorbidity of spondyloarthropathy. Majority of the patients 65 (67.7%) received the biological agent infliximab, while 31 (32.3%) patients received Etanercept for RA for a period of 1 year. There was a statistically significant decreasing in the median ESR and disease activity  from the baseline to the end of the study (p-value <0.01). There was no significant difference in TST results based on gender or age. Both infliximab and etanercept were significantly associated with a decreasing  in ESR and disease activity Conclusion: This study has shown that there was very low TST conversion among RA patients after 1 year of anti-TNF treatment and, age and gender were not associated with TST.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (05) ◽  
pp. 891-894
Author(s):  
Shahid Ishaq ◽  
Ejaz Mazari ◽  
Fazal ur Rehman

Objectives: Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common type of seizures and typically transpire in children with ages from 6 to 60 months. This study was planned to find out major clinical risk factors for seizures in febrile children who were aged 6 to 60 months. A total of 100 febrile children aged 6 to 60. Study Design: Analytical Study. Setting: Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital and the Institute of Child Health, Multan. Period: From 1st April 2018 to 31st December 2018. Material & Methods: Group A had 40 children with febrile seizures while group B had 60 febrile children but without seizures. Demographic features along with family history of (H/O) epilepsy as well as family history of febrile seizure, types of seizure and infection diseases were noted and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Odds ratio was calculated for various risk factors. Chi square test was applied and P value < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Out of a total of 100 children, there were 54 (54.0%) male and 46 (46.0%) female. There was no statistical difference in terms of gender between the two groups (p value = 0.566). Overall, mean age of the children was 26.02 months with standard deviation of 13.4 months. There were 28 (70.0%) children who reported with simple seizures while complex seizures were found in 12 (30.0%) cases. Statistically significant difference (p value = 0.001) was seen in terms of types of infections between the two study groups. When risk of seizures for various risk factors was calculated, family H/O FS, family H/O epilepsy, and upper RTI were as 14, 7 and 3 times respectively and turned out to be the major risk factors for seizures in febrile children. Conclusions: Family H/O FS, family H/O epilepsy and upper RTIs are the major risk factors related with seizures in febrile children. Measures to prevent these risk factors can decrease the burden of FS in our population.


Author(s):  
Pinky Karam ◽  
B. Shanthi ◽  
Kalai Selvi

Background: Metabolic syndrome is a group of metabolic abnormalities in which the chance of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease are high. Aim: It aims at studying the lipid abnormalities in metabolic syndrome patients. Methods: Total of 100 metabolic syndrome patients were selected for study over a period of 1year. These patients were selected based on the criteria for metabolic syndrome as established by National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). Demographic data were taken and biochemical parameters were estimated by standard guideline. Results: Total cholesterol is significantly higher in very high risk (272.1 ± 8.591) compared to high risk (241.2 ± 3.901) and moderate risk (231.5 ± 4.498). TGL is significantly higher in very high risk (263.9 ± 13.70) compared to high risk (202.1 ± 6.531) and moderate risk (183.7 ± 7.650). HDL is almost same in very high risk (43.09 ± 1.533), high risk (40.44 ± 0.996) and moderate risk (42.53 ± 1.088). LDL is significantly higher in very high risk (177.9 ± 4.255) and high risk (169.4 ± 3.190) compared to moderate risk (155.7 ± 3.098). VLDL is significantly higher in very high risk (52.78 ± 2.739) compared to high risk (40.43 ± 1.306) and moderate risk (36.73 ± 1.530). CHO: HDL is significantly higher in very high risk (6.648 ± 0.366) compared to moderate risk (5.560 ± 0.207). High risk (6.060 ± 0.156) is not significantly different from very high risk and moderate risk. Thus, TC, TGL, LDL, VLDL, and CHO: HDL is significant as p value < 0.05 while HDL did not have any significance as p value > 0.05. Conclusion: In this study, high prevalence of dyslipidaemia is seen. So, timely diagnosis and treatment will help in detecting dyslipidaemia patients in future.


QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisham Mohamed Fathey Elshawaf ◽  
Mohamed Ismail Shabayek ◽  
Mohamed Ahmed Saleh Ahmed

Abstract Background Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the preferred technique for treating large renal stones (over 2cm in diameter). It involves keyhole surgery performed through a small skin incision overlying the kidney. Objectives Our study aimed at evaluating the safety and efficacy of local hemostatic sealant (surgiflo®) use in tubeless PCNL to enhance postoperative outcomes of PCNL. Patients and Methods We randomized our patients into two groups, Group A nephrostomy tube was used as standard PCNL, and at group B tubeless PCNL was done followed by injection of the local hemostatic flowable gelatin matrix (surgiflo®) under fluoroscopic guidance in the prone position Results There was no statistically significant difference between two groups regarding demographic data age, sex and BMI (P- value 0.280, 0.736 and 0.440 respectively), stone site and size (P- value 0.525 and 0.533 respectively), operative time (P- value 0.855), intraoperative complications as blood loss and pelvicalyceal perforation, (P- value 0.92 and P- value 0.83 respectively), postoperative complication as fever, haematuria and UTI (P- value 1.000, 0,113 and 1.000 respectivly), and Hb drop (P- value 0.735). Conclusion Tubeless PCNL with hemostatic sealant use is associated with less pain, no leakage from nephrostomy tract, less narcotic agent use, and a shorter hospital stay.


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