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OBJECTIVE: To record the clinical and demographic characteristics of measles in patients hospitalized with measles infection in Peshawar, Pakistan. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records from December 2017 to January 2016 was conducted at Northwest General Hospital and Research Centre, Peshawar. A total of 182 measles patients' data was retrieved and recorded in predesigned format which include information on demographics, clinical features, complications and outcome. Both descriptive and inferential statistics was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Out of 182 patients, 118(64.8%) were males. The mean age was 24.1±2.5 months. The average length of hospital stay was 3.09±2.58 days. The most common complication was pneumonia 99 (54.4%), followed by diarrhea 54 (29.7%) and encephalitis 11 (6.0%). The patients were categorized in to two age groups, pre-vaccination group (=9 months age) and post-vaccination group (>9 months age). Significant number of cases 54 (30%) were seen in age group <9 months. Only 45 (35%) cases in age group >9 months received the scheduled measles vaccination. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that Koplik spots [AOR=0.251, Cl; 0.074-0.853, p=0.027], lymphocyte count (normal/high) [AOR=0.205, Cl; 0.092-0.453, p<0.001] and vaccination in general [AOR= 2.546, Cl; 1.185-5.469, p=0.017] were found to be significantly associated with age group >9 months. CONCLUSION: Pneumonia was the commonest complication followed by diarrhea. Vaccination history was very poor and significant number of patients were seen in age group <9 months of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the antipyretic and cold sponging versus only antipyretic for treatment of fever. Material and Methods: This Randomize control trial was conducted at pediatrics department Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar - Pakistan, from August 2017 to December 2017.Total sample of 100 patients were selected randomly for study, written informed consent were taken from parents. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A was given only paracetamol while group B was given paracetamol and cold sponging was also applied, then temperature was checked at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes, discomfort was also noted at these intervals. Data was collected by predesigned questionnaire and processed by SPSS 17. Results: Out of total 100 patients 53(53%) were males while 47(47%) females. Mean age was 6.4±2.8 years with minimum of 2 and maximum of 13 years. We had noted that in group B i.e. those who were given antipyretics and applied cold sponging, the decrease of temperature was rapid than those who were given only antipyretics ie. Group A especially in first 30 minutes. Moreover after 2 hours the temperature reached to normal range in both groups but the decrease was more rapid in group B than group A. Conclusion: Fever treated with antipyretic and cold sponging fall faster in the first 30 mint and those treated with only antipyretic the temperature drop was a bit slower but at the end of two hours both reached the same level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To note ultrasound findings in patient of Dengue Fever in pediatric age group and to find relation between ultrasonographic findings and severity of disease in terms decrease in platelets. Study Design: Cross sectional descriptive study. Setting: Department of Pediatric Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. Period: August 2017 to Dec 2017. Methodology: Data was collected randomly from 183 patients using pre designed questionnaire by interviewers for biodata, ultrasonography for radiological findings and analyzed by SPSS 21.0. Mean ± standard deviation was calculated for numerical variables like age where as for categorical variables frequency and percentage was calculated. Results: In the study 56.3% were males while 43.7% were recorded as females with mean age of 6.53 ± 3.40 Years. 18.6% showing anti-dengue serology (IgG & IgM) positive while 94.5% subjects showed positive NS-1, in other investigations 87% had thrombocytopenia in different categories with mild > moderate > severe. In the ultrasongraphic findings hepatomegaly and spleenomegaly shared maximum numbers of 28.4% while Ascites 23.5%, Pleural Effusion 7.1% & Gall Bladder thickness 7.1%. A P-Value of ≤0.05 was found when all these ultrasonographic findings were correlated with severity of disease in terms of decrease in numbers of platelets. Conclusion: DEN Virus is common most disease in our part of world. This study shows maximum number of patients with NS-1 shows hepatomegaly and spleenomegaly in ultrasonographic changes and the positive relation has been shown between decrease in platelets count with ultrasonographic findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the frequency of various socio-demographic and other risk factors of myocardial infarction in female population. Methodology: A cross sectional study was carried among the patients admitted in Combined Military Hospital, Ayub Teaching Hospital and District Headquarter Hospital, Abbottabad from 1st April to 31st August 2016. Female patients who were admitted in hospitals having myocardial infarction were included. Pre planned questionnaire including several variables like age, education status, occupation, and known risk factors of MI like hypertension, diabetes, family history was recorded. Data was collected and analyzed using SPSS 16.0. Results: Out of total 87(37.3%) female patients, 28.7% were living in urban area, 75.9% of MI patients were between 50-70 years of age, 60% were married, 49.5% were taking regular exercise while 34.5% did not exercise at all. About 44.8% of females were using polyunsaturated, 25.3% saturated while 23% were using monounsaturated fats. About 48.3% of patients had emotional stress, 37.9% had history of hypertension while 62.1% had history of both hypertension and DM. About 28.7% had family history of heart diseases. Conclusion: Traditional risk factors and certain socio-demographic variables like advanced age, sedentary life style, lesser education, stressful life and lack of exercise are linked to development of myocardial infarction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the knowledge level of different patients about risk factors, warning symptoms and preventive measures of cardiovascular diseases. Methodology: This observational cross sectional study was conducted at Cardiology Department Ayub Teaching Hospital (ATH), Abbott bad from 15 June 2015 to 10 Aug 2015. The study population was selected using systematic random sampling. They were asked about risk factors knowledge and warning symptoms of cardiovascular disease. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: A total of 171 patients were included. Of these, 117(68.4%) were males with mean age of 54.63±8.32 years. Of them urban population was 88 (51.5%). Out of 171 patients, 24 (14%) were unable to answer any question, 20.5 % said fatty food, 6.5% smoking and 12.8 % lack of exercise, while obesity, cholesterol,high blood pressure, depression and diabetes was considered as risk factor by 17.6%, 5.8%, 2.3%, 17%, and 3.5% of the patients respectively. According to Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Knowledge Level (CARRF-KL) 18.1% had poor, (57.9 %) fair, (18.7 %) good and 5.3 % had excellent knowledge about risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. About 70.2% considered chest pain as warning sign of cardiovascular disease. Conclusion: Most of the population of low socioeconomic status is unaware of the risk factors related to cardiovascular diseases, while awareness about CAD warning symptoms was good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To find out the clinical characteristics, treatment offered and outcome of patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) admitted to cardiology unit Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), Peshawar, Pakistan. METHODS: This retrospective observational study was conducted in Cardiology Unit, LRH, Peshawar, Pakistan by analyzing record of all diagnosed STEMI patients of age >18 years, from 1st January to 31 December 2013. RESULTS: Total number of patients admitted with STEMI were 1733 (46.02% of total coronary artery disease admission). Of all these patients with STEMI, fibrinolytic therapy with streptokinase were given to 1380 (79.6%) patients, while 343 (19.8%) were late for fibrinolytic therapy or having some contraindication to fibrinolytic therapy. Ninety four (5.4%) patients received primary or rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Out of 1733 patients, males were 1085 (62.60%), female were 648 (37.40%), mean age was 57.42±8.7 years, diabetes was found in 458 (26.39%) cases, hypertension in 679 (39.18%) cases, smokers were 183 (10.5%). Family history of coronary artery disease (CAD) was found in 205 (11.82%) cases, past history for CAD was present in 305 (17.5%) patients and anterior wall myocardial Infarction & new onset left bundle branch block was found in 790 (45%) cases. In-hospital mortality was 158 (9.1%). CONCLUSION: About 46% of patients admitted with CAD were having STEMI, of them 80% receive streptokinase while only 5.4% were subjected to primary or rescue PCI. In-hospital mortality is about 9%. Anterior wall MI was the most frequent AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the frequency of various types of ventricular arrhythmias, its causes, treatment, in-hospital course and short term outcome of ventricular arrhythmias in patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital. Methodology: This observational study was conducted in Cardiology Unit of Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from Ist September 2014 to 31st March 2015. All patients with ventricular arrhythmias admitted during study duration were included after fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Their baseline, clinical, echocardiographic characteristics, treatment and hospital outcome were recorded in a specially designed proforma. SPSS version 19 was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 127 patients were included in the study. Males were 93 (73.22%). Mean age was 43.42 ±10.7 years. Causes of ventricular arrhythmias were acute coronary syndrome 51 (40.15%), ischemic cardiomyopathy 27 (21.25%) and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy 13 (10.23%). Successful pharmacological cardioversion was achieved in 29 (22.83%) patients with amiodarone and 3(2.36%) patients with lignocaine. The rest of patients were cardioverted with electrical cardioversion. A total of 8 (6.3%) patients expired. Conclusion: Most common cause of ventricular arrhythmias was coronary artery disease followed by ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathies. Commonly used technique of cardioversion was pharmacological for hemodynamically stable patients and electrical for hemodynamically unstable patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]