Using the network scale-up method to characterise kidney trafficking in Kalai Upazila, Bangladesh.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of illegal kidney sales in Kalai Upazila, Bangladesh, using the Network Scale-Up Method (NSUM), an ego-centric network survey-based technique used to estimate the size of hidden populations. The study estimated the size of the kidney seller population, analysed the profiles of kidney sellers and kidney brokers and investigated the characteristics of villagers who are more likely to be connected to kidney sellers to identify possible biases of the NSUM estimate. The study found that the prevalence of kidney trafficking in Kalai Upazila was between 1.98% and 2.84%, which is consistent with the estimates provided by a local leader and reporters, but with much narrower bounds. The study also found that a large proportion of kidney sellers and brokers were men (over 70% and 90%, respectively) and relatively young (mean age of 33 and 39, respectively). Specific reasons for kidney sales included poverty (83%), loan payment (4%), drug addiction (2%) and gambling (2%). While most reported male sellers were farmers (56%) and female sellers were housewives (78%) in need of money, most reported brokers were characterised as rich, well-known individuals.

Comparison Of Efficacy And Safety Profile Of Empagliflozin As A Combination Therapy In Obese Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a progressive disease due to multiple pathophysiological defects. Monotherapy alone cannot achieve adequate glycemic control and can lead to treatment failure. Empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter2 (SGLT2) inhibitor improves glycemic control in patients with T2DM. There were limited studies to determine efficacy and safety profile of empagliflozin with conventional oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) in Pakistan. So we investigated the efficacy and safety profile of empagliflozin as add-on therapy to metformin and sitagliptin in T2DM patients. METHODS: In this comparative randomized placebo-controlled trial, 240 obese type 2 diabetic patients with inadequate glycaemic control (i.e, HbA1c ≥7%) with metformin and sitagliptin were allocated in to two groups. Patients in group B were given tab empagliflozin 10mg twice a day while patients in group A were given tab placebo for a period of 24 weeks. Changes in body weight, HbA1c, blood pressure were analysed pre and post treatment by using SPSS v23. RESULTS: Empagliflozin caused a significant reduction in body weight -6.9±2.4 kg as compared to placebo -3.1±0.8 kg with p-value <0.001. This body weight reduction was further accompanied by reduction in systolic blood pressure -10.1±2.6 mmHg in empagliflozin group versus -5.3±2.5 mmHg in placebo group with p-value <0.001, and HbA1c -1.68±0.45 in empagliflozin group versus -0.1±0.06 in placebo group with p-value <0.001. There were 28.3% patients in empagliflozin group in whom HbA1c levels reduced <7% as compared to only 13.3% patients in placebo group (p-value 0.04). However no significant adverse effects were recorded in both study groups. CONCLUSIONS: Empagliflozin as a combination therapy has good efficacy and safety profile in obese type 2 diabetic patients.