RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is reported to be the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in cases of upper gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. There is paucity of research between the possible association of H. pylori and iron stores and iron deficiency anemia (IDA). In this study, we will determine if there is an association between serum total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), serum iron and ferritin levels, and H. pylori infection. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted in the gastroenterology ward of a major hospital in Pakistan from December 2020 to April 2021. Three hundred patients diagnosed with H. pylori were enrolled along with 300 participants in the control group. H. pylori was confirmed or excluded with the help of Giemsa stained gastric biopsy specimens. Blood was sent to the laboratory to test for ferritin, serum iron, and TIBC. Each sample was drawn in the morning to avoid any fluctuations. RESULTS: The mean serum iron level was significantly lower in participants with H. pylori infection compared to those who did not have H. pylori infection (110.72 ± 28.38 ug/dL vs. 162.5 ± 21.18 ug/dL; p-value: <0.0001). Serum ferritin level was significantly higher in participants with H. pylori infection (536.82 ± 117.0 ng/dL vs. 391.31 ± 101.54 ng/dL; p-value: <0.0001). CONCLUSION: In comparison with the control group, TIBC and serum iron levels were found to be lower in the case group.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Thyroid hormone affects lipid metabolism. Various studies have shown a contradictory relationship between lipid profile (LP) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). Currently, there is a scarcity of regional data on the relationship between LP and SCH. METHODS: This longitudinal study was conducted in the internal medicine and cardiology units of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan from September 2019 to March 2021. A total of 900 participants, of either gender and between the ages of 40 to 70 years, were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were sent to the laboratory to determine lipid and thyroid parameters. Participants were divided into two groups based on the presence of SCH. RESULTS: In our study, 179 (19.8%) participants had SCH. Total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was significantly higher in participants with SCH compared to participants without SCH (228.41 ± 35.21 mg/dL vs. 171.21 ± 30.21 mg/dL; p-value: <0.00001) and (131.65 ± 28.22 mg/dL vs. 89.26 ± 18.52 mg/dL; p-value: <0.0001), respectively. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study found an increased incidence of dyslipidemias in patients with SCH. It is associated with elevated TC and LDL levels, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease and mortality.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Uncontrolled and inadequately managed asthma substantially reduces Quality of Life (QOL) and can lead to premature death. The aim of this study is to understand the role of montelukast in improving quality of life in asthmatic patients by comparing it with placebo. METHODS: This prospective, single-arm, interventional study was conducted from September 2019 to February 2020 in the pulmonology outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. All patients were prescribed montelukast (10 mg once daily). RESULTS: At day 28, participants had a higher score on the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire-Standard (AQLQ-S) overall and in all sub-domains compared to day 0. The improvement was significant overall and for the sub-domains of symptoms, activity limitations, and environmental stimuli. CONCLUSION: Montelukast has an effective role in asthma control as well as in improving the quality of life in the Pakistani population.
RESUMEN
Introduction There is ample data available to determine the impact of deranged lipid values of acute myocardial infarction (AMI); however, there is a paucity of data from low-income countries like Pakistan. In this study, we aim to determine the correlation of lipid values with AMI. Materials and methods This case-control study was conducted from 1 February 2019 to 30 October 2019 in a tertiary care hospital in Sukkur, Pakistan. There were a total of 421 participants divided into two groups; Case Group (patients with AMI, n=212) and Control Group (patients without AMI, n=209). Results Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly higher in patients with AMI and HDL was lower. There was no significant difference between triglycerides in both groups. Conclusion Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor for AMI. There is a need for more large scale multi-center studies to further understand the role of lipid profile in AMI and the various factors that influence it.
