Digital eye strain and its associated factors among radiology physicians in Pakistan: a cross-sectional survey using logistic regression analysis.

Background and aims: Increased use of digital devices in the modern era has led to the development of digital eye strain (DES) or computer vision syndrome in their users. This can result in the development of various ocular and visual symptoms among them. In this study, the authors aimed to view the prevalence of digital eye strain among radiology physicians in Pakistan and their associated risk factors. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate occupational DES among radiology physicians in Pakistan. The data collection was done using the convenience sampling technique, and the data were analyzed using IBM SPSS for Windows, Version 25.0. Results: Out of the 247 respondents, 33.6% were males and 66.4% were females. 41.7% of them were between 30 and 40 years of age and 51.8% of them were radiology residents. 52.2% of the participants had a refractive error and were using a corrective lens. The majority of the radiologists in our study (84.2%) preferred picture archiving and communication system (PACS) over films and 82.2% of them reported having breaks of less than 15 min. Major symptoms reported by the participants were tired or heavy eyes (69.6%) and headache (69.3%). The proportion of developing DES was higher in females [P=0.001, adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.94], radiology residents (P=0.031, aOR=3.29), and working hours of more than 4 h per day (P<0.001, aOR=0.04). Conclusion: With recent advances in the field of radiology in Pakistan, the frequency of developing DES among radiologists is increasing. Being a female, having long working hours, and having noticeable flickers on the digital screens were among the significant factors in developing DES among radiologists.

Safety and efficacy of extended thrombophilia screening directed venous thromboembolic events (VTE) prophylaxis in live liver donors: do we really need extended thrombophilia screening routinely?

Background and aims: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of hereditary thrombophilia, and stratify its severity among live liver donors in Pakistan. Also, the authors evaluated the safety and efficacy of thrombophilia profile testing directed venous thromboembolic events (VTE) prophylaxis while balancing bleeding risk and the need for routine thrombophilia testing before live liver donation among living donor candidates. Materials and methods: Protein S (PS), protein C (PC), anti-thrombin (AT) III, and anti-phospholipid antibody panel (APLA) levels were measured in 567 potential donor candidates. Donors were divided into normal, borderline and high-risk groups based on Caprini score. The safety endpoints were VTE occurrence, bleeding complications or mortality. Results: Among 567 donors, 21 (3.7%) were deficient in protein C, and 14 (2.5%) were deficient in anti-thrombin-III. IgM and IgG. Anti-phospholipids antibodies were positive in 2/567 (0.4%) and 2/567 (0.4%), respectively. IgM and IgG lupus anticoagulant antibodies were positive in 3/567 (0.5%) and 3/567 (0.5%), respectively. VTE events, bleeding complications and postoperative living donors liver transplantation-related complications were comparable among the three donor groups (P>0.05). One donor in the normal donor group developed pulmonary embolism, but none of the donors in either borderline or high-risk group developed VTE. The mean length of ICU and total hospital stay were comparable. No donor mortality was observed in all donor groups. Conclusions: Due to thrombophilia testing directed VTE prophylaxis, VTE events were comparable in normal, borderline and high-risk thrombophilia donor groups, but more evaluations are required to determine the lower safe levels for various thrombophilia parameters including PC, PS and AT-III before surgery among living donor candidates.

Nanomedicine: Advancement in healthcare.

With recent research and clinical advancements progressing, great strides have been made in treating both infectious and non-infectious diseases more specifically and with limited side effects. Nanotechnology in medicine has revolutionized drug delivery and improved treatment options. While they have increased efficacy, bioavailability, dose-response, targeting ability, combat antimicrobial resistance, and enhanced safety, the field is often unexplored and limited to academic institutional interests. Government support, specific flagship programmes, and more significant investments in this field could yield promising results with a greater understanding of its usage and related adverse effects.

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Doctors and Medical Students of Punjab, Pakistan: A Logistic Regression Analysis.

Background: This study was carried out to find the awareness level, prevalence of anxiety and depression, and their associated factors among doctors and medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Punjab province, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: An online questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted; data were collected regarding the demographic profile, awareness of COVID-19, anxiety symptoms using a self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and depression symptoms using a self-rating depression scale (SDS). A total of 504 responses were obtained. The Chi-square test was used to compare groups and the logistic regression model for the association of factors with anxiety and depression. Results: A total of 504 medical students and doctors responded to the questionnaire. The mean age of participants was 25.66 ± 6.71 years. The awareness rate of COVID-19 was 97.6%. The prevalence rate of anxiety and depression was 3.4% and 15.1%, respectively. According to the logistic regression model, those with low awareness levels (≤6 points) and spending more time on the news (>3 hours) had higher levels of anxiety, while higher levels of depression symptoms were reported in females, young people, and medical students. Conclusion: Doctors and medical students had a high level of awareness of COVID-19 and a low level of anxiety and depression. However, female gender and younger age group were the most vulnerable groups significantly associated with depression.

Devastating urban flooding and dengue outbreak during the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan.

Pakistan has recently been overwhelmed by extreme torrential rains, with its most populous city of Karachi experiencing its worst floods in almost a century. Poor flood control and water disposal facilities have led to an immense risk of another dengue outbreak, with multiple cases being reported recently. The enormous accumulation of stagnant water in urban areas is a major source of mosquito breeding and transmission. Historical data has shown the correlation between the number of dengue cases and average rainfall in the region. The monsoon rains have pounded at a time where health authorities are battling to contain the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. There is a need to implement centralized dengue control strategies to undertake large scale water drainage, sanitation, and disinfection drives in disaster-stricken areas alongside public health awareness programs to combat the after-effects of this natural calamity.

Awareness, anxiety, and depression in healthcare professionals, medical students, and general population of Pakistan during COVID-19 Pandemic: A cross sectional online survey.

Background: COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic has seriously affected the entire world. This study was aimed to assess prevalence and influencing factors of anxiety and depression during the pandemic in our Pakistani population, including healthcare professionals, undergraduate medical students, and general public. Methods: An online cross sectional survey was conducted; with a questionnaire having demographic profile, COVID-19-related knowledge/awareness, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and self-rating depression scale (SDS). A total of 1014 people responded to the survey. Chi square test was used to compare different groups, and logistic regression models were used to explore influencing factors for anxiety and depression symptoms. Results: Of the 1014 respondents, 92.6% were aware of COVID-19, and the prevalence rate of anxiety and depression symptoms was 4.6% and 14.3%, respectively. Healthcare professionals had more awareness about COVID-19 as compared to medical students and general public (p<0.001). Logistic regression models showed females, and people who were not aware of COVID-19 (≤ 6 points score) were more likely to have both anxiety and depression symptoms (p<0.05), the general public had more anxiety than healthcare professionals (p<0.05), while undergraduate medical students and young people had only depression (p<0.05). Conclusion: Although major mental health burden is not present in Pakistan, but there is a dire need to pay more attention to vulnerable groups like young people, undergraduate medical students, and women. Psychological interventions are required to reduce the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic.