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Objectives: To compare the efficacy of letrozole (LTZ) vs clomiphene citrate (CC) for ovulation induction in patients having polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at The Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nishtar Medical University Hospital, Multan, Pakistan from January 2021 to June 2021. A total of 78 women aged 18 to 30 years, diagnosed having PCOS were enrolled. In Group-A, 39 women were given LTZ, 5mg for five days of menstrual cycle. In Group-B, 39 women were given CC, 100mg for five days of menstrual cycle. All patients underwent transvaginal scan (TVS) for the evaluation of efficacy in terms of ovulation induction. Results: Overall mean age was noted to be 25.41±2.84 years. Most of the patients, 51 (65.4%) belonged to rural area of residence. There were 52 (66.7%) patients with BMI less than 25 kg/m2. Overall, mean duration of infertility was found to be 2.62±0.74 years. Among 70 patients who completed the follow ups and analyzed regarding efficacy, in Group-A, efficacy was noted in 23 (59.0%) patients in comparison to 14 (35.9%) in Group-B (p=0.0413). Mean endometrial thickness was significantly better in Group-A versus Group-B (8.1±1.5 mm vs. 6.8±1.9 mm, p=0.0022). Conclusion: Aiming ovulation induction, letrozole in comparison to clomiphene citrate was found to have significantly better efficacy among women having anovulatory PCOS.
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OBJECTIVE: To determine the external validity of STONE score for predicting the probability of ureteral stone in patients presenting in emergency department with suspicion of ureteral stones. METHODS: In this prospective validation study, a total of 134 patients aged above 18 years, and first time arrived in the emergency unit for treatment of flank pain and then referred for the CT scan for suspected ureteral stone in Sandeman Provincial Hospital, Quetta, from 10-June-2018 to 15-Oct-2019 were included. STONE score calculation was done before sending the patient to the CT scan, using the same protocol as defined by Moore et al. Based on STONE score patients classified into the low-risk group (0 to 5), moderate-risk group (5 to 9) and the high-risk group (10 to13). The AUC, sensitivity, specificity and test characteristics were calculated for STONE score. RESULTS: The mean age was 39.2± 11.2 years, there were 86 (64.17%) men and 48 (35.83%) women. there were 26.8% patients having low-risk score, 52.23% moderate-risk and 21.97% high-risk score. On receiver operating curve (ROC) the area under curve (AUC) of the stone score was 0.75 (95% CI, 0.67 to 0.83), the lower band of AUC 0.67 and upper band 0.83. In high risk STONE score the sensitivity of STONE score was 66.7% and specificity was 75.0%. CONCLUSION: Based on our study results, CT scan and ultrasonography are standard diagnostic tools for suspected ureterolithiasis but in emergency unit, use of STONE score to categorize the patient as low risk, moderate-risk and high-risk of ureteral stone can help the physician (clinician) to take decision either there is a need of further investigation or not.
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BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is common in Pakistani population and an important cause of morbidity. Celiac disease (CD) is an important contributor and its diagnosis is frequently missed especially if present in atypical/non-diarrhoeal form. Non-responders to iron replacement therapy typically raises suspicion of celiac disease as underlying cause. Aim of this study is to determine the frequency of CD in patients with IDA.. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted at tertiary health care centre Islamabad from 12th March to 12th September 2016. Two hundred & ninety patients of newly diagnosed IDA age more than 12 years, including both genders were selected trough non-probability purposive method. Patients with overt Blood loss (gastrointestinal, genitourinary, Pulmonary, recent Trauma or Surgery) were excluded. Active worm infestation and inadequate iron intake were also excluded. After informed consent, all the enrolled patients were investigated for presence of Anti-Tissue tansglutaminase antibody (Human Anti TTG IgA type) by ELISA in their serum at pathology laboratory of PIMS. RESULTS: Out of 290 patients of IDA 32 (11%) had celiac disease (p=0.0002), more common in younger age <40 years 24 (75%), predominantly in female 22 (68.75%), more prevailing in Kashmiri population 9(28.12%). CONCLUSIONS: Celiac disease is common in patients who present with IDA. Diagnosis of CD is frequently missed in the absence of classic features and IDA may be the only manifestation of CD..