Dose Comparison And Side Effect Profile Of Metformin Extended Release Versus Metformin Immediate Release.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes Mellitus type 2 is very common worldwide, with majority of cases in Asia Pacific region. Metformin is the first line therapy, along with lifestyle modification for all type 2 diabetics as recommended by ADA. Metformin is available as conventional Metformin Immediate Release (MIR) and Metformin Extended Release (MXR). Metformin XR has better gastrointestinal tolerability and fewer side effects as compared to Metformin IR, with similar efficacy regarding anti-hyperglycaemic effects. The objective of this study was to determine whether metformin XR is as effective as Metformin IR in maintaining glycaemic control at equivalent doses or even at reduced doses; and to compare the side effect profile of the two preparations. METHODS: This randomized control trial was conducted at Medical and Endocrinology OPD of Jinnah Hospital Lahore. A total of 90 type 2 diabetics of both genders were recruited using nonprobability purposive sampling. Patients were randomized into 3 groups; 30 in each group. Group 1 received Metformin IR 1000 mg twice daily; group 2 received metformin XR 1000 mg twice daily; and group 3 received metformin XR 500 mg twice daily, for a period of three months. HbA1c was done at baseline and after three months of therapy along with fasting blood sugars and random blood sugars weekly. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 46±9 years, with 54% being males and 46% being females. There was a 1% reduction in HbA1c in group 1, 0.7% reduction in group 2 and only 0.4% reduction in group 3. Similarly, all three therapies were equally effective in reducing blood sugar fasting and blood sugar random at three months. Side effects namely diarrhoea, dyspepsia and flatulence were greatest with Metformin IR (40%) but less than half with Metformin XR at equivalent dose and negligible at half the dose. CONCLUSIONS: All three Metformin groups were effective in reduction of HbA1C and glycaemic control clinically and there is no statistical difference in HbA1c reduction among groups at three months.

Glycaemic Control Of Type 2 Diabetic Patients During Ramazan Fasting.

BACKGROUND: Among five main pillars of Islam Fasting is one of the key elements, all healthy adult Muslims have to observe fast from dawn till dusk during the holy month of Ramadan. According to a 2009 demographic study, Islam has 1.57 billion believers, making up 23% of the world population of 6.8 billion, and is growing by 3% per year. EPIDIAR (epidemiology of diabetes and Ramadan) study showed that 43% patients with type 1 and 79% patients with type2 diabetes observe fast during the month of Ramadan. Whereas those people who are suffering from diabetes and are fasting may be at risk of adverse outcomes and the risks may rise with longer fasting periods. Ideal management of diabetic patients who wish to fast during Ramadan needs to be done to avoid the complications. The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of fasting on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetic patients during the month of Ramadan. METHODS: This was an observational cross sectional study; it was conducted at outpatient department Jinnah institute of diabetes and endocrinology Jinnah hospital Lahore during the month of Ramadan. Patients were advised to monitor blood sugar levels for two days before and after three meals (lunch, breakfast and dinner) before Ramadan and then during Ramadan blood sugar levels were monitored for four days in first Ashra before and two hours after Sehari, for four days at noon during second Ashra and then for four days pre and two hours after Iftar in last Ashra of Ramadan. Patients were educated Pre-Ramadan about glucose monitoring and drug dosage adjustments were done along with dietary counselling. RESULTS: Blood glucose levels two days before and during Ramadan fell within range of mean glucose level of 150-187 mg/dl showing no extreme fluctuations in blood glucose levels only one patient reported symptomatic and biochemical hypoglycaemia severe enough to break the fast at noon. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that in Ramadan fasting, type 2 diabetic patients with proper education, dietary counselling and drug dosage adjustments glycaemic control can remain in safe acceptable range preventing any life-threatening complication.

Effect Of Non- Surgical Periodontal Treatment On Glycemic Control Among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients With Periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis and Diabetes Mellitus are two closely, bidirectional linked disease where periodontitis is a well-known complication of diabetes it is also considered to be a cause for poor glycaemic control. The present study objective was to evaluate the glycaemic control in patients suffering from both Diabetes Mellitus and Periodontitis after non-surgical periodontal treatment. METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted with two groups of patients attending Diabetic Clinic, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, during six months from September 2013 to February 2014. Forty-six diabetes mellitus subjects who were undergoing non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease that includes mechanical removal of supra- and sub gingival bacterial plaque with scalers, antibiotics and or root canal if required while 46 subjects with diabetic mellitus having periodontal disease did not had treatment for periodontal disease. HbA1c was compared at base line and at three months. Data was compiled and analysed through SPSS version 16. Quantitative variables like HbA1c was presented as mean±SD. Qualitative variables like gender, education status, economic status, treatment for diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease were described by using frequency percentages. The t-test was applied to assess statistical significance in mean difference HbA1c between two groups. p-value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Forty-six subjects who received non-surgical treatment for periodontitis 43 (93.5%) received scaling only while 3 (6.5%) received scaling plus antibiotics. Fall in the level of HbA1c was observed among subjects with treatment of periodontal disease indicating a good control of diabetes while in group without treatment there was either no change or increase in HbA1c. Mean HbA1c at baseline in group with treatment of periodontitis at baseline was 7.672±.6414 and without treatment was 6.957±.3494. (t= -1.008, p<.279). Mean HbA1c after 3 months in group with treatment of periodontitis was 6.867±.6168, and in group without treatment was 6.983±.3678. (t=6.641, p<.000). CONCLUSIONS: Non-surgical periodontal treatment is associated with improved glycaemic control (reduced HbA1c level) in type 2 diabetic patients.

Determining the Association Between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Treatment-Refractory Hypothyroidism.

Introduction Refractory hypothyroidism, despite weight-based thyroxine dosing, is a common endocrinology consultation in outpatients. Chronic Helicobacter (H.) pylori infection has been reported to be responsible for the poor absorption of thyroxine from the small gut leading to suboptimal response with contradictory evidence. This study was carried out to determine the association of chronic Helicobacter pylori infection with refractory hypothyroidism in outpatients presenting to a tertiary care hospital. Methods One hundred thirty patients with the diagnosis of hypothyroidism, visiting Jinnah Allama Iqbal Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (JAIDE) Jinnah Hospital Lahore, Pakistan, from January 2020 to February 2021, were included in the study after informed consent following the non-probability consecutive sampling technique. All of these patients were 15-70 years of age, non-pregnant, and receiving thyroxine treatment for at least six weeks. Patients with a history of gastric surgery, malabsorption syndrome, or poor compliance were excluded from the study. Patients' age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded in a structured proforma. Patients were categorized into two groups, i.e. controls (biochemically euthyroid on thyroxine treatment with TSH < 4.5mU/L) and cases (refractory hypothyroidism despite 1.6 mcg/kg thyroxine treatment with TSH > 4.5 mU/L). The presence of chronic H. pylori infection was checked with serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) testing by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) from the hospital laboratory and data analysis was done by SPSS version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results One hundred thirty patients were included in this study, with an age range from 15 to 70 years. Of these, 65/130 (50%) were euthyroid on treatment and 65/130 (50%) had treatment-refractory hypothyroidism. The mean age of patients in our study was 45.81 ± 11 years, with 118 (90.8%) female patients. The prevalence of positive H. pylori IgG antibody was 47/130 (36.2%) overall, with 23 patients (35.4%) in the control (euthyroid) group and 24 patients (36.9%) in the cases (refractory hypothyroidism) group. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant with an odds ratio of 1.069 (CI 0.523 - 2.187) and a p-value of 0.855. Moreover, age, gender, and BMI had no effect on chronic H. pylori association with refractory hypothyroidism. Conclusion This study does not suggest any significant association between chronic H. pylori infection and treatment-refractory hypothyroidism. Other factors like poor compliance, drug-drug interactions, and malabsorption disorders should be preferably sought in case of refractory hypothyroidism.

Spectrum of Dyslipidemias in Treatment-Naïve Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients Presenting to an HIV Clinic of a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Introduction HIV/AIDS is a major communicable disease worldwide, especially in developing countries where disease prevalence is over 90%. The National AIDS Control Programme of Pakistan reported around 160,000 HIV cases (140,000-190,000) with a 5% prevalence among traditional risks groups. HIV infection is thought to affect lipids metabolism adversely, thus resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to find out the frequency and types of dyslipidemia in patients with HIV not taking anti-retroviral therapy, presenting to an HIV clinic at a tertiary care hospital. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at the HIV clinic of Jinnah Hospital from January 2020 to July 2020. A total of 280 treatment-naïve patients, fulfilling the inclusion protocol, were included through non-probability consecutive sampling after informed consent. Blood samples of 5 mL were taken using aseptic measures and following standard procedure after ensuring overnight fasting by a nurse and were sent immediately to the pathology laboratory of Allama Iqbal Medical College. The results of the lipid profile were collected the next day and noted in the proforma. Dyslipidemia and type of dyslipidemia were recorded as per operational definition. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, version 27.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Cross-tabulation was done to assess the relationship of gender, BMI, and family history on dyslipidemia, and a chi-square test was applied to check statistical significance. Results Among 280 treatment-naïve HIV-infected patients, the majority of patients were females (52%). The mean duration of HIV was 9.31 + 2.13 months. About 55% of patients had a BMI of more than 25 kg m2. A family history of dyslipidemia was found in 62% of the patients. Dyslipidemia was observed in 70% of patients with maximum derangement seen in total cholesterol level (62%). After applying the chi-square test, a significant relation was identified between BMI and family history with dyslipidemia in HIV-infected individuals (p-value = 0.00). Conclusion A considerable proportion of treatment-naïve HIV patients have underlying dyslipidemia with a significant relationship with higher BMI and a family history of dyslipidemia. The findings of this study highlight the importance of early screening for dyslipidemia in HIV patients.

The Syndrome of Diabetic Amyotrophy: A Preventable Disaster?

Diabetic amyotrophy is a disabling syndrome that frequently has a difficult or delayed clinical recognition. It is characterised by lancinating pain followed by muscle weakness, usually in the hip and thigh. The disease predominantly occurs in elderly patients and causes significant morbidity. Although a detailed history and neurologic examinations are helpful, electrodiagnostic testing yields accurate diagnosis in most of the cases. Herein, we chronicle the case of a young patient who developed profound diabetic amyotrophy within five years after the onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, this report highlights the preventive as well as therapeutic role of strict glycemic control, warranting population-based monitoring and education of patients for diabetic amyotrophy, especially in Pakistan.