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Background Hepatitis B and C are viral infections of the liver transmitted by blood contamination. These infections are endemic in Pakistan and put a tremendous burden on its healthcare system. We conducted this study to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in Gujranwala, Pakistan, from 2010 to 2015 and determine the trend of future infections for a prediction of the disease burden by 2030 so policymakers can make informed decisions. Methods We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of 66,308 healthy blood donor samples at District Headquarters Teaching Hospital in Gujranwala from January 2010 to December 2015. Samples were screened for HBV and HCV using the kit method, and data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). We applied a least squares regression to our results to predict HBV and HCV incidence in 2030. Results A total of 715 samples (1.08%) were positive for HBV and 1,846 samples (2.78%) were positive for HCV. Our projections indicate that 3.25% of patients in Pakistan will be positive for HBV, and 6.36% will be positive for HBC by 2030. Conclusion We found an unexpectedly greater burden of HBV and HCV in the recent past than at current levels. The predicted percentages of future burden over the next decade were alarmingly high. These data necessitate implementing preventive and therapeutic measures by policymakers to reduce the disease burden and mortality in Pakistan.
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OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the frequency of electrolyte abnormalities in patients of probable and culture-proven sepsis on admission and assess any association of electrolyte disorders with mortality. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: NICU, Fazle-Omar Hospital, Rabwah, from October 2015 to September 2016. METHODOLOGY: All neonates with the diagnosis of probable and culture-proven sepsis during the study period admitted in NICU, Fazle-Omar Hospital, were included in the study. Electrolyte levels were categorised as normal, high or low and recorded in the data form, with age and outcome. Fisher exact test was used to test association. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-one neonates were included in the study. Ten (6.6%) died. Among these, 114 (75.49%) had one or more electrolyte abnormalities. Median (IQR [interquartile range]) levels of sodium and chloride were, 140 (7.1), and 100.2 (7.4) mmol/L, respectively. Mean levels of potassium and calcium were 5.07 ±0.76 mmol/L and 2.35 ±0.338 mmol/L, respectively. Hyperkalemia was the commonest electrolyte disorder present in 60 (39.7%) neonates, followed by hypercalcemia in 50 (33.1%) and hypocalcemia in 20 (13.2%). None of the neonates without any electrolyte abnormality died (p=0.053). CONCLUSION: Majority cases of neonatal sepsis have got electrolyte abnormalities. Hyperkalemia was the commonest electrolyte imbalance followed by hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia.