Consensus statements for influenza awareness, prevention, and vaccination in Pakistan.

INTRODUCTION: Influenza is a serious underestimated viral infection in Pakistan and influenza vaccination and vaccination awareness are low. The current work aimed to develop consensus on influenza epidemiology, prevention, vaccination, and awareness in Pakistan. METHODOLOGY: A systematic literature search was conducted to develop recommendations on influenza vaccines in Pakistan. Experts' feedback was incorporated using the modified Delphi method. A three-step process was used, with 18 experts from different specialties from Pakistan who participated in voting rounds to achieve a minimum 75% agreement level. RESULTS: Pakistan has a low-immunization-rate and is susceptible to serious influenza outbreaks and influenza-related complications. Influenza circulates year-round in Pakistan but peaks during January and February. The subtype A/H1N1 is predominant. The experts urged vaccination in all individuals ≥ 6 months of age and with no contraindications. They highlighted special considerations for those with comorbidities and specific conditions. The experts agreed that the inactivated influenza vaccine is safe and efficient in pregnant women, immunocompromised, and comorbid respiratory and cardiovascular patients. Finally, the experts recommended conducting promotional and educational programs to raise awareness on influenza and vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first regional consensus on influenza and influenza vaccination in Pakistan with experts' recommendations to increase influenza vaccination and decrease influenza cases and its associated detrimental effects.

The Prevalence of Subclinical Hypothyroidism During Early Pregnancy in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) during early pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage or premature birth. In Pakistan, the prevalence of SCH among pregnant women is not well documented. This multi-center study aims at identifying the prevalence of SCH among Pakistani pregnant women. Methods A cross-sectional multi-center study was conducted over a period of 12 months. Pregnant females in the first trimester of pregnancy were recruited from the antenatal clinics of seven centers from six Pakistani cities. We assessed the frequency of SCH in pregnant females and associated risk factors. Results A total of 500 pregnant women were enrolled in this study. Only eight women (1.6%) had a newly-diagnosed SCH. While 1.2% of women had hyperthyroidism, 6% had known hypothyroidism, and 1% had overt hypothyroidism. Ten females (33.3%) with known hypothyroidism were receiving an inadequate dose of thyroid replacement therapy. The association between BMI and SCH was not statistically significant (p = 0.69). Moreover, we could not find any significant difference between patients with or without SCH in terms of age (p > 0.90), dyslipidemia (p = 0.157), history of miscarriage (p > 0.90), the regularity of the cycle (p > 0.90), and history of infertility (p > 0.90). Conclusions The frequency of undiagnosed SCH in pregnant females in the study from Pakistan was 1.6%. The rate of uncontrolled hypothyroidism was high, which raises an alarm of the potential risks of untreated thyroid disorder.

Acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinopathy: A case report.

A 25-year-old male presented with a complaint of acute visual loss in his right eye for two days. There was a history of visual loss in the left eye six months ago. Comprehensive eye examination showed evidence of posterior uveitis, and a placoid lesion on the right fundus. Further physical examination showed maculopapular rashes on the upper back which was highly suggestive of syphilis. Blood tests for venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test were ordered, which were both positive. Ocular syphilis should be suspected in all cases of uveitis. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with appropriate antibiotics can prevent permanent visual loss.

Pakistan prevalence survey in acute pharyngitis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of Group A beta haemolytic Streptococcus in patients with acute pharyngitis and correlation of Modified Centor Score and Rapid Antigen Detection Test. METHODS: The multi-centre, prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in 8 major cities of Pakistan between June 2012 and February 2013, and comprised patients presenting with acute pharyngitis. The subjects were above 3 years of age presenting to primary care physician with sore throat, temperature over 100.4 degrees F, tonsillar exudates and/or cervical adenopathy (duration of symptoms < 14 days). They were scored using Modified Centor Score and were tested with Rapid Antigen Detection Test for Group A beta haemolytic Streptococcus. SPSS 19 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 5140 patients, 1299 (25.3%) tested positive, for RADT Group A beta haemolytic Streptococcus in acute pharyngitis. There was no significant difference across different age groups (p < 0.08). There was a strong correlation between Modified Centor Score and Rapid Antigen Detection Test results (p < 0.001). Of the patients with positive result, 3 (0.4%) had a Modified Centor Score < or = 0; 23 (1.8%) had score of 1; 152 (11.7%) had score of 2; 511 (39.3%) had score of 3; and 609 (46.9%) had Centor score of > or = 4. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Group A beta haemolytic Streptococcus as a cause of acute pharyngitis was 25.3%. Modified Centor Score had a strong positive correlation with Rapid Antigen Detection Test in identifying Group A beta haemolytic Streptococcus as a cause of acute pharyngitis.

Platelet count/splenic size ratio: a parameter to predict the presence of esophageal varices in cirrhotics.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate platelet count/ splenic size ratio as a non-invasive parameter to predict the presence and absence of esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis of liver. DESIGN: An observational, cross- sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The medical units of the Civil Hospital, Karachi, between October 2003 and October 2004. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During one year of study, one hundred and thirteen (113) patients with cirrhosis of liver were studied. These patients were evaluated for the cause of chronic liver disease, ascites and splenic size by abdominal ultrasound, serum proteins and albumin, prothrombin time, complete blood count including platelet count and liver functions test. All the patients had upper GI endoscopy to determine if they had esophageal varices and were classified according to Child s-Pugh classification. It was determined if the platelet count/ splenic size ratio between the two groups was different and its relation to the presence or absence of esophageal varices was noted. RESULTS: Of the one hundred and thirteen (113) patients included in the study, 35(31%) were female and 78(69%) male. The mean age of these patients was 37.1(+/- 14.85) years. Thirty-eight patients had HBsAg, 59 had anti-HCV antibodies, 8 patients had both HbsAg and anti-HCV antibodies and the cause of cirrhosis in 8 patients was indeterminate. Fifty patients had ascites. Of 113 patients, 15(13.27%) were classified as Child s Pugh class A, 68(60.18%) in class B and 30(26.55%) in class C. Sixty-six (58.4%) patients had esophageal varices on upper GI endoscopy while 47(41.6%) had no endoscopic evidence of esophageal varices. The ratio between platelet count/ splenic size was found to be significantly (p < 0.001) different between patients who had esophageal varices and those who did not. CONCLUSION: Platelet count/splenic size ratio is an important and an independent parameter associated with the presence of esophageal varices.

Frequency of hepatorenal syndrome among cirrhotics.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of hepatorenal syndrome in patients with chronic liver disease and ascites. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: From July 2001 to March 2002 at Civil Hospital, Karachi. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 240 patients who were admitted in the Medical Wards of Civil Hospital, Karachi, during the study period. The subjects were diagnosed as having chronic liver disease and all of them had ascites. All the patients with renal dysfunction were identified and were worked up for hepatorenal syndrome and other causes of renal dysfunction. RESULTS: Of two hundred and forty (240) patients enrolled in the study, 148 were male (61.7%) and 92 were female (38.3%). Seventy-six (76) patients (31.6%) were found to have renal impairment as diagnosed by serum creatinine level of 1.5 mEq/L or greater. Six (6) patients showed improvement in their serum creatinine level (below 1.5 mg/dL) after receiving 1.5 liter of normal saline infusion and diuretic withdrawal. Eleven (11) patients were diagnosed to have primary renal disease based on urine analysis, urinary protein excretion and ultrasound examination. Six (6) patients were diagnosed to have renal dysfunction secondary to analgesic nephropathy and in seventeen (17) patients renal dysfunction was secondary to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. The remaining 36 (47.4%) patients with renal dysfunction were diagnosed as suffering from hepatorenal syndrome based on the diagnostic criteria. This represents the frequency of 15% among patients with chronic liver disease and ascites. CONCLUSION: Hepatorenal syndrome is common complication in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. It was the most common cause of renal impairment in this series followed by other causes like spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, primary renal disease, analgesic nephropathy and hypovolemia.

Frequency of Helicobacter pylori antibodies in porto-systemic encephalopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To study the frequency of Helicobacter pylori antibodies in patients presenting with porto-systemic encephalopathy due to liver disease. STUDY DESIGN: An observational, cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Different medical units at Civil Hospital, Karachi between May 2001 and April 2002. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During the study period, seventy-six patients of porto-systemic encephalopathy due to liver diseases were selected. These subjects were evaluated for hepatic encephalopathy grade, modified Child-Pugh classification and were managed according to the standard practices. These patients were evaluated for Helicobacter (H. pylori ) antibody status by ELISA(Abbott Laboratories) method. RESULTS: Out of 76 patients studied and tested for H. pylori antibodies, 48(63.2%) were males and 28(36.8%) were females with age ranging between 17 and 85 years. Out of 76 patients who presented with porto-systemic encephalopathy, 59(77.6%) had a positive H. pylori antibody test. Thirty five of these were males and 24 were females. A significant number of patients who presented with higher grade of encephalopathy were H. pylori antibody positive (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, frequency of H. pylori antibodies was significantly high in patients of porto-systemic encephalopathy.

Stroke scale score and early prediction of outcome after stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score as a predictor of functional outcome after ischemic stroke. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The study was carried out between September 2001 and May 2002 at the Department of Medicine, Civil Hospital, Karachi. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 50 patients who presented to Civil Hospital, Karachi, during the study period with acute stroke and were evaluated with CT scan of brain. Only those patients were enrolled in the study that had acute ischemic stroke. The enrolled subjects were then evaluated for the neurological impairment using National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The subjects were followed-up and their functional outcome was assessed using Barthel index (BI) on the 7th day of their admission. RESULTS: Of the fifty patients enrolled in the study, 31(62%) were males and 19 (38%) were females, with age ranging from 45 years to 95 years and a mean age of 59.9 years. Neurological impairment at presentation was assessed by NIHSS. The score ranged between 2 and 28. The functional outcome was evaluated on the 7th day using Barthel index (BI), which ranged from 0 to 80. NIHSS score was found to be a good predictor of functional outcome in patients with ischemic stroke (p<0.001). Other factors like gender, hypertension and heart disease did not affect the functional recovery in such patients. Various factors were found to be significant for early prediction of stroke recovery. The NIHSS score was the strongest predictor of outcome after ischemic stroke. Age at the time of the event was also found to be an important predictor for stroke recovery. CONCLUSION: The NIHSS score is a good predictor of patient' recovery after stroke. Assessing the patient's neurological impairment at first presentation of ischemic stroke can guide the physician regarding the prognosis and management plan.