Burden of Elevated Body Mass Index and Its Association With Non-Communicable Diseases in Patients Presenting to an Endocrinology Clinic.

Introduction In the last 45 years, the worldwide rate of obesity has risen by nearly three-folds. Globally, 650 million adults are obese and more than 1.9 billion are overweight. The estimated prevalence of overweight and obesity in Pakistan was found to be 25% and obesity prevalence alone was 10.3% using the Asian-specific body mass index (BMI) criteria. According to the World Health Organization, overweight and obesity increase the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Objectives The aim of this retrospective observational study was to determine the burden of elevated BMI and its association with NCDs among patients presenting to a private endocrinology clinic. Study design This was a retrospective observational study conducted at Medicell Institute of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism (MIDEM), and the study duration was two years. Methodology Medical records of the patients who visited MIDEM from January 2017 to December 2018 were reviewed. Patients' data such as age (in years), gender, height (in cm), and weight (in kg), along with primary complaints and comorbidities were retrieved. BMI was calculated by dividing weight (in kg) by squared height (in m2). Results A total of 613 records were reviewed. The median age and BMI were 38 years (IQR=18 - 80 years) and 28.8 kg/m2 (IQR=24.6-33.05 kg/m2),respectively. Out of 613 patients, 10.6% were overweight and 72.6% were obese. Among 510 (83.2%) patients with elevated BMI (≥23 kg/m2), the most frequent associated NCDs were dyslipidemia (39.2%), diabetes (32.5%), hypertension (31.4%), thyroid disorders (28.6%), metabolic syndrome (25%), subfertility (14.9%), impaired glucose tolerance (12.7%) and autoimmune diseases (6.9%). On age- and gender-adjusted logistic regression model, the risk of dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes was significantly higher in overweight and obese patients. Conclusion This study demonstrated a high prevalence of obesity in patients visiting the endocrinology clinic. Obesity was identified as an independent risk factor for dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. Future studies are suggested to determine the burden of obesity and establish its association with NCDs in the general population.

Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid: Camouflaged as Persistent Conjunctivitis.

Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) is a rare autoimmune disease with heterogenous clinical manifestations. The classical lesion involves ocular conjunctiva that leads to progressive scarring and fibrosis which ultimately results in visual loss. We report a case of a young male, who had chronic conjunctivitis which remained un-responsive to conventional treatment and results in significant morbidity. Later, it was diagnosed as ocular cicatricial pemphigoid involving eyes, nasal cavity, larynx as well as skin. Patient received immuo-suppressive therapy, which helped in arresting the disease process.

Disrespect and abuse during facility-based childbirth and its sociodemographic determinants - A barrier to healthcare utilization in rural population.

CONTEXT: The provider-driven disrespect and abuse (DA) of women during childbirth is a marker for quality of maternal care and violation of basic human rights. AIMS: This study was done to assess prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of DA experienced during facility-based childbirth. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional, community-based study done in six villages in the district of Aligarh, north India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In all, 305 women who underwent facility-based childbirth were interviewed by pretested and structured questionnaire at home between 4 and 6 weeks postpartum period. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and bivariate regression analysis using SPSS 20.0 were used. RESULTS: A total of 257 (84.3%) of 305 women reported any form of DA. Nonconsented services (71.1%) and nonconfidential care (62.3%) were the most common types. Abandonment/neglect during childbirth was reported by 10.2% women, nondignified care by 9.2%, physical abuse by 5.9%, detention in the health facility by 3.3%, and discrimination by 3.9%. Women who had undergone vaginal birth [odds ratio (OR) 3.36; confidence interval (CI) 1.7-6.5], at public health facility (OR 2.65; CI 1.4-5.0), given care by providers other than doctors (OR 2.89; CI 1.5-5.5), who belonged to low socioeconomic status (OR 3.68; CI 1.4-9.7), and who did not decide place of delivery themselves (OR 4.49; CI 2.0-12.1) were more at risk of DA. Out of all females unwilling to attend facility in future, 93.8% reported experiencing DA. The association between any DA and decision to attend the facility in future was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: More than 8 of 10 women experienced any DA during facility-based childbirth. It can be a barrier to utilization of facility for childbirth. Preventing DA is important to improve quality of maternal care and institutional deliveries.

Clinical and immunological profile in patients with mixed connective tissue disease.

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rare disease and presents with varied overlapping symptoms of different connective tissue disorders. Many patients evolve into other connective tissue disorders with the passage of time. The case series included 20 patients with the diagnosis of MCTD, registered at the Rheumatology Clinic of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, from June 2010 to May 2015. Of these, 16 (80.0%) were female and 4 (20.0%) patients were male. The mean age was 30.5±8.9 years and the mean duration of illness was 4.5±2 years. Commonest presenting symptom was arthralgia in 17 (85%) patients. All the patients had positive ANA and anti-RNP antibodies. Over the disease course of 6 years, 2 (10%) patients evolved into Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); One each (5%) into Sjogren's syndrome, Scleroderma and Rheumatoid arthritis.

An elusive case of digital ischemia in a patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Essential thrombocytosis (ET) has rarely been reported with autoimmune rheumatic disorders. We report a case of young female, diagnosed case of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), who had been overlooked for her raised platelet counts. Later her symptoms of impending digital gangrene led to an active search for her thrombocytosis. JAK2 mutation came out to be positive and she was diagnosed as ET associated with RA. She was treated with Hydroxyurea and Aspirin, in addition to her RA treatment. Patient responded well to the treatment and her platelet counts have been gradually improved, however, she developed gangrene of toe, for which amputation of distal phalanx of toe and nail excision was done, later in the disease course.

An elusive case of dermatomyositis.

Dermatomyositis is an inflammatory myopathy of unknown aetiology. Muscle involvement may eventuate later in the disease course in some patients, who may present with typical skin disease without clinical signs of myopathy and are referred to as dermatomyositis sine myositis. A 48 year old female presented with intermittent urticaria like rashes, diffuse asymmetrical swelling of proximal limbs, pain in small joints of hands and fatiguability. Initial laboratory work-up for immune markers was negative. Three years later, she developed heliotrope rash and periorbital oedema with no evidence of muscle weakness and was labeled as amyopathic dermatomyositis. After an interval of one year, she developed profound weakness and significantly raised CPK. Patient responded well to steroids and Azathioprine and improved both clinically and biochemically.

Delayed conventional DMARDs therapy is effective in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the disease severity in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), at baseline and the impact of treatment on disease activity (DA) after six months of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) therapy. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted at the 'Rheumatology Clinic' of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, from June 2014 to May 2015. A total of 111 patients, with the diagnosis of RA were included in the study. DA was calculated using 'Clinical Disease Activity Index' (CDAI) score at base line and after 6 months of DMARDs therapy. RESULTS: Out of 111 patients, 17 (15.3%) were male and 94 (84.7%) were female. The mean age was 37.16±11.3 years and the mean duration of joint pain was 3.8±3.6 years (median 2.5 years). The mean Hb was 10.8±1.8 g/dl and the mean ESR at baseline was 59.63±30.9 mm/Hr. The mean initial CDAI score was 18.14±11.69; reflecting moderate to severe disease. Of all of these patients, 32 (28.8%) patients received monotherapy, 78 (70.3%) received dual therapy and 1(0.9%) was given triple DMARDs therapy. The mean ESR was 39.5±27.31 mm/Hr, and mean CDAI was 7.36±7.8 with a median of 6.0 after 6 months of DMARDs treatment. CONCLUSION: The CDAI score and the ESR reflected that majority of our patients were in remission or at low disease activity, after six months of DMARDs therapy. It is possible to control DA in RA, in a low resource health care facility with conventional DMARDs therapy. Continuity of treatment was ensured through motivation, regular supply of drugs and regular follow-up.

The many guises of primary hyperparathyroidism: An unchanged scenario.

OBJECTIVE: To study the causes, characteristics and outcome of treatment of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. METHODS: This retrospective cohort analysis was conducted at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, and comprised data of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism between 2004 and 2014. .SPSS 17 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 25 patients,1(4%)was male and 24(96%) were female. The overall mean age was 41.72±15.9 years, with a mean duration of symptoms of 4.1±3.3 years. The mean pre-operative parathyroid hormone level was 879.48±793.51 pg/ml. Skeletal manifestations were reported in 17(68%) patients, whereas 4(16%) patients had renal stone disease. Besides, 2(8.0%) patients presented with severe abdominal pain, 1(4%) had asymptomatic hypercalcaemia and 1(4%) patient presented with headache and was diagnosed as parathyroid adenoma in the context of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A. All patients underwent parathyroidectomy. A solitary adenoma was reported in 23(92%) patients, carcinoma in 1(4%) and an adenoma with hyperplasia of other glands in 1(4%) patient. CONCLUSIONS: A high index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Lipid abnormalities in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of dyslipidemia in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. METHODS: This is a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study, conducted at the 'Rheumatology Clinic' of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Karachi, from November 2013 to May 2014. A total of 200 patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), diagnosed according to the ACR/EULAR criteria 2010, were included in the study. Laboratory investigations including creatinine, ALT, CBC, TSH and fasting lipid profile (LDL, HDL, and Total cholesterol) were done for all patients. RESULTS: Out of 200 patients, 23 (11.5%) were male and 177 (88.5%) were female. The mean age was 36.31±10.46 years and the mean duration of disease was 3.82±3.03 years. A total of 107 (53.5%) patients had dyslipidemia, and the commonest abnormality was a low HDL, seen in 83 (41.5 %) patients. CONCLUSION: Dyslipidemia was frequently observed in Rheumatoid Arthritis. This may be considered as a secondary impact of chronic inflammatory state, seen in RA. Lipid abnormalities should be sought at regular intervals, and corrective actions taken to mitigate increased cardiovascular disease risk.

Ankylosing Spondylitis: A rheumatology clinic experience.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency, demographics, laboratory and radiological features in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients with a diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), based on Modified New York criteria. The study was conducted at the Rheumatology Clinic of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), from February 2004 to February 2014. Detailed history, examination and laboratory investigations were recorded in a pre-designed structured proforma. The frequency, demographic characteristics, extra-articular features and associated co-morbidities were studied. RESULTS: A total of 603 patients were registered in our Rheumatology Clinic during this period, with a definitive diagnosis of inflammatory rheumatological disorders. Out of these, Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) was diagnosed in 32 (5.3%) patients. 24 were male and 8 patients were female. The commonest affected age group was between 21-40 years. Majority of the patients belonged to Pathan ethnicity. CONCLUSION: The demographic features of AS are same as reported in earlier studies from other parts of the world. The predominance of AS in specific ethnic groups is a fact that needs to be studied. Larger studies are required for clarifying the triggers of this disease. It often leads to severe disability, hence an early diagnosis and prompt treatment is required for better disease control and quality of life.

Burden of rheumatological disorders in a tertiary care hospital.

OBJECTIVE: T To evaluate the frequency of different rheumatological disorders in patients visiting a tertiary care centre. METHODS: The retrospective analysis was conducted at the Rheumatology Clinic of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, and comprised prospectively collected data of patients with different musculoskeletal disorders from February 2004 to February 2014. Detailed history, examination and laboratory investigations were recorded in a pre-designed structured proforma. The frequency, demographic characteristics and associated co-morbidities were studied. SPSS 17 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 603 patients whose data was analysed, 460(76.3%) were women and 143(23.7%) were men. Overall mean age of the patients was 35.2±12 years. Rheumatoid arthritis was diagnosed in 458(76%) patients, systemic lupus erythematosus in 42(7%) ankylosing spondylitis in 32(5.3%), mixed connective tissue disease in 22(3.6%) and scleroderma in 12(2%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Rheumatological disorders constitute a major disease burden in a relatively young population of patients. RA was the most common disorder seen in our clinic, as seen elsewhere also, followed by SLE, AS, MCTD, etc.