Fractional exhaled nitric oxide and respiratory complaints in Hajj pilgrims wearing a cotton towel or plain cotton ihram.

OBJECTIVE: Hajj is an important component of Islam. This study aimed to determine the effect of wearing a cotton towel or plain cotton ihram on the onset of respiratory symptoms and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels in Hajj pilgrims. METHODS: One hundred male nonsmoking subjects (age: 20-60 years) without a previous clinical history of respiratory illnesses were included. Fifty subjects were dressed in a cotton towel ihram and 50 wore a plain cotton ihram (control group). Respiratory symptoms and FeNO levels were recorded on the day before leaving for Hajj, when ihrams were removed, and when the pilgrims had returned home. RESULTS: Pilgrims who wore cotton towel ihrams showed significantly higher rates of respiratory symptoms, including being generally ill, coughing, a sore throat, and a runny nose, than those who wore plain ihrams. FeNO levels also tended to be higher in pilgrims who wore a cotton towel ihram compared with those with a plain cotton ihram during and after Hajj. CONCLUSIONS: Hajj pilgrims who wear cotton towel ihrams may have a risk of respiratory symptoms, including a cough, sore throat, and runny nose. Therefore, a plain cotton ihram is advisable while performing Hajj to minimize respiratory illness.

Electronic Cigarettes: Impact on Lung Function and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide Among Healthy Adults.

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are rapidly becoming an alternative form of nicotine consumption worldwide and a disruptive element in the global health diplomacy. This study aimed to investigate the impact of e-cigarettes on lung function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) among young healthy male adults. Sixty apparently healthy male volunteers were recruited and divided into two groups. Group 1 (e-cigarette-exposed group) consisted of 30 males who were daily e-cigarette users (age 27.07 ± 6.00 [mean ± SD] years). Group 2 (control group) consisted of 30 males who were not e-cigarette users (age 25.90 ± 7.72 [mean ± SD] years). Both groups were neither current nor former traditional tobacco users. Age, ethnicity, height, weight, and socioeconomic status were considered using a matched design to investigate the impact of e-cigarette use on lung function and FeNO. The lung function test parameters that were found to be significantly decreased in e-cigarette users compared to their control group were forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced expiratory ratio (FEV1/FVC), forced expiratory flow-25% (FEF25%), forced expiratory flow-50% (FEF50%), forced expiratory flow-75% (FEF75%), forced expiratory flow-25%-75% (FEF25%-75%), and forced expiratory flow-75%-85% (FEF75%-85%). FeNO was also decreased in e-cigarette users, but it did not reach the level of significance. The use of e-cigarettes significantly impaired various lung function parameters and the pattern of impairment exhibited a peripheral obstructive airway involvement. These findings have a general message for the global health community on the potential harm of e-cigarettes on lung function.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Pakistan: Current prevalence and future forecast.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic health problem of all age groups, both gender, involves rural and urban areas and developing and developed countries globally. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Pakistan. Systematic bibliographic search of scientific databases including PubMed, ISI-web of science and Google Scholar was conducted with key words of "type 2 diabetes mellitus" "prevalence", "incidence", "occurrence". A total of 22 peer reviewed papers published in ISI and PubMed indexed journals were selected and examined. All the epidemiologic and experimental studies reporting the diabetes prevalence in Pakistan were included. Lastly, we analyzed 18 publications and remaining 04 papers were excluded. The current prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Pakistan is 11.77%. In males the prevalence is 11.20% and in females 9.19%. The mean prevalence in Sindh province is 16.2% in males and 11.70 % in females; in Punjab province it is 12.14% in males and 9.83% in females. In Baluchistan province 13.3% among males, 8.9% in females; while in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) it is 9.2% in males and 11.60% in females. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in urban areas is 14.81% and 10.34% in rural areas of Pakistan. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Pakistan is11.77%. The prevalence is higher in males than females and more common in urban areas compared to the rural areas. Pakistan must include diabetes preventive measures in their national health policy to minimize the burden of the disease.