Quality of life of Pakistani medical students studying in a private institution.

OBJECTIVE: To find the quality of life of medical students using a World Health Organisation questionnaire. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2015 at Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad, Pakistan, and comprised students studying in an integrated medical education system. The shortened version of World Health Organisation Quality of Life questionnaire comprising 26 items was used. Consecutive non-probability sampling was used to collect data which was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Out of 417 medical students, 185(44.4%) were male and 232(55.6%) were female. Of them, 165(39.6%) were in pre-clinical years, while 252(60.4%) were in clinical years. Overall, 347(83.2%) students rated their quality of life as "good" or "very good". Environmental domain had the highest mean score of 70.43±16.38 while Psychological Health domain had the lowest mean score of 66.48±15.64. CONCLUSIONS: Medical education affects students' health, thus their quality of life varies. Identification of this is very important, since long-term stress can induce some permanent personality changes in individuals.

Role of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Interventional Cardiology.

Directed by 2 decades of technological processes and remodeling, the dynamic quality of healthcare data combined with the progress of computational power has allowed for rapid progress in artificial intelligence (AI). In interventional cardiology, artificial intelligence has shown potential in providing data interpretation and automated analysis from electrocardiogram, echocardiography, computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and electronic patient data. Clinical decision support has the potential to assist in improving patient safety and making prognostic and diagnostic conjectures in interventional cardiology procedures. Robot-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention, along with functional and quantitative assessment of coronary artery ischemia and plaque burden on intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), are the major applications of AI. Machine learning algorithms are used in these applications, and they have the potential to bring a paradigm shift in intervention. Recently, an efficient branch of machine learning has emerged as a deep learning algorithm for numerous cardiovascular applications. However, the impact deep learning on the future of cardiology practice is not clear. Predictive models based on deep learning have several limitations including low generalizability and decision processing in cardiac anatomy.

A novel deletion mutation in EPM2A underlies progressive myoclonic epilepsy (Lafora body disease) in a Pakistani family.

Lafora body disease (MIM-254780), a glycogen storage disease, characterized by Lafora bodies (deformed glycogen molecules) accumulating in multiple organs, is a rare form of myoclonic epilepsy. It manifests in early adolescent years, initially with seizures and myoclonus, followed by dementia and progressive cognitive decline, ultimately culminating in death within 10 years. In Pakistan so far 5 cases have been reported. Here, we report a new case of Lafora body disease belonging to a consanguineous family from Pakistan. Histopathological analysis confirmed presence of lafora bodies in the patient`s skin. Sanger sequencing revealed novel homozygous 5bp deletion mutation (NM_005670.4; c.359_363delGTGTG) in exon 2 of the EPM2A gene, which was truly segregated in the family. These results will increase our understanding regarding the aetiology of this disorder and will further add to the mutation spectrum of EPM2A gene.

Impact of insulin pump on quality of life of diabetic patients.

AIM: Diabetes is an emerging health problem, both in developing and developed countries and has an enormous economic and social impact. The objective of our study was to find the impact of insulin pump on the quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and compare it to the quality of life of patients with T2D using an insulin pen. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This is a case-control study which was conducted among patients with T2D presenting between November 2014 and November 2015. A total of 83 patients with T2D, using insulin pump were enrolled in the study as cases and 322 patients with T2D not using insulin pump but using insulin pens were enrolled as controls. Short form-36 quality of life questionnaire was used for data collection. RESULTS: Mean age of patients using insulin pump was 52.49 ± 9.28 while the mean age of patients not using insulin pump was 54.72 ± 16.87. Mean score of all domains in the questionnaire was found to be higher in patients using insulin pump as compared to patients not using insulin pumps (P < 0.05). In 81.1% of the patients, the insulin pump decreased the frequency of hypoglycemic episodes. CONCLUSION: Insulin pump has significantly improved the quality of life of patients in terms of better self-esteem, decreased stress, and better mood. It has resulted in improved physical health, meal time flexibility, and ease of travel. It allows patient to have more active participation in social and recreational activities improving their personal and family life.

Ebola, the killer virus.

Ebola virus disease (EVD) has mostly affected economically deprived countries as limited resources adversely affect a country's infrastructure and administration. Probing into the factors that led to the widespread outbreak, setting forth plans to counter EVD cases in developing countries, and devising definitive measures to limit the spread of the disease are essential steps that must be immediately taken. In this review we summarize the pathogenesis of EVD and the factors that led to its spread. We also highlight interventions employed by certain countries that have successfully limited the epidemic, and add a few preventive measures after studying the current data. According to the available data, barriers to prevent and control the disease in affected countries include irresolute and disorganized health systems, substandard sanitary conditions, poor personal hygiene practices, and false beliefs and stigma related to EVD. The public health sector along with the respective chief authorities in developing countries must devise strategies, keeping the available resources in mind, to deal with the outbreak before it occurs. As a first step, communities should be educated on EVD's symptoms, history, mode of transmission, and methods of protection, including the importance of personal hygiene practices, via seminars, newspapers, and other social media. A popular opinion leader (POL) giving this information would further help to remove the misconception about the nature of the disease and indirectly improve the quality of life of affected patients and their families.