Clinical assessment of absence of palmaris longus muscle and its association with ethnicity.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two clinical tests used for assessment of absence of palmaris longus, and to determine the prevalence of the absence of palmaris longus among ethnic groups in a cosmopolitan setting. Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Bahria University Health Sciences, Karachi, from April 2021 to May 2022, during which forearms belonging to Sindhi, Punjabi and Urdu-speaking ethnic groups were tested. Assessment of presence or absence of palmaris longus was performed using Schaeffer's and Thompson's tests. Agenesis and association of ethnicity and agenesis were compared. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: Of the 250 subjects, 152(60.8%) were females and 98(39.2%) were males. The overall mean age was 20.4±2.23 years (range: 18-23 years). In terms of ethnicity, 100(40%) subjects each were Punjabis and Urdu-speaking, while 50(20%) were Sindhis. The total forearms assessed were 500. The overall agenesis was 186(37.2%). When the two assessment tests were compared, highly significant differences were noted (p<0.000). Overall agenesis was highest among Sindhis 40%, followed by 38% in Punjabis, and 35% in Urdu-speaking. Significant differences were observed when one-sided palmaris longus absence was compared with two-sided absence (p<0.037). Conclusion: Schaeffer's test had more accuracy compared to the Thompson's test in the determination of palmaris longus agenesis. There were variations in terms of agenesis among the ethnic groups.

Anatomical aberration of palmaris longus agenesis muscle through clinical examination in relation to gender and hand dominance.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of agenesis of palmaris longus muscle and its association with gender and hand dominance. METHODS: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi, from March 2021 to November 2021, and comprised medical students of either gender from 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of studies. Clinical examination of palmaris longus was done by using the classic Schaeffer's test, and it was confirmed using the Thompson's test. The agenesis of palmaris longus muscle and its association with gender and hand dominance was also tested. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: Of the 200 participants, 114(57%) were female and 86(43%) were male. The overall age range was 18-23 years. Of the total, 195(97.5%) subjects were right hand dominant and 5(2.5%) were left hand dominant. Agenesis was found in 67(33.5%) subjects with no significant difference in terms of gender or hand dominance (p>0.05). Statistically significant difference (p=0.01) was found related to bilateral agenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral agenesis was found significantly more in females compared to the males, while palmaris longus agenesis and hand dominance had no significant association.

Radiographic assessment of sacral hiatus anatomy with backache.

Objectives: To determine hiatal variations in cases of backache and controls on radiographs and association of age groups with hiatal parameters in patients with backache versus normal individuals. Methods: This case control study on 178 patients (89 cases and 89 controls), aged from 18-65 years, selected by non-probability convenience sampling was conducted at Radiology Department of PNS Shifa Hospital, Karachi over six months.The sacral hiatus was identified on lumbosacral spine radiographs. Both metric and non-metric parameters of hiatus with respect to sacral vertebra were noted and compared between the groups. Results: Inverted "U" was the most common type observed in cases with base of hiatus at S5 level. Comparison of hiatal shape among different age groups showed inverted "U" and inverted "V" types among all age groups. Hiatal anteroposterior diameter and width were greatest in 36-45-year age group, and it was longest in 46-55-year age group. Determination of relationship between sacral hiatal parameters and incidence of low back pain showed positive association of inverted "U" and "M" shapes with back pain. Increased risk of back pain was observed with high apex (first sacral vertebra (S1)). Conclusion: Strong positive correlation was determined with inverted "U" and "M" shapes, and level of apex at S1 with low backache.

Association of fetal hydrocephalus with other embryological anomalies: A prenatal ultrasound-based study.

Objective: To determine the incidence of fetal hydrocephalus in pregnant women and to identify the association of fetal hydrocephalus with other embryological anomalies. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 36 pregnant women at a private ultrasound clinic in Karachi over a period of eight months. The participants were divided into age groups, 21-30 years and 31-40 years. Toshiba APLIO 300 ultrasound machine was used to assess fetal age by measuring biparietal diameter (BPD) and femur length, whereas atrium of lateral ventricle was measured to diagnose fetal hydrocephalus. Results: Twenty-two cases of fetal hydrocephalus were observed in maternal age of 21-30 years with a p-value of 0.011. Severe dilatation of ≥15mm was observed in 85.7% cases in age group of 31-40 years. Cranial anomalies were found in 20 cases with significant results while extracranial anomalies were observed in cases of severe dilatation only. Hydrocephalus was prevalent in male fetuses and was observed in 30 (83.33%) fetuses. Conclusion: Most cases of fetal hydrocephalus were observed in women of younger age (p=0.011). Fetal hydrocephalus of severe type exhibiting ventricular dilatation >15mm was observed in fetuses of male gender.

Students' perceptions of usefulness of Anatomy demonstrations in traditional and hybrid undergraduate medical education curricula.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to study students' perceptions on the usefulness of Anatomy demonstrations (AD) in the undergraduate medical education by comparing the Conventional Medical College (CMC) and problem-based learning as hybrid curriculum (HMC). Purposive sampling technique was used and all students were included. The completed questionnaire responses were returned by 92 CMC and 87 HMC students. CMC cohort understood the structural relationship more than HMC (p=0.03). AD helped 50 students (54%) of CMC to get through the theory examination, however 73 (84%) students of HMC found them useful in preparation for theory examinations (p<0.001). The importance of AD as a major content delivery strategy cannot be overemphasized in the anatomy curriculum and useful teaching strategies from various undergraduate medical curricula, such as the use of the plastic and plastinated models and the session handouts.

Knowledge and practices of ergonomics in computer users.

OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge and practices of ergonomics among desktop users of different professions. METHODS: It was an observational cross-sectional study conducted over a two-week timeframe (from November 7 to 21 2009), through a self-reporting questionnaire. Responses were analysed using SPSS version 15 and considered significant at p value<0.05. RESULTS: The study population comprised 210 males and 134 females. Of the total, 52% said they had heard about ergonomics, while 92% were aware of its importance. Knowledge about the importance of arm-rest (24%) and backrest inclination at 120 degrees (32%) was there, but practised by 21% and 31% respectively (p = <0.02). Straight placement of wrist in line with elbow was known to 194 (56.39%) and practiced by 138 (40%), while 186 (54.06%) respondents had knowledge about the ideal height of the chair, but it was adjusted only by 112 (32%). Disproportion was observed between the knowledge and practices of correct viewing distance from the computer screen, maintaining print at eye level, keeping computer screen free of glare and moving the chair for better keyboard use. CONCLUSION: Almost half of the respondents were not aware of the principles behind safe ergonomic practices. Even those who had the knowledge were not able to carefully and entirely apply this for prevention from health hazards.

An ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit--ergonomics is a healthy choice.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to identify the occurrence and outcome of low back ache amongst computer users and their relation to age, gender, occupation and duration of computer use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A self reported questionnaire tailored from Occupational Health and Safety Act of the Ministry of Labor, Ontario, Canada was used. RESULTS: 416 participants 55.5% males and 45% females using computers for a minimum of five years with age range 22 to 59 years belonged to different occupational groups. Consecutive hours of computer work was found to be associated with work related backache or discomfort in 27.4% (n = 114) participants (16.1% male, 11.3% female). Frequent short breaks improved backache (p value <0.001) in 93 (22.4%) participants (13.2% male, 9.2% female). No significant relation was observed with the duration of computer usage or usage per day; between the two genders or occupational groups. Backache had no significance within age groups. CONCLUSION: Our study identifies the occurrence of low back pain among those who are using computer for consecutive hours without breaks and the results suggest the need to create health awareness especially use of short breaks to minimize the risk and occurrence of low back pain. The result of this study can also be used to improve ergonomic design and standards.