Showing papers by "Syed Iqbal Azam published in 2012"

Dental age table for a sample of Pakistani children.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of Demirjian’s dental age assessment table in a sample of Southern Pakistani population and, if not applicable, to formulate a separate dental age table for Pakistani males and females. The study was conducted on the dental pantomographs of a sample size of 882 subjects (427 males and 455 females) ranging in age from 7 to 14 years. A paired t -test was used to assess any difference between chronological age and dental age assessed according to Demirjian’s method. Logit function was used to make the relationship between dental maturity and chronological age and linear regression analysis with the equation X = [Ln { y /100 – y } – a ]/ b was used to generate dental age tables for Pakistani males and females. Dental age assessed according to Demirjian’s method for this male sample was over-predicted in the 7 year and 11–15 year age group ( P < 0.05). In the female sample, there was an over-prediction in all the age groups ( P < 0.05). Statistically significant differences were found in chronological and dental age assessed by Demirjian’s method for Pakistani males and females and thus, a new table was generated to convert dental maturity calculated according to Demirjian’s method into dental age for the population.

Effect of the menstrual cycle phase on post‐operative pain perception and analgesic requirements

Abstract: Background Research has shown that menstrual cycle phase may affect pain sensitivity. There is a lack of studies evaluating this effect on post-operative pain and analgesic needs. Methods In this prospective cohort study, we determined the effect of menstrual cycle phase on pain perception and analgesic requirements following total abdominal hysterectomy. Sixty women with regular menstrual cycles undergoing elective surgery were recruited and divided into ‘follicular’ and ‘luteal’ groups according to their menstrual history. Post-operative pain was managed with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia using tramadol. Intravenous morphine was used for rescue analgesia, and pain was assessed for 24 h. Results Pain scores in the recovery room and ward six and 24 h post-operatively were similar in the groups at rest and on coughing. Pain scores at rest 12 h post-operatively were significantly higher in the luteal group (P = 0.043), while they were similar on coughing. There was no significant difference in the total tramadol requirement. Number of patients requiring rescue analgesia and the amount of morphine used was also similar. Conclusion There was no difference in pain scores or analgesic requirements between the two groups except for rest pain at 12 h, which was significantly higher in the luteal group. As pain was assessed at 13 different time points, a significant difference seen only at one point could be due to random chance. We suggest that future research should concentrate on studying this issue in patients of relatively younger age groups with more pronounced hormonal variations during the cycle.

Time trends and age-related etiologies of pediatric hydrocephalus: results of a groupwise analysis in a clinical cohort

Abstract: Objective The current study aimed at evaluating experience with pediatric hydrocephalus and reviewing time trends and age-related differences in etiology, management, and outcomes of pediatric hydrocephalus at a tertiary care center in a south Asian country.

Prediction of pre-eclampsia during early pregnancy in primiparas with soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and placental growth factor

Abstract: Background We hypothesized that pre-eclampsia (PE) can be predicted early in primiparas by measuring serum levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) Methods All normotensive primiparas attending the antenatal clinics of Aga Khan University Hospital and Aga Khan Hospital for Women, Karachi, Pakistan without any known risk factor for PE were invited to participate in the study They were divided into two groups based on the development of PE Their blood samples were collected at 8–15, 16–22, 23–28, 29– 34 weeks of pregnancy and once within 1 week of delivery All samples were analysed for sFlt-1 and PlGF Results Six hundred and eleven (467%) of 1307 recruited primiparas completed the study according to the protocol Of these, 39 (64%) women developed PE The difference in serum sFlt-1 was evident as early as 15 weeks of gestation Higher levels of serum sFlt-1 were present in women who later developed PE Relatively higher levels of PlGF were observed in non-PE women compared to PE women up to 22 weeks of gestation However, after 23 weeks of pregnancy, PlGF levels increased in both the groups, but less so in the PE group Receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve analysis showed that even in early pregnancy (<15 weeks of gestation), serum sFlt-1 alone has the potential to predict PE with area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity of 081, 759 and 724, respectively Conclusion PE can be predicted in primiparas in the early part of second trimester with serum levels of sFlt-1 and in the later part of second trimester with serum levels of PlGF

Growth charts of fetal biometry: a longitudinal study

Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to construct reference charts for fetal biometry in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal study involving 1228 women with singleton pregnancies. Biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length were measured repeatedly until delivery. Regression analysis and multilevel modeling was used to construct charts. Results: The mean age of the women in this study was 28.0 years with standard deviation of 4.6. For each gestational age percentiles were calculated and charts were then constructed. Conclusion: Our reference percentiles for fetal biometry measurements are the first of their kind in Karachi, Pakistan. They will not only help us in the diagnosis and management of fetal growth restriction but will provide the basis to develop charts at the national level.

Prevalence of menopause, chronic illnesses and life style of middle aged women in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract: Objectives: To determine the prevalence of menopause, chronic illnesses and lifestyle of middle aged women in Karachi, Pakistan. Design: A Cross Sectional survey was conducted among women of 40-60 years living in socio-economically different areas of Karachi. Information was gathered on their current menstrual status, age at menopause, body mass index, exercise habits, weekly recall of food consumed and chronic illnesses. These variables were also examined according to the socio economic status of the area where women reside. Results: A total of 1764 women in age group 40-60 years were interviewed. The prevalence of menopausal women in this age group was 39.3 percent (%). The mean age at menopause was 45.2 (±3.8) years. Only seven percent of women were doing some kind of exercise and approximately eighty percent had their Body Mass Index � 23 kg/m 2 according to Asian Standard. Approximately 31 percent (%) of women reported eating any type of meat at least four times a week, of these most were from higher income area. Majority consumed meat less than three times a week. Similar pattern was observed for consumption of fruits and milk. Approximately 36 percent (%) of women reported diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardio vascular heart disease and arthritis. Conclusion: The sedentary life style, obesity and chronic illnesses are highly prevalent and are serious emerging public health problem for 40-60 years old women of Karachi. We recommend that awareness about balanced diet, exercise and healthy eating habits should be inculcated in women early in life, where possible through schools and media. Health policies and public health messages should be formulated according to the various stages of life cycle of women, so that women can prepare themselves for the next stage of life.

The Effect of Different Shades, Voltages and Increment Thickness on the Polymerization Depth of a Microhybrid Composite

Abstract: Aim: Electric fluctuations in the developing world are common and may affect dental composite curing. We determined the effect of variable voltage and increasing thickness of different shades of composite on its depth-of-cure.Materials and methods: ISO scrapping method was used on 14 commonly used shades of Esthet-X HD composites. Student's t-test and ANOVA were applied to compare the mean depth-of-cure and a linear regression model was developed using variables voltage (180 V and 220 V), material thickness (2, 4 and 6 mm) and shades (n = 14).Results: The mean curing depth of samples was significantly reduced at 180 volts compared to 220 volts (p-value <0.002). At thickness of 2 mm, all samples were fully cured but when it was raised to 4 mm, the depth-of-cure reduced to 1.86 mm ± 0.06; while at 6 mm thickness, it reached to 1.96 mm ± 0.06 (p-value < 0.001).Conclusion: Around 82% variation in the depth-of-cure is explained by voltage, thickness and shade of composite material (p-value <0.001).Clinical significance: Electric fluctuations are prevalent in the developing world and thus poor voltage flow is responsible for dental composite's inadequate polymerization.