Chandka Medical College

About: Chandka Medical College is a education organization based out in Larkana, Pakistan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Outpatient clinic. The organization has 106 authors who have published 108 publications receiving 1170 citations.

Depression Among Patients with Chronic Cluster Headaches.

Abstract: Introduction Chronic headaches account for a significant proportion of people leading a poor quality of life. Chronic cluster headaches can be defined as episodes of headache usually around the eye in the pattern of a cluster lasting 15-180 minutes each followed by multiple similar episodes occurring at a frequency of 1-8 times per day. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi. One hundred patients who were diagnosed cases of chronic cluster headaches were asked to fill the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Headache Impact Test (HIT), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results Of our study subjects, 57 were males and 43 were females. The mean HIT-6 score among these patients was found to be 60.5±7.67 (p-value = 0.04). The mean BHS score among these patients was found to be 13±6.87. The mean HADS reporting anxiety (HADS-A) was found to be 12.54 ± 5.65; whereas, the mean HADS reporting depression (HADS-D) was found to be 7.65 ± 4.65. Conclusion Patients with chronic cluster headaches have higher scores than the general population. There is an association between headache syndromes and depression which require further investigation.

Prevalence of Falls and Fractures in Alzheimer's Patients Compared to General Population.

Abstract: Introduction Alzheimer's disease (AD), found in the aging elderly population, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to worsening memory loss and cognitive impairment. Falls and fractures are common in the overall elderly population. Hence, the purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of falls and fractures in Alzheimer's patients compared to the general population. Methodology This longitudinal study was conducted at the neurology outpatient department (OPD) in a tertiary healthcare setup in Pakistan from November 2019 till April 2020. Previously confirmed diagnosed Alzheimer's patients from neurology OPD were included in one group. Equal number of gender and age-matched healthy participants were included in the reference group. Participants were followed for 12 months to determine the incidence of falls and non-vertebral fractures. Results The incidence of fall was significant in the Alzheimer group compared to the reference group (22.8% vs. 10.9%; relative risk (RR): 2.08; P-value: 0.01). Fractures were also significantly more common in the Alzheimer group compared to the reference group (12.8% vs. 5.1%; RR: 2.51; P-value: 0.03). Conclusion This study demonstrated a higher incidence of falls and fractures in Alzheimer's patients compared to healthy non-Alzheimer individuals. Management of AD should include measures to reduce falls and fractures in addition to standard therapy.

Comparison Between Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers for Incidence of Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Study.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are taken as the first treatment option for hypertensive patients. The various global trials have suggested that ACEIs and ARBs may increase risk of lung cancer; however, the results are contradictory and there is no local study available. This study is conducted to compare the incidence of lung cancers in patients on ACEIs and ARBs. METHODS This retrospective study, conducted in a major cardiology unit of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan, included patients diagnosed with hypertension, between 2005 and 2010, who were prescribed either ACEIs or ARBs. During the period of 2005 to 2010, 47,823 naive hypertensive patients were reported in the outpatient department of the cardiology unit. Of which, 22,241 were prescribed ACEI and 25,582 were prescribed ARBs. After sorting patient data based on our inclusion criteria, n = 14,891 participants were included in the ACEI group and n = 19,112 participants were included in the ARB group. RESULTS The incidence of lung cancer in the ACEI and ARB group was n = 165 and n = 160, respectively. In this study, the overall incidence rates of lung cancer in the ACEI and ARB cohorts were 12.2 and 16.6 per 10,000 person-years, respectively. The hazard ratio was 1.32 (95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.64; p-value: 0.01). CONCLUSION In this study, the incidence of lung cancer was relatively more among people using ACEIs than ARBs. Hence, patients undergoing long-term treatment with ACEIs need regular follow-up and proper scanning to avoid grave complications.

Intrauterine Intussusception Leading to Ileal Atresia in a Premature Baby

Abstract: Intussusception is relatively common in infants but occurs only 0.3% of cases during the first month of life.[1] Majority of neonatal intussusceptions occur in full term babies and it is rare in the premature newborns. Poynter suggested intrauterine intussusception as a cause of intestinal atresia in 1922. Less than 100 cases of intrauterine intussusception in association with ileal atresia have been reported in the literature.[2,3] We are adding another case with similar anomaly.