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: Medicine & Population. The organization has 106 authors who have published 108 publications receiving 1170 citations.

Efficacy of Subconjunctival Injection of Bevacizumab in Regressing Corneal Neovascularisation.

Abstract: Objective To determine the efficacy of subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab in regressing corneal neovascularisation. Study design Case series. Place and duration of study Department of Ophthalmology, Chandka Medical College and Hospital, SMBBMU, Larkana, Pakistan, from October 2015 to March 2016. Methodology A total of 95 patients with corneal neovascularisation of more than 3 months' duration and with no history of previous or current anti-VEGF treatment were included in the study. Patients with any other active ocular disease or using any medication were excluded from the study. Subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab 0.05 ml (1.25 mg) was given near the limbus where maximum neovascularisation was seen. The final outcome was assessed after one month of injection; Pre- and post-treatment slit-lamp examination was done and corneal photograph was taken with anterior segment digital camera to see any regression in corneal neovessels from the baseline. Results Out of the total 95 patients, 62 (65.3%) were males and 33 (34.7%) were females, 18 (18.9%) patients were known cases of diabetes mellitus and 8 (8.4%) had hypertension. Mean age was 38.46 ±10.01 years. Mean duration of corneal neovascularisation was 1.81 ±3.68 years. After subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab, 14.7% patients showed regression in corneal neovascularisation. Conclusion Subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab is a promising modality for treatment of corneal neovascularisation and may be used in adjunct to other therapies.

Frequency of Psychiatric Disorders in Suicide Attempters: A Cross-Sectional Study from Low-Income Country

Abstract: Introduction: In Pakistan, due to legal and religious association, cases of attempted suicides are underreported in Pakistan, yet it is essential to have accurate data so that the causality leading to this national tragedy can be studied and minimized. Psychiatric disorders leading to suicide is largely neglected and under-researched in Pakistan. In this study, we aim to observe the frequency of psychiatric disorders among suicide attempters, which can help the doctors to counsel and treat the patients better and devise preventive strategies. Method: In this cross-sectional survey, patients brought to emergency with attempted suicide were enrolled in the study, after taking informed consent from the attendant. After initial treatment, the patient's clinical history was sought via a General Health Questionnaire-28. Once recognized, participants underwent detailed psychiatric evaluation and mental state examination. Results: Three hundred and fifty-two (352) patients were brought to the emergency with attempted suicide, of which 249 (70.7%) patients were identified with psychiatric morbidity. The most common psychiatric disorders were mood disorder (32.1%), comorbid psychiatric disorder (20.4%), and anxiety disorders (18.4%). Our study also showed that the prevalence of comorbid psychiatric disorders was significantly higher in females as compared to males, whereas substance use disorder was more common in males. Conclusion: The suicide rate has increased globally due to associated psychiatric disorders. Patients inflicting self-harm or failing at suicidal attempt are inclined towards attempting suicide in future. However, the social stigma associated with psychiatric disorders has heavily affected the process of successfully identifying and treating such patients. Along with focused long-term treatment, follow-up, and enhanced surveillance programs, mass awareness campaigns should be conducted to improve the knowledge and outlook of the general population towards psychiatric disorders.

Comparison of Sacubitril/Valsartan Versus Enalapril in the Management of Heart Failure.

Abstract: Background and objective The recent emergence of new molecules like angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) has highlighted the need for an update in heart failure (HF) management, as they have proven to yield better patient outcomes compared to the traditional angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker (ACEI/ARB) use. This study aimed to compare HF-related hospitalization and death in patients on either ACEI/ARBs or ARNI in a local setting. Methods This two-arm interventional study was conducted in the cardiology and internal medicine units of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan from July 2018 to December 2020. After enrollment, participants were randomized into two groups as per 1:1 ratio using an online research randomizer software (https://www.randomizer.org). Group A received 24/26 or 49/51 mg sacubitril/valsartan twice daily for HF. Group B received 2.5 or 5 mg enalapril twice daily. Patients were followed up for 12 months or till the development of an event. Results The sacubitril/valsartan group had significantly fewer HF-related hospitalizations compared to the enalapril group (13.8% vs. 22.4%; p-value: 0.03), with a relative risk reduction (RRR) of 38.3%. The sacubitril/valsartan group had 52% RRR for HF-related deaths compared to the enalapril group. Conclusion Based on our findings, treatment with sacubitril/valsartan was superior to enalapril in reducing the risk of hospitalization and death related to HF. The magnitude of the beneficial effects of sacubitril/valsartan as compared to enalapril on cardiovascular mortality was at least as high as that of long-term treatment with enalapril.

Types of Traumatic Lens Dislocations at Larkana.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of traumatic lens dislocations presenting at our institute. This may help develop the preventive strategies. The number of cases of traumatic lens dislocations, presented at the Department of Ophthalmology, Chandka Medical College, Larkana, Pakistan, from January 2002 to June 2015, were 59 including 61.02% (n=36) males and 38.98% (n=23) females. Cause of trauma was wood or plant impalement in 35.6% (n=21) cases, cracker blast in 13.55% (n=8) cases, fall on ground in 11.86% (n=7) cases, penetrating injuries with needle, scissors or knife in 10.16% (n=6) cases, road traffic accidents in 10.16% (n=6) cases, sports injuries (cricket ball and gulle danda) in 8.47% (n=5) cases, firearm injuries in 5.1% (n=3) cases, and fist hitting in 5.1% (n=3) cases. Lens was dislocated posteriorly in 33.90% (n=20) cases, anteriorly in 25.42% (n=15) cases, inferiorly in 11.86% (n=7) cases, medially in 10.17% (n=6) cases, laterally in 10.17% (n=6) cases, superiorly in 6.78% (n=4) cases, and a single (1.69%) case of lenticele was seen.

Impact of Coronavirus Diseases on Liver Enzymes.

Abstract: Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects various organs including lungs, brain, and eyes. Very limited data is available related to the effect of COVID-19 on liver. This study is conducted to determine the impact of COVID-10 on liver by measuring the frequency of participants with deranged liver enzymes in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in a COVID-19 unit of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan from February 2021 to June 2021. A total of 900 patients admitted with COVID-19 were enrolled in the study after seeking informed consent. After enrollment, taking history and vitals, 5 mL blood was drawn via phlebotomy and sent to the laboratory to test for C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, and liver enzymes. Results Overall 141 (28.2%) participants had a minimum of one deranged liver enzyme. The most commonly deranged liver enzyme found was alanine transaminase (ALT), both in males (19.9%) and females (21.3%), followed by aspartate transaminase (male: 18.3% and female: 20.3%). Serum total bilirubin was deranged in both males (8.4%) and females (8.3%). There was no significant difference in the gender-wise prevalence of deranged liver enzymes. Conclusion Liver enzymes are frequently deranged in patients admitted with COVID-19. Liver enzymes should be regularly monitored during the course of management of COVID-19, as various medications used in the treatment of COVID-19 may further deteriorate liver enzymes and may cause long-term damage.