- Health: 100,000 people in Karachi suffer from epilepsy, 75 percent patients never consult doctors
- Pituitary Cancer; Research on pituitary cancer described by scientists at Aga Khan University, Department of Neurosurgery
- Hepatitis C Virus; Reports from Aga Khan University advance knowledge in hepatitis C virus
- Life Sciences; Researchers at Aga Khan University have published new data on life sciences in children
- Life Sciences; Findings from Glasgow Caledonian University in life sciences reported
- Health: Over 400,000 suffer from strokes in Pakistan annually
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Health: 100, 000 people in Karachi suffer from epilepsy, 75 percent patients never consult doctors
9 July 2008 / Pakistan Press International Information Services
Karachi, July 09 (PPI): An estimated 100,000 people in Karachi suffer from epilepsy. However, a survey conducted in urban areas has found that only a quarter of these seek medical advice, Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, Consultant Neurologist, Aga Khan University (AKU) said.
She was speaking at the Epilepsy Day seminar held at AKU to raise public awareness.
A huge stigma surrounds this disease in Pakistan. Women and children suffer most due to the embarrassment and misconceptions associated with epilepsy, she elaborated.
Epilepsy is a largely misunderstood neurological dysfunction that causes electrical discharges in the form of symptomatic seizures. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it affects 50 million people globally at any time. The Epilepsy Foundation adds that 10 per cent of all adults will have a seizure at some point in their lives; however the disease is usually labelled by two or more seizures.
A large portion of Epilepsy Day at AKU was devoted to the treatment options for epilepsy as the WHO estimates that up to 70 per cent of people who receive treatment respond successfully to it. Dr Mughis Sheerani, Consultant Neurologist, AKU, highlighted the epilepsy programme offered at the University Hospital. This programme offers comprehensive treatment of epilepsy including evaluation of those patients for epilepsy surgery who have failed medical treatment options.
In addition to a high-tech and modern Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, the staff analyses and helps manage seizures using a Video EEG service. Video EEG at AKU is one of the first and rare services of its kind offered in Pakistan, also used to coordinate epilepsy surgery.
Dr Mughis Sheerani told the audience that the first epilepsy surgery at AKUH through this programme, was successfully performed this week.
Dr Nizam Ahmed, Consultant Neurologist, University of Alberta, Canada, emphasised that there are several treatment options available for epilepsy and up to 70 per cent can be easily controlled given proper diagnosis and treatment. Those patients that are not controlled well with medications have other options like surgery.
To elaborate on the subject, Dr Syed Athar Enam added specifics on the oTreatment of Epilepsy through Surgery. This procedure involves surgical removal of areas of the brain that cause frequent seizures. It has been an ulterior form of treatment for half a century when prescribed drugs have failed, and is now in greater use due to improved technology.
Dr Abdul Wahab Yousafzai, Consultant Psychiatrist, AKU discussed the psychological impact of epilepsy on patients and families. Living with this neurological disorder causes difficulty in adjusting at work or at home, so it is important to consider the personal impact it can have on a patient and promote an environment where people affected by epilepsy can lead healthy and happy lives. Following the lectures, the speakers alongwith panelists Dr Bhojo Khealani, Consultant Neurologist, AKU and Dr Warren W. Boling, visiting Neurosurgeon from West Virginia University, answered questions from the audience and closed on a hopeful note that people had increased awareness of the risks and treatments of epilepsy.
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Pituitary Cancer; Research on pituitary cancer described by scientists at Aga Khan University, Department of Neurosurgery
7 July 2008 / Clinical Oncology Week
2008 JUL 7 – (NewsRx.com) — Investigators publish new data in the report ‘Pituitary adenomas: presentations and outcomes in a South Asian country.’ “The purpose of this retrospective review of all operated cases of pituitary adenomas in the last decade, is to define the demographic patterns and characteristics of such tumors and to assess surgical outcomes with regards to safety and efficacy of trans-sphenoidal tumor removal in our institution. Surgically treated pituitary adenomas presenting from 1995 till 2005 were reviewed for different variables,” investigators in Karachi, Pakistan report.
“Results were expressed as mean, standard deviation and median for continuous and number with percentage for categorical data. Chi square test was applied to measure differences and significance was taken atp value or=55 years, size of abscess >or=5 cm, involvement of both lobes of the liver and duration of symptoms >or=7 d. Hospital stay in the aspiration group was relatively longer than in the non aspiration group. Twelve patients died in the aspiration group and this mortality was not statistically significant when compared to the non aspiration group,” wrote R. Khan and colleagues, Aga Khan University, Department of Medicine.
The researchers concluded: “Patients with advanced age, abscess size >5 cm, both lobes of the liver involvement and duration of symptoms >7 d were likely to undergo aspiration of the liver abscess, regardless of etiology.”
Khan and colleagues published their study in World Journal of Gastroenterology (Predictive factors for early aspiration in liver abscess. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2008;14(13):2089-93).
For additional information, contact R. Khan, The Aga Khan University, Dept. of Medicine, Stadium Road, Karachi 74800, Pakistan.
The publisher’s contact information for the World Journal of Gastroenterology is: W J G Press, PO Box 2345, Beijing 100023, People’s Republic of China.
This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.
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Hepatitis C Virus; Reports from Aga Khan University advance knowledge in hepatitis C virus
30 June 2008 / Hepatitis Weekly
2008 JUN 30 – (NewsRx.com) — According to a study from Karachi, Pakistan, “To identify risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among pregnant women seeking antenatal care in tertiary care hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan. We enrolled 119 cases and 238 controls.”
“Cases were enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA III) positive pregnant women for antibodies to HCV; controls were anti-HCV ELISA negative pregnant women. The mean age of study subjects was 26 years (SD 5) ranging from 15 to 50 years. The mean number of pregnancies for cases was 4 (SD 3) and for controls was 3 (SD 2). Among cases an average number of injections in any month was 40%, history of hospitalization was 61% and household contact with jaundice or hepatitis was 35%. In the final multivariable logistic regression model, five or more gestations (aOR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.08-3.33), >= 1 injection (aOR = 2.33; 95% CI = 1.38-3.91) per month, hospitalization (aOR = 1.78; 95% CI = 1.01-2.99) and household contact with jaundice/hepatitis (aOR = 3.32; 95% CI = 1.89-5.83) were independently associated with HCV,” wrote U.R. Khan and colleagues, Aga Khan University.
The researchers concluded: “Iatrogenic exposure (health care injections, hospitalizations and gestations) is the major risk factor for transmission of HCV among pregnant women.”
Khan and colleagues published the results of their research in Tropical Medicine & International Health (Case-control study of risk factors associated with hepatitis C virus infection among pregnant women in hospitals of Karachi-Pakistan. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 2008;13(6):754-761).
For additional information, contact U.R. Khan, Aga Khan University, Dept. of Emergency Medical, 3500 Stadium Rd., Karachi 74800, Pakistan.
The publisher of the journal Tropical Medicine & International Health can be contacted at: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2DQ, Oxon, England.
This article was prepared by Hepatitis Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Hepatitis Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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Life Sciences; Researchers at Aga Khan University have published new data on life sciences in children
27 June 2008 / Drug Week
2008 JUN 27 – (NewsRx.com) — Scientists discuss in ‘Micronutrient needs of malnourished children’ new findings in life sciences. “In addition to overt manifestations of undernutrition such as stunting, wasting and underweight, micronutrient deficiencies are also recognized as important components of the spectrum of malnutrition. This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies during childhood from a review of the literature over the last 18 months (August 2006-January 2008),” investigators in Karachi, Pakistan report.
“There is considerable advance in our understanding of the epidemiology and burden of childhood undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Based on recent surveys, an estimated 32% (178 million) of children under 5 years of age were stunted. The corresponding global estimate of wasting is 10% (55 million children), of which 3.5% (19 million children) are severely wasted. It is estimated that nearly 11% of all children under 5 years of age, die due to four micronutrient deficiencies (vitamin A, zinc, iron and iodine). There is evidence from recent reviews of evidence-based interventions that administering single or multiple micronutrients can make a significant difference to health outcomes. However, delivery strategies may differ and recent data suggest that fortification may be a more efficient strategy to deliver multiple micronutrients,” wrote Z.A Bhutta and colleagues, Aga Khan University.
The researchers concluded: “These findings support the scaling up of evidence-based interventions to prevent and treat such deficiencies and to integrate these within health systems.”
Bhutta and colleagues published their study in Current Opinion In Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care (Micronutrient needs of malnourished children. Current Opinion In Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, 2008;11(3):309-14).
For additional information, contact Z.A. Bhutta, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
The publisher of the journal Current Opinion In Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care can be contacted at: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 530 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106-3621, USA.
This article was prepared by Drug Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Drug Week via NewsRx.com.
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Life Sciences; Findings from Glasgow Caledonian University in life sciences reported
25 June 2008 / Biotech Week
2008 JUN 25 – (NewsRx.com) — “This paper describes a Nursing Development Programme in Tajikistan where four organizations worked together to develop some innovative changes in nursing practice and education. Within the context of Health Care Reform the Government of Tajikistan provided a climate for Nursing Development,” scientists in Scotland report.
“The joint efforts of the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery at Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland, and the Aga Khan Health Service in Tajikistan, have led to major changes in education and practice. The project focused on the development of new standards for practice in Gorno Badakhshan and a new Family Health Nurse curriculum for all students entering nursing programmes. A Nursing Centre was opened to provide leadership in education and practice and a co-ordinating Council was established to develop professional standards. The project has demonstrated that nurses in Tajikistan have embraced the developments in both education and practice with the aim of improving the care they give to their communities and the support they provide for the teams within which they work. The project also illustrates how different organizations can work effectively together,” wrote B. Parfitt and colleagues, Glasgow Caledonian University.
The researchers concluded: “Key principles identified from this project for effective collaborative working include: communication, common goals, shared expertise, pooled funding and close alignment with Government strategies for Health Reform.”
Parfitt and colleagues published their study in International Nursing Review (Working together; a nursing development project in Tajikistan. International Nursing Review, 2008;55(2):205-211).
For additional information, contact B. Parfitt, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Rd., Glasgow G4 0BA, Lanark, Scotland.
The publisher’s contact information for the journal International Nursing Review is: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2DQ, Oxon, England.
This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.
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Health: Over 400,000 suffer from strokes in Pakistan annually
24 June 2008 / Pakistan Press International Information Services
Karachi, June 24 (PPI): More than 400,000 people suffer from a stroke every year in Pakistan. A third of the victims do not survive and about half become dependent on others, Dr Muhammad Wasay, Consultant Neurologist, Aga Khan University (AKU) informed the audience at AKUs awareness programme on Tuesday.
Stroke is the leading cause of disability and second leading cause of death around the world. It is unfortunate though that most people in Pakistan are not aware that strokes can be prevented and treated, said Dr Wasay.
More than half of all strokes can be checked by controlling high blood pressure. In addition, about 80 to 90 percent can be checked by monitoring cholesterol and sugar levels, stopping smoking and exercising regularly – the cost of prevention is lower than the cost of recovery.
Stroke units in hospitals have revolutionized stroke treatment, so patients should be transferred to a hospital as soon as possible, in less than three hours if possible. The longer a stroke patient waits to report to a hospital, the more damage a stroke can do and the more difficult rehabilitation. Public awareness and motivation can lead to ultimately reducing stroke rates and improving recovery.
Dr Gohar Javed, Consultant Neurologist, AKU, shared his expertise on the neural infirmity of lower back pain. Lower back pain is a common problem, yet it is difficult to pinpoint its exact cause in many patients even after several tests and procedures. Fortunately, most cases of back pain do not last more than a few weeks, but it is advisable to consult a physician if the pain persists longer.
The Neurology Section at the AKU Hospital offers various services for stroke patients and lower back pain. The Section has the largest certified faculty of neurologists in Pakistan.
Ismailimail 