Frequency of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Direct-acting Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C: A Prospective Follow-up.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) management has changed tremendously after direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) availability. Sustained virological response (SVR) has improved significantly, but one of the major concerns is the chances of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development after DAAs. The objective of the study is to calculate the frequency of newly diagnosed cases of HCC after antiviral therapy for CHC in Pakistan.

Role of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v versus Placebo in symptomatic improvement of irritable bowel syndrome patients.

Objectives: To find the efficacy of lactobacillus plantarum 299v compared to placebo in symptomatic improvement of irritable bowel syndrome patients.

Methods: The randomised control trial was conducted at the Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, from July 20, 2014, to January 20, 2015, and comprised irritable bowel syndrome patients who were randomised into intervention group A treated with lactobacillus plantarum 299v and control group B treated with placebo. Symptoms, like abdominal pain, bloating and complete rectal emptying, were noted and compared between the groups.