Publications by authors named "Amber Tahir"

Objective: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), initially developed for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) treatment, have shown potential benefits beyond glycemic control, including a positive impact on the blood pressure (BP). This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate their effects on patients with type 2 DM and hypertension.

Methods: We searched the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases for relevant randomized controlled trials published until May 31, 2023.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction Despite the sunny climate, women in Pakistan are prone to vitamin D deficiency and subsequent low bone mineral density. The current study explores the extent of this deficiency in both pre- and postmenopausal women in our setting.  Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient departments of Lady Reading Hospital and Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar, Pakistan during the time period between March 2018 and June 2019.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives To evaluate the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients presented with acute self-poisoning at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Methods and Patients A comparative study was conducted at Lady Reading Hospital MTI between May 2018 to May 2019 for a duration of 12 months. All patients diagnosed with acute self-poisoning were included in the study.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction The constellation of the physical and psychological symptoms that appear several days before menstrual period is regarded as the premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The current study evaluated the symptoms associated with PMS and their impact on the day-to-day activities of women. Methodology An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at a squatter settlement in Karachi, Pakistan, from January 2019 to February 2020.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Sanjad-Sakati syndrome (SSS), also known as hypoparathyroidism-retardation-dysmorphism (HRD) syndrome, is a very rare genetic disorder with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance, mostly seen in children of Middle Eastern origin. Hypoparathyroidism remains the most characteristic endocrinological feature of SSS; but not the only one. This review outlines and elucidates other endocrinological manifestations that may be seen with this syndrome.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction:  Self-care activities are behaviors adopted in order to enhance one's health. Self-care behaviors and activities are studied in their role to enhance glycemic control, reduce diabetes-related complications, and contribute to enhancing overall quality of life in people with diabetes. The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the impact of diabetes self-care activities and behaviors on glycemic control in people with diabetes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction Perforation, obstruction, and bleeding remain the most frequently encountered complications of peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Bleeding may be in the form of hematemesis or melena. The treatment of choice in patients with a bleeding peptic ulcer is endoscopic ligation to maintain the hemostatic balance followed by the administration of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The National Institute of Child Health (NICH) is the largest tertiary care pediatric hospital operating in Karachi, Pakistan. Its emergency department (ED) is always occupied. However, the spectrum of illness in patients presenting to this ED has not been investigated in depth to identify the most common presentations and to develop effective management for treating patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable disease of the airways characterized by limited airflow. Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) may be precipitated by noxious stimuli. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has mucolytic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is a leading cause of poor quality of life and mortality in developing countries. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) remains the first-line intervention in hospitalized patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) due to AECOPD. However, NIPPV may fail in some patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) readily present with electrolyte imbalance which commonly includes deficiencies of sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Hyponatremia occurs in advanced stages of CHF and is associated with adverse disease outcome-longer hospital stay, severity of CHF, and increased risk of mortality. Methods In this observational, single-center, prospective, case-control study adult patients admitted with clinical diagnosis of CHF were included after informed consent.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect globally, with low-to-middle income Asian countries registering the highest incidence. Every year, 60,000 babies are born with varying severity of CHD in Pakistan. But the country has only three pediatric intensive care units (PICU) fully dedicated to child cardiac surgery patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder. It presents with motor symptoms and gradually progresses to cognitive impairment. It has debilitating impact not only on the psychological health of the patient but also of the caregivers.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction Academic pressure and its associated stress are responsible for disturbances in the circadian cycle of the students. Adequate sleep has crucial role in enhancing cognitive skills especially memory retention. Poor night time sleep quality and consequent daytime sleepiness affects physical and cognitive health of the students.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction The overall environment of the medical school is often considered very stressful. It projects negative effects not only on the academic performances of medical students but also deteriorate their physical health and psychosocial wellbeing. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of depression, stress, and anxiety among final year medical students.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic, progressive metabolic illness which is commonly complicated by coexistence of depression and anxiety. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression among diabetic patients and the factors predicting this coexistence. Methods It was a cross-sectional, observational study which included patients of type 2 DM admitted in the hospital due to diabetes-related condition - diabetic foot infections/ulcers, hyperosmotic hyperglycaemic state (HHS), and hypoglycaemic coma/seizure.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction Clinical empathy is the ability to comprehend the perspectives, feelings, and situation of the patients. Clinical empathy instills a sense of satisfaction in the patient. It also facilitates the healthcare provider (HCPs) in taking more sincere and logical clinical decisions.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background Patients hospitalized for surgeries and those with chronic remitting health conditions develop hospital-induced anxiety and depression. Unfamiliar hospital environment, insufficient privacy, exposure to strange instruments, financial concerns, disease stress, and prolonged hospital stay contribute to this anxiety. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of depression and anxiety in surgical patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background Occupational burnout is an unwanted outcome of chronic workplace stressors which may be emotional or interpersonal. Chronic exposure to human suffering and long working hours have contributed to greater job stress and early burnout among healthcare providers. This study utilized the abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory (aMBI) to gauge the extent of overall burnout and on three subscales - perspective taking, compassionate care, and walking in patients' shoes - among interns, postgraduate trainees, and physicians of internal medicine.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Work-related stress and burnout among medical practitioners has been a frequently studied phenomenon. It reduces work efficiency and productivity and also has negative impacts on patient care. This study assessed the extent of work-related stress and burnout and the reasons behind this burnout among the Internal Medicine and Pulmonology residents of Mirpur, Azad Kashmir.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The global incidence of pre-obesity and obesity is rising noticeably. Where medical students should be advocating healthy lifestyles, they are actually indulging in unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyle. This is resulting in an increased incidence of obesity in this population.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Harlequin baby is rare and it is the most severe kind of congenital ichthyosis. It manifests as severely keratinized skin with an autosomal recessive inheritance. Incidence of this disease is 1 in 300,000 live births.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF