Role of C- reactive proteins and liver function tests in assessing the severity of dengue fever.

Objective: To determine whether C-reactive protein and liver function tests can serve as severity markers for dengue fever.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015-16 in Karachi and comprised patients with dengue fever visiting a tertiary care hospital. World Health Organisation classifications 1997 and 2009 were used to categorise patients according to clinical signs and symptoms.

Efficacy of Hematological and Coagulation Parameters in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

The diagnosis and management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have improved significantly over the past few decades; however, the recognition of myocardial ischemia still proves to be a dilemma for cardiologists. The aim of this study was to determine the role of hematological and coagulation parameters in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with ACS. This prospective study recruited 250 patients with ACS and 250 healthy controls.

Primary Synovial Sarcoma of the Mediastinum in an 18-year old male: A case report.

Primary mediastinal synovial sarcomas are very rare occurrences with only a few cases reported in literature to date. We present a similar case in an 18-year old male which proved challenging to diagnose and treat. Radiological imaging and tru-cut biopsy results gave rise to suspicion of an unusual malignancy.

Efficacy of serum blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and electrolytes in the diagnosis and mortality risk assessment of patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Although blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr) and electrolytes are not the mainstay of diagnosis in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients but they may have a role in providing a more detailed view of the complications and mortality rates. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of these parameters in the diagnosis and mortality risk-assessment of patients with ACS.

Methodology: A total of 200 patients with ACS were recruited in this prospective study.

Lenz majewskihyperostotic dwarfism: A Pakistani patient with atypical features.

Lenz-Majewski Hyperostotic Dwarfism (LMHD) is an extremely rare congenital, sclerosing bone dysplasia that causes cranio-tubular hyperostosis, ectodermal dysplasia (cutis laxa and enamel hypoplasia), osseous dysgenesis of hands and feet with diaphyseal cortical thickening of tubular bones and intellectual disability. Only a few cases of this syndrome have been reported in the literature so far. We report another case of LMHD with cranio-tubular hyperostosis, cutis laxa, wide open anterior and posterior fontannels, hypertelorism and thickening of diaphysis of tubular bones in a six months old Pakistani female patient.

Prognostic value of blood count parameters in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Recent studies have shown that complete blood count (CBC) parameters can effectively predict long-term mortality and re-infarction rates in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the role of these parameters in predicting short term mortality has not been studied extensively. The main objective of this study was to determine whether CBC parameters can predict 30-days mortality and the incidence of major adverse cardiac event (MACE) in ACS patients.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome in an 18-year old female: Case report.

We report an unusual case of an 18-year old woman, who presented to Civil Hospital Karachi in May 2016 with complaints of vomiting, abdominal pain, dysphagia, altered bowel habits, loss of appetite and chronic weight loss. On examination, abdomen was found to be soft and non-tender with discomfort on breathing. CT angiogram revealed reduction of aortomesenteric angle and aortomesenteric distance which were both consistent with superior mesenteric artery syndrome.

Prevalence and Severity of Depression in a Pakistani Population with at least One Major Chronic Disease.

Introduction: Diabetes, anaemia, hypertension and asthma are major contributors to morbidity in our society. Depression is the commonest psychological malady diagnosed in hospital settings. There tends to be some overlap between certain chronic systemic illnesses and depressive disorders, this point towards the need to determine relationships between them, if any.

Prevalence of Conventional Risk Factors and Evaluation of Baseline Indices Among Young and Elderly Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

Introduction: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, manifesting in a variety of clinical spectrums such as an asymptomatic disease or acute coronary syndrome. It has become highly prevalent in Southeast Asia, including Pakistan. There has been little work done on the prevalence of traditional risk factors in different age groups and genders and there is a dire need to gauge the importance of baseline indices in CAD patients.

Prevalence and characteristics of resistant hypertensive patients in an Asian population.

Background: Resistant hypertension is a well-recognized clinical challenge yet there are no reported data on its prevalence in Pakistan. These patients are subjected to a higher risk of developing hypertensive complications. The objective of our study was to evaluate the prevalence and determinants of resistant hypertension in an Asian cohort of hypertensive patients.

Paediatrics primary myelofibrosis and acute stroke: A rare presentation.

Idiopathic Myelofibrosis is a rare myeloproliferative disorder. In children, it becomes even rarer. Herein, we report a case of idiopathic myelofibrosis of a 6-year old male patient who presented with complaints of pallor, petechiae and bleeding from gums.