Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune rheumatic disease (ARD) that results from the dysregulation of multiple innate and adaptive immune pathways. Late-onset SLE (Lo-SLE) is the term used when the disease is first diagnosed after 50-65 years, though the standard age cut-off remains undefined. Defining "late-onset" as lupus with onset after 50 years is more biologically plausible as this roughly corresponds to the age of menopause.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Diabetes mellitus has emerged as a global public health issue due to its increasing prevalence and the increased risk of developing cancers. Pancreatic cancer is believed to be both a consequence of pre-existing diabetes and a potential cause of new-onset diabetes.
Aim: This study aims to compare the characteristics of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and newly diagnosed or long-standing diabetes mellitus.
Introduction: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is prevalent in Pakistan, necessitating accurate diagnostic methods. This study evaluates the CKD-EPI 2009, CKD-EPI 2021, CKD-EPI Pak, MDRD, and EKFC equations against creatinine clearance (CrCl) to determine their diagnostic accuracy for CKD in the Pakistani population.
Methods: n a retrospective cross-sectional study, data from 2,310 participants aged 18-70 were analyzed at The Aga Khan University in Karachi.
Introduction: The standardization of reporting in clinical laboratories, particularly regarding Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP) and Urine Protein Electrophoresis (UPEP), is crucial for effective communication of findings to clinicians and optimal patient management. However, in countries like Pakistan with limited healthcare resources and a prevalent self-payment model, challenges arise in achieving standardized reporting practices. This manuscript addresses the need for standardized guidelines for protein electrophoresis reporting in Pakistan, aiming to enhance laboratory practices and patient care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the most commonly monitored inflammatory markers in patients with COVID-19 to gain insight into the inflammation level in the body and to adopt effective disease management and therapeutic strategies. COVID-19 is now less prevalent, and the study of CRP as a biomarker of inflammation still needs deeper understanding, particularly in understanding its role among patients with comorbidities, which are known to influence inflammatory responses and increase the risk of severe outcomes during acute and chronic infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of major comorbidities such as ischemic heart diseases, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and lung infections e.
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