Diagnostic accuracy of different cut-off values of adenosine deaminase levels in tuberculous pleural effusion.

Objectives: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of different cut-off values of pleural fluid adenosine deaminase levels as a diagnostic method for tuberculous pleural effusion.

Methods: The prospective study was conducted from 2014 to 2016 at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised pleural fluid samples of adult patients with and without tuberculosis which were tested for adenosine deaminase levels, and divided into tuberculosis group A and non-tuberculosis group B. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value were calculated using different cut-offs.

Assessment of topical steroid phobia in dermatology patients, a cross-sectional study from an urban area of Pakistan.

Background: Topical corticosteroid (TCS) phobia is a fear of steroids, most prevalent among the general steroid users, the origin of anxiety and fear about steroids is still unclear. Although multiple studies have been using the validated TOPICOP© scale to assess the scores of steroid phobia in various skin disorders.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze the steroid phobia among users of topical corticosteroids and also to assess the association between demographical characteristics and TCS phobia.