Cognitive therapy for depression in tuberculosis treatment: protocol for multicentre pragmatic parallel arm randomised control trial with an internal pilot.

Introduction And Objectives: There is an unmet need to develop high-quality evidence addressing tuberculosis (TB)-related mental health comorbidity, particularly in the context of lower-middle-income countries. This study aims to examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) versus enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU) in improving depressive symptoms in people with TB and comorbid depression, enhancing adherence with anti-TB treatment (ATT) and its implementation in the real-world setting of Pakistan.

Methods: We will conduct a pragmatic parallel arm randomised control trial with an internal pilot.

Early Intervention in Psychosis and Management of First Episode Psychosis in Low- and Lower-Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review.

Background And Hypothesis: People with first-episode psychosis (FEP) in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LMIC) experience delays in receiving treatment, resulting in poorer outcomes and higher mortality. There is robust evidence for effective and cost-effective early intervention in psychosis (EIP) services for FEP, but the evidence for EIP in LMIC has not been reviewed. We aim to review the evidence on early intervention for the management of FEP in LMIC.

Traditional healers working with primary care and mental health for early intervention in psychosis in young persons: protocol for the feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: In low/middle-income countries (LMICs), more than half of patients with first-episode psychosis initially seek treatment from traditional and religious healers as their first care. This contributes to an excessively long duration of untreated psychosis (DUP). There is a need for culturally appropriate interventions to involve traditional and spiritual healers to work collaboratively with primary care practitioners and psychiatrists through task-shifting for early detection, referral and treatment of first episode of psychosis.

Development and validation of the Montreal cognitive assessment for people with hearing impairment (MoCA-H).

Background: Hearing impairment is common among older adults and affects cognitive assessments for identification of dementia which rely on good hearing function. We developed and validated a version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for people with hearing impairment.

Methods: We adapted existing MoCA 8.

Eosinophilia during natalizumab treatment: Incidence, risk factors and temporal patterns.

Eosinophilia is common during natalizumab treatment for multiple sclerosis but risk factors are unknown. We aimed to identify demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics predicting eosinophilia. Sustained eosinophilia occurred in 16.

SENSE-Cog Asia: A Feasibility Study of a Hearing Intervention to Improve Outcomes in People With Dementia.

There are few evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions adapted for people with dementia (PwD) in lower- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Thus, there is value in culturally adapting existing interventions from other settings. One such intervention for PwD involves hearing rehabilitation, which may improve dementia-related outcomes.

Capacity & capability building for applied dementia research in low- & middle-income countries: Two exemplars from South Asia.

Background & Objectives: Cognitive and other neurodegenerative conditions related to ageing have become public health priorities in low- and middle-income countries. However, contextually based, applied research to support the development of awareness, diagnosis and care pathways for people with dementia in South Asia is still largely undeveloped. This study was aimed to use applied research studies for dementia in South Asia as exemplars of how individual-level capacity and capability building for dementia research can be achieved.

Patient and Public Involvement for Dementia Research in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Developing Capacity and Capability in South Asia.

Patient and public involvement (PPI) is an active partnership between the public and researchers in the research process. In dementia research, PPI ensures that the perspectives of the person with "lived experience" of dementia are considered. To date, in many lower- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where dementia research is still developing, PPI is not well-known nor regularly undertaken.

A roadmap to develop dementia research capacity and capability in Pakistan: A model for low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: To produce a strategic roadmap for supporting the development of dementia research in Pakistan.

Background: While global research strategies for dementia research already exist, none is tailored to the specific needs and challenges of low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) like Pakistan.

Methods: We undertook an iterative consensus process with lay and professional experts to develop a Theory of Change-based strategy for dementia research in Pakistan.

Protocol for the development of versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for people with hearing or vision impairment.

Introduction: Hearing and vision impairments are highly prevalent among older adults and impact commonly used cognitive assessment tools for the identification of dementia. Adaptations of such tests for people with hearing or vision impairment have not been adequately validated among populations with such sensory impairment.

Methods And Analysis: We will develop two versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for people with acquired hearing impairment (MoCA-H) or vision impairment (MoCA-V).

Intrauterine balloon tamponade for the control of postpartum haemorrhage.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of balloon temponade in the management of postpartum haemorrhage.

Methods: The study was conducted at the Dow University of Health Sciences and Civil Hospital Karachi from January to July 18, 2012, and comprised women aged 18-35 years, parity 1-6 and gestational age 31-41 weeks, who developed or were admitted with primary postpartum haemorrhage due to uterine atony in whom medical treatment had failed. SPSS 10 was used to analyse the data.

Frequency of preterm delivery in proteinuric verses non proteinuric pregnancy induced hypertension.

Objective: To compare the frequency of preterm labour associated with gestational proteinuric hypertension versus gestational non-proteinuric hypertension.

Methods: The prospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Dow University of Health Sciences and Civil Hospital Karachi, from April 1 to September 30, 2012, and comprised primigravidas of more than or equal to 20th weeks of gestation having blood pressure >140/90 mm Hg. Those with gestational hypertension with proteinuria represented the exposed group, while the non-exposed group had primigravidas with gestational hypertension without proteinuria.

Recruitment strategies for British South Asians in 5 depression trials: A mixed method study.

Background: In the United Kingdom, ethnic minority group's particularly British South Asian women have higher rates of depression than their white counterparts. Despite this they remain under represented in mental health trials. Whilst the US legislation mandates the inclusion of ethnic minorities into research, there are no similar initiatives in the UK.