Frequency of hepatitis C viral RNA in anti-hepatitis C virus non- reactive blood donors with raised alanine aminotransferase.

The objective of this study was to find out the frequency of HCV RNA in anti-HCV non-reactive blood donors with raised alanine amino transferase (ALT). The study was conducted at Baqai Institute of Haematology, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, in collaboration with Combined Military Hospital, Malir Cantt, Karachi. The demographic data of blood donors was recorded, and anti-HCV, HBsAg and HIV were screened.

A roadmap for education to improve the quality of care in gout.

Purpose Of Review: To describe obstacles to optimum management of gout by primary care physicians and to propose educational interventions to improve care.

Recent Findings: In the past, gout education has been hampered by infrequency of continuing medical education courses, loss of excitement for a disease in which therapies have not changed (until recently), insufficient evidence-based medicine, and the lack of motivation by physicians to re-learn this disease once in active practice. We identify 10 common myths that impede appropriate treatment of gout, identify gaps in evidence-based medicine that perpetuate those myths, and propose opportunities to improve education on these myths.