JMMC

Perception about A Traditional Model vs Peyton’s Approach used as Method of Learning in Clinical Skill Laboratory among Undergraduate Dental Students of Hyderabad.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:32:14 +0000

Objective: This research study aimed to identify the learning methods used in a skill laboratory and to compare the effectiveness of traditional learning versus Pyeton’s four-step approach.
Methodology: It was Descriptive Cross-sectional study performed at Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences,
from May 2021 to July 2021. Ninety percent of the 100 students from the target population enrolled in the 3rd year of the
dental college at LUMHS participated in this cross-sectional study, which took place between May 2021 to July 2021.
The data collection tool consisted of a section on demographic information and questions regarding learning styles and
the student-teacher ratio. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0, and descriptive statistics were employed for
the examination of the data
Results: Eighty-four percent of students received training from their teacher using the traditional instructional model (see
one, do one) in the clinical skills laboratory. Meanwhile, most participants in this study favored Peyton’s 4-step approach
to learning in clinical skills laboratories, believing it leads to improved outcomes before and after graduation. Additionally,
all undergraduate dental students were unaware of the four-step approach as an effective learning method in clinical
skills laboratories prior to this study. These findings align with previous research conducted in first-world countries in this
area.

Conclusion: According to the study, the majority of students choose to train under Peyton's method, which will improve their understanding and memorization of technical procedures related to dentistry.

Key words: Pyeton’s four step approach, Clinical Skill laboratory, See one and do one approach

Evaluation of risk factors of postoperative Hypocalcemia following total Thyroidectomy: A study from tertiary care hospital.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:33:01 +0000

Objective: To evaluate the risk factors and assess the prevalence of postoperative hypocalcemia in patients having a
complete thyroidectomy at a Karachi tertiary care hospital.
Methodology: The ENT Department at Sir Syed Hospital in Karachi conducted this retrospective study from March 2022
to February 2025, over a span of three years. A total of 108 patients who underwent complete thyroidectomies had their
medical records reviewed. The collected data included postoperative biochemical outcomes, details of the surgery, diagnoses,
and demographic characteristics. Hypocalcemia was defined as total serum calcium levels below 8.0 mg/dl
within 48 hours post-surgery. The statistical analysis employed multivariate logistic regression and chi-square tests to
determine independent variables.
Results: The incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia was noted in 37 patients, representing 34.3% of the total 108 patients.
Factors significantly linked to hypocalcemia included female gender (p=0.032), central neck dissection (p=0.01),
Hashimoto's thyroiditis (p=0.004), and unintentional parathyroidectomy (p<0.001). The multivariate analysis identified
the following independent predictors: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (OR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.3–7.5), central neck dissection (OR:
2.8, 95% CI: 1.2–6.7), and excision of the parathyroid gland (OR: 5.2, 95% CI: 2.1–12.9)
Conclusion: Following a total thyroidectomy, postoperative hypocalcemia is a common consequence. The risk can be
decreased by preserving the parathyroid glands, minimizing central dissection, and meticulously identifying thyroiditis.

Keywords: Hypocalcemia, total thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, central neck dissection, thyroiditis.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in the Patients Going for Ocular Surgery.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:34:27 +0000

Objective: To doccument the prevalence of hepatitis B and C in patients undergoing ocular surgery at an eye hospital
before surgery .
Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Al-Baseer Eye Hospital in Karachi. Participants of
both sexes aged between 18 and 75 years who were scheduled for cataract surgery under local anesthesia were included
in our study. After collection, the data was processed and analyzed using statistical methods via SPSS software version
26. To gain a deeper insight into the possible impact of various factors on the outcomes, stratification was conducted
for variables including age, gender, history of blood transfusion, prior surgeries, and family history of hepatitis
Results: A total of 134 patients participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 55.28 ± 4.04 years, with
58% male and 42% female. The prevalence rates for Hepatitis C and B were 10.45% and 2.99%, respectively, while the
combined prevalence of both hepatitis B and C was 13.43%. A significant clinical correlation was identified between risk
factors such as family history of hepatitis, history of blood transfusions, and history of intravenous drug use with the outcomes
(p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The results indicate a notable presence of silent carriers of hepatitis B and C in patients set to undergo cataract
surgery. Therefore, it is highly recommended that all cataract patients be screened prior to surgery to reduce the
potential risk of disease transmission from undiagnosed carriers.

Key Words: Cataract surgery, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Frequency.

Infection Control Policies in Public Hospitals: Balancing Safety and Re-source Constraints.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:35:34 +0000

Objective: This study aimed to (i) evaluate the level of awareness and implementation of infection control (IC) policies among healthcare professionals, (ii) examine the accessibility of essential resources, (iii) identify obstacles to policy ad-herence, and (iv) propose feasible and cost-effective strategies for improving infection control in public sector hospitals of Sindh.
Methodology: Three major public hospitals were enrolled in this cross-sectional mixed-methods study. Healthcare pro-fessionals were provided with structured questionnaires to fill out, aimed at collecting data regarding their de-mographics, knowledge, practices, and perceived obstacles. The findings were further enriched by key informant inter-views and facility observations. Qualitative responses underwent thematic analysis, while quantitative data were exam-ined using descriptive statistics.
Results: 73.3% of participants were aware of their hospital's infection control policy due to formal training. Hand hygiene practices achieved the highest score of 3.8 out of 5, whereas incident reporting, consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and adherence to sterilization protocols received the lowest ratings of 2.9, 3.4, and 3.2 out of 5, re-spectively. The uneven availability of resources was caused by frequent shortages of PPE and insufficient waste man-agement facilities. The primary challenges identified were overcrowding (66.7%), inadequate training (53.3%), and Sys-temic barriers result in inconsistent implementation of infection control policies, even though there is a relatively high level of awareness. In environments with constrained resources, the safety of patients and staff can be improved by strengthening infection control committees, increasing monitoring efforts, and applying cost-effective, high-impact strate-gies such as phased resource distribution, peer-led compliance assessments, and focused training.
Conclusion: Despite a high degree of awareness, systemic barriers lead to inconsistent application of infection control strategies. Strengthening infection control committees, stepping up monitoring efforts, and using high-impact, low-cost measures including phased resource distribution, peer-led compliance assessments, and targeted training can all help improve patient and staff safety in low-resource settings.

Keywords: Infection control, hospital-acquired infections, public hospitals, resource constraints, Pakistan, healthcare safety.

Use of Propofol Infusion for Sedation after Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: Propofol Bridge to Tracheal Extubation.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:37:06 +0000

Objective: To find out the safety and efficacy of Propofol Infusion as bridge to tracheal extubation after surgeries of
congenital hearts defects in pediatric population.
Methodology: This prospective case series was planned to be conducted at the department of cardiac surgery, National
Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Karachi; during Jan 2024 to December 2025. It was planned to enroll 50 pediatric
cardiac patients requiring surgery for congenital heart diseases. However, we collected data of 24 patients only who
underwent for palliative or definitive correction of congenital heart defects. Two operated patients; the total Correction of
Tetralogy of Fallot and closure of Ventricular Septal defect respectively developed unexplained increase in the serum
lactate level in the absence of any changes in the hemodynamic. Both patients shared a common factor of having
propofol infusion duration exceeding 8 hours. As the safety of the patient is top most priority, further enrollment was halted.
Results: Our study group included 24 patients, comprising 14 males (58%) and 10 females (42%). Among them, four
patients underwent off-pump surgery, with three receiving palliative shunts and one undergoing PDA ligation. Serum
lactate was monitored hourly for each patient.
Conclusions: Our study raised the concern with Propofol Infusion in pediatric population if used beyond 8 hours.

Key words: Congenital heart defects, Propofol, Tracheal Extubation. Propofol infusion syndrome.

Evaluating Patient Satisfaction with Surgical Care in a Public Tertiary Hospital in Karachi: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:38:03 +0000

Objective: To assess patient satisfaction with surgical care at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi and identify key factors
influencing their experience.
Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a major public-sector tertiary care hospital in Karachi,
Pakistan during December 2024 to February 2025. A total of 220 patients who underwent elective or emergency
surgeries were recruited using convenience sampling. The Picker Patient Experience Questionnaire (PPE-15), translated
and validated in Urdu, was used to assess patient satisfaction. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 13, and results
were compared with findings from similar international studies.
Results: 65% of patients rated their overall surgical care as good or excellent. Highest satisfaction was seen in doctor –
patient communication (70%) and nursing care (60%). Major areas of dissatisfaction included hygiene (45%) and emergency
department waiting times (50%). Emotional support was inadequate for 40% of patients. Elective surgery patients
reported higher satisfaction (75%) than emergency patients (42%).
Conclusion: Significant gaps exist in surgical care, particularly in hygiene, emergency services, and emotional support.
While communication shows improvement, systemic challenges like overcrowding, poor sanitation, and limited psychological
support persist. Targeted interventions—such as enhanced provider communication training, improved hygiene
practices, streamlined emergency workflows, and better emotional care—are crucial. Emphasizing patient-centered care
is vital to improving satisfaction and trust in resource-limited healthcare systems like Pakistan.

Keywords: Patient satisfaction, surgical care, tertiary hospital, healthcare quality.

Assessing Visual Outcomes After Senile Cataract Surgery in Urban and Rural Populations of Southern Pakistan.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:40:23 +0000

Objective: To assess the outcomes of cataract surgery in terms of visual improvement among older adults residing in
both urban and rural areas of Southern Pakistan.
Methodology: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Institute of Ophthalmology, Liaquat University
of Medical & Health Sciences, in Jamshoro during August 2023 to December 2023. 100 patients; 50 from urban and 50
from rural areas were selected through purposive sampling. Visual outcome after cataract surgery was assessed at 15th
day, 1 month and 2nd month postoperatively.
Results: After cataract surgery, visual acuity improved in 62% of the urban population and 76% of the rural population by
the 15th day after the operation.
Conclusion: The study's findings revealed a notable difference in vision improvement between rural and urban residents
after surgery. Specifically, rural residents experienced greater improvement in their vision compared to their urban counterparts.
These findings suggest that targeted interventions and tailored healthcare strategies may be necessary to address
the unique needs of rural and urban populations and optimize care pathways for patients undergoing cataract surgery.

Key words: Urban, Rural, Cataract, Visual Outcomes, Cross-sectional.

Parental Preferences for Selecting a Medical College For Admissions In MBBS – A Deep Dive Into Key Perspectives And Priorities.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:41:33 +0000

Objective: The objective of this study is to explore and analyze parental preferences, perspectives, and priorities in selecting
a medical college for their children’s admission into the MBBS program.
Methodology: This interview-based, qualitative study conducted from Nov 2023 to March 2025 at different medical colleges
of Lahore city. A semi-structured interview done to explore the perspectives and preferences of parents regarding
prospective medical students. The sample size was calculated taking a confidence interval of 95% and a margin of error
of 5%, which was calculated to be 294. A purposive sampling strategy was used to include parents reporting in the admission
sections of three medical colleges for seeking their child’s admission in MBBS undergraduate course.
Results: Altogether, 392 parents were interviewed individually in last 2 years, and interviewed. Among these, 299 parents
(76.2%) responded well, and provided their perceptions regarding the choice of a medical college, whereas, 93
(23.8%) were reluctant to discuss. The most highly ranked factor which parents preferred in selecting a medical college
for their child’s admission was market reputation & overall ranking.
Conclusion: It is evident that the choice of a medical college is a multi-faceted decision, influenced by a diverse range of
priorities extending beyond just ranking.

Key Words: Parental perspectives, Faculty expertise, Reputation, Medical colleges, Ranking order.

Determination of Outcomes of Using Elastic Intramedullary Nailing in Femur Shaft Fractures in Children Aged 5-11 Years.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:42:38 +0000

Objective: to examine the efficacy and safety of inserting flexible elastic intramedullary nails into the femoral shafts of
children (aged 5–11) who have had injuries to this area.
Methodology: This descriptive longitudinal study was carried out from February 2025 to July 2025 in the Orthopedic Surgery
Department at Sheikh Zayed Medical College and Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan. In all, 62 patients were chosen using
a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Participating children ranged in age from 5 to 11 years old and
were of either sex. They had femoral shaft closed fractures that were at least 3 cm below the lesser trochanter and 3 cm
above the distal physis, sustained in a severe accident.
Results: A total of 62 patients were examined. The predominant cause of injury was road traffic accidents, occurring in
45 instances (72.58%). The children's ages varied from 5 to 11 years, with a mean age of 7.14 ± 0.90 years. The majority
of patients, 43 (69.35%), were aged between 5 and 7 years. There were 46 males (75.29%) and 16 females (24.71%).
The average body weight was 24.35 ± 4.66 kg. The mean duration of symptoms before to treatment was 6.48 ± 2.45
days. According to the Flynn and Schwend rating system, results were classified as good in 57 patients (91.93%) and
satisfactory in 5 patients (8.07%). Complications arose in 10 instances (16.12%), comprising limb length discrepancies
of 1–2 cm in 3 cases, skin irritation at the nail entry site in 4 cases, and superficial wound infections in 3 cases. No patient
experienced malunion or implant migration.
Conclusion: Flexible intramedullary nailing was a safe, successful, and dependable way to fix femoral shaft fractures in
kids aged 5 to 11. The treatment led to good functional recovery and adequate bone healing, with no significant problems
and only a few small ones that were easy to deal with.

Keywords: Outcome, Femoral Shaft Fracture, Road Traffic Accident (RTA), Elastic Intramedullary Nail.

Academic Outcomes Following Implementation of an Integrated Curricu-lum, among 1st-year MBBS Students at CMH Kharian Medical College.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:43:41 +0000

Objective: To explore the academic and emotional impact of the Integrated Curriculum System (ICS) on first year MBBS students at CMH Kharian Medical College (CKMC), focusing on their learning experiences, perceptions and adaptation challenges.
Methodology: A qualitative study was conducted among 11 first year MBBS students using semi-structured interviews comprising 22 open-ended questions. Participants were selected by using purposive sampling until thematic saturation was achieved. All interviews were transcribed and analyzed manually using Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic analy-sis approach.
Results: Seven major themes emerged: (1) Overwhelming transition, (2) Academic stress and workload, (3) Lack of co-ordination and implementation gaps, (4) Decline in academic performance, (5) Preference for traditional curriculum, (6) Rejection of integrated system (7) Conditional acceptance for future improvement. Most students perceived the integrat-ed system as confusing and stressful, with limited short-term academic benefits. Despite its conceptual benefits, integra-tion appeared to lead to decreased motivation and lower academic outcomes in this context.
Conclusion: While integration aims to promote conceptual learning, its effectiveness depends on structured implementa-tion, teacher coordination, and assessment alignment. The findings are emphasizing the need for faculty training, better orientation and coordination across departments that are essential for effective integration.

Key words: Academic outcomes, Integrated curriculum, thematic analysis, student perceptions.

Helmet Use and Concussion Severity among Two-Wheel Riders: A Retro-spective Study From Karachi.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:44:37 +0000

Objectives: Motorcycles provide a cost-effective and practical means of transportation in Karachi, Pakistan and are also linked with a notably higher risk of head injury. To compare the frequency and the severity of concussions in helmeted versus non-helmeted motorcyclists.
Methodology: A retrospective descriptive study from the year 2021 to 2023 was carried out at the medico-legal section of Police surgeon office Karachi. Medical records of 600 motorcyclists (18-60 years) with concussion after RTA for medi-co-legal examination were reviewed. Riders were categorized based on helmet use. Data collected on demographics, accident details and concussion severity using Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores and graded symptom checklist. Sta-tistical analysis included Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests to evaluate associations between helmet use, injury pat-tern and concussion severity.
Results: Amongst the 600 motorcyclists, the ratio of non-helmeted riders to helmeted riders were 7:1. Helmeted riders had remarkably lower concussion 5.55% in contrast to non-helmeted riders 8.79% (P<0.04). Severity analysis divulge helmeted riders solely presented with mild GCS score (13-15), while 37.5% of non-helmeted riders had severe scores <8. Symptom grading resulted in helmeted riders had only mild presentations, whereas non-helmeted riders revealed moderate 53.3% and severe 6.6% symptoms. Non-helmeted riders also exhibited higher demonstration of contusion, skull fractures and intracranial haemorrhages.
Conclusion: The lack of helmet use among motorcyclists strikingly boost the probability of concussions, severe cranial trauma and medico-legal complications. Perceived results stipulate that helmets can bring down the incidence of head injuries by up to 66.4%. Outcome of these injuries are often extended disability, which require considerable medical care, and place a substantial load on the healthcare substructure.

Keywords: Concussion, Helmet wearers, Traumatic brain injury, motorcycle accidents.

Frequency of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Blood Donors.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:45:29 +0000

Objectives: To bring new data forward about the frequency of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in individuals who donate blood in Karachi to determine safety of collected donations,
study is conducted in Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad Institute of Blood Diseases (DIEKIBD), Dow University of Health Sciences
(DUHS) from January 2021 to July 2021.
Methodology: A retrospective analysis was performed for this study in which we retrieved the data of blood donors reported
in Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad Institute of Blood Diseases (DIEKIBD) from the period of 1st January 2021 to 31st July 2021.
All details are noted from the retrospective data.
Results: Among the total number of donors, 1204 donors were the deferred donors. Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) was positive
in 194 (16.11%) of donors. Donors who were positive for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) were 149 (12%) cases. Donors
who were Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive were 25(2%).
Conclusion: Frequency of viral infection in blood donors is extremely high, and it needs continues monitoring and evaluation
for preventive measures.

Key words: Blood transfusion, blood donors, HCV, HBV, Immunodeficiency virus

Effect of SGLT2 Inhibitors on anaemia In patients with CKD 3 & 4 secondary to Diabetic Nephropathy.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:46:24 +0000

Objective: The objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of adding dapagliflozin to standard anaemia care on hemoglobin
trajectories in stage 3–4 diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Methodology: Adults aged 40–80 years with stage 3–4 diabetic CKD, Hb <13.0 g/dL (males) or <12.0 g/dL (females), and
MCV 80–100 fL were enrolled (n=86). Participants were randomized (1:1) to Group A (dapagliflozin 10 mg daily plus oral
iron, Haemopoietin, insulin, and standard CKD care) or Group B (oral iron, Haemopoietin, insulin, and standard CKD
care). Hb and HbA1c were measured at baseline, 1, and 3 months. The primary outcome was Hb improvement at 3
months (≥1 g/dL rise from baseline or normalization to WHO thresholds).
Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Group A showed larger and earlier Hb increases than
Group B. Mean Hb change in Group A was +0.45 g/dL at 1 month and +0.96 g/dL at 3 months (both p < 0.01). Group B
experienced smaller increases (+0.08 g/dL at 1 month, p = 0.069; +0.25 g/dL at 3 months, p = 0.020). The linear mixedeffects
model demonstrated significant effects of time, treatment group, and their interaction (all p < 0.001). The predefined
primary outcome at 3 months was met in 33/43 (76.7%) participants in Group A versus 13/43 (30.2%) in Group B
(p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Adding dapagliflozin to standard anaemia management yields a larger and more sustained rise in haemoglobin.

Keywords: Dapagliflozin, SGLT2 inhibitors, Chronic kidney disease (CKD), Diabetic nephropathy, Anemia.

Prevalence of urinary tract infections and sterile pyuria among Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:47:16 +0000

Objective: To determine the prevalence of urinary tract infections and sterile pyuria among patients in the nephrology
department with chronic kidney disease.
Methodology: It is a prospective observational study carried out in six months at Dow University Hospital in Karachi and
involving 263 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with ages between 18 and 92 years. To analyze the data, we
used SPSS Statistics version 25 offered by IBM. To identify any risk factors, the research team analyzed the information
using descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test, stratified analysis, and logistic regression.
Results: Pyuria was present in 30.4 % of those tested, and 12.9 % were found to have UTIs, but 17.5 % were positive
for sterile pyuria. It was observed that CKD stage had a strong relationship with sterile pyuria (p = 0.010), but not UTIs (p
= 0.436). No statistically significant differences were identified when the group was compared according to age (adults
vs. children). The age seems to be slightly related to sterile pyuria with a p-value of 0.056. Among such culture-positive
cases, the greatest number was attributed to bacteria known as Escherichia coli, which infected 50.0 % of the patients.
Conclusion: Sterile pyuria is very common among patients with CKD and is strongly associated with the severity of the
disease. The occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria affecting the urinary tract Infections is of great concern.
The findings imply that future research on larger populations should be conducted to investigate the implications of
these findings on patient care and outcomes.

Keywords: Chronic kidney disease, Escherichia coli, Urinary tract infection, Sterile pyuria.

Comparison of APACHE-II, SAPS and SOFA as the best predictor of mor-tality among critically ill patients.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:48:28 +0000

Objective: To find out the predictive ability of various scoring system including APACHE II, SOFA and SAPS II in finding the prognosis of critically ill patients.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Medical and Surgical intensive care units (ICU) and High dependency units, Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi Pakistan, from January 2025 to June 2025.. A total of 198 patients, aged 18-80 years, were recruited from the high dependency units, medical and surgical intensive care units. These patients diagnosed with sepsis after presenting with a serious condition. Vital signs, the GCS score, and a sys-tematic examination were used to evaluate the patients. Within 24 hours after admission, APACHE II, SAPS II, and SO-FA scores were assessed. Patients’ outcome at discharge was recorded and compared with predicted mortality by these scoring systems.
Results: Out of 198 patients, 89 (44.9%) did not survive. The mean APACHE-II score (19.13±3.65 vs. 26.33±2.74), SAP-II score (34.45±8.39 vs. 47.21±0.92) and SOFA score (7.27±2.07 vs. 11.00±1.26) were markedly elevated among non-survivors than survivors. SAPS II score showed the highest discriminatory power on ROC analysis (AUROC=0.979) fol-lowed by APACHE II score (AUROC=0.941) and SOFA score (AUROC=0.904).
Conclusion: The three prognostic scores (APACHE II, SAPS II, and SOFA) showed adequate accuracy in predicting mortality among critically ill patients with sepsis. Among them, SAPS II showed superior calibration and discriminatory power compared with APACHE II and SOFA.

Keywords: Critical illness, intensive care units, sepsis, mortality. APACHE II, SOFA, SAPS II

Frequency of Depression in post stroke patients presenting at tertiary care hospital, Larkana

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:49:15 +0000

Objective: To document the prevalence of PSD and to identify associated clinical and demographic factors in a tertiary care setting.
Methodology: We carried out a cross-sectional study among 179 stroke survivors at a tertiary care hospital in Larkana during 15 June 2025 to 15 December 2025. The clinical features along with demographic details were recorded and the depression symptoms were analyzed with authentic methods. Chi-square tests were used to determine the correlation of depression with stroke patient’s features. Ethical approval and written informed consent were secured.
Results: 40.1% population of patients experience depressive disorder. Patients within the age bracket of 40–60 years experienced more symptoms of depression than the older ones, however, this contrast was not significant statistically. It was also observed that the within six months of the stroke episode, the patients were more prone to experience depres-sive disorder as compared to those having relatively longer duration since the episode of stroke (48.7% vs. 33.0%; p=0.03). Moreover, clinical depression was found more prevalent in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus type II (61.9% vs. 32.8%; p=0.01) as well as amongst individuals with consistent smoking habits (p=0.04). No significant asso-ciation as regards gender or hypertension was observed.
Conclusion: Stroke is a substantive risk factor for developing clinical depression among the survivors. Thorough screen-ing along with adequate follow up may significantly address the neurological and psychiatric needs of these patients, resulting in improved quality of life.

Key words: Beck Depression Inventory, Diabetes mellitus; post-stroke depression; Stroke; Risk factors; Hypertension

Association of ABO Blood Groups with Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke in Adults over 45 years: A Cross-Sectional Study at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:49:58 +0000

Objective: To examine the relationship between ABO blood groups and ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke among adults
aged over 45 years admitted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi.
Methodology: Our study was a cross-sectional analysis of neurology ward within six months. With the help of the nonprobability
consecutive sampling, we recruited 219 patients aged 45 years and above. Demographic, comorbid, and
ABO blood groups data were obtained and analyzed. The chi-square test was used to determine associations between
blood groups and clinical variables and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Out of the 219 respondents, 65.3% were men and 86.8% resided in the urban set up. The hemorrhagic stroke
was more common as compared to the ischemic stroke (68.9 versus 31.1). The group O was the most prevalent (52.5)
and it was followed by A (37), B (20.5), and AB (27.9). Blood group A was found to have a high correlation with
dyslipidemia ( p=0.02), and blood group B was associated with a reduced frequency of lipid abnormalities ( p=0.03). The
male gender and smoking were significantly more prevalent in an individual of blood group AB (p=0.01), but smoking
was less prevalent in an individual of blood group O (p=0.04). All the blood groups were not significantly correlated with
the subtype of stroke.
Conclusion: A distinct behavioral and metabolic trends were observed. Blood group A was related to dyslipidemia, blood
group B to lower lipid levels, and blood group AB to male gender and smoking, while smoking was less common in
blood group O. These findings suggest that ABO blood groups may influence vascular risk indirectly through metabolic
and behavioral factors. Further large-scale, multicenter studies are needed to confirm these associations and explore
their biological mechanisms.

Keywords: ABO blood group, ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, dyslipidemia, vascular risk factors, Karachi.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Gender Dynamics: Insights From A Tertiary Care Hospital Experience.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:50:58 +0000

Objective: To assess the clinical manifestations associated with vitamin B12 deficiency and to investigate the variations
in clinical presentation between different genders.
Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Medicine, Dow University Hospital,
Ojha Campus, Karachi from February 2025 to July 2025. A total of 134 adults presenting with clinical symptoms suggestive
of vitamin B12 deficiency were consecutively enrolled from the outpatient department. Patients were evaluated
about their medical history and lifestyle habits. Patients were also enquired about their present symptoms and clinically
examined. Vitamin B12 deficiency level was confirmed on serum vitamin B12 levels. SPSS version 26 with a p-value of
0.05 was used for statistical analysis.
Results: Vitamin B12 deficiency was confirmed in 66 (49.3%) patients. Of which 80.3% were male and 19.7% were female
(p = 0.043). The most common clinical symptom was easy fatigability (87.9%), followed by pallor (86.4%), palpitations
(62.1%), glossitis (50.0%), and shortness of breath grade ≥1 (50.0%).
Conclusion: This study concludes that vitamin B12 deficiency presents with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations,
most commonly fatigue, pallor, palpitations, glossitis, and neurological complaints, emphasizing its significant impact on
overall health.

Keywords: Fatigue, glossitis, pallor, palpitations, vitamin B12 deficiency.

Frequency of Lattice Degeneration in one eye of the patients with Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:51:45 +0000

Objective: We carried out this study to analyze and tabulate frequency of lattice degeneration in the fellow eye of
patients with Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment
Methodology: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Ophthalmology, Civil Hospital,
Karachi. All participants aged between 18 to 60 years with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment of either gender, were
enrolled through non probability consecutive sampling. Demographic details included age, gender, height, weight and
BMI. Lattice degeneration was labeled as positive based on presence of one or more of the following features which
includes retinal thinning with round, oval, or linear outlines, pigment changes, yellow-white flecks, white patches, red
crater-type spots, small atrophic holes, branching white lines, and scattered yellow atrophic areas. Rarely, tractional
tears occur near the ends or back margins of these lesions.
Results: Amongst the 98 patients, the mean age was 51.72 ±3.69 years. There were 68 (69.4%) females. Decreased
vision as presenting symptoms was reported by 54 (55.2%) participants, flashes of light by 39 (39.8%) and peripheral
shadow by 21 (21.4%) patients. The frequency of lattice degeneration was observed in 33 (33.7%) patients. Statistically
significant correlation was found between symptoms and age groups with the presence of lattice degeneration in fellow
eyes (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The frequency of lattice degeneration was observed in one third of the fellow eye of patients with rhegmatogenous
retinal detachment. Hence, driving the need for correct and vigilant screening on first presentation to prevent
any irreversible complications.

Keywords: Fellow eye, Frequency, Lattice degeneration, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Renal involvement in term neonates with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A frequency-based study.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:53:11 +0000

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of acute renal failure in term neonates presenting with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study conducted at PAF Hospital Mushaf Sargodha from 01-01-2025 to 31-06-2025. During study period 159 full term neonates of both gender having APGAR score <7 at 5 minutes after birth were recruit-ed. A written informed consent was taken from parents of every patient. All grades of birth asphyxia were included. Se-rum creatinine was acquired after 72 hours of birth and acute renal failure was diagnosed if it was ≥1.5mg/dl.
Results: The mean gestational age of the neonates was 39.54±1.83 weeks. 85 (53.5%). The male to female ratio was 1.8:1. Majority (n=110,69.2%) of the neonates were delivered by spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) while 49 (30.8%) were delivered by C-section. The mean weight of the neonates was 2.62±0.52 kg. 50 (31.5%) neonates had mild, 90 (56.6%) neonates had moderate and 19 (11.9%) neonates had severe birth asphyxia. Mean blood urea level was 29.6±5.8 mg/dl while mean serum creatinine level was 1.77±0.53 mg/dl. Acute renal failure was observed in 101 (63.5%) neonates. The frequency of ARF increased significantly with increasing severity of birth asphyxia, mild vs mod-erate vs severe (20% vs 76.7% vs 100%; p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference across gestational age, gender, mode of delivery and birth weight.
Conclusion: A significant percentage of asphyxiated newborns experienced acute renal failure, which was linked to the severity of birth asphyxia. This calls for routine monitoring of asphyxiated neonates in order to promptly detect and treat this problem in future practice to improve the result.

Keywords: Birth Asphyxia, Sarnat Grading, Acute Renal failure.

Lipid Profile variation in subclinical and clinical Hypothyroidism and their correlation with BMI.

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Objective: The present study aimed to compare the variation in lipid profiles between patients with subclinical and clinical
hypothyroidism and their correlation with BMI.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study carried out on 120 patients (aged 20-60 years) in the Department of Medicine,
Pakistan Institute of Medical Science, Islamabad from December 2024 to September 2025. All the patients were categorized
into three groups; Group-I euthyroid controls (n=40), Group-II subclinical hypothyroidism (n=40), and clinical hypothyroidism
(n=40). Blood sample was taken and analyzed for lipid profiles and thyroid functions. Lipid profiles, Thyroid
function tests, and body mass index (BMI) recorded for each individual. SPSS v28 used for statistical analysis.
Results: Of the total 120 patients, there were 18 (15%) male and 102 (85%) female. The overall mean age (years) and
BMI (Kg/m2) were 29.88±5.89 and 29.68 (25-34), respectively. Both hypothyroid groups showed higher levels of lipid
profiles compared to euthyroid controls (p<0.01), with the clinical hypothyroid group showing the highest levels. Lower
HDL-C levels observed in hypothyroid groups, but the difference was not statistically significant. Lipid profile and body
mass index showed a positive correlation in both hypothyroid groups, especially in clinical group.
Conclusion: The present study observed that increased body mass index and variations in lipid profile in hypothyroidism
are established risk factors. Subclinical hypothyroidism exhibits lower BMI and dyslipidemia than clinical hypothyroidism,
underling the routine BMI monitoring and lipid profile measurement to manage cardiovascular disease risk at earliest.

Keywords: Hypothyroidism, Subclinical Hypothyroidism, Lipid Profile, Body Mass Index, Dyslipidemia, Cardiovascular
Risk.