A threefold difference in prevalence of hypertension exists between people of South Asian descent, which, unlike the urban/rural difference, cannot be accounted for by measured risk factors. Further study would provide valuable etiological and therapeutic clues.

LOS poses a major burden in this area, which could be due to the increasing care of premature babies. Gram-negative organisms, particularly Klebsiella spp, are having an increasing role in LOS in this region, with high levels of resistance to third-generation cephalosporins. NICUs in the area should create a platform through which to share experience in reducing neonatal sepsis and contribute to a common antibiotic stewardship program.

One out of every two to three middle-aged men in Pakistan smoke cigarettes. Our findings suggest that ethnically sensitive smoking control programmes that include measures for improving literacy rates are needed in Pakistan.

A long cystic duct remnant may be found after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Stone may form in the remnant cystic duct and can cause postcholecystectomy syndrome. Remnant cystic duct calculus may rarely result in postcholecystectomy Mirizzi’s syndrome. Traditionally, Mirizzi’s syndrome has been diagnosed with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and treated with open surgery. We report a case of postcholecystectomy Mirizzi’s syndrome that developed 3 years after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A non-invasive diagnosis of Mirizzi’s syndrome was made comprehensively by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. Endoscopic stone removal was achieved successfully with ERCP without any complication.

We conclude that unmeasured environmental or genetic factors account for ethnic variations in proteinuria, and deserve further study.