Introduction: Stroke is the leading cause of disability among adults globally. The importance of early intervention is well known to prevent permanent disability and mortality otherwise caused by the ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke. Objective: Aims of this study are to assess the level of pre-hospital delay and reasons for such delay in acute stroke patients. Methods and Materials: An observational study was carried out in the Department of Medicine, Dhaka Medical College Hospital between December 2012 to January 2013 among stroke patients (Age greater than 18 years, both gender, with Clinical features and neuroimaging findings consistent with stroke). The questionnaire regarding patient’s age, sex, occupation, presenting symptoms, associated disease like DM, HTN etc., duration of symptoms, mode of transportation, type of consultation sought, causes of delay, their socio-economic status were filled up by investigator. Result: In our study out of 100 patients 55 (55%) had ischaemic stroke and 45 (45%) had haemorrhagic stroke. The median delay from onset of symptoms to hospital arrival was 6 hours. The main cause of delay in reaching hospital was identified as indecision (40%). The other causes include financial constrain (30%), non-availability of transport (22%), traffic jam (10%), lack of manpower (20%) and consultation with rural medical practitioners (30%). Conclusion: Early intervention is very important to prevent permanent disability and mortality in case of stroke. So, it is important to take necessary steps to raise awareness among health care professionals and general population reagarding handling stroke patients and sending them to specialized hospitals where adequate facilities are present.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jom.v14i2.18459 J Medicine 2013, 14(2): 106-109

Abstract:Background

No Abstract AvailableDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jom.v13i2.12756 J Medicine 2012; 13 : 190-199

Chicken pox is a self-limiting, infectious disease caused by Varicella-zoster virus (VZV). In adults though rare, severe form of disease may cause complications like hepatitis, pneumonia, encephalitis. We present here a case of young male with life threatening complications of chicken pox who survived due to prompt & timely management.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jom.v15i1.19873 J Medicine 2014; 15: 55-57

Amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia is a rare variety of bone marrow aplasia characterized by thrombocytopenia in association with markedly diminished bone marrow megakaryocytes. It can occur as a component of aplastic anaemia or as an isolated form. Here we report a case of a teenage girl presented with bleeding per vagina and generalized weakness which is diagnosed as a case of amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia by bone marrow examination. It will evolve into aplastic anaemia with the course of the disease.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jom.v14i2.19690 J Medicine 2013, 14(2): 207-209