BackgroundIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and its association with stress, has not been studied among university students in Pakistan. We investigated the prevalence and the pattern of anxiety related IBS symptoms among medical students of Karachi.FindingsAn observational case–control study was carried out at three medical colleges of Karachi, Pakistan. Random sampling was done on 360 medical students. Data was collected using validated tools “Rome III Criteria” and “Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire”. Participants with IBS were diagnosed on the criteria having experienced abdominal discomfort at least 2–3 days/month associated with high level of anxiety. The apparent prevalence of IBS was found to be 28.3%, with a predominance of 87 (85.29%) females (85.29%) over males (14.71%). The psychological symptoms of anxiety were encountered in 57 (55.8%) participants with IBS, among which males were 15.7% and females 84.2% respectively.ConclusionStudents who more frequently suffer with mental stress and anxiety are more associated with IBS.

BackgroundTo assess the incidence of high-risk population of medical students with eating disorders in Karachi by using validated self-administered questionnaires. The earlier these disorders are diagnosed and assessed, the better the chances are for enhanced treatment and fuller recovery. Therefore, we intended to undertake a study to find out the frequency of such disorders among medical students of Karachi and design strategies to overcome them.FindingsA descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in 435 medical students of Karachi. Data was collected using 2 self administered questionnaires, the SCOFF Eating Disorders Questionnaire and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). Subjects' body mass indexes (BMI) were also calculated. The data was sorted and analyzed in SPSS version 16. According to EAT-26, 22.75% individuals were found to be at high-risk of eating disorders, with 87.9% females and 12.1% males. However, according to SCOFF questionnaire, 17% individuals were found to be at high-risk, with 78.4% females and 21.6% males. According to BMI calculation, 9% were severely underweight, 41.4% underweight, 41.1% normal, 7.6% overweight and 0.9% belonged to obese class 1.ConclusionsA significant fraction of medical students in Karachi are at high risk of development of eating disorders, females being more prone than males. Strategies should be designed to prevent occurrence of such disorders among medical students that would undoubtedly hamper the availability of dependable medical services in future.

BackgroundBody-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) that include skin picking (dermatillomania), hair pulling (trichotillomania) and nail biting (onychophagia), lead to harmful physical and psychological sequelae.The objective was to determine the prevalence of BFRBs among students attending three large medical colleges of Karachi. It is imperative to come up with frequency to design strategies to decrease the burden and adverse effects associated with BFRBs among medical students.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 210 students attending Aga Khan University, Dow Medical College and Sind Medical College, Karachi, in equal proportion. Data were collected using a pre tested tool, “Habit Questionnaire”. Diagnoses were made on the criteria that a student must be involved in an activity 5 times or more per day for 4 weeks or more. Convenience sampling was done to recruit the participants aged 18 years and above after getting written informed consent.ResultsThe overall prevalence of BFRBs was found to be 46 (22%). For those positive for BFRBs, gender distribution was as follows: females 29 (13.9%) and males 17 (8.1%). Among these students, 19 (9.0%) were engaged in dermatillomania, 28 (13.3%) in trichotillomania and 13 (6.2%) in onychophagia.ConclusionsHigh proportions of BFRBs are reported among medical students of Karachi. Key health messages and interventions to reduce stress and anxiety among students may help in curtailing the burden of this disease which has serious adverse consequences.

BackgroundTo report the findings of preoperative screening regarding prevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in patients presenting for cataract surgery.FindingsA descriptive study was conducted among 377 patients presenting for cataract surgery to Department of Ophthalmology Unit I, CHK from April 2010 to May 2011. Convenience sampling was done to recruit the participants aged 18 years and above. The patients were screened for Hepatitis B and C infections and findings were recorded on a structured compilation sheet.The total prevalence of both Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in preoperative Cataract patients was found to be 49 out of 377(12.99%). Overall, 8 out of 377 (2.1%) patients were HBsAg positive and 42 out of 377 (11.1%) were Anti-HCV positive. Only 1 patient was found with a co-infection with both HBsAg and Anti-HCV positive.ConclusionsHigh proportions of Hepatitis B and C are reported among preoperative cataract patients of Karachi. Routine serological screening prior to surgery should be made mandatory so that asymptomatic patients would no longer pose a threat to its spread.

Background The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of albuminuria to cardiovascular disease outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing treatment for stable coronary artery disease. Methods and results We analyzed data from 2176 participants of the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation in type‐2 diabetes (BARI‐2D) trial, a randomized clinical trial comparing Percutaneous coronary intervention/Coronary artery bypass grafting (PCI/CABG) to medical therapy for people with diabetes. The population was stratified by baseline spot urine albumin–creatinine ratio (uACR) into normal (uACR <10 mg/g), mildly (uACR ≥10 mg/g < 30 mg/g), moderately (uACR ≥30 mg/g < 300 mg/g) and severely increased (uACR ≥300 mg/g) groups, and outcomes compared between groups. Death, myocardial infarction (MI) and/or stroke were experienced by 489 patients at a mean follow‐up of 4.3 ± 1.5 years. Compared with normal uACR, mildly increased uACR was associated with a 1.4 times (P = 0.042) increase in all‐cause mortality. Additionally, nonwhites with type‐II diabetes and stable coronary artery disease who had mildly increased albuminuria had a Hazard ratio (HR) of 3.3 times (P = 0.028) for cardiovascular death, 3.1 times for (P = 0.002) all‐cause mortality, and two times for (P = 0.015) MI during follow‐up. Conclusions Mildly increased albuminuria is a significant predictor of all‐cause mortality in those with type‐II diabetes mellitus and stable coronary artery disease, as well as for cardiovascular events those who are nonwhites.