Background and Objective:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic incompletely reversible poor airflow and air trapping and usually this debilitating disorder limits the outside activities of the patients depriving them of sunlight which is a rich source of Vitamin D. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation in reducing number of acute exacerbation in COPD patients.Methods:This randomized control trial was conducted at East Medical Ward Mayo Hospital Lahore from January to December 2015 as exacerbations of COPD are season dependent. Diagnosis was confirmed by performing Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs). Basic demographical information was obtained and baseline PFTs of the patient was done. Only Group A patients was treated with oral vitamin D intake of 2000 IU daily for 6 months. Vitamin D level was measured at 0, 2, 4, and 6 months and exacerbation of COPD, FEV1 and FVC was measured weekly. Both the groups were given standard treatment for exacerbation of COPD. Spirometry was repeated at each visit. Blood samples were collected every 2 months for vitamin D. Supplementation was stopped if vitamin D level exceeded 100ng/ml.Results:The mean age of the patients was 46.28±8.83 years, the male to female ratio was 1.8:1. The mean 25(OH) level at baseline was 24.08±2.58 and at 6th month was 29.60±8.74. The mean FVC at baseline was 77.83±5.49 and at 6th month was 91.34±5.52. The exacerbation at baseline was present in all 120(100%) patients and at 6th month was reduced to 4(3.3%).Conclusion:Vitamin D supplementation has significant effect in reducing number of acute exacerbation in COPD patients when it is given for prolonged period.

Objective:To determine the efficacy of Vitamin D supplementation in achieving an early sputum conversion in vitamin D deficient smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients.Methods:This randomized clinical trial was done at Mayo hospital Lahore from November 2015 to August 2016. One hundred twenty patients with sputum smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis were selected and randomized to Group-A (taking anti-tuberculous therapy (ATT) only) and Group-B (taking ATT with Vitamin D supplementation). Four doses of100,000 IU of Vitamin D injection intramuscularly were given after every 14 days during intensive-phase. Sputum examination was repeated at 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th weeks. Efficacy of treatment in terms of early sputum conversion between both groups was tested using Chi square and independent sample t-test was applied to compare mean values of serum vitamin D before and after treatment. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered as significant.Results:The mean age of patients was 37.18±6.81 years in Group-A and 39.02±7.56 years in Group-B. There were 63 (52.50%) males and 57 (47.50%) females. The mean serum Vitamin D was 17.07±1.44 in Group-A and 17.23±2.37 in Group-B at baseline and at 12th week, the levels were 21.77±2.23 in Group-A and 29.24±0.72 in Group-B. In Group-A, 7 (11.7%) patients showed positive sputum examination and in Group-B, only one (1.7%) patient had positive sputum examination at 12th week. The difference was statistically significant (p-value= 0.028).Conclusion:Four doses of intramuscular vitamin D given after every 14 days corrected vitamin D deficiency and improved the rate of sputum smear conversion in patients of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Objective:To study the effect of Vitamin D supplementation on reduction in level of HbA1 in patients recently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus Type II having asymptomatic Vitamin D deficiency.Methods:This randomized control trial was conducted at East Medical Ward Mayo Hospital Lahore for 6 months from January 01 2016 to June 30, 2016. 114 Patients were included through non probability purposive sampling technique. Informed consent and demographic information was collected. Patients were divided in two groups by randomization through tossing a coin. Group-A patients received Metformin tablet alone at 500 mg after dinner and Group-B patients were treated with same dosage of Metformin along with oral vitamin D at 200,000 IU monthly for three months. Blood sample was obtained at baseline, 3 months and 6 months of initiation of therapy. All samples were sent to the laboratory for complete blood count, blood sugar fasting, serum calcium, serum phosphorous, serum alkaline phosphatase, HbA1c and serum 25 Hyroxy Vitamin D (S-25(OH) D) levels and iPTH. Data entry and analysis was done by using SPSS 20.Results:The mean age of patients in metformin group was 42.37±4.59 years while mean age of patients in combination group was 43.33±4.86years. Males were 45.6% and females were 54.4% in metformin group while in combination group, 36.8% were males’ and 63.2% were females’. At baseline, in metformin group, mean Vitamin D level was 17.09±1.73mg/dl and in combination group, mean Vitamin D level was 16.49±1.56mg/dl. The difference was insignificant (p>0.05). On 2nd visit, combination group mean Vitamin D was 29.04±3.96mg/dl. At baseline, 1st and 2nd visit, in metformin group, mean HbA1c was 7.59±0.47%, 7.46±0.25% and 7.30±0.29%. At baseline, 1st and 2nd visit, in combination group, mean HbA1c was 7.71±0.19%, 7.57±0.21% and 7.43±0.26%. The difference was insignificant (p>0.05) at baseline while significant on later follow-ups (P<0.05).Conclusion:Vitamin D supplementation improved the glycemic control but substantial reduction in HbA1c was statistically insignificant in both groups.

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Objectives:To estimate the range of hepatic involvement in dengue infections by assessing clinical and biochemical profile of adult dengue infected patients.Methods:Serologically confirmed 220 adult cases of dengue infections admitted to Mayo hospital from June 2013 to November 2013 were classified as having dengue fever, dengue haemorragic fever and dengue shock syndrome. The frequency and range of bilirubin, liver enzymes derangement and presence of liver enlargement in each group was calculated and further stratified according to age and gender. Patients with positive viral serology, chronic liver disease, malaria and typhoid were excluded from the study.Results:About 60% of DHF patients had hepatomegaly compared to 40% of DF patients. Liver dysfunction was more common in DF compared to DHF (38.15 vs 18.6%). Hyperbilirubinemia was noted in 40 (18.2%) patients, 28 (12.7%) in DF and 12(5.5%) in DHF. The mean serum bilirubin was higher in DHF [0.87+0.33] compared to DF [0.74+0.27]. Bilirubin was higher in male patients and in younger (<20 years) age group. ALT was elevated more frequently in male patients in age group of 31-40 years and in DF patients as compared to DHF [72(32.7% vs 40(18.2%)]. The mean serum ALT level was 103.7 U/l in DHF and 69.2U/l in DF. AST was raised in all DHF patients as compared to DF in which 40% patients had normal AST levels. Alkaline Phosphate was high in all DHF patients with a mean of 278.7. It was raised in most of the DF patients as well and majority of patients were in age group of 31-40 years.Conclusion:Liver involvement is very common in dengue infections and is not limited to elevation of transaminases only. Bilirubin and Alkaline phosphatase are also raised in considerable number of patients. Therefore in adults with fever, jaundice, hepatomegaly and altered liver function tests, the diagnosis of dengue infection should be strongly considered in areas where dengue infection is endemic.List of abbreviations:DF: Dengue FeverDHF: Dengue Hemorrhagic FeverDSS: Dengue Shock SyndromeDIC: Disseminated intravascular coagulationALT: Alanine transaminaseAST: Aspartate aminotransferase