This retrospective study was carried out in the Medicine Department of Khulna Medical College, the biggest tertiary hospital in the southern part of Bangladesh to observe the trends of poisoning in southern part of Bangladesh over four years including age and sex variation, mode of poisoning, type of poison used and outcome of poisoning. The hospital medical records of all patients, aged 10 years and above with history of acute poisoning from January, 2003 to December, 2006 were enrolled. Patients were categorized into four age group including Group (Gr.) I, Gr. II, Gr. III & Gr. IV having age range of 10-20, 21-30, 31-40 & >40 respectively. Underlying causes of poisoning were also observed totally and individually in different mode with male, female ratio and the percentage. Death cases according to mode of poisoning with demographic alignment were also observed. Statistical analysis were done using epi-info version 3.5.1 and measures were presented as proportion and percentage. Among 1903 cases, 1012 (53.1%) were male and 891 (46.8%) female with a ratio of 1.4: 1. The year wise total number of cases were progressively decreased from 627 (2003) to 353 (2006). Most commonly found toxic agent was Organo-Phosphate compound (526; 27.64%) with a very little sexual variation & this trend remained same in all study years. Poisoning with unknown substance was the second leading cause (16.03%) followed by Copper-sulphate (14.03%), Sedative (13.35%), Snakebite (12.93%) etc. Incidence of unknown poisoning, sedatives, snake-bite and corrosives were found to be gradually decreased over the study years. Male were found mostly affected in majority type of poisoning except Copper-sulphate, kerosene, puffer fish, paracetamol and other drugs category. Age group II (710; 37.3%) was the most vulnerable group with male (57.89%) preponderance followed by group I (643; 33.7%), III (329; 17.2%) and IV (221; 11.6%) respectively. Highest 1308 (68.7%) cases were suicidal in mode followed by 304 (15.9%) accidental and 291 (15.2%) homicidal. Out of 1903, 140 (7.3%) patients died. Death rate was highest in OPC poisoning (52.1%) followed by unknown substance (13.5%), snakebite and copper-sulphate (11.4%) etc. In an agro-based country like Bangladesh, it’s very difficult to reduce the poisoning cases and mortality. Prospectively designed multi-centered studies are needed to reflect the epidemiological properties of poisonings throughout Bangladesh, and would be very valuable for the determination of preventive measures. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v37i2.8436 BMRCB 2011; 37(2): 61-65

Abstract:No national data on drug resistance is available in Bangladesh. The

Background: An event of stroke can be ignited by a number of risk factors, some of which are nonmodifiable and some are modifiable. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, different heart diseases, hyperlipidemia and smoking belong to the latter group and their prevalence shows immense diversity worldwide. In this study we tried to identify the most prevalent risk factor for stroke. Categorization of various types of stroke and history of noncompliance in medication has also been evaluated. Methods: This direct observational study was carried out on 400 patients of stroke admitted in different medicine units of Dhaka Medical College Hospital from July to December, 2007. Only patients having clinical diagnosis of stroke, confirmed by CT scan or MRI, were recruited. Patients were grouped into ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke or sub arachnoid hemorrhage. Results: The male, female ratio was found 1.2:1. In the study cerebral infraction, intra cerebral hemorrhages (ICH) and sub arachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) were found in 56.25%, 38.25% and 5.5% patients respectively. In case of Ischemic stroke and ICH males were predominantly affected but in case of SAH females were predominant. Among patients, hypertension was found in 58.62% followed by smoking (53.79%), lipid disorder (48.01%), heart diseases (25.75%), diabetes mellitus (20.01%), and previous history of stroke (10.61%). 40% patients were on irregular use of antihypertensive drug and it was 17.5% in case of anti diabetic drugs. Major groups (42.44%) of patients have two modifiable risk factors. Conclusion: Stroke is better to prevent than to cure. Identification of risk factors is the only way to achieve this goal. Implementation of screening programme in community to identify risk factors and educate people about primary prevention should be initiated in this regard. This way, we can reduce morbidity and mortality among stroke patients and alleviate the burden of stroke.   doi:10.3329/jom.v10i3.2011   J Medicine 2009; 10 (Supplement 1): 18-21

Context: The pandemic of diabetes is more explosive in developing countries and Bangladesh is one of the top 10 countries estimated to have the highest numbers of people with diabetes in 2000 and 2030. Aims: The aim of this study was to quantify the prevalence and risk factors of diabetes among secretariat employees of Bangladesh. Settings and Design: A random sample of 1000 employees of Bangladesh Secretariat was included in this cross sectional study. Methods and Material: Blood glucose levels, both Fasting (FPG) and 2-hours after 75gm load, total cholesterol, triglycerides were measured in each case. Body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, was measured as well as collection of information regarding risk factors and socio-demographic variables. Statistical analysis used: Univariate analysis of all variables was done. Cohen’s Kappa was used to find agreement and odds ratios were calculated to assess risk factors. Results: The prevalence of diabetes was 12.3% and 7.5% according to FBG and 2-hours after 75gm glucose, respectively. Age of study population was e”20 years and male, female ratio was 4.75:1. The prevalence was almost similar among men (12.35%) and women (12.05%) considering FBG. While a higher prevalence among women (9.8%) was noticed than men (7%) after 75gm glucose. Pre-diabetic employees were 13.7 %( impaired glucose tolerance) and 31.8% (impaired Fasting glucose). Moderate agreement was observed between FBG and 2-hours after 75gm glucose (kappa 0.6). Increasing age, sedentary lifestyle (OR 1.5), diabetes among first degree relatives (OR 1.7), BMI >30 (OR 1.5), systolic blood pressure >130 (OR 1.2), total cholesterol >200 (OR 1.6), triglycerides >150 (OR 1.4) were found significantly related to diabetes. Conclusion: Increased prevalence of diabetes, IFG and IGT forecasts the upcoming diabetes explosion and calls for urgent steps towards the primary prevention in developing countries. Keyword: Type 2 diabetes, prevalence, risk-factors, BMI, sedentary lifestyle DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jom.v12i2.8419 JOM 2011; 12(2): 125-130

Background: By the dawn of this modern era of science, the prime challenge of physician is cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The most important modifiable risk factors of CVDs are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use. The effects of unhealthy diet and physical inactivity include abnormal blood lipid and obesity. We tried to evaluate the lipid profile and obesity among the employees of Bangladesh Secretariat.Methods: This cross sectional type of descriptive study was carried out among 1000 employees of Bangladesh Secretariat in December, 2008. All classes of employees irrespective of age or sex were included. Body mass index (BMI) and fasting lipid profile were measured in each case. Socio-demographic variables and different related risk factors were also evaluated.Result: Out of 1000 employees with a male, female ratio of 4.75:1, 65% had sedentary life style.20.6% were smoker and only 0.05% had a history of taking alcohol regularly. 10.1% had a history of hyperlipidemia in first degree relatives. Only 2.1% were known cases of hyperlipidemia. BMI of 47% employees were in normal range with a mean 24.38 ± 3.14 SD. Mean fasting total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride (TG) level was found 170.65 ± 39.37, 103.72 ± 30.9, 36.45 ± 5.93 and 169 ± 97.69 SD respectively. Abnormal fasting total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and TG were found in 17.3%, 48.5%, 75.6% and 48.5% employees respectively. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia and obesity are two important modifiable risk factors of CVDs. Early detection and prevention of obesity and abnormal lipid profile can largely reduce morbidity and mortality and alleviate undue burden on our limited health budget.  doi:10.3329/jom.v10i3.2007J Medicine 2009; 10 (Supplement 1): 3-6