Abstract:In Bangladesh tuberculosis (TB) cases are fairly common but isolated hepatobilliary TB cases are extremely rare. Liver abscess due to TB without involvement of any other site causes diagnostic delay and can easily confuse with pyogenic or amoebic liver abscess or haepatocellular carcinoma. We present a case of a 44-years-old diabetic,normotensive male who presented with prolonged high grade fever with chill and rigor with tender hepatomegally. He was put on treatment for liver abscess but was not responding. Later on, histopathology was done and it turned out to be a case of tuberculous liver abscess.

Background: The metabolic syndrome is quite common worldwide and can be found in approximately one­ third of patients with essential hypertension in whom it considerably increases the risk of cardiovascular and renal events, even in the absence of overt diabetes. The simple and easy identification of metabolic syndrome will help clinicians managing the patients in their daily clinical practice. National Cholesterol Education Programme Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP-III) criteria are now considered as the valid indicators for detecting the condition. But it has not yet been widely tested in our country. The present study was, conducted to find the frequency of metabolic syndrome and its risk factors in hypertensive individuals. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in Hypertension & Research Center, Rangpur over a period of 2 years from January 2010 to December 2011. A total of 573 adult hypertensive  patients (18 years & above) who fulfilled the criteria of hypertension according to JNC-7 were consecutively included  in  the study as case and a total 206 non-hypertensive subjects were included as control. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined according to NCEP ATP-III criteria. Lipid profile and blood sugar level were investigated as laboratory parameters. Treatment history of the patients was also recorded. Results: The study showed a 23% prevalence of metabolic syndrome among hypertensives. About 60% of the patients were in their 3rd and 4th decades of life with mean age being 49.5 ± 12.2 years. A male preponderance was observed with male to female ratio being 3: 2. Over 40% of the patients were overweight or obese. More than 10% of males and 40% of females had central obesity. Overweight & obese subjects were staggeringly higher in hypertensives with metabolic syndrome than that in patients without metabolic syndrome (74.8% vs. 30 .1%, p<0.001). The hypertensive patients with advancing age (50 years onwards), female sex, overweight or obesity, sedentary lifestyle were more likely to be associated with metabolic syndrome than those with age below 50 years, male sex, normal BMI and active life-style. The likelihood of having metabolic syndrome in hypertensives with age >50  years, females,  overweight/obese  and in patients accustomed to sedentary life-style were 1.4, 2.1, 6.9 and 2.2  times higher respectively  than the patients without having these conditions. Conclusion: The study concluded that metabolic syndrome is a highly prevalent condition among hypertensive individuals. Older patients, females with overweight or obesity leading a sedentary life are at higher risk of developing the condition than males below 50 years with normal BMI and active life-style. Ibrahim Cardiac Med J 2012; 2(2): 24-30

Background & objective: Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) is a serious condition with a worldwide impact. Anemia is a common complication of CRF leading to significant morbidity. Iron deficiency may be a contributing factor for developing anemia in CRF patients. It may be particularly problematic during erythropoietin therapy. This study was intended to find the serum iron status in CRF patients. Method: This cross sectional study was conducted on 100 consecutive patients of CRF in the Department of Medicine, Rangpur Medical College & Hospital, Rangpur and Hypertension & Research Centre, Rangpur between July 2010 to June 2012. Result: 40% of the patients were 40-59 years old, 28% were 20 - 39 years and 32% >60 years old. Males were predominant (64%) than the females (36%). None of the biochemical variables (serum creatinine, haemoglobin and serum iron profile), except total iron binding capacity (TIBC) differ by sex. TIBC was significantly higher in females than that males (p = 0.029). Of the 100 patients 40% were iron deficient; of them 12(30%) had absolute iron deficiency and 28(70%) relative iron deficiency. Iron deficiency was not influenced by sex (p = 0.519). It was not even affected by the degree of renal insufficiency (p = 0.524). However, the incidence of severe anemia increases significantly with the degree of renal insufficiency (p = 0.037). Conclusion: Serum iron profile remains normal in most of the cases of CRF patients. It should be investigated in every CRF patients before deciding for iron therapy. Ibrahim Cardiac Med J 2012; 2(2): 8-13