The objectives of this study were to compare the adverse outcome of methotrexate and mini pulse betamethasone therapy in the treatment of lichen planus. It was a clinical trial conducted in the department of Dermatology and Venereology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, from January 2009 to December 2010. Forty four patients of lichen planus were included in the study. Patients in Group-A, (n = 23) were treated with methotrexate (10 mg) single morning dose and group-B (n = 21) were treated with mini pulse betamethasone (5 mg) single morning dose on 2 consecutive days during the period of 12 weeks. Adverse outcomes were measured by clinical examination and laboratory investigations during follow up visits. Anemia 3 (14.2%) and edema 12 (57.1%) developed in group-B but none in group-A. In group-B, dyspepsia 15 (71.4%), acne 10 (47.6%), mooning face 8 (38.1%), striae 8 (38.1%) and hypertrichosis 4 (19.0%) developed but none in group-A. Intermittent diarrhoea, headache, nausea and fatigue complained in both groups of patients but the percentage of complaints was higher among group-B compared to group-A. Menstrual abnormality developed in group-B 5(71.4%) but none in group-A. Laboratory investigations showed abnormality in platelet count and SGPT in group-A but none in group-B. The adverse effects of methotrexate on haematological parameter and liver functions were mild and could be prevented by reducing the dose but the adverse effects of betamethasone were unavoidable. The overall adverse effects were less in group-A than group-B. Therefore, methotrexate can be used as an alternative safer option for the treatment of lichen planus.

Background: Tuberculosis continues to be a health problem in many countries. There may be simultaneous multiple organ involvement. Diagnosis of one organ disease may lead to missing off diagnosis of other organ involvement.Objectives: The present study was done to analyze the association of cutaneous tuberculosis with pulmonary tuberculosis.Material and methods: Through purposive sampling a total of 23 patients of suspected cutaneous tuberculosis were primarily enrolled in this cross sectional study. History was taken and examinations were done to find out types of cutaneous lesions and to explore a pulmonary involvement. Investigations including CBC with ESR, Mantoux test and Skin biopsy were done for each and every patient. Those who had cutaneous tuberculosis on histopathology chest x-ray were done to detect pulmonary lesions. After investigations 2 patients were excluded due to absence of tubercular infection. Finally 21 patients were included in this study. Data were collected in a predesigned structured questionnaire.Results: Out of 21 patients 16 (76.19%) were male and 5(23.81%) were female with a male to female ratio of 3.2:1. Age range varies from 5-70 years with a mean of 29.76±18.2 years. MT was positive in 76.20% of patients. CXR showed 23.81% of the patients with cutaneous TB had simultaneous pulmonary involvement. The association is statistically significant (p<0.05).Conclusions: Patients with Cutaneous tuberculosis may have pulmonary involvement in a statistically significant number. In any patient with cutaneous TB, meticulous systemic examinations and relevant investigations have to be done to explore pulmonary involvement. DOI: 10.3329/bmrcb.v36i2.6988Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2010; 36: 57-60

Abstract:Background: An association between thyroid dysfunction and dyslipidemia prevails. Levels of total cholesterol, low

Pleural effusion is a common clinical problem with different possible causes. It can be due to local, systemic, infectious or non-infectious causes. Aetiological diagnosis is important for proper treatment. To evaluate the aetiological diagnosis of pleural effusion of hospitalized adult patients this cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted from April to September 2012 at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). A total of 100 cases were selected by purposive sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Complete history was taken either from patient or accompanying attendants. Clinical examination was done and relevant investigations report were collected. Data were analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS). The mean age of the patient was 41.2 SD± 7.4 years with a male to female ratio of 3:1. Over half (52%) of the patients were poor, 34% were middle class and 14% were rich. Over two-third (67%) of the patients were smoker and the remaining 33% were non smoker. Out of 100 patients with pleural effusion, 52 had tuberculosis and 16 patients had malignancy. Among the malignant cases 14 were found to have bronchial carcinoma  and 2, had lymphoma. The remaining 32 patient had other causes of pleural effusion which included nephrotic syndrome 14, congestive cardiac failure 5, cirrhosis of liver 4, rheumatoid arthritis 3, amoebic liver abscess 2, and undiagnosed 4. Tuberculosis is the predominant cause of pleural effusion in our country and the second leading cause is malignancy. Bangladesh Med J. 2018 May; 47 (2): 29-34

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