Background: Several epidemiological studies have identified the association of abnormal ABPI with ischemic stroke. So the goal of this study was to determine the actual relationship of ABPI with ischemic stroke in the context of our country. Materials and Methods: This case control study was carried out in the Department of Neurology, Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. ABPI was measured by Doppler ultrasound machine of 100 patients who were admitted to the Mitford Hospital during the study period. Among them 50 patients with Ischemic stroke, confirmed by CT/MRI scan of brain were considered as ‘case’ and 50 age- sex matched individuals with one or more vascular risk factors (VRF) but without stroke were considered as ‘control’. Then the results of ABPI were compared between the two groups. Results: Among the 50 patients with ischemic stroke (case group) , 74% had normal ABPI and 26% had ABPI< 0.9; on the other hand among 50 age and sex matched individuals (control group) 90% had normal ABPI and 10% had ABPI <0.9. The difference was statistically significant between two groups (p=<0.05).This association remained significant even after adjustment for potential confounders (age, gender, high BMI, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, smoking, ischemic heart disease and family history) in a multiple logistic regression model. Conclusion: The incidence of low ABPI is significantly higher in ischemic stroke patients than the age- sex matched control. Bangladesh Journal of Neuroscience 2013; Vol. 29 (1) : 31-42

Background: Epidemiologic studies have reported that microalbuminuria is a risk factor for stroke in men and a limited case control study found that the highest quintile of microalbuminuria values was associated with 13 fold increased risk for stroke. The goal of this study was designed to determine its relationship to risk factors for ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective observational study conducted in the Department of Neurology, Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Fifty consecutive patients with ischemic stroke were enrolled in this study, with at least two risk factors that fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were confirmed by CT or MRI of brain. Equal number of controls of same age group without stroke who had at least two risk factors was compared with the case group. The patients were assessed clinically with structured questionnaire including blood pressure, height and weight, and monitoring blood glucose and microalbuminuria. Results: Microalbuminuria was found 58.0% in patients with ischemic stroke. Patients who had diabetes mellitus will have 13.86 times the risk for developing of microalbuminuria (p<0.05). Patients who had hypertension will have 4.19 times the risk of developing microalbuminuria (p<0.05) and BMI (e”23 kg/m2) will have 4.24 times the risk of developing microalbuminuria (p<0.05). Whereas TIA, IHD, dyslipidemia, smoking and positive family history were not significantly (P>0.05) associated with microalbuminuria in patients with ischemic stroke. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that diabetes is the factor most closely associated with microalbuminuria followed by HTN and BMI >23 kg/ m2 with statistically significance in patients with ischemic stroke. Bangladesh Journal of Neuroscience 2013; Vol. 29 (1) : 43-53

Background: Drug prophylaxis of migraine is a safe and effective way of reducing the attack of headache frequency and the economic burden of migraine. Several drugs have been shown to be efficacious in double-blind placebo-controlled trials. Many patients avoid the regular intake of prophylactic drugs because of fear about the side effects, tolerance and addiction. Another reason for the low acceptance of migraine prophylaxis is that the efficacy of most drugs is limited and the burden of treatment cost. In this study two effective drugs, Amitriptyline and Sodium valproate are evaluated regarding their safety and efficacy. This study shows the comparative effectiveness, safety of both drugs and withdraw all the misconception about the prophylactic treatment of migraine among the patients and improve their life style adjustment and reduce the economic burden of the society. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to observe and compare the efficacy of Sodium Valproate and Amitriptyline in the prophylactic management of migraine patients. Methodology: This experimental study was carried out in the Department of Neurology at Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from January 2013 to December 2013. A total of 120 patients with migraine were selected of which 60 were treated with Amitriptyline (Group-A) and another 60 were treated with Sodium Volproate (Group-B). Both groups were observed for 6 months and the improvement of headache regarding frequency, severity and duration of episodes of headache was recorded in every 2 months follow up. Adverse effect of the drugs also monitored in both group. Result: Out of 120 patients the mean age was 32±8.64years and 34.23±8.09 in group-A and group-B respectively (p=0.147). There were 23 (38.3%) male and 37 (61.7%) female in group-A; whereas 17 (28.3%) male and 43 (71.7%) female in group-B (p=0.245). Thus the study was an age and sex matched study. It was observed that one third 20(33.3%) patients were house wife’s in group-A and 24(40.0%) in group-B. The difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05) between two groups. Frequency of attack per month before treatment was 6.25±5.21 in group-A and 7.80±4.1 in group-B. Frequency of attack per month after 2 months treatment was 4.30±4.14 and 6.19±4.10 in group-A and group-B respectively. Frequency of attack per month after 4 months treatment was 3.78±2.53 in group-A and 4.89±2.83 in group-B. Frequency of attack per month after 6 months treatment was 1.70±1.42 in group-A and 3.1±1.98 in group-B. Frequency of attack per month after 2, 4 and 6 months treatment was statistically significant (p<0.05) between two groups. It was observed that majority (88.3%) patients were improved headache in group-A and 23(38.3%) in group-B. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05) between two groups. Conclusion: The pain intensity score is significantly decline in patients who received amitriptyline after treatment and almost similar in patients who received sodium valproate. Improved headache most of the patients who received Amitriptyline and less adverse effects developed in this group. Amitriptyline is more effective, seems to be safer than Sodium Valproate. Journal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh, July 2021, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 126-131