INTRODUCTION: Deficiency of vitamin D has been implicated in several disorders, including skeletal, immune, neural, metabolic, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The impact of vitamin D deficiency on CVDs is potentially through derangement of cardiometabolic profile. The present work assessed the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and cardiometabolic markers in adult men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study (n=160) was conducted on adult men between the ages 35-50 years without a history of CVDs and/or diabetes, liver, or kidney disorders. Serum vitamin D, lipid profile (cholesterol, triacylglycerol; TAG, low[1]density lipoprotein; LDL, high-density lipoprotein; HDL), and renal function tests (urea, creatinine) were measured using enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Pearson’s correlation was used for assessing correlations between the studied parameters. Participants were further grouped as underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese based on their BMI values, and one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey’s tests were done to observe group mean differences. RESULTS: Vitamin D and HDL were positively correlated (r=0.395, p=0.000) while negative correlation of serum vitamin D levels was seen with TAG (r=-0.539, p=0.000), cholesterol (r=-0.325, p=0.000), LDL (r=-0.541, p=0.000) and urea (r=-0.514, p=0.000). Levels of serum vitamin D (p=0.000) and HDL (p=0.000) were lower while levels of TAG (p=0.000), cholesterol (p=0.000), LDL (p=0.000) and urea (p=0.000) were higher in the overweight and obese groups. CONCLUSION: Inadequate serum vitamin D status is associated with dyslipidaemia in adult men. Moreover, obese and overweight men have lower serum vitamin D levels with pronounced dyslipidaemia, thus highlighting vitamin D as a potential cardiometabolic risk factor.

Objective: The objective of the study is to assess job satisfaction between groups of healthcare workers based on their work experience and monthly salary.Methodology: Healthcare workers (n=81) including clinicians, nurses and medical teachers were recruited from a private medical institute at Lahore. Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS) and Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) Scale including its component scales of Compassion Satisfaction (CS), Burnout (BO) and Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) were used to determine aspects of vocational quality of life and satisfaction. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to assess group differences. Spearman correlational analysis was done to assess correlation between income, work experience and job satisfaction.Results: Significantly higher professional satisfaction, lower burnout and stress scores were observed in experienced healthcare workers as compared to less-experienced ones (p value =0.039* for JSS, p value =0.011* for CS, p value =0.055* for BO and p value =0.027* for STS). Significantly higher satisfaction scores were found in workers with higher monthly income as compared to those with lower monthly salary (p value =0.006* for JSS and p value =0.032* for CS). Significant positive correlation was observed between healthcare workers’ job satisfaction and their experience and monthly salary.Conclusion: More experience at work is particularly associated with lower burnout and reduced occupational stress.

Obesity is a common clinical disorder featuring excessive buildup of body fat. The bioavailability of vitamin D in obese subjects is lowered because of its sequestration in the superfluous fat tissue. Hypovitaminosis D itself is associated with glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension, which are also linked to obesity. Objectives: To compare and correlate serum vitamin D and insulin resistance in controls and overweight / obese males. Study Design: Cross Sectional, Comparative Study. Setting: The study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Post – Graduate Medical Institute (PGMI) in collaboration with Lahore General Hospital and Central Park Medical College. Period: From 7th June 2018 to 10th Oct 2018. Material and Methods: Eighty male subjects (age range 35-50 years) included in this cross-sectional comparative study were divided into two groups on the basis of BMI; Group I: non-obese (control) BMI < 25 Kg/m2 (n=40) and Group II: overweight / obese males with BMI ˃25 Kg/m2 (n=40). Fasting serum vitamin D (25 hydroxy cholecalciferol; 25-OH D, serum insulin and blood glucose levels were measured. Insulin resistance (IR) was estimated from fasting serum glucose levels taken in mmol/l and the fasting serum insulin taken in µIU/ml by using Homeostasis Model Assessment-estimated Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR index). Results: Group II had lower serum 25-OH vitamin D levels and higher HOMA-IR index than control group. Significant negative correlation was present between serum vitamin D and HOMA-IR. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency may promote insulin resistance in overweight or obese individuals.

Background: Covid-19 is a spectrum of infection not only causing fever and respiratory changes but including alteration in chemosensory functions including; olfactory dysfunction and gustatory dysfunction. In covid-19, olfactory dysregulation could be treated with either systemic steroids or with topical steroids. Objective: To assess and compare role of systemic and topical steroids in regaining normal olfactory functions. Materials & Methods: A Randomized control trial was conducted at Central Park Teaching Hospital Lahore after getting ethical approval and prior written informed consent from participants. A total of 35 patients were recruited were segregated into two groups; Group 1 who were treated with topical steroids (n=17) and Group 2 who were given and treated with systemic steroids (n=18). Time frame of regain of olfaction was compared between the groups using Mann Whitney U test. A p value less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: A total of 35 participants participated in this randomized controlled trial who were segregated into two groups with the mean ages of 47.12 + 11.94 and 43.72 + 13.74 with no significant mean difference. On appliance of Mann-Whitney U test in Group 1 and group 2 (52 + 39 v/s 4 + 2) it was observed that systemic steroid patients regain olfaction earlier as compared to group 1 (topical steroids) with the p value of .0001. Practical implication: Systemic Steroids will help in prompt regaining of normal olfaction and should be part of COVID-19 infection management. Conclusion: Olfaction management till the regaining of normal olfactory functions should be part of covid-19 management and role of steroids in crucial yet unavoidable. Systemic steroids play a key role in early regain of normal olfactory response so should be encouraged under the physician observation. MeSH Words: Covid-19, olfaction, steroids, respiratory disorders, randomized controlled trial.

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