Background: Several studies have reported the correlation between socio-economic status (SES) and incidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, none of these studies have included data on Bangladesh. Hence, we aimed to find out the SES among the patients with ACS admitted in a district-level general hospital of Bangladesh.Methods: All the patients with a diagnosis of ACS admitted from March 2016 to February 2017 in the Cardiology department of 250-bedded General Hospital (Abdul Malek Ukil Medical College & Hospital), Noakhali were enrolled in this study. Data on demography, risk factors and SES parameters of the patients was screened and recorded with the help of a pre-defined questionnaire. Socioeconomic profile of the patients was defined according to modified Kuppuswamy SES scale.Results: A total of 366 patients were included (mean age 56.6 ± 11.5 years, 261 male and 105 female). Most of the patients had multiple risk factors like smoking, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and family history of cardiovascular disease. 80.1% (n=293) of the studied patients were from lower socio-economic class followed by 18.3% (n=67) from middle class and only 1.6% (n=6) were from upper class.Conclusion: This study found that most of the patients admitted due to ACS in a district-level general hospital of Bangladesh are from lower socio-economic class. These findings could be useful to draw the attention of health authorities towards people of lower socio-economic class and to adopt preventive strategies for them against ACS.Cardiovasc. j. 2017; 10(1): 17-20

Background: Fibromyalgia tender points (FMTP) have consistently reported higher number count in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients compared with the general population.Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the association and impact of fibromyalgia tender points on disease activity in SLE patients. Methods Key words: Fibromyalgia tender points (FMTP), Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI)J Dhaka Med Coll. 2015; 24(2) : 99-107.

Fibromyalgia Tender Points (FMTPs) and functional health status measured by Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) as well as health related quality of life by short form-36 (SF-36) in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients have integrated adherent to each other. Comparison of fibromyalgia tender points and health status in many studies revealed remarkable correlation in both chronic rheumatologic diseases. We observed higher HAQ score and significant positive correlation between FMTP and HAQ score and we also found significant negative correlation in almost all domains of SF-36 with FMTP in SLE patients. Therefore, reduced functional status was found in SLE patients with higher FMTP count. To determine influence of the number of fibromyalgia tender points on functional health status as well as health related quality of life in SLE patients. The observational study carried out enrolling 67 female SLE patients and equal number of asymptomatic female subjects in Lupus Clinic of Rheumatology Wing, BSMMU, Dhaka from April 2005 to October 2006.After fulfilling the inclusion criteria with a detailed history and thorough physical examinations, obtained data were recorded in a pro-forma. 18 FMTP sites and 6 control sites were examined. Positive FMTP scores were recorded in a body chart. Culturally adopted and validated Bengali version of HAQ and SF-36 were filled-up to assess the self-reported health status. Both of the SLE patients and control subjects were classified into two subgroups. 0-10 FMTP’ group and > 11 FMTP group. The HAQ score (Mean + SD) of SLE patients and of controls were 0.54 + 0.54 and 0.17 + 0.25 respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p <0.001). The score (Mean + SD) of all domains’ of SF-36 in both the studied groups were also significantly different. In this SLE series significant correlation (R - + 0.390, p 0.001) was observed between HAQ score and FMTP. And significant correlation was also observed almost in all domains of SF-36 with FMTP. Health status in SLE patients was poor in those who have higher number of FMTP count. Health status was more reflective by SF-36 in comparison to HAQ.   JCMCTA 2015 ; 26 (2) : 44 - 52