Pak J Med Sci
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The hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis is the inflammation that is mediated by the macrophages and monocytes that cause release of pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-18. It is highly expressed in serum of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and has a positive association with disease activity. The aim of this study was to analyze the gene expression of interleukin-18 in rheumatoid arthritis patients on disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy. ⋯ Interleukin-18 gene shows down regulation in rheumatoid arthritis patients on disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs therapy.
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Initiation of Insulin therapy during earlier stages has proved to significantly improve health outcomes among diabetics in comparison to oral medications. Not only patients but physicians are also often resistant to early initiation of insulin therapy. The objective was to assess misconceptions and barriers to early initiation of insulin therapy among diabetic patients coming to a diabetic clinic. ⋯ Perceptions of diabetic patients about insulin therapy are still barriers to early initiation of therapy and tend to prevail in Pakistan and around the globe.
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This study was designed to identify the changing trends in Anti-psychotic prescription pattern in Pakistan. It was part of the research project Research on East Asian Psychotropic Prescription Pattern (REAP) carried out to identify the prescription patterns of schizophrenic patients in different countries located in Asia.Our objective was to assess the trend and change of psychotropic drug prescriptions for patients with schizophrenia. ⋯ It was concluded that antipsychotic poly pharmacy along with Anxiolytics, anti-depressants and Anti-parkinsonian drugs were prescribed to patients with schizophrenia in Pakistan.
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Educational intervention to improve the knowledge of hand hygiene in pediatric residents and nurses.
To assess the improvement in the knowledge of hand hygiene in Pediatric residents and nurses after theoretical and hands-on educational intervention. ⋯ There is statistically significant impact of educational intervention on improving the knowledge of Pediatric residents and nurses with respect to hand hygiene practices.
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White blood cell (WBC) count to mean platelet volume (MPV) ratio (WMR) is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEMI). We aimed to compare WMR between NSTEMI patients and matched-controls and to evaluate its predictive value on SYNTAX score. ⋯ WMR value was significantly elevated in NSTEMI patients, compared to controls. Higher WMR was associated with greater SYNTAX score in patients with NSTEMI. WMR may be used to predict severity of the CAD and to implement risk stratification in patients with NSTEMI.