Pak J Med Sci
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To determine effectiveness and safety of echocardiography guided bed side Balloon Atrial Septostomy (BAS) in dextro transposition of great Arteries (dTGA) with intact ventricular septum (IVS) at a public sector tertiary care hospital Karachi, Pakistan. ⋯ Our study provides sufficient evidence that bed side balloon atrial septostomy is a safer technique, save a lot of time and resources which were required otherwise in transporting these patients to catheterization laboratory.
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Rational prescribing can prevent medication errors and the associated harm, especially in old age patients, as they are being frequently prescribed with drugs for various ailments. Moreover, polypharmacy is a common practice in them. Therefore, a significant threat of potential drug interactions and adverse effects exist. Current study focuses on assessment of Potentially Inappropriate Medication (PIM) in medication prescribed to old age patients. ⋯ Current findings highlighted Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing (PIP), particularly of NSAIDs and under prescribing of statins in cardiovascular diseases. Study findings suggest introducing pertinent interventions at the stages involved in prescribing, prescription review and its follow up to reduce the PIP and PIMs.
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To compare depression and psychological well-being between caregivers of schizophrenic patients and non-caregivers and to study the burden of caregiving as a relative risk for depression and psychological well-being. ⋯ Caregiving adversely affects informal caregivers' mental health and wellbeing. Informal caregiving is a burden for the caregivers; health status of family members involved in caregiving should be routinely assessed to enhance their health-related quality of life.
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To find the association of dyspnea and disease severity with anthropometric indicators of malnutrition among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. ⋯ Dyspnea and severity of disease had significant association with BMI and MUAC among COPD patients. Thus, assessment of nutritional status by measuring BMI and MUAC should be considered to predict the severity of disease among adult COPD patients.
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To determine the prevalence, reasons of use, reported hygienic practices, and complications related to CLs' usage, and to assess awareness of medical students about CLs' hygienic behaviours, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. ⋯ A relatively high prevalence of CLs' usage was found. Participants were aware about CLs-hygienic practices. However, unhygienic CLs-related practices and complications were also reported. Provision of educational messages and training on sound CLs' hygienic practices are needed.