Non-specific Haemorrhagic Proctocolitis-Riis et al. MEDICALJOURThe main reason for discrepancy between the two methods of evaluation thus seems to be a difference of threshold. SummarySixty-five episodes of complete clinical remission in 46 patients with a verified diagnosis of non-specific haemorrhagic proctocolitis were studied with respect to macroscopic and microscopical signs of mucosal inflammation.The microscopical evaluation was based on the cytological method described in a previous paper. Macroscopic assessment was made by sigmoidoscopy with the use of conventional criteria.In 31 episodes sigmoidoscopy revealed macroscopically abnormal mucosas; in 24 of these the cytological preparations also showed inflammatory changes, while the cytological pictures were normal in seven. In the remaining 34 episodes no mucosal changes were found at sigmoidoscopy; in 16 of these distinct inflammation was seen microscopically, while normal cytology was demonstrated in 18.In about two-thirds of the episodes of patients with remissions shorter than six months the cytological method showed inflammatory changes, whereas the corresponding proportion in remissions of more than six months' duration was only slightly over two-fifths.The ability of microscopical techniques-like the cytological method used in the present investigation-to demonstrate unequivocal signs of inflammation in proctocolitis patients who are in full clinical remission, and who may even show a normal sigmoidoscopical picture, can be utilized diagnostically when such patients are first seen in a symptom-free or symptom-poor phase. The fact also points to the latent chronicity of nonspecific haemorrhagic proctocolitis and calls for circumspection with regard to the prognosis of the disease.

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Objectives: To determine the frequency of hypothyroidism in patients with viralhepatitis receiving interferon treatment. Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional. Setting:Department of Medicine, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Duration of Study: Sixmonths. Subjects and Methods: All patients with age 30 to 60 years of either gender havingpersistent or intermittent elevation of alanine arninotransferase (ALT, the upper limit of normalALT is 40 IU/L) over a six-month period and Anti-HCV positivity and detection of HCV-RNA inthe sera On IFN-α mono therapy for more than 3 months were enrolled. History of duration ofdisease and treatment was obtained from patients. A 3 cc blood sample of Patients were drawnand send for TSH level. Presence of TSH level >4.0 miU/L was labelled as Hypothyroidism.Results: Mean age of the patients was 51.79±7.96 years. There were 51 (43.60%) males and 66(56.40%) females. Mean TSH level was 3.98±0.23 mIU/L. Mean duration of HCV was 6.42±1.67months. Mean duration of treatment was 5.42±1.67 months. Frequency of hypothyroidism wasfound in 62 (53%) patients. Conclusion: The frequency of hypothyroidism in patients with viralhepatitis receiving interferon treatment was found to be 62 (53%).

ABSTRACT… Objectives:To determine the frequency of hypothyroidism in patients with viral hepatitis receiving interferon treatment. Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional. Setting: Department of Medicine, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Duration of Study: Six months. Subjects and Methods: All patients with age 30 to 60 years of either gender having persistent or intermittent elevation of alanine arninotransferase (ALT, the upper limit of normal ALT is 40 IU/L) over a six-month period and Anti-HCV positivity and detection of HCV-RNA in the sera On IFN-α mono therapy for more than 3 months were enrolled. History of duration of disease and treatment was obtained from patients. A 3 cc blood sample of Patients were drawn and send for TSH level. Presence of TSH level >4.0 miU/L was labelled as Hypothyroidism. Results: Mean age of the patients was 51.79±7.96 years. There were 51 (43.60%) males and 66 (56.40%) females. Mean TSH level was 3.98±0.23 mIU/L. Mean duration of HCV was 6.42±1.67 months. Mean duration of treatment was 5.42±1.67 months. Frequency of hypothyroidism was found in 62 (53%) patients. Conclusion: The frequency of hypothyroidism in patients with viral hepatitis receiving interferon treatment was found to be 62 (53%).

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an alarmingly increasingcondition from day to day andit is assumed that malnutrition is co-existent in patients withchronic renal failure (CRF). Malnutrition also occurs in pre-dialysis patients. Such patientshave reduced body weight, depleted fat (energy) stores, loss of somatic protein (low musclemass) and low levels of different plasma proteins like pre-albumin albumin, transferrin, andothers. Objective: To ascertain the frequency of malnutrition in dialysis independent patientsof chronic kidney disease. Setting: Department of nephrology, Jinnah Postgraduate MedicalCentre Karachi. Duration of study: 6 month from 1 June 2013 – 1 December 2013. Studydesign: cross sectional study. Subjects and methods: Patients with chronic kidney disease(GFR <60ml/min/1.73m2) on conservative management irrespective of cause and sex werestudied. All Patients with CKD stage 3 and onwards i. ecreatinine clearance less than 60ml/min/1.73m2for more than 6 months were considered. Descriptive analysis of these patientswas done by: Calculating mean ± SD for age and duration of disease. Male to female ratiowas calculated. Frequency of malnutrition in undialysed patients was calculated. The effectmodifier of age, gender, duration of disease was controlled through stratification. Chi squaretest was applied and p value ≤0.05 was taken as significant. Result: Out of 137 patients, 80were males and 57 were females and the mean age of patients was 58 ±5.8. Mean duration ofdisease was 5.2 ±1.05. Moderate malnutrition cases were 58(42.3%) while severe malnutritionwas observed in 32(23.35%) cases. Conclusion: Patients of chronic kidney disease were foundto be at risk of malnutrition.