Background: Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) is a highly preventable disease with smoking as most recognizable risk factor globally. COPD remains undiagnosed worldwide due to unavailability of gold standard spirometry. Technical difficulties in this procedure, faced by patient result in over and under diagnosis of this prevalent disease. Objective of this study was to screen the undiagnosed air way obstruction which reflects the COPD among the smokers and nonsmokers. PEFR was used for assessment, as it is simple, reliable and easily available way at most of the health care centers. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted from May 2018 to Dec 2018 at private medical institute and private hospital in Faisalabad. It comprised of 200 males (smokers and nonsmokers) who had no previous history of diagnosis of COPD. Relevant information related to smoking including pack years and medical history specially related to COPD was inquired on structured questionnaire. Air way obstruction was assessed by PEFR using vitalograph compact. Data was analyzed by SPSS 21 version. Continuous variables are presented as mean and standard deviation (SD) and compared by Independent t-test among study groups. Categorical variables are expressed as proportions and compared by X2 test. P value ? 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Results are showing that 91.56% of the studied smokers have air way obstruction based on yellow and red zones of PEFR. Out of total COPD smokers 62.7% were in yellow zone and 28.9% were in red zone. Only 29.1% of nonsmokers have PEFR values within yellow. None of nonsmoker was in red zone (P value 0.001*). PEFR was significantly lower in smokers in comparison to nonsmokers (P value 0.003*). 95.5% of Subjects in red zone were symptomatic, while only 51.2% of subjects in yellow zone were symptomatic considering mild to severe air flow obstruction. Conclusion: Smokers and nonsmokers have undiagnosed airway obstruction with symptoms reflecting COPD but greater proportion of smoker were involved. PEFR was lower in smokers as compared to nonsmokers.
Background: Research culture includes the way we support and reward research. An important element in developing it is the organization’s approach towards prioritizing research and providing an environment for enabling and facilitating researchers. Methods: This study is based on the findings of a pilot project initiated for developing research culture at Heavy Industries Taxila Education City Institute of Medical Sciences (HITEC IMS). A multidisciplinary team was assembled consisting of focal persons from all departments for collaboration with research cell. This team was trained and given goals for leading research projects in their departments. At the end of first quarter, the idea of this program was projected in form of a model for developing and evaluating research culture. Results A model was derived on the basis of experience and refined by the use of theories of change process, that was helpful in identifying input and process elements of the program. This was named as HITECh (Heading towards Innovation and Translating Evidence into Care of health) research model. Outcomes of the program were encouraging in terms of an increase in motivation, research thinking and number of research projects running in the college. The program was perceived by faculty as a great initiative and the whole research team supported it. Conclusion: The program was helpful in strengthening research culture at HITEC IMS, and a model developed during the process of formative evaluation can help in guiding other institutes for planning, implementing and evaluating similar programs.
Background: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) or passive smoking has an emerging burden on the society thus affecting the quality of individual's life. According to World Health Organization ETS is referred to the involuntary inhalation of burning tobacco products emitted from the smoking devices. More than 4000 harmful compounds including carcinogens are emitted from burning cigarettes and cigars etc, which are extremely harmful for human health. Pakistan has high tobacco consumption. Due to this reason women and children are frequently exposed to indoor ETS. Subjects with exposure to ETS have same ill effects as light active smokers. Aim: To evaluate the lung functions of passive smokers and to compare with non-smokers of the same age and social background. Methods: The study was conducted in a private hospital of Faisalabad. 250 female subjects aged 15- 45 years were included in the study. Data was collected by specially designed structured proforma and lung Function tests were performed by spirometry. Data was analyzed by using SPSS 20 version. P value ? 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: 250 females participated in study. 61.2 % of total study population was exposed to tobacco smoking. Out of total 250 subjects, 155(62%) had undiagnosed airway obstruction. FEV1, FVC and FEV1/ FVC ratio were lower in passive smokers as compared to non- smokers. Significant difference was found in FEV1 (0.003*), FVC (P value 0.002*), FEV1/FVC (0.001*). FEV1/FVC ratio of < 0.70 was noted in 89.5% and 18.5% of total passive smokers and nonsmokers respectively (obstructive air way pattern). 55% of subjects with reduced lung function parameters also reported chronic cough and shortness of breath. Conclusion: Airway obstruction was found among majority of passive smokers, confirmed by reduced lung function test.
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