Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Journal

Prehypertension and hypertension among the medical students of public medical colleges in Dhaka, Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

Syeda Sharmin Afroz — 2024-06-20

Background: Prehypertension and hypertension are the leading risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and are increasingly prevalent among young adults. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension among medical students of public medical colleges in Dhaka city, Bangladesh.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was done among 293 medical students of four public medical colleges in Dhaka city. Data on age, sex, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, height, weight, and blood pressure were obtained. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 120–139 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 80–89 mmHg was considered prehypertensive, while SBP ≥140 mmHg or DBP ≥90 mmHg was classified as hypertensive.

Results: The average age was 21.6 years. More than one-fourth (28.0%) were prehypertensive, and 4.8% were hypertensive. Multinomial logistic regression identified male sex (adjusted odds ratio, 4.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.5–8.3) and overweight (aOR 2.0; 95% CI 1.1–3.5) as the risk factors of prehypertension. For hypertension, the risk factors were male sex (aOR 9.7; 95% CI 2.3–42.0), ever alcohol consumption (aOR 18.0; 95% CI 1.3–249.8), and overweight (aOR 6.6; 95% CI 1.3–32.6).

Conclusion: We report that one-third of the medical students have prehypertension and hypertension. Overweight and alcohol consumers should be considered for targeted intervention.

Accuracy of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing malignant musculoskeletal tumours

Mahbuba Shirin — 2024-06-29

Background: Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lacks specificity for differentiating several tumours. Combining advanced techniques like diffusion-weighted imaging (DW-MRI) with conventional MRI may enhance diagnostic accuracy. However, we do not have such data for Bangladeshi patients. This study aimed to examine the diagnostic accuracy of apparent diffusion coefficient values obtained by DW-MRI.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2022 to June 2023 in the Department of Radiology and Imaging, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). After collecting their baseline data, thirty-five patients with musculoskeletal tumours underwent DW-MRI and histopathology tests or fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values obtained by DW-MRI were examined for diagnostic accuracy against a standard of histopathology/FNAC.

Results: According to the gold standard (histopathology/FNAC), there were 28 patients with malignancy, and 7 had benign tumours. Their mean age was 33 (standard deviation, 17) years (range, 4 to 74 years). The mean ADC value was 0.86 ± 0.30×10-3 mm²/s. The malignant musculoskeletal tumour group had significantly lower ADC (0.79 ± 0.24 ×10^-3mm²/s) compared to the benign tumour group (1.15 ± 0.37×10^-3mm²/s.) (P = 0.04). The DW-MRI ADC categories correctly diagnosed 27 malignant and five benign tumours using a cut-off value of ≤ 1.1×10⁻³mm²/s. DW-MRI had a sensitivity of 96.4% and a specificity of 71.4%. Diagnostic accuracy was 91.4% for detecting malignant musculoskeletal tumours.

Conclusions: Malignant musculoskeletal tumours have lower DW-MRI-derived ADC levels, demonstrating good diagnostic accuracy. However, a larger and more representative sample is needed before it is recommended for clinical practice.

Sonographic biometry of apparently normal parotid gland among adults in Asaba, South-South Nigeria

Ugwu Stephen Mbonuejike — 2024-05-12

Background: Detecting subtle changes in the parotid gland size can be difficult when there are no established reference values in a specific area. This can affect patient management and delay early detection of diseases. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the size of the parotid gland of adult Nigerian people.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included apparently healthy adults. The parotid glands were scanned in various sections using a 7.5 MHz probe after applying ultrasound gel. Each dimension was measured twice, and the mean value was calculat-ed. The 95% reference rages (mean ± 1.96 standard deviation) were described for various dimensions of the parotid glands.
Results: Four hundred healthy adults participated in the survey. Their mean (standard deviation) age was 38.6 (14.6) years. The mean (95% reference range) of both parotid lengths was 4.7 (4.1 – 5.3) cm. The right and left parotid transverse sizes were 3.8 (3.4 – 4.2) and 3.7 (2.9 – 4.5) respectively. The right and left parotid depths lateral to the mandible were 0.8 (0.4 – 1.2) and 0.9 (0.3 – 1.5), parotid depths dorsal to the mandible were 2.3 (1.7 – 2.9) and 2.2 (1.8 – 2.6), and parotid volume were 20.3 (13.3 – 27.1) and 19.8 (14.3 – 25.3) cm3. No significant difference was seen between the right and left parotid glands in men and women.
Conclusion: This study delineates the mean and reference range values of parotid glands among healthy adults of Nigeria which can be used for clinical decision making.

Workplace violence against healthcare workers in rural health facilities of Bangladesh and their quality of life: A cross-sectional study

Md Atiqul Haque — 2024-05-21

Background: The prevalence of verbal and physical violence against healthcare workers (HCWs) is reportedly high in Bangladesh. We aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with violence against HCWs in Bangladesh.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in May-June 2021 among 378 physicians and nurses working in 19 randomly selected rural government health facilities. A self-administered validated Bangla version of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire on workplace violence (WPV) and the quality of life (QoL) was used. Multiple logistic regression analyses were done to find out the independent risk factors of WPV.

Results: The prevalence of overall WPV was about 48.0% (psychological 46.6%, physical 5.0%, and sexual harassment 1.9%). However, the WPV reporting rate was very low (27.8%). Being a male (aOR= 2.18; 95% confidence interval: 1.22−3.90) and a physician (aOR = 2.93; 95% CI: 1.56−5.52) had increased the likelihood of experiencing WPV. HCWs who were encouraged to report WPV were less likely to experience WPV (aOR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.18−0.70). Study participants exposed to WPV had sig-nificantly lower QoL (P<0.01) in all the domains of WHOQOL-BREF (physical, psychological, social, and environmental).

Conclusion: The study findings revealed that half of the HCWs working at rural government health facilities experienced WPV, which warrants proper investigation to adopt effective measures to reduce future occurrence. Moreover, the QoL of HCWs working in the aforementioned health facilities was significantly influenced by exposure to WPV.

Chromosomal abnormalities in primary and secondary amenorrhea

Tasnim Binte Ahmed — 2024-05-28

Background: Menstruation is an important physiological function of the female reproductive system. The absence of menstruation is called amenorrhea. Many genetic and nongenetic causes are responsible for primary or secondary amenorrhea. This study aimed to determine the types chromosomal abnormalities among patients with primary or secondary amenorrhea.

Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Pathology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, from September 2019 to August 2021. A total of 115 women who had come for a karyotype test with complaints of pathological amenorrhea were purposively selected. One hundred five cases presented with primary amenorrhea, and 10 cases presented with secondary amenorrhea. Karyotype analysis in peripheral blood by G-banding was carried out using the standard method.

Results: Among the 105 patients with primary amenorrhea, 53.3% of patients had a normal karyotype (46, XX), and 46.6% had chromosomal abnormalities (numerical or structural). Turner syndrome classic, 45, XO (16.2%) and 46, XY DSD (Disorders of Sexual Development) (11.4%) were the two most frequent chromosomal abnormalities found in the patients with primary amenorrhea. Among the 10 cases with secondary amenorrhea, seven patients had normal karyotype, and three patients had chromosomal abnormalities (2 had sex chromosomal abnormalities, and 1 had a structural abnormality of autosome).

Conclusion: The study of chromosomal abnormalities will help in the early and accurate diagnosis of the underlying aetiology of primary or secondary amenorrhea. It will also help in the management and proper counselling of cases.

Autologous serum eye drops for treatment of dry eye syndrome

Sheikh Saiful Islam Shaheen — 2024-06-19

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Paradigms of approaches to research

Tanvir C Turin — 2024-06-19

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Seeing the world in colour: The story of vibrant colourblind glasses

Md. Saifuddin Ahmed — 2024-05-25

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Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome in a teenage patient, an unrecognized cause of rectal bleeding: A case report

Nadira Musabbir — 2024-05-12

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Intraoperative diagnosis of autonomic neuropathy in a case of Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A case report

Kazi Mahzabin Arin — 2024-05-12

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Radiological features of pygopagus conjoined twins: A case report

Syeeda Showkat — 2024-05-28

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Decoding research: Philosophical pillars of research paradigms

Tanvir C Turin — 2024-05-23

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