International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 419-427, April, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Perspective

Personal medical record: Dominica’s low-tech, low-cost solution for a high-tech, high-cost problem

Kamal Malaker

Department of ICM, Ross University School of Medicine, Portsmouth, Commonwealth of Dominica. Email:

[email protected] / [email protected].

Accepted 22 March, 2013

Abstract

The advantages of personal medical records in health maintenance and cost reduction have been well studied, and they are recommended as an integral part of health care management. Several Electronic Personal Medical Record (ePMR) systems have been developed, but their popularity and utility falls far short of expectations. Cost, confidentiality, and logistics are all problematic in implementing an acceptable ePMR system. Out of necessity, Dominica, an island nation in the eastern Caribbean, developed a manual Personal Health Record (mPMR), which effectively overcame all of the above problems. Some refinement of its current state will make it the most useful and cost effective system in certain places and an initial step while moving into an electronic phase. Dominica’s system may be adopted by smaller nations or small communities (as a unit) in larger countries at a fraction of the high-tech cost and administrative hassle.

Key words: ePMR, mPMR, cost, confidentiality, universal adoptability.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 428-433, April, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Factors associated with co-use of Chinese medicine and Western medicine among outpatients: A survey in a medical center of Chinese Medical University hospital of Central-Taiwan

Fei-Na Chen¹, Yu-Chi Hou², Pei-Dawn Lee Chao²,   Bao-Lien Houng ³

¹School of Medicine, ²School of Pharmacy, ³School of Sports Medicine,  China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan, R.O.C.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 01 April, 2013

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors which are related to the behaviors of patients who visited both Chinese Medicine (CM) clinics and Western Medicine (WM) clinics, as well as using medications of CM and WM in the same day. The questionnaire was developed according to a series of discussions from an expertise group. Two thousand patients who visited outpatient clinics at China Medical University Hospital were randomly selected and recruited voluntarily by interviewers who had been trained in interview skills. The descriptive analysis and stepwise logistic regressions were used. The survey response rate was 78.4% and the average age of participants was 47.3 (SD=16.3) years. Among those who visited WM or CM clinics within past three years (n=1799), 58.6% visited both WM and CM clinics. Females with higher education who were younger than 40 years old and who used more health-related supplements have a significantly higher tendency to visit both kinds of clinics. Those patients with chronic bronchitis, chronic hepatitis, gynecological diseases, allergies and exercise injuries were more likely to visit both clinics. Moreover, among those who visited both clinics (n=1054), 61.5% (n=648) were likely to co-medicate with WM and CM in the same day. Despite having some limitations, this study did demonstrate the high prevalence of co-use and co-medication of CM and WM in Taiwan. Patients with chronic diseases or long-term intake of medicines and young educated women are at a high risk of developing drug toxicity. 

Key words: Chinese medicine (CM), Western Medicine (WM), co-medication of CM and WM, co-use of CM and WM,  socio-demographic factor.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 407-410, April, 2013.© International Scholars  Journals

Case Report

Dentigerous cyst associated with ectopic tooth at the roof of maxillary sinus

*Onotai, L.O., da Lilly-Tariah O.B

FWACS, Department of E.N.T Surgery UPTH, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Accepted 02 April, 2013

Abstract 

Dentigerous cyst is the most common developmental odontogenic cyst of the jaws. They are frequently associated with impacted mandibular third molars and the maxillary canines. Association of ectopic tooth in the maxillary sinus with dentigerous cyst is quite uncommon. We report a case of dentigerous cyst associated with ectopic tooth at the roof of the maxillary sinus manifesting as a unilateral facial swelling with encroachment into the nose and orbit. This article addresses its unusual location, the important aspect of its etiopathologenesis, its clinical characteristics, differential diagnosis and management.

Key words: Dentigerous cyst, ectopic tooth, maxillary sinus, unilateral facial swelling, benign tumors.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 411-418, April, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Selective antiseizure activity of synthetic morpholine in experimental animals

Azikiwe C. C. A.¹*_, Siminialayi I. M.¹, Brambaifa N.², Ifezulike C.C.², and Nwankwo M. J.³, ⁴Amazu LU.

¹Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

²Department of Paediatrics, Anambra State University, Uli, Nigeria.

³Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Nnewi, Nigeria.

⁴Department of pharmacology, Imo State University, Orlu. Imo State. Nigeria.

*Corresponding auhor. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 04 October, 2012

Abstract

More than two third of epileptic patients have inadequate control of seizure as no drug has been found to be truly antiepiletogenic, a process through which a normal neuron becomes epileptic. Morpholine is an alkaloid and an active constituent of Crinum jagus, a medicinal plant used in the treatment of all forms of convulsive seizures in traditional medicine. Antiseizure activity of morpholine was investigated. Convulsion was induced using maximum electric shock (MEST), pentylenetetrazole(PTZ), strychnine and picrotoxin in the appropriate animal models. Seizures onset time and death time were used as standard convulsive signs while prolongations of these features were taken as anticonvulsant activity of standard drugs/morpholine. Results were analyzed using SPSS-16.0 version. Acute toxicity (LD₅₀) of morpholine was found to be 2.21 mg/kg (IP in mice) based on the arithmetic method of Karbar. Morpholine exhibited a dose dependent antiseizure activity against PTZ induced seizure (P<0.001). The antizeizure activity of morpholine was higher than that of valproic acid (P<0.001), a standard drug used in absence seizure. Morpholine showed no statistically significant antiseizure activity against MEST, strychnine and picrotoxin induced seizures. Synthetic Morpholine is though very toxic but, has potent selective antiseizure as well as antiepileptogenic activity which if well controlled could be used in the treatment of absence seizure and its complications in man. It is highly recommended that a further characterization of the extracts of C. jagus being carried out as well as clinical trial of a less toxic form of morpholine be carried out in man.

Key words: Morpholine, Crinum jagus, medicinal plants, seizure, epilepsy, epileptogenesis, antiepileptogenesis.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 3 (3), pp. 390-396, March, 2013 © International Scholars Journals
 

Full Length Research Paper

Value of serum and bile levels of IGF-1 in discriminating cholangiocarcinoma from other causes of extrahepatic biliary obstruction

¹Hany M. Elsadek,  ²Ahmed M.Hassaneen

Gastroenterology Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt.

*corresponding Author.E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 23 January, 2013

 Absract

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly fatal malignant tumor with increasing incidence rates worldwide.  Many biomarkers were suggested for diagnosis of CCA. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) stimulates mitosis, inhibits apoptosis and plays an important role in molecular pathogenesis of CCA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of IGF-1 level in serum and bile as a diagnostic marker for extrahepatic CCA. The study was conducted on 127 patients with extrahepatic obstructive jaundice diagnosed as extrahepatic CCA (group 1, 45 cases), other malignant causes of extrahepatic obstructive jaundice (group 2, 37 cases) and benign causes of extrahepatic biliary obstruction (group 3, 45 cases). Level of IGF-1 was measured for all patients in collected serum samples as well as in bile samples collected during endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP)  or through percutaneous transhepatic cholangio-drainage (PTCD). Results: Bile level of IGF-1 was significantly elevated in extrahepatic CCA patients in comparison to other groups (P<0.001). On the other hand, no significant difference in serum level of IGF-1 was noticed among different groups. Conclusion: Measurement of IGF-1 level in bile (but not in serum) can distinguish CCA from other causes of extrahepatic biliary obstruction.

Key words: IGF-1, Cholangiocarcinoma, extrahepatic, obstructive jaundice.

International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences ISSN: 2167-0404 Vol. 3 (3), pp.383-385, March, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Study of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) on quality of life at a University Hospital of Sindh

Razia Mustafa Abbassi¹, Naila Masood² and Naushaba Rizwan¹*

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, LUMHS) Jamshoro, Sindh – Pakistan.

²Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, LUMHS) Jamshoro, Sindh – Pakistan.

*Correspondingauthor.E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 04 ctober, 2012

Abstract

The objective of this study is to observe the magnitude and impact of premenstrual syndrome on quality of life. Prospective, observational study was used in conducting the study. This study was carried out for the period of one year that is, from 30th June 2010 to 31st June 2011. There were 280 females age between 15 to 49 years, selected by convenient sampling who visited the Gyne/medicine OPD Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad, during study period. The female, irrespective of parity with symptoms suggestive of premenstrual syndrome were included and those who were showing irregular menstrual cycle, other gynaecological and medical disorders such as thyroid disorders were excluded. Data was collected by filling a 29 variables shortened premenstrual Assessment form based on Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire after taking consent from the study participants. The severities of symptoms were assessed on both criteria. That is, ICD-10 (Tenth Revision of the international classification of disease) DSM-IV (Research diagnostic criteria for PMDD). A total of 280 women of young age were taken to see the frequency of premenstrual syndrome. The Mean ± SD of women age was 27.5 ± 4.22 (15 to 49 years). The frequency of Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) was more in women between 25 to 35 years. The less frequency was observed on women of age between 14 to 24 years. The clinical presentation like irritability was seen in 63.6%, abdominal cramps 47.9%, moderate to severe headache 41.5%, decreased performance of work at college was seen in 30.7%. The frequency of anxiety was 25.4%, crying in 23.9%. The depression was commonly seen in 71.1%. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is still a common problem and should be diagnosed on standard criteria, proper treatment enhances the quality of life.

Key words: Premenstrual syndrome, impact, frequency, quality of life.