Journal of Medical Sciences

MASSON HEMANGIOMA- AN UNUSUAL CASE OF RECURRENT MASS INVOLVING MAXILLARY SINUS, NASAL CAVITY, AND NASAL SEPTUM. A CASE REPORT

2024-02-28T08:22:55+00:00

Masson hemangioma is a rare pathological entity that can involve any part of the body, characterized by intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia. The most commonly involved sites of Masson hemangioma are skin, subcutaneous tissue, and lips. Rarely does it involve the spinal cord and the head and neck region. This usually presents multiple benign and malignant lesions, so a differentiation should be made in diagnosis and proper clinical Management.

Key Words: benign tumor, intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia, Inverted Papilloma.

REEVALUATING THE ROLE OF SERUM VITAMIN D LEVELS IN A RESOURCE-LIMITED COUNTRY – THE CASE OF PAKISTAN

2025-06-09T06:34:12+00:00

Vitamin D deficiency has emerged as a global public health issue with wide-ranging implications on musculoskeletal, immunological, and even psychological health. While much of the global discourse has focused on the epidemiology of vitamin D deficiency in temperate regions and its implications on bone metabolism, emerging evidence suggests a paradoxical and widespread deficiency in sun-rich developing countries, including Pakistan. Despite abundant sunlight, Pakistan continues to report alarmingly low serum vitamin D levels across all age groups and socioeconomic strata.

EVALUATION OF QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG STUDENTS AT REHMAN MEDICAL INSTITUTE USING THE WHOQOL-BREF TOOL

2025-01-07T08:41:04+00:00

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of medical and dental students across four major domains and investigate the impact of age, gender, and academic level on QoL.

Methods: In February 2020, a cross-sectional study was carried out at the Rehman Medical Institute, where 620 medical and dental students in years 1 through 5 at Rehman Medical College (RMC) and years 1 through 4 at Rehman College of Dentistry (RCD) made up the study population, The World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), which has 26 items, was used as a sample collection tool.

Results: The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire's overall Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.81. Students' overall satisfaction with health was 3.81 ± 0.85 (satisfied), and their self-reported QoL mean score was 4.07 ±0.78 (good). The social domain had the lowest quality of life (QoL), while the environmental domain had the highest mean score (67.81 ± 17.39). Compared to male students, female students' impairment in the physical health domain of QoL was significantly greater (p=0.005).

Conclusions: Medical schools should implement innovative curricula and provide medical students with the required support to enable them to manage the influencing factors of quality of life. Medical schools must create tailored policies and ensure better learning environments for all of their students, but especially for female students.

Keywords: Medical students, Dental Students, Quality of life

FRAX (FRACTURE RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL) PREDICTION WITHOUT BMD (BONE MINERAL DENSITY) FOR ASSESSMENT OF OSTEOPOROTIC FRACTURE RISK IN THE GENERAL POPULATION OF PESHAWAR

2024-12-24T06:09:18+00:00

Objective: To identify fracture risk assessment without using bone mineral density in assessing osteoporotic fracture risk using a FRAX prediction model among the general population of Peshawar.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2024 among adults aged 40 and older residing in Peshawar. A sample of 240 was selected through a multistage sampling technique. Inclusion criteria were those who were residents in Peshawar and were willing to participate, and those having chronic illnesses like liver disease, cancer, or kidney disease were excluded. The FRAX tool was implemented after informed verbal consent. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20. The fracture probability was calculated and stratified according to relevant demographic and clinical factors.

Results: Among 240 participants, 39 (16.4%) had osteoporosis, of which 12 (4.8%) and 27 (11.6%) were males and females, respectively. Risk factors included previous fractures (31.2%), smoking (15.6%), steroid use (17.2%), rheumatoid arthritis (8.8%), and secondary osteoporosis (20.4%). Hip fracture risk was low in 191 (79.6%), moderate in 33 (13.6%), high in 12 (5.2%), and very high in 4 (1.6%). For major osteoporotic fractures, 194 (80.8%) had low risk, 31 (13.2%) had moderate risk, 9 (3.6%) had high risk, and 6 (2.4%) had very high risk. Females had a higher probability of major osteoporotic fractures (3.05) and hip fractures (0.67) compared to males (2.14 and 0.48, respectively). A statistically significant association was observed between gender and major osteoporotic fracture risk (p = 0.005).

Conclusion: Osteoporosis among adults aged 40 and above in Peshawar is high, with women being affected more. This highlights the importance of early risk assessment and timely intervention to prevent complications.

Keywords: Osteoporosis, Bone mineral density, Fracture risk assessment, Major Osteoporotic Fracture, Hip Fracture.

LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (LMS) IN MEDICAL EDUCATION: INSIGHTS FROM UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS IN PESHAWAR

2025-04-23T06:45:25+00:00

Objectives: To determine students' perceptions regarding the usability and efficacy of the Learning Management System (LMS).

Methods: This Descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in public and private sector medical colleges of Peshawar from October 2023 to February 2024. The data collected was analysed using SPSS ver.29 to determine students' perceptions of LMS usability and effectiveness.

Results: The average mean score for students' attitudes and experiences with the LMS's ease of use and overall user experience was 3.32, exceeding the criteria score of 3. Additionally, students' mean score for the LMS’s effectiveness in supporting their learning was 3.48, also greater than the criterion score of 3. Furthermore, an independent samples t-test revealed that students from private medical colleges found the LMS to be significantly more user-friendly and effective (p = 0.011). However, there was no statistically significant difference in LMS perceptions between clinical and preclinical students (p = 0.723).

Conclusion: According to our research findings, both the students of public and private medical colleges perceive LMS as user-friendly and efficient. This implies that LMS has the potential to streamline medical education irrespective of the institutional variations, ensuring a cohesive learning environment for every student.

Keywords: Efficacy, Learning management system, Perception, Usability

EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE (TSH) AND FERRITIN IN THE THIRD TRIMESTER: IMPLICATIONS FOR FETAL OUTCOMES

2025-01-23T04:45:38+00:00

Introduction and objective: Thyroid diseases affect 2%-33% of pregnant women. Maintaining TSH levels during pregnancy is crucial for normal thyroid function, and iron deficiency undermines thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism. Understanding these relationships can optimize maternal and neonatal health. This research aims to explore this connection.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Darul-Sehat Hospital, involving 174 participants with a 13.2% prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in the third trimester of pregnancy. Convenience sampling was used, enrolling women with singleton pregnancies in labor regardless of iron supplementation status. Demographic and medical details were recorded. Blood specimens were collected for CBC, TSH, and Ferritin during the third trimester or at the onset of labor. Neonatal outcomes included birth weight, Apgar score, birth defects, low birth weight, preterm birth, birth asphyxia, hyperbilirubinemia, hypothyroidism, and NICU admissions.

Results: In this study, 20.6% of neonates were preterm, and 47.7% were admitted to NICU. TSH and Apgar scores were significant, with p-values of 0.05 and 0.03. A significant weak inverse correlation was seen between TSH and serum ferritin levels (P-value<0.05).

Conclusion: The research findings indicate a notable negative association between maternal TSH and serum ferritin concentrations, demonstrating a connection where decreased iron reserves are associated with elevated TSH levels

Keywords: Pregnancy, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Serum Ferritin, Third Trimester, Neonate

ATTITUDES OF MEDICAL STUDENTS TOWARDS THE USE OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND OBSTACLES FACED BY THEM

2025-06-24T07:04:25+00:00

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Mental health problems affect a person’s mental as well as physical abilities. The medical community is considered to be free of mental disorders, but this is not true in practice. Medical students suffer from illnesses like other students. There is also a high prevalence of stigma among medical students regarding mental illnesses. Therefore, in this study, we wanted to assess medical students’ attitudes toward using mental healthcare services and the obstacles they face in accessing mental health facilities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students in Peshawar. A questionnaire-based online survey was used to collect data through Google Forms. Our sample size was 197. Data analysis was done using the IBM SPSS Version 20, and MS Excel Version 2010 was used to make graphs and figures.

RESULTS

In our study, 197 medical students participated voluntarily. The attitude of the majority of the medical students (68%) towards the use of mental health services was negative, while the rest (32%) showed a positive attitude. The obstacles with the highest mean value of 11.99 were attitudinal. Some other important obstacles were a lack of awareness about the availability of mental health services, stigma, confidentiality concerns, and fear of documentation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study findings showed that the majority of the participants had negative attitudes towards seeking mental health services. And the most important barrier to getting medical assistance was the attitudinal barrier.

KEYWORDS

Mental health, mental illnesses, stigma, medical students, depression, mental health services, obstacles

SPECTRUM OF CHANGES IN HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN DIFFERENT LEUKEMIAS

2025-01-21T13:57:35+00:00

Objective: To determine the spectrum of changes in hematological parameters in Leukemia subtypes.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Khyber Teaching Hospital in Peshawar from January 2024 to July 2024, after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review and Ethical Board, using a non-probability purposive sampling technique. In this study, a total of 69 patients with acute and chronic leukemias were included. A Sysmex hematology analyzer was utilized to perform complete blood counts. The full blood count findings were recorded and analyzed using SPSS-23. The mean and standard deviation were applied to analyze quantitative variables, while qualitative data was examined as frequency and percentages.

Results: The average age of the study participants was 18 ± 13.94 years. The changes in blood counts included low hemoglobin levels in 68.5%, 82.35%, 100%, and 88% of ALL, AML, CLL, and CML cases, respectively, and a high TLC count in 60%, 41%, 62%, and 59% of ALL, AML, CLL, and CML cases, respectively. Thus, chronic leukemias have a higher incidence of low hemoglobin and high TLC counts compared to acute leukemias. There was a decrease in platelet count in 45.7%, 94%, and 62.5% of ALL, AML, and CLL cases, respectively, but an increase in platelet count in 88% of CML cases.

Conclusion: All leukemias are characterized by anemia, elevated white cell count, and thrombocytopenia, except chronic myeloid leukemia, which has elevated platelet counts. Complete blood count parameters provide sufficient information about the underlying leukemia subtype.

Keywords: Acute Lymphocytic leukemia, Acute Myeloid leukemia, Complete blood count, Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Chronic myeloid leukemia.

INTERCONNECTED HIP JOINT PARAMETERS, FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DYSPLASIA OF THE HIP: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

2025-06-18T05:08:02+00:00

Objective:

This study aimed to determine the relationships between hip joint parameters, functional mobility, and quality of life in patients with DDH.

Methods:
This cross-sectional study involved 35 patients suffering from DDH. Functional mobility was measured with the timed up and go (TUG) test. Hip joint parameters were assessed for range of motion (ROM), abduction, and internal/external rotation. Quality of life was assessed via the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to establish variable relationships, considering a statistical significance of p < 0.05.

Results: A strong positive correlation, r = 0.683, p < 0.01, was found between the right and left hip ROMs. Fixed flexion contracture was significantly associated with both fixed abduction (r = 0.592, p < 0.01) and limb length discrepancy (r = 0.350, p < 0.05). Avascular necrosis (AVN) showed a strong correlation with limb length discrepancy (r = 0.655, p < 0.01). There was no significant relationship between sex and hip joint parameters (p > 0.05). The average TUG test time was 14.65 seconds (SD = 2.98), indicating a moderate level of functional disability.

Conclusions:
This study revealed significant associations between hip joint parameters, mobility, and quality of life in DDH patients, emphasizing the need for early intervention. Key findings include bilateral hip symmetry, contracture-related limb discrepancies, and AVN impacts, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary care to improve outcomes.

Keywords:
Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip, Functional Mobility, Quality of Life, Range of Motion, Avascular Necrosis, Limb Length Discrepancy, Public Health

FREQUENCY OF CORRECTION OF REFRACTIVE ERROR THROUGH REFRACTIVE SURGERIES AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS OF PESHAWAR

2025-06-30T10:29:45+00:00

Background and Objectives: Visual impairment due to refractive error (RE) affects a global population of approximately 2.2 billion individuals. Contact lenses and refractive surgeries (RS) exist for correction, but the most accessible and non-invasive choice remains glasses. Although the factors for not opting for RS remain a mystery. This study examines the frequency of correction of RE through RS among medical students of Peshawar and the reasoning behind medical students not opting for RS.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical students in Peshawar. A total of 202 students were recruited through purposeful sampling. Students from the first year to the final year who consented to participate were included. Data were collected using a self-validated questionnaire.

Results: The study revealed that 128 students had a refractive error (RE) in 202, of which 25% of students with RE considered refractive surgery (RS) (p=0.026, q=0.319), with LASIK being the most common procedure at 46.8%. Regarding institutional affiliation, the consideration for RS was significantly higher among private institutions (25.8% vs. 9.3%, p=0.026). Barriers to RS included satisfaction with eyeglasses (41.6%).

Conclusion: The high prevalence of RS consideration signifies a strong trust and preference for permanent correction. Advancements in surgical techniques, increased awareness, and a heightened sense of aesthetics may be contributing factors.

Keywords: Refractive error, Refractive Surgery, Eyesight.

2025-06-30T15:02:45+00:00