bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding ethics of reporting health related events in media: A qualitative phenomenological study in Karachi and Peshawar
Authors: Shaikh Shiraz , Nadeem Aroosa , Musharraf Mehjabeen , Fazid Sheraz 
Published: December 2023

Objective: The specific objectives of this study were to identify the ethical issues in reporting of health-related events in media and suggest ways to improve it.
Method: This was a qualitative phenomenological study conducted by APPNA Institute of Public Health, Jinnah Sindh Medical University in collaboration with Institute of Public Health, Khyber Medical University from January to April 2022. A total of 38 focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted either face to face at place of convenience of interviewees or online. The participants were health reporters, healthcare workers (HCWs), and representatives of law enforcement agencies in two cities i.e., Karachi and Peshawar. Data were analyzed by using the deductive and inductive approaches, by four independent experts including the Principal Investigator (PI) and three research fellows.
Results: Ethical issues related to health reporting in the field included interference of the reporters in rescue efforts during an emergency and interference in emergency medical care of the victims. In reporting, careless disregard for patient confidentiality and privacy; using unreliable sources of information; using wrong terminology; sensationalizing the news and jumping to conclusions in cases of malpractice were reported as main problems. Negative influences on health reporting included poor training of the reporters on health reporting ethics, organizational pressures, and lack of cooperation by relevant health authorities.
Conclusion: The quality of health reporting can be improved by building the capacity of health reporters in understanding the ethical issues and their social responsibilities toward health.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.3.7414
How to cite this: Shaikh S, Nadeem A, Musharraf M, Fazid S. Understanding ethics of reporting health related events in media: A qualitative phenomenological study in Karachi and Peshawar. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.3.7414
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health conditions of personnel undergoing hospital isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and influencing factors
Authors: Wang Baoyan , Li Lei , Liu Jing , Zhan Bo 
Published: December 2023

Objective: To understand the depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health conditions of personnel undergoing hospital isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and the influencing factors.
Methods: This was retrospective study. A total of 120 personnel undergoing Baoding No.1 Hospital isolation who completed the questionnaires were included from June 10, 2021 to February 07, 2022. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Scale (GAD7) and psychological stress measurement table (PSTR) were used for psychological problem screening for personnel undergoing hospital isolation.
Results: The incidence of depression was the lowest, while that of stress was the highest. The difference in the incidence of depression, anxiety and stress among personnel undergoing hospital isolation with different gender, age, income statuses, marital statuses and attitude towards isolation was statistically significant (p< 0.05), while the difference in the incidence of these problems among personnel with different degree of education was not statistically significant(p> 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age, gender, marital status, economic status and attitude towards isolation are factors associated with stress. Economic status and attitude towards isolation are factors associated with depression. A high economic level is a protective factor against depression, while a negative attitude is a risk factor for depression.
Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety, depression and stress increased to different extents in personnel undergoing hospital isolation, especially in females with poor economic conditions and poor attitudes towards isolation. Therefore, necessary psychological counseling and social support should be provided to these people.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.3.7511
How to cite this: Wang B, Li L, Liu J, Zhan B. Depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health conditions of personnel undergoing hospital isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and influencing factors. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.3.7511
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Study on the impact and clinical effect of high-quality nursing intervention on the quality of life of elderly cataract patients
Authors: Zuo Kunkun , Sun Zhaoqing , Wen Kai 
Published: December 2023

Objective: To evaluate the impact and clinical effect of high-quality nursing intervention on the quality of life of elderly cataract patients and its clinical effect.
Methods: This is a clinical comparative study. One hundred and twenty elderly cataract patients admitted to Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital for surgical treatment were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: the control and experimental group, with 60 cases in each group from January 15, 2021 to January 15, 2022. Patients in the control group were given conventional nursing care in the perioperative period, while those in the experimental group were given high-quality nursing intervention in the perioperative period. The differences in anxiety (SAS) scores, depression (SDS) scores, intraocular pressure (IOP) recovery, the incidence of surgical complications and satisfaction before and after treatment between the two groups were compared and analyzed.
Results: No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in physical functioning, psychological functioning, social functioning and material life status scores before intervention(P>0.05). After the intervention, the above indicators improved significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group, with statistically significant differences (P=0.00). Moreover, SAS and SDS decreased significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group, with statistically significant differences (P=0.00).
Conclusions: High-quality nursing intervention improves various benefits in the treatment of elderly cataract patients, such as effectively reducing intraocular pressure, ameliorating patients’ quality of life, lowering the incidence of postoperative complications, and improving patient satisfaction.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.3.7526
How to cite this: Zuo K, Sun Z, Wen K. Study on the impact and clinical effect of high-quality nursing intervention on the quality of life of elderly cataract patients. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.3.7526
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Outcomes of liver diseases in pregnant females: A study from a tertiary care medical center in Pakistan
Authors: Butt Nazish , Ali Sabir , Yasmeen Haleema , Mumtaz Khalid 
Published: December 2023

Objective: To determine the etiologies and outcomes of liver disease in pregnancy in a developing country.
Method: A total of 336 consecutive pregnant women with liver disease were included in this prospective cohort study conducted at the Department of Gastroenterology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi from August 2019 to August 2021. Patients’ baseline demographic, clinical, and laboratory data and outcomes were collected on a pre-designed questionnaire.
Results: Among all the pregnant females, the most common liver disease was acute hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection (37.2%), followed by preeclampsia (PEC)/eclampsia (EC), hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes & low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, and hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). The most common maternal complications were fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) in 14.9% and placental abruption in 11.0%. Fetal complications included intrauterine death (IUD) in 20.8% and preterm birth in 8.6%. The maternal and neonatal mortality rates were 11.6% and 39.6%, respectively. Among the predictors, low maternal weight, low body mass index (BMI), and low hemoglobin (Hb) were associated with increased maternal mortality. Low fetal weight, height, maternal systolic blood pressure (SBP), and low maternal Hb were independent predictors of fetal mortality.
Conclusion: In our cohort of pregnant females in a tertiary care medical center, acute HEV was the most common liver disease, followed by PEC/EC, HELLP, and HG. Maternal and fetal deaths were alarming in this group of patients and demanded careful management.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.3.7670
How to cite this: Butt N, Ali S, Yasmeen H, Mumtaz K. Outcomes of liver diseases in pregnant females: A study from a tertiary care medical center in Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.3.7670
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Comparison of cases with and without acute liver injury in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection; obstetric and neonatal outcomes
Authors: Kulhan Nur Gozde , Orgul Gokcen , Avci Fazil , Kulhan Mehmet 
Published: December 2023

Background and objective: The effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the liver during pregnancy and the impact of SARS-COV-2-related liver injury during pregnancy on obstetric and neonatal outcomes are not yet clear. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical features of pregnant women at risk of liver injury and to investigate the effect of liver dysfunction on obstetric and perinatal outcomes.
Methodology: Pregnant women who were followed up and treated at Selcuk University Medical Faculty Hospital and diagnosed with COVID-19 were determined retrospectively. All pregnant women whose PCR test results were positive between March 1, 2020 and July 31, 2022 were included. A total of 96 PCR positive pregnant women were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as those with and without liver damage. Both groups were compared in terms of obstetric and neonatal outcomes.
Results: While liver damage findings were observed in 34.4% of the 96 pregnant included in the study; No liver damage was observed in 65.6% of the patients. White blood cell, neutrophil, ferritin, D-dimer, troponin, C-reactive protein, systemic immune-inflammation index, interleukin-6, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels were higher in patients with liver injury compared to pregnant women without liver injury. Prematurity, premature rupture of membranes, preterm premature rupture of membranes, preeclampsia and fetal death were observed relatively more in the patient group with liver injury, there was no statistical significiant difference between the groups in terms of these complications. Unfortunately, maternal death occurred in four mothers with liver injury and in one patient without liver injury. Birthweight, APGAR scores and obstetric complication rates were similar between two groups.
Conclusion: Our study showed that pregnant patients with liver damage had worse inflammatory response than those without liver damage. Women with elevated liver enzymes tend to have severe disease, but obstetric and perinatal outcomes were similar between groups with and without liver damage.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.3.7746
How to cite this: Kulhan NG, Orgul G, Avci F, Kulhan M. Comparison of cases with and without acute liver injury in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection; obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.3.7746
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
S. Rao Spiral Suturing (SRSS) of Lower Uterine Segment: An Innovative Hemostatic Technique in the Management of Placenta Previa and Accreta Spectrum
Authors: Rao Shahid Irshad , Shaheen Uzma , Hasan Syeda Husna 
Published: December 2023

Objective: The study aimed to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of an innovative hemostatic technique in managing Placenta Previa and Accreta Spectrum by S. Rao Spiral Suturing (SRSS) of a lower uterine segment.
Method: In this retrospective study conducted at Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Unit-II of Nishtar Medical University, Multan between December 2018 to January 2021, one hundred and thirty consenting patients’ clinical records were reviewed with major degree placenta previa/placenta accrete spectrum, either operated electively or presented in an emergency, with or without a history of previous cesarean section. The enrolled patients underwent SRSS, procedure’s efficacy and safety were measured by the number of obstetrical hysterectomies, the time required for the procedure, estimated blood loss, blood transfusion volume, need for any other hemostatic technique, bladder trauma, pelvic infection, scar site hematoma or abscess, sepsis, duration of hospital stay and maternal mortality.
Results: Out of 130 patients, 17(12.6%) had Placenta Accreta, 86(66.3%) Increta, and 27(21%) Percreta. The Placenta location was anterior dominant in 102(78.4%) cases and posterior in 17(8.4%). Of the patients who underwent surgery, only two required obstetrical hysterectomy due to uncontrolled bleeding. The procedure took three to five minutes in 127 patients and five to seven minutes in three patients. Regarding intraoperative blood transfusion, 54.6% of patients were transfused 1000-2000 ml blood, and 5.38% required >3000 ml. No blood transfusion was required postoperatively in any patient. Postpartum hemorrhage, infection, fever, and sepsis were not observed in any patient postoperatively. None of the patients suffered bladder injury. All patients were discharged as per routine.
Conclusion: SRSS is an innovative, safe, effective, and simple suturing technique for patients with Placenta Previa and Accreta spectrum.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.3.7747
How to cite this: Rao SI, Shaheen U, Hasan SH. S. Rao Spiral Suturing (SRSS) of Lower Uterine Segment: An Innovative Hemostatic Technique in the Management of Placenta Previa and Accreta Spectrum. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.3.7747
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Incidence, management and outcome of Hepatic Veno-Occlusive disease /Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome after hematopoietic stem cell transplant in Thalassemia major patients: A prospective study of Pakistani BMT
Authors: Nisar Haider , Khan Memoona , Azam Khattak Tariq , Ghafoor Tariq , Chaudhry Qamar Un Nisa 
Published: December 2023

Objectives: Hepatic Veno occlusive disease (VOD), also known as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (VOD/SOS), is a post-transplant life threatening complication. In this study, we aimed to discuss the incidence, management and outcome of VOD in post allogenic transplant patients of beta thalassemia major (BTM).
Methods: A prospective study was conducted in Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Center, between 2001-2022. A total of 385 fully Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) matched BTM patients, with Ursodeoxycholic acid for prophylaxis, were included in the study. Incidence of VOD was calculated through cumulative incidence estimates. Chi square test and Mann Whitney test were used to compare discrete and continuous variables respectively. VOD was diagnosed and graded according to European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation EBMT Pediatric diagnostic criteria. Risk factors for VOD were grouped as recipient, transplant and donor related. Univariate analysis was performed by log-rank test. All patients who developed VOD were managed primarily with fluid restriction and strict input output monitoring. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v 25.0.
Results: Out of 385 transplant patients, forty developed VOD. Median time from date of transplant till onset of VOD was 14 days (range 6-30). Cumulative incidence of all grade VOD was 10.39% (95% CI, 7-14). Eleven out of 40 patients who developed VOD died. Cumulative incidence of Transplant related mortality (TRM) for patients with and VOD was 20.5% (95% CI, 16.6-25.1) vs 27.5% (95% CI, 16.1-42) (p value 0.318) respectively. Among risk factors, age of recipient and fibrosis (p value of 0.04 and 0.000 respectively) were found to be significantly associated with VOD.
Conclusions: Careful selection of transplant candidates before transplant can help reduce the incidence of VOD.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.3.7901
How to cite this: Nisar H, Khan M, Khattak TA, Ghafoor T, Chaudhry QN. Incidence, management and outcome of Hepatic Veno-Occlusive disease /Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome after hematopoietic stem cell transplant in Thalassemia major patients: A prospective study of Pakistani BMT. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.3.7901
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Frequency and risk factors of malabsorption in patients presenting at tertiary care hospital, Karachi
Authors: Mohammad Masood  , Channa Riaz Hussain , Butt Nazish 
Published: December 2023

Objective: The objective of this study was to find out frequency and risk factors of malabsorption in patients presenting at tertiary care hospital, Karachi.
Methods: This was a prospective-observational study conducted through a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Ninety two adult patients presenting with a history of chronic diarrhea (diarrhea having duration of more than four weeks), age ≥14 years, both males & females, and diagnosed as malabsorption syndrome visiting out-patient or admitted in the department of Gastroenterology of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi between June 2018 and July 2020 were enrolled. Baseline and clinical data were recorded in a pre-designed questionnaire and analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0.
Results: The overall mean age and standard deviation of patient was 35.42±10.83 years. Diarrhea n=71 (77.17%), fever n=35 (38.04%), abdominal pain n=32 (34.78%), and weight loss n=13 (14.13%) were the most common symptoms observed in our study subjects. Most of the patients had normal upper GI endoscopy (26.56%) while multiple fundal erosions with pre-pyloric ulcer and severe pangastric erythema & classical scalloping of duodenal folds were most common findings observed, 21.87% and 17.18%, respectively.
Conclusion: Our study provides evidence that malabsorption syndrome is most commonly present in males with younger age group and the most common causes were celiac disease and intestinal tuberculosis and most common presentation was diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.3.7957
How to cite this: Masood M, Channa RH, Butt N. Frequency and risk factors of malabsorption in patients presenting at tertiary care hospital, Karachi. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.3.7957
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Correlation between serum microRNA-122 and VEGF expression and pregnancy outcome in gestational diabetes mellitus patients
Authors: He Hongmei , Wang Yi , Wang Haijiao , Ma Yulan , Zhang Pan 
Published: December 2023

Objective: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) seriously influences the health of mothers and babies, and there are still no effective early diagnostic markers. Therefore, our study planned to probe the correlation between serum microRNA-122 and VEGF expression and pregnancy outcome in GDM patients.
Methods: This was a retrospective study of the correlation between serum microRNA-122 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and pregnancy outcome in GDM patients. Sixty GDM patients admitted to the Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang from January 2021 to October 2022 were included in the research group (RG), and another 60 healthy pregnant women were included in the control group (CG). Serum miR-122 and VEGF levels were quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The value of miR-122 and VEGF in predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve.
Results: Serum miR-122 and VEGF levels in the RG were higher relative to the CG. The total occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the RG was higher relative to the CG (P<0.05). Serum miR-122 together with VEGF levels in the poor outcome group was higher relative to the good outcome group (P<0.05). ROC analysis revealed that miR-122 and VEGF could be used to predict adverse pregnancy outcome (P<0.0001). The area under the curve of miR-122 was 0.860, 95% confidence interval (CI) =0.793-0.926, and the area under the curve of VEGF was 0.780, 95% CI =0.694-0.866. Serum levels of miR-122, VEGF were positively related with abortion, preterm delivery, low birth weight infants, macrogenesis infants, and fetal development abnormalities (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The higher serum miR-122 and VEGF levels in GDM patients with satisfactory blood glucose control, the greater the probability of adverse pregnancy outcome, which should be paid attention to by clinicians.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.3.8467
How to cite this: He H, Wang Y, Wang H, Ma Y, Zhang P. Correlation between serum microRNA-122 and VEGF expression and pregnancy outcome in gestational diabetes mellitus patients. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.3.8467
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.