OBJECTIVE: This study investigated direct costs attributed to rehabilitation treatment of poliomyelitis among Pakistani patients and reported its duration along with the socioeconomic status of poliomyelitis survivors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 102 patients with suspected OSA underwent standard polysomnography. All patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of ≥5 with symptoms were diagnosed as having OSA. A fasting blood sample was collected from all patients. Blood levels of triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) were measured. The relationship between the AHI and lipid profiles was analyzed, and linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of dyslipidemia on OSA.

RESULTS: The patients with OSA had a significantly higher TG level and a significantly lower HDL level than did those without OSA. The lipid abnormalities increased with OSA severity. The mean serum TG level was higher in the severe OSA group (175±46.5 vs. 153±42.45, mg/dl P = 0.048), and the mean serum HDL level was lower in the severe OSA group (38.43 ± 5.19 vs. 45.73 ± 4.98, mg/dl P = 0.004). Serum TG, cholesterol, and LDL levels were correlated with a BMI of <30 and a BMI of >30 in the OSA group. Linear regression analysis indicated that only age (β = 0.301, P = 0.000), BMI (β = 0.455, P = 0.000), serum HDL level (β = -0.297, P = 0.012), and serum LDL level (β = 0.429, P = 0.001) were the independent predictors of OSA.

Materials and Methods: An unblinded randomized controlled trial was undertaken at the dermatology clinic of a tertiary care hospital. Consent from the patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were obtained, and they were included in this study. They were randomized into two groups, namely Gp-1 (C and P labeling) and Gp-2 (conventional labeling). Both groups were assessed at week 0, 6, and 12 (visit 1, 2, and 3) using knowledge assessment list and psoriasis severity assessment score. For visit 2 (week 6), reinforcement of their understanding of topical treatment was performed.

Results: A total of 101 patients were recruited. Only 91 of them completed the study. The mean ages were 44.52 (±16.61) and 45.49 (±15.84) years, with 70.3% males and approximately half Malay ethnics. The changes of knowledge and comparison of Topical Application Assessment Score between the groups showed an incremental raise of significance with every visit (P = 0.006 [week 1], 0.004 [week 6], and 0.002 [week 12]). Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 75 could not draw any conclusion as patients who achieved >75% improvement were inadequate.

OBJECTIVE: The present systematic review aimed to investigate the potential role of home visits in improving outcomes among adult patients with asthma.

METHODS: The systematic review was performed in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. An extensive literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, ProQuest, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar from inception to June 2019. The studies included were randomized controlled trials, which reported asthma outcomes in adult patients.

RESULTS: The literature search yielded 8331 publications, of which 63 studies were selected for full-text review, and of these studies, 9 studies with a total of 2011 patients were included in the final analysis. The included randomized controlled trials reported quality of life, asthma symptoms, exacerbations, health care utilization, and pulmonary function. Improvements in asthma outcomes were observed predominantly in quality of life. The effects on asthma symptom control were inconsistent. The evidence on the impact of home visits in asthma exacerbations and health care utilization was rather limited. There were no significant differences observed between intervention versus control arms in terms of pulmonary function; however, 1 study reported significant improvements in peak expiratory flow rate.

METHODS: The translation of the English version of the valid 10-item TAI questionnaire into BM was followed by subjecting it to a series of tests establishing factorial, concurrent and known group validities. Concurrent validity was assessed through Spearman's rank correlation coefficient against pharmacy refill-based adherence scores. Known group validity was assessed by cross-tabulation against asthma symptom control and using chi-square test. The internal consistency of the test scale was determined by a test-retest method using Cronbach's alpha (α) value and intraclass correlation coefficients.

RESULTS: A total of 120 adult asthma patients participated in the study. A 2-factor structure was obtained and confirmed with acceptable fit indices; CFI, NFI, IFI, TLI >0.9 and, RMSEA was 0.08. The reliability of the scale was 0.871. The test-retest reliability coefficient for the total sum score was 0.832 (p 85%.