International Archives of BioMedical and Clinical Research

An Update on Data Distribution and Techniques of Data Transformation

Ahmad Najmi — 2023-01-30

The distribution in biostatistics can be defined as distribution of frequencies of values of a given variable in a sample. Distribution can be broadly classified into normal and skewed distribution. Normal distribution is a symmetrical bell shaped curve. ±1 standard deviation covers 65% of values around median value and ±2 S.D. covers 95% of values around median value. Mean, median & mode are equal for normal distribution curve. Parametric test like t test and ANOVA are based on the assumption that the data follows normal distribution. In skewed or asymmetrical distribution, there is clustering of cases in either right side or left side of the curve. In right sided skewness, the tail of curve is on the right side. In left skewed distribution, the tail is on the left side. Non-parametric test can be used in case of skewed data. Parametric test are more robust as compare to non-parametric test. The alternative is to transform the numerical variable into another scale where the values do satisfy the assumptions needed for the desired parametric or “normal” statistical methods. These technique include logarithm transformation, generalized linear modelling, and bootstrapping.

An Update on Biomedical Literature Search for Budding Research Scholars

Ahmad Najmi — 2023-01-30

Literature search can be defined as systematic review of all scientific resources, both published and unpublished. Literature search is continuous process. It provides new ideas of research. It helps us to frame new research questions and to identify the knowledge gap. There are no straightforward rules for literature search. Each researcher has its own method of literature search. In this review article we shall discuss about various types and sources of literature, steps and techniques of literature search which will serve as a quick guide for budding research scholars.

Bacterial and Clinical Profile of Diabetic Foot Ulcer using Optimal Culture Techniques: A Prospective Hospital Based Study

Syed Sibte Akbar Abidi — 2023-01-30

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are the complications of diabetes mellitus. The infection of diabetic foot ulcer is microbes in nature. If they are not recognized and controlled it may lead to many devastating consequences like limb amputation, sepsis, and even mortality. So, the present study was aimed that to determine the bacterial and clinical profile of diabetic foot ulcer using optimal culture techniques.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted on Type 2 Diabetic patients with foot ulcer. Around 206 total cases were enrolled on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The duration of study was over a period of two years.

Results: The result of this study revealed that causative agent of DFU were found due to aerobic in n = 170 cases whereas anaerobic bacteria in n = 36 cases.

Conclusion: This study concludes that that proper care should be offered, causative organisms should be timely identified and antibiotic should be sensibly chosen to cut short the morbidity and mortality of DFU.

A Cross Sectional Study to Assess the Levels of Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Pradeep Kumar Choudhary — 2023-01-30

Background: Objective: In the present study, demographic profile, knowledge and motivation of COPD patients attending tertiary hospital, the level of anxiety and depression is assessed. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on consecutive patients with COPD during their routine out-and in-patient visits in the tertiary care hospital during 4 months (April 2019 to July 2019). Physician confirmed cases of more than 1-year duration were included in the study. Thus 194 COPD patients were admitted in the ward. They were interviewed by using HADS scale and Modified Morisky scale. The diagnosis of COPD was confirmed by Chest X-ray and Spirometery test and a history of exacerbation or hospitalization over past 6 months was also obtained. The chi square-test, t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used in the univariate analyses, whilst regression was used in the multiple variable analyses.

Results: A total of 194 COPD individuals, 124 Males and 70 Females were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the respondents was 49.16 ± 8.20 (25-62) years. The mean scores for anxiety and depression were 19.12± 2.38 and 11.54± 2.50 respectively. Both anxiety and depression scores were statistically significant between the gender. Among males 70 % cases were having no comorbid conditions; however, 57.10 % females were having more than two comorbid conditions.

Conclusion: Present study illustrates that anxiety and depression are common in patients with COPD, furthermore, patients with depressive disorders have more comorbidities in comparison with patient with anxiety.

Placental Site Trophoblastic Tumour – A Rare Cause of Uncontrollable Post-Operative Hemorrhage in Obstetric Cases

Bushra Siddiqui — 2023-01-30

Placental site trophoblastic tumour (PSTT) is a rare variant of gestational trophoblastic disease developing from intermediate trophoblasts. PSTTs are incredibly rare tumours with 1 in 100000 pregnancies and only about 200 cases reported till date with mortality reaching up to 25% in undiagnosed cases. We present the case of a 37year old female, gravida 4 para 3, presenting with uncontrollable post caesarean haemorrhage for which she underwent subtotal hysterectomy. Histopathological examination revealed Placental site trophoblastic tumour. Placental site trophoblastic tumour, being a rare entity, pose difficulties in its early diagnosis. Delayed diagnosis can lead to distant metastases, thus worsening the prognosis.

Knowledge and Attitude of Adult Saudi Community towards Premarital Screening Program (Sickle Cell Anemia/Thalassemia) in Riyadh Province of Saudi Arabia

Shujaat Khan — 2023-01-30

Background: Premarital Screening (PMS) program in Saudi Arabia aims at limiting the spread of hereditary diseases like Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) and Thalassemia and infectious diseases like Hepatitis B&C and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although the PMS program is reducing the percentage of incompatible marriages, the prevalence of hemoglobinopathies is still remaining high. With the changing perception of the general population towards the PMS program, an examination of community awareness and attitude toward PMS is needed to find ways for reducing the prevalence of diseases.

Objective: The aimed to assess the present knowledge and attitude of the adult Saudi community from Riyadh Province to the premarital screening (PMS) program for hemoglobinopathies.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 676 participants from the general population in June-September 2022. The electronic questionnaire was used to assess the sociodemographic data, knowledge, and attitude toward the PMS program.

Results: Out of the 676 participants, 58% were females, and 42% were males. 54% had consanguineous marriages and 5.6% hemoglobinopathies in the family. 92.6% had heard of PMS, and participants knew that SCA and thalassemia can be detected by PMS 47.4% and 36.3% respectively. 96.3% agreed on suggesting PMS to others, 83.2% considered PMS incompatible marriage is wrong, and 78.6% considered associated genetic counselling is important. 22.7% preferred consanguineous marriage over non-consanguineous. For raising awareness, 97.6%, 85.9%, 84.6%, and 81.2% of respondents felt the need for community participation through the internet, social media, and medical education in schools respectively.

Conclusions: Most participants have a positive attitude but only superficial knowledge of the PMS program and one-third are still unaware of its use for the prevention of hemoglobinopathies, especially thalassemia. Increasing the knowledge about the importance of the PMS program and associated genetic counselling should be done with multiple information sources in a well-organized way that suits the community’s requirements.