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Biomedical subjects

Jawad Ahmad

Publications and source records attributed to Jawad Ahmad.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Elevated prevalence of hepatitis C infection in users of United States veterans medical centers.

Several studies suggest veterans have a higher prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection than nonveterans, possibly because of military exposures. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C antibody and evaluate factors associated with infection among users of Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. Using a two-staged cluster sample, 1288 of 3863 randomly selected veterans completed a survey and underwent home-based phlebotomy for serological testing. Administrative and clinical data were used to correct the prevalence estimate for nonparticipation. The prevalence of antihepatitis C antibody among serology participants was 4.0% (95% CI, 2.6%-5.5%). The estimated prevalence in the population of Veterans Affairs medical center users was 5.4% (95% CI, 3.3%-7.5%) after correction for sociodemographic and clinical differences between participants and nonparticipants. Significant predictors of seropositivity included demographic factors, period of military service (e.g., Vietnam era), prior diagnoses, health care use, and lifestyle factors. At least one traditional risk factor (transfusion or intravenous drug use) was reported by 30.2% of all subjects. Among those testing positive for hepatitis C antibody, 78% either had a transfusion or had used injection drugs. Adjusting for injection drug use and nonparticipation, seropositivity was associated with tattoos and incarceration. Military-related exposures were not found to be associated with infection in the adjusted analysis. In conclusion, the prevalence of hepatitis C in these subjects exceeds the estimate from the general US population by more than 2-fold, likely reflecting more exposure to traditional risk factors among these veterans.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The effects of hepatic artery chemotherapy on viral hepatitis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) or arterial Yttrium-90 (90Y) microspheres are used to treat unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but little is known about their effects on viral hepatitis. The aim of this study was to determine their effect on viral hepatitis in patients with HCC. We carried out a retrospective review of patients treated for HCC. Worsening of viral hepatitis was determined by serum chemistry and viral loads where available. Fifty-two patients treated with TACE were followed for a mean of 22.0 months. Thirty-nine patients (75%) had decreased/stable tumor. Two of the 39 (5%) patients with decreased/stable tumor burden had a sustained increase in bilirubin. None had a sustained ALT elevation or significant increase in viral load after TACE. Twenty-four patients treated with 90Y microspheres were followed for a mean of 12.0 months. Twenty-two of these had a decreased/stable tumor burden and no patient had a significant elevation of ALT. However, 7 of the 22 had a sustained bilirubin elevation. We conclude that neither TACE nor 90Y treatment was associated with worsening viral hepatitis in this group of HCC patients. The presence of chronic viral hepatitis with normal bilirubin should not exclude the use of these therapies in patients with unresectable HCC.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Prospective multicenter study of eligibility for antiviral therapy among 4,084 U.S. veterans with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Many veterans may not be candidates for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment due to contraindications to therapy. The aims of this study were to determine the proportion of HCV-infected veterans who were eligible for interferon alfa and ribavirin therapy and to evaluate barriers to HCV treatment. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 4,084 veterans who were referred for HCV treatment over a 1-yr period at 24 Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers. Treatment candidacy was assessed using standardized criteria and the opinion of the treating clinician. RESULTS: Overall, 32.2% (95% CI, 30.8-33.7%) were candidates for HCV treatment according to standardized criteria, whereas 40.7% (95% CI, 39.2-42.3%) were candidates in the opinion of the treating clinician. Multivariable analysis identified ongoing substance abuse (OR = 17.68; 95% CI, 12.24-25.53), comorbid medical disease (OR = 9.62; 95% CI, 6.85-13.50), psychiatric disease (OR = 9.45; 95% CI, 6.70-13.32), and advanced liver disease (OR = 8.43; 95% CI, 4.42-16.06) as the strongest predictors of not being a treatment candidate. Among patients who were considered treatment candidates, 76.2% (95% CI, 74.0-78.3%) agreed to be treated and multivariable analysis showed that persons >/=50 yr of age (OR = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.07-1.76) and those with >50 lifetime sexual partners (OR = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.08-1.93) were more likely to decline treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of veteran patients are not suitable candidates for HCV treatment because of substance abuse, psychiatric disease, and comorbid medical disease, and many who are candidates decline therapy. Multidisciplinary collaboration is needed to overcome barriers to HCV therapy in this population.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed2004

Malignant hyperthermia.

Malignant hyperthermia refers to covert myopathies, which do not affect the individual during daily life activities, but may lead to life-threatening tachycardia, rigor, labile blood pressure and most importantly high-grade temperature when exposed to general anaesthesia. This conditions is mimicked by thyroid storm, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, phaeochromocytoma and sepsis. We present a presumptive case of malignant hyperthermia.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Hepatobiliary disease in inflammatory bowel disease.

Many hepatobiliary diseases are seen in IBD. PSC is the most common, occurring in 7.5% of patients with UC. The cause of PSC is not well understood, but PSC seems to be associated with genetic susceptibility, sharing some immunologic abnormalities with UC. A characteristic cholangiogram in a patient with abnormal liver function tests usually establishes the diagnosis. Liver biopsy is not essential but can help make the diagnosis of small duct PSC in patients with a normal cholangiogram. There are no medications that treat PSC effectively. Endoscopic dilation of dominant strictures reduces the frequency of cholangitis and may improve survival. OLT remains the only proven treatment of advanced PSC. Cholangiocarcinoma is a feared complication of PSC that is difficult to diagnose. Cholelithiasis, PBC, portal vein thrombosis, and hepatic abscess are hepatobiliary disorders that occur less frequently in IBD patients.

Biliary Tract Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effectiveness of combined thoracic epidural and light general anaesthesia in patients undergoing non-cardiac thoracic surgery.

BACKGROUND: The specialty of thoracic anaesthesia has emerged as a scientifically based discipline just 30 years back. At the start of the 20th century empyema and tuberculosis were the main indications for the thoracic surgery. Later on with the introduction of antibiotics lung malignancies were more commonly operated. Recent resurgence of tuberculosis and associated medical illnesses put these patients in high risk for surgery and anaesthesia, necessitating introduction of more skillful approach. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of combined thoracic epidural anaesthesia and light general anaesthesia in patients undergoing non-cardiac thoracic surgery. METHODS: This study was conducted at the department of Anesthesia and Intensive care, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad from 1st Jan 2001 to 31st August 2002. Ten adult patients of both sexes of ASA grade I-III, < 68 years of age, who were undergoing non-cardiac thoracic surgery were included. Thoracic epidural and central venous lines were placed 20 to 30 minutes before the start of procedure. All patients received same premedication, induction agents, analgesics, inhalational agents and muscle relaxants. All patients were transferred to Surgical Intensive Care unit after completion of the procedure. RESULTS: Seventy percent patients were operated on lungs, twenty percent on mediastinum and one percent for carcinoma of esophagus. Only one patient had co morbid disease of hypertension. One patient (10%) died of massive intraoperative hemorrhage. One patient (10%) developed superior vena caval obstruction, that was to be operated for mediastinal growth. Rest of eight (80%) patients were extubated in the operation theatre. All (100%) patients received intraoperative blood transfusion. 20% patients required additional analgesia in the postoperative period. 20% developed postoperative arrhythmias. CONCLUSION: Combined use of light general anaesthesia and thoracic epidural is effective in patients undergoing non-cardiac thoracic surgery.

Adult↗