Journal of Sheikh Zayed Medical College (JSZMC)

Effect of sleep quality on academic performance and class attendance of medical students during Ramadan

2023-05-25T05:33:47+00:00

Abstract

Objectives: To determine sleep quality of medical students in the month of Ramadan and associate this relation to their academic performance and class attendance. Methodology: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on undergraduate medical students in a private medical college. Demographic data including gender, age, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were collected. Academic performance and class attendance of students during and after Ramadan were compared with all scores of PSQI. The association between PSQI score and academic achievement and attendance in class was determined using Pearson's Chi square. A p-value of ≤0.05 was taken as significant.

Results: The average PSQI score was 9.91 ± 3.07 SD. The average attendance and test results of the participants in the month of Ramadan was 71.45 ± 4.24 SD (in %) and 62.23 ± 4.32 SD (in %) respectively. The average attendance and test result of the participants after the month of Ramadan was 80.26 ± 7.29 SD (in %) and 84.76 ± 5.94 SD (in %) respectively. Pearson product moment correlation showed that correlation between the average attendance and the average results during the Ramadan was statistically insignificant (p-value = 0.14) while the correlation between the average attendance and the average result after the Ramadan was statistically highly significant (i.e., p-value < 0.00).

Conclusion: Our study concluded that poor sleep quality of students in Ramadan affects their academic performance and class attendance.

Key words: Intermittent fasting, fasting, Muslims, medical school, medical students, quality, sleep, academics, academic test scores, test performance

Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy of Early OGTT in Prediction of GDM taking 2nd Trimester OGTT as Gold Standard

2025-02-21T06:25:30+00:00

Background: Early diagnosis of gestational diabetes may have the potential to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of early OGTT in the prediction of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus by taking 2nd-trimester OGTT as a gold standard.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that enrolled 420 pregnant women with single pregnancy between 18 and 40 years of age, who had their ﬁrst prenatal visit in PAF hospital at 1^st or early 2^nd trimester, from 1^st August 2022 to 31^st January 2023. All the women in their first trimester were subjected to 75g OGTT and the values of the plasma glucose concentration were recorded at fasting level, after 1-hr and after 2-hrs respectively. All these results were compared with 2^nd-trimester OGTT of the same patients taking 2^nd-trimester OGTT as a gold standard.

Results: The mean age of the women was 27±4 years. The mean BSF and 2-hr plasma glucose of women in 1^st OGTT were 4.74±0.36 mmol/L and 6.58±0.63 mmol/L respectively. The mean BSF and 2-hr plasma glucose of women in 2^nd OGTT were 4.89±0.32 mmol/L and 6.04±0.97 mmol/L respectively. The prevalence of GDM in 1^st OGTT was 6.4% and in 2^nd OGTT it was 20.5%. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the 1^st OGTT performed between 10 to 17 weeks of gestation were found as 26.7%, 98.8%, 85.18%, and 83.97% respectively.

Conclusion: The early OGTT performed during 10-17 weeks of gestation has good specificity, with good positive predictive and negative predictive values but poor sensitivity, taking the late 2^nd-trimester OGTT as a gold standard.

Frequency of Spinal Tuberculosis in Patients Complaining for Backache on MRI

2025-01-23T08:58:33+00:00

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues in your body.MRI is an effective method for evaluating patients presenting with spinal TB. It is non-ionizing and non-invasive; has a high sensitivity, and therefore it can also be useful in the follow-up of patient with spinal TB.

Objective: To determine the frequency of spinal TB in patients complaining for back pain and history of weight loss on MRI in Radiology Department of Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan.

Methodology:

Study Design: Cross Sectional Study. Setting: Radiology Department of Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital Rahim Yar Khan. Duration: six months from………………….to ……………. Ethical approval wa sought from IRB of………………… All male and female patients having radiating back pain and history of weight loss were included in this study. They were referred for MRI study by senior Neurologist and from Neurology, Orthopedics ward and OPD. A total of 102 patients were selected for this study, informed verbal consent was taken and MRI reports were collected from consultant radiologist office. All data was recorded on a predesigned Proforma which included questions about age, history like previous pulmonary TB, GIT infection or any spinal deformity.

Results: Out of 102 patients, only five (4.9%) were having spinal TB. The mean age of patients was 43.93, median 45 and mode 45 with Standard deviation of 14.63 years. Conclusion: this study found that a notable proportion of patients complaining for back pain and weight loss, have TB as diagnosed on MRI.

Awareness about Physiotherapy Techniques among doctors of Nishtar Medical University Multan

2025-02-18T06:47:38+00:00

Background: Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that assesses, diagnoses, treats and works to prevent diseases and disability by physical means.

Objective: To assess the awareness of physiotherapy techniques among doctors.

Methodology: Study design; Cross sectional study. Study setting: Study duration. The sample size of 110, was selected by non-probability convenient sampling technique. All the 110 self administered questionnaires that were distributed, and a response rate of 100% therefore was achieved. The questionnaire included variables including age, gender, designation, working department, questions of knowledge of physiotherapy techniques and the questions about the roles of physiotherapist e.g. use of EMG (Electromyography) and TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation), treatment of Multiple Sclerosis, fit orthotic and ICU management. Data analysis: Data was entered in SPSS 20.

Results: Out of 110 doctors included in this study, 45.5% of participants were House Officers, 24.5% were Medical Officers and 30% were Postgraduate medical students. Only 51.8 percent doctors used to refer patients to the physiotherapy department. This study revealed that 60 (54.5%) of participants had knowledge of mechanical traction, 75 (68.2%) of participants had knowledge of hot packs application, 41 (37.3%) of participants had knowledge of ultrasound application, 70 (63.63%) of participants had awareness about use of EMG equipment to aid in muscle re-education, 91 (82.7%) of participants had awareness about physiotherapy on field treatment for Sports injuries, 66.4% of participants had awareness about management of ICU management.

Conclusion: This study showed that there is adequate awareness about the physiotherapy techniques and roles of physiotherapists, however a huge number of these doctors had poor knowledge of physiotherapy. By increasing awareness and knowledge we can increase referral rates. Knowing the services physical therapy not only provides referrals but, more importantly, increases the well- being of the patient.