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Biomedical subjects

I A Raja

Publications and source records attributed to I A Raja.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Neurotrauma in Pakistan.

The incidence of head and spinal injury is on the rise in developing countries. The number of deaths and burden of disability may be reduced, if not completely stopped, through preventive measures after an epidemiological survey on trauma. The goal can be achieved to a significant extent through the use of guidelines from the countries that have achieved a reduction in the incidence of neurotrauma. To determine the incidence and outcome of neurotrauma in developing countries, a study was necessary using standardized assessment parameters for global interpretation. Such a study was conducted to determine the sociodemographic characteristics, morbidity, and mortality of patients with head and spinal injury admitted to various neurosurgical centers in Pakistan from July 1, 1995 to June 30, 1999. A total of 260,000 patients were admitted with head injury over a 4-year period. The majority of patients presented during second decade (i.e., 33.2%) followed by first and third decade. There were 195,000 (75%) males, and 65,000 (25%) females with a ratio of 3:1. Road traffic accident was the commonest cause of head trauma. Mild, moderate, and severe head injury was observed in 135,200 (52%), 78,000 (30%), and 46,800 (18%) patients, respectively. Conservative management was carried out in 176,800 (68%) patients. Surgery was required in 83,200 (32%), 50% of which had depressed skull fracture, simple or compound. Follow-up period varied from 2 months to 2 years with a mean of 11 months. Patient's outcome was assessed according to Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Good outcome was observed in 174,200 (67%). The total mortality was 46,800 (18%). In this study, 2654 patients ranging in age from 5 to 70 years had spinal injuries. There were 1922 males (72%) and 732 (28%) females. British Medical Research Council Scale was used for assessment of motor power of patients with spinal trauma. Of these, 780 patients (29%) had complete spinal cord injury. Surgical intervention was performed in 1800 patients (68%) and the rest were managed conservatively.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Aneurysm surgery in Pakistan.

The purpose of this study was to find out the incidence and outcome of aneurysms being operated in Pakistan. The data was collected from various neurosurgical centers in Pakistan where facilities for aneurysm surgery are available. The population of Pakistan is 130 million, with 28 neurosurgical centers in the country but only eight are equipped with facilities for performing aneurysm surgery. The period of study extended from January 1994 to December 1996. During this period 350 patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Diagnosis of SAH was confirmed by computed tomography (CT) brain scan, diagnostic lumbar puncture was performed in few patients only where CT scan was negative. After angiography, 240 patients had intracranial aneurysms, 79 had arteriovenous malformations, and three had bled in brain tumors. Of the 240 patients with proven intracranial aneurysms, 122 (51%) were male and 118 (49%) were female. The mean age at presentation was 40.5 years with a range from 7 to 68 and a peak incidence between 41 and 50 years. Subarachnoid bleeding was noticed in 179 (74.6%) patients, 52 (21.7%) had SAH associated with intracerebral hemorrhage, and nine (4%) patients presented with the third cranial nerve palsy. Anterior communicating artery was the commonest site for aneurysms (120, 50%), followed by posterior communicating artery (46, 19%) and middle cerebral artery (45, 19%). Aneurysm surgery was performed in 134 (56%) patients. Operative mortality was about 10%. At 3 months follow up 49% patients were in grade I Glasgow Outcome Scale. We conclude that intracranial aneurysms occur with equal frequency in both sexes with a peak incidence between 41-50 years and anterior communicating artery is the commonest site. SAH is the most common mode of presentation and is still a neglected from of stroke in Pakistan. Medical specialists and family physicians require education for early diagnosis and timely referral of patients with SAH to neurosurgical centers.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

A technique for recording and analysis of postural changes associated with thermal comfort.

The recording of posture has a long history in the study of ergonomics, but has generally been concerned with the assessment of mechanical strain on the human body. This paper extends the concern to the thermal implications of posture. A change in posture can change the effective body surface area available for heat exchange with the environment and therefore the metabolic rate per unit body surface area. This effect is systematised into a method of postural coding which reflects the extent of changes in effective body surface area available for heat exchange. The paper reports a brief assessment of the extent of the effect of posture in normal office work and the extent to which posture is temperature-related.

Body Surface Area↗