International Health Review https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/ihr <p style="text-align: justify;">International Health Review (IHR) is an open access peer-reviewed biannual journal that strives to lead the debate on multidisciplinary aspects of health and medical sciences and to publish high value productive research through a rigorous process of peer-review and evaluation in the field of health and medical sciences. The journal’s mission is to bring novel, significant, enduring, and advance research of prime importance to health practitioners, researchers and medical experts that addresses challenging questions in health and medical disciplines.</p> en-US Wed, 11 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000 OJS 3.1.2.1 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 Effect of Clomiphene Citrate on Fertility Hormones in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/ihr/article/view/5442 <p>This study aims to investigate the positive effect of Clomiphene Citrate (CC) in inducing ovulation in women with PCOS. Clomiphene Citrate is a non-steroidal drug that primarily affects estrogen production. CC also has pronounced effects on balancing of the female hormones, normal ovulation process, and overcoming the PCOS-based infertility issues. Hormonal profile evaluation including follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, and estrogen was performed at Clinical Laboratory, Services Hospital, Lahore. Serum volume of the aforementioned hormones were determined in PCOS-suffering infertile women (n=50) and healthy fertile women (n=50) by using a commercially available ELISA kit manufactured by Calbotech lnc. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone, and estrogen mean values in PCOS patients before the use of CC were evaluated as 5.74±0.939 (IU/L), 3.804±1.163 (IU/L), 2.098±1.233 (ng/ml), and (51.458±7.091 pg/ml respectively, while after management with CC the mean value of serum LH, FSH, Progesterone, and Estrogen were 3.716±0.513 (IU/L), 5.644±1.130 (IU/L), 10.704±2.313 ng/ml and 37.72±4.969 pg/ml respectively, which indicated a significant differences in hormonal pattern . The current study demonstrates that Clomiphene Citrate (CC) has positive effects in ovulation process in females with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), within the local population.</p> Asma Arshad, Kashif Ur Rehman, Hamama Islam Butt, Shahzad Bashir, Fatima Umar, Zahida Yaseen, Kashish Zahra, Ahmad Bakhsh Copyright (c) 2024 International Health Review https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/ihr/article/view/5442 Sat, 21 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000 The Comparison of Scar Mobilization Techniques with and without Core Stability Exercises on Scar Tissue Mobility and Lumbopelvic Pain https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/ihr/article/view/5104 <p>Abdominal adhesions and lumbopelvic pain can occur after a caesarean section. Many treatment approaches, such as injections, massage, surgical release, soft tissue release, strengthening, stretching and core stability exercises are available for abdominal scars. Physiotherapy treatments are considered safer and more convenient. The study aims to compare the effects of scar mobilization techniques with and without core stability exercises on scar tissue mobility and lumbopelvic pain. The study was a randomized clinical trial conducted at the Rafiqa Hospital and Fatima Hospital, Sargodha, Pakistan. A sample of 30 participants was allocated in Group A and B. Group A received scar mobilization and core stability exercises, while Group B received only scar mobilization, with both groups undergoing 3 sessions per week for total three weeks. The groups were assessed at baseline after the 5<sup>th</sup> and 9<sup>th</sup> sessions, using Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (ODI), Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Manual Scar Mobility Testing (MSMT), and Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). Moreover, the data were analyzed using SPSS 25. The mean age of participants was 27.22 ± 4.21, and their body mass index was 27.10 ± 3.53. Both groups showed significant differences within the subject’s scores of disability, pain and scar mobility (<em>p</em>&lt;0.05). Between-group comparison of both groups at post-treatment II showed considerable improvement in pain scores (NPRS score, <em>p</em>&lt;0.05). Whereas non-significant results were in other outcome measures (disability and scar mobility <em>p</em>&gt;0.05) in post-treatment II. Scar mobilization techniques with core stability exercises were more effective than scar mobilization techniques alone in the conservative treatment of females with lumbopelvic and scar pain after caesarean section.</p> Anam Zahra, Ghulam Fatima, Mehwish Ikram Copyright (c) 2024 International Health Review https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/ihr/article/view/5104 Thu, 26 Sep 2024 10:46:55 +0000 Prevalence of Obesity and Associated Risk Factors Due to Physical Inactivity Among Medical Students in Faisalabad https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/ihr/article/view/5083 <p>Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) that is higher than what is considered normal and healthy for a certain height. While excess body fat is typically the cause of obesity, factors such as fluids, excess muscle, or bone density may also contribute to obesity. The main purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity and some associated risk factors among the medical students at universities of Faisalabad due to their inactive life style. In this analytical cross sectional study, a convenience sampling technique was used to collect data from 290 medical students. The criteria included students aged between 19-23 years, while those with medically diagnosed psychological issues and trauma were excluded. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which was distributed to all the obese medical students who were conveniently accessible and could comprehend the material. The data was evaluated using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 17. The results showed that 33.0% of the students were of normal weight, 23.0% were overweight, 40.5% were obese and 3.4% were severely obese. A significant association was found between obesity of the respondents and their perception about the risk factors.</p> Kiran Liaquat, Ammara Tariq, Tamjeed Ghaffar, Hina Javed, Moha Akram Khan, Urooj Manzoor Copyright (c) 2024 International Health Review https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/ihr/article/view/5083 Wed, 13 Nov 2024 11:26:25 +0000 Depression and its Association with Binge Eating Disorder and BMI https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/ihr/article/view/6006 <p>Depression is a grave mental disorder that often results in persistent feelings of loneliness, anger and sadness. It has been found that depression is linked to binge eating disorder (BED) and higher body mass index (BMI). The main objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the presence of binge eating disorder, obesity and dietary patterns among depressed patients, and to examine the association of these factors with depression. The study included 87 depressed patients, both male and female, aged 20-40 years. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Binge Eating Disorder Screener-7, and Food Frequency Questionnaire were used to determine depression, BED &amp; dietary intake, respectively. BMI was calculated to observe weight in relation to height. The data was collected from Fountain House and Security Social Hospital, Lahore. Out of the total 87 patients, 19 did not have BED, 16 had mild BED, and 52 had moderate to severe BED. Regarding BMI, 7 patients were underweight, 42 had a healthy weight, 27 were overweight and 11 were obese. The study revealed that a higher BMI had an association with depression, but no significant association was observed between BMI and BED. The study showed no association between BED and depression. Poor dietary patterns were also observed in depressed patients.</p> Rabia shehzad, Hafsa Amir, Farhana Ali, Zunaira Mehdi, Alishba Zafar, Nimra Nawaz, Qaiser Raza Copyright (c) 2025 International Health Review https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/ihr/article/view/6006 Wed, 22 Jan 2025 06:14:11 +0000 Article Comparative Study of Multi-detector Computed Tomography and Ultrasonography Findings in Blunt Abdominal Trauma in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Central Punjab https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/ihr/article/view/4928 <p>Evaluating patients with blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) remains a resource-intensive area of trauma care. Blunt abdominal trauma diagnosis is challenging due to non-specific symptoms and imaging difficulties. Ultrasonography (USG) is a non-invasive imaging modality with high sensitivity value. USG always remains controversial in diagnosis of blunt abdominal injuries in comparison. The current study is based on a "comparative study design" in which information was gathered from patients at tertiary care hospitals in central Punjab. The study was conducted over a period of two months, from June 2023 to August 2023, and included a total of 78 participants. The study reveals that USG was 95.23% sensitive and 75.25% specific, while computed tomography was 98.3% sensitive and 100% specific in identifying all solid abdominal lesions. The sensitivity of USG was 90%, 93.8%, 60%, 40%, and 11% for the diagnosis of spleen, liver, kidney, pancreatic, and intestinal lesions, respectively. The sensitivity of a CT scan was 100% for detecting injuries to the spleen, liver, pancreas, and kidney, and 80% for injuries to the colon. On USG and CT, the sensitivity for mesentery detection was 0% and 2.8%, respectively. 37 patients were at high risk on the basis of BATTS score, whereas 21 patients were at low risk and remaining 20 patients were under intermediate risk. Whereas BMI underweight, overweight, obese and normal were (20.5%), (19.2%), (14.1%) and (46.2%) respectively in our study; distension, abdominal organ injury. The most sensitive and specific diagnostic tool for evaluating the abdomen is CT, which helps physician determine the best course of treatment. The damage in blunt abdominal injuries can be accurately and precisely identified by computed tomography. However, USG remains the preferred initial investigation.</p> Muhammad Zubair Saeed, Zoya Nazir khan, Qurat ul Ain, Amin Ullah, Faiza Iqbal, Tehzeeb Nasir, Shagufta Saeed, Mahnoor Copyright (c) 2024 International Health Review https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/ihr/article/view/4928 Wed, 18 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000