R Rehman

Publications of R Rehman

• Determining the risk factors and prevalence of osteoporosis using quantitative ultrasonography in Pakistani adult women.

  Authors: M Fatima, H Nawaz, M Kassi, R Rehman, P M Kasi, A K Afghan, S N Baloch

  Singapore medical journal. 02/2009; 50(1):20-8.

  INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis-related bone fractures are a significant public health problem. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis among Pakistani women and identifyINTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis-related bone fractures are a significant public health problem. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis among Pakistani women and identify modifiable risk factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an obstetrics / gynaecology setting during March-April 2007 in Quetta, Pakistan. A total of 334 women older than 20 years of age underwent quantitative ultrasonography and were interviewed to find out the risk factors for osteoporosis. Bone mineral density was assessed by the speed of sound using a quantitative ultrasound device. The sociodemographic characteristics of normal, osteopenic and osteoporotic women were compared using the chi-square test for categorical variables and ANOVA for continuous variables. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the independent predictors of being osteopenic or osteoporotic. RESULTS: 146 (43.7 percent) women were reported to be normal, 145 (43.4 percent) were osteopenic and 43 (12.9 percent) were osteoporotic. The mean age and standard deviation of the participants were 36.7 years +/- 13.0 years, with a body mass index (BMI) of 25.81 (standard deviation 5.10) kg per square metre. In the univariate analysis, factors that were associated with osteoporosis / osteopenia included age, parity, BMI, smoking (pack years), consumption of calcium-rich food/week, personal and family history of osteoporosis, education and socioeconomic status (p-value is less than 0.05). Using binary logistic regression with osteoporosis / osteopenia as an outcome compared to normal individuals, BMI, smoking pack years, a family history of osteoporosis / fracture and house ownership were found to be independent predictors of the outcome. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia is high, especially among young Pakistani women, and is associated with modifiable risk factors.

• Epilepsy: public knowledge and attitude in a slum area of Karachi, Pakistan.

  Authors: M Shafiq, M Tanwir, A Tariq, P M Kasi, M Zafar, A Saleem, R Rehman, S Z Zaidi, F Taj, A A Khuwaja, K S Shaikh, A K Khuwaja

  Seizure : the journal of the British Epilepsy Association. 07/2007; 16(4):330-7.

  BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is a common but widely misunderstood illness. Consequently, epileptics suffer from considerable stigmatization in society. Since no studies have detailed the misperceptions aboutBACKGROUND: Epilepsy is a common but widely misunderstood illness. Consequently, epileptics suffer from considerable stigmatization in society. Since no studies have detailed the misperceptions about epilepsy in our community, it is not possible to provide focused intervention aimed at eliminating this prejudice. PURPOSE: To assess the knowledge and attitude regarding epilepsy in an adult population of a Karachi slum area. METHODS: A face-to-face interview was conducted on 487 consenting adult non-epileptics (305 males; 182 females) who were conveniently sampled. Chi-square test was employed to calculate the variability in knowledge and attitude with demographic and other variables. RESULTS: In all, 12.5% had never heard about epilepsy. Among the rest, 66.7% identified epilepsy as being non-infectious, while 28.2% were unaware of any treatment available for it. Among the other 71.8%, 62.7% were aware of the existence of anti-epileptic drugs. Religious/spiritual treatment was chosen as the most effective treatment by 33.1%. Males were more likely to identify epilepsy as being non-infectious (p=0.02). Nearly 18% of the respondents would not object to their child marrying an epileptic, 69.5% did not want to socially isolate the epileptics, 83.1% said epileptics could receive academic education, 85.6% said they could perform activities of daily life and 62.4% said they could become useful members of the society. Those who considered epilepsy to be infectious were more likely to carry negative attitudes towards epilepsy (p<0.01 with four attitudes). CONCLUSIONS: Considerable gaps exist in the community's knowledge about epilepsy. Some of these may explain the prevalence of negative attitudes towards this ailment.

• Benign ovarian cysts--a retrospective evaluation over two years.

  Authors: N W Yusuf, R Rehman, A Imran

  JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. 04/1995; 45(3):61-3.

  Histological analysis of 89 "benign" ovarian cysts received over a period of 2-1/2 years (January, 1991 to July, 1993) at the department of Pathology, Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore showedHistological analysis of 89 "benign" ovarian cysts received over a period of 2-1/2 years (January, 1991 to July, 1993) at the department of Pathology, Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore showed that 44 were neoplastic, 22 dysfunctional, 19 simple and 4 endometriotic. Clinical presentation and gross features could not serve to differentiate these types. Routine histological examination had to be supplemented with ample blocking and deeper sections for a more specific typing. With this procedure the original diagnosis was altered in 11.2% cases, 7 cases originally labelled as "simple cysts", were categorized as dysfunctional (N = 2), neoplastic (N = 1) and endometriotic cysts (N = 3). Similarly in 3 cases the primary diagnosis of endometriotic cysts was altered in favour of dysfunctional (N = 2) and neoplastic (N = 1) cysts. The neoplastic and dysfunctional cysts have different clinical implications. It is proposed that the clinical diagnosis of benign ovarian cyst should be supported by a careful histological evaluation.

• Lack of therapeutic effect of cimetidine in non-ulcer dyspepsia.

  Authors: S J Zuberi, H Qureshi, N S Banatwala, R Rehman, E Alam

  JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. 07/1988; 38(6):168-9.