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Aga
Khan University's
Department of Medicine held its 2nd annual Research Retreat at Sheraton
hotel on May 9, 2003. A series of research papers
highlighted the ongoing investigational activities.
At the retreat, scientific
papers were presented covering certain key health sciences areas, such as gastrointestinal,
cardiovascular, and kidney diseases, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and infectious
diseases including tuberculosis, typhoid and malaria.
In the opening session,
Dr. Saeed Hamid presented results on potential molecular mechanism of progressive
liver injury in chronic viral hepatitis, Dr. Shahab Abid reported a high prevalence
of specific gastrointestinal injuries associated with various types of medicines
in Pakistan,
and Dr. Amyn Alidina reported the local survival data from patients with certain
type of gastrointestinal cancer.
In the session on cardiovascular
disease, Dr. Fahim Jafary made a presentation on factors associated with heart
attacks in young adults. He stressed that tobacco control programmes, a decrease
in ghee intake, exercise, cholesterol screening programs, and improving the
level of education are likely to have a profound effect on the burden of premature
heart attacks in Pakistani population.
Dr. Fateh Ali Tippo presented
his study that showed that outcomes of patients with myocardial infarction treated
at AKUH are comparable to those in western world. Dr. Farhan Tirmizi reported
the results of his study that showed relatives of patients with high blood pressure
not only have a considerably higher risk of this disease, it also affects them
at a younger age. Thus family members of patients with high blood pressure should
be regularly screened for hypertension.
In the third session Dr.
Saad Shafqat stressed on the high risk of strokes among patients with hypertension,
and Dr. Mohhmmad Wasay presented safety data on use of heparin (blood thinner)
for avoiding thrombosis of leg veins in bed-ridden patients with hemorrhagic
stroke. Dr. Nadir Ali Syed presented a novel, indigenously developed, apparatus
that assists with breathing for patients with certain sleep-related breathing
disorders.
In the final session Dr.
M. Aslam Khan presented data on effective, low cost, antibiotic therapy in critically
ill hospitalized patients. Dr. M Irfan presented results on drug susceptibility
patterns of mycobacterium causing disseminated
tuberculosis, and Dr. Sabeen Mekan reported the clinical features of patients
infected with malaria and typhoid. Dr. Yawar presented the elevated the risk
of bone disease in patients with diabetes.
An additional forty research
projects were displayed in a poster exhibition
during the meeting, highlighting various clinical problems relevant to Pakistan.
Earlier, Dr. Tasleem Akthar,
Chairperson, Pakistan Medical Research Council, delivered the meeting's keynote address "Clinical
Research and Impact on Population Health in Pakistan".
Dr. Tazeen Jafar, Chair of Research Committee, Medicine, highlighted the significant
contribution of AKU-Department of Medicine to the research productivity in South
Asia, and the recent strategic measures taken to further increase
collaborative research with institutions within Pakistan
and abroad.
Commenting on the day's
proceedings Department Chairman Dr. Wasim Jafri said, "This meeting represents Aga Khan
University's, and the department
of Medicine's commitment towards research and innovation. Original research
of high caliber was presented by the faculty of the Department of Medicine. Such a conference is unique in its nature in Pakistan and the department of Medicine is proud to maintain the lead in such research
endeavors, which would lead to advancement in medical science and improved health
of our population".
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