Hasna Fahmima Haque

Platelet aggregation abnormalities in arterial occlusive diseases (AOD)

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and distribution of rheumatic diseases at rheumatology clinic in a tertiary level hospital. Methods: This retrospective study was done at rheumatology clinic of BIRDEM from July 2009 to December 2012. Diagnoses were reached by using clinical criteria supplemented by necessary investigations. Results: Total number of patients was 772 with female predominance (F:M ratio of 1.3:1). Mean age was 46.9 (range 1383) years. Majority (85.9%) were in 3 to 6 decades. Degenerative diseases (49.9%) were most common, followed by inflammatory conditions (33.5%), soft tissue rheumatism (7%), metabolic bone disease (4.8%) and connective tissue diseases (2.5%). Rheumatoid arthritis (27.7%) was the most prevalent disease, followed by osteoarthritis of knees (26.2%) and lumber spines (23.4). Tendinitis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia and systemic lupus erythematosus prevailed in 5.6%, 4.8%, 1.4% and 1.3% cases respectively. Common comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (87.9%), hypertension (22.2%), ischaemic heart disease (12.4%), dyslipidaemia (10.1%), fatty liver (7.9%), chronic kidney disease (6.9%) and hypothyroidism (4.5%). Commonly prescribed medications were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (93%), disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (28.9%) and prednisolone (10.6%). Physiotherapy was required in 13.3% cases. In 56.6% cases various combination of treatment was required. In 12% patients receiving methotrexate, adverse effects occurred. Conclusion: Degenerative joint and spine diseases were more common but as an individual disease rheumatoid arthritis was the most prevalent condition.

Chikungunya virus and dengue virus coinfection: a case report from Bangladesh

A case of concurrent chikungunya virus and dengue virus infection is reported here. The patient presented with fever and generalized body ache. Diagnostic work-up revealed chikungunya-dengue co-infection. Dengue is endemic in Bangladesh while chikungunya is a recently emerging infection. As both the viruses are transmitted by a common vector, Aedes spp., such co-infections are likely to increase in coming years.IMC J Med Sci 2018; 12(1): 42-43

Successful medical management of a case of Austrian syndrome—an uncommon entity in the modern antibiotic era: a case report

BackgroundAustrian syndrome—the combination of meningitis, pneumonia and infective endocarditis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae infection, is a rare entity. In literature only a few hundreds of cases are reported but surprisingly we did not find any report on Austrian syndrome in or from Bangladesh.Case presentationWe report the case history of a middle aged Bangladeshi diabetic man, who had fever, cough, shortness of breath and altered mentation. He had tachycardia, bi-basal lung crepitations, new cardiac murmurs and meningism. Diagnostic work-up revealed Austrian syndrome. Because of the rarity of the condition, this case is reported.ConclusionA case of pneumococcal pneumonia or meningitis should raise suspicion of concomitant endocarditis and Austrian syndrome, specially if there is heart failure, as early recognition and treatment may appear life-saving.