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Background: Systemic sclerosis is a multi-systemic autoimmune disorder. Cardiac involvement by the disease, although not included in the diagnostic criteria, may be seen either clinically, histologically or may be revealed by various investigative modalities. Purpose: To see the profile of cardiac involvement in patients of systemic sclerosis. Materials and Methods: Forty-seven patients of systemic sclerosis were included in the study. After taking a complete history and doing a detailed physical examination, the patients were submitted to electrocardiogram ECG (all leads), echocardiography and x-ray chest. Furst's organ indices scoring system for cardiac involvement was followed. Findings: Forty-seven patients of systemic sclerosis were included in the study. Five females gave a history of palpitations. A loud pulmonic heart sound was heard in 1. Arrhythmias were observed in 5 patients. Significantly, echocardiography revealed valvular involvement in 5 patients. Left ventricular hypertrophy was seen in 2 patients. Conclusions: In our patients, cardiac involvement was rare. In contrast to other studies, valvular involvement was a prominent feature. Limitations: Complete evaluation for arrhythmias with 24-h Holter monitor was not used

Background: Hirsutism refers to the presence of terminal hairs at the body sites under androgenic control. Various factors, including genetic makeup and hormonal status, influence the rate and pattern of hair growth at these sites. Purpose: To study the pattern of hirsutism in Kashmir . Materials and Methods: Thirty five consecutive patients of hirsutism were included in the study. After detailed history taking, physical examination and relevant investigations, scoring of hirsutism was done using the Ferriman Gallwey (FG) scoring system. Findings: The FG score ranged from 10-34. Twenty patients had associated menstrual abnormalities. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) was diagnosed in four patients, hypothyroidism in two and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in one. The rest of the patients had idiopathic hirsutism. Conclusion: Idiopathic hirsutism was the most common category, whilst PCOS, hypothyroidism and CAH were also seen.