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Purpose: This study aims to estimate the magnitude of capital flight from Pakistan. Furthermore, it analyzes the impact of capital flight on the economic growth of Pakistan in the short and long run. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses the World Bank's residual method to estimate the magnitude of capital flight from Pakistan during 1976–2018. This study used the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to estimate the effect of capital flight on the economic growth of Pakistan. Findings: ARDL results revealed a negative and statistically significant relationship between different measures of capital flight and economic growth in the long run. However, this relationship is not statistically significant in the short run. After correction for external borrowing and trade misinvoicing, this study finds that the total capital flight from Pakistan during the study period amounted to US$333bn (in 2010 dollars). With accrued interest earnings, the stock of capital amounted to US$124,768bn, significantly higher than the accumulated stock of long-term debt, which amounted to US$1,231bn during the study period indicating that Pakistan faces a severe challenge of capital flight. Originality/value: This study calculates the magnitude of capital flight from Pakistan for the first time. Furthermore, this study also calculates the magnitude of capital flight for military and democratic regimes. This study suggests many policy proposals to deal with the challenge of capital flight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A minimum of 170 million individuals worldwide are thought to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a common lung illness marked by reversible airflow limitation and chronic inflammation of the airways. Recent research indicated that symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are more prevalent in individuals with COPD. Objective: Objective of the present study was to find out the frequency of GERD in COPD patients. Methodology: The study was conducted at a Rehman medical institute in Pakistan from January 2022 to June 2022, using a cross-sectional design. Data was collected from 160 COPD patients, who underwent a comprehensive clinical examination and history. All these patients were assessed for GERD through a frequency scale for the symptoms of GERD (F.S.S.G questionnaire) instead of endoscopy and PH assessment. Spirometry was performed on each patient, and the findings were analyzed by a fellow specialist. The study also determined the frequency of GERD in COPD patients. SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis. Results: The current cross-sectional study includes a total of 160 participants including both males and females selected through a purposive sampling technique. Among them, 63.75% were males and 36.24% were female participants. The overall prevalence of GERD among the participants was 45%. GERD was found in 31.94%, 40.27 % and 16. 66 % among moderate, severe, and very severe cases of COPD. Conclusion: The study findings indicate that GERD was found in 45% of individuals with COPD. This underscores the importance for healthcare providers to thoroughly assess COPD patients for GERD to prevent further complications and enhance their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the ease of placement of arterial catheters using palpation versus ultrasound guidance under aseptic measures. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Feb to Aug 2022. Methodology: Patients of either gender, aged 18 to 90 years presenting to a paranesthesia clinic that required intra-arterial blood pressure monitoring were included in the study. After induction, under General Anaesthesia, arterial lines were placed following an aseptic technique using ultrasound or palpatory method; in Group-U (ultrasound) or Group-P (Palpation), respectively. Demographic variables of the patient along with hemodynamic readings and success rate at first or multiple attempts, along with the total time of cannulation, were recorded. Results: Out of the total 74 patients, 59(79.7%) patients belonged to ASA-1 Grade, and 15(20.3%) patients in ASA-2 Grade. The mean age of the patients was 48.3±16.3, while mean BMI was 25.42±2.8kg/m2. In Group-P, the first-pass success was achieved in 19(51.4%) patients as compared to 32(86.5%) in Group-U when ultrasound was used (p<0.05). Conclusion: The success rate in placing an arterial line using ultrasound was significantly greater than the conventional palpatory method. Therefore, ultrasound should be a preferred modality during intra-arterial line placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the ease of intubation using glide scope video laryngoscope versus direct laryngoscopy for nasotracheal intubation. Study Design: Quasi experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, Aug 2022 to Feb 2023. Methodology: Patients of either gender with age greater than 18 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Grade I or Grade II planned for elective dental or maxillofacial procedures requiring nasotracheal intubation were included. A total of 60 patients were included, with 30 patients in each group. Recorded variables were time to intubate, glottic grade, use of Magill forceps, first attempt success, failure to intubate and postoperative sore throat. Results: With 60 patients after randomised allocation, 30 were allocated to Group-DL (Direct laryngoscopy) and Group-VL(Video laryngoscopy). The success rate in the first attempt was 27(90%) in Group-DL vs 30 (100%) in Group-VL, and the number of patients who could not be intubated was 1(3.3%) vs 0(0%) in both groups. The glottic grade recorded by the operator under vision, time to intubation, use of Magill forceps and post-operative sore throat in both groups was significant with a p-value of <0.05. Conclusion: Glide scope video laryngoscopy provides a better view of the vocal cords with less time to intubation, greater chances of successful intubation, and fewer post-operative chances of sore throat than direct laryngoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]