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Objective: To compare the risk factors for diabetes in children of two different socioeconomic status., Design: A cross-sectional analytical study., Place and Duration of Study: Visits to one government (low income) and two private (middle income) schools of Karachi in 1999 and 2000., Patients and Methods: A total of 260 children; 157 children (mean age 12.10 +/- 4 years) from low-income group and 103 children (mean age 10.6 +/- 0.9 years) from middle-income group were surveyed. Data of physical fitness score (PFS) and BMI was calculated. Dietary records were taken by 24 hours self-reported diet recall charts of two weekdays. Knowledge about health was obtained by a questionnaire given to children and mothers., Results: A significant difference was found in the mean age of low-income and middle-income groups (p-value < 0.001). Significant association was seen in low-income group compared to middle-income group on the basis of TV viewing (p-value = 0.04). BMI (p-value = 0.011) and positive family history of diabetes (p-value < 0.001). Forty-seven percent (n=74) of children from low-income group while 51% (n=53) of middle-income group had poor knowledge about health. The children in both the groups also consumed inadequate amount of calories, the diet being poor in fruit, vegetables and milk and high in the fat content., Conclusion: Although children in both the groups had increased risk factors for diabetes the difference between the two socioeconomic groups was significant in terms of middle-income children having more risk. Thus, changes in lifestyle and behaviour including diet is needed in this high risk group to prevent future generations from developing diabetes.

We present a case that showed extensive tuberculous cervical, first thoracic and fifth lumbar vertebrae involvement. The involvement was non-contiguous with relative sparing of the inter-vertebral discs and involvement of posterior element. Diagnosis was made on histology. Patient received anti-tuberculosis treatment and showed remarkable response.

Objective: To assess the frequency of chronic complications of type II diabetes in subjects attending a tertiary care unit in Karachi, Pakistan., Design: A cross-sectional analytical study., Place and Duration of Study: First visit of all type II diabetic subjects attending the outpatient department of Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology from September 1996 to December 2001., Subjects and Methods: Computerized clinical records of 2199 type II diabetic subjects were analyzed for this study. The clinical and laboratory variables were statistically evaluated with significance at p., Results: Means of glycosylated hemoglobin HbA1c, fasting and random plasma glucose levels, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides and high density lipoproteins (HDL) were higher than the risk indicator value for both genders (p <0.005). Mean body mass index and total blood cholesterol was higher for females only. Hyperglycemia was present in 88%, high HbA1c in 81%, low HDL in 81%, obesity in 66% and hypertriglyceridemia in 54%, neuropathy in 36%, proteinuria in 28% and hypertension in 50% of the subjects. Frequency of obesity, low HDL and hypertension was higher among females (p < 0.001 in each case). Retinopathy (p<0.05), nephropathy (p<0.005), neuropathy (p<0.005) and foot ulcers (p<0.001) were higher among males. Frequency of obesity was significantly higher among those with shorter duration and in younger group while frequency of other complications was higher among those with longer duration and in the older groups., Conclusion: Higher rates of complications were observed compared to previous studies. Certain variables showed significant association with gender and age as described above.