Only few epidemiological studies have examined the rate of active H. pylori infection in the symptomatic population in Pakistan. This retrospective study presents the laboratory data collected during the past 13 years (2002 to 2015) from 2315 symptomatic patients referred to the BreathMAT Lab, Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute, Islamabad for the diagnosis of active H. pylori infection using the 13C Urea Breath Test. Rate of infection and its association with gender and age were evaluated. The overall rate of active H. pylori infection was 49.5% and there was no association of this rate of infection with gender. An increase in rate of infection was observed with increasing age with significant difference (p < 0.05). The patients that tested negative for this infection might be having symptoms due to stress and indiscriminate use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in this community. The fact that half of the symptomatic patients were negative needs to be highlighted and further suggests that symptomatic patients should be tested by the 13C UBT before prescribing antibiotic treatment for H. pylori eradication. In addition, there is a need to educate this community about the harmful and side effects of self medication and overuse of NSAIDs.

The vacuolating cytotoxin VacA and cytotoxin associated gene product CagA, encoded by vacA and cagA are major virulence determinants associated with pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori. The presence and prevalence of two major H. pylori virulence associated genes among gastric biopsies of Pakistani children were investigated in the current study. Fifty one gastric biopsy specimens of children were analysed for 16S rRNA, vacA and cagA genes using PCR. The results showed that 21 (41.2%) biopsies were positive for H. pylori as determined by 16S rRNA PCR. In the 21 H. pylori positive gastric biopsies, 19 (90.5%) showed vacA s1a, 1 (4.75%) was vacA s1b and 1 (4.75%) was vacA s2 whereas, 5 (23.8%) were vacA m1 and 16 (76.2%) were vacA m2. None of the H. pylori positive biopsies carried vacA s1c subtype. The cagA gene was found in 13 (61.9%) of H. pylori infected biopsies and different vacA combinations were found with or without cagA gene. H. pylori was detected with high frequency of cagA while vacA s1a and vacA m2 regions with vacA s1a/m2 genotype were predominant in H. pylori infected gastric biopsies of children.

Background: Misconceptions regarding activities after pacemaker implantation can result in restrictions in daily life. This study aims at measuring the correction of misconceptions following an educational intervention utilizing a picture based brochure and personal counseling. Methods: One hundred and twenty-eight patients were enrolled in a quasi experimental study on the day after pacemaker implantation. Patients’ perceptions about safety of various daily activities, medical procedures, and usage of appliances, in the presence of pacemaker was assessed using a questionnaire before and ten days after an educational intervention using a pictorial brochure. The number of correct responses before and after the intervention was compared to assess the change in patients’ perception. Results: A total of 128 patients were interviewed at baseline, of which 115 followed-up at 10 days. Mean age of patients was 60.31 ± 12.81 years. In total, 76 (59.4%) were male and 61(47.7%) were illiterate. Mean correct responses increased from 64.47 ± 29.48% to 92.29 ± 14.42% (p < 0.001). Percent of questions answered correctly improved in all three categories after the intervention. Correct answers increased from 74.57 ± 24.94% to 95.65 ± 11.48% (p  < 0.001) for routine daily activities, 51.09 ± 33.9% to 84.78 ± 20.86% (p < 0.001) for medical procedures and 64.03 ± 37.36% to 92.57 ± 18.79% (p  < 0.001) for domestic appliance usage. Conclusion Misconception that can adversely affect pacemaker patient’s quality of life can be corrected by counseling with pictorial based brochures regardless of the patient’s baseline knowledge or education.

Background: Misconceptions regarding activities after pacemaker implantation can result in restrictions in daily life. This study aims at measuring the correction of misconceptions following an educational intervention utilizing a picture based brochure and personal counseling. Methods: One hundred and twenty-eight patients were enrolled in a quasi experimental study on the day after pacemaker implantation. Patients’ perceptions about safety of various daily activities, medical procedures, and usage of appliances, in the presence of pacemaker was assessed using a questionnaire before and ten days after an educational intervention using a pictorial brochure. The number of correct responses before and after the intervention was compared to assess the change in patients’ perception. Results: A total of 128 patients were interviewed at baseline, of which 115 followed-up at 10 days. Mean age of patients was 60.31 ± 12.81 years. In total, 76 (59.4%) were male and 61(47.7%) were illiterate. Mean correct responses increased from 64.47 ± 29.48% to 92.29 ± 14.42% (p < 0.001). Percent of questions answered correctly improved in all three categories after the intervention. Correct answers increased from 74.57 ± 24.94% to 95.65 ± 11.48% (p  < 0.001) for routine daily activities, 51.09 ± 33.9% to 84.78 ± 20.86% (p < 0.001) for medical procedures and 64.03 ± 37.36% to 92.57 ± 18.79% (p  < 0.001) for domestic appliance usage. Conclusion Misconception that can adversely affect pacemaker patient’s quality of life can be corrected by counseling with pictorial based brochures regardless of the patient’s baseline knowledge or education.