Hamza Maqsood | COMSATS Institute of IT Attock Campus (original) (raw)

Papers by Hamza Maqsood

Research paper thumbnail of A quantitative synthesis of disparities in the inclusion of racial/ethnic minorities and older adults in prostate cancer clinical trials over the last three decades

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2022

26 Background: The underrepresentation of minority populations in clinical trials negatively impa... more 26 Background: The underrepresentation of minority populations in clinical trials negatively impacts cancer and widens inequities. We aimed to quantify the enrollment disparities in prostate cancer (PC) clinical trials over the last three decades. Methods: MEDLINE and Embase were searched to identify primary reports of prostate cancer RCTs (1989-2020). Data for trial characteristics, the proportion of trials reporting race, ethnicity and age, and the proportion of patients by race, ethnicity and age enrolled in trials were summarized using descriptive statistics. Enrollment incidence ratios (EIR), which compare trial enrollment against global estimates of incidence in age-related subgroups (acquired from the Global Burden of Disease database) and U.S. population-based estimates of racial/ethnic subgroups (acquired from the SEER 18 incidence database) were calculated. Individual trial EIRs were pooled using random-effects meta-analyses to account for the substantial heterogeneity bet...

Research paper thumbnail of Bilateral basal ganglia ischemia associated with COVID-19: a case report and review of the literature

Journal of Medical Case Reports, 2021

Background Coronavirus disease 2019, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus ... more Background Coronavirus disease 2019, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has a broad clinical spectrum, from asymptomatic to multi-organ dysfunction. Acute cerebrovascular events associated with coronavirus disease 2019 are mainly due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-induced prothrombotic state. Bilateral basal ganglia ischemia is rarely reported. Case presentation We report the case of a 64-year-old Asian (Pakistani) gentleman who presented initially with fever, cough, and shortness of breath, likely due to respiratory involvement by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Later, he developed bilateral lower limb pain, followed by confusion and decreased level of consciousness. Accentuated large hypodense opacities were seen in the left and right basal ganglia, with mass effects on the left frontal horn. Conclusion This case demonstrates the importance of neuroimaging in the effective management of patients with neurological...

Research paper thumbnail of Role of Cod Liver Oil in Reducing Elevated Lipid Parameters

Cureus, 2021

Introduction The health benefits of cod oil, which includes omega-3 fatty acids, have been of con... more Introduction The health benefits of cod oil, which includes omega-3 fatty acids, have been of considerable interest to medicine due to its promising results. Studies have shown successful therapeutic effects of a high dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids by reducing the synthesis of very-low-density lipoprotein, with subsequent low levels of serum triglycerides. Methods This single-blind placebo-controlled two-arm interventional study was conducted in the internal medicine unit of a tertiary care hospital from October 2020 to April 2021. 600 treatment naïve patients with elevated cholesterol levels and/or elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were enrolled in the study and randomized into two groups. The study group received 415 mg cod liver oil daily as a capsule in a bottle, in addition to 10 mg rosuvastatin. On the other hand, the control group received 10 mg rosuvastatin with placebo capsules in an identical bottle. Participants were followed up on day 30. Results There was relatively more significant reductions in the total cholesterol (152.22 ± 29.75 mg/dL vs. 171.65 ± 31.21 mg/dL; p-value: <0.0001) and LDL (72.41 ± 27.52 mg/dL vs. 79.15 ± 29.12 mg/dL; p-value: <0.0001) in the intervention group compared to the placebo group after day 30. There was a significant reduction in all lipid values in both groups at day 30 as compared to day 0. Conclusion Our study indicates that cod liver oil in addition to rosuvastatin reduces cholesterol more compared to rosuvastatin alone. However, in all cases, lifestyle changes should be the first modification adopted by the patients. Further large-scale trials are needed to examine the role of cod liver oil in reducing lipid values.

Research paper thumbnail of 3D US in AAA abstract

Research paper thumbnail of Diversity and Inclusion in Internal Medicine Training Programs: An Unfulfilled Dream

Cureus, 2022

Background Promoting a diversified healthcare force fosters more culturally centered care, expand... more Background Promoting a diversified healthcare force fosters more culturally centered care, expands the approach to high-quality healthcare for poorly served populations, improves patient contentment, and broadens research agendas, all components essential to minimize healthcare imbalances. Our study reviews the trends of gender and racial disparity in Internal Medicine residency programs.

Research paper thumbnail of Hyponatremia and Its Correlation With Hepatic Encephalopathy and Severity of Liver Disease

Cureus, 2021

Background and objective Hepatic cirrhosis is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortalit... more Background and objective Hepatic cirrhosis is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Patients with cirrhosis frequently develop complications such as ascites, variceal bleeding, and hepatic encephalopathy (HE). The clinical manifestations of HE range from the mildly altered level of sensorium to severely altered consciousness levels, difficulty in judgment, the day-night reversal of sleep, flapping tremor of hands, and irrelevant talking or speech. Patients with hyponatremia are at a higher risk of developing HE and electroencephalographic abnormalities. The severity of hyponatremia is directly related to the deterioration in terms of grades of HE. Our study sought to determine the frequency of hyponatremia in cirrhotic patients and its correlation with the frequency and severity of HE. Methodology This study was carried out at the inpatient department of medicine in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. A total of 260 patients of both genders with hepatic cirrhosis were approached. After taking relevant history and physical examination, the venous blood sample of each patient was drawn and sent to the institutional laboratory for estimation of serum electrolytes, liver function tests (LFTs), renal parameters (RPMs), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and international normalized ratio (INR). We classified the HE according to the West Haven classification system. Mild to moderate encephalopathy was classified under grades I-II, while severe encephalopathy was classified under grades III-IV. We documented the severity of liver disease according to the Child-Pugh score criteria. All data were analyzed by using SPSS Statistics version 25.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY). We reported the data as means along with the standard error. Results Overall, the serum sodium levels of the subjects ranged from 115 to 142 meq/L with a mean of 129.11 ±6.53 meq/L. In patients with hyponatremia, it ranged from 115 to 127 meq/L (mean 121.41 ±5.17 meq/L). Hyponatremia was present in 96 (36.9%) patients. Among these, 51 (53.12%) were male and 45 (46.8%) were female; 24 (9.2%) patients had mild hyponatremia, 56 (21.5%) had moderate, and 16 (6.2%) had severe hyponatremia. HE was present in 176 (67.7%) patients. HE grade I was present in 54 (20.8%), grade II in 62 (23.8%), grade III in 32 (12.3%), and grade IV in 28 (10.8%) patients. In 96 patients with hyponatremia, 84 were found to have HE (p-value: <0.001). Conclusion Based on our findings, cirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis infections have a variable presence of low sodium levels. Sodium levels of <130 meq/L were associated with higher morbidity and mortality rate. Moreover, patients with lower levels of sodium had higher grades of HE.

Research paper thumbnail of Association of Quality of Life, Anxiety, and Depression with Restless Leg Syndrome in the Hemodialysis Patients

ObjectivesRestless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is commonly known to cause morbidity in patients on hemodi... more ObjectivesRestless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is commonly known to cause morbidity in patients on hemodialysis, making them prone to chronic mental health illnesses such as depression and anxiety, and also adversely impact quality of life. In this study, we examined the association of quality of life, anxiety, and depression with restless leg syndrome in the hemodialysis patients at Karachi Institute of Kidney Diseases. ResultsAbout 26.7% of the participants reported RLS among the sample size Presence of RLS was not associated with quality of life, depression, and anxiety. However, p-values <0.05 were significant for body-mass index (BMI), diabetes mellitus as a cause of end-stage renal disease, and serum albumin levels. Majority (82.5%) of the RLS-diagnosed patients had moderate to severe symptoms with 16 (40%) and 17 (42.5%) clients, respectively.

Research paper thumbnail of A Rare Case of Diffuse Neurofibroma of the Scalp With Destructive Lesions Involving the Base of the Skull in a Patient With Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Cureus, 2021

Maqsood et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons... more Maqsood et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC-BY 4.0., which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Research paper thumbnail of A Rare Case of Non-Gestational Metastatic Ovarian Choriocarcinoma: Case Report and Literature Review With a Special Emphasis on Imaging

Cureus, 2021

Non-gestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary is a very rare neoplasm. It carries a worse prognosi... more Non-gestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary is a very rare neoplasm. It carries a worse prognosis as compared to gestational choriocarcinoma (GCC). Here, we report a case of non-gestational ovarian choriocarcinoma. The patient initially presented in a medical emergency with abdominal pain, a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, cough, and dyspnea. The patient had four healthy children, and the last childbirth was five years ago. There was no history of any abortion or stillbirth in the past four years. A highly vascular left adnexal mass was observed on ultrasound abdomen and pelvis. Compute CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis were performed, which revealed metastatic left ovarian choriocarcinoma features. It also showed vascular metastases of the carcinoma in the kidneys, liver, and lungs. We report this case specifically emphasizing ultrasound, multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), and CT angiography findings.

Research paper thumbnail of Comparison of Iron Profile in Patients With and Without Coronary Heart Disease

Cureus, 2021

Introduction Atherosclerosis is considered a major cause of coronary artery disease (CAD). Pathog... more Introduction Atherosclerosis is considered a major cause of coronary artery disease (CAD). Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis involves the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) within the lysosomes of macrophages. Ferritin and iron have pro-oxidant properties, and ferritin is an independent positive determinant of oxidized LDL level. In this study, we will determine the association between ferritin and serum iron levels and CAD. Methods This case-control study was conducted in the cardiology unit of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan from December 2020 to April 2021. After taking informed consent, 400 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CAD were enrolled. Another set of 400 patients without a history of CAD were included in the control group. A blood sample of 5 ml was drawn and sent to the laboratory to test for ferritin, serum iron, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). Ferritin, serum iron, and iron-binding capacity were compared between the case and control groups. Resu...

Research paper thumbnail of Mediastinitis as a complication of Epstein-Barr virus infection: a rare entity

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2020

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the herpes virus family that can infect humans. Common ma... more Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the herpes virus family that can infect humans. Common manifestations of Epstein-Barr virus infection include fever, lymphadenopathy and pharyngitis with some rare complications including mediastinitis, myocarditis, pancreatitis, acute kidney failure and neurological disorders. Clinical findings along with serological evidences are needed to diagnose the infection. Early investigation for EBV in febrile patients can expedite both diagnosis and treatment.

Research paper thumbnail of Identification, risk stratification and prognostication of stroke by detection of intra-carotid plaque hemorrhage

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 2021

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Atherosclerotic stenosis of ... more Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Atherosclerotic stenosis of the internal carotid artery is present in 1% to 2% of the adult population and is the cause of 10% to 15% of ischemic strokes. Intra-plaque hemorrhage (IPH) in carotid stenosis increases the risk of cerebrovascular events. Magnetic resonance imaging can be used to detect pathologies like IPH and necrosis in carotid stenosis. Purpose : This study sought to compare the risk of stroke between patients with carotid artery disease with and without the presence of intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) on magnetic resonance imaging. Methods : In this meta-analysis we gathered the data from 10 original cohort studies including 631 patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis and 157 patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis. Primary outcome was the hazards of ipsilateral ischemic stroke which were compared between patients with and without IPH. Results : IPH was present in 57.1% of patients with symptom...

Research paper thumbnail of Sticky Floor, Broken Ladder, and Glass Ceiling: Gender and Racial Trends Among Neurosurgery Residents

Cureus, 2021

Introduction Diversity and equity in academic medicine are critically important in improving heal... more Introduction Diversity and equity in academic medicine are critically important in improving healthcare standards and patient-related outcomes. Gender and racial disparities are some major challenges faced by the health system. This article reviews the gender and racial trends among residents of neurosurgery in the United States (US). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data extracted from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)'s annual Data Resource Books from 2007 to 2019. ACGME cataloged gender as men and women and race/ethnicity was categorized as White/non-Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Island, Hispanic, Black/non-Hispanic, Native American/Alaskan, others, and unknown. Counts, proportions, relative, and absolute percentage changes were calculated to highlight trends in resident appointments over time and across the specialty of neurosurgery. Results The number of female residents increased steadily from 10.6% in 2007 to 19.3% in 2019; with an absolute increase of 8.74%, a relative increase of 63.9%, and a simultaneous decrease in male residents. When averaged across the nine-year study period, 51% of the study sample was White (non-Hispanic), followed by Asian/Pacific Islanders at 15.2%. The representation of Hispanics was 4.3%, Black/African Americans were 4.5%, Native Americans/Alaskans were 0.2%, and others were 8% of the total study population. Conclusion Our study concludes that gender and racial disparity persist within the neurosurgery residency training programs in the US. Concrete efforts at all academic levels are needed to provide greater support for the females and for the careers of underrepresented minority (URM) trainees to ensure their increased representation in neurosurgery.

Research paper thumbnail of Gender and Racial Trends Among Vascular Neurology Fellowship Programs: By Design or By Default

Research paper thumbnail of Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 and Its Association With Oxidative Stress and Lipid Profile in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Cureus, 2021

Introduction Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in diabetic patients. Oxi... more Introduction Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in diabetic patients. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction lead to diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) characterized by impaired cardiac structure and function. Hyperglycemia causes oxidative stress, which can lead to microvascular complications, macrovascular complications, and atherosclerosis. Peripheral tissues produce fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21), which has anti-inflammatory properties, increases oxidation of fatty acids, and improves insulin sensitivity. Its increased levels are found in metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus and may also lead to coronary heart disease. Our study sought to measure the serum FGF-21 levels and their associations with lipid profile parameters and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methodology One-hundred fifty (150) patients of both genders with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited along with 150 controls. Simple random sampling was done. After taking relevant history and physical examination, we drew venous blood samples of each patient and sent them to the institutional laboratory for analysis of fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), lipid profile, and FGF-21 serum levels. Oxidative stress parameter malondialdehyde (MDA) was estimated and the total antioxidant status by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) was assessed. Patients were followed up after three months to record the glycemic index, and the values were recorded. We used SPSS Software 25.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, USA) to analyze the data. For consideration of results to be statistically significant, a value of < 0.05 was selected. Results The levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were increased in diabetics compared to controls and were statistically significant (p<0.05). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was lower in diabetic patients as compared to the controls (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant increase in the level of MDA in diabetics compared to controls (p˂0.005). Serum levels of total antioxidant status (FRAP) were decreased in diabetics in comparison with controls (p˂0.005). Serum FGF-21 level was statistically increased in diabetics compared to controls (p˂0.005). FGF-21 and MDA are positively correlated and FGF-21 and FRAP are negatively correlated. Serum FGF-21 is positively correlated with total cholesterol, triglycerides, serum LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol. Conclusion Our study concludes that there is a significant correlation between fibroblast growth factor 21, oxidative stress, and abnormal lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients. FGF-21 could be the target of certain medications used to treat metabolic disorders and obesity.

Research paper thumbnail of Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 and Its Association With Oxidative Stress and Lipid Profile in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Cureus, 2021

Introduction Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in diabetic patients. Oxi... more Introduction Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in diabetic patients. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction lead to diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) characterized by impaired cardiac structure and function. Hyperglycemia causes oxidative stress, which can lead to microvascular complications, macrovascular complications, and atherosclerosis. Peripheral tissues produce fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21), which has anti-inflammatory properties, increases oxidation of fatty acids, and improves insulin sensitivity. Its increased levels are found in metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus and may also lead to coronary heart disease. Our study sought to measure the serum FGF-21 levels and their associations with lipid profile parameters and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methodology One-hundred fifty (150) patients of both genders with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited along with 150 controls. Simple random sampling was done. After taking relevant history and physical examination, we drew venous blood samples of each patient and sent them to the institutional laboratory for analysis of fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), lipid profile, and FGF-21 serum levels. Oxidative stress parameter malondialdehyde (MDA) was estimated and the total antioxidant status by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) was assessed. Patients were followed up after three months to record the glycemic index, and the values were recorded. We used SPSS Software 25.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, USA) to analyze the data. For consideration of results to be statistically significant, a value of < 0.05 was selected. Results The levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were increased in diabetics compared to controls and were statistically significant (p<0.05). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was lower in diabetic patients as compared to the controls (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant increase in the level of MDA in diabetics compared to controls (p˂0.005). Serum levels of total antioxidant status (FRAP) were decreased in diabetics in comparison with controls (p˂0.005). Serum FGF-21 level was statistically increased in diabetics compared to controls (p˂0.005). FGF-21 and MDA are positively correlated and FGF-21 and FRAP are negatively correlated. Serum FGF-21 is positively correlated with total cholesterol, triglycerides, serum LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol. Conclusion Our study concludes that there is a significant correlation between fibroblast growth factor 21, oxidative stress, and abnormal lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients. FGF-21 could be the target of certain medications used to treat metabolic disorders and obesity.

Research paper thumbnail of Gender and racial trends among neurology residents: an overview

Postgraduate Medical Journal, 2021

Diversification of academic medicine improves healthcare standards and patient outcomes. Gender a... more Diversification of academic medicine improves healthcare standards and patient outcomes. Gender and racial inequalities are major challenges faced by the healthcare system. This article reviews the trends of gender and racial disparity among residents of neurology. This retrospective analysis of the annual Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Data Resource Books encompassed all residents at US neurology residency training programmes from the year 2007 to 2018. The representation of women steadily increased, with an absolute increase of 3% from the year 2007 to 2018. Although the absolute change (%) increased for the White race, Asian/Pacific Islander, Black/African Americans, there was a decrease seen in the Hispanic representation in neurology residents from the year 2011 to 2018. There was no change seen for the Native Americans/Alaskans. Our study concluded that gender and racial disparity persists in the recruitment of residents in neurology. This study highlight...

Research paper thumbnail of Dyke-Davidoff-Masson Syndrome: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Cureus, 2020

Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome (DDMS) is a rare neurological disorder that results from brain inju... more Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome (DDMS) is a rare neurological disorder that results from brain injury in intrauterine or early years of life. Prominent cortical sulci, dilated lateral ventricles, cerebral hemiatrophy, hyperpneumatization of the frontal sinus, and compensatory hypertrophy of the skull are the characteristic findings. We describe a male patient who presented with generalized tonic-clonic seizure and left-sided body weakness and neuroimaging findings of cerebral hemiatrophy, dilatation of right lateral ventricle, right frontal sinus hyperpneumatization, and asymmetric calvarial thickening. Knowledge of its features on imaging enables timely and accurate diagnosis, allowing appropriate management.

Research paper thumbnail of Diagnostic accuracy of strain ultrasound elastography in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules, taking histopathology as gold standard

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2021

Background: Elastography is a method recently being used in the evaluation of thyroid nodules by ... more Background: Elastography is a method recently being used in the evaluation of thyroid nodules by comparing tissue elasticity. Strain and shear wave elastography are two types of elastography still being used in clinical practice. Two kinds of elasticity can be assessed by strain elastography. First, colors around and within the nodules are evaluated and visually scored according to the 4-5 scale scoring systems. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of strain ultrasound elastography in differentiation between benign and malignant thyroid nodules, taking histopathology as gold standardMethods: Total of 101 patients with palpable thyroid nodule of any size of age 30-70 years of either gender were included. Patients with previous thyroid surgery and already proven histopathology were excluded. Strain ultrasound elastography was performed in every patient by using a highresolution unit with a linear array probe centred at 7.5 MHz. Strain ultrasound elastography ...

Research paper thumbnail of Comparison of Metformin and Repaglinide Monotherapy in the Treatment of New-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Cureus, 2021

We intend to investigate the feasibility of using repaglinide as initial therapy in patients with... more We intend to investigate the feasibility of using repaglinide as initial therapy in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus naive to the oral anti-hyperglycemic agents by validating the effects of repaglinide on glycemic control (HbA1c) in comparison with metformin monotherapy. Methodology This parallel-controlled, randomized study was carried at the outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital. Two-hundred patients of both genders with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus were included. After taking relevant history and physical examination, we drew venous blood samples of each patient and sent them to the institutional laboratory for analysis of fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels, HbA1c, and lipid profile. We divided the patients into two subgroups based on the lottery method. Group A was prescribed metformin, and group B was prescribed repaglinide, while the dosages were adjusted according to the blood sugar levels. All data were analyzed using SPSS Software 25.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA). We reported the data as means along with the standard error. Results All patients completed the study. There was a decline in fasting blood glucose levels after three months of therapy, both in the metformin (135 mg/dl ± 6 mg/dl versus 115 mg/dl ± 7 mg/dl, p < 0.01) and repaglinide groups (145 ± 6 mg/dl versus 122 ± 6 mg/dl, p < 0.01). Similarly, significant reductions in HbA1c were seen in both metformin (7.12 ± 0.15% versus 6.67 ± 0.06%, p < 0.01) and repaglinide treatment groups (7.83 ± 0.67% versus 6.81 ± 0.07%, p < 0.01). After three months of treatment, body mass index (BMI) was significantly decreased in the metformin group (26.87±1.1 kg/m 2 versus 25.11 ± 0.44 kg/m 2 , p < 0.05). However, the patients in repaglinide group demonstrated a very slight decrease in BMI (27.11 ± 1.6 kg/m 2 versus 26.47 ± 0.40 kg/m 2). On follow-up, we found a significant decrease in triglyceride levels in both groups (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05. respectively). We also found that only the patients in metformin group showed some improvements in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (p < 0.05). Conclusion Our study concluded that both metformin and repaglinide have similar anti-hyperglycemic effects. Repaglinide can be prescribed as an alternative drug to metformin in patients with new-onset diabetes mellitus.

Research paper thumbnail of A quantitative synthesis of disparities in the inclusion of racial/ethnic minorities and older adults in prostate cancer clinical trials over the last three decades

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2022

26 Background: The underrepresentation of minority populations in clinical trials negatively impa... more 26 Background: The underrepresentation of minority populations in clinical trials negatively impacts cancer and widens inequities. We aimed to quantify the enrollment disparities in prostate cancer (PC) clinical trials over the last three decades. Methods: MEDLINE and Embase were searched to identify primary reports of prostate cancer RCTs (1989-2020). Data for trial characteristics, the proportion of trials reporting race, ethnicity and age, and the proportion of patients by race, ethnicity and age enrolled in trials were summarized using descriptive statistics. Enrollment incidence ratios (EIR), which compare trial enrollment against global estimates of incidence in age-related subgroups (acquired from the Global Burden of Disease database) and U.S. population-based estimates of racial/ethnic subgroups (acquired from the SEER 18 incidence database) were calculated. Individual trial EIRs were pooled using random-effects meta-analyses to account for the substantial heterogeneity bet...

Research paper thumbnail of Bilateral basal ganglia ischemia associated with COVID-19: a case report and review of the literature

Journal of Medical Case Reports, 2021

Background Coronavirus disease 2019, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus ... more Background Coronavirus disease 2019, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has a broad clinical spectrum, from asymptomatic to multi-organ dysfunction. Acute cerebrovascular events associated with coronavirus disease 2019 are mainly due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-induced prothrombotic state. Bilateral basal ganglia ischemia is rarely reported. Case presentation We report the case of a 64-year-old Asian (Pakistani) gentleman who presented initially with fever, cough, and shortness of breath, likely due to respiratory involvement by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Later, he developed bilateral lower limb pain, followed by confusion and decreased level of consciousness. Accentuated large hypodense opacities were seen in the left and right basal ganglia, with mass effects on the left frontal horn. Conclusion This case demonstrates the importance of neuroimaging in the effective management of patients with neurological...

Research paper thumbnail of Role of Cod Liver Oil in Reducing Elevated Lipid Parameters

Cureus, 2021

Introduction The health benefits of cod oil, which includes omega-3 fatty acids, have been of con... more Introduction The health benefits of cod oil, which includes omega-3 fatty acids, have been of considerable interest to medicine due to its promising results. Studies have shown successful therapeutic effects of a high dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids by reducing the synthesis of very-low-density lipoprotein, with subsequent low levels of serum triglycerides. Methods This single-blind placebo-controlled two-arm interventional study was conducted in the internal medicine unit of a tertiary care hospital from October 2020 to April 2021. 600 treatment naïve patients with elevated cholesterol levels and/or elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were enrolled in the study and randomized into two groups. The study group received 415 mg cod liver oil daily as a capsule in a bottle, in addition to 10 mg rosuvastatin. On the other hand, the control group received 10 mg rosuvastatin with placebo capsules in an identical bottle. Participants were followed up on day 30. Results There was relatively more significant reductions in the total cholesterol (152.22 ± 29.75 mg/dL vs. 171.65 ± 31.21 mg/dL; p-value: <0.0001) and LDL (72.41 ± 27.52 mg/dL vs. 79.15 ± 29.12 mg/dL; p-value: <0.0001) in the intervention group compared to the placebo group after day 30. There was a significant reduction in all lipid values in both groups at day 30 as compared to day 0. Conclusion Our study indicates that cod liver oil in addition to rosuvastatin reduces cholesterol more compared to rosuvastatin alone. However, in all cases, lifestyle changes should be the first modification adopted by the patients. Further large-scale trials are needed to examine the role of cod liver oil in reducing lipid values.

Research paper thumbnail of 3D US in AAA abstract

Research paper thumbnail of Diversity and Inclusion in Internal Medicine Training Programs: An Unfulfilled Dream

Cureus, 2022

Background Promoting a diversified healthcare force fosters more culturally centered care, expand... more Background Promoting a diversified healthcare force fosters more culturally centered care, expands the approach to high-quality healthcare for poorly served populations, improves patient contentment, and broadens research agendas, all components essential to minimize healthcare imbalances. Our study reviews the trends of gender and racial disparity in Internal Medicine residency programs.

Research paper thumbnail of Hyponatremia and Its Correlation With Hepatic Encephalopathy and Severity of Liver Disease

Cureus, 2021

Background and objective Hepatic cirrhosis is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortalit... more Background and objective Hepatic cirrhosis is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Patients with cirrhosis frequently develop complications such as ascites, variceal bleeding, and hepatic encephalopathy (HE). The clinical manifestations of HE range from the mildly altered level of sensorium to severely altered consciousness levels, difficulty in judgment, the day-night reversal of sleep, flapping tremor of hands, and irrelevant talking or speech. Patients with hyponatremia are at a higher risk of developing HE and electroencephalographic abnormalities. The severity of hyponatremia is directly related to the deterioration in terms of grades of HE. Our study sought to determine the frequency of hyponatremia in cirrhotic patients and its correlation with the frequency and severity of HE. Methodology This study was carried out at the inpatient department of medicine in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. A total of 260 patients of both genders with hepatic cirrhosis were approached. After taking relevant history and physical examination, the venous blood sample of each patient was drawn and sent to the institutional laboratory for estimation of serum electrolytes, liver function tests (LFTs), renal parameters (RPMs), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and international normalized ratio (INR). We classified the HE according to the West Haven classification system. Mild to moderate encephalopathy was classified under grades I-II, while severe encephalopathy was classified under grades III-IV. We documented the severity of liver disease according to the Child-Pugh score criteria. All data were analyzed by using SPSS Statistics version 25.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY). We reported the data as means along with the standard error. Results Overall, the serum sodium levels of the subjects ranged from 115 to 142 meq/L with a mean of 129.11 ±6.53 meq/L. In patients with hyponatremia, it ranged from 115 to 127 meq/L (mean 121.41 ±5.17 meq/L). Hyponatremia was present in 96 (36.9%) patients. Among these, 51 (53.12%) were male and 45 (46.8%) were female; 24 (9.2%) patients had mild hyponatremia, 56 (21.5%) had moderate, and 16 (6.2%) had severe hyponatremia. HE was present in 176 (67.7%) patients. HE grade I was present in 54 (20.8%), grade II in 62 (23.8%), grade III in 32 (12.3%), and grade IV in 28 (10.8%) patients. In 96 patients with hyponatremia, 84 were found to have HE (p-value: <0.001). Conclusion Based on our findings, cirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis infections have a variable presence of low sodium levels. Sodium levels of <130 meq/L were associated with higher morbidity and mortality rate. Moreover, patients with lower levels of sodium had higher grades of HE.

Research paper thumbnail of Association of Quality of Life, Anxiety, and Depression with Restless Leg Syndrome in the Hemodialysis Patients

ObjectivesRestless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is commonly known to cause morbidity in patients on hemodi... more ObjectivesRestless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is commonly known to cause morbidity in patients on hemodialysis, making them prone to chronic mental health illnesses such as depression and anxiety, and also adversely impact quality of life. In this study, we examined the association of quality of life, anxiety, and depression with restless leg syndrome in the hemodialysis patients at Karachi Institute of Kidney Diseases. ResultsAbout 26.7% of the participants reported RLS among the sample size Presence of RLS was not associated with quality of life, depression, and anxiety. However, p-values <0.05 were significant for body-mass index (BMI), diabetes mellitus as a cause of end-stage renal disease, and serum albumin levels. Majority (82.5%) of the RLS-diagnosed patients had moderate to severe symptoms with 16 (40%) and 17 (42.5%) clients, respectively.

Research paper thumbnail of A Rare Case of Diffuse Neurofibroma of the Scalp With Destructive Lesions Involving the Base of the Skull in a Patient With Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Cureus, 2021

Maqsood et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons... more Maqsood et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC-BY 4.0., which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Research paper thumbnail of A Rare Case of Non-Gestational Metastatic Ovarian Choriocarcinoma: Case Report and Literature Review With a Special Emphasis on Imaging

Cureus, 2021

Non-gestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary is a very rare neoplasm. It carries a worse prognosi... more Non-gestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary is a very rare neoplasm. It carries a worse prognosis as compared to gestational choriocarcinoma (GCC). Here, we report a case of non-gestational ovarian choriocarcinoma. The patient initially presented in a medical emergency with abdominal pain, a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, cough, and dyspnea. The patient had four healthy children, and the last childbirth was five years ago. There was no history of any abortion or stillbirth in the past four years. A highly vascular left adnexal mass was observed on ultrasound abdomen and pelvis. Compute CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis were performed, which revealed metastatic left ovarian choriocarcinoma features. It also showed vascular metastases of the carcinoma in the kidneys, liver, and lungs. We report this case specifically emphasizing ultrasound, multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), and CT angiography findings.

Research paper thumbnail of Comparison of Iron Profile in Patients With and Without Coronary Heart Disease

Cureus, 2021

Introduction Atherosclerosis is considered a major cause of coronary artery disease (CAD). Pathog... more Introduction Atherosclerosis is considered a major cause of coronary artery disease (CAD). Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis involves the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) within the lysosomes of macrophages. Ferritin and iron have pro-oxidant properties, and ferritin is an independent positive determinant of oxidized LDL level. In this study, we will determine the association between ferritin and serum iron levels and CAD. Methods This case-control study was conducted in the cardiology unit of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan from December 2020 to April 2021. After taking informed consent, 400 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CAD were enrolled. Another set of 400 patients without a history of CAD were included in the control group. A blood sample of 5 ml was drawn and sent to the laboratory to test for ferritin, serum iron, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC). Ferritin, serum iron, and iron-binding capacity were compared between the case and control groups. Resu...

Research paper thumbnail of Mediastinitis as a complication of Epstein-Barr virus infection: a rare entity

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2020

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the herpes virus family that can infect humans. Common ma... more Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the herpes virus family that can infect humans. Common manifestations of Epstein-Barr virus infection include fever, lymphadenopathy and pharyngitis with some rare complications including mediastinitis, myocarditis, pancreatitis, acute kidney failure and neurological disorders. Clinical findings along with serological evidences are needed to diagnose the infection. Early investigation for EBV in febrile patients can expedite both diagnosis and treatment.

Research paper thumbnail of Identification, risk stratification and prognostication of stroke by detection of intra-carotid plaque hemorrhage

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 2021

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Atherosclerotic stenosis of ... more Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Atherosclerotic stenosis of the internal carotid artery is present in 1% to 2% of the adult population and is the cause of 10% to 15% of ischemic strokes. Intra-plaque hemorrhage (IPH) in carotid stenosis increases the risk of cerebrovascular events. Magnetic resonance imaging can be used to detect pathologies like IPH and necrosis in carotid stenosis. Purpose : This study sought to compare the risk of stroke between patients with carotid artery disease with and without the presence of intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) on magnetic resonance imaging. Methods : In this meta-analysis we gathered the data from 10 original cohort studies including 631 patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis and 157 patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis. Primary outcome was the hazards of ipsilateral ischemic stroke which were compared between patients with and without IPH. Results : IPH was present in 57.1% of patients with symptom...

Research paper thumbnail of Sticky Floor, Broken Ladder, and Glass Ceiling: Gender and Racial Trends Among Neurosurgery Residents

Cureus, 2021

Introduction Diversity and equity in academic medicine are critically important in improving heal... more Introduction Diversity and equity in academic medicine are critically important in improving healthcare standards and patient-related outcomes. Gender and racial disparities are some major challenges faced by the health system. This article reviews the gender and racial trends among residents of neurosurgery in the United States (US). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data extracted from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)'s annual Data Resource Books from 2007 to 2019. ACGME cataloged gender as men and women and race/ethnicity was categorized as White/non-Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Island, Hispanic, Black/non-Hispanic, Native American/Alaskan, others, and unknown. Counts, proportions, relative, and absolute percentage changes were calculated to highlight trends in resident appointments over time and across the specialty of neurosurgery. Results The number of female residents increased steadily from 10.6% in 2007 to 19.3% in 2019; with an absolute increase of 8.74%, a relative increase of 63.9%, and a simultaneous decrease in male residents. When averaged across the nine-year study period, 51% of the study sample was White (non-Hispanic), followed by Asian/Pacific Islanders at 15.2%. The representation of Hispanics was 4.3%, Black/African Americans were 4.5%, Native Americans/Alaskans were 0.2%, and others were 8% of the total study population. Conclusion Our study concludes that gender and racial disparity persist within the neurosurgery residency training programs in the US. Concrete efforts at all academic levels are needed to provide greater support for the females and for the careers of underrepresented minority (URM) trainees to ensure their increased representation in neurosurgery.

Research paper thumbnail of Gender and Racial Trends Among Vascular Neurology Fellowship Programs: By Design or By Default

Research paper thumbnail of Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 and Its Association With Oxidative Stress and Lipid Profile in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Cureus, 2021

Introduction Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in diabetic patients. Oxi... more Introduction Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in diabetic patients. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction lead to diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) characterized by impaired cardiac structure and function. Hyperglycemia causes oxidative stress, which can lead to microvascular complications, macrovascular complications, and atherosclerosis. Peripheral tissues produce fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21), which has anti-inflammatory properties, increases oxidation of fatty acids, and improves insulin sensitivity. Its increased levels are found in metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus and may also lead to coronary heart disease. Our study sought to measure the serum FGF-21 levels and their associations with lipid profile parameters and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methodology One-hundred fifty (150) patients of both genders with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited along with 150 controls. Simple random sampling was done. After taking relevant history and physical examination, we drew venous blood samples of each patient and sent them to the institutional laboratory for analysis of fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), lipid profile, and FGF-21 serum levels. Oxidative stress parameter malondialdehyde (MDA) was estimated and the total antioxidant status by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) was assessed. Patients were followed up after three months to record the glycemic index, and the values were recorded. We used SPSS Software 25.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, USA) to analyze the data. For consideration of results to be statistically significant, a value of < 0.05 was selected. Results The levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were increased in diabetics compared to controls and were statistically significant (p<0.05). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was lower in diabetic patients as compared to the controls (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant increase in the level of MDA in diabetics compared to controls (p˂0.005). Serum levels of total antioxidant status (FRAP) were decreased in diabetics in comparison with controls (p˂0.005). Serum FGF-21 level was statistically increased in diabetics compared to controls (p˂0.005). FGF-21 and MDA are positively correlated and FGF-21 and FRAP are negatively correlated. Serum FGF-21 is positively correlated with total cholesterol, triglycerides, serum LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol. Conclusion Our study concludes that there is a significant correlation between fibroblast growth factor 21, oxidative stress, and abnormal lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients. FGF-21 could be the target of certain medications used to treat metabolic disorders and obesity.

Research paper thumbnail of Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 and Its Association With Oxidative Stress and Lipid Profile in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Cureus, 2021

Introduction Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in diabetic patients. Oxi... more Introduction Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in diabetic patients. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction lead to diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) characterized by impaired cardiac structure and function. Hyperglycemia causes oxidative stress, which can lead to microvascular complications, macrovascular complications, and atherosclerosis. Peripheral tissues produce fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21), which has anti-inflammatory properties, increases oxidation of fatty acids, and improves insulin sensitivity. Its increased levels are found in metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus and may also lead to coronary heart disease. Our study sought to measure the serum FGF-21 levels and their associations with lipid profile parameters and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methodology One-hundred fifty (150) patients of both genders with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited along with 150 controls. Simple random sampling was done. After taking relevant history and physical examination, we drew venous blood samples of each patient and sent them to the institutional laboratory for analysis of fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), lipid profile, and FGF-21 serum levels. Oxidative stress parameter malondialdehyde (MDA) was estimated and the total antioxidant status by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) was assessed. Patients were followed up after three months to record the glycemic index, and the values were recorded. We used SPSS Software 25.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, USA) to analyze the data. For consideration of results to be statistically significant, a value of < 0.05 was selected. Results The levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were increased in diabetics compared to controls and were statistically significant (p<0.05). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was lower in diabetic patients as compared to the controls (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant increase in the level of MDA in diabetics compared to controls (p˂0.005). Serum levels of total antioxidant status (FRAP) were decreased in diabetics in comparison with controls (p˂0.005). Serum FGF-21 level was statistically increased in diabetics compared to controls (p˂0.005). FGF-21 and MDA are positively correlated and FGF-21 and FRAP are negatively correlated. Serum FGF-21 is positively correlated with total cholesterol, triglycerides, serum LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol. Conclusion Our study concludes that there is a significant correlation between fibroblast growth factor 21, oxidative stress, and abnormal lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients. FGF-21 could be the target of certain medications used to treat metabolic disorders and obesity.

Research paper thumbnail of Gender and racial trends among neurology residents: an overview

Postgraduate Medical Journal, 2021

Diversification of academic medicine improves healthcare standards and patient outcomes. Gender a... more Diversification of academic medicine improves healthcare standards and patient outcomes. Gender and racial inequalities are major challenges faced by the healthcare system. This article reviews the trends of gender and racial disparity among residents of neurology. This retrospective analysis of the annual Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Data Resource Books encompassed all residents at US neurology residency training programmes from the year 2007 to 2018. The representation of women steadily increased, with an absolute increase of 3% from the year 2007 to 2018. Although the absolute change (%) increased for the White race, Asian/Pacific Islander, Black/African Americans, there was a decrease seen in the Hispanic representation in neurology residents from the year 2011 to 2018. There was no change seen for the Native Americans/Alaskans. Our study concluded that gender and racial disparity persists in the recruitment of residents in neurology. This study highlight...

Research paper thumbnail of Dyke-Davidoff-Masson Syndrome: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Cureus, 2020

Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome (DDMS) is a rare neurological disorder that results from brain inju... more Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome (DDMS) is a rare neurological disorder that results from brain injury in intrauterine or early years of life. Prominent cortical sulci, dilated lateral ventricles, cerebral hemiatrophy, hyperpneumatization of the frontal sinus, and compensatory hypertrophy of the skull are the characteristic findings. We describe a male patient who presented with generalized tonic-clonic seizure and left-sided body weakness and neuroimaging findings of cerebral hemiatrophy, dilatation of right lateral ventricle, right frontal sinus hyperpneumatization, and asymmetric calvarial thickening. Knowledge of its features on imaging enables timely and accurate diagnosis, allowing appropriate management.

Research paper thumbnail of Diagnostic accuracy of strain ultrasound elastography in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules, taking histopathology as gold standard

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2021

Background: Elastography is a method recently being used in the evaluation of thyroid nodules by ... more Background: Elastography is a method recently being used in the evaluation of thyroid nodules by comparing tissue elasticity. Strain and shear wave elastography are two types of elastography still being used in clinical practice. Two kinds of elasticity can be assessed by strain elastography. First, colors around and within the nodules are evaluated and visually scored according to the 4-5 scale scoring systems. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of strain ultrasound elastography in differentiation between benign and malignant thyroid nodules, taking histopathology as gold standardMethods: Total of 101 patients with palpable thyroid nodule of any size of age 30-70 years of either gender were included. Patients with previous thyroid surgery and already proven histopathology were excluded. Strain ultrasound elastography was performed in every patient by using a highresolution unit with a linear array probe centred at 7.5 MHz. Strain ultrasound elastography ...

Research paper thumbnail of Comparison of Metformin and Repaglinide Monotherapy in the Treatment of New-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Cureus, 2021

We intend to investigate the feasibility of using repaglinide as initial therapy in patients with... more We intend to investigate the feasibility of using repaglinide as initial therapy in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus naive to the oral anti-hyperglycemic agents by validating the effects of repaglinide on glycemic control (HbA1c) in comparison with metformin monotherapy. Methodology This parallel-controlled, randomized study was carried at the outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital. Two-hundred patients of both genders with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus were included. After taking relevant history and physical examination, we drew venous blood samples of each patient and sent them to the institutional laboratory for analysis of fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels, HbA1c, and lipid profile. We divided the patients into two subgroups based on the lottery method. Group A was prescribed metformin, and group B was prescribed repaglinide, while the dosages were adjusted according to the blood sugar levels. All data were analyzed using SPSS Software 25.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA). We reported the data as means along with the standard error. Results All patients completed the study. There was a decline in fasting blood glucose levels after three months of therapy, both in the metformin (135 mg/dl ± 6 mg/dl versus 115 mg/dl ± 7 mg/dl, p < 0.01) and repaglinide groups (145 ± 6 mg/dl versus 122 ± 6 mg/dl, p < 0.01). Similarly, significant reductions in HbA1c were seen in both metformin (7.12 ± 0.15% versus 6.67 ± 0.06%, p < 0.01) and repaglinide treatment groups (7.83 ± 0.67% versus 6.81 ± 0.07%, p < 0.01). After three months of treatment, body mass index (BMI) was significantly decreased in the metformin group (26.87±1.1 kg/m 2 versus 25.11 ± 0.44 kg/m 2 , p < 0.05). However, the patients in repaglinide group demonstrated a very slight decrease in BMI (27.11 ± 1.6 kg/m 2 versus 26.47 ± 0.40 kg/m 2). On follow-up, we found a significant decrease in triglyceride levels in both groups (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05. respectively). We also found that only the patients in metformin group showed some improvements in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (p < 0.05). Conclusion Our study concluded that both metformin and repaglinide have similar anti-hyperglycemic effects. Repaglinide can be prescribed as an alternative drug to metformin in patients with new-onset diabetes mellitus.