Efficacy of Flaxseed and Fish Oils on Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective: To assess the relative efficacy of flaxseed and fish oils in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: The comparative study was conducted in the outpatient department of Rheumatology at Fatima Memorial Hospital, Shadman, Lahore, Pakistan, from July to December 2017, and comprised rheumatoid arthritis patients who were divided into group A receiving 3g/day of flaxseed oil and group B receiving 3g/day of fish oil for 90 days. Blood samples were taken at baseline and post-intervention to note the difference on biochemical parameters. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. Results: Of the 60 patients, there were 30(50%) in each of the two groups. Overall, there were 8(13.3%) males and 52(86.7%) females. Both groups showed significant change in all biochemical parameters compared to baseline values (p<0.05). Intergroup comparison showed that flaxseed oil treatment was significantly more effective than fish oil treatment (p<0.05). Conclusion: While both forms of intervention were found to be effective, flaxseed oil was significantly more effective than fish oil in reducing the inflammation of joints in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, Synovial joints, Flax, Fish oil, Omega 3 fatty acids

A conceptual paper on Lahore-Pakistan pregnancy cohort study

Pakistan is among the countries with a high rate of fertility and maternal mortality, and it's in a contract with sustainable development goals (SDGs) to achieve its 5th goal (achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls). Remaining this rate high with the availability of evidence-based strategies for reducing maternal mortality and advances in medical technology in Pakistan, this study will attempt to explore the methodology of the Lahore Pregnancy Cohort Study (LPCS). The objectives of the study were to determine the nutritional status, environmental factors (socio-economic status and food insecurity) and psychological status (depression and anxiety) of pregnant women. Moreover, the study will be an ongoing two-year prospective cohort study of Pakistani pregnant women in their 2nd trimester from the outpatient department of Fatima Memorial Hospital Lahore, Pakistan. Meanwhile, during pregnancy, their interview was conducted three times in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy and postpartum