Ownership structure and firm performance: Evidence manufacturing companies listed in Dhaka Stock Exchange

Purpose: This study aims at examining the relationship between ownership structure and firm performance about manufacturing companies listed in Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE). Research Methodology: The analysis empirically uses dynamic panel data from 15 pharmaceutical and chemical companies enlisted in Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE). The study period was 2011-2020. The study used panel data regression analysis. Results: The study confirms that sampled companies' financial performance represented by ROA and ROE is significantly influenced by institutional ownership, ownership concentration, and foreign ownership whereas, negatively influenced by managerial ownership and insider ownership. The study didn't find any noteworthy association between block holders' ownership with firms' performance. Contribution: This study keeps a significant role in understanding the ownership structures’ influence on firms’ performance. More specifically the policymakers may consider the study for implementing the relevant issues. Limitations: The study's results were restricted to 15 Bangladeshi pharmaceutical and chemical companies enlisted in DSE and could not be applied to other companies doing business in Bangladesh

Association of vitamin D level with systemic lupus erythematosus: A case-control study

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease. SLE patients are more prone to vitamin D deficiency because of their light sensitivity, renal involvement, and prolonged steroid use. This current study aimed to determine the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and SLE. Methods: In this case-control study, 50 SLE patients (cases) and 50 healthy people (controls) were recruited. The reference value of vitamin D is as follows: normal ≥ 30 ng/ml, deficient ≤ 20 ng/ml, and insufficient 21–29 ng/ml. Results: The mean (standard deviation) of vitamin D levels in SLE patients was 19.5 (5.3) ng/mL, which was significantly lower than those in healthy controls, 27.3 (10.0) ng/mL (P<0.001). The healthy controls had a higher proportion of people with normal vitamin D levels (≥ 30 ng/ml). We noticed a moderate negative correlation between vitamin D levels and fatigability, while a moderate positive correlation was seen with hemoglobin levels and the duration of sun exposure. However, in multiple logistic regression analysis, all the associations mentioned above disappeared. Conclusion: Although vitamin deficiency was found to be associated with SLE, its relationship disappears when the confounding by other variables is considered in the analysis.

The knowledge level of rheumatoid arthritis patients about their disease in a developing country: A study in 168 Bangladeshi RA patients

Objectives To assess disease-related knowledge of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients Patients and methods Consecutive RA patients were invited from the rheumatology departments of BSMM University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Bangla version of the Patient Knowledge Questionnaire (B-PKQ) was used. Correlations between the B-PKQ scores and clinical-demographic data were measured using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Impact of independent variables on the level of knowledge about RA was analyzed through multiple regression analysis. Possible explanatory variables included the following: age, disease duration, formal education level, and Bangla Health Assessment Questionnaire (B-HAQ) score. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the difference between demographical, clinical, and socioeconomic variables. For statistical analysis, SPSS statistics version 20 was used. Results A total of 168 RA patients could be included. The mean B-PKQ score was 9.84 (range 1–20) from a possible maximum of 30. The mean time for answering the questionnaire was 24.3 min (range 15–34). Low scores were observed in all domains but the lowest were in medications and joint protection/energy conservation. Knowledge level was higher (15.5) in 6 patients who had RA education before enrollment. B-PKQ showed positive correlation with education level (r = 0.338) and negative correlation with HAQ (r = −0.169). The B-PKQ showed no correlation with age, disease duration, having first degree family member with RA, education from other sources (neighbor, RA patient, nurses), or information from mass media. Conclusions Disease-related knowledge of Bangladeshi RA patients was poor in all domains. Using these findings, improved education and knowledge will result in better disease control