Low Dose Aspirin therapy increase estrogen levels in
placenta to prevent Pre Eclampsia – Prof. Nusrat Nisar
Diabetics taking Aspirin require low dose of Insulin, offers benefits in many endocrine diseases as well – Dr. Abeer Memon
Aspirin Symposium at Indus Medical College
TANDO MUHAMMAD KHAN: Pakistan Aspirin Foundation in collaboration with Indus Medical College, University of Modern Sciences and Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine organized a symposium on Aspirin on January 22nd at IMC campus. Prof. Masood Hameed Khan former Vice Chancellor of Dow University of Health Sciences was the chief guest while Prof. Nawaz Lashari was the Guest of Honour on this occasion. The speakers from Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences included Prof. Nusrat Nisar Prof. of Obs & Gynae and Dr. Abeer Memon consultant endocrinologist. It was well attended by faculty members besides students and postgraduates.
Dr. Iqbal Memon and Prof. Feroz Memon Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of Uni-versity of Modern Sciences respectively presenting Mementoes to Prof. Nusrat Nisar and Dr. Ambreen speakers at the Aspirin Session held at IMC recently.
Speaking on the occasion Prof. Masood Hameed Khan commended the standard of teaching, training and healthcare being provided at Indus Medical College Hospital and hoped that University of Modern Sciences with its all affiliated institutions will play a vital role in the development of this area. He called upon the healthcare professionals to take care of their own health as well as of their family members since they are not immune to any disease. His advice to them was to have regular checkup and also get all family members vaccinated. Those who have good health will be able to take care of patients more efficiently, he added.
He advised the university management to invest in human resource and technical education. It will make people independent, they will become earning members of the family. He emphasized the importance of preventive health and stress management. Reactive approach in medicine does not work. Treatment of diseases is very expensive which many cannot afford hence prevention remains the only viable option. He advised the students present to take ISLET test, attend courses workshops on research methodology and Biostatistics. We need to present local data. You are all very intelligent. Money is not everything but it is something which we all need. He also referred to genetics and gene therapy and now even personalized medicine is possible. Prof. Nusrat Nisar and Dr. Abeer Memon have highlighted the safety and efficacy of Low Dose Aspirin therapy in pre eclampsia and many endocrine disorders. Low Dose Aspirin therapy is also very effective in various cardiovascular diseases while interventional cardiovascular procedures including stenting, angioplasty are very expensive. He congratulated Dr. Iqbal Memon and Prof. Feroz Memon for organizing this symposium. Prof. Saleh Memon father of Prof. Feroz Memon, was our first clinical teacher, he remarked.
Pakistan Aspirin Foundation in collaboration with Indus Medical College, Universi-ty of Modern Sciences and Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine organized a symposium on Aspirin on January 22nd 2025 at IMC. Picture shows Prof. Masood Hameed Khan, Prof. Nawaz Lashari, Dr. Iqbal Memon and Prof. Feroz Memon speaking on the occasion.
Prof. Nusrat Nisar in her presentation highlighted the efficacy of low dose aspirin therapy in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and pre eclampsia in particular. She discussed the signs and symptoms of pre eclampsia like nausea, high blood pressure and headache. Risk factors include hypertension, obesity, and history of pre eclampsia, reduced renal function, diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance. She laid emphasis on preventing pre eclampsia which has impact on maternal health. After delivery many of these women may suffer from various disorders. Untreated pre eclampsia may lead to various disorders including pre term births, IUGR, still birth and fetal complications.
Prevention of PE she said will reduce healthcare cost. Prevention include life style modifications, management of underlying conditions and avoiding high risk pregnancies. Screening, monitoring and good sleep is also important. Maternal mortality in Pakistan is very high. Antenatal care, she opined, should start with conception. The patients should be advised to control hypertension before conception. LDA has anti-inflammatory effects, offers mysterious benefits of increase in estrogen levels in placenta to prevent pre eclampsia.
American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists recommend that low dose aspirin therapy should be started at twelve weeks of gestation or at the latest at sixteen weeks and continued till twenty eighth week of gestation. Obese patients may require higher dose. Compliance with LDA, she reiterated, is very important. She concluded by stating that Pre Eclampsia is a multifactorial disease, prevention improves maternal and fetal outcome. LDA should be started at 12th week of gestation.
Dr. Iqbal Memon and Prof. Feroz Memon Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of Uni-versity of Modern Sciences respectively presenting Mementoes to Mr. Kashif Riaz from Atco Labs, Prof. Masood Hameed Khan and Prof. Nawaz Lashari who were Chief Guest and Guest of Honour at the Aspirin Symposium organized at IMC on January 22nd 2025.
Dr. Abeer Memon consultant endocrinologist spoke about pushing adjuvant therapy in managing endocrine disorders. Indications for LDA, she said, include Diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke. It reduces the cardiovascular mortality. ETDRS trial showed that low dose aspirin is effective in diabetic retinopathy and in GDM it has antiplatelet effect. People with diabetes taking aspirin require low dose of Insulin. It is also useful in thyroid glands, PCOS, obesity and insulin resistance. Studies have also shown its efficacy in recurrent pregnancy loss where it can be used with LWM heparin. It is useful in acromegaly, it decreases colorectal cancer, is effective in Cushing’s syndrome, pituitary glands as well.
Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid Chief Editor of Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences in his presentation on “Building professional capacity of healthcare professionals to promote research and quality in publications“ traced the history of starting Certificate Course in Medical Editing and Certificate in Medical Journalism and Editing (CMJE) at University of Health Sciences Lahore. These courses, he clarified, are a joint project of University of Health Sciences and Pakistan Association of Medical Editors which is supported by EMAME, he added.
He shared the detailed curriculum which consists of two four days contact sessions, five assignments, portfolio preparation which is evaluated by experts followed by Viva examination. Twenty five distinguished editors and researchers act as facilitator and mentors. So far six batches of CME and two batches of CMJE have qualified. After the CMJE candidates are required to write a research report to get Diploma in Medical Journalism. A dedicated department of Medical Journalism is being established at UHS and it is planned to eventually start Masters Programme, in the days to come. Ever since the start of this course, the number of Impact Fact Journals in Pakistan has increased from three to twelve which is one of our accomplishments, he stated.
Prof. Nawaz Lashari stated that Aspirin was first used as analgesic and anti-pyritic and its antiplatelet properties were discovered much later. He laid emphasis on the importance of clinical skills, good detailed history and comprehensive physical examination which will help you in reaching the correct diagnosis. Modern gadgetry including artificial intelligence will never replace physicians. Talk to the patient and regularly monitor your own blood pressure as well., he stated.
Earlier Prof. Feroz Memon President of Pakistan Aspirin Foundation in his welcome address thanked the speakers, panelists for their presence and PAF for holding the meeting at IMC. This institution was the realization of a dream of two dedicated individuals Prof. Jan Muhammad Memon and Dr. Iqbal Memon. It started functioning on March 1st 2011 and first batch of MBBS was enrolled in 2013-2014. In 2018 we got the charter of a Univesity. Our hospital is recognized by CPSP for fellowship in Paediatric, Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Physiology and community medicine. It is also recognized for MCPS in few specialties. Apart from Medical College, we have College of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, besides other postgraduate programmes like BS English and BBA.
Dr. Iqbal Memon thanked Prof. Masood Hameed for his help and assistance in establishing this institution when he was President of PM&DC. He alongwith Prof. Feroz Memon also presented traditional Sindhi Ajrak and Cap to the speakers, panelists. The symposium was arranged by Atco Laboratories who have been sponsoring all CME programmes of Pakistan Aspirin Foundation for the last many years. Prof. Feroz Memon particularly thanked Mr. Kashif Riaz Associate Director Marketing and Sales from ATCO for their help and assistance. Dr. Zaman Baloch thanked the speakers and all those who helped in organizing this academic activity at Indus Medical College.
