There are about 620 clinical studies being (or have been) conducted in Bangladesh. The country of the clinical trial is determined by the location of where the clinical research is being studied. Most studies are often held in multiple locations & countries.
Background: Burden: Globally, an estimated 14.3 million under-5 children are severely malnourished. Two-thirds of them live in Asian countries, including Bangladesh. Acute malnutrition is an underlying cause of nearly half of global deaths in under-5 children despite standardized rehabilitation protocols. It is also associated with high relapse rates following discharge. Knowledge Gap: Malnourished children suffer from deficiencies of several essential nutrients. Studies showed that malnourished children had lower serum carnitine levels and demonstrated its role in the rate of weight gain in children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). The consequences of nutritional impairment can be perilous if carnitine deficiency is coupled with Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (EED). Recent evidence confirms that EED is characterized by secondary carnitine deficiency in children. Carnitine deficiency leading to EED may cause childhood growth faltering and impaired cognitive development. However, evidence on carnitine status and its consequences in relation to EED in diarrheal children with SAM is very limited in Bangladesh. Relevance: Such lack of information regarding the role of L-carnitine in improving the rate of weight gain in malnourished children susceptible to EED is an obstacle in limiting the relapse and adverse consequences of SAM in diarrheal children living in resource-limited countries. Hypothesis: L- carnitine supplementation for 15 days in children with SAM will improve the rate of weight gain and biomarkers of EED Objective: 1. To investigate the role of L-carnitine supplementation on the rate of weight gain among the children with SAM 2. To investigate the role of L-carnitine supplementation on the duration of the hospital stays 3. To examine the role of L-carnitine supplementation on EED biomarkers, for instance, myeloperoxidase (MPO), neopterin (NEO), alpha-1 anti-trypsin (A1AT), kynurenine: tryptophan (KT) ratio, and citrulline in children with SAM Methods: This study will be a double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial
Several studies suggested low serum level of vitamin D have been associated with rheumatoid arthritis. So, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation along with CsDMARD in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
In recent years, returning genetic results to research participants has become a topic of debate, with a growing consensus that researchers should offer to return incidental findings and research results to participants. Currently, the research and debates surrounding return of results (ROR) have primarily taken place in high-income countries. Less attention has been paid to ROR in lower-resource countries. However, research participants in these settings may have additional threats, barriers, and/or competing interests that reduce the benefit or relevance of receiving genetic results. Arsenic is a toxic metal. Exposure to arsenic increases a person's risk for cancer, especially in the lung, kidney, bladder and skin. Many people in Bangladesh are exposed to elevated environmental levels of arsenic through naturally contaminated drinking water. People who metabolize arsenic (remove it from their body) slower compared to people who metabolize arsenic more efficiently are at higher risk for arsenic toxicities (e.g. cancer). The investigators have designed a study in which they plan to enroll individuals who have had consistently high urine As levels (≥200 µg/g creatinine) based on 15-20 years of follow-up data. The treatment and control groups will be selected based on genotype (i.e. inefficient and efficient As metabolizers, respectively), allowing for the selection of the groups to be quasi-random (based on inherited genotypes). A standard informational intervention will be provided to both the treatment and controls groups, reminding them of the effects of As exposure and strategies to reduce their exposure. The research question is whether the treatment group will, have a larger decrease in urine arsenic levels compared to the control group, indicating that the ROR intervention caused a change in water-seeking behavior leading to lower arsenic exposure.
Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is one of the most common causes of mechanical low back pain (LBP) associated with radiating leg pain. Conservative treatment, including exercise, analgesic, and physical therapy, is regarded as the first-line treatment of LDH. This randomized clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of back and hip strengthening exercises combined with activities of daily living instructions (ADLIs) to reduce pain intensity in patients with LDH.
Title: Reducing malnutrition and helminthic infectious disease among primary school children by the school nurses: School-based non-randomized study in a developing country Introduction: Globally, malnutrition alone with the infectious disease a widespread problem among primary school (5 to 12 years) children. Infectious diseases such as worm infestations are aggravated with nutritional disorders which most often lead to anemia and several complications. The prevalence of malnutrition and intestinal worm infestation/ helminthic infection is still high and the awareness level of those issues is immensely poor. However, there are limited studies that evaluated the impact of increasing health awareness by the development of the Health Awareness Program for Primary School Children (HAPSC) which is conducted by the experimentally placed school nurse in Bangladesh. Objective: To increase health awareness and knowledge towards reducing malnutrition and intestinal worm infestation by implement and evaluate the impact of the Health Awareness Program for Primary School children (HAPSC) in Bangladesh. Methods: Design: A prospective, open-label, parallel-group (1:1), cluster non-randomization controlled trial (NRCT) Site and sample: School children from four primary schools in the rural areas of North Matlab at Chandpur district at Chittagong division in Bangladesh. Duration: The duration of this study is from August 2021 to March 2024 (32nd months). Outcome variables: Primary: changes in malnutrition among primary school children. Secondary: Evaluate and reduce the prevalence of intestinal worm infestation, increase awareness and knowledge regarding malnutritional and intestinal worm infestation, improvement of health behavior (eating and hygiene), frequency of school absent days, and health-related quality of life. Conclusion: Health education by the health professional in the school setting may be an effective method for improving health behavior, and increasing awareness and knowledge levels about malnutrition and intestinal worm infestation from early childhood.
Hypertension became the leading risk factor of death globally as well as in Bangladesh. Uncontrolled hypertension is the key challenge for the success of a hypertension control programs. According to the last national STEPS Survey in Bangladesh, hypertension control rate is only 11%. World Health Organization promoted the HEARTS technical package for the hypertension control programs to improve the control scenario. National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh is implementing a hypertension control program in selected Upazilas (sub-districts) of Bangladesh in collaboration with Non-Communicable Disease Control (NCDC) Program of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and Resolve to Save Lives, USA. Proposed quasi experimental study will be conducted in collaboration with NCDC of DGHS, Resolve to Save Lives, USA and Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore with an objective of to evaluate the impact of HEARTS package on the rate of hypertension control in primary health care centers in Bangladesh. In this study equal number of hypertensive adult patients will be recruited in Upazila Health Complexes of control and intervention groups with a hypothesis of, implementation of HEARTS technical package in primary health care centers can reduce the blood pressure significantly. After obtaining informed written consent, respondents' basic demographic information, history of antihypertensive medication intake and related comorbidities will be taken. Blood pressure measurements data will be recorded also. All of these data will be collected via a secured mobile application, Simple App. Collected data will be preserved in a secured cloud based database. After six months of enrolment, and end-line data will be collected at the community setup, preferably at the home of respondents, following standard techniques of BP measurement by experienced Field Research Assistants. During whole of the study procedure, every ethical right of the participants will be preserved with an utmost priority. De-identified data will be shared with the partner organizations for further scientific analysis. This study will generate robust evidence for use of HEARTS technical packages in low-and middle-income countries, like Bangladesh, especially at low-level health facilities and provide guidance for designing and implementation of other hypertension control programs.
Lack of adequate sun exposure due to urbanization is prone to hypovitaminosis D. Vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) deficiency is now a major health concern in the western world. Recent data suggest that Vitamin D level in the Bangladeshi population is also very low. However, the cutoff value used to determine vitamin D deficiency is not yet validated for our ethnic group; we also don't know the optimal vitamin D level for our population. Before coming to any firm conclusion regarding nationwide vitamin D deficiency, we must know the Optimal range of serum Vitamin D for our people of Bangladesh. As sunlight is the primary source of vitamin D and adequate sun exposure alone is sufficient to produce enough vitamin D to maintain the physiological demand without producing toxicity. According to Holick's rule, exposure to sunlight at the face and both arms for 25 min, 3 times a week should maintain adequate vitamin D status. In Indonesia, it was found that after exposure to sunlight at this specific time and duration for 6 weeks, the mean 25(OH)D levels of participants increased from 59 nmol/L at the baseline to 84 nmol/L.In India, exposure to sunlight for 30 minutes, between 11 am and 2 pm, three times a week, is sufficient to maintain adequate serum vitamin D concentration. Therefore it could be assumed that healthy subjects without any risk factors for vitamin D deficiency and having adequate sun exposure should maintain an Optimal serum vitamin D concentration. Here Optimal means a range where there will be no features of insufficiency or toxicity. In this cross-sectional study, we want to find out the serum vitamin D level of such a population, representing the Optimal level of vitamin D for Bangladeshi people.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN) is one of the major complications of diabetes mellitus which accelerates the occurrence of ulceration of diabetic foot and amputation of lower extremities as well as severely affects the quality of life. The treatment of this condition has remained unsatisfactory with a good response to conventional medications. It is now evident that vitamin D deficiency is common in diabetic patients and especially in these patients diagnosed with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The present research is therefore designed to observe the effect of exogenous administration of vitamin D in diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients of Bangladesh.
Abstract Background: Thiamine deficiency related disorders are increasingly being reported in countries where polished rice is the main dietary constituents and diet is not balanced in calorie, protein and micronutrients contents. Thiamine deficiency often associated with a sensory-motor neuropathy (dry beriberi) without Wernicke's encephalopathy and cardiac dysfunction. Objectives: The objective of our study will be to evaluate the efficacy of thiamine in patients with clinically suspected dry beriberi. Methods: This study will be a prospective, open labeled, self-controlled clinical trial (quasi-experimental study) carried out in the Neurology and Medicine Ward of Chittagong Medical College Hospital from July 2018 to June 2019. Fifty-five (55) patients of suspected dry beriberi will be recruited as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. All patients will be given 200mg IV Thiamine Hydrochloride per day for 1 week, then oral Tab. Thiamine 100mg twice daily for remaining 11week. They will be evaluated clinically before treatment and followed up at the end of 1 week, 6 week and 12 week after treatment. Assessment will be done by some clinical parameters like leg swelling, muscle cramp, muscle power, squat test, sensory impairments, deep tendon reflexes and by Overall Neuropathy Limitations Scale (ONLS) Score. Pre and post test treatment data will be recorded in a pre-designed case record form. To determine whether any o the difference between pretreatment and post treatment values were statistically significant or not, either Friedman's test or Cochran's Q test will be used. Analysis will be performed with SPSS windows version 23 and statistical significance will be defined as P<0.05 and confidence interval will be set at 95% level. Our study result is likely to sensitize the health professionals of this region about this neglected health issue by increasing awareness of the clinical spectrum of Thiamine Deficiency related Peripheral Neuropathy.
Acne is a common problem in adolescence to young adult. But there is no such remedy available for acne treatment which has no side effects. Different types of herbs powder has been using in patients with acne vulgaris in the traditional practice of Indian subcontinent as single form or compound. Scientific evidence have shown many herbs has no known side effects and effective on acne. These herbs have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. So, This study is intended to find out an inexpensive and safe alternative by using some common herbs such as Azadirachta indica, Curcuma longa, Lens culinaris Mentha arvensis and Trigonella foenum-graecum. The aim of the study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Poly herbal powder (PHP) for treating patients with acne vulgaris. Total of 42 adults with acne vulgaris was recruited for this study. Study subjects was included both of male and female with age limit of 18 to 35 years. Duration of study is 05 months with "day one advertisement" for screening followed by randomization for the treatment. The duration of active participation of each study subject was 3 consecutive weeks or 21days. Difference of baseline and post intervention mean by Total lesion Count (TLC) compared with placebo and assesses the % of reduction of acne based on The Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) score. Safety assessment was obtained from the incidence and type of adverse events during study period.