Data, Research, and Publications
Health guidelines around the world are typically rooted in research, and it’s often the case that high-quality research predominantly originates in Western countries. Consequently, Pakistan’s health guidelines rely heavily on research that originates elsewhere.
Our main objective is to produce high-quality research using our continuously growing database, which currently includes over 10,000 patient records from The Sugar Hospital. Since 2018, we have been collecting an annual dataset of 30,000 diabetes-related episodes through ongoing community initiatives.
Take a look at our latest research from AIMS Sugar Hospital
Diabetes and Peripheral Neuropathy
September to December 2022, a cross sectional survey was conducted by Dr. Ahmedyar Hasan to assess the prevalence of signs/ symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in patients with diabetes, attending “Circle of care”, at Sugar hospital. Study duration was four months and Google questionnaire has been filled by the Foot Care department, with informed patient consent, after ethical approval at Sugar hospital. Data analysis and writing up is in progress
Diabetes and Ramadan
March 2022, we participated in the 2nd round of multicenter study with Baqai University Karachi, Quata, Lahore and Pakistan Medical Center Dubai, to observe the frequency of major complications among fasting people with diabetes of different risk categories. Findings were published. Evidence-based risk factors for major complications during Ramadan fasting in people with diabetes grouped under IDF-DAR risk categories.
Research and Ethics
December 2021, we formally establish our AIMS Research Ethics Committee (REC) construction, at Sugar hospital. REC consisted of total 11 members. A chair person, a general Secretary, four technical member (3 doctors, one university teacher), one lay person representing the community, one Imam (religious leader), two patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and one ex politician. Since that time REC has approved 12 research projects from collaborative university students. Eight research projects were completed by MPhil and MSc students, from Khyber University, 2 from Agriculture University and 2 from Nutrition Department, Peshawar University. These projects were based at sugar hospital for data collection in type 2 diabetes patients, and usually of four to six weeks duration at one time.
Diabetes and nutrition
During May 2020, Nutrition Department, Sugar Hospital, has developed a 2.5 minutes nutrition/ diet related educational video and written material, in Urdu language, for patients with diabetes. This project was designed by UK-based AIMS volunteer, Dr. Yusra Amanullah, during COVID-19 pandemic.