scholarly journals Mycology of otomycosis and the role of antifungal drops versus antifungal cream in the treatment of otomycosis: an observational study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Sneha Lekha ◽  
Neelima Priyadarshini ◽  
Siva Subba Rao Pakanati ◽  
K. Dilip Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Niger ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Treatment Efficacy ◽  
Prospective Observational Study ◽  
Predominant Species ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Identification Of Fungi ◽  
Microbiological Procedures

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Aim of the study was to determine most common mode of presentation, spectrum of fungi involved in otomycosis and to compare the treatment efficacy of 1% clotrimazole drops with 1% clotrimazole cream in management of otomycosis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A prospective observational study was conducted over a study period of 18 months, in which a total of 60 patients who are clinically diagnosed with otomycosis were included. All the specimens collected from patients were subjected to standard microbiological procedures for identification of fungi involved in otomycosis. Then patients were randomly allotted into 2 groups for treatment with 1% clotrimazole drops or with cream. Improvement in symptoms of pain, pruritis, blocked sensation, and discharge on one-and two-weeks follow-up was recorded. External auditory canal was evaluated for improvement in otomycotic debris. All patients were asked the opinion about preferred modality of treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In our study, <em>Aspergillus niger</em> 27(45%) was the predominant species isolated. When compared to the symptoms on day 01 at day 07, significant difference was noted for the improvement of the symptoms and also for the otomycotic debris in both the groups. The group with cream had significantly more blocked sensation. On second week follow up, significant improvement was noted for all the symptoms and otomycotic debris. Forty five out of sixty patients preferred using cream.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> In our study, <em>Aspergillus </em>species was found to be the commonest fungi involved in otomycosis. 1% topical clotrimazole drops and cream were equally effective in management of otomycosis.</p>

scholarly journals The role of rehabilitation measures in reintegration of children with brain tumours or leukaemia and their families after completion of cancer treatment: a study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. e014505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Leandra Peikert ◽  
Laura Inhestern ◽  
Corinna Bergelt
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Quantitative Study ◽  
Prospective Observational Study ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Oncological Rehabilitation ◽  
Rehabilitation Measures

IntroductionFor ill children as well as for their parents and siblings, childhood cancer poses a major challenge. Little is known about the reintegration into daily life of childhood cancer survivors and their families. The aim of this prospective observational study is to further the understanding of the role of rehabilitation measures in the reintegration process of childhood leukaemia or brain tumour survivors and their family members after the end of cancer treatment.Methods and analysisThis prospective observational study consists of three study arms: a quantitative study in cooperation with three German paediatric oncological study registries (study arm 1), a quantitative study in cooperation with a rehabilitation clinic that offers a family-oriented paediatric oncological rehabilitation programme (study arm 2) and a qualitative study at 12-month follow-up including families from the study arms 1 and 2 (study arm 3). In study arm 1, children, parents and siblings are surveyed after treatment (baseline), 4–6 months after baseline measurement and at 12-month follow-up. In study arm 2, data are collected at the beginning and at the end of the rehabilitation measure and at 12-month follow-up. Families are assessed with standardised questionnaires on quality of life, emotional and behavioural symptoms, depression, anxiety, fear of progression, coping and family functioning. Furthermore, self-developed items on rehabilitation aims and reintegration into daily life are used. Where applicable, users and non-users of rehabilitation measures will be compared regarding the outcome parameters. Longitudinal data will be analysed by means of multivariate analysis strategies. Reference values will be used for comparisons if applicable. Qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the medical ethics committee of the Medical Chamber of Hamburg. Data will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences.

scholarly journals A comparative evaluation of laser hemorrhoidoplasty versus open surgical hemorrhoidectomy treatment of grade III and IV hemorrhoids. A prospective observational study

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-36
Author(s):  
Hosni Mubarak Khan ◽  
Varahasandra Sanjeevaiah Shankare Gowda ◽  
Brahmavara Shamburao Ramesh ◽  
Dhulipudi Sandeep
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Open Surgery ◽  
Prospective Observational Study ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
P Value ◽  
Vas Score ◽  
Surgery Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Continuous Pulse

The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy and outcomes of laser hemorrhoidoplasty with that of open surgical hemorrhoidectomy. This prospective observational study consists of 50 subjects in each group. The open surgery group underwent a standardized Milligan-Morgan technique, and the laser group underwent laser hemorrhoidoplasty with a diode laser of 1470 nm (LASOTRONIX), 8.5 watts with a continuous pulse. Postoperative pain was considered as the primary outcome and was evaluated in both groups using the visual analog scale. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in VAS score at different follow-up period, with a mean score of 2.3±1.05 and 5.1±1.11 (24 hours) for the laser hemorrhoidoplasty group and open surgery group, respectively (p value < 0.008). There was an improvement in VAS score in the laser hemorrhoidoplasty group compared to the conventional open surgical group in 1, 7, 14, 21, and 30 days follow up.

SUBLINGUAL VITAMIN D3 DRUG THERAPY IN VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY PATIENTS AT PRAVARA RURAL HOSPITAL

2019 ◽  
pp. 18-20
Author(s):  
Sanjeeva Kumar Goud T ◽  
Rahul Kunkulol
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin D3 ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Serum Vitamin D ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After

The present study was aimed to study the effect of Sublingual Vitamin D3 on Serum Vitamin D level in Vitamin D deficiency patients. This was a cross-sectional and interventional study. All the Vitamin D deficiency patients of age 18-60years and either gender, willing to participate in the study were included. Patients who had greater than 20 ng/ml were excluded from the study. The total number of participants in our study was 200, out of these 111 males and 89 females, the mean age in our study was 51.07 ± 7.39Yrs. All volunteers were given sublingual vitamin D3 (60,000IU) in six doses every fifteen days of follow up for 3 months. The subject’s serum 25(OH)D levels were estimated before and after the treatment of sublingual vitamin D3. There was a statistically significant difference in serum vitamin D3 level before 16.61±6.71 ng/ml and after 35.80±7.80 ng/ml after treatment with Sublingual Vitamin D3. Six doses of 60,000IU of Vitamin D3 sublingual route having improved the role of serum 25(OH)D levels in the treatment of Vitamin D3 deficiency patients.Keywords: Vitamin D3; Sublingual route

scholarly journals Safety of High-Dose Dabigatran in Elderly and Younger Patients with a Low Bleeding Risk: A Prospective Observational Study

Cardiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Aharon Erez ◽  
Gregory Golovchiner ◽  
Robert Klempfner ◽  
Ehud Kadmon ◽  
Gustavo Ruben Goldenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Prospective Observational Study ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
High Dose ◽  
World Population ◽  
Younger Patients ◽  
End Point

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at risk for stroke, dabigatran 150 mg twice a day (DE150) is superior to warfarin for stroke prevention. However, there is paucity of data with respect to bleeding risk at this dose in elderly patients (≥75 years). We aimed to evaluate the safety of DE150 in comparison to warfarin in a real-world population with AF and low bleeding risk (HAS-BLED score ≤2). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In this prospective observational study, 754 consecutive patients with AF and HAS-BLED score ≤2 were included. We compared outcome of elderly patients (age ≥75 tears) to younger patients (age &#x3c;75 years). The primary end point was the combined incidence of all-cause mortality, stroke, systemic emboli, and major bleeding event during a mean follow-up of 1 year. <b><i>Results:</i></b> There were 230 (30%) elderly patients, 151 patients were treated with warfarin, and 79 were treated with DE150. Fifty-two patients experienced the primary endpoint during the 1-year follow-up. Among the elderly, at 1-year of follow-up, the cumulative event rate of the combined endpoint in the DE150 and warfarin was 8.9 and 15.9% respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.14). After adjustment for age and gender, patients who were treated with DE150 had a nonsignificant difference in the risk for the combined end point as patients treated with warfarin both among the elderly and among the younger population (HR 0.58, 95% C.I = 0.25–1.39 and HR = 1.12, 95% C.I 0.62–2.00, respectively [<i>p</i> for age-group-by-treatment interaction = 0.83). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Our results suggest that Dabigatran 150 mg twice a day can be safely used among elderly AF patients with low bleeding risk.

scholarly journals Role of caregiver factors in outpatient medical follow-up post-stroke: observational study in Singapore

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilpa Tyagi ◽  
Gerald Choon-Huat Koh ◽  
Nan Luo ◽  
Kelvin Bryan Tan ◽  
Helen Hoenig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Stroke Survivor ◽  
Stroke Survivors ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Memory Problems ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Stroke Study

Abstract Background Outpatient medical follow-up post-stroke is not only crucial for secondary prevention but is also associated with a reduced risk of rehospitalization. However, being voluntary and non-urgent, it is potentially determined by both healthcare needs and the socio-demographic context of stroke survivor-caregiver dyads. Therefore, we aimed to examine the role of caregiver factors in outpatient medical follow-up (primary care (PC) and specialist outpatient care (SOC)) post-stroke. Method Stroke survivors and caregivers from the Singapore Stroke Study, a prospective, yearlong, observational study, contributed to the study sample. Participants were interviewed 3-monthly for data collection. Counts of PC and SOC visits were extracted from the National Claims Database. Poisson modelling was used to explore the association of caregiver (and patient) factors with PC/SOC visits over 0–3 months (early) and 4–12 months (late) post-stroke. Results For the current analysis, 256 stroke survivors and caregivers were included. While caregiver-reported memory problems of a stroke survivor (IRR: 0.954; 95% CI: 0.919, 0.990) and caregiver burden (IRR: 0.976; 95% CI: 0.959, 0.993) were significantly associated with lower early post-stroke PC visits, co-residing caregiver (IRR: 1.576; 95% CI: 1.040, 2.389) and negative care management strategies (IRR: 1.033; 95% CI: 1.005, 1.061) were significantly associated with higher late post-stroke SOC visits. Conclusion We demonstrated that the association of caregiver factors with outpatient medical follow-up varied by the type of service (i.e., PC versus SOC) and temporally. Our results support family-centred care provision by family physicians viewing caregivers not only as facilitators of care in the community but also as active members of the care team and as clients requiring care and regular assessments.

scholarly journals THU0517 THE ROLE OF ULTRASOUND-DEFINED SYNOVITIS GRADE I IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH INFLAMMATORY ARTHRALGIA, A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 497.2-497
Author(s):  
J. Arroyo Palomo ◽  
M. Arce Benavente ◽  
C. Pijoan Moratalla ◽  
B. A. Blanco Cáceres ◽  
A. Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Inflammatory Arthritis ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Painful Joint ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Specialized Unit

Background:Musculoeskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) is frequently used in several rheumatology units to detect subclinical inflammation in patients with joint symptoms suspected for progression to inflammatory arthritis (IA). Synovitis grade I (EULAR-OMERACT combined score) is known to be a casual finding in healthy individuals, but studies headed to unravel its possible role on rheumatic diseases are sparse.Objectives:To investigate the correlation between synovitis grade I, and the diagnosis of IA made after a year follow-up period since MSUS findings, in patients of an MSUS-specialized unit of a Rheumatology Department.Methods:We conducted a descriptive, retrospective and unicentric study. 30 patients were selected from the MSUS-specialized unit of our Rheumatology Department from July-18 to January-19. Patients presenting synovitis grade 0 (exclusively), 2 and/or 3 on combined score were excluded. Data collection at baseline included age, sex, immunological profile and previous physical examination to the MSUS findings, as well as the diagnosis made by the rheumatologist in 1-year visit follow-up: dividing the patient sample into two groups: those who were diagnosed with IA and those not. Non-parametric statistical tests for comparing means were used.Results:The mean age was 51,6 years and 70% were females. 6 (20%) patients were diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis after a year follow-up: 2 (4,8%) psoriatic arthritis, 1 (3,3%) undifferentiated arthritis, 1 (3,3%) rheumatoid arthritis, 1 (3,3%) Sjögren’s syndrome. Non-inflammatory arthropathies were also found 24 (80%), of which, 12 (40%) were non-specific arthralgias and 8 (19%) osteoarthritis.In the group of patients who did not developed an IA the mean C-reactive protein (CPR) value was 3,12 mg/L and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 8,2 mm; all of them were rheumatoid factor (RF) positive and ACPA-negative except one patient. 5 (31,3%) patients presented low antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) levels. In those who HLA B-27 and Cw6 were tested (4,25%); both were negative except for one that was HLA B-27 positive. The median number of swollen and painful joint count was 0, and the mean of joints with MSUS involvement was 3,5; the mean involved metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints was 1,83; proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints was 1,48 and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints 0,21.Among the group of patients that developed an IA the mean of CPR and ESR was 9,27 mg/L and 14,17 mm respectively; 2 (33%) patients were RF- positive, and 1 ACPA-positive. ANAs were positive in 3 cases (50%). The median of swollen joint count was 2 and for painful joint count was 0, the median of joints with MSUS involvement was 4,5. The mean of MSUS involvement was for MCP, PIP and DIP joints: 1,67, 2 and 0. Comparing the means of CPR values in the two groups with Student’s t-test we obtained a statistically significant difference (p=0,023). No other significant differences were found.Conclusion:Despite the limitations and possible statistical bias, the presence of MSUS-defined synovitis grade I and elevated CRP levels could be related to further diagnoses of inflammatory arthropathy. Besides, the absence of synovitis in DIP joints might have a diagnostic role. Normal physical exploration and normal levels of CRP might suggest low MSUS value. However, further research is needed to clarify the role of MSUS-defined synovitis grade I.References:[1]D’Agostino MA et al. Scoring ultrasound synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis: a EULAR-OMERACT ultrasound taskforce-Part 1: definition and development of a standardized, consensus-based scoring system. RMD Open. 2017;3(1):e000428.[2]Van den Berg R et al. What is the value of musculoskeletal ultrasound in patients presenting with arthralgia to predict inflammatory arthritis development? A systematic literature review. Arthritis Research & Therapy (2018) 20:228.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals Serum cystatin is not a marker of glomerular filtration rate in pregnancy

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 121-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Bramham ◽  
David Makanjuola ◽  
Wael Hussein ◽  
Debra Cafful ◽  
Hassan Shehata
Keyword(s):  
Glomerular Filtration Rate ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Glomerular Filtration ◽  
Filtration Rate ◽  
Prospective Observational Study ◽  
Second Trimester ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Serum Cystatin ◽  
In Pregnancy

The role of cystatin C (Cys-C) as a marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in pregnancy is undetermined. Measurements of Cys-C and creatinine (Cr) were taken at 14–17+6, 18–23+6, 27–31+6 weeks' gestation, at delivery and 2–6 weeks postpartum in a prospective observational study of 27 women. There was no difference between Cys-C levels in early and late second trimester, but they were significantly higher in early third trimester ( P < 0.001) than second trimester, despite no concurrent increase in Cr. Cys-C was also significantly higher at delivery than at all other times in pregnancy ( P < 0.001) and fell to postpartum values higher than second trimester measurements ( P < 0.01), but lower than delivery ( P<0.001). In conclusion, changes in Cys-C may be influenced by pregnancy-related changes in glomerular filtration and therefore we would advise against their use as a marker of GFR in pregnancy.

Role of Diffusion Weighted Imaging in Differentiating Benign from Pathological Vertebral Compression

QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faten Mohammed Mahmoud Kamel ◽  
Hazem Ibrahim Abdel Rahman ◽  
Amany Sayed Khaleel Ahmed Elkhayat
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Fractures ◽  
Diffusion Weighted Imaging ◽  
Laboratory Evaluation ◽  
Vertebral Collapse ◽  
Adc Value ◽  
Conventional Mri ◽  
Diffusion Weighted ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background Vertebral collapse is a common problem due to benign conditions (trauma, infection, osteoporosis) or malignant process. And although the spine is the most common site of bone metastases (39% of bony metastases in patients with primary neoplasms) benign vertebral fractures due to osteopenia occur in one third of cancer patients, making it essential to determine whether the cause of vertebral collapse is benign or malignant. Aim of the Work To establish the role of DWI in differentiating benign from pathologic vertebral fractures using ADC values in comparison with histopathology report /laboratory evaluation and clinical follow-up. Patients and Methods A cross sectional study is approved by the ethics review board of Ain Shams University Hospital (Al Demerdash). All patients provided informed consent for the MR imaging examinations and for inclusion of their data in this analysis. From April 2020 to october 2020, 25 cases with previous imaging with vertebral compression underwent conventional MRI study on the affected region. Diffusion weighted imaging and ADC was added. Results We performed DWI using maximum b-values 600, and quantitative analysis, named apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). We correlated the ADC number to histopathology, laboratory finding and clinical follow up. In our study there was significant difference (p &lt; 0.04) between DWI of the benign and malignant groups. Also the ADC value showed significant difference &lt;0.001. The mean ADCs of benign VCFs were higher significantly than those of pathological fractures. Conclusion DWI with ADC value was helpful when added to conventional MRI to differentiate benign from pathological (malignant) vertebral compression. It should be a routine sequence in patients with vertebral compression fractures for accurate diagnosis and successful management also can decrease no of biopsies.

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