scholarly journals Cranial autonomic symptoms in episodic migraine: An observational study from headache clinic of a tertiary care center of North India

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 28-34
Author(s):  
Abdul Qavi ◽  
Pradeep Kumar Maurya ◽  
Rajani Bala Jasrotia ◽  
Ajai Kumar Singh ◽  
Dinkar Kulshreshtha ◽  
...  

Introduction: The presence of cranial autonomic symptoms (CAS) is a hallmark of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia like cluster headache but their presence in migraine is also not uncommon. Like in trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, the activation of the trigeminal autonomic reflex pathway is thought to be the possible explanation of the presence of cranial autonomic symptoms in migraine also. Previous studies suggested that around half of the patients of migraine suffer from these symptoms. The aim of our study was to observe the frequency of cranial autonomic symptoms in episodic migraine patients along with their clinical and autonomic characteristics. Methods and Materials: Fifty patients of episodic migraine attending the headache clinic of Dr. RMLIMS, Lucknow and fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of International classification of headache disorder third edition beta were randomly selected and enrolled in the study. The detailed interview regarding presence of cranial autonomic symptoms was recorded along with the clinical characteristics, demographic features and autonomic profile of the migraine patients. Results: About three-fourth (72%) of the patients were females. The mean age of study participants was 27.7±8.3 years. A considerable number of patients (54%) had a long duration (5-10 years) of illness and 70% of patients had severe headaches. Photophobia was the most common (88%) associated clinical symptoms while lacrimation was the most common (56%) cranial autonomic symptom in migraine patients. Among 50 patients of migraine 74% of patients were having at least one cranial autonomic symptoms. Conclusion: Cranial autonomic symptoms are common in patients of episodic migraine. More severe headache is more likely to be associated with the development of cranial autonomic symptoms.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 433-439
Author(s):  
Monika Rajani ◽  
Molay Banerjee

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Bactec MGIT (Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube) system is a rapid, reliable automated system for early diagnosis of pulmonary and extra pulmonary TB in setups where purchase of expensive instruments is not possible. The present study was thus carried out to evaluate AFB microscopy, culture on Lowenstein Jensen media and micro MGIT system for early and accurate diagnosis of Tuberculosis. Methods: A total of 280 samples were processed for direct AFB smear examination, and culture on micro MGIT and LJ media. The identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in positive cultures was done by MPT64 Ag card test (BD MGIT TBC Identification Test). Results: Out of the processed samples, (47.1%) 132/280 were positive for Mycobacterium spp by Micro MGIT, (35%) 98/280 on LJ medium and (25.7%) 72/280 by AFB smear. A total of (48.5%) 136 samples were positive by a combination of Micro MGIT and LJ medium. Among the total positive samples (136/280), Micro MGIT was found to be positive in 97% (132/136) of samples, LJ was positive in 72% (98/136), while 52.9% (72/136) were positive by AFB smear. Conclusion: Manual MGIT System is a simple and efficient, safe to use the diagnostic system. It does not require any expensive/special instrumentation other than the UV lamp for the detection of fluorescence. In areas with limited resources where the purchase of expensive instruments such as the MGIT 960 is out of scope, the use of manual MGIT for rapid susceptibility testing for MDR-TB could be an option. We would recommend testing MGIT 960 using first and secondline drugs to determine DST.


2021 ◽  
pp. 263183182110323
Author(s):  
Aditya Prakash Sharma ◽  
Japleen Kaur ◽  
Ravimohan S. Mavuduru ◽  
Shrawan K. Singh

Sexual health-care seeking behavior and practices have been affected during COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of COVID-19 on this subspecialty is far reaching. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on health-care seeking practice pertaining to sexual health in men in our tertiary care center and review the relevant literature regarding impact of COVID-19 on sexual health seeking practice and challenges faced. Outpatient data was analyzed from January 2019 to April 2021. Patients awaiting surgical procedures due to COVID were documented. A narrative synthesis of literature based on systematic search using the keywords sexual health, sexual health seeking, sexual health practice, andrology, and COVID with operators “AND” and “OR” was carried out in three search engines PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. The study outcomes were obtained by comparing data of outpatient attendance and compiling the reviewed literature. The mean attendance fell significantly from 95.11±11.17 to 17.25±13.70 persons (P <.0001) per outpatient clinic, March 2020 being the reference point. Teleconsultation has taken over physical consultation. In 98/949 cases, teleconsult could not be provided despite registration. Over 25 patients were waiting for surgical procedures pertaining to andrology due to shut down of elective services. Similar trends have been reported from other countries. Number of patients seeking consultation for sexual health problems has dramatically decreased during COVID-19 era. Establishment of data safe teleconsultation facility and its widespread advertisement is needed to encourage patients to seek consult.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Philipp G. Hemmati ◽  
Dorothea Fischer ◽  
Frank Breywisch ◽  
Sabine Wohlfarth ◽  
Matthias Kramer ◽  
...  

Treatment of cancer patients has become challenging when large parts of hospital services need to be shut down as a consequence of a local COVID-19 outbreak that requires rapid containment measures, in conjunction with the shifting of priorities to vital services. Reports providing conceptual frameworks and first experiences on how to maintain a clinical hematology/oncology service during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic are scarce. Here, we report our first 8 weeks of experience after implementing a procedural plan at a hematology/oncology unit with its associated cancer center at a large academic teaching hospital in Germany. By strictly separating team workflows and implementing vigorous testing for SARS-CoV-2 infections for all patients and staff members irrespective of clinical symptoms, we were successful in maintaining a comprehensive hematology/oncology service to allow for the continuation of treatment for our patients. Notably, this was achieved without introducing or further transmitting SARS-CoV-2 infections within the unit and the entire center. Although challenging, our approach appears safe and feasible and may help others to set up or optimize their procedures for cancer treatment or for other exceedingly vulnerable patient cohorts.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 615-620
Author(s):  
Narayan Prasad ◽  
Venkatesh Thammishetti ◽  
DS Bhadauria ◽  
Anupama Kaul ◽  
RK Sharma ◽  
...  

Introduction: Arteriovenous fistula is considered as gold standard access for maintenance hemodialysis. Due to increasing burden of end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis, it is important for nephrologists to complement creation of arteriovenous fistula to meet the demand. Methods: This retrospective study was designed to assess the outcomes of arteriovenous fistula made by nephrologists at a tertiary care center from North India. The study included all radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula performed by nephrologists between November 2015 and January 2017. All arteriovenous fistulas were performed in patients whose duplex ultrasonography revealed both arterial and venous diameter of at least 2 mm. Data were collected with regard to age, gender, dialysis status, basic diseases, co-morbidities, and mineral bone disease parameters. The predictors of the primary and secondary patency rates were analyzed. Results: Five hundred patients (age 39.3 ± 14.4 years; 82.4% males; 21.6% diabetics) were included. In total, 83 (16.6%) patients had primary failure and 31 (7%) patients had secondary failure. Diabetes was associated with poor primary and secondary patency rates. Mean survival among the patients without primary failure was 11 months. The primary patency rates at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 21 months were 82%, 78%, 73%, 70%, and 70%, respectively. Conclusion: To conclude, the outcomes of radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas created by nephrologists are at par with historic outcomes.


2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamta Agarwal ◽  
Patricia Clinard ◽  
John M. Burkart

Objective To determine the clinical experience of using combined-modality [simultaneous hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD)] treatment in patients with end-stage renal disease. Design We reviewed data on 4 patients from our center that were treated with “combined-mode therapy.” We then conducted a retrospective survey by sending questionnaires to nephrologists in the US and Canada by mail and by posting the survey on the Internet. Data queried included number of patients on combined modality, solute clearances, albumin levels pre and post combined therapy, reasons for using combined therapy, duration and success of combined therapy, and reimbursement issues. Setting and Participants Ours is a tertiary-care center. Patients that were not doing well on PD alone were put on combined modality of treatment between 1992 and 1998. Main Outcome Measures Clinical improvement in the indication for which the participant was started on combined modality. Results In response to the survey, data on 27 patients were collected. These data were combined with data on 4 patients from our unit that had previously been treated with combined HD and PD. Most patients were reported to have more than one clinical reason for changing from PD to combined therapy. The main clinical reason for offering combined treatments was inadequate solute clearance (34%), followed by ultrafiltration problems (16%) and neuropathy (11%). Mean duration of time followed on combined treatment was 8.5 ± 0.12 months. Most patients tolerated combined treatment well and were reported to show improvement in the clinical reasons for which they needed the combined modality. Dual access and reimbursement issues were not a problem. There was no single method used for calculating total (HD, PD, and residual renal) solute clearance. No universal total solute clearance goal was reported. Conclusion Hemodialysis and PD are not mutually exclusive. They can be used in combination to achieve targeted solute clearances, to improve certain clinical conditions, and to control volume and blood pressure in a subset of patients. Further evaluation is needed to better establish the long-term outcomes of using combined modality. Total solute clearance goals and methods for determining total solute clearance need to be standardized.


2017 ◽  
Vol 01 (03) ◽  
pp. 150-155
Author(s):  
Arun Gupta ◽  
Ajay Mehta ◽  
Nitin Mishra ◽  
Rajendra Bansal ◽  
Ajit Yadav

AbstractVariceal bleeding is one of the most feared complications of cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an effective minimally invasive option to achieve adequate decompression of the portal system. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and complications of TIPS in patients presenting with variceal bleed. It was a retrospective study done in a tertiary care center in North India in cirrhotic patients with acute or recurrent variceal bleed who underwent TIPS from April 2010 to October 2013. All the patients were followed up till April 2014. We could successfully implant TIPS in 100% of our patients with 100% success rate in controlling variceal bleeding immediately and during the follow-up period. Our primary patency rate was 94.5% and overall patency rate was 100%. Major TIPS-related complication was hepatic encephalopathy in 20% of patients; 7 of 22 patients died during the follow-up period. TIPS is a safe and effective procedure for control of acute or recurrent variceal bleed. Emerging evidence in favor of early TIPS is further going to expand its indication in variceal bleed. Hepatic encephalopathy was the major procedure-related complication in our study consistent with previous literature reports.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamshed Ali ◽  
Osman Faheem ◽  
Pirbhat Shams ◽  
ghufran adnan ◽  
Maria Khan

Introduction: Social containment measures have been adopted globally to control COVID-19 outbreak. Reduction in hospital visits and inpatient admission rates have become cause for concern. Through this study we aimed to analyze the impact of SARS-CoV-2 virus Outbreak on cardiology inpatient admissions at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Hypothesis: COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant decline in cardiology admissions. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study at our center. Admission log was accessed via electronic record system. Comparison was made for same months of 2019 and 2020 with regard to cardiology inpatient admissions. Results: A total of 239 patients were admitted to cardiology services in 2019 period and 106 in 2020 period with resultant reduction of 55.6%. Number of patients admitted to the coronary care unit were 179 and 78 respectively where as the numbers declined to 28 from 60 for cardiac step down. Reduction for admission numbered to 52.4% for males and 38.89% for females. 9.3% patients left against medical advice in 2019 and 3.4% in 2020. Conclusions: Our study concludes that numbers of cardiology admissions have dwindled. Possible explanation for this can be implementation of social containment and fear of acquiring infection. This has raised a question of whether a significant number of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has occurred without seeking medical attention and has went unrecorded during the pandemic. This calls for stringent diagnostic measures in future to diagnose previously unrecorded burden.


Cephalalgia ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 535-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
SJ Nahas ◽  
WB Young ◽  
R Terry ◽  
A Kim ◽  
T Van Dell ◽  
...  

Our aim was to determine the prevalence of right-to-left shunt (RtLS) in patients with chronic migraine (CM), and to correlate the presence and grade of RtLS with aura and neurological symptoms, and duration and severity of disease. The prevalence of RtLS in migraine without aura is similar to that of the general population (between 20 and 35%). In migraine with aura, the prevalence is much higher (approximately 50%). The prevalence in CM, with or without aura, is unknown. Consecutive patients between the ages of 18 and 60 years with CM attending a tertiary care specialty headache clinic over an 8-week period were eligible. There were 131 patients in the study. A structured diagnostic interview was performed. Bubble transcranial Doppler with Valsalva manoeuvre determined RtLS presence and grade. Sixty-six percent (86/131) of patients had RtLS, a statistically significantly greater rate than those reported in the general population and in migraine with or without aura ( P < 0.001). There was no difference in RtLS rate or grade between those with and those without aura. Specific headache features and the presence of neurological symptoms were similar between those with and those without RtLS. Compared with both the general population and the episodic migraine population (with and without aura), patients with CM, with or without aura, are more likely to have RtLS. The clinical implications of our findings need to be determined.


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