Excess consumption of Lavana Rasa (Salty taste) – A cause of Amlapitta (Hyperacidity)

Amlapitta (Hyperacidity) is one of the ever growing diseases observed in society. Intake of salt in excess can lead into Amlapitta due to its Vidahi and Agneya property. Foods like cheese, chips, sauces, buttermilk, etc. contains variety of salts including common salt. The disease Amlapitta/ Amlika can be interpreted as Hyperacidity; is not separately described in Samhita, but mentioned as Lakshana (symptom) of Atiyoga (excessive intake) of Lavana Rasa. Hence an observational study was designed. Aim: To examine whether Atiyoga of Lavana Rasa (common salt) can be a Hetu (causative factor) of Amlapitta. Methodology: Study included 100 identified patients of Amlapitta; both males and females from the age group of 20-60 years suffering from Amlodgar (sour blenching) as the predominant symptom. A structured, pilot tested 6 item questionnaire was used to collect data. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive data was analyzed using number and percentage. Results: Maximum patients were from 20-29 years age group; with Kapha-Pittaja Prakruti (77.78 %) and Pitta-Kaphaja Prakruti (68.75%) who used to consume Lavana rasa in variety of type and in excess quantity. Family history of the disease Amlapitta showed maximum % in female patients as 31.03% whereas only 4.76% males suffered from the disease. Liking towards Lavana, Katu and Amla rasa in population was found to be 36%, 28%, 16% respectively. In causative factors of Amlapitta, Lavana Rasadhikya was noted in 62 patients whereas Vidahi Anna followed by spicy food and oily food was found in 60, 58, 56 number of patients respectively. Conclusion: From the study, it is observed that there is proneness of Amlapitta mostly in age group 20-29 years having liking towards salty, spicy and Katu Rasa. Maximum (58) female patients, with 31.03% who had family history of Amlapitta and 77.78% patients found to have Kapha-Pitta dominent Prakruti which indicate towards importance of Prakriti and family history of an individual in disease manifestation.

EFFICACY OF FUNCTIONAL ENDOSCOPIC SINUS SURGERY(FESS) IN TREATMENT OF POST NASAL DRIP (PND) AS AN ANCILLARY PROCEDURE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Objective: To assess efficacy of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in treatment of postnasal drip (PND) as an ancillary procedure to Septoplasty with Turbinoplasty. Study Design: Quasi experimental study. Methodology: Sample size was n-200, Patients were placed in two groups Group A (n-126) had septoplasty with turbineplasty. Group B (n-74) included patients with Septoplasty and Turbinoplasty combined with functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Post operative results regarding postnasal drip were compared amongst the Two groups. Results: Data was analysed in SPSS-17, Septoplasty along with turbinectomy was performed in n-126 patients (group A). And septoplasty, turbinectomy along with functional endoscopic sinus surgery was performed in n-74 patients (group B). Post nasal drip was significantly reduced in group B at 3 months follow up (p<0.046). More significant difference was noted at 6 months follow up (p<0.003). Conclusion: Patients having Chronic rhinosinusitis with postnasal drip as predominant symptom, should undergo functional endoscopic sinus surgery as an ancillary procedure to conventional nasal surgery.

Autoimmune Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Astrocytopathy Associated With Area Postrema Syndrome: A Case Report

Glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy is an immunotherapy-responsive autoimmune disease of the central nervous system with various clinical manifestations; among these, there are few reports about area postrema syndrome (APS). The authors present the case of a female patient admitted to the hospital with intractable nausea and vomiting as the predominant symptom. The patient's cerebrospinal fluid was tested by cell-based assays (CBA) and found positive for the presence of anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibody, in addition, serological testing showed elevated levels of thyroglobulin and thyroperoxidase-specific antibodies. Brain and cervical MRI showed abnormally high signal on the T2 sequence in the dorsal medulla oblongata and right pontine arm. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy. The symptoms improved rapidly after treatment with corticosteroids, and no recurrence has been observed thus far. APS may be a relatively rare clinical manifestation of GFAP astrocytopathy. Importantly, such presentation is challenging to correctly diagnose without typical MRI imaging findings. However, the detection of antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid or serum may be valuable. Systemic and neurological autoimmunity often coexist, comprehensive antibody screening should be conducted.

Native Joint Infections by Aspergillus Species

Background: Septic arthritis due to Aspergillus spp. represents a rare, but severe disease. Nevertheless, clear guidelines regarding most effective medical treatment have not yet been established. The present study is a literature review of all reported cases of fungal septic arthritis due to Aspergillus spp, in order to clarify epidemiology, as well as the medical and operative management and their outcome. Methods: A meticulous review of all published septic arthritis infections due to Aspergillus has been conducted. Information regarding demographics, causative fungus, antifungal treatment (AFT), surgical intervention, as well as the infection’s outcome were recorded and evaluated. Results: A total of 30 Aspergillus spp. strains from 29 hosts have been studied. The patients’ mean age was 45.8 years. The most commonly affected joint was the knee (45.7%), while the predominant symptom was joint pain (62%). Most patients were immunocompromised (72.4%). Diagnosis was established through cultures and/or histopathology. Aspergillus fumigatus was the most common responsible fungi (63.3%), followed by A. flavus (16.6%) and A. terreus (10%). Regarding AFT, the preferred agent proved to be Amphotericin B (14 cases; 48.3%), followed by voriconazole (11; 37.9%), while the mean AFT duration was 5.6 months. In most cases surgical treatment was also performed (in 4 cases no surgery was reported). Treatment was effective in 20 cases (69%). Conclusions: Septic arthritis caused by Aspergillus spp. represents a severe clinical entity. It seems that, with the available data, prolonged AFT along with surgical intervention is the preferred management of this infection, while identification of the responsible fungus is of utmost importance.

Clinical spectrum and predictors of severity of dengue among children in 2019 outbreak: a multicenter hospital-based study in Bangladesh

Background The mosquito-borne arboviral disease dengue has become a global public health concern. However, very few studies have reported atypical clinical features of dengue among children. Because an understanding of various spectrums of presentation of dengue is necessary for timely diagnosis and management, we aimed to document the typical and atypical clinical features along with predictors of severity among children with dengue during the largest outbreak in Bangladesh in 2019. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study between August 15 and September 30, 2019. in eight tertiary level hospitals in Dhaka city. Children (aged < 15 years) with serologically confirmed dengue were conveniently selected for data collection through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive, inferential statistics, and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze data. Results Among the 190 children (mean age 8.8 years, and male-female ratio 1.22:1) included in the analysis, respectively 71.1 and 28.9% children had non-severe and severe dengue. All children had fever with an average temperature of 103.3 ± 1.2 F (SD). Gastrointestinal symptoms were the most common associated feature, including mostly vomiting (80.4%), decreased appetite (79.5%), constipation (72.7%), and abdominal pain (64.9%). Mouth sore, a less reported feature besides constipation, was present in 28.3% of children. Atypical clinical features were mostly neurological, with confusion (21.3%) being the predominant symptom. Frequent laboratory abnormalities were thrombocytopenia (87.2%), leucopenia (40.4%), and increased hematocrit (13.4%). Age (AOR 0.86, 95%CI 0.75–0.98, p = 0.023), mouth sore (AOR 2.69, 95%CI 1.06–6.96, p = 0.038) and a decreased platelet count (< 50,000/mm3) with increased hematocrit (> 20%) (AOR 4.94, 95%CI 1.48–17.31, p = 0.01) were significant predictors of severity. Conclusions Dengue in children was characterized by a high severity, predominance of gastrointestinal symptoms, and atypical neurological presentations. Younger age, mouth sores, and a decreased platelet with increased hematocrit were significant predictors of severity. Our findings would contribute to the clinical management of dengue in children.

Gastritis and dyspepsia: 2 names of one problem? Relations between predominant symptom and syndromal characteristics of upper GI disorders: results of a survey of physicians

Introduction. Chronic gastritis is one of the most common problems in gastroenterology and general medical practice. In this study, we tried to analyze the actions of therapists in relation to patients with symptoms of dyspepsia, to assess how different symptom complex affects the choice of therapy and the diagnostics.Aim. Identifying the process of a preliminary diagnosis by symptoms, determining the ability of physicians to differentiate clinical syndromes, and determining the approaches to empirical therapy at first visit and following the “test and treat” strategy aimed at identifying the H. pylori infection.Materials and methods. The study was conducted using the CAWI (Computer-assisted Web Interview) method. Each physician who agreed to participate in the study received a link to take the survey and independently entered the answers to the questions formulated by the researcher. The descriptions of three profiles of adult patients with suspected gastritis diagnosis who applied for the first time were suggested: 1) a patient with a pain syndrome and dyspepsia symptoms; 2) a patient with dyspepsia symptoms; 3) a patient with a pain syndrome.Results. The study involved 205 physicians from 33 cities of Russia. The most commonly assumed diagnosis was gastritis: 50% of responders suggested it for patient 1, 51% – for patient 2, and 40% – for patient 3. Despite the unambiguous description of the delayed motility symptoms in patients 1 and 2, the most commonly assumed diagnoses did not reflect the presence of a problem. At the same time, physicians did not conduct diagnostic tests for H. pylori infection in case of patients 1 and 3 with obvious symptoms of gastritis. In case of infection, physicians suggest prescribing eradication drugs to each patient, and the most popular pharmacological group suggested were PPIs (91%). However, every tenth physician suggested eradication without PPIs.Conclusion. The results of the survey indicate a lack of awareness among therapists about the symptoms of delayed motility. This leads to the symptomatic pharmacotherapy, which does not provide the rupture of pathogenetic mechanisms

AN OPD BASED PROSPECTIVE EXPLORATORY STUDY OF DERMATOPHYTOSIS - FOCUS ON TREATMENT OUTCOMES, MEDICATION ADHERENCE, AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Objective: The study was planned primarily to judge the effectiveness, safety, and adherence of the prescribed treatments in dermatophytosis along with the effect on the Quality of Life (QoL) of the affected individuals. Methods: In this prospective observational study, spanning over 5 months, participants (dermatophytosis patients) were assessed at baseline and 6 week-follow-up at study site. Information about their clinical presentation, QoL (Quality of Life) parameters, medication adherence, and adverse drug reaction (ADR) were entered in the Case Report Form (CRF) prepared by utilizing global standard tools such as 5D-itch scale, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS), and WHO-ADR reporting form respectively. Results: Total 60 subjects (33 males and 27 females) had completed the study. Overall, tinea cruris (40%) was the most common variety followed by combination of tinea corporis and cruris (35%), tinea corporis (20%), and tinea incognito (3%). Pruritus was the predominant symptom. There was a significant (p<0.001) improvement of both 5D-itch & DLQI scores from baseline to follow-up stage (after 6 weeks). Treatment regimens were well tolerated (only eight subjects reported any adverse event such as gastric irritation and sedation). Medication adherence to the prescribed treatment was good; (mean MARS score 7.588±1.82). Mostly prescribed regimen was a combination of antifungal (oral plus topical) and antihistamine tablet (58/60, 96.66%). The most common drug combination was capsule itraconazole, luliconazole cream, and cetirizine or levocetirizine tablet with or without ketoconazole soap (35/60, 58.33%). Conclusion: Prescribed treatment regimen for dermatophytosis was effective, tolerable, acceptable with high medication adherence and also improved the QoL of the study subjects.

Portomesenteric Vein Thrombosis after Bariatric Surgery: An Online Survey

Portomesenteric vein thrombosis (PMVT) is a rare post-operative complication of bariatric procedures, occurring in between 0.3% and 1% of cases. A structured questionnaire consisting of 27 items was available online to members of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) to investigate the occurrence of PMVT. A total of 89 bariatric surgeons from 61 countries participated. Twenty-six (29.21%) reported at least one case of PMVT (46.15% males; 53.84% females). The surgery most associated with PMVT occurrence was sleeve gastrectomy (84.6%), followed by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) (7.69%), and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) (7.69%). The time gap between surgery and PMVT was 19.28 ± 8.72 days. The predominant symptom was abdominal pain in 96.15% of patients, followed by fever in 26.9%. Complete occlusion of the portal vein was reported in 34.6% of cases, with involvement of the portal system in 69%, extension to the superior mesenteric district in 23%, and extension to the splenic vein in two patients (7.7%). Our survey, which is the largest regarding PMVT to date, revealed a diffuse lack of standardization in the choice, duration, and dosing of prophylaxis regimens as well as treatment modalities, reflecting the literature gap on the topic.