Precipitating Factors of Psoriasis in North Indian Population

Aim: This study aims to study precipitating factors of psoriasis in the north Indian population.Material & Method:Two hundred twenty-eight psoriasis patients regardless of age, sex, religion,occupation, attending the skin, and V.D. outpatients Department, B.R.D. Medical College, Gorakhpurfor were taken because of the subject of this study. The bulk of patients belonged to the Eastern U.P.and adjoining areas of Bihar and Nepal. The clinical criteria for diagnosis of psoriasis were thepresence of Erythematous and papulosquamous lesions with loosely adherent silvery-white scales.The auspitz's sign was demonstrated all told the cases. The detailed clinical history and examinationwere recorded. Each patient was categorized into mild to severe psoriasis. Result: The maximumpercentage of cases was aggravated by weather (winter), 55.26%, next to that was trauma 27.19%, and least after infections 4.35%. The summer and spring seasons showed an improved effecton the condition of psoriasis. Alcohol, smoking, and mental stress found no relation with psoriasis.In most cases, where the infection was associated with the disease, it had been aggravated only inchildren, and young adults and lesions were of guttate type. Pregnancy had no effect in 25.43% ofcases, while the disease was improved in 3.50% of patients and worsen in 4.35% of cases.Conclusion: Psoriasis is positively correlated with the winter season and negatively associated withSummer and Spring.

Acute myocardial infarction in post COVID-19 patients

The SARS-CoV-2 infection has caused mortality in different populations; in addition, morbidity withimmunological, hematological and/or cardiovascular compromises has been reported, with acutemyocardial infarction (AMI) standing out. A literature search was conducted in databases todetermine existing evidence regarding AMI in post-COVID-19 patients. It was found that initially AMIwas described in some patients during the disease; however, a recently published case seriesshowed that it could occur in recovered patients, secondary to systemic and procoagulantinflammation over time, suggesting further research in this area.

Silent brain infarcts in chronic kidney disease patients with nonspecific neurological symptoms

Introduction: Silent brain infarcts (SBI) are parenchymal lesions of previous infarcts, classified astype III cerebrovascular disorder. A study was undertaken to find the relation between SBIs andnonspecific neurological complaints, an association of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)with silent brain infarcts. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study conducted in the departmentof Nephrology, GSL Medical College, from January to December 2020. Individuals aged > 18 yearswith nonspecific neurological complaints were included. MRI brain, hsCRP and electrocardiogramwere also carried as per the standard protocol. Fischer exact test was used to find the statisticalsignificance; P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 51 members haveincluded the male-female ratio was 1.04. SBI was presented in 27.4% (14). Age-wise, among thecortical SBI patients, maximum (75%) were in the> 61 years group. High density lipoprotein levelswere > 40 mg/dL in 39.2%, normal triglycerides (TGL) were observed in 71% and raised hsCRP in62.7% (32). Statistically, there was no significant difference in TGL levels. hsCRP levels were raisedin 3 (75%) members with cortical SBI; statistically, there was no significant difference. Conclusion:The traditional risk factors associated with stroke were present in the patients with SBI. hsCRP wasraised in chronic kidney disease patients having NSCL and having SBI.

A Comparative Evaluation on the effect of Zinc-Probiotic combination versus Zinc alone therapy in children (3month-5year) with acute watery diarrhea attending the outpatient clinic of Sub-District hospital, Uttarakhand

Background: Diarrhea is the major cause of morbidity and mortality among children worldwide.Various studies were done on the role of zinc therapy and probiotic therapy in reducing the durationand severity of acute watery diarrhea. This study aimed to compare the effect of Zinc –probioticcombination versus Zinc only therapy in acute watery diarrhea in pediatric patients. Material andMethods: This was an open, randomized control trial in the pediatric outpatient department of Sub-District Female Hospital, Haldwani (Uttarakhand), from June 2020 till August 2020 for three months.Total 104 children aged six months to 5 years with acute diarrhea who met the inclusion criteriawere enrolled and divided into 52 patients each. 1stGroup A (n=52) received Zinc-Probioticscombination therapy, and 2ndGroup B (n=52) received Zinc only. Measurement of disease severitywas based on the frequency of diarrhea (times/day) and duration of diarrhea (hours) after initialdrug consumption. The resolution was assessed in mean remission time (time required to form solidstool from watery stool).Result: Among the study population in group A, 62% were male, 38%were female, and in group B, 65% were male & 35% were female. Male predominance was observedin both groups. The mean frequency of diarrhea before treatment in Group A was 7.46 ± 4.1times/day as compared to 6.69 ± 3.6 times/day in Group B. Mean duration of diarrhea in Group Awas 53.5 ± 30.5 hours as compared to 57.6 ± 34.3 hours in Group B. Conclusion: Combinationtherapy was more effective than Zinc only therapy in early remission and resolution of acute waterydiarrhea in children.

Etiological classification of seizures in pediatric age group (6-12years) – MRI study

Background: A seizure is an occurrence of signs or symptoms due to abnormal excessive orsynchronous neuronal activity in the brain. The present study aims to study the etiological factorsand clinical profile for new-onset seizures in children aged 6-12 years and to determine thefrequency of Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities in the pediatrics age group with new-onset unprovoked seizure and those with inadequately investigated longstanding epilepsy andclassify the etiology based on the MRI findings. Methods: A prospective study involving a total of 50patients was recruited aged between 6 to 12 years. All of them underwent neuro-imaging with MRI.Uncooperative patients were imaged following sedation and monitoring by the anesthetist. Allchildren aged 6-12 years who presented with new-onset seizures were included. All MR images wereobtained at a 3-mm section thickness except magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo images,which are obtained at a 1.8-mm section thickness. Results: Of the 50 patients 28 presented withgeneralized tonic-clonic seizures, 12 with simple partial seizures, 10 with complex partial seizures.Generalized seizures were a more common presentation than partial seizures in children 6-12 yearsof age. Conclusion: With the positivity of the MRI in the new-onset seizure in children between 6-12 years in our study gives an important aspect of the essential factor of imaging in pediatric new-onset seizures.

A study to observe quantitative levels of C- Reactive Protein in Cerebrospinal fluid in patients with Meningitis as an add-on routine investigation- a case-control study

Introduction: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a member of the class of acute phase reactants as itslevel rises dramatically during inflammatory processes occurring in the body. Measuring and chartingCRP values can prove useful in determining the disease progress. Aim: To estimate the CRP level inCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with meningitis; and to evaluate whether CRP levels could beused to differentiate the various types of meningitis in adults. Materials and Methods: This studywas a case-control study. 80 enrolled patients were subjected to a protocol that included detailedclinical history including duration of illness, symptoms and signs, history or any treatment history.Written informed consent was taken from the patients/guardian. Results: Meningitis was morecommon in the 18-30 years age group. Mean values of CSF CRP were- viral meningitis (2.70 mg/L)and pyogenic meningitis (91.13 mg/L) and control group (1.54 mg/L). CSF CRP can be used as adiagnostic tool to differentiate between pyogenic and viral meningitis as it is significantly raised inpyogenic meningitis in comparison to viral meningitis (p-value <0.0001). Conclusion: CRP in CSF isa valuable, rapid, bedside diagnostic test for differentiating between pyogenic and viral meningitis;with reasonably good sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value. The absence of CRP in CSFrather than its presence is more important for the diagnosis of viral meningitis.

Prevalence of hyperuricemia in cerebrovascular accidents and its correlation with their outcome

Introduction: Cerebrovascular accident or stroke is a disease of the vascular system of the brain.According to ICD 11, stroke is classified as a neurological disease and not under the circulatorysystem. It is the second leading cause of death worldwide. It cannot be said that high Serum UricAcid [SUA] amongst patients with cerebrovascular accidents is directly correlated with theiroutcome. The present study planned to estimate uric acid levels and their association in acute strokepatients, both ischemic and hemorrhagic. Method: A total of 100 stroke patients admitted under theneurology department were included in the study. Brain imaging (CT/MRI) was performed. Theserum uric acid was estimated. Results: Out of a total of 100 patients, 74 were males, and 26 werefemales. Nine patients were less than 45 years old and 91 patients were 45 and above. Thirty-ninepatients had ischemic, and 61 patients had a hemorrhagic stroke, respectively. Out of 100 patients,23 patients had normal uric acid levels (<7mg/dl). Seventy-seven patients were with high uric acidlevels. The mean serum uric acid concentration in male patients was 8.48±2.7and 9.20±2.7 infemales. Among the total 100 cases, 69 survived, and the remaining 31 were among the non-survivor group at the time of discharge. Mean serum uric acid in stroke survivors was 8.5±2.6mg/dl, while in non-survivors, it was 8.6±2.2 mg/dl. There was no significant difference between thelevels of uric acid among survivors and non-survivors. Conclusions: The prevalence ofhyperuricemia (>9mg/dl) amongst stroke patients was 77% in the present study. The values ofserum uric acid were significantly elevated in the patients aged > 45 years. The serum uric acidvalues were high among the group of hyperglycemic and hypertensive patients at the time ofadmission. There was no significant difference between the levels of uric acid among survivors andnon-survivors.

Consumption of Commercial Dietary Products over Natural Diet – Impact in COVID Pandemic

Background: An adequate intake of essential minerals like selenium, iron, and zinc and thevitamins A, C, D, E, B6, and B12 are crucial to maintaining a healthy immune function. Commercialdietary products containing a mixture of some of the above-mentioned; nutrients may suffice thespecific requirements in definitive groups of populations. The comprehensive impact on the Indianpopulation with consumption of commercial dietary products in addition to natural dietary products;during the Corona Virus Disease (COVID) pandemic was assessed in this study. Methods: A cross-sectional & observational study was conducted in a group of 3699 subjects, who attended the COVIDOP Department at Sri Venkateswara RamaNarayana Ruia Government General Hospital, Tirupatifrom the period of August and September 2020. The subjects were randomly selected and aquestionnaire was posed. The data collected were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software.Results: The percentage of the population consuming commercial dietary products in addition tonatural dietary products was 15.865%. Commonly used natural dietary products by the populationwere egg& milk products, vegetables followed by fruits. In our study, a significant associationbetween gender and consumption of commercial dietary products was noted. Conclusions: Theusage of commercial dietary products in addition to natural dietary products can be recommended inspecified population groups. The consumption of commercial dietary products in addition to naturaldietary products was significant concerning the female gender.

A cross-sectional study on knowledge and perception about preventive strategies of selected vector-borne diseases among the rural population of coastal Karnataka

Background and Objectives: Malaria and other vector-borne diseases (Dengue, Chikungunya andFilariasis) are a major public health problem in WHO’s South-East Asia Region. Due to the growingresistance to pesticides and drugs, there is a need to set up integrated vector managementstrategies. These strategies should involve local communities in managing the environment todecrease the health risks and increase the sustainability of programmes to control these vector-borne diseases. Hence, an important step in disease management is educating the local communityregarding vector-borne diseases and their prevention. Objectives: To assess the Knowledge &perception regarding preventive strategies of selected vector-borne diseases among the studypopulation. Methods: This study was conducted in two selected villages. A cross-sectional studydesign was used with a sample size of 966. A questionnaire method was used to collect the data.Results: Around 46.5% of them had good knowledge regarding preventive strategies of vector-borne diseases. Whereas, Around 42.2% and 40% of the population had average perception andhigh perception respectively. Conclusion: Even though only half of the population had goodknowledge regarding preventive strategies for vector-borne diseases. Most of them had average tohigh perceptions about preventive strategies. Hence to increase their knowledge many camps andhealth education activities should be conducted on vector-borne diseases and should mainlyemphasize community participation to increase their awareness. So that it leads to better practicewhich in turn will lead to a decrease in vector-borne diseases.

Study on Association between BMI and Vitamin D Levels in South Indian Rural Population

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem worldwide and is considered to be apandemic with implications for compromised bone health and other chronic diseases. A few studieshave examined the association between vitamin D status and body mass index (BMI). However,prospective data using the biomarker serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH) D3 are limited andtherefore examined in the present study. Methods: Participants were selected from subjectsattending to Medicine Outpatient Department (OPD) in Sri Venkateshwara Medical College Hospital &Research Centre (SVMCH & RC) willing to participate in the present study between Jan 2020 to Dec2020. Anthropometric measurements, personal, medical history questionnaire, food frequencyquestionnaire (FFQ) for vitamin D, and sun exposure questionnaire were collected from all theparticipants in the present study, blood samples for serum 25(OH)D3 were collected from allsubjects. Results: Our study showed that the majority of healthy individual cases of the study i.e.,68.0% have a deficiency in vitamin D status, while 68.0% have ≤20 ng/dl in vitamin D, and 32.0%in >20 ng/dl. Moreover, the study showed a negative association between the level of circulating25(OH) D3 and BMI. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the association between BMI and25(OH)D concentrations in populations from south India can be seen across different age groups andin both men and women. The study also exemplified that higher BMI leads to lower vitamin D status,providing evidence for the role of obesity as a causal risk factor for the development of vitamin Ddeficiency.