Effect of single bout of exercise on heart rate variability in young healthy adults and its correlations with anthropometric parameters

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) as a measurement of autonomic function assumes great clinical importance. It is well known that particular patterns of body fat distribution increase coronary heart disease risk both in adults and children. While frank obesity is associated with reduced HRV, indicative of poorer autonomic nervous system (ANS) function, the association between body mass index (BMI) and HRV is less clear. The dynamic autonomic responses during exercise can be measured to give actionable information for training by analysis of the ECG to determine heart rate variability. While application of HRV has been applied to predict sudden cardiac death and diabetic neuropathy in assessing disease progression. The study revealed the changes in HRV in resting condition and also after a single bout of sub maximal treadmill exercise (50% of VO2 max.) among males and females in the age group of 17-25 years at rest, and the correlations between the HRV parameters at rest and after the exercise with BMI and WHR in the subjects. An observational cross sectional study was conducted in the Physiology Department of R.G.Kar Medical College, Kolkata, India on 60 subjects (n=60) of both sexes (30 males and 30 females) in the 17-25 years age, participated in this study. Their WHR and BMI were measured and HRV was recorded during rest and immediately after exercise by digital Polyrite. Result showed that the HRV of male were more than in female in resting condition. After submaximal exercise the HRV value of males were more than their respective resting HRV values though it was not significant and, in the females, post-exercise HRV was significantly more than their respective resting HRV. This study shows that females have higher parasympathetic activity than males. There is an association between WHR and BMI and HRV in healthy female persons, which shows that there is an increase in LF/HF(low frequency and high frequency) of values among males and females after a single bout of submaximal exercise though not significant in case of males but significant in case of females.

A study on comparison of bleeding time and clotting time in young adult male and female subjects

Background: Bleeding time is a laboratory test to assess the platelet function. It is dependent on various factors like function of platelets and pathway of coagulation. Clotting time is the time required for a sample of blood to clot in vitro under standard conditions. It is known from previous studies that there is a difference in the bleeding time and clotting time among males and females. The exact reasons for such differences have been postulated, but are insufficient. Therefore the aim of this study is to study and compare the gender differences in bleeding time and clotting time in young male and female subjects. Aims and objectives: The aim of this study is to determine and compare the differences in bleeding time and clotting time in young adult male and female subjects. Materials and Methods: This study was done in the Department of Physiology, Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences, Raichur. Sixty medical students studying in first year M.B.B.S, were selected for the study, out of which thirty were males, and thirty were females. Bleeding time was determined by Duke’s method and Clotting time was determined by Wrights Capillary tube method. Data was analysed using SPSS software. Unpaired ‘t’ test was used for comparing the values. p value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Result: The mean value of bleeding time in males was found to be,127.69±51,02 and in females it was 133.28±44.30. The mean of the CT in males was 212.18±60 and in females it was found to be 257.16±61.00.The mean BT and CT was significantly higher in females as compared to the males. Conclusion: It was found that there are differences in bleeding time and time in males and females, BT and CT were statistically more in females as compared to females.

Study of association between chronic liver disease and thyroid function tests at a tertiary hospital

Background: Among the various functions of liver, one function is synthesis of carrier proteins and metabolism of hormones and liver diseases, have been shown to be associated with various endocrinal disturbances. Aim of the study was to evaluate the spectrum of chronic liver disease and association between thyroid profile and severity of liver damage at a tertiary hospital. Material and Methods: Present study was single-center, hospital based, case-control study, conducted in 88 cases of liver cirrhosis/ chronic liver disease and 88 age/sex matched healthy controls (randomly selected from relatives attending OPD with patients) were studied. Thyroid function tests were done and compared among cases and controls. Results: In present study 88 cases of liver cirrhosis/ chronic liver disease and 88 healthy controls were studied. Mean age and gender were comparable in cases and controls and difference was not statistically significant. Most of cases had alcoholic liver cirrhosis (80.7 %), rest had non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis (12.5%) and chronic viral hepatitis (6.8%). As per Child-Pugh Score, most cases were from Child-Pugh B (42%), followed by Child-Pugh C (31.8%) and Child-Pugh A (26.1%). In present study free T3, free T4 and TSH were compared between cases and controls, abnormal values were noted in cases and statistically significant difference was noted. Serum thyroid profile abnormalities were noted as per advancement in Child-Pugh Score Classes and difference was statistically significant for free T3 and free T4. Conclusion: Thyroid function test abnormalities in circulating thyroid hormone concentrations were noted in patients liver cirrhosis as compared to healthy subjects and severe abnormalities were associated with advanced Child Pugh score.

Study of prevalence and determinants of peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: India is witnessing a depressing situation due to escalating incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its inevitable outcomes of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetic neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy. Present study was aimed to investigate peripheral neuropathy in adult patients with type 2 diabetes. Material and Methods: Present study was hospital based, prospective, observational study conducted in subjects recruited from the diabetes OPD of both gender ≥ 30 years, known case of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The screening for DPN was conducted using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI). Results: In present study, 256 subjects satisfying study criteria were considered for study. Most of patients were from 51-65 years age group (39.8%) followed by 31-50 years age group (37.1%). Male subjects (54.3%) were more than females (45.7%). Mean duration of type 2 diabetes mellites was 10.6 ± 6.3 years. Mean HbA1c was 9.3 ± 2.8% and 65.6% had HbA1c≥7%. Common high risk factors were hypertension (52.3%), alcoholic > 60 mg/day (30.5%), BMI > 30kg/m2 (26.6%), smoking habits >1 pack/day (18.0 %), history of peripheral artery disease (12.5 %) and history of prior ulcer (12.1%). Prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus in present study was 35.2%, calculated as per reduced perception/absent monofilament test. Vibration perception test was absent in 22.7 % subjects and ankle reflex was absent in 13.3 % subjects. Age, duration of diabetes, fasting blood sugar, BMI, HbA1c ≥ 7 % and alcoholic (> 60 mg/day) were statistically significant in subjects of type 2 diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy and difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy was significantly and positively associated with age, duration of diabetes, fasting blood sugar, BMI, HbA1c ≥ 7 % and alcoholic (> 60 mg/day). Regular screening of patients with diabetes mellitus for peripheral neuropathy may be recommended for early diagnosis and treatment.