A study of etiological aspect of epilepsy in non-paediatric patients

2016-04-11T01-19-35Z
Source: International Journal of Advances in Medicine
Harshit Acharya, Rashmi Chovatia.
Background: Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by the recurrence of paroxysmal episode of abnormal neuronal function. Epilepsy brings in undesirable social, psychological and economical consequences to its patients. In contrast to early onset of epilepsy in childhood, late onset of epilepsy is usually symptomatic; which usually responds well to antiepileptic drugs. Methods: A prospective study of 75 patients of late onset epilepsy was carried out to ascertain the etiology and to evaluate the usefulness of neuroimaging in late onset epilepsy. Results: We found that majority (72%) of patients of late onset epilepsy were male. About 65% of patients had abnormal CT scan-brain findings. Generalized seizure was the most common seizure type with about 59% cases. Conclusions: Generalized seizures are more common in idiopathic group of epilepsy whereas partial with or without secondary generalized seizures are more common in the symptomatic late onset epilepsy. The new neuroimaging techniques should be an integral part of investigation work up in all cases of epilepsy as they make it possible to find out the etiology in majority of cases. In late onset epilepsy, diagnostic usefulness of EEG is corroborative to CT and MRI.


from Scope via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1Q2HvRR
via IFTTT

A study among pulmonary tuberculosis patients under the treatment of DOTS with special reference to liver function in tertiary care hospital

2016-04-11T01-19-35Z
Source: International Journal of Advances in Medicine
C. Paranthakan, P. K. Govindarajan.
Background: Directly observed treatment short course is the most effective life saving measure among the patients suffering from tuberculosis. Drug induced hepatotoxicity is one of the major side of anti-tuberculosis drugs which causes to withdraw the drugs. The objective of the study was to find out certain variables like age, sex and BMI among the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and to find out liver function after intake of anituberculosis drugs. Methods: The patients diagnosed first time with pulmonary tuberculosis by sputum positive attending RNTCP DOTS Cell at tertiary care hospital were selected for this study.95 patients enrolled in this study during six months period and they were followed another six months to find out the status of liver function. BMI was measured, the investigation like serum albumin, liver function (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) alkaline phosphatase level test (ALP), serum bilirubin) were assessed at the time of initiation of anti-tuberculosis drugs and 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 24 weeks after the drugs. Chi-square test applied as a statistical tool. Results: Among study population of 95, 54% were male and 46% were female. Nearly 62% of the patients were in the age group of 18 to 48. Around 57% of the patients were underweight according to BMI. The liver function test was abnormal after drugs in 5.2% of the study population. Conclusions: This study shows that the tuberculosis affects the productive life of the population. The drugs given under DOTS did not harm majority of the patients that shows it is safe to administer the regime.


from Scope via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/25Uddw4
via IFTTT

Clinical profile and outcome of urinary tract infection caused by extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli in critically ill patients in a tertiary care hospital in South India: a case control study

2016-04-11T01-19-35Z
Source: International Journal of Advances in Medicine
Jayaprakash Subramani, Anand Janagond.
Background: Infections with Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing organisms have been associated with poor outcome. Our aim of this study is to compare clinical profile of Urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by ESBL producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) with Non-ESBL producing E. coli. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients admitted in Intensive care unit in a tertiary care hospital was done. 50 Patients with ESBL producing E. coli infection were assigned as cases; 50 Patients with Non-ESBL producing E. coli were assigned as controls. Clinical characteristics of UTI caused by both ESBL & non-ESBL producing E. coli in critically ill patients and their clinical outcome were observed. Mortality risk on admission was calculated using sepsis scoring system. Results: Most patients in both groups were in 6th and 7th decade. Male to female ratio in both groups were almost similar. Incidence of complications was higher in ESBL group. Mortality rate was 10% in ESBL group; 4% in Non-ESBL group. Mean duration of ICU stay was 4.2 days (ESBL) and 3.1 days (Non-ESBL). APACHE IV and SOFA scoring system mortality prediction accuracy was 60% in both groups. Conclusions: Initiation of empirical therapy with carbapenem antibiotics on admission in critically ill with UTI showed significant impact on mortality. Mean duration of ICU stay in ESBL group was longer than non-ESBL group which is statistically significant. Mortality risk was predicted by APACHE IV & SOFA scores on admission with good accuracy.


from Scope via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1Q2HvRL
via IFTTT

Clinical study of diabetic patients with special reference to their glycemic status

2016-04-11T01-19-35Z
Source: International Journal of Advances in Medicine
Amith Kumar Pendurth, Srjana Karumanchi.
Background: India is the worlds diabetes capital. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is expected to raise more rapidly in the future in India and 40 other countries because of increasing obesity and reducing activity levels and other lifestyle changes. To study the profile of diabetic patients with special reference to their glycemic status was the objective of the study. Methods: One hundred patients of diabetes were studied at NRI Medical College and General Hospital, Chinakakani, Guntur. Among diabetics, the criteria were considered to include the patients for the study. The selected patients were studied in detail with history and physical examination. Results: The mean age of male patients in the study was 54.82±12.38 years and that of the female patients was 54.82 ±11.08 years. The mean age of detection of diabetes mellitus among the male patients was 48.84±10.11years and in the female patients was 48.75 ±8.68 years. The mean duration of DM is not statistically significant between male and female patients with P=0.930. 22 patients had good glycemic control of which 14 patients had duration of diabetes less than 5 yrs. Conclusions: Incidence of poor glycemic status has a statistically significant association with the longer duration of diabetes.


from Scope via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/25Uddfy
via IFTTT

HS-C reactive protein and red blood cell distribution width as effective markers for hypertension

2016-04-11T01-19-35Z
Source: International Journal of Advances in Medicine
G. Pavan Kumar Reddy, Kande V. Mallikarjuna Rao.
Background: Hypertension or elevated blood pressure is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Hs-CRP, which is a known marker for CVD, is also one of the predictive markers of inflammation processes which result in hypertension. Increased RDW is also believed to be associated with CVD morbidity and mortality in patients with previous myocardial infarction, brain vascular disease, strokes, septicemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hepatitis B. Methods: 200 patients 100 male and 100 females and 50 each of controls were selected for the study. Complete demographic details were collected from all the patients including the age, sex, height, weight, BMI, smoking/non-smoking status, alcoholism etc. After a thorough clinical examination, venous blood was collected from all the patients after an overnight fast for lipid profile, hs-CRP and complete blood count. Results: The patients in both males and females had a higher BMI than that of the controls. Hs-CRP levels in males was 1.64 mg/L and in females it was 1.47 mg/L. Significant difference was seen in the RDW values also in the patients. Conclusions: Hs-CRP levels and RDW levels are both equally effective as a predictive marker for hypertension.


from Scope via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1Q2HvBo
via IFTTT

Study of serum albumin as surrogate marker of immune suppression in patients living with HIV and AIDS

2016-04-11T01-19-35Z
Source: International Journal of Advances in Medicine
Shiv Shankar Sharma, Yogendra Jamra, Sanjay Hawaldar, Ankit Meshram.
Background: HIV/AIDS being a life long illness requires regular monitoring. CD4+cell counts and HIV RNA levels have been widely accepted as the most reliable indicators of HIV disease progression but these tests are not readily available and costly too. This study examines that whether Serum albumin levels can be used as a surrogate marker for HIV disease monitoring as an alternate to CD4 cell count and HIV viral load measurements in low resource set-up. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Central India. We studied a total of 100 PLHIV (patients living with HIV and AIDS). Correlation of CD4 count was done with serum albumin levels at baseline and at follow-up visits. Results: Several studies have suggested that albumin could serve as a useful marker of HIV disease progression in resource-limited settings. In the present study, the baseline and follow up values of albumin and CD4 counts were obtained. It was found to have a strong positive correlation amongst them with low CD4 cell counts being associated with lower serum albumin concentrations. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that serum albumin levels have potential to be used as a surrogate low-cost prognostic marker for HIV disease monitoring in resource-limited settings where frequent estimation of CD4 cell count and HIV viral load is not possible.


from Scope via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/25UdcZ2
via IFTTT

Nodnett - The New Digital Public Safety Communication System in Norway

Simens got the job, lost it over coruption. Finaly, after years of talk, it is a TETRA system covering Norway. Hope it is upp for the job. ExEMTNor

from EMS via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1NjCTa0
via IFTTT