Sculpting - A Modern Menace.

Background: Sculpting is a common occupation in India. However, there have been no studies from India on sculpting-related silicosis. Aims: The aims of this study were to evaluate- 1. awareness of disease related to sculpting. 2. Clinical, radiological, and physiological parameters in "sculpting workers" suffering from silicosis. Settings and Design: This was a retrospective evaluation of data collected during compensation visits for silicosis in workers of the sculpting industries. Methods and Material: The data were collected between January 2021 to April 2023. A total of 114 patients were evaluated. All patients underwent clinical evaluation including awareness about the disease, chest radiography, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan of the chest, and spirometry. Results: The majority of patients (109) (95%) did not use any personal protective equipment while at work and did not have any awareness regarding preventive measures. On chest radiography, small opacities (rounded or irregular) and large opacities were seen in 84 (73.7%) and 26 (22.8%) patients, respectively. The size of large opacities was significantly proportionate with duration of job (P = 0.019). HRCT chest was more sensitive compared to chest radiographs. 94 (82.4%) patients were having abnormal spirometric findings. Conclusions: The benefits of prevention of silica dust exposure and patient education considerably outweigh the benefits of early detection and treatment of silicosis, as there was an increase in the size of lesions with increasing duration of exposure. There should be a national health program on silicosis to protect worker's health.

Follow-up study of COVID-19 sequelae (FOSCO study).

INTRODUCTION: We undertook the first study from India to evaluate the long-term health effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: The patients enrolled in our post-COVID-19 clinic were followed up for assessment at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after recovery from acute disease prospectively. RESULTS: 200 patients with mean age of 50.72 years and 57.5% males were analysed. 42.5% had severe and 17% had moderate disease at the time of diagnosis. The persistence of symptoms beyond 1 month of diagnosis was seen in 72.5% (145/200) patients. 8% (16/200) of the patients had post-COVID-19 complications that required rehospitalisation after discharge or recovery from acute COVID-19. The complications included respiratory failure (2%), lung cavities (3.5%), fungal infection, pericardial effusion, pneumothorax and death. The symptoms were persistent beyond 3 months in 51% (102/200) and beyond 6 months in 17.5% (35/200) of cases. The patients with persistent symptoms beyond 3 months and 6 months had significantly higher intensive care unit (ICU) admission during acute COVID-19, severe disease during acute COVID-19, and higher prevalence of comorbidities compared to the recovered patients. The clinical recovery was attained in 95.5% (91/200) patients, and the radiological recovery was attained in 97.92% patients at 1 year. The mean duration to clinical recovery was 174.2 days. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 recovery takes longer time. However, clinico-radiological recovery is attained in >95% cases by one year.

Clinical Profile of Adult Bronchial Asthma Patients Presenting at a Tertiary Care Teaching Institute in Northern India.

BACKGROUND: In the previous four decades there have been remarkable changes and development in the approach toward the diagnosis and management of asthma. There are wide variations in the clinical profile of asthma patients in different parts of a vast country like India due to significant variations in the geography, culture, ethnicity, and socioeconomic profile of the Indian population. In the present study, we have aimed to study the clinical profile of adult asthmatic patients in a tertiary care teaching institute in Northern India. METHODS: In this observational cross-sectional study, a total of 966 asthma patients were included from August 2020 to July 2021 after following strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. After a thorough history and clinical examination, patients were subjected to relevant investigations including spirometry. RESULTS: Our study showed slight female preponderance (51.7%) over males among asthma patients. A maximum number of patients were of comparatively younger age groups and urban. The most common symptom at the time of presentation was breathlessness (94.5%) followed by cough in about 59.8%. Family history was present in about 9.3% of patients. A maximum number of patients presented in the months of November and December and rhinitis was the most commonly associated atopic condition. The majority (65.28%) of previously diagnosed patients had uncontrolled asthma at the time of their first presentation in our department. CONCLUSION: Results of our study endorse the poor awareness in society towards education and management of asthma. Females and comparatively younger patients are more commonly affected. Significant differences in our study from previous studies in different parts of India confirm that the pattern and clinical profile of asthma patients in one region cannot be extrapolated to other regions and the need for future studies in other regions of our country is also required.