An unusual case of reversible mild cognitive impairment.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is cognitive dysfunction greater than expected for age and education in either a single cognitive domain or in multiple domains without impairment of activities of daily living. The present case report describes the case of an elderly male patient of 71 years who presented with MCI and was Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test reactive in serum. This was confirmed by Treponema pallidum Hemagglutination Assay. After a complete course of antibiotic therapy, his memory complaints disappeared completely. Though syphilis is termed as reversible dementia; to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of MCI with reactive syphilis serology who responded to antimicrobial therapy.

Acute dystonic reaction with rivastigmine.

Dystonic reactions are adverse extrapyramidal side effects and are common to antipsychotics, antiemetics, and a variety of other drugs. Rivastigmine, an anticholinesterase of carbamate variety, is well tolerated. A case of acute dystonic reaction with rivastigmine patch is being reported.

Medication adherence survey of drugs useful in prevention of dementia of Alzheimer's type among Indian patients.

BACKGROUND: Good medication adherence is the cornerstone of therapeutic success. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia and most patients are old and on multiple drugs, and good compliance therefore is even more important in this population. Dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT) at present is yet to find a cure. Anticholinesterases and N-methyl-D-aspartate blockers are specific anti-AD therapies available. Hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia can contribute to cognitive worsening. Keeping hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in control can therefore possibly prevent further cognitive decline. METHODS: Patients with subjective memory complaints (n = 75) were chosen randomly. Upon thorough neurological diagnostic work up for dementia, those with mild cognitive impairment/questionable dementia (Clinical Dementia Rating = 0.5) or those with AD were recruited in this study (n = 67). Those with hypertension, diabetes, and deranged lipid profile were further interviewed if they were able to take medicines regularly or not. An attempt was made to know causes of non-compliance. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of patients were not taking the drugs that have potential to prevent cardiovascular complications or ability to slow down cognitive decline in AD on regular basis. The lack of awareness, ignorance, medicines being "too expensive," and the pressure of taking medicines regularly were cited as the reasons for non-compliance. Being illiterate and having low education contributed majorly to poor compliance in this study. CONCLUSION: Compliance to drugs that have potential or real ability to slow down cognitive decline is low in elderly people with DAT.

Cognition and cardiovascular comorbidities among older adults in primary care in West India.

Objectives: Cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., diabetes and hypertension) are comorbidities associated with cognitive impairment. The present study was planned to study the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive impairment using General Practitioner assessment of Cognition (GPCOG) scale, which is easy to use scale in the primary care. Materials and Methods: A total of 350 older adults (mean age=66.71 ± 6.53 years; M:F = 220:130) among 3000 who reported to the primary care center in West India were screened. Cardiovascular risk factors were assessed based on written medical records. GPCOG was used for cognitive screening of those over the age of 60 with subjective memory complaints. Results: Frequency of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in those with cognitive impairment was 46.2% (n = 162/350) and 29% (101/350) in those without cognitive impairment. A Chi-square test of proportion showed values to be statistically significantly different (Chi-square value = 22.04; P =< 0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 10.0463-24.1076%). Odds ratio was found to be 1.6 (95% CI =2-2.1; P =< 0.05). Conclusion: A higher CV risk factors were observed among those with cognitive impairment compared to those cognitively normal older adults in the primary care.

Feasibility and acceptability study of risk reduction approach for stroke prevention in primary care in Western India.

Objectives: Stroke is among the leading cause of morbidity and mortality and prevention is the need of the hour. Risk assessment of stroke could be done at primary care. A study was hence planned to assess if an information, education, and communication (IEC) intervention module could be used to address risk factors of stroke among attendees of primary care in Western India. Materials and Methods: Patients (>30 years) attending primary care center were enrolled (n = 215). Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) questionnaire was administered at baseline and end line, and detailed diagnosis (hypertension and/diabetes, stroke, coronary artery disease, etc.) was noted from written records. A predesigned IEC module was administered about stroke, risk factors, and their prevention. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio were taken before and after 16 weeks. Results: A total of 215 participants (M: F = 85:130; mean age = 51.66 ± 13.32 years) had risk factors such as hypertension (26.7%), diabetes (32.5%), history of stroke (n = 3; = 1.39%), and 7.4% (16/215) had coronary artery disease. Before and after comparison of KAP scores indicated significant difference (62.23 ± 19.73 vs. 75.32 ± 13.03); P ≤ 0.0001). Change of waist-to-hip ratio occurred from baseline 0.91-0.9 (P ≤ 0.001). Comparison of the proportion of patients taking antihypertensives before and after IEC intervention was statistically significant (P < 0.05), indicating improvement in drug compliance. BMI comparison changed marginally (26.5 ± 4.7 vs. 26.2 ± 4.5) before and after but was not significant (P ≥ 0.05). The intervention was found to be feasible and acceptable. Conclusion: IEC intervention appears to be a low-cost, feasible, and acceptable implementation model for addressing risk factors for stroke in primary care.

Hippocampal Volume in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Speech and Language Delay.

Introduction: Hippocampus is a complex brain structure located deep in the temporal lobes of the brain. The structure has been implicated in several disorders related to cognition. Reports are emerging of its involvement in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The current study was planned to assess the volume of the hippocampus in children with ADHD and speech and language delay with normal birth history using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Material and Methods: MRI brain of 12 children (age range = 3-6 years) and 22 controls with clinical diagnosis of ADHD as per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 were obtained in oblique coronal sequence (T1 weighted). The entire hippocampus formation was outlined manually using Image-J software available freely from www.freesurfer.com. Results were expressed as volume cubic millimeters ± SD. Results: Volumes of the hippocampi of children with ADHD were 2450.2 ± 667 mm3 (R) and 2505.8 ± 878.5 mm3 (L), respectively. The mean volume (bilateral) of the cases was 2478 ± 772.75 mm3. The right hippocampal volume of the controls was 3255.8 ± 1374.3 mm3 (R) and that of the left side was 3159.3 ± 1451 (L) mm3, respectively. Conclusion: Current study reported a substantial shrinkage (23%) of the left and right hippocampus in children with ADHD compared to controls.

Protocol of systematic reviews on implementation research on cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and mental ailments in India.

Introduction: The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a major public health concern across the world. Various initiatives have tried to address these with varying degrees of success. Objective: The objective is to assess and collate existing evidence in implementation research done in India on three broad domains of NCDs namely, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes mellitus (DM), and mental health (MH) in India. Materials and methods: Three systematic review protocols have been drafted to explore and collate extant evidence of implementation research on cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and mental health in India, in accordance with the PRISMA-P statement. Academic databases including PubMed, Embase and Science Direct will be searched. Search strategies will be formulated in iterative processes and in accordance with the formats that are specific to the databases that will be searched. In addition, grey literature and non-academic databases will also be explored. Data extracted from the selected studies will be analysed and a narrative summary of the selected articles, using the SWiM (Synthesis without meta-analysis) guidelines will be produced. Intended Outcomes: The outputs of these systematic reviews could help in a better understanding of implementation research gaps and also how to address them. Apart from giving insights into how healthcare initiatives for CVDs, diabetes and mental health could be implemented in a better way, the study could also advocate the need to build and consolidate capacity for implementation research in the country.

Community Screening of Probable Dementia at Primary Care Center in Western India: A Pilot Project.

Introduction Timely detecting dementia is an important goal of clinicians and public health professionals alike for better management and prevention of complications. Community screening of dementia could be a powerful strategy. Facilities for dementia screening at primary care level are virtually nonexistent and are a prominent implementation gap. Hence, a study was done to assess the feasibility of dementia screening at primary care using General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition (GPCoG) scale among older adults with subjective memory complaints. It was further aimed to assess the frequency of cardiovascular risk factors in those who met screening criteria for cognitive impairment. Materials and Methods Older adults coming to three urban primary care centers in western India for screening of noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension (opportunistic screening) with subjective memory complaints were enrolled and screened for dementia using GPCoG. A Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was done in patients who came alone for referral purpose in case the score levels in GPCoG examination met cutoff limits for informant interview. Written medical records were examined to assess status of comorbid vascular risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and cerebrovascular accidents. Results A total of 350 older adults (M:F = 276: 74; mean age ± 68 ± 6.7 years) were screened out of 3,000 older adults who reported during the study period. There were 161 older adults with GPCoG score less than or equal to 5 (56.14%) and 149 subjects with MMSE less than or equal to 24 indicating significant cognitive impairment (42.5%). There were very few ( n = 11, 3.14%) out of 350 people who came with caregivers; hence, MMSE was done along with for referral to healthcare providers. A total of 142 had comorbid diabetes/and or hypertension (40.5%). A total of 86 had diabetes alone (24.5%) and a total of 128 had hypertension (36.5%). Conclusion Current study results indicate that using a simple screening tool such as GPCoG, community screening of probable dementia, is feasible in primary care settings, as is indicated by significant yield of probable dementia cases (42.5%). These cases can be referred to appropriate centers for further workup, confirmation of diagnosis, and treatment. Also, detection of comorbid cardiovascular conditions, for example, diabetes and hypertension, that can be managed along with cognitive impairment/dementia for potential prevention/further deterioration, which can strengthen noncommunicable disease screening.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among the general population and healthcare workers in India, December 2020-January 2021.

BACKGROUND: Earlier serosurveys in India revealed seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) of 0.73% in May-June 2020 and 7.1% in August-September 2020. A third serosurvey was conducted between December 2020 and January 2021 to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among the general population and healthcare workers (HCWs) in India. METHODS: The third serosurvey was conducted in the same 70 districts as the first and second serosurveys. For each district, at least 400 individuals aged ≥10 years from the general population and 100 HCWs from subdistrict-level health facilities were enrolled. Serum samples from the general population were tested for the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against the nucleocapsid (N) and spike (S1-RBD) proteins of SARS-CoV-2, whereas serum samples from HCWs were tested for anti-S1-RBD. Weighted seroprevalence adjusted for assay characteristics was estimated. RESULTS: Of the 28,598 serum samples from the general population, 4585 (16%) had IgG antibodies against the N protein, 6647 (23.2%) had IgG antibodies against the S1-RBD protein, and 7436 (26%) had IgG antibodies against either the N protein or the S1-RBD protein. Weighted and assay-characteristic-adjusted seroprevalence against either of the antibodies was 24.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 23.0-25.3%]. Among 7385 HCWs, the seroprevalence of anti-S1-RBD IgG antibodies was 25.6% (95% CI 23.5-27.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one in four individuals aged ≥10 years from the general population as well as HCWs in India had been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 by December 2020.

Yoga in male sexual functioning: a noncompararive pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Yoga is practiced both in developing and developed countries. Many patients and yoga protagonists claim that it is useful in improving sexual functions and treating sexual disorders. AIM: We wanted to study the effect of yoga on male sexual functioning. METHODS: We studied 65 males (age range= 24-60 years, average age=40±8.26 years) who were enrolled in a yoga camp and administered a known questionnaire, i.e., Male Sexual Quotient (MSQ) before and after 12 weeks session of yoga. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: MSQ scores before and after yoga sessions. RESULTS: It was found that after the completion of yoga sessions, the sexual functions scores were significantly improved (P<0.0001). The improvement occurred in scores of all the domains of sexual functions as studied by MSQ (desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, orgasm). CONCLUSIONS: Yoga appears to be an effective method of improving all domains of sexual functions in men as studied by MSQ.

Yoga in female sexual functions.

INTRODUCTION: Yoga is a popular form of complementary and alternative therapy. It is practiced both in developing and developed countries. Female sexual dysfunctions are common and do not always get adequate clinical attention. Pharmacotherapies for treating female sexual dysfunctions are available but suffer from drawbacks such as poor compliance, low efficacy, and side effects. Many patients and yoga protagonists claim that it is useful in improving sexual functions and treating sexual disorders. AIM: To establish the effect yoga can have on female sexual functions. METHODS: We recruited 40 females (age range 22-55 years, average age 34.7 +/- 8.49 years) who were enrolled in a yoga camp and were given a standardized questionnaire named Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) before and after the 12 weeks session of yoga. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: FSFI scores. RESULTS: It was found that after the completion of yoga sessions; the sexual functions scores were significantly improved (P < 0.0001). The improvement occurred in all six domains of FSFI (i.e., desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain). The improvement was more in older women (age > 45 years) compared with younger women (age < 45 years). CONCLUSIONS: Yoga appears to be an effective method of improving all domains of sexual functions in women as studied by FSFI.

Depression in Dhat syndrome.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Dhat syndrome is a widely recognized clinical condition in the Indian subcontinent characterized by excessive preoccupation with semen loss as the main presenting complaint. This condition has been considered to be a culture-bound syndrome, and depressive symptoms have previously been reported. We were interested to know how common depression is, and to quantify these features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 30 patients attending the Psychiatry Outpatient Department of a tertiary care hospital for their complaints about passing of semen in urine frequently. Those with depressive symptoms were further evaluated using the fourth revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) Diagnostic Criteria for Depression, and depression severity was assessed using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Patients meeting the criteria were started on capsule fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, in dose of 20-40 mg per day. Patients were periodically followed fortnightly and were reevaluated for therapeutic response using the HAM-D. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients (age = 20-40 years; mean age = 29 years; mean age of onset = 19 years; mean duration of illness = 11 months) were studied. The majority of cases were unmarried (64.2%) and educated till 5th class or above (70%). Twenty out of 30 (66%) patients met DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Depression. Ten patients (33.3%) were found to have a comorbid problem of premature ejaculation, and two patients reported erectile dysfunction (6.6%). Patients showed statistically significant therapeutic response to fluoxetine. CONCLUSION: Depressive phenomenology meeting DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Depression seems common in Dhat syndrome and responds to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors along with regular counseling.