Acute parkinsonism in a patient with myxedema crisis: A case report.

Both myxedema crisis and Sheehan's syndrome are uncommon conditions. The first-time presentation as myxedema crisis is rare in Sheehan's syndrome. The present study describes the case of a 31-year-old female patient who presented with altered sensorium in the emergency room. The patient was not a known case of hypothyroidism, but had a history of secondary amenorrhea and lactation failure following the birth of a child 11 years prior. Upon evaluation, she was found to have hypothermia, hypotension, the delayed relaxation of deep tendon reflexes, bradycardia and hyponatremia, which led to the suspicion of myxedema crisis. Her thyroid function tests were suggestive of secondary hypothyroidism and her pituitary hormonal profile revealed panhypopituitarism. The patient was managed on the lines of myxedema crisis with oral levothyroxine, hydrocortisone infusion, antibiotics and rewarming. Her clinical and biochemical parameters exhibited an improvement; however, her altered sensorium persisted. A repeat neurological examination revealed cogwheel rigidity with paraparesis, which led to the clinical suspicion of acute parkinsonism. Magnetic resonance imaging of the sella and brain was suggestive of an empty sella and extrapontine myelinolysis, substantiating the diagnosis of Sheehan's syndrome with acute parkinsonism. The patient was commenced on levodopa-carbidopa following which there was an improvement in symptoms. The patient improved over the ensuing 6 months and can now perform all household activities. On the whole, the present study indicates that the early suspicion of myxedema crisis, prompt treatment and the recognition of additional aetiology for persistent altered sensorium can result in a successful outcome for the patient.

Spectrum, Outcomes, and Mortality Predictors of Acute Kidney Injury among Non-COVID-19 Patients during COVID-19 Pandemic: Data from Four Intensive Care Units.

Introduction: The data of acute kidney injury (AKI), that is, community-acquired AKI (CA-AKI) and hospital-acquired AKI (HA-AKI) among non-COVID patients from intensive care units (ICU) during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are scarce. We planned to study the change in the profile of such patients compared to the pre-pandemic era. Materials and methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at four ICUs dealing with non-COVID patients at a government hospital in North India, and was aimed at assessing outcomes, and mortality predictors of AKI among non-COVID patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Renal and patient survival at ICU transfer-out and hospital discharge, ICU and hospital stay duration, mortality predictors, and dialysis requirement at discharge were evaluated. The current or previous COVID-19 infection, previous AKI or chronic kidney disease (CKD), organ donors, and organ transplant patients were excluded. Results: Among the 200 non-COVID-19 AKI patients, diabetes mellitus (DM), primary hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases were the predominant comorbidities in descending order. The commonest cause of AKI was severe sepsis, followed by systemic infections and post-surgery patients. Dialysis requirements at ICU admission during ICU stay and above 30 days were seen in 20.5, 47.5, and 6.5% of patients, respectively. Incidence of CA-AKI and HA-AKI was 1.24:1, whereas dialysis requirement above 30 days was 0.85:1, respectively. The 30-day mortality was 42%. Hepatic dysfunction [hazard ratio (HR): 3.471], septicemia (HR: 3.342), age above 60 years (HR: 4.000), higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score (HR: 1.107; p = 0.001), anemia (p = 0.003), and low serum iron (p = 0.001) were important mortality predictors in AKI. Conclusion: Compared to the pre-COVID era, CA-AKI was more common than HA-AKI due to restricted elective surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Acute kidney injury with multiorgan involvement and hepatic dysfunction, elderly age with higher SOFA score and sepsis were predictors of adverse renal and patient outcomes. How to cite this article: Singh B, Dogra PM, Sood V, Singh V, Katyal A, Dhawan M, et al. Spectrum, Outcomes, and Mortality Predictors of Acute Kidney Injury among Non-COVID-19 Patients during COVID-19 Pandemic: Data from Four Intensive Care Units. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(2):119-126.

A randomized trial of once daily versus twice daily dosing of oral iron in CKD.

We investigated the effect of two dosing regimens of oral iron on iron status and hematological parameters in patients with CKD. In this single center, open label, randomized, active controlled clinical trial, stable adult patients with CKD stage G3-4 with percentage transferrin saturation (%TSAT) ≤ 30% and serum ferritin ≤ 500 ng/ml were eligible. Participants were randomized to receive either 100 mg of ferrous ascorbate once daily (OD group) or 100 mg of ferrous ascorbate twice daily (BD group, total daily dose 200 mg). The primary outcome was change in %TSAT between groups over 12 weeks. The secondary outcomes were changes in other iron status and hematological parameters, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and hepcidin. 80 participants were enrolled out of which 76 completed the study. Change in %TSAT was not significantly different between groups (ß = - 1.43, 95% CI - 3.99 to 1.12, BD group as reference). The rise in serum ferritin was less in the OD group as compared to BD group (ß = - 0.36, 95% CI - 0.61 to - 0.10) whereas MCHC increased in the OD group as compared to decrease in the BD group (ß = 0.37, 95% CI 0.067-0.67). These observations need exploration to ascertain the impact of different oral iron dosing strategies in CKD.

Clinical Spectrum of Patients Admitted with Hymenoptera (Bees and Wasps) Stings in a Medical College Hospital of Himachal Pradesh, India.

Objective: Hymenoptera (bees and wasps) stings are a common health hazard in the tropics, particularly in rural areas. The study was planned to describe the clinical spectrum of patients with Hymenoptera (bees and wasps) stings admitted to a medical college hospital in Himachal Pradesh, India. Materials and methods: This was a hospital-based open cohort prospective study conducted on patients admitted with a history of Hymenoptera (bees and wasps) stings. The study period was 1 year, and patients were recruited using a nonprobability sampling method. Demography, clinical and laboratory data, complications, and outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Systemic allergic reactions were classified according to the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) guidelines. Results: A total of 44 patients (25 males and 19 females) were included in the study. All the patients reported in the warmer months from April to November were stung between 6 am and 8 pm and reported within three from the time of the incident. The most common local symptoms of pain and pruritus were reported by 100 and 31.8% of patients, respectively. Features of systemic envenomation reported were dizziness, nausea, vomiting, decreased urine output, hematuria and cola-colored urine, pain abdomen, cough, and wheezing. On examination, local redness and swelling were observed at 100 and 72.7%, respectively. The size of swellings was <10 cm in all of the patients. As per BSACI guidelines, the severity of systemic allergic reactions was mild, moderate, and severe in 70.4, 13.6, and 15.9%, respectively. Transaminases were observed in 40.9% of patients. Acute kidney injury (AKI) developed in 22.7% of patients. The mortality was 4.5% in this study. Conclusion: This is one of the largest studies on Hymenoptera envenomation in India and contributes to our understanding of the subject. How to cite this article: KP MS, Raina S, Kaul R, et al. Clinical Spectrum of Patients Admitted with Hymenoptera (Bees and Wasps) Stings in a Medical College Hospital of Himachal Pradesh, India. J Assoc Physicians India 2023;71(10):57-63.

Recurrent haematospermia: an unusual presentation of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Haematospermia, even though alarming, is usually benign and self-limiting, especially in a sexually active male. Nevertheless recurrent, refractory or painful haematospermia is troublesome and warrants thorough evaluation. In this context, we describe a rare case of recurrent haematospermia whereby evaluation revealed haemorrhage in seminal vesicle cysts and consequently established the aetiology of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

The application of six-minute walk test to identify 'pre-hypoxemia' phase in asymptomatic/mild disease COVID-19 patients managed in home isolation or primary health care setting.

The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 infection patients extends from being asymptomatic to mild, moderate and severe disease. This classification is largely based on oxygen saturation and respiratory rate. Asymptomatic/mild disease patients are managed in home isolation or COVID care centers. A subgroup of these patients will deteriorate and develop moderate to severe disease. Six-minute walk test is useful in identifying this group of patients by inducing hypoxia in normoxemia patients. This stage of the disease is labelled as 'pre-hypoxemia' phase in asymptomatic/mild disease. Identifying this stage in the course of illness of patients will help in intercepting further deterioration at the earliest by timely intervention.

The Indian Chronic Kidney Disease (ICKD) study: baseline characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is a lack of information on epidemiology and progression of CKD in low-middle income countries. The Indian Chronic Kidney Disease (ICKD) study aims to identify factors that associate with CKD progression, and development of kidney failure and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Indian patients with CKD. METHODS: ICKD study is prospective, multicentric cohort study enrolling patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 15-60 mL/min/1.73 m2, or >60 mL/min/1.73 m2 with proteinuria. Clinical details and biological samples are collected at annual visits. We analysed the baseline characteristics including socio-demographic details, risk factors, disease characteristics and laboratory measurements. In addition, we compared characteristics between urban and rural participants. RESULTS: A total of 4056 patients have been enrolled up to 31 March 2020. The mean ± SD age was 50.3 ± 11.8 years, 67.2% were males, two-thirds of patients lived in rural areas and the median eGFR was 40 mL/min/1.73 m2. About 87% were hypertensive, 37% had diabetes, 22% had CVD, 6.7% had past history of acute kidney injury and 23% reported prior use of alternative drugs. Diabetic kidney disease, chronic interstitial nephritis (CIN) and CKD-cause unknown (CKDu) were the leading causes. Rural participants had more occupational exposure and tobacco use but lower educational status and income. CIN and unknown categories were leading causes in rural participants. CONCLUSIONS: The ICKD study is the only large cohort study of patients with mild-to-moderate CKD in a lower middle income country. Baseline characteristics of study population reveal differences as compared with other cohorts from high-income countries.

Pneumoperitoneum needle vs. introducer needle: Comparison of complications and short-term outcomes in percutaneously inserted peritoneal dialysis catheters in naïve abdomens.

Percutaneous peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) insertion for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) entails a higher risk of complications such as bowel injury, vascular injury, and catheter migration compared to the surgical insertions. We conducted a comparative analysis of two techniques of peritoneal entry for PDC insertion by Seldinger technique. We performed a retrospective review of 426 percutaneously inserted PDCs in nonobese naïve abdomens for CAPD at two tertiary care teaching hospitals in India over 6 years. Comparison of various mechanical complications, and short-term catheter survival was done between use of introducer needle (Group "I") and spring-loaded pneumoperitoneum (Veress) needle (Group "V"). Group "I" to "V" patient ratio was 277:149. Group "I" had heavier patients (p = 0.03) whereas "V" group had a dominance of diabetes (p = 0.009) and prior hemodialysis patients (p = 0.03). At 3 months, the odds of mechanical complications (OR = 0.27, p = 0.004), PDC migration (OR = 0.18, p = 0.02), and omental wrapping (OR = 0.13, p = 0.04) were less in "V" group. No bowel injury occurred with Veress needle use. At 6 months, "V" group had higher odds of event-free sustained PDC tip position (OR = 0.39, p = 0.003), and catheter survival (p = 0.03), and the cumulative events were lesser too (p = 0.002). Refractory peritonitis and deaths with functioning catheter were comparable between both the groups. In this first-of-its-kind study, spring-loaded Veress pneumoperitoneum needle use was safer, entrusted sustained PDC tip position in pelvis, and had a better catheter survival compared to use of introducer needle for peritoneal entry in percutaneously inserted PDCs. These findings should be confirmed by a randomized controlled study.

Quality of Life and its Determinants in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus from Two Health Institutions of Sub-himalayan Region of India.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) causes serious deterioration in general quality of life (QoL) mainly affecting the health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Routine assessment of QoL improves communication with the patient, helps to predict treatment response, and supports clinical decision-making. QoL can predict an individual's capacity to manage the disease and maintain long-term health and wellbeing. AIMS: To find out the QoL and its socio-demographic, anthropometric, and clinical determinants among DM patients attending health institutions from sub-Himalayan region, catering rural population. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was conducted in two hospitals mostly catering rural population from 2014 to 2018. Purposive sampling technique was used. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Socio-demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data of DM patients (N = 300) were collected. They were administeredHindi translation of QoL Instrument for Indian Diabetes Patients (QOLID) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). All statistical analyses were carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SSPS) (Version 17.0, USA). RESULTS: About 10% had very poor, 13% poor, 11% average, 16% good, and 50% very good QoL on QOLID. General health (GH) and treatment satisfaction (TS) were the most affected domains. Fatigue was the most common symptom (79%) reported in QOLID. Age more than 55 years, rural background, and PHQ-9 score of more than 7 were predictors of poorer QoL. CONCLUSION: There is a need for a holistic and collaborative care of DM patients, to maintain a good HRQoL. Screening of depression, fatigue, and regular assessment of QoL should be emphasized.

A randomized open-label trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of triple therapy with aspirin, atorvastatin, and nicorandil in hospitalised patients with SARS Cov-2 infection: A structured summary of a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The pathophysiology of SARS-Cov-2 is characterized by inflammation, immune dysregulation, coagulopathy, and endothelial dysfunction. No single therapeutic agent can target all these pathophysiologic substrates. Moreover, the current therapies are not fully effective in reducing mortality in moderate and severe disease. Hence, we aim to evaluate the combination of drugs (aspirin, atorvastatin, and nicorandil) with anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, immunomodulatory, and vasodilator properties as adjuvant therapy in covid- 19. TRIAL DESIGN: Single-centre, prospective, two-arm parallel design, open-label randomized control superiority trial. PARTICIPANTS: The study will be conducted at the covid centre of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College Tanda Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India. All SARS-CoV-2 infected patients requiring admission to the study centre will be screened for the trial. All patients >18years who are RT-PCR/RAT positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection with pneumonia but without ARDS at presentation (presence of clinical features of dyspnoea hypoxia, fever, cough, spo2 <94% on room air and respiratory rate >24/minute) requiring hospital admission and consenting to participate in the trial will be included. Patients with documented significant liver disease/dysfunction (AST/ALT > 240), myopathy and rhabdomyolysis (CPK > 5x normal), allergy or intolerance to statins, allergy or intolerance to aspirin, patients taking medications with significant interaction with statins, prior statin use (within 30 days), prior aspirin use (within 30 days), history of active GI bleeding in past three months, coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100000/ dl), pregnancy, active breastfeeding, patient unable to take oral or nasogastric medications, patients in altered mental status, shock, acute renal failure, acute coronary syndrome, sepsis and ARDS at presentation will be excluded. INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR: After randomization, participants in the intervention group will receive aspirin, atorvastatin, and nicorandil (Fig. 1). Atorvastatin will be prescribed as 40 mg starting dose followed by 40 mg oral tablets once daily for ten days or till hospital discharge whichever is later. Aspirin dose will be 325 starting dose followed by 75 mg once daily for ten days or till hospital discharge whichever is later. Nicorandil will be given as 10 mg starting dose followed by 5mg twice daily ten days or till hospital discharge whichever is later. All patients in the intervention and control group will receive a standard of care for covid management as per national guidelines. All patients will receive symptomatic treatment with antipyretics, adequate hydration, anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin, intravenous remdesivir, corticosteroids (intravenous dexamethasone for 5 days or more duration if oxygen requirement increasing or inflammatory markers are raised), and oxygen support. Patients will receive treatment for comorbid conditions as per guidelines. Fig. 1 Schematic study design MAIN OUTCOMES: The patients will be followed up for outcomes during the hospital stay or for ten days whichever is longer. The primary outcome will be in-hospital mortality. Any progression to ARDS, shock, acute kidney injury, impaired consciousness, length of hospital stay, length of mechanical ventilation (invasive plus non-invasive) will be secondary outcomes. Changes in serum markers (CRP, D -dimer, S ferritin) will be other secondary outcomes. The safety endpoints will be hepatotoxicity (ALT/AST > 3x ULN; hyperbilirubinemia), myalgia-muscle ache, or weakness without creatine kinase (CK) elevation, myositis-muscle symptoms with increased CK levels (3-10) ULN, rhabdomyolysis-muscle symptoms with marked CK elevation (typically substantially greater than 10 times the upper limit of normal [ULN]) and with creatinine elevation (usually with brown urine and urinary myoglobin) observed during the hospital stay. RANDOMIZATION: Computer-generated block randomization will be used to randomize the participants in a 1:1 ratio to the active intervention group A (Aspirin, Atorvastatin, Nicorandil) plus conventional therapy and control group B conventional therapy only. BLINDING (MASKING): The study will be an open-label trial. NUMBERS TO BE RANDOMIZED (SAMPLE SIZE): A total of 396 patients will participate in this study, which is randomly divided with 198 participants in each group. TRIAL STATUS: The first version of the protocol was approved by the institutional ethical committee on 1st February 2021, IEC /006/2021. The recruitment started on 8/4/2021 and will continue until 08/07/2021. A total of 281 patients have been enrolled till 21/5/2021. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial has been prospectively registered in Clinical Trial Registry - India (ICMR- NIMS): CTRI/2021/04/032648 [Registered on: 8 April 2021]. FULL PROTOCOL: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol. The study protocol has been reported under the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Clinical Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines.