Feasibility of mobile telephonic follow-up among patients with alcohol dependence syndrome.

Background: Losses to follow-up impact the collection of outcomes among patients with alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS). We aimed to study the feasibility and acceptability of using telephonic contact as a means of following up new patients with ADS. The outcomes assessed were complete abstinence at the end of 6 months and associated factors. Methods: We followed up a cohort of 54 new patients diagnosed with ADS after 6 months, in the psychiatry department of a tertiary care hospital in India. We also assessed sociodemographic, alcohol-related, medical and treatmentrelated details of the patients; and scores on the Short Alcohol Dependence Data Questionnaire, Rotter's scale for the locus of control, and the Clinical Institute of Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol scale-revised. The primary outcome was complete abstinence at the end of 6 months. The data at follow-up were collected through a combination of in-person and telephonic interviews with the patients and caregivers and supplemented with chart reviews. Results: Follow-up at 6 months could be carried out for 51 of 54 patients enrolled (94.4%; 32 through direct, and 19 through telephonic interviews). The proportion of patients who achieved and maintained complete abstinence during this period was 27.5%. The factors found to be associated with abstinence were regularity of follow-up, adherence to medicines and having had the habit of drinking alcohol with friends, as opposed to solitary drinking. Conclusion: Using mobile telephonic technology, we were able to obtain an excellent follow-up and improve the collection of outcomes by 35.2% at the end of a 6-month period among new patients with ADS. This potentially effective tool is widely available and cost-effective, and could have a role in improving outcomes among patients with ADS.

Quality of life among interns at a southern Indian tertiary care hospital: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: . Changes in the quality of life of medical students through their internship period have not been studied previously in India. We aimed to quantify the change from the beginning to just after 6 months of internship and identify potential contributing factors. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated the quality of life issues among 93 medical students doing a rotating internship at the Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, a tertiary care hospital in southern India. The quality of life was assessed before and halfway during their internship using a sociodemo-graphic profile and the WHO Quality of Life Assessment Instrument Brief Version (WHO-QOL BREF). RESULTS: The WHO-QOL BREF score decreased during the course of internship in all four domains of the instrument (p<0.001). A significant decline in score of 5 points or more was present among women, those who reported poor sleep and individuals who had an obligation of compulsory rural service after internship. CONCLUSION: While internship led to a decline in all domains of quality of life, the decline was most marked among women, individuals with poor sleep and those who had an obligation of compulsory rural service after internship.

Oculogyric crisis with exacerbation of psychosis: Possible mechanism and clinical implications.

Oculogyric crisis is a distressing acute/chronic side effect of neuroleptic medications. Chronic oculogyric crisis can be considered as a tardive hyperkinetic movement disorder and it may be associated with worsening of psychotic symptoms. Treatment strategies for chronic oculogyric crisis include; high potency antipsychotics and anticholinergics drugs for immediate relief and clozapine as a long-term treatment strategy. Here we are presenting case histories of four patients with oculogyric crisis and associated worsening of psychosis, its possible etiology and various treatment strategies.

Retraction: Association Between 5-HTR2C -759C/T (rs3813929) and -697G/C (rs518147) Gene Polymorphisms and Risperidone-Induced Insulin Resistance Syndrome in an Indian Population.

The above article from the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, first published online on 22 September 2017 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement among the authors, the journal Editor in Chief, Joseph Bertino, and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The retraction has been agreed upon due to the article having been submitted by the lead author without agreement from all co-authors. Having been alerted to this irregularity, the journal was also advised by the Senior Author of inaccuracies in the genotyping data. Reference Das, S., Dey, J. K., Prabhu SS, N., David, S., Kumar, A., Braganza, D. and Shanthi FX, M. (2017), Association Between 5-HTR2C -759C/T (rs3813929) and -697G/C (rs518147) Gene Polymorphisms and Risperidone-Induced Insulin Resistance Syndrome in an Indian Population. The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. doi:10.1002/jcph.1012.

Neurosis Meets Psychosis: Case Series from a Tertiary Care Center in South India.

The utility of the terms psychosis and neurosis in psychiatry have maintained their dichotomous stance since ages. Clinical observations and etiological hypothesis of psychiatric disorders have kept this polarity intact since the times of Freud and Jung. This case series attempts to revisit this perennial psychiatric controversy.

Job stress, satisfaction, and coping strategies among medical interns in a South Indian tertiary hospital.

BACKGROUND: It has previously been demonstrated that there is a significant drop in all domains of quality of life among interns during internship. AIMS: A modified version of the health consultant's job stress and satisfaction questionnaire (HCJSSQ) was used to assess and quantify aspects of internship that were perceived as stressful and satisfying. Methods used to cope with work place stress were explored. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A prospective cohort study was undertaken among 93 medical interns doing a rotating internship at the Christian Medical College and Hospital, a tertiary-care hospital in southern India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After completion of 6 months of internship, the modified version of the HCJSSQ was administered to all participants. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The data were entered into Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 9 by double data entry technique. Percentages of interns reporting high levels of stress, satisfaction were calculated. RESULTS: While 63.4% of interns reported high levels of satisfaction, 45.2% of the interns experienced high levels of stress, 17.6% coped with work stress by using alcohol and nicotine, and 37% coped through unhealthy eating habits. CONCLUSION: More people found internship satisfying than stressful. However, a high proportion found it stressful, and many reported unhealthy coping mechanisms.