Sodium-glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-analysis

Background: The available evidence was systematically reviewed to evaluate the effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (SGLT2i) on cardiovascular (CV) and renal outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or multiple risk factors (MRF), with or without heart failure (HF), and per estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) rate at baseline. Methods: We comprehensively searched three electronic databases to retrieve publications up to 30th November 2019, which were screened for inclusion. The data extracted for the outcomes according to baseline ASCVD, HF, and eGFR levels were meta-analyzed using fixed effects model. Results: Of the 735 screened citations, 15 primary and secondary publications from five CV or renal outcome trials were included. SGLT2is reduced the risk of CV death or hospitalization for HF (HHF), HHF alone, and composite renal-specific outcome, irrespective of ASCVD and HF at baseline. The three-point major adverse cardiovascular events (3P-MACE) risk was reduced by 14% (p<0.001) in patients with ASCVD and by 10% (p = 0.018) in those without baseline HF compared with their counterparts. SGLT2is significantly reduced the risk of MACE (18%) in patients with mild kidney dysfunction (eGFR within the range of 60–<90 mL/min/1.73 m2 and <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 ). Conclusion: SGLT2is are effective for both secondary and primary prevention of composite CV outcomes, and secondary prevention of MACE. The upcoming evidence may strengthen the primary prevention benefits of SGLT2is.

The therapeutic role of methotrexate in chronic urticaria: A systematic review

Background: Chronic urticaria, in many cases, has an unsatisfactory response to antihistamines. The current recommendations in urticaria do not mention the dose and duration for methotrexate. Aims: This study aims to systematically review the use/efficacy of methotrexate in chronic urticaria. Methods: A systematic search in four databases, that is, PubMed/Medline, Cochrane central, Google Scholar and Clinicaltrials.gov was done to identify studies on the use of methotrexate in chronic urticaria using key words “methotrexate [MeSH terms]” and “urticaria” or “urticaria, chronic” or “urticaria, chronic spontaneous.” Results: Nine articles (study participants 127), including three randomized control trials, one prospective interventional trial without control, three retrospective reviews and two case reports, were identified and finally included in the systematic review. There was a paucity of literature and the three randomized control trials did not show any benefit of methotrexate over antihistamines alone. However, in studies where steroid- dependent cases were given methotrexate, marked benefit was reported with steroid-sparing effect, particularly on methotrexate dose escalation. Limitations: Due to a paucity of published literature on methotrexate in urticaria, a meta-analysis could not be done. Conclusion: In chronic recalcitrant or steroid-dependent cases, methotrexate may be a therapeutic agent of interest; however, current evidence does not point to any added advantage in efficacy over antihistamines. More evidence based on larger, well-executed randomized control trials is needed in the future to get more definitive answers

A Review on Agnikarma- A Boon for Pain Management and its Probable Mode of Action

Pain has always been a distressing feeling or the unpleasant sensory and emotional experience. A pain free life is longing of everyone and this is the biggest challenge for the medical science practitioners nowadays as how to provide efficient pain management. In modern medicine we have variety of pain-relieving medications that works brilliantly for short period of time and when used for longer duration they come up with various side effects. So there is a need to find a way to relieve pain without much suffering to the patient and Agnikarma is one of the sound ways to do so. It is therapeutic burning with special tools on specific sites according to the disease. It is a parasurgical procedure that is utilized as curative procedure, or as postoperative procedure or in hemostatic manner. Agnikarma is derived from Ayurveda, a renowned Indian system of medicine, which is procedure used generally for the management of pain and also for curing various disorders. In Ayurveda Vata Dosha is responsible mainly for various types of Ruja or pain in the body and Agnikarma is one of the best method to pacifying Vata and Kapha Dosha and hence relieves pain. Acharya Sushruta, a renowned Vedic Indian surgeon has very well explained the eminence of Agnikarma by saying that the recurrence of disease will not be there if once they are treated with Agnikarma. He in his text mentioned various Dravyas according to the diseases through which Agnikarma can be performed. Also several Dahanaupkarana are mentioned in the classics that provide practitioner abundant methods to perform Agnikarma without much limitations

Chronic recalcitrant erythema nodosum leprosum: therapeutic dilemma and role of mycobacterium indicus pranii vaccine

Abstract Erythema nodosum leprosum is a severe immune reaction that complicates the usual course of multibacillary leprosy. There is increased activation of T-cells in erythema nodosum leprosum. Treatment modalities available to date for the management are systemic steroids, thalidomide, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, minocycline, and apremilast but none of them is promising and safe. Mycobacterium indicus pranii is an atypical mycobacterium possessing strong immunomodulatory properties. The vaccine for this mycobacterium has been shown to have both immunotherapeutic and immunoprophylactic effects in multibacillary leprosy patients. We report a case of chronic recalcitrant erythema nodosum Leprosum which responded to Mycobacterium indicus pranii vaccine without any adverse effects, thereby suggesting its role as a novel therapeutic option in this reaction.

Study of cutaneous manifestations of polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most frequently encountered endocrine disorders that occurs in as many as 4 to 10% of women of reproductive age group. It presents with a series of skin changes including acne, hirsutism, seborrhea, androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and acanthosis nigricans. Aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and frequency of different cutaneous manifestations in PCOS patients and to correlate them with the degree of hormonal abnormalities.Methods: A total 100 patients with features of PCOS who presented to department of dermatology, gynecology (January 2018-December 2019) with cutaneous manifestations were recorded and diagnosis of PCOS was made using Rotterdam’s criteria. Pregnant women and diagnosed cases of any other endocrine disorder were excluded. Hirsutism was assessed using Ferriman-Gallwey score and AGA according to Ludwig’s classification. Serum hormonal profile including FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone (free), DHEAS, TSH, FBS, fasting insulin were done. Insulin resistance was determined by calculating HOMA-IR score.Results: Among cutaneous manifestations of PCOS, hirsutism (85%) was the most common finding followed by acne (73%), seborrhea (50%), AGA (36%), acanthosis nigricans (29%) and acrochordons (9%). The most common hormonal abnormality was insulin resistance in 53% patients, followed by raised free testosterone in 19% and serum prolactin in 18% patients. A statistically significant association was present between AGA and insulin resistance, hirsutism and raised prolactin levels, seborrhea and raised body mass index (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Dermatological manifestations of PCOS play a significant role in making the diagnosis and constitute a substantial portion of the symptoms experienced by women with this syndrome.

Use of Palmer’s Point in Creation of Pneumoperitoneum in Patients of Previous Abdominal Surgeries and To Check Efficacy of the Visceral Slide Technique for Detection of Abdominal Wall Adhesions

In patients with history of previous abdominal surgery, creation of pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopicprocedure involves risk of complications as there is association of underlying adhesions at the umbilicus site.Palmer’s point is alternative site of primary port insertion. For creating pneumoperitoneum, visceral slidetechnique is used to detect the movement of viscera immediately deep to the abdominal wall. This techniqueis reliable in identifying adhesion-free areas of the abdominal wall. This study was undertaken to evaluate useof Palmer’s point in creation of pneumoperitoneum in patients of previous abdominal surgeries and to checkthe efficacy of the visceral slide technique for detection of umbilical adhesions in these patients. This one-yearstudy was conducted on 30 patients with previous history of abdominal surgery in the Government MedicalCollege, Jammu. Visceral slide test was conducted using a real time ultrasonography machine with a 7.5 MHzabdominal transducer placed in a sagittal plane at the umbilicus and the ultrasound scan focused on theinfraumbilical region between the anterior abdominal wall and the aortocaval complex. A normal visceral slide(positive test) is movement of the viscera more than 1 cm. An abnormal visceral slide (negative test) is definedas movement of the viscera less than 1 cm. At the end of the surgery, intra-operative, early and late complicationswere evaluated. Adhesions under the umbilicus were present and absent in 15 (50%) patients each. Thevisceral slide technique was negative in 9 (30%) and positive in 21 (70%) patients. Sensitivity, specificity,positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of visceral slide technique was 60%, 100%,100%, 72% and 70% respectively. Definitive evidence of the efficacy of Palmer’s point in creation ofpneumoperitoneum could not be established due to the small sample size and patients with limited spectrum ofabdominal surgeries. Further studies in the form of multicenter randomized control trials are needed to verifythe utility of Palmer’s point for creation of pneumoperitoneum and to evaluate the role of visceral slidetechnique in diagnosing intra-abdominal adhesions preoperatively.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma at base of the tongue with rare cervical lymph node metastasis diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is an uncommon malignant tumourof salivary glands. Occurrence at base of the tongue is rare. Distant metastasis is common, however, metastasis to regional lymph node is not seen commonly, but if occurs carries a bad prognostic value and lessens the average survival age of the patient. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)in such cases provides early diagnosis for rapid management of the patient. Review of literature shows that very occasional cases are reported with ACC at base of tongue with regional lymph node metastasis. Here, we present such a rare case of a 55years old male patient with metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma of cervical lymph node diagnosed on FNACwith primary at base of the tongue

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection & risk factors for HCV positivity in injecting & non-injecting drug users attending a de-addiction centre in northern India.

Background & objectives: Injecting drug use is a major route of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in India, but there may be other risk factors also. this study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of anti-HCV antibody in injecting drug users (IDUs) vs. non-IDUs (NIDUs), and to study the risk estimates for HCV seropositivity in the total sample of substance users with regard to various demographic, clinical, behavioural and personality factors. Methods: the IDUs (n = 201) and NIDUs (n = 219) were assessed for demographic, clinical and behavioural information, and were rated on instruments for severity of dependence, risk behaviour and personality profiles. Anti-HCV antibody was tested by ELISA and confirmed by recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) test. Results: Almost one-third of the IDUs (64 of 201; 31.8%) were positive for anti-HCV antibody, as opposed to only seven (3.2%) of the NIDUs. The four risk factors strongly associated with HCV positivity in multivariate analysis were sharing syringe [Exp(B) 75.04; 95%CI 18.28-307.96; P<0.001], reuse of injection accessories (16.39; 3.51-76.92; P<0.001), blood transfusion (5.88; 1.63-21.23; P=0.007) and IDU status (3.60; 1.26-10.31; P=0.017). Other variables less strongly but significantly associated with HCV positivity were multiple sex partners, opioid dependence, risk behaviour scores, impulsivity, and lower age of onset of drug use. Interpretation & conclusions: Our study showed a high seroprevalence of anti-HCV antibody in IDUs. In the substance users, HCV positivity was significantly and independently associated with several clinical, behavioural, and personality risk factors.

Screening for depressive disorders in outpatients with mild to moderate psoriasis: A study from North India.

Background: Psoriasis and depressive disorders commonly occur together. Depressive disorders have an impact on the quality of life and the outcome of psoriasis. Aims: The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of using a modifi cation of the Hindi translation of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) as a verbal, clinician administered, short screening questionnaire for detecting depressive disorders. Materials and Methods: One hundred and four out-patients with psoriasis were recruited in the study. In the fi rst stage of the study, socio-demographic data, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score, and Dermatological Quality of Life (DLQI) score were recorded. The modifi ed questionnaire was administered by the dermatologist. In the second stage, psychiatric diagnoses were confi rmed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Results: The prevalence of depressive disorders was 39.4%. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis showed that the questionnaire had a good discriminant ability in detecting depressive disorders (area under curve: 0.81, SE = 0.04, 95% confi dence interval = 0.72–0.89). Limitations: The sample size is small and more studies are needed with the screening questions in different languages to validate the fi ndings of the study. Conclusion: The questionnaire can be a useful screening instrument for detecting depressive disorders in patients with psoriasis.

Unusual Form of Complex Odontome: A Case Report.

Odontomas are the most characteristic among odontogenic tumors of the jaws, which are benign, slow-growing and non-aggressive. There are various theories, or etiological factors were quoted for occurrences of odontomas. Being asymptomatic in nature sometimes it may interfere with the eruption of the associated tooth leading to impaction or delayed eruption. Most of the lesions are diagnosed accidently on routine radiological examination in the second and third decades of the life. The sole management mainly depends on the early diagnosis, histopathological examination and surgical removal of the lesion. Here, we were presenting an interesting case of unusually large complex odontoma associated with pain, as well as missing molar is reported.

Profile of inhalant users seeking treatment at a de-addiction centre in north India.

Background & objectives: Inhalants are substances whose chemical vapors are inhaled to produce euphoric, disinhibiting, and exciting effects. Data on inhalant abuse in India are relatively scarce. We report the demographic and clinical profile of inhalant users among the treatment seekers at a Drug De-addiction and Treatment Centre in north India. Methods: The records of treatment seekers at the Drug De-addiction and Treatment Centre, over 10 years (2002-2011) were scanned to identify 92 cases reporting inhalant use. Of these 92 cases, the complete record files were available for 87 (94.6%) cases. These case files were reviewed and the relevant data were collected and analyzed. Results: Over the study period of 10 years, the number of cases with inhalant abuse per year rose steadily to peak at 20 cases (4.08% of new cases) in 2006 and then stabilized at 1-3 per cent of new cases annually. Of the 87 cases studied, all were males with a mean age of 18.9±4.12 yr, mean education of 9.8±3.42 yr and mean family income of ` 7676±7343.15 (median: ` 5000). Majority of subjects were unmarried (89.7%), urban resident (79.3%), and from a nuclear family (78.2%). About half of the subjects were students (50.6%). The most common inhalant used was typewriter correction fluid (73.6%) followed by typewriter diluent fluid (19.5%) and glue (6.9%). The most common reason for initiation was curiosity. The mean age of onset of inhalant use was 16.3±4.22 yr. Most subjects fulfilled the criteria for inhalant dependence (85.1%). Psychiatric co-morbidity and the family history of substance dependence were present in 26.4 and 32.9 per cent subjects, respectively. Majority of the subjects reported drug related problems, occupation and finance being the worst affected. Interpretations & conclusions: oOur results showed that the inhalant users were mostly urban youth belonging to middle socio-economic class families. The principal sources of inhalant abuse were the commonly available substances like typewriter correction fluids and majority of the subjects initiated it out of curiosity. Nearly three-fourth of the subjects used some other substance of abuse in addition, tobacco being the most common. In view of associated drug related problems, there is a need for strategies to prevent this emerging health care problem.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Tamsulosin Alone and in Combination with Dutasteride in Patients of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

The present prospective randomized study was conducted to find out efficacy and tolerability of tamsulosin alone (0.4mg) and tamsulosin (0.4mg) in combination with dutasteride (0.5mg) in patients of BHP. Two groups of 20 patients each received either of the regimes for 24 weeks. Both groups were evaluated for uroflowmetric, ultrasonography and AUASS parameters. Both regimes caused significant increase in Qmax, Qave, voided volume and concomitant decrease in voiding time, flow time and time to peak flow(P<0.0001). Ultrasonographically assessed prostate volume and residual urine volume decreased significantly with combination group, whereas only residual urine volume was decreased in tamsulosin group. Both groups caused improved AUASS (P<0.0001).Combination group produced more improvement than tamsulosin alone on Qmax, Qave and flow time (P<0.05) and decrease in prostate volume (P<0.001). Both regimes were well tolerated.The combination appears to have an additive effect.

Study Into The Patterns of Male Genital Tract Tumors.

Pattern of a particular disease in any population is studied with the idea of getting information about the clinical presentation, the varied morphology and the aetiological factors that can be assessed in relation to the prognosis. Our study was undertaken with the view to getting information about the prevalence , clinical presentation and morphological patterns of the tumors of the male genital tract..A total number of 111 histological proven cases of male genital tumors diagnosed over a period of 11 years were studied. The overall prevalence rate of male genital tumors was 0.94/1000 surgical admissions for histologically proven cases. The peak prevalence of male genital tumors was seen in the age group of 51-60 years.Penile cancers were the most commonly encountered malignancies accounting for 39.63% followed by prostatic adenocarcinomas 35.13%. Third in frequency were testicular tumors 34.32%. A single case (0.9%) of adenomatoid tumor of epididymis was seen.

Cerebral Perfusion Abnormalities in Cases of Down Syndrome.

A SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography using Tc-99m HMPAO) study of brain with segmental quantitative analysis was conducted to access the cerebral perfusion in cases of Down’s syndrome (DS). Varying level of brain hypo-perfusion was documented, probably explaining the neurophysiologic basis of cognitive and neuropsychological deficits, which are not well understood in DS.

Primarily Closed Bladder Exstrophy in a Female Patient Complicated by a Bladder Calculus and Squamous Cell Carcinoma-A Rare Presentation.

Bladder exstrophy is a rare congenital anomaly with an estimated incidence of 1 in 10,000 and 1 in 50,000 live births. It is even rarer in females with a male-to-female ratio being 5:1 to 6:1.We report a 19yrs old female who had primary closure of exostrophy at the age of 6months and now presented with vesical calculus and squamous cell carcinoma of bladder..

Perforation Peritonitis:A Two Year Experience.

Four hundred patients who presented in the emergency of GMC Jammu as a case of perforation peritonitis over a period of two years were studied. In most of the cases diagnosis was made by clinical examination supplemented by investigations in the form of standing X-ray chest PA view with domes of diaphragm, Ultrasound abdomen and abdominal paracentesis. Contrast enhanced CT scans of abdomen were conducted on patients where the diagnosis of perforation peritonitis was doubtful. After resuscitation, Laparotomy was done in all the patients and thorough peritoneal lavage was done. A note of the site, size, type, number of perforations was made and biopsy was taken from the edge of the perforation whenever indicated. The most common cause of gastrointestinal perforation in our study was duodenal ulcer perforation, followed by appendicitis, typhoid perforation, blunt/penetrating trauma, gastric perforation, obstruction, iatrogenic, malignancy, and recurrent perforation. Primary closure of the perforation was most commonly done procedure, followed by appendectomy, resection anastomosis of the gut and exteriorization of the gut. The overall mortality was 6 % and morbidity in the form of wound infection, fever, respiratory complications, residual abscess, dyselectrolytemia, burst abdomen, jaundice, sepsis, cardiac complications, anastomotic disruption was present

Evidence-based National Vaccine Policy.

India has over a century old tradition of development and production of vaccines. The Government rightly adopted self-sufficiency in vaccine production and self-reliance in vaccine technology as its policy objectives in 1986. However, in the absence of a full-fledged vaccine policy, there have been concerns related to demand and supply, manufacture vs. import, role of public and private sectors, choice of vaccines, new and combination vaccines, universal vs. selective vaccination, routine immunization vs. special drives, cost-benefit aspects, regulatory issues, logistics etc. The need for a comprehensive and evidence based vaccine policy that enables informed decisions on all these aspects from the public health point of view brought together doctors, scientists, policy analysts, lawyers and civil society representatives to formulate this policy paper for the consideration of the Government. This paper evolved out of the first ever ICMR-NISTADS national brainstorming workshop on vaccine policy held during 4-5 June, 2009 in New Delhi, and subsequent discussions over email for several weeks, before being adopted unanimously in the present form.

Is there a need of extra fluoride in children.

The issues related to fluoridation of water or fortification of tooth paste with compounds of fluorides are controversial. Fluoride is stored mainly in the bones, where it increases the density and changes the internal architecture, makes it osteoporotic and more prone to fractures. Fluoride consumption by human beings increases the general cancer death rate, disrupts the synthesis of collagen and leads to the breakdown of collagen in bone, tendon, muscle, skin, cartilage, lungs, kidney and trachea, causing disruptive effect on various tissues in the body. It inhibits antibody formation, disturbs immune system and makes the child prone to malignancy. Fluoride has been categorized as a protoplasmic poison and any additional ingestion of fluoride by children is undesirable.

Cerebral Perfusion Abnormalities in Children with Autism and Mental Retardation A Segmental Quantitative SPECT Study.

Autism is a severe developmental disorder, the biological mechanisms of which remain unknown. Hence we conducted this study to assess the cerebral perfusion in 10 children with autism and mental retardation. Five age matched normal children served as controls. These cases were evaluated by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using Tc-99m HMPAO, followed by segmental quantitative evaluation. Generalized hypoperfusion of brain was observed in all 10 cases as compared to controls. Frontal and prefrontal regions revealed maximum hypoperfusion. Subcortical areas also indicated hypoperfusion. We conclude that children with autism have varying levels of perfusion abnormities in brain causing neurophysiologic dysfunction that presents with cognitive and neuropsychological defects.