Sensorineural hearing loss among type 2 diabetic patients and its association with peripheral neuropathy: a cross-sectional study from a lower middle-income country.

INTRODUCTION: Despite potential links between diabetes and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), routine hearing assessments for diabetic patients are not standard practice. Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence of SNHL and its association with diabetes-related factors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Diabetes Clinic, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan, from May to September 2021. A total of 396 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria participated after informed consent. Data collection involved a sociodemographic profile, Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument examination followed by pure-tone audiometry and laboratory tests including haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c). HL was defined using better ear four-frequency pure-tone average of ≥26 dB HL and graded as per WHO criteria. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. χ2, independent t-test and multinomial logistic regression analyses were applied. P<0.05 at 95% CI was considered significant. RESULTS: Our study revealed a high prevalence of SNHL among patients with T2DM. Mild HL was seen in 55.8%, while 18.7% suffered from moderate HL. Common audiological symptoms included difficulty understanding speech in noisy surroundings (44.2%), balance problems (42.9%), sentence repetition (35.9%), tinnitus (32.3%) and differentiating consonants (31.1%). Hearing impairment predominantly affected low (0.25-0.5 kHz) and high (4-8 kHz) frequencies with a significant difference at 4 kHz among both sexes (t (394)=2.8, p=0.004). Peripheral neuropathy was significantly associated with SNHL on multinomial logistic regression after adjusting with age, sex, body mass index and the presence of any comorbidities. Diabetes duration, HbA1c or family history of diabetes was found unrelated to SNHL severity. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the substantial prevalence of SNHL among patients with T2DM and emphasises the importance of targeted audiological care as part of a holistic approach to diabetes management. Addressing HL early may significantly improve communication and overall quality of life.

Postpartum septic shock presenting as symmetrical peripheral gangrene: A rare entity.

Symmetric peripheral gangrene (SPG) is a rare clinical entity defined as ischemia of peripheral parts of the body without underlying vaso-occlusive disease. Its pathogenesis is unknown, but it is seen from previous reports that SPG is a sequel of underlying Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC). We report a case of a middle-aged woman who developed high-grade fever followed by painful black discoloration of the digits of four limbs, few days after spontaneous vaginal delivery at home. The patient developed septic shock. However, peripheral pulses were palpable and radiologic and laboratory investigations did not show any evidence of vessel occlusion. The patient had neutrophilic leukocytosis and a deranged clotting profile. Blood culture revealed growth of Staphylococcus Aureus and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. The patient was diagnosed with SPG due to postpartum sepsis and DIC. She was managed with fluids, antibiotics, aspirin, and heparin but unfortunately, the patient underwent amputation of limbs due to irreversible ischemia. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and management of SPG are crucial to prevent mortality and morbidity.

Disseminated Tuberculosis Presenting as Cerebellar Dysfunction and Adrenal Insufficiency in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Rare Coexistence.

Disseminated tuberculosis is more prevalent in immunocompromised hosts; however, it can affect people with intact immune systems. Here, we present a case of an immunocompetent young woman who presented with headache, vomiting, and dizziness for the past two months. There was a history of significant weight loss during this period. Examination revealed postural hypotension and positive cerebellar signs. Imaging of the brain revealed a conglomerate mass in the cerebellar vermis suggestive of tuberculoma. Tubercle bacilli were detected in gastric lavage specimens. Laboratory investigations revealed hyponatremia with low serum osmolality. Further investigations showed low serum cortisol and high adrenocorticotrophic hormone levels. CT of the abdomen revealed atrophy of both adrenal glands. Our patient was diagnosed with cerebellar dysfunction and adrenal insufficiency secondary to disseminated tuberculosis. We started the patient on antituberculous drugs, along with mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid replacement. Subsequent follow-up showed significant improvement in symptoms. Hence, timely diagnosis of the disease is essential to prevent lethal outcomes.

A Fatal Fate: A Medical Error Leading to Acute Methotrexate Toxicity.

Methotrexate is an anti-metabolite, which is commonly utilized as an anti-cancer, anti-rheumatic, and anti-inflammatory drug used to treat a large variety of connective tissue disorders. Methotrexate when consumed at low doses for longer periods usually has a very limited side effect profile, however, accidental ingestion of large methotrexate doses is common which can result in a wide variety of adverse effects and can even result in fatal demise. We, unfortunately, relate the incidence of a 75-year-old female, who unintentionally consumed 200mg of methotrexate instead of methylcobalamin because the pharmacist misunderstood the prescription. The patient presented to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department of Jinnah Hospital, Karachi, with extensive hemorrhagic oral ulcers, maculopapular dermatitis, and inability to swallow, which further progressed to acute renal insufficiency, neutropenic sepsis, and respiratory distress. The patient was managed with leucovorin rescue therapy, intravenous rehydration, urinary alkalinization, neutropenic protocol, and oxygen support given her respiratory distress, and hemodialysis was arranged for her renal insufficiency. However, despite all these measures the patient met an unfortunate fate and expired. Patients should be given accurate dosage directions, detailed textural information, and audio-visual resources. Additionally, symptoms of toxicity should be explained to all patients. Measures should be taken to minimize such unfortunate events in the future.

Correlation between Glycated Hemoglobin and Triglyceride Level in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

CONTEXT: Dyslipidemia is quite prevalent in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Maintaining tight glycemic along with lipid control plays an essential role in preventing micro- and macro-vascular complications associated with diabetes. PURPOSE: The main purpose of the study was to highlight the relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and triglyceride levels. This may in turn help in predicting the triglyceride status of type 2 diabetics and therefore identifying patients at increased risk from cardiovascular events. Hypertriglyceridemia is one of the common risk factors for coronary artery disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Careful monitoring of the blood glucose level can be used to predict lipid status and can prevent most of the complications associated with the disease. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study using data collected from the outpatient diabetic clinic of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Karachi, Pakistan. Patients of age 18 years and above were recruited from the clinic. A total of consenting 509 patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled over a period of 11 months.  For statistical analysis, SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 17.0 ( IBM Corp, Armonk, New York) was used and Chi-square and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to find the association between triglyceride and HbA1c. The HbA1c was dichotomized into four groups on the basis of cut-off. Chi-square was used for association between HbA1c with various cut-off values and high triglyceride levels. Odds-ratio and its 95% confidence interval were calculated to estimate the level of risk between high triglyceride levels and HbA1c groups. The p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all the tests applied for significance. RESULT: The association of high triglyceride was evaluated in four different groups of HbA1c, with a cut-off seven, eight, nine and 10 respectively. With HbA1c cut-off value of 7%, 74% patients had high triglycerides and showed a significant association with high triglyceride levels at p < 0.001 and odds ratio was 2.038 (95% confidence interval: 1.397 - 2.972). Logistic regression models were adjusted for demographic factors (age, race, gender), lifestyle factors (smoking, body mass index, lifestyle) and health status factors (blood pressure, physician-rated health status). CONCLUSION: After adjusting for relevant covariates, glycated hemoglobin was positively correlated with high triglyceride. Hence, HbA1c can be an indicator of triglyceride level and can be one of the predictors of cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Autoamputation and Polyneuropathy in Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder: A Case Report.

Mixed connective tissue disorder (MCTD) is a multisystem disease with overlapping features of other autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), myositis, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma. MCTD presents with a distinctive antibody in serum known as U1-ribonucleoprotein (RNP). MCTD is quite rare as compared to other connective tissue disorders like SLE, systemic sclerosis, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis. We describe a case of MCTD in a young Asian female of 30 year old. This case highlights rare co-existence of polyneuropathy and autoamputation in MCTD disorder. Trigeminal neuralgia and cranial nerve involvements have been previously reported in MCTD but the findings of polyneuropathy and autoamputation are extremely rare.

A Case Report on Complicated Tuberculous Meningitis.

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is associated with significant complications of central nervous system. It is accompanied by nonspecific and heterogeneous clinical symptoms. We focused on the significance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment. We describe a case of TBM in a 19-year-old Asian female. She had a progressive motor weakness with no sensory findings. She was started on antituberculous therapy. Her magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast of dorsolumbar spine showed syringomyelia. Her culture and sensitivity for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) came negative. She was given a therapeutic trial of quinolones and Steroids. She had an uneventful recovery and was followed up for the past one year.