RESUMEN
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic psycho-physiological disorder. It is considered to be the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder, and about 50-90% of IBS patients have associated psychiatric co-morbidity. We aimed to study psychiatric co-morbidities in patients with IBS visiting a tertiary care center. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional case-control study conducted over a duration of one and a half years from January 2014 to July 2015. Patients were selected from the out-patient department of gastroenterology. About 160 patients with IBS who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and who gave written informed consent were selected as study cases. The healthy attendants of cases were selected as controls. A total of 200 controls were selected. Rome-III criteria were used to diagnose IBS. For diagnosing psychiatric disorders, we used the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Schedule Plus. RESULTS: Mean age of our cases and controls was 39.7 ± 11.4 and 37.7 ± 9.6 years, respectively. Females outnumbered males in our cases as well as their controls by a ratio of 2:1 approximately. Psychiatric disorders were seen in 84.4% of IBS patients as compared to 41.5% in controls. Major psychiatric disorders seen in our patients were generalized anxiety disorders (30.0%) and depression (28.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with IBS who present to a tertiary care center have co-morbid psychiatric disorders. We need to screen these patients for such co-morbidities and develop a holistic approach for better outcome in such cases.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Delirium or acute confusional state is an acute neuropsychiatric syndrome, with varied cognitive dysfunctions. However, no comprehensive studies about this common condition have been carried out in India. OBJECTIVES: To assess cognitive dysfunctions in hypoactive and hyperactive delirium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty cases of delirium including hypoactive and hyperactive delirium and 40 other patients (neuropsychiatric patients) were studied as controls. Cognitive status estimation test, mini mental state examination and memorial delirium assessment scale were administered to each patient. All assessments were carried out three times in 24 hour cycle of day and night. The data was analysed using two sample independent t-test. RESULTS: The mean age (standard deviation) of study and control group was 27.85 (13.73) and 33.10 (11.26) years respectively. 70% patients had hyperactive delirium while 30% were having hypoactive delirium. Hypoactive delirium had more cognitive impairment compared to hyperactive delirium (p=0.001). The difference between highest and lowest score of MMSE in both types of delirium (day to night) was found to be statically significant (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The fluctuation in intensity of cognitive symptoms varies from day to night in both types of delirium, but more in hypoactive delirium and wider fluctuation in cognitive dysfunctions was noted in delirium cases with psychosis.
RESUMEN
Suicide and attempted suicide is an important health issue and the number of people who die of suicide exceeds that of conflicts. Kashmir has been suffering from a low intensity war since last 20 years in which thousands have been killed or injured. There has been phenomenal increase in cases of psychological disorders along with suicide and and suicide attempters. Suicide in a conflict zone is viewed with indifference due to focus on the physical part of trauma. Difficulties faced by the suicidal patient and his attendants are seldom highlighted. 1408 patients who reported to emergency room for suicide attempt from 2000 to 2008 were taken for the study. All the patients underwent the hospital protocol for poisoning management. Patients were subjected to detailed psychiatric evaluation and questions were specifically asked about the difficulties encountered during management. Most of the cases were females with 92.11% belonging to the Muslim religion. 76.20% cases were from a rural background. 32.5% had been referred because of the lack of specific antidotes. Forty-three percent required arrangement of transportation by their own family members. Fifty-seven percent had been stopped for security checks along the way. Seventy-three percent felt that the attitude of the staff hostile. Twenty-three percent of patients had to share a bed. Almost all patients were questioned by security agencies within the hospital. More than 68% patient reported hostility amongst their neighbors. Suicidal poisoning is a significant health problem in Kashmir and management of these cases is fraught with difficulties across the spectrum of health care. Educating the doctors at primary care about first aid, improvement in community services followed by long term resolution of the conflict would go some way in alleviating the difficulties faced by a suicidal patient and his family in a conflict zone.