The Assessment of Clinical Characteristics, Treatment Patterns, and Burden of Illness in Patients With Episodic and Chronic Migraine: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Migraine is a prevalent and disabling primary headache disorder worldwide, causing significant years lost due to disability (YLD) and impacting various aspects of everyday life. Despite its high prevalence and substantial burden, there is a lack of comprehensive data on clinical patterns and management trends, in places like Tamil Nadu, India. This study aims and also fill gaps by investigating and analyzing the clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and illness burden among patients with episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM) in the state of Tamil Nadu. STUDY: This cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Neurology, Madras Medical College, Chennai, over a three-month period starting from January 2024 to March 2024. The study included migraine patients aged 18 years and above who met the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)-3 criteria and took treatment at the department. Data were collected using patient interviews, medical records, and counseling sessions and using a pre-designed questionnaire. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, symptom prevalence, prescription patterns, and illness burden were analyzed accordingly. The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire was used to measure the burden of illness. RESULTS: The analysis involved 400 migraine patients, 92.5% of them having EM and 7.5% of them having CM. The mean age of patients was 37.5 years, with a predominance of females (73.5%). Patients with CM had having significantly higher average number of headache days per month when compared to those with EM. Tension-type headache (TTH) and medication-overuse headache (MOH) were more prevalent in those CM patients. Trigger factors include lack of sleep, bright light exposure, and stress. Comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, and depression were significantly higher in CM patients. Acute treatment included NSAIDs and Triptans, while preventive therapy was more commonly used in CM patients. The mean MIDAS score was significantly higher in CM patients, which indicates greater disability. CONCLUSION: The study provides valuable insights into the clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and burden of illness among migraine patients in Tamil Nadu, India. Significant differences were observed between EM and CM patients, which highlights the need for comprehensive management strategies. Preventive therapy, lifestyle modifications, and comprehensive assessment of disability are all important in addressing the variable needs of migraine patients and also reducing the burden of illness. Further research is necessary to explore additional factors influencing migraine outcomes in this population.

Clinical impact and public health challenges of a PVL-MRSA bacteraemia outbreak amongst people who inject drugs in South Yorkshire, UK.

Background: Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is an emergent public health concern. PVL toxin has been mostly associated with methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA)-related skin and soft tissue infections occurring in high-risk groups such as people who inject drugs (PWID). The emergence of PVL methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infection is causing severe and life-threatening disease in PWID. Clinical cases: We present an outbreak of eight PVL-MRSA bacteraemia cases at a UK teaching hospital between 2018 and 2022. An additional four patients developed bacteraemia with PVL-negative MRSA of the same multilocus sequence type (MLST). All patients were PWID and aged 33-51 years old. Four patients developed MRSA bacterial endocarditis. Three patients died. These cases represent the initial cases detected at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals of what is an ongoing and developing outbreak. Management: An outbreak investigation has been undertaken in association with the UK Health Security Agency. Epidemiological factors have been explored, including via direct contact at a local sheltered accommodation and the possibility of a contaminated drug supply. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed that all isolates were closely related and of the same MLST (sequence type 5). A community substance misuse group disseminated health education on the prevention of PVL-MRSA. Preventing infection in PWID presents a major challenge due to the impact of addiction on engagement with services and the significant barriers faced by our patients in observing infection prevention measures. Conclusion: PVL-MRSA is of major public health concern and outbreak investigation and mapping out local epidemiological patterns plays a vital role in preventing further spread throughout the community. Additionally, this work enables targeted and early treatment in patients in high-risk categories for disease. These cases of PVL-MRSA infection in PWID highlights the transmissibility, pathogenic potential and severe clinical disease spectrum within this population. Further work is required to tackle transmission and infection from this pathogenic strain.

Efficacy of low-dose lung radiotherapy in the management of COVID-19 patients: a randomised, open-label study.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate role of low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) in COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: Sixty-five patients 40 years or older tested positive for COVID-19 reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction with mild to moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), were randomised 1:1, from 4 June 2021, to either best standard of care (control arm) according to the Indian Council of Medical Research guidelines or a single dose of LDRT (LDRT-0.5Gy) to both lungs along with best standard of care (experimental arm). The primary outcome was either progression to severe disease (PaO2/FiO2 ratio <100 mmHg) within 28 days of randomisation or all-cause mortality at 28 days. If the primary outcome could have been prevented, it was considered "favourable"; if not, it was considered "unfavourable." RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were allocated to experimental arm, 32 to control arm. An intention to treat analysis was performed. Unfavourable outcome was seen in 5 (15.2%) patients in experimental arm, vs , 12 (37.5%) patients in control arm, odds of an unfavourable outcome in experimental arm were 0.3, 95% CI 0.09-0.97; two-sided p = 0.04. Four and five patients died in experimental and control arm, respectively. No radiation-induced toxicity was observed. CONCLUSION: LDRT reduced the number of patients with unfavourable outcome at 28 days. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: One of the few randomised studies showing reduced unfavourable outcome in mild to moderate ARDS COVID-19 patients receiving LDRT.CTRI/2021/06/034001, Clinical Trials Registry - India (ICMR-NIMS).

Overcoming the challenges of a misdiagnosed rare lung disease - Idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis.

Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is a rare condition characterized by pleural and subpleural lung fibroelastosis with an upper lobe predominance. We present the third case of idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (IPPFE) from India, as well as the second antemortem diagnosis. A 27-year-old man presented with a one-year history of mMRC class II dry cough and shortness of breath. He described a fifteen-kilogram weight loss. After a clinico-radiological diagnosis, he was given anti-tubercular treatment and referred because he showed no improvement. A high-resolution computed tomography of the chest revealed bilateral upper lobe bullae, parenchymal and subpleural fibrosis, and irregular pleural thickening. PPFE was found in surgical lung and pleural biopsies. He was given systemic glucocorticoids but did not respond clinically or radiologically. Pirfenidone and a lung transplant were out of reach for him. He died nine months after being diagnosed with his condition. Finally, IPPFE is an extremely rare entity, with only three cases reported from our subcontinent. As a result, it is easily underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed; clinician awareness of this condition is critical for better diagnosis and management.

Impact of various prognostic factors on survival in glioblastoma: tertiary care institutional experience.

Introduction: Glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumour in adults. Among all gliomas, it is the most aggressive type, with a high fatality rate, and according to the WHO classification, it is a grade IV tumour. As this tumour is well-known for its poor survival, an understanding of clinical and treatment-related prognostic factors can help in tailored treatment. The aim of this study was to know the impact of prognostic factors on survival in these cases. Materials and methods: All glioblastoma patients treated in our hospital during 2010-2015 were included in the analysis. Cases were divided into different groups based on prognostic factors. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated and compared among the different groups. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software v20. Results: One-year OS was 36.9% and 2-year OS was 10.8%. One-year DFS was 13.04%. On univariate analysis, age at presentation ≤45 years and adjuvant chemotherapy with six cycles or more temozolomide improved OS and DFS. Multivariate analysis retained the statistically significant positive impact of usage of adjuvant temozolomide chemotherapy of ≥six cycles on OS and DFS. The use of the anti-epileptic drug Levetiracetam had a statistically significant improvement of DFS. Conclusion: Among various clinical and treatment-related prognostic factors evaluated in our study, younger age at presentation and addition of temozolomide chemotherapy to radiation showed improvement in OS and DFS. The use of the anti-epileptic drug Levetiracetam had an impact on DFS in glioblastoma patients.

Observational study of cone beam computed tomography based interfractional urinary bladder filling variation during image guided radiation therapy in pelvic malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Organ motion is an important factor that limits the precision of radiation treatment. Bladder filling variation has significant impact on the position of target volumes in pelvic malignancies. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: This study was an effort to maintain a consistent urinary bladder volume after following a bladder protocol, which was then analyzed by in-room cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total number of 26 patients/300 scans, i.e. 26 planning scan and 274 CBCT were analyzed. The bladder volumes and bladder wall dimension were analyzed comprehensively, thus adding considerable understanding to the bladder wall motions. RESULT: The mean bladder volume for all 26 patients was 183.07 cc with standard deviation of 90.43 cc. The mean +/- standard deviation of transverse, anteroposterior and longitudinal diameter was 8.35+/- 1.03, 6.69+/-1.05 and 5.59+/-1.79 cm. CONCLUSION: This study showed considerable reduction of margin could be done on the lateral side, as there is less displacement on transverse diameter and more liberal margins should be considered in anteroposterior dimension and longitudinal dimensions. This study has reached the conclusion that bladder-filling protocol is necessary to maintain the consistent bladder volume, but it is too preliminary to state that it will translate into reduction of margin.

Long-term Results of Post-operative Pelvic Image guided Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy in Gynecological Malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: To assess late clinical outcomes with image guided intensity modulated radiotherapy (IG- IMRT) in gynecological malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have been practicing IG IMRT for gynecological malignancies since January 2009. Here we are presenting our experience with this modern technique at median follow up of 38 months. During whole treatment bladder filling protocol was followed. Both target volumes and critical structures were contoured according to RTOG guidelines. Dose prescribed to clinical target volume (postop bed and nodal volume) was 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions. Cone beam CT (CBCT) scans were taken to quantify the status of target volume and normal structures. RESULTS: 80 patients were evaluated and analyzed who were treated from January 2009 to December 2014. Median age of our patients was 56.5 years. Out of eighty, forty four patients (55%) were of carcinoma endometrium and the rest 36 (45%) were of carcinoma cervix. None of our patients experienced late grade 3 or 4 bladder toxicity. Although late grade 3 and 4 bowel and rectal toxicity was experienced by single patient. 2.5% patients developed local recurrence, 5% patient developed nodal with distant metastases and 6.25% only distant metastases. Three of our patients developed lung cancer as second primary during follow up. 76.2% atients are alive with regular follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Our study concluded that IG IMRT increases patient compliance and reduces long-term side effects in post-operative gynecological malignancies without compromising local-regional control, disease free survival and overall survival.

A Comparative Analysis of Two Different Dose Fractionation Regimens of High Dose Rate Intracavitary Brachytherapy in Treatment of Carcinoma of Uterine Cervix: A Prospective Randomized Study.

INTRODUCTION: High Dose Rate (HDR) intracavitary brachytherapy is an integral component in treatment of carcinoma uterine cervix. There is no consensus about optimal fractionation in HDR brachytherapy. AIM: To assess the feasibility, tolerability of HDR intracavitary brachytherapy schedule of 8 Gy per fraction per week for 3 fractions over 6Gy per fraction per week for 4 fractions with or without chemotherapy in the treatment of carcinoma of uterine cervix. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2013 to 2014 total 80 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix (Stages IIB and IIIB) were treated with External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) and High Dose Rate Intracavitary Brachytherapy (HDR- ICBT). During course of EBRT, those patients fit for brachytherapy were randomized to arm A- 6 Gy per fraction per week for 4 fractions and arm B - 8 Gy per fraction per week for 3 fractions. RESULTS: The median follow up was 30 months, local control was 90% in Arm A and 83.3% in Arm B (p= 0.21) and the disease-free survival was 90% in Arm A and 83.3% in Arm B (p= 0.39). There is no significance difference for late rectal and bladder toxicities between two arms (p=0.43). CONCLUSION: Taking into account of increased hospital burden of locally advanced cancer cervix patients in Indian context, HDR intracavitary brachytherapy schedule of 8 Gy per fraction per week x 3 fractions is the preferable option over 6 Gy per fraction per week x 4 fractions with regard to comparable loco-regional control, acute and late toxicity, disease free survival and better patients compliance to lesser fractionation schedule.

A Prospective Study Comparing Functional Imaging (18F-FDG PET) Versus Anatomical Imaging (Contrast Enhanced CT) in Dosimetric Planning for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET-CT) is a well-used and established technique for lung cancer staging. Radiation therapy requires accurate target volume delineation, which is difficult in most cases due to coexisting atelectasis. The present study was performed to compare the 18F-FDG PET-CT with contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in target volume delineation and investigate their impacts on radiotherapy planning. METHODS: Eighteen patients were subjected to 18F- FDG PET-CT and CECT in the same position. Subsequently, the target volumes were separately delineated on both image sets. In addition, the normal organ doses were compared and evaluated. RESULTS: The comparison of the primary gross tumour volume (GTV) between the 18F-FDG PET-CT and CECT imaging revealed that 88.9% (16/18) of the patients had a quantitative change on the 18F-FDG PET-CT. Out of these patients, 77% (14/18) of the cases had a decrease in volume, while 11% (2/18) of them had an increase in volume on the 18F-FDG PET-CT. Additionally, 44.4% (8/18) of the patients showed a decrease by > 50 cm 3 on the 18F-FDG PET-CT. The comparison of the GTV lymph node between the 18F-FDG PET-CT and CECT revealed that the volume changed in 89% (16/18) of the patients: it decreased and increased in 50% (9/18) and 39% (7/18) on the 18F-FDG PET-CT. New nodes were identified in 27% (5/18) of the patients on the 18F-FDG PET-CT. The decrease in the GTV lymph node on the 18F-FDG PET-CT was statistically significant. The decreased target volumes made radiotherapy planning easier with improved sparing of normal tissues. CONCLUSION: GTV may either increase or decrease with the 18F-FDG PET-CT, compared to the CECT. However, the 18F-FDG PET-CT-based contouring facilitates the accurate delineation of tumour volumes, especially at margins, and detection of new lymph node volumes. The non-FDG avid nodes can be omitted to avoid elective nodal irradiation, which can spare the organs at risk and improve accurate staging and treatment.

Infected total knee arthroplasty due to postoperative wound contamination with Pasteurella multocida.

Pasteurella multocida is a small Gram-negative bacterium comprising part of the normal gastrointestinal and nasopharyngeal flora of domestic pets, such as dogs and cats. It rarely causes infection in humans. Previous reports of P multocida causing prosthetic joint infection have described either haematogenous spread of infection from a distant site through a scratch or bite, or reactivation of infection from a previous injury. We report a case of acute total knee arthroplasty joint infection becoming acutely infected by P multocida. We postulate that the mechanism of infection was direct contamination of the wound as a consequence of the patient being licked by his pet dog. We discuss the potential role played by thromboprophylaxis as a factor contributing to prolonged wound leak.