Restarting cataract surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic; a prospective study analysing 30 day outcomes after elective cataract surgery in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Cataract is a significant cause of preventable blindness in the United Kingdom and worldwide. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, cataract surgery was the most commonly performed operation by the National Health Service in the United Kingdom. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety of elective cataract surgery performed in the United Kingdom in a COVID-19 free hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Single centre prospective observational cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing elective cataract surgery in the United Kingdom over a 3 month period from May to August 2020. Electronic medical records were reviewed and patients were contacted at 30 days post-operatively. Data collection included symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 infection, hospital admission, mortality, intra-operative and post-operative surgical complications. RESULTS: A total of 649 elective cataract surgeries were performed. Two patients (0.3%) developed worsening dyspnoea during the 30 day post-operative period, but tested negative for COVID-19 infection. Three patients (0.5%) were hospitalised, unrelated to COVID-19 infection, of which one patient (0.2%) passed. Four patients (0.6%) suffered posterior capsular rupture. 601 (93.2%) had no post-operative complications. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a safe model for the resumption of elective cataract surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing strict infection control measures are in place.

Measuring adolescent friendly health services in India: A scoping review of evaluations.

BACKGROUND: Initiatives to promote adolescent friendly health services (AFHS) have been taking place in India and many low- and middle-income countries for nearly two decades. Evaluations of these initiatives have been placed in the public arena from time to time, but little is known about what they say about the overall situation on AFHS in India. This study aimed to describe how efforts to provide AFHS in India have been evaluated, how well they have been evaluated, and what their findings and implications are. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review of evaluations of AFHS initiatives in India from 2000 to 2014. An electronic search was carried out in Medline and EMBASE. A manual search of grey literature was also performed, and experts were contacted in order to obtain additional manuscripts and reports. RESULTS: Thirty evaluation reports were identified representing a broad geographic distribution. Evaluations have focused on government-sponsored AFHS programmes or independent non-governmental organization (NGO) initiatives to strengthen government services. The evaluations primarily measured programme outputs (e.g. quality and service utilization) and health behavioural outcomes (e.g. condom use). Study designs were commonly descriptive or quasi-experimental. Most evaluations found improvement in quality and utilization of services, and some demonstrated an increase in adolescent knowledge or health behaviours. Few measured positive project/programme results such as older age at first pregnancy. Strengths of evaluations were clear objectives, frequent use of multiple data sources, and assessment of programmatic outputs as well as health outcomes. Weaknesses were lack of consistency and quality. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that a number of evaluations of AFHS initiatives in India have been carried out. They point to service quality and in behavioural improvements in adolescents. However, their lack of consistency hinders comparison across sites, and their uneven quality means that their findings need to be interpreted with caution.

HIV and TB co-infection in Indian context.

This study was carried out in a Anti-Retroviral Therapy Clinic and TB center of a tertiary level hospital to find out socio-demographic correlates of HIV/TB individuals and risk factors of HIV/TB co-infection in Indian context. It is a case-control study comprising 420 subjects, 3 groups of 140 each. For a case group of HIV-TB co-infected subjects, two control groups, one comprising HIV patients (not having TB), and the other TB patients (not having HIV). Majority 267 (63.6%) males, 100 (71.4%) in case group (HIV/ TB), 74 (52.9%) in control group 1 (TB) and 93 (66.4%) in control group 2 (HIV). Mean (+/-SD) age of case-group was 34.91 (+/- 8.57) years. New TB cases were 213 (76.1%), more among control-group 1, compared to case-group. Multivariate analysis showed that risk of co-infection was 1.94 times higher among individuals aged >35 years. Difference statistically significant amongst those who were not on ART than who were on ART (p < 0.001). Those with CD4 counts <200 had 1.85 times risk of TB. Smokers had 1.92 times risk of TB. Co-infection higher in males, in age group 35-44 years, urban area, lower educational status and lower socioeconomic class. Current history of smoking significantly associated with co-infection. HIV status during TB infection was detected in 1/4th of study subjects. History of TB symptoms in family significantly associated with co-infection.

The prevalence and predictors of depression and disability in older adults and elderly patients with Diabetes in India: Cross-sectional analysis from the Longitudinal Study on Ageing.

AIM: Depression is associated with multiple comorbidities, such as Diabetes Mellitus (DM), especially in the geriatric population. Elderly patients having depression-DM comorbidity are more likely to experience disabilities in daily activities (IADL/ADL). The study objective was to determine the prevalence and predictors of depression in elderly patients with DM in India and also report the prevalence of IADL/ADL (Activities of daily living/Instrumental activities of daily living) disabilities in depressed and non-depressed subgroups of patients with DM. METHODS: We analyzed the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) survey (2017-2018), focusing on individuals aged 45 years and older after excluding those with cognitive impairment. The effective sample size for this study was 66,606. RESULTS: Findings indicate that 15.48% of participants had depression while 12.96% (95% CI: 11.04, 15.17) were comorbid for depression and DM. Amongst patients with DM, the prevalence of depression comorbidity was 19.89% (95% CI:16.92, 23.24). On adjusted analysis among patients with DM, urban residence compared to rural, and the availability of financial support was protective against the onset of depression while multimorbidity was a risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms in the elderly especially with DM comorbidity are linked to a high burden of poor ADL and IADL. Sensitization of the community towards providing support to the elderly and early screening for IADL/ADL disabilities in depression-DM comorbid patients should be prioritized.

Diabetes care cascade and their predictors in young and middle-aged population in India: evidence from the National Family Health Survey (2019-21).

Purpose: Weak care cascade of diabetes from the time of screening, diagnosis, treatment initiation and attainment of optimal glycemic control is a public health challenge particularly in resource limited settings. We aimed to assess the diabetes care cascade in India and its determinants in the 15-49 age group. Methods: We conducted a secondary data analysis of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-2021), a nationally representative cross-sectional survey, including a total of 724,115 women and 101,839 men with mean (SD) age 30.6 (9.9) years. Results: The prevalence of self-reported Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in the sample was 2.14% (n = 14,116, 95% CI: 2.06, 2.21) of which 55.13% (n = 6990, 95% CI: 53.37, 56.88) were currently undergoing anti-diabetes therapy. The net prevalence of DM including both old and new cases detected on screening was 2.9%. Poor glycemic control was observed in 52.43% (n = 3506, 95% CI: 50.69, 54.16) of patients with DM on anti-diabetes therapy. Patients from the richest wealth quintile (aOR = 5.17, 95% CI: 1.93, 13.84) had significantly higher odds of accessing private health facilities, while female patients with DM were less likely to be on anti-diabetes therapy. Conclusion: The prevalence of self-reported DM in India has increased from 1.7% (NFHS-4, 2015-16) to 2.1% (NFHS-5, 2019-21) while more than half of existing patients continue to remain undiagnosed. Consequently, diabetes care cascade have major lacunae at every stage from screening to diagnosis, initiation of effective treatment, and achievement of safe blood glucose levels. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-023-01263-9.

A Comprehensive Review on Exosome: Recent Progress and Outlook.

Exosomes are intrinsic membrane-based vesicles that play a key role in both normal and pathological processes. Since their discovery, exosomes have been investigated as viable drug delivery systems and clinical indicators because of their magnitude and effectiveness in delivering biological components to targeted cells. Exosome characteristics are biocompatible, prefer tumor recruitment, have tunable targeting efficiency, and are stable, making them outstanding and eye-catching medication delivery systems for cancer and other disorders. There is great interest in using cell-released tiny vesicles that activate the immune system in the age of the fast development of cancer immunotherapy. Exosomes, which are cell-derived nanovesicles, have a lot of potential for application in cancer immunotherapy due to their immunogenicity and molecular transfer function. More significantly, exosomes can transfer their cargo to specified cells and so affect the phenotypic and immune-regulation capabilities of those cells. In this article, we summarize exosomes' biogenesis, isolation techniques, drug delivery, applications, and recent clinical updates. The use of exosomes as drug-delivery systems for small compounds, macromolecules, and nucleotides has recently advanced. We have tried to give holistic and exhaustive pieces of information showcasing current progress and clinical updates of exosomes.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) on Clozapine with a Potential Atypical Interaction with Paliperidone.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) associated with the use of first-generation antipsychotics is a widely known phenomenon. This idiosyncratic reaction is less significant with the use of second-generation antipsychotics, and only a few cases in the literature exist, describing this reaction with clozapine use. While being titrated on clozapine, the patient developed major and minor criteria features of NMS as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition (DSM-5) criteria except for fever, a core symptom which created diagnostic uncertainty. Initially, clozapine was temporarily discontinued due to his deteriorating mental and physical state. A rechallenge was considered at a much lower dose, but due to a rapid increase in his creatinine kinase (CK) levels within a 12-hour timeframe, clozapine was permanently stopped. The evidence further suggests that the presentation of NMS for patients on this medication may be different to the classical presentation, and other criteria for diagnosis are suggested, which may lower the threshold for investigating NMS for patients on clozapine.

Immediate postoperative complications following coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with type 2 diabetes: A prospective cohort study.

AIMS: Several studies in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from the United States and European countries have demonstrated a higher risk of morbidity and mortality than those without T2DM following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The data from Indian patients are scarce. Therefore, this study was carried out to focus on immediate postoperative complications following CABG in Indian patients. METHODS: Eighteen hundred consecutive patients who underwent elective CABG were included. Following exclusion criteria, a total of 1017 subjects were included for final analysis. 692 (68%) patients had T2DM and 325 (32%) patients had no T2DM. Data were obtained by collecting clinical data, routine biochemistry and chest imaging. Patients were followed up to 7 days postoperatively. RESULTS: At baseline, hypertension, triple vessel coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease and peripheral vascular disease were more common in patients with T2DM. Intraoperatively, use of blood products and intra-aortic balloon pump were more common in T2DM patients. Postoperatively, 13.2% patients with T2DM developed acute kidney injury versus 5.3% in non-T2DM group. Requirement of dialysis was not different between groups (P = 0.394). Pneumonia occurred in 2 patients in both groups (P = 0.370). Catheter-associated urinary tract infections were similar in two groups (P = 0.507). Mortality occurred only in one T2DM patient and none in non-T2DM group (P = 0.618). CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of patients with T2DM developed acute kidney injury following CABG. There was no difference in infective complications such as pneumonia and catheter-associated urinary tract infection, between the two groups.

Once Weekly Dulaglutide Therapy in Type 2 Diabetic Subjects, Real-world Evidence from a Tertiary Care Diabetes Center in India.

AIMS: To evaluate the real-world efficacy, durability, and side-effect profile of once weekly GLP1RA: dulaglutide in Indian type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study. Data for efficacy (HbA1c and weight), adherence/discontinuation and patient reported side-effects, of 117 patients who were prescribed dulaglutide were analyzed. RESULTS: Final analysis was done on complete data of 74 patients (6 months follow-up), this indicated that dulaglutide is effective (mean-reduction at 6 months of: HbA1c; 0.87% and weight; 3.8 kg). Subjects with a poorer glycemic control (greater HbA1c) or greater weight at initiation had a better fall in HbA1c and weight reduction at the end of the study. The most common side-effects were gastrointestinal (15% nausea and 6% loose motions). Also, 25% (n = 19) of our study subjects discontinued dulaglutide because of gastrointestinal side-effects. CONCLUSION: Our real-world experience is well aligned to systematic data of the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the efficacy of dulaglutide in the treatment of T2DM (our study vs. RCTs; HbA1c reduction: 0.87% vs. 0.78% to 1.64%, weight reduction: 3.8 vs. 0.3 to 3 kg). The most common side-effects and reason for discontinuation were gastrointestinal side-effects. Finally, by virtue of their observed benefit, we expect a superior cardiovascular risk-reduction with dulaglutide use in our population.

Prevalence of unrecognised depression among outpatient department attendees of a rural hospital in delhi, India.

BACKGROUND: Depression is one of the most common mental disorders affecting 121 million people in the world and it frequently goes unrecognised among patients. This study was carried out to find out the prevalence of unrecognised depression among out patient attendees of a rural hospital in Delhi, India and its socio demographic correlates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a rural hospital based cross sectional study among 395 patients attending different non-psychiatric outpatient departments. Data was collected by using predesigned & pretested questionnaire and prevalence of depression was determined by PRIME MD (PHQ-9) and analysed by using SPSS version 16. Data was analysed using chi-square test with "p" value < 0.05 considered as significant. Independent association of socio demographic variables were determined by multi-variate logistic regression analysis using WHO EPI INFO software. RESULTS: The study included 67% females and 33% males with mean age 31.73 + 12 years. Most were Hindu (80%), married (75%), illiterate (47%) and were unemployed (65%). Out of 395 patients, 119 (30.1%) were diagnosed to be having depression. Out of 119 patients who were found depressed, 25 (21%) were already diagnosed case of depression and 94 (79%) were detected by using PRIME-MD, giving prevalence of unrecognised depression 23.8%. Among socio demographic factors, gender, religion, education status and being widow/separated were found to be statistically significantly associated with hidden depression among the patients. CONCLUSION: Unrecognized depression is a common in non-psychiatric OPDs. There is a need to screen patients presenting in such OPDs for depression.

A Study of the Swine Flu (H1N1) Epidemic Among Health Care Providers of a Medical College Hospital of Delhi.

BACKGROUND: Influenza viruses cause annual epidemics and occasional pandemics that have claimed the lives of millions. Understanding the role of specific perceptions in motivating people to engage in precautionary behavior may help health communicators to improve their messages about outbreaks of new infectious disease generally and swine flu specifically. OBJECTIVES: To study the knowledge and practices of health care providers regarding swine flu and to study the attitudes and practices of health care providers toward the prevention of the swine flu epidemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was a cross-sectional (descriptive) study and was conducted in the month of September, 2009, among doctors and nurses. A maximum of 40% of the total health care providers of GTB Hospital were covered because of feasibility and logistics, and, therefore, the sample size was 334. RESULTS: Around 75% of the health care providers were aware about the symptoms of swine flu. Mostly, all study subjects were aware that it is transmitted through droplet infection. Correct knowledge of the incubation period of swine flu was known to 80% of the doctors and 69% of the nurses. Knowledge about high-risk groups (contacts, travelers, health care providers) was observed among 88% of the doctors and 78.8% of the nurses. Practice of wearing mask during duty hours was observed among 82.6% of doctors and 85% of nurses, whereas of the total study population, only 40% were correctly using mask during duty hours. CONCLUSIONS: Significant gaps observed between knowledge and actual practice of the Health Care Provider regarding swine flu need to be filled by appropriate training. Data indicate that the health care providers are very intellectual, but they do not themselves practice what they preach.