Development of an index of need for health resources for Indian States using factor analysis.

An index of need for health resources in the Indian States has been developed using the statistical technique of factor analysis. Data on seven selected indicators measuring various aspects of population health in 17 Indian States for the year 1981 were used to extract factors. Two factors were discovered which together explained 83% of the total variation. The first factor alone, identified as 'proximate determinants', explained 67% of the variation. The second, 'sociomedical background' accounted for 16%. Factor analysis results have been used to derive standardized indices which helped to compare quantitatively the health needs of the people of various States.

Clinical evaluation of the tolerability and efficacy of trovafloxacin compared with sparfloxacin in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical tolerability and efficacy of trovafloxacin compared with sparfloxacin in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections. DESIGN: This was a randomised, double-blind, controlled, parallel study. PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: 92 patients with lower respiratory tract infection were enrolled in three centres. 45 patients received trovafloxacin 200mg once daily orally for 10 days and 43 patients received sparfloxacin 400mg on the first day and 200mg once daily orally for 9 days. Clinical evaluation was performed for fever, dyspnoea, pulmonary symptoms, cough and sputum on days 1, 3, 6 and 12 of the study along with bacteriological evaluation on days 1 and 12. Any adverse effects were also recorded during the study period. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in the severity of symptoms from day 4 until the end of the study. Clinical cure or improvement was seen in 87 and 95% of the trovafloxacin and sparfloxacin groups, respectively. Bacteriological eradication rates were 84 and 89% for the trovafloxacin and sparfloxacin groups, respectively. The number of adverse effects was 10 and 13 reported by 10 and 13 patients in the trovafloxacin and sparfloxacin groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Trovafloxacin is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections in a dosage of 200mg daily. It was observed that the efficacy and tolerability of trovafloxacin is comparable to that of sparfloxacin (200mg daily, with a loading dose of 400mg on the first day) in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections. However, further studies are needed to confirm this.

Mesothelial splenic cyst--a case report.

A 26-year-old male presented with a left upper abdominal mass of one year's duration. Ultrasonography revealed a cystic lesion arising from the lower pole of the spleen. Total splenectomy was done and pathological examination of the cyst confirmed a true cyst with mesothelial lining without squamous metaplasia. The epithelial linings of these true cysts ranged from flattened low cuboidal, low columnar to squamous type and unilayered or stratified. The pathogenetic hypotheses as well as clinicopathological features of this rare lesion, which is usually found in children and young adults, were reviewed.

Primary plasmacytoma of testis. Report of a case.

A primary testicular tumour in a 62 year old man was found to be a plasmacytoma on histopathological examination without any extra testicular disease prior to or subsequent to orchiectomy, fulfilling the criteria for the primary extramedullary plasmacytoma. Such cases are extremely rare. Evaluation of such a case was discussed and the relevant literature reviewed.