Serum iron Profile of Patients with Sickle Cell Disease and its Association with Socio-demographic Characteristics and Duration of Diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell anemia is the most common hemoglobinopathy in the world. The study aimed to evaluate the iron profile and its association with socio-demographic characteristics in patients with sickle cell disease. METHODS: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to know the iron profile and its socio-demographic association in patients with sickle cell disease. RESULTS: The average serum iron, TIBC, and transferrin saturation were 16.75 ± 6.40 mcgMole/L, 69.46 ± 16.94 mcg/dl and 25.15 ± 12.51% respectively. The serum ferritin ranged from 10.00 to 3000.00 ng/ml. The proportion of participants with normal serum iron, TIBC, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation were 86.10%, 0.00%, 33.90% and 36.40% respectively. All of the participants of this study had low TIBC (1005), and more than half of the participants had elevated serum ferritin (56.40%). CONCLUSIONS: Iron overload is a common complication of sickle cell disease. There was no association of age and sex with iron profile. The TIBC variation between the Chaudhary ethnic group compared to other ethnic groups signifies the ethnic role in the iron profile.

Herpes zoster vaccination and the risk of dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have reported a decreased risk of dementia with herpes zoster vaccination. Given this background, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between herpes zoster vaccination and the risk of dementia. METHODS: We searched five databases until November 2023 for case-control, cross-sectional, or cohort studies investigating the association of herpes zoster vaccination and dementia. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were pooled in the meta-analysis. Meta-regression, subgroup, and sensitivity analysis were also conducted. RESULTS: We evaluated a total of five studies (one cross-sectional, one case-control, and four cohort studies) that included a total number of 103,615 patients who were vaccinated with herpes zoster vaccine. All the studies were of high quality, ranging from 7 to 9. Due to the high heterogeneity (I2 = 100%, p < .00001) observed in our study, a random effect model was used for the analysis. The pooled odds ratio was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.50, 1.43), p (overall effect) = .53), indicating that herpes zoster vaccination reduces the risk of dementia. CONCLUSION: Herpes zoster vaccination is associated with a reduction of the risk of dementia. More epidemiological studies are needed to confirm the association.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Patients On Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Systematic Review.

Despite the frequent use of prophylactic antibiotics in hospitals for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients, the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Infectious Disease Task Force does not recommend routine antibiotic prophylaxis due to a lack of compelling evidence. We assessed the effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotics in ECMO patients. We conducted a comprehensive search of multiple databases from their inception up to September 6, 2023, on various databases using keywords like "antibiotics," "prophylaxis," "extracorporeal membrane oxygenation," and "ECMO." Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of the included research. We collected data using Microsoft Excel version 2016, mean and standard deviations were calculated for continuous data, while frequencies and percentages were calculated for binomial data. A total of three studies was included in the review with a total of 8,954 participants, of which 4,483 (50.06%) received antibiotic prophylaxis, and 1,131 (25.22%) were female. The administration of antibiotics prophylactically was associated with reduction in rate of mortality, the risk of infections, and complications like acute kidney injury and diarrhea. Although there have been some benefits on antibiotic prophylaxis, prospective research, and possibly the creation of tailored, ECMO-specific bundles will be needed to identify efficient ways to prevent ECMO infection.

Danazol for the Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndromes: A Systematic Review.

Purpose To study the potential utility of danazol for treating patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, with a focus on efficacy and adverse effects (AEs). Methods MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus were searched for relevant publications from inception June 1, 1950, until June 28, 2022. The studies were screened by title and abstract, followed by full-text screening. The quality of the included studies was assessed via a prespecified set of questionnaires. Data on the efficacy measures and adverse outcomes were extracted and included in a descriptive summary. Results Nine studies consisting of 246 participants were included in our review. The overall quality of the included studies was fair. The age of the participants ranged from 61 to 78 years. In all 9 studies, more male patients had been enrolled than female patients. Overall, a proportion of patients in all the studies reported a desired major response to a danazol dose of 400 to 800 mg/day. Few studies did not observe any improvement in the platelet count. Elevated liver enzyme levels, weight gain, headache, dermatitis, and weakness were the most common AEs observed. One study reported a fatal intracerebral hemorrhage in 1 participant. Conclusions Danazol has been effective in increasing platelet count and hemoglobin level. Despite a few AEs, danazol is a safe drug for the treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

The association of multiple sclerosis with thyroid disease: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease with T-cell-mediated inflammation showing different clinical and pathological phenotypes. The relationship between MS and thyroid diseases has been debated, with varying research outcomes. This meta-analysis aims to clarify the association between different thyroid diseases and MS. METHODS: Databases PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science were searched electronically for the studies investigating the association of thyroid disorders in MS. Studies were selected based on the eligibility criteria and meta-analysis was performed on Review Manager Version 5.4 using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the clinical subtypes of thyroid disorders and forest plots were generated to interpret the findings. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's and Begg's tests and interpreted into funnel plots. Sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the effect of the exclusion of each study on the pooled odds ratio. RESULTS: Inclusive of thirteen studies comprising 13,012 MS cases and 56,850 controls, our analysis unveiled notable findings. pwMS displayed a significantly elevated prevalence of both hypothyroidism (Odds Ratio [OR]: 2.29, 95 % Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.16-4.49, pvalue: 0.02, I2 = 27 %) and autoimmune thyroid disorder (OR: 1.70, 95 % CI: 1.02-2.85, pvalue: 0.04, I2 = 79 %). The collective prevalence of all thyroid diseases among pwMS was markedly higher (OR: 1.60, 95 % CI: 1.20-2.11, p-value: 0.001, I2 = 61 %). Furthermore, gender-specific analyses revealed that females with MS experienced a significantly increased prevalence of thyroid disorders compared to their male counterparts. (pooled odds ratio 2.38,95 % CI 1.11-5.10, p-value: 0.03, I2 = 28 %) CONCLUSION: This comprehensive meta-analysis establishes a significant association between thyroid diseases and MS, substantiating the increased risk of thyroid disorders in pwMS. Moreover, the gender-based analysis implicates a potentially significant interaction between gender and the observed association. These findings collectively contribute to a better understanding of the complex interplay between MS and thyroid diseases, offering crucial insights for both clinical management and future research endeavors.

Association of urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio with lipid abnormalities and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Introduction: While proteinuria aggravates dyslipidemia in diabetic patients, dyslipidemia further worsens proteinuria via inflammatory cytokines-mediated glomerular damage. Urinary albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) is an easy and reliable method of detecting proteinuria. This study aims to determine the association of ACR with lipid abnormalities and glycemic control in the Nepalese population. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 201 diabetes patients visiting the outpatient department of internal medicine. Based on ACR values, patients were categorized as nonalbuminuric (less than 300 µg/mg) or albuminuric (more than 300 µg/mg). An unpaired t-test was used to compare the mean of various lipoproteins in these two categories. Binary logistic regression was used to check the association of ACR with sociodemographic factors (age, sex, and education), hypertension, and glycated hemoglobin. Results: Albuminuric patients had higher mean cholesterol (192.8±53.5 vs. 184.2± 37.6; P=0.209), triglyceride (194.9±97.8 vs. 164.4±73.7; P=0.017) and low-density lipoprotein (99.9±38.4 vs. 90.0±27.4; P=0.034) but lower high-density lipoprotein (53.9±18.5 vs. 61.3±19.9; P=0.008) compared to nonalbuminuric patients. There was a significant difference in mean HbA1c values across albuminuria and nonalbuminuria groups (7.1±1.1 vs. 6.7±0.8; OR: 1.4, 95% CI=1.1-1.9, P=0.030). Conclusions: Urine ACR of more than 30 mg/gram was associated with higher triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein levels and lower high-density lipoprotein levels. The HbA1c level strongly correlates with the development of albuminuria.

A case report on agenesis of dorsal pancreas with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: a rare entity.

Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas (ADP) is a clinically rare entity that occasionally presents with abdominal pain. It is also association with various disorders of glucose metabolism. Case presentation: A 23-year-old male presented with continuous epigastric pain for 4 h and intermittent vomiting. He has a history of experiencing recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhoea for the past 5 years. Additionally, he has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus for 15 years. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen showed the absence of body and tail of the pancreas. Discussion: ADP is caused by unknown factors, but may be linked to genetic mutations or changes in signalling pathways related to retinoic acid and hedgehog. Symptoms can be absent, but may include abdominal pain, pancreatitis, and hyperglycaemia due to beta-cell dysfunction and insulin deficiency. Imaging modalities, such as contrast tomography or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, are crucial in the diagnosis of ADP. Conclusion: It is important to consider ADP as a differential diagnosis in patients with glucose metabolism disorders and associated symptoms such as abdominal pain, pancreatitis, or steatorrhea. It requires the combined use of imaging modalities such as ultrasound, contrast tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, as ultrasound alone may not provide a complete diagnosis.

Traumatic retroclival hematoma complicated with hyponatremia and delayed traumatic intracranial hematoma in an adult: A case report.

Intracranial hematoma is a common variety of brain insults in trauma. However, posterior fossa hematoma in the retroclival location is quite unusual. There are limited numbers of case reports regarding traumatic retroclival hematoma. Some are managed with surgery in this condition. We present a traumatic retroclival hematoma in a 34-year-old gentleman who sustained brain trauma in a motor vehicle accident. His condition was further complicated by hyponatremia and delayed traumatic intracerebral hematoma in a distant location. The only symptom he had later was severe headache which could be attributed to delayed traumatic intracerebral hematoma and hyponatremia. He was managed conservatively and discharged on the 12th day from the hospital.

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome secondary to isoniazid and ethambutol: a case report and literature review.

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a severe, potentially life-threatening condition precipitated by reaction of therapeutic drugs. The prevalence of potential antitubercular therapy (ATT)-induced DRESS is 1.2%. Case presentation: A 71-year-old female patient after 5 weeks of starting ATT complaints of fever, vomiting, dizziness, and generalized itchy maculopapular rash over the body. It was associated with marked eosinophilia (absolute eosinophil count 3094 cell/mm3, 36% in peripheral blood smear). Discussion: Fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, and internal organ involvement with marked eosinophilia constitute the major clinical manifestations of DRESS. RegiSCAR scoring system is usually used to diagnose DRESS. Identification of the culprit drug is based on the temporal correlation of symptoms with drug exposure and rechallenge test, patch test and lymphocytic transformation tests may be valuable adjunctive tools. Treatment includes withdrawal of offending agent and use of topical or systemic corticosteroids, antihistamines, cyclosporin or JAK inhibitor with clinical judgement. Conclusion: Clinicians from the tuberculosis burden region must be aware of DRESS associated with ATT and they must counsel the patient properly before prescription and manage them without delay if DRESS ensues.

Prevalence and risk factors of chronic kidney disease among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at a tertiary care hospital in Nepal: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and determine the sociodemographic and clinical risk factors associated with CKD. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: Cross-sectional study among diabetic outpatients of a tertiary hospital in Nepal. PARTICIPANTS: 201 patients with T2DM above 18 years of age. INTERVENTION: Participants completed a questionnaire regarding their socioeconomic information and underwent pertinent physical and haematological examinations. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES MEASURE: The prevalence and risk factors of CKD among patients with T2DM. RESULTS: The prevalence of CKD in T2DM was 86.6%. In univariable analysis, the variables like age (p=0.026), hypertension status (p=0.002), duration of diabetes (p=0.009) and haemoglobin levels (p=0.027) were significantly associated with CKD among the participants with T2DM. Kruskal-Wallis H test showed that age was significantly different between various CKD stages. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between CKD with age (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3, 95% CI 1.1 to 8.8) and literacy status (AOR 5.8, 95% CI 1.4 to 24.6) CONCLUSION: Advancing age, concomitant hypertension, increasing duration of T2DM and presence of anaemia were found to be important risk factors of CKD. Age is the most important predictor of CKD showing increasing prevalence in the elderly population. Periodic screening tests are essential at an early age to identify kidney diseases at incipient stages, thereby preventing progression to end-stage renal disease.

Emergency Caesarean Section in a COVID-19 Infected Mother in a Primary Health Care Centre.

People from rural areas of Nepal struggle to have access to adequate medical care on time. Most of the tertiary centres are overburdened by patients, while the peripheral health facilities have been unable to function efficiently due to a lack of infrastructures and skilled manpower needed to run hospitals smoothly. We present a case of a 21-year-old primigravida at 41 weeks and 3 days of gestation with mild COVID-19 symptoms who underwent a Caesarean section for non-progression of labour and foetal distress at a primary health care centre in Nepal; however, both maternal and foetal outcomes were favourable. Therefore, upgrading the quality of care in peripheral health facilities can help in the achievement of accessibility, equity, and quality in health care service in Nepal. Keywords: caesarean section; COVID-19; health equity; Nepal; primary health care.

Association of Anthropometric Indices with Menstrual Abnormality among Nursing Students of Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Obesity has been reported to be linked with menstrual abnormalities including abnormality in cycle length, duration, and period blood loss. However, which anthropometric parameter is a better marker of menstrual abnormality is yet unknown. This study aims to explore the association of BMI, waist-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-height ratio (WHtR) with menstrual abnormalities. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 240 nursing students on two nursing campuses of Nepal. Demographic and menstrual characteristics related data were collected from the participants via the face-to-face interview technique followed by anthropometric measurements. Binary logistic regression was used to study the association of BMI, WHR, and WHtR with menstrual characteristics. Univariable and multivariable regression models were calculated at 95% confidence interval and a P value of 0.05 using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences, IBM SPSS® v21 (IBM, Armonk, New York). Results: Out of 240 participants, 52 participants (21.67%) were underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), and 47 participants (19.58%) were either overweight (≥23 kg/m2) or obese (≥25 kg/m2). Overweight and obese BMI was associated with abnormality in menstrual cycle length (AOR = 4.24; 95% CI = 1.77-10.17), duration of the menstrual period (AOR = 2.52; 95% CI = 1.09-5.81), and periodic menstrual blood loss (AOR = 9.04; 95% CI = 3.55-23.01). Increase in WHtR (>0.5) was associated with abnormal cycle length (AOR = 3.09; 95% CI = 1.09-8.80) and abnormal period duration (AOR = 3.05; 95% CI = 1.10-8.44). An increase in WHR (>0.8) was associated with abnormal cyclical menstrual blood loss (AOR = 4.93; 95% CI = 1.55-15.71). Conclusions: Obesity predisposes to menstrual irregularities. BMI is a better predictor of menstrual irregularity as the increase in BMI is associated with abnormality in menstrual cycle length, period duration, and blood loss. Increased WHR was associated with periodic blood loss only. Increased WHtR was associated with abnormal cycle length and period duration, but not menstrual blood loss.

Adverse events following the first dose of Covishield (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) vaccination among health workers in selected districts of central and western Nepal: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: The study aimed at exploring the adverse events following immunization (AEFI) and their incidences among health workers in three different districts of central and western Nepal following the first dose of Covishield vaccine,. It also aimed at studying the association of AEFI with demographic and clinical characteristics of vaccinees, pre-vaccination anxiety level and prior history of COVID-19 infection (RT- PCR confirmed) status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study carried out via face-to-face or telephonic interview among 1006 health workers one week after receiving their first dose of the Covishield vaccine. Incidence of adverse events was calculated in percentage while Chi-square Test was used to check the association of AEFI with independent variables. Logistic regression was used to find out the adjusted odd's ratio at 95% CI. RESULTS: Incidence of AEFI was 79.8% with local and systemic AEFI being 68.0% and 59.7% respectively. Injection site tenderness was the commonest manifestation. Local and systemic symptoms resolved in less than one week among 96.8% and 98.7% vaccinees respectively. Females were more likely to develop AEFI than males (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.2-2.4). Vaccinees aged 45-59 years were 50% less likely to develop AEFI as compared to those aged less than 30 years (AOR 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3-0.8). Most of the vaccinees had not undergone RT-PCR testing for COVID-19 (59.8%). Those who were not tested for COVID-19 prior were 1.5 odds more likely to develop AEFI compared to those who were negative (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.1). CONCLUSION: More than two-third of the vaccinees developed one or more forms of adverse events, but most events were self-limiting. Females and young adults were more prone to develop AEFI.