Prevalence and associated factors of undiagnosed hypertension among women aged 15-49 years in India: an analysis of National Family Health Survey-4 data.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases globally. Fortunately, there is a vast armamentarium of effective therapeutic options at our disposal so undiagnosed hypertension represents a missed opportunity. In a previous analysis [1] of the NFHS-4 dataset for the prevalence and risk factors for undiagnosed hypertension and its associated risk factors among Indian women aged 15-49 years, we had overestimated prevalence by inclusion of self-reported cases. We have since retracted when this anomaly was highlighted [2]. We have now re-analyzed the same database and here present these data. The current analysis shows that the overall prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 8.05% among women aged 15-49 years in India. In rural areas, it was 7.89% compared with 8.38% for urban areas. Factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension in rural and urban areas were age, BMI, wealth quintiles, educational level, religion, caste and geographical zones. Nearly half the women aged 15-49 years in India with hypertension are unaware and this has implications for personal and reproductive health.

The preconception health status of nongravid women aged 18 to 45 years in Arima, Trinidad: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Preconception care (PCC) is the term used for activities and interventions designed to address and prevent problems related to pregnancy, the neonatal period and childhood. This study assessed maternal health status prior to conception in Trinidad by means of a screening tool, physical measurements, and laboratory samples. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among women aged 18-45 years at a primary care centre in Arima, Trinidad. A de novo PCC screening tool was used to assess 13 domains of high-risk pregnancy in participants. These domains included dietary details, gynaecological and obstetric histories, and genetic and vaccination histories, among others. Blood pressure, weight, height, and waist circumference were recorded, and a capillary blood sample was used to determine random blood glucose and HbA1c levels. All data were coded and entered into SPSS ver. 21. RESULTS: A total of 400 nongravid participants were recruited, of whom 366 were included in the final analysis. Most (96.7%) had one or more risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes. These included overweight (27%), obesity (35%), central obesity (69.4%), and impaired glucose tolerance/diabetes mellitus (IGT/DM) (26.2%). Additionally, a sedentary lifestyle and diet high in processed food/fats were self-reported by 74.9% and 88.8% of participants, respectively. Only 13.1% had planned to conceive, and of those who had no immediate plans to conceive, 76.4% were currently sexually active, and many (60.7%) did not use birth control techniques. More than half (57.1%) had never had a pap smear. On the other hand, 86.3% knew their HIV status. Self-reported percentages for vaccination were as follows: MMR (100%), tetanus (17.5%), hepatitis B (11.5%) and influenza (2.7%). The majority (82.8%) of participants had not visited the dentist in the past year, with 35.9% of these individuals reporting symptoms of periodontitis. Segments of the population had multiple risk factors; for example, 23.7% of participants were overweight or obese and had an elevated HbA1c level. CONCLUSIONS: Unexpectedly, most participants had a risk factor for an adverse pregnancy outcome, and many had multiple risk factors. There is a strong case for enhanced preconception care for women in Trinidad.

Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter-2 Inhibitor-Induced Pruritus: Itching for Answers.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-I) have revolutionized the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus during the last decade. It has not only proven to be very effective for glycemic control but also has adjunctive effects in the management of heart failure, hypertension, and diabetic nephropathy, and even contributes to weight loss. Another benefit is the apparent lack of major side effects, particularly hypoglycemia, apart from euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis. The most well-known side effects are genital mycotic infections and urinary tract infections (UTI). Although pruritus is less well known, we highlight in this case study this side effect as notable albeit uncommon so as to sensitize clinicians to its possibility.

Quality of Life and Health Status Among Patients Receiving Renal Replacement Therapy in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies.

PURPOSE: The determinants of quality of life for patients on renal replacement therapy vary across the world. The aim of this study is to determine the quality of life of patients on renal replacement therapy in Trinidad and Tobago and predictors thereof. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study took place over a 1-year period. Data were obtained from 530 out of 1383 patients meeting inclusion criteria (100 transplants, 80 peritoneal dialyses, 350 hemodialyses) using the survey instruments. Stratified random sampling with proportional allocation was used to select patients at hemodialysis centres. The Kidney Disease Quality of Life questionnaire (KDQOL-36), EuroQol and demographic questionnaires were administered via face-to-face interviews. SPSS24, STATA14 and MINITAB18 were used for descriptive and inferential data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 530 patients, 52.5% were male, 37.5% were in the 56-65 years age group and 51.3% were of Indo-Trinbagonian descent. Hypertension (25.5%) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (62.0%) were reported as the main causes of kidney disease in the dialysis group. In the transplant category, chronic glomerulonephritis (45%) was the main aetiology of kidney disease. The KDQOL-36 domain scores and significantly associated variables included modality of renal replacement, Charlson's Comorbidity Index, ethnicity, income and employment status. Transplant patients had higher mean subcomponent Kidney Disease Quality of Life scores and performed better in the EuroQol than patients on dialysis. Patients on peritoneal dialysis had a better quality of life than hemodialysis patients. Among patients on hemodialysis, an arteriovenous fistula significantly impacted their quality of life. CONCLUSION: Renal transplant recipients enjoy the best quality of life and health state among patients on renal replacement therapy in Trinidad and Tobago. Increasing patients' access to renal transplantation or peritoneal dialysis will markedly improve health status for the number of years of renal replacement therapy.

Retroperitoneal liposarcoma mimicking pheochromocytoma.

Retroperitoneal liposarcomas are rare mesenchymal tumors which carry a poor prognosis because of their late presentation. When symptoms do occur, they are usually nonspecific and related to mass effect or invasion of local structures. Rarely, retroperitoneal liposarcomas can clinically and biochemically mimic phaeochromocytomas. We discuss one such case of a 56-year-old Afro-Trinidadian female who presented to her primary care physician with a 3-month history of weakness, intermittent sweating, difficulty sleeping and elevated blood pressure. After a 2 week trial of an oral antihypertensive regime her blood pressure was still elevated and she complained of new right sided abdominal pain. A subsequent Computed Tomography scan of her abdomen revealed an enhancing, heterogeneous right suprarenal mass suspicious for pheochromocytoma. Urinary catecholamines were also elevated and an MRI of her abdomen supported the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma although intralesionsal fat was noted, an uncommon feature of pheochromocytomas. She was booked for laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Histological analysis of the resected specimen confirmed a dedifferentiated retroperitoneal liposarcoma. While the imaging features of phaeochromocytomas and retroperitoneal liposarcomas can be similar, the presence of intralesional fat on CT and MRI should favour the diagnosis of a retroperitoneal liposarcoma, albeit the clinical and biochemical picture.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome: Tips for Diagnosis and Treatment.

Often described as a clinico-radiological entity, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is being increasingly diagnosed nowadays. However, mystery still surrounds its exact etiology. Though there are no standardized diagnostic criteria for this syndrome, there is a consistent feature associated with it: brain vasogenic edema in combination with neurotoxicity. The nonspecific nature of this condition leaves room for the diagnosis to be overlooked, leading to delays in providing appropriate treatment and unfavorable patient outcomes. PRES is associated with a variety of medical conditions including hypertension, eclampsia, autoimmune conditions, renal failure, sepsis, and an immunocompromised state, such as that secondary to the use of immunosuppressive therapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and organ transplants. Treatment by a multidisciplinary team and prompt identification and reversal of the underlying cause can lead to beneficial outcomes, as in the case we present in this report.

Relapse of Graves' disease following SARS-CoV-2 infection: A case report and brief literature review.

The interaction between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and autoimmune thyroid disease is an emerging phenomenon. The present study describes the case of a 28-year-old female who experienced a relapse of Graves' disease following SARS-CoV-2 infection. She was biochemically euthyroid for 2 years prior to COVID-19 infection. However, she began experiencing palpitations, increased sweating and tremors of the hands 9 days after being diagnosed with COVID-19-related pneumonia. In addition to presenting this case, a comparison is made of this case to similar reports and the possible mechanisms underlying the association between SARS-CoV-2 and Graves' disease are discussed. One is a direct result of viral uptake by thyroid cells, while another is a result of the hyperinflammatory 'cytokine storm' and its effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis and T-cell immunity.

Prevalence and associated factors of undiagnosed hypertension among women aged 15-49 years in India: an analysis of National Family Health Survey-4 data.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease globally. Although Indian studies have addressed the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors, this study focuses upon women in the reproductive age group, 15-49 years, who have undiagnosed hypertension. We use NFHS-4 data for secondary analyses of prevalence and factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension among women aged 15-49 years in India. Multiple logistic regression was undertaken to identify associated factors. Our analyses showed that overall prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 18.69% among women aged 15-49 years in India. In rural areas, it was 17.09% compared  and 21.73% in urban areas. By comparison, only 8.86% self-reported a diagnosis of hypertension. Factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension were age, less than or more than normal BMI, higher wealth quintiles, no education, religion, caste, and geographical zones. Almost one in five women aged 15-49 years in India has undiagnosed hypertension with implications for personal and reproductive health.

COVID-19 and ethnicity: Does reduced responsiveness to glucocorticoids explain the more aggressive nature of disease among minorities?

Marked ethnic variations in complications and mortality have been noted following infection with COVID-19, with Black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups (BAME) being particularly hard hit. We hypothesise that glucocorticoid resistance stemming from several intrinsic reasons such as chronic social stress and lower circulating levels of Vitamin D may contribute to the exaggerated inflammatory response, more severe disease and poorer outcomes observed in BAME.

The impact of air pollution on the incidence and mortality of COVID-19.

Air pollution is the most significant environmental risk factor for all-cause mortality, and it has caused substantial disability-adjusted life-years and economic loss. Air pollution intensified the mortality during past pandemics, Spanish flu in 1918 and SARS-CoV-1 in 2003. It increases host susceptibility and virulence of respiratory infections and reduces viral clearance. Thus, a question arises whether there will be any impact of air pollution on the current pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)? Thus far, history and science are directing towards an immense potential impact of air pollution on the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the devastated countries with the current pandemic are those with a poor air quality index. Further epidemiological and ecological studies are necessary to confirm this association. Also, countries must mobilize funding for mitigation of air pollution to benefit environmental health and ameliorate its potential effects on pandemics of the future.

The Use of the Slipping Slipper Sign to Explore the Connection between the Feet and the Mouth in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Both periodontal disease and peripheral neuropathy are complications associated with poorly controlled diabetes. This study aimed to determine whether periodontal disease was more prevalent and more severe among patients with severe diabetic peripheral neuropathy. METHODS: A case-control study was performed; 46 patients with and 48 without the slipping slipper sign (SSS)-a surrogate clinical marker for severe peripheral neuropathy-were recruited from a diabetic outpatient clinic. Demography and data from the Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) were assessed, in addition to the patients' periodontal health by 2 examiners blinded to patients' SSS status. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between the risk factors for and the presence of the SSS, adjusting for age, gender, and ethnicity. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample was 55.8 years (±10.69 years). Most of the participants (77.7%) had either never been to a dentist or had last attended a dental clinic more than a year before this examination, and 83% did not have a dentist. Periodontal disease was advanced in 61.7%, and there was no association between the SSS and periodontal disease. Dental-service utilization variables were significantly associated with the SSS. Patients who did not have a regular dentist were more than 7 times more likely to have the SSS than were those who did (OR = 7.70; 95% CI: 1.12 53.21). CONCLUSION: In diabetic patients, oral health-related risk factors, such as not having a dentist, wearing a denture or dentures, and visiting a dentist once a year or more, may be associated with systemic complications, including peripheral neuropathy. Early collaboration between dentists and doctors on the care of patients with diabetes is recommended.