Racial Variation of Carrying Angle of Elbow in North-East Indian Population: A Clinico-Radiological Study.

BACKGROUND: Carrying angle of elbow is the angle borne by the forearm to the arm in fully extended elbow and supinated forearm. Northeast Indian population being an amalgamation of diverse ethnicity of population, the researchers have felt the necessity of a reference value for this anthropometric parameter for pre-operative planning and template. The objective is to study the difference in carrying angle between males and females and its correlation with different parameters like age, sex, height, body mass index and handedness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in Gauhati Medical College and Hospital on 384 persons with ages ranging from 20 to 74 years. Carrying angle was measured by goniometer and confirmed by radiography. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-three were right handed while 41 individuals were left handed. In males, the mean carrying angle of the right elbow was found to be 12.55 ± 2.3° and of the left was found to be 12.27 ± 2.43°, while in females, the mean carrying angle of the right elbow was found to be 14.53 ± 2.34° and 14.06 ± 3.37° in the left (p < 0.05). Carrying angle is usually found significantly higher in dominant upper limb. There is no significant difference in carrying angle for northeast Indian population from the rest of the country. CONCLUSION: We have found that carrying angle is dependent on gender and on dominance of upper limb. The carrying angle variation in Northeastern Indian population is almost comparable with the population of the rest of our country except for some specific tribes which needs further analysis.

Hypomagnesaemia induced hypocalcemia mimicking as acute exacerbation of COPD-Rare cause of a common presentation: A case report.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory condition characterized by limitation in airflow. Most of the exacerbations are due to respiratory infections, some are due to environmental pollution. Hypocalcaemia( of any etiology ) is one of the rare causes of acute exacerbation. Here we are reporting a case of severe hypocalcaemia induced bronchospasm, presenting as acute exacerbation in a diagnosed case of COPD. 61 years old female patient, home maker by occupation and from a rural background and low socio-economic status with past history of chronic exposure to household wood smoke has presented to us with acute exacerbation of COPD. Her reports showed significant hypocalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia and low parathyroid hormone Her symptoms were controlled adequately only after correcting the hypocalcemia in addition to the standard COPD management.

Systolic dysfunction in asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients, a harbinger of microvascular complications: A cross-sectional study from North India.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of sub-clinical left ventricular dysfunction among asymptomatic diabetic patients, while the secondary objectives were to determine its association with microvascular complications and to find correlation with the baseline clinical and demographic parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 226 type 2 diabetic patients who did not have any diagnosed cardiac disease, baseline ECG abnormality or cardiac symptoms. Two-dimensional strain echocardiography was performed to estimate the prevalence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction by measuring global longitudinal strain rate (cutoff < 18). Its association with microvascular complications was analysed with SPSS 23 software. Other baseline clinical parameters and demographic profile were also analysed. RESULT: Among 226 patients (151 males, 75 females), cardiac abnormality was found in 29.2% patients. Diabetic microvascular complications (e.g. neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy) were strongly associated with it (each with p < 0.0001) in addition to dyslipidaemia, history of hypertension, higher body mass index and poor glycaemic parameters. Among them, proteinuria showed a linear inverse relationship without any specific cutoff value. CONCLUSION: It was found that sub-clinical left ventricular dysfunction was found in significantly high proportion among patients with microvascular complications. Hence, routine screening of all diabetics for such complications and subsequently high-risk patients undergoing strain echocardiography can be a very cost-effective diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic modality.

Falciparum malaria-induced acute pancreatitis.

Falciparum malaria is one of the most common causes of acute febrile illness in India and frequently presents as severe malaria also known as complicated malaria or cerebral malaria with associated multiple organ failure. Acute pancreatitis secondary to malaria is very rare complication. Here we are presenting a case of severe falciparum malaria with acute pancreatitis.

Common presentation of an uncommon anaemia in a resource-limited setting: A diagnostic challenge.

A 38-year-old female in the reproductive age group presented with anaemia in a resource-poor setting. The patient was given multiple transfusions during the course of her treatment. After a proper work-up she was diagnosed with Coomb's negative autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA). She was later treated with steroid and she showed significant improvement. Early diagnosis in her case at the primary care level with other causes of anaemia in mind could have prevented unnecessary transfusions and morbidity. Proper history and approach to anaemia is the key in a resource-poor setting.