Prevalence of sleep disorders in patients with advanced cancer: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Patients with advanced cancer are more susceptible to develop sleep disorders like insomnia, restlessness, hypersomnolence, and sleep apnea due to a series of stressful events and side effects of chemotherapeutic agents. Poor sleep quality is associated with bad cancer outcomes and substandard quality of life. The authors assessed the prevalence of sleep disorders among advanced cancer patients in a tertiary center in Nepal. Methods: Patients with stage three and four solid malignancies were enrolled from February 2023 to July 2023 to assess their sleep status. The data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire, analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27, and subgroup exploration was done to assess the relationship of poor sleep quality with gender, marital status, malignancy type, and treatment received. An ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC). Results: The authors evaluated data from 357 patients in the study. Of them, 58.3% were female and 41.7% were male. The mean age of the patients was 51.1 years. Among total cancer patients, 56% had significant sleep disorders. A significant association was observed between the quality of sleep and gender, type of malignancy, and treatment methods (p value <0.05). A majority of the patients demonstrated increased sleep latency, struggling to fall asleep swiftly. Conclusions: More than half of the patients had poor sleep, which has an adverse impact on the prognosis of the disease and quality of life of cancer patients. Therefore, this aspect of cancer management requires special consideration for better quality of life and appropriate end-of-life care.

The double target sign as ultrasonographic finding in a case of double intussusception: A case report.

Intussusception is one of the common conditions in children presenting with abdominal pain. The exact etiology of intussusception is unknown. Lead point is not identified in the majority of cases in children. Commonly, radiographic evidence suggests the presence of a target sign is diagnosis of intussusception. However, the presence of a double target sign in the case of intussusception is rare and depicts the presence of double intussusception. We present a case report of a 1-year-old child who presented to the emergency department with excessive crying for more than 10 hours. After the initial clinical assessment and acute management, an abdominal ultrasound revealed a double target sign on the sub-hepatic and left para-umbilical region which suggested double intussusception. No lead point was identified in our case. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are the mainstay of management in such cases.

Breast Cancer among Cancer Patients Visiting the Department of Internal Medicine of a Tertiary Centre.

Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide both in terms of incidence and mortality. Its incidence has been on an increasing trend in developing nations including Nepal, however, there is very limited evidence of its demographic profile in our setting. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of breast cancer among cancer patients visiting the Department of Internal Medicine of a tertiary centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among cancer patients visiting the Department of Internal Medicine of a tertiary care centre using retrospectively collected data from 1 August 2022 to 30 July 2023 after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. Histopathologically confirmed cancer patients were included and those with incomplete and duplicated data were excluded. A convenience sampling method was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval. Results: Among 2067 cancer patients, the prevalence of breast cancer was 102 (4.93%) (4.00-5.87, 95% Confidence Interval). The mean age was 50.51±2.08 years. The most commonly affected age group was 40 to 60 years constituting 61 (59.80%) patients. Histologically, invasive breast cancer of no special type was the most common and was found in 91 (89.22%) patients. Conclusions: The prevalence of breast cancer was similar to other studies done in similar settings. Keywords: breast cancer; cross-sectional study; demography; malignancy; prevalence.

Severe acute organophosphate poisoning managed with 2-month prolonged atropine therapy: a case report.

Introduction and Importance: Organophosphate (OP) poisoning is a common and potentially fatal condition that requires prompt and aggressive treatment with atropine, oximes, and supportive care. We report a rare case of OP poisoning that needed high doses of atropine and intensive care for 60 days. Case Presentation: A 39-year-old male ingested 200 ml of chlorpyrifos, an OP compound, and presented with vomiting and epigastric pain. He received an initial dose of atropine of 60 ml (36 mg, 1 ml=0.6 mg), followed by an infusion of 16 ml/h (9.6 mg/h). He developed hypoxia, cardiac arrest, delirium, fever, and persistent bronchorrhea. He was intubated, resuscitated, and transferred to ICU, where he continued showing signs of OP excess and therefore, he received up to 170 ml/h (102 mg/h) of atropine infusion, along with triple inotropes and sedation. He underwent tracheostomy and gradual weaning of atropine. He recovered completely and was discharged in stable condition. Clinical Discussion: This case demonstrates the need for prolonged monitoring of patients with OP poisoning wherein the patient can develop signs of OP excess even after initial atropinization, the effectiveness of multiple doses of atropine in OP poisoning, and the importance of monitoring for complications associated with a prolonged hospital stay. It also shows the potential need for prolonged atropine therapy and intensive care in OP poisoning. Conclusion: OP poisoning can be life-threatening and requires early and aggressive treatment with atropine, oximes, and supportive care. Clinicians should be aware of the potential need for prolonged atropine therapy in OP poisoning cases to improve the chances of survival.

Clarithromycin-induced acute liver injury in a patient with positive Helicobacter pylori: a case report and review of the literature.

Introduction and importance: While 14-day triple therapy with clarithromycin is a common approach for eradicating Helicobacter pylori infection, it is essential to note that this treatment does not come without potential side effects. Case presentation: We present the case of a 34-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with severe vomiting and abdominal pain. Subsequent evaluation revealed that the patient had developed drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Clinical discussion: DILI can cause acute hepatocellular or cholestatic damage, and chronic injury can lead to hepatocellular, cholestatic, vascular, or neoplastic manifestations. Conclusion: Clinicians should exercise caution and be alert to the potential hepatotoxic effects of medications, especially when initiating triple therapy for H. pylori infection.

Rheumatic heart disease in the heart of Himalayas.

Rheumatic heart disease results from the damage to heart valves caused by one or more episodes of rheumatic fever leading to a variety of cardiac complications. Although less common in developed parts of the world, it is one of the most common acquired heart diseases in low- and middle-income countries including Nepal, affecting children and young people. Primary prevention with prompt treatment of streptococcal throat infections and long-term secondary antibiotic prophylaxis with benzathine penicillin G are the key intervention strategies. Echocardiography based screening in schoolchildren has become an effective measure for early identification of the cases. More coordinated policies and effective interventions are needed to successfully decrease the burden of the rheumatic heart disease in resource limited settings like Nepal.

Congenital Limb Deficiency: A Case Report.

The complete absence of limbs is a rare occurrence. Though the causes are various, it is hard to elicit most of the time. They are usually diagnosed via anomaly scan but the lack of access to the same can often lead to a term presentation. It is still not uncommon to receive pregnant patients at term to the hospital or in labour as the first antenatal visit. Increasing the feasibility of the scan can help in the early diagnosis and management. Here, we report a rare combination of limb defects that we managed in a district-level hospital and highlight the difficulties in the management and referral of the patients while working in rural areas. Keywords: amelia; antenatal care; congenital limb deformities; fetal ultrasonography.