Serum Uric Acid to Creatinine Ratio with Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in Type 2 Diabetes Patients.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder associated with cardiovascular and renal complications. The serum uric acid to creatinine ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate are important markers used to assess kidney function in patients with type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to find the correlation between serum uric acid to creatinine ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate to various parameters among the diabetes patients. METHODS: It is an observational hospital-based, cross-sectional study. Patients with a diagnosis of diabetes for three years or more duration were selected. This study designed to serum uric acid to creatinine ratio with estimated glomerular filtration rate and its relationship with other biochemical parameters. The Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula was used to calculate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). eGFR (mL/min∙1.73 m2) = 186 × (Scr) -1.154 × (age) - 0.203 × (0.742 female). Low eGFR was defined as eGFR<60 mL/min∙1.73 m2. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 20. Mean values of different variables, standard deviations and p-values were calculated. RESULTS: Mean serum uric acid to creatinine ratio was 6.09±1.71 and elevated among 49.1%. Mean blood urea and serum creatinine levels were 28.0±10.72 and 1.01±0.18, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between eGFR and serum uric acid : serum creatinine ( r = 0.246, p = 0.007) in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The serum uric acid to creatinine ratio can serve as an early marker for renal injury, showing a positive correlation with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Monitoring serum uric acid to creatinine ratio levels alongside eGFR can assistance in the identification and management of kidney damage in its early stages.

Toxoplasma gondii Pneumonia in an Immunocompetent Host: A Case Report.

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. An acute infection caused by the protozoan is usually asymptomatic but some patients may go into a complicated course. Though it is a common pathogen of immunocompromised states as HIV AIDS, rarely it may present in an immunocompetent host as pneumonia. We report a 38 years old male who presented with fever with respiratory distress associated with inguinal lymphadenopathy and transaminitis. Toxoplasma pneumonia was diagnosed by clinico-radiological and immunological methods. The patient was treated with a specific antimicrobial agent. A high degree of suspicion for the diagnosis and initiation of specific therapy can be lifesaving to the patient that might be rewarding to the treating physicians.

Prevalence of Intermediate Syndrome among Admitted Patients with Organophosphorous Poisoning in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Organophosphorous poisoning is a common problem prevalent in Nepal. Intermediate syndrome is a common clinical feature seen among the patients those have ingested poison. There is a scarcity of data related to intermediate syndrome and other general complications in patients with organophosphorous poisoning in context of Nepal. This study was carried out to observe the prevalence of intermediate syndrome and the general complications of oraganophosphorus poisoning among admitted patients in a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care hospital from April 2008 to June 2009 after ethical approval was from Institiutional Review Board of tertiary care hospital. Forty four patients with history of ingestion of organophosphorus poisoning within 24 hours were included in our study through convenience sampling. Clinical examinations were done to look for Intermediate syndrome. Data was entered in Statistical Package for Social Sciences and point estimate at 95% of CI was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. RESULTS: Out of 44 patients, features of intermediate syndrome were seen in 40 (90.9%) at 95% of CI (84.2-97.6) patients in the study. The frequency of intermediate syndrome signs like weakness of neck flexion, inability to sit up and swallowing difficulty were seen among the patients. Complications like pneumonia 4 (9.09%), hyponatremia 3 (6.8%), hypokalemia 1 (2.27%) and bradycardia 1 (2.27%) were seen in the study. Mortality seen in the study was 2 (4.5%) among the admitted patients. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of intermediate syndrome was higher compared to other studies done in similar settings. Complications like pneumonia, hyponatremia, hypokalemia and bradycardia were seen among the patients.