Introduction Of Formative Assessment: An Essential Component Of Cbme

Background: The Medical Council of India has visualized the effective outcome based strategy of CompetencyBased Medical Education where the assessment is the essential component of competencies. Formative assessmentis a systematic approach designed for students during a particular period of study to provide motivation forlearning. It helps the student to set the desired but attainable goals and to follow the steps required to achievethose specified goals.Aim: To introduce the feedback to the students during substages and after the theory tests and to assess studentsand teacher’s perspective towards feedback.Material and Method: The project was done in the Department of Anatomy, Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences,Jalandhar involving 1st year batch students and faculty members of Anatomy.Results: A good percentage of students were satisfied with the formative assessment and wanted the process tobe continued in the subsequent years too. All the faculty members had positive response for formative assessment.Conclusion: Formative assessment is the strategy to encourage the students for self directed learning and selfassessment.

Sociodemographic Correlates of Psychological Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome

Background: Premenstrual syndrome is a multifactorial psychoneurendocrine disorder. Etiology of PMS is still not demarcated & research continues in this area. Role of corelates age, parity, marital, educational & occupational status of PMS is being explored in various regions. Objective: To study sociodemographic correlates of psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in woman of reproductive age group. Material and Methods: Prospective observational study was carried on 247 females in the reproductive age group. The participants were given the list of 18 preliminary symptoms and asked to encircle the symptoms they suffer during later part of the menstrual cycle in any of the last 3 cycles. In participants reporting ≥3 symptoms, the psychological symptoms were analysed and their association was observed with various sociodemographic parameters (age, location- rural/urban, marital status, parity, education, occupation). Results: 155(62.57%) reported 3 or more symptoms during later part of the menstrual cycle in the last 3 cycles. 149(96.1%) females reported at least one psychological symptom. These women showed following demographic correlates. 74.5% of females belonged to 18-26 years age group. 75.8% were unmarried. 81% had no child. 87.2% were from urban area. 71.1% were senior secondary. 96% females had mental work occupation. Conclusion: On retrospective screening there was 62.57% prevalence but on prospective follow up with PMTS & daily diary prevalence was found to be only 4.05%. Most common psychological symptom reported was irritability & there was significant association of irritability with educational status, type of work & parity. Mood swings were significantly more in females doing mental work.

The Effect of Supplementation of Standard Antibiotic Therapy with Oral Probiotics for Bacterial Vaginosis

Background: Bacterial vaginosis is a common cause of vaginal infection worldwide in women of child bearing age. It can be asymptomatic or mild infection but can lead to many complications especially during pregnancy. Recurrence is also frequently seen in women suffering from bacterial vaginosis. This infection usually occurs when normal lactobacillus flora in vagina is disrupted and replaced by pathogens. Administration of probiotics will restore normal vaginal flora and maintain normal pH and it could prove to be a reliable alternative to antibiotics in future. Objective: To assess the effect of supplementation of standard antibiotic therapy with oral probiotics (Lactobacillus) for treatment of bacterial vaginosis. Material Methods: It was an open labeled prospective study in which 100 women diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis were randomly divided into two groups. Diagnosis was made using Amsel’s criteria and Nugent scoring was done. Group A was given Oral Metronidazole, 400 mg BD for 7 days along with oral probiotic tablet containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus BD for 6 weeks whereas Group B was administered Oral Metronidazole, 400 mg BD for 7 days. Patients were assessed at 7 days for symptomatic improvement and again at the end of 6 weeks using Nugent scores. Results obtained were then compared. Results: Out of all patients 2 patients in Group A and 5 patients in Group B could not complete the study. At the end of 7 days, there was improvement in symptoms ie decrease in itching, odour and discharge. There was a significant difference in mean Nugent score before and after treatment between group A and group B at the end of 6 weeks. Conclusion: This study concluded that improvement in patients taking probiotics along with standard antibiotic therapy was significantly more as compared to antibiotics alone.

Microalbuminuria: A marker for cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients.

Hypertension is one of the most common diseases of the modern world. In hypertensive patients, Microalbuminuria, defined as albumin excretion rate (AER) of 30-300 mg/ day or 30 – 299 mg/ gm of creatinine, acts as a specific marker to detect early arterial disease & renal damage. Detection of microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients and their treatment can significantly alter the disease progression.

Azilsartan medoxomil: Angiotensin receptor blocker in the treatment of hypertension.

Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular and renal disease. It’s early detection and control is critically important as it is an important attributable cause of stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation and ESRD. Recent data indicates increasing prevalence of hypertension amongst various populations. This reflects the importance of having a variety of treatment options for the management of this condition. Angiotensin receptor blockers are highly effective at reducing blood pressure, have excellent tolerability and renoprotective properties, hence they remain a useful choice in the management of hypertension. Azilsartan medoxomil has recently been approved by the FDA for the oral treatment of hypertension making it the eighth Angiotensin receptor blocker to be approved for this indication.

An overview of development of diagnostic plan for Premenstrual syndrome.

Premenstrual syndrome is a psychoneuroendocrine disorder of unknown etiology. It is characterized by a large number of symptom constellations with various characteristic pattern of appearance & disappearance. The Luteal phase symptom pattern of sufficient severity is the mainstay for diagnosing this condition & needs to be confirmed by prospective charting. Variety of tools with different rating scales & criteria are available for this purpose. The article reviews these tools & criteria to reach a consensus statement for diagnosis of Premenstrual syndrome.

Spontaneous reporting of Adverse Drug Reactions.

Drugs are used for the benefit of the patient however drugs also produce adverse drug reactions. Adverse drug reaction is an adverse drug event that results in undesirable or unexpected event that requires some changes in the clinician’s care of the patient, modifying a dosage, prolonging hospitalization or administering supportive treatment. Monitoring and Reporting of adverse drug reaction should be a part of comprehensive health care provided to the patients. This letter stresses on the need for the health care professional to report and monitor the adverse drug reactions.