ABSTRACT
Introduction: The elderly population in India is steadily increasing and it is expected to triple in 2050 as of the census 2011. Drastic improvements in health care made betterment in physical health but their subjective well?being remains unaccounted. Therefore, the present study aims to assess the quality of life (QoL) among elderly and to compare the differences in QoL among elderly population residing in homes and in old age homes. Methodology: An analytical cross?sectional study among elderly above the age of 60 years residing with families and other 40 elderly population residing in old age homes. A questionnaire-based interview was conducted using a standard semistructured World Health Organization-BREF QoL questionnaire. Results: In the study, most of the participants 45 (56.3%) were male and 35 (43.8%) belonged to the age group of 70–79 years with a mean (standard deviation) age of 73.96 (7.44) years. The study found that there is nil significant difference in QoL among elderly living in old age homes and in family setups. The domain scores of psychological, social, and environmental domains showed a slight nonsignificant increase in elderly among old age homes. Conclusion: The study showed nil significant difference in QoL score in all domains for the elderly. The concept of QoL needs to be looked into with more preference to psychological, social, and environmental domains.
ABSTRACT
Background: Tracheal intubation for elective surgical procedures can result in pathological changes, trauma and nerve damage which may account for postoperative sore throat, hoarseness and cough. Dexamethasone is a very potent long acting glucocorticoid with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiemetic effects which helps to reduce post-operative sore throat.Methods: A prospective double blinded randomized study was conducted involving 80 patients, dividing them into 2 groups. Group D received dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg and group S received an equivalent volume of normal saline (placebo) intravenously before induction. Intubation was performed by an experienced anesthesiologist. Anesthesia induction and maintenance dosage were standardized for all patients. The incidence and severity of sore throat, hoarseness and cough were recorded at 1, 6 and 24 hours postoperatively by using four-point scale.Results: The overall incidence of sore throat and hoarseness was significantly reduced in dexamethasone group compared to placebo (normal saline) group. Incidence and severity of sore throat and hoarseness were assessed at 1 hour, 6 hours and 24 hours interval and found out that they were reduced in dexamethasone group compared to placebo group which was statistically significant at all intervals. But incidence and severity of cough reduced significantly only in the first hour. It was comparable at 6 and 24 hours between the groups.Conclusions: Dexamethasone was effective in reducing the incidence and severity of sore throat and hoarseness at 1, 6 and 24 hours. Incidence of postoperative cough was reduced significantly at 1 hour in the dexamethasone group.
ABSTRACT
Background: Second-trimester abortion is an important component of the comprehensive women’s health care. Data’s regarding second-trimester abortion is still under-reporting. Though the percentage of induced second-trimester abortion is low, its morbidity is higher than the first-trimester induced abortion. The abortion related mortality usually increases with the age of gestation.Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, over a period of one year. The data were collected from the medical case records and we have analyzed on the epidemiology, etiologies, complications and the methods of second- trimester abortion using statistical analysis.Results: In this study, there was no standard regimen of mifepristone and misoprostol were used for second-trimester abortion. The dosages were varied based on the gestational age of pregnancy. As the gestational age progresses, the amount of misoprostol required for the induction of second trimester abortion decreases and the difference is statistically significant. There was no reported case of rupture uterus, but varied complications such as post-abortal hemorrhage, retained placenta, need for blood transfusion, uterine perforation and one maternal death were reported during the study period.Conclusions: In order to reduce the morbidity and mortality of second trimester abortion, more policies and monitored services have to be rendered by the health system. Data regarding the second trimester abortion have to be improved.
ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic state (HHS) are the acute complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The aim was to evaluate the role of liver function parameters in T2DM patients with DKA and HHS.Methods: This descriptive study included 50 subjects in each of the following four groups: non-T2DM, T2DM without acute complications, T2DM with DKA, T2DM with HHS. Data on demography, clinical and lab diagnosis, as well as liver function parameters were collected from May 2017 to October 2017. The baseline data and liver function parameters were compared across the study groups.Results: There was significant hyperglycemia and associated baseline electrolyte, Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) analysis changes in acute complications of T2DM. Besides GGT, the serum total and direct bilirubin levels were also higher in T2DM cases with DKA. Significant levels of hypoalbuminemia and hyperglobulinemia along with raised SGPT and ALP levels were seen in acute complications of T2DM, especially in HHS complicating T2DM.Conclusions: Decreased serum albumin levels, along with elevated liver enzymes-SGPT, ALP, and GGT characterized the acute complications of T2DM, with specific alterations of liver function parameters seen in DKA and HHS cases.