Effect of gender on the quality of life among elderly population: A survey report on quality of life among elderly individuals ages 60 years and above residing in Delhi NCR Region

Introduction: The twenty?first century has shown a boost in the geriatric population. Looking at the trends, this group of population is expected to outnumber the other population groups, therefore has become one of the focus points for researchers these days. As the age of an individual increase, due to slowed metabolism and other biological reasons, the physical activity levels and body functioning tends to get affected, thereby also affecting their motor skills. This age group is also an age group which tends to face changes in psychological conditions. The kind of environment which they live in and their social status are also one of contributing factors to such changes in their lives and also how their perception of life and quality of life (QOL). Maintaining a good QOL has therefore become an important issue in the geriatric population so that they can lead a better life until senescence. QOL according to the World Health Organization depends on different factors and has been measured through four domains. The four domains include the physical state, psychological domain, social domain, and environmental domain. Aim: This article aims at studying the effect of the gender of an individual on the QOL, and what steps can be taken to improve the perception of life among the population by improvements in the QOL by assessing all the four domains of a group of 100 individuals, both male and female of 60 years and above through online survey. Materials and Methods: A standardized questionnaire developed by the WHO was adopted to measure the scores obtained by both males and females in the different domains. Data obtained through this survey were tested and validated, and a comparison between the QOL scores of males and females was done using appropriate statistical tests. Results: Results showed no significant difference in the scores of males and females. Conclusion: It was concluded that the gender of an individual does not influence the QOL

Association of carcinoma breast: grade and estrogen progesterone receptor expression

To determine the association between histological grade of tumour and estrogen progesterone receptors [ER/PR] expression in unselected invasive carcinoma of breast in Malaysian patients. An observational study. Advanced Medical and Dental Institute and Hospital, Kepala Batas, from year 2002 to 2007. Ethical approval from Ministry of Health of Malaysia was obtained. Retrospective case records of patients presented between 2002- 2007 were reviewed for obtaining information on grade of tumour and expression of ER/PR in unselected carcinoma of breast patients. Records with missing data were discarded. Out of 195 cases evaluated, 42 cases of grade-l tumour were recorded of which 08 [19%] tested positive for ER and 34 [81%] tested negative, 86 cases represented grade-ll tumour of which 33 [38%] tested positive for ER and 53 [62%] were negative for ER, while out of 67 grade-Ill tumours 22 [33%] were positive for ER receptors while 45 [67%] were negative, [chi[2] statistic [df] 4.831, p=0.089]. For PR, 192 cases were evaluated and data was missing for 3 cases on PR status. Grade-l tumour consisted of 39 cases of which PR +ve represented 07 [17.94%] and 32 [82.05] cases PR -ve; 86 cases were of grade-ll of which 31 [36.04%] were PR +ve and 55 [63.95%] PR -ve. Sixty seven cases of grade-Ill tumour of which 19 [28.35%] were PR +ve and 48 [71.64] were PR -ve [chi[2] statistic [df]: 4.297; p=0.117]. ER/PR positivity trend was highest for grade-ll tumours compared to grade-l and grade-l 11 tumours. In general ER positivity was more with grade-ll and grade-Ill tumours compared to grade I tumours. Although results did not reach statistical significance but there was a trend towards ER/PR positivity in grade-ll and III tumours. So far, studies from South East Asia reported ER/PR expression more with low grade tumours

Hereditary spherocytosis in a Malay patient with chronic haemolysis

This case report describes a 35-year-old lady who presented with generalized weakness and lethargy of two weeks duration and jaundice of more than 20 years duration. Her initial workup was suggestive of haemolysis and blood film showed a leucoerythoblastic picture with moderate microspherocytes. She was finally diagnosed as a case of hereditary spherocytosis after ruling out other possible causes of chronic haemolysis and supported by an abnormal osmotic fragility test, although family members refused for screening. Hereditory spherocytosis is uncommon in Malay population and presentation with jaundice of 20 years duration with leucoerythroblastic picture on blood film were interesting features in this case. Patient is being followed closely for need of splenectomy in near future as per severity of haemolysis and currently being managed with folic acid supplement.

Metastatic mucinous carcinoma of the eyelid

Metastatic eyelid tumours are rare and account for less than 2% of all eyelid neoplasms. We report a case of metastatic breast carcinoma to the eyelid in a 60-year-old Chinese lady presenting with a 2-year history of enlarging, painless nodular lower eyelid swelling. The 1 cm diameter lesion was provisionally diagnosed as a sebaceous cyst. However the excision biopsy revealed a mucinous carcinoma expressing oestrogen receptor protein. She had a past history of mastectomy one year previously and histology showed an infiltrating ductal carcinoma (oestrogen receptor status negative) without evidence of axillary lymph node metastasis. She had completed adjuvant radio- and chemotherapy. Further treatment of the current lesion involved a wide excision which did not show any residual malignancy. She had no other evidence of metastasis and was treated with letrozol. We highlight this case to create awareness among clinicians and opthalmologists on the possibility of metastatic disease as a cause of eyelid swelling, especially in patients with a history of cancer. It may also be the first sign of metastatic disease of an internal malignancy. A review of the literature is also presented.

A study of the concordance between endoscopic gastritis and histological gastritis in an area with a low background prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection

The concordance between endoscopic and histological gastritis was determined in 52 patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The study was conducted in Northeastern Peninsular Malaysia, an area with a low background prevalence of H. pylori infection. Endoscopic and histological gastritis were assessed in accordance with the Sydney System. The results showed poor concordance between endoscopic and histological gastritis even after reclassifying mild endoscopic gastritis as normal. The low prevalence of H. pylori was validated in this study.