Effectiveness and follow-up of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate in postpartum and postabortal patients

Background: Contraception is the intentional use of artificial methods or other techniques to prevent pregnancy as a consequence of sexual intercourse. Progesterone only injectables are highly effective in preventing in pregnancy as they do not rely on daily usage of contraceptions as such as oral contraceptive pills and barrier methods. Injection depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is an effective contraceptive method in lactating mother and postabortal patients. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to study utilization pattern, acceptance, effectiveness, and adverse effects of DMPA in postpartum and postabortal women. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective and observational single-center study and was conducted at tertiary care teaching hospital. The data were collected in patient received Inj. DMPA 150 mg intra muscularly immediately after abortion and delivery before discharge. The follow-up was done after administration of DMPA (usually every 3 months). Results: In this study, 56 (53.34%) patients were in the age group of 18–25 years, while 38 (36.19%) patients were 26–35 years whereas 11 (10.47%) were more than 36 years. Out of 105 patients, 12 patients were administered only one injection, 16 patients administered two injections and 16 patients given three injections of DMPA. Common adverse effects of DMPA are irregular bleeding (43.8%), amenorrhea (22.8%), and heavy bleeding (5.7%). Out of 24 patient who developed amenorrhea after injections of DMPA, total 11 patients had amenorrhea after fourth injection, 5 patients after first injection, and 2 patients after second injection of DMPA. Average time for return of fertility after last injection of DMPA was 9 months. Conclusion: DMPA is very effective contraceptive and apart from menstrual troubles that there are no significant major side (weight gain, mood changes, etc.) effects related to its use. DMPA may cause a delay in the return of fertility, the return of fertility takes 7–10 months from date of last injection, but it is completely reversible.

Malignant Pleural Effusion: A Continued Relevance of Closed Needle Pleural Biopsy

Introduction: Thoracocentesis and pleural biopsy are recommended for the evaluation of undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion. There are multiple etiologies associated with them, out of which malignancy is one of them. Hence, the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) has been proposed in recent perspectives. We aimed to find the profile of MPE, efficacy of percutaneous closed needle pleural biopsy (PCNPB) in diagnosing MPE, overall yield, and complication rate to evaluate the continued relevance of this traditional procedure. Methods: This was a prospective study carried out on consecutive consenting patients at the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at a tertiary care hospital from July 2016 to May 2018. The diagnosis was based on cytobiochemical, microbiological, and histopathological results along with clinical history. Data were analyzed with respect to pleural fluid assessment in terms of cytobiochemical and microbiological evaluation; while pleural biopsy was studied histopathologically. Results: Two hundred and fifty patients with exudative pleural effusion were enrolled. Tuberculosis (218, 87.2%) was the most common etiology followed by malignancy (22, 8.8%). The most common presenting complaint was chest pain (100%) followed by dyspnea (90.47%). Metastatic adenocarcinoma was found in 81.81% followed by mesothelioma in 18.18%. The sensitivity of pleural biopsy for malignancy was found to be 63.63% (p < 0.003, odds ratio [OR]: 2.01), and those fulfilling Leung's criteria, sensitivity was found to be 90.90% (p < 0.001, OR: 3.67). The sensitivity of pleural fluid for malignancy was 18.18% (p < 0.05, OR: 1.51). All cases of mesothelioma have asbestos exposure. The complication in the form of mild post-pleural biopsy pain was encountered in 10%, which required mild analgesics. Other complications in the form of self-resolving pneumothorax were seen in 6%, which increased hospital stay to 2�days and self-resolving hematoma (3%). Conclusion: In this modern era, PCNPB still holds high sensitivity, efficacy rate, and relevance for diagnosing MPE with less complication rate, less hospital stay, and can be done on a daycare basis. Also, we have very less research and paperwork regarding this topic.

Clinical Profile, Adverse Drug Reaction, and Outcome of Category V Patients at a Drug-resistant Tuberculosis Center, Mumbai

Background: Drug regimens for the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) are composed of salvage drugs to which a patient has never been exposed to previously. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in a DR-TB Center attached to a medical college in a metropolitan city using the database of category V patients (n = 100) who were prediagnosed and referred. The clinical records of the patients were reviewed for demographic data, history, sputum examinations, co-morbidities, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The therapy outcomes were assessed as per Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) guidelines. Results: Their mean age was 29.1 years; there were 57 males. Mean body weight was 41.8 kg. Pediatric patients (age 12�) constituted 13%. All the patients had pulmonary TB. Of the 100 cases, 80 were Category IV failure; 5% were defaulters of Category IV; and 15% were treated with second-line drugs adequately in private. Durg-susceptibility test (DST) showed extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) in 63 and pre-XDR-TB in 37 patients. The outcomes of Category V treatment were cure (7%), died (33%), failed on therapy (4%), transferred out (16%), lost to follow-up (2%), and still on the therapy (35%). Various comorbidities were present in 25% patients. ADRs were seen in 44%, and peripheral neuropathy (18%) was the most commonly observed ADR. Conclusions: DR-TB patients were younger and males were more affected. Mortality of Category V regimen was high (33%). Most common comorbidities were anemia and hypothyroidism. Adverse reactions were common (44%); ADR peripheral neuropathy being the most common.

The QT Interval: What the Pulmonologist Needs to Know

The QT interval is an electrocardiographical measurement that denotes the time interval between the commencement and completion of the cardiac ventricular contraction process. Alterations in its value indicate abnormal cardiac rhythm and herald the risk of torsades de pointes; a fatal ventricular arrhythmia. Causes leading to a prolonged QT interval encompass a heterogeneous gamut including genetic conditions, electrolyte imbalances, hormonal imbalances, and drugs. A wide range of drugs can lead to a prolonged QT interval and these include certain crucial drugs which are routinely prescribed by a pulmonologist for infectious as well as non-infectious pulmonary indications. This becomes particularly relevant in this decade which has witnessed an excrescence in drug-resistant tuberculosis cases. Certain vital drugs employed in its management prolong QT interval significantly. In these situations, the clinician faces the predicament of cautiously prescribing these drugs to eradicate the disease microbiologically whilst balancing the risk of sudden cardiac death due to torsades de pointes. We summarise the basics of QT interval which every pulmonologist presently needs to know.

A perplexing primary novel hilar lesion: Remember the pneumonic PPNHL!

A 60-year-old female presented with dyspnea, cough, and chest pain with a left hilar mass lesion. In our case, clinicoradiological correlation, bronchoscopy, and computed tomography-guided biopsy revealed the diagnosis of primary pulmonary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (PPNHL) on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. We discuss the approach to hilar masses. PPNHL is a rare malignant lymphoma most common being mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Various therapeutic options are available. The chemotherapy regimen consisting of CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone) is preferred.