ABSTRACT
Objective: PEM is a significant nutritional disorder in India. The aim of this study was to assess the severity of the disorder and make a quick nutritional assessment in the patients using serum albumin, total cholesterol and lymphocyte count as the laboratory parameters. The study also aimed at correlating these biochemical parameters with physical parameters. Materials and Methods: 42 clinically undernourished children in the age group of 2-5yrs were enrolled for the study. Their age and body weight were noted and the subjects were accordingly grouped under Grade 1, 2 or 3 malnutrition as per Gomez’ classification. Serum Albumin, total lymphocyte count and total cholesterol values of these cases were noted. Depending on the values obtained, the subjects were grouped into 3 categories – mild, moderate and severe malnutrition. Physicalparameters were correlated with the biochemical parameters. Results: Pearson’s correlation test results showed a significant positive correlation between Grade 1&mild malnutrition; Grade 2&moderate malnutrition; and Grade III & severe malnutrition. Conclusion: We conclude that serum albumin, cholesterol and total lymphocyte count correlate significantly with physical parameters. They are reliable parameters that can be used not only to assess severity of undernutrition but they also provide more informationabout the nutritional status such as protein and lipid reserves in the body and immune status of the individual.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Presence of stress among medical students is well known but there are very few studies that objectively prove it. This study aims to assess stresssubjectively and objectively in first year medical students by a) GHQ (General Health Questionnaire) scoring system b) measuring the biochemical parameters: serum cortisol and IgA(Immunoglobulin A). Materials and Methods: 75 students were included in the present study. Estimation of serum cortisol and Immunoglobulin A at the end of first month (time 1) and sixth month (time 2) were done by using autoanalyzers. GHQ scoring and assessment was also made at the end of the first month (time 1) and sixth month (time 2) of the first year. Results: GHQ scoring and serum cortisol for stress had significantly increased at time 2 when compared to time1. IgA levels were significantly decreased at time 2 when compared to time 1. All were found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: The study showed that first year medical course to be stressful by both subjective and objective parameters. It calls for measures to reduce stress in health professional’s education, in a process to improvise it.
ABSTRACT
Acute pancreatitis is most often diagnosed clinically and by blood tests rather than expensive radiological methods. Among the blood tests, amylase and lipase are frequently used to diagnose acute pancreatitis. In this retrospective study, we compare amylase versus lipase in terms of sensitivity and specificity with ROC curve analysis.40 established cases of acute pancreatitis were chosen. Day 1 measurements of serum amylase and lipase were noted. Values ≥3 times the upper limit of normal were considered to have acute pancreatitis. 40 age and sex matched controls were also chosen. Cases and controls were compared statistically.Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were constructed for amylase and lipase. Area under the curve (AUC) for amylase was 0.85 and for lipase 0.92. At a cut off level of 122U/L, serum amylase had a sensitivity of 64.5% and specificity of 91%. On the other hand, serum lipase had a sensitivity of 67.5% and specificity of 97.5% at a cut-off level of 58U/L. Our study clearly shows that sensitivity and specificity of serum lipase is better than that of serum amylase and hence proves that lipase is a better marker for acute pancreatitis than amylase.