ABSTRACT
Background: There are several steps involved in deciding if a child has ADHD. No single test is available to diagnose ADHD and many other problems such as depression, anxiety, sleep problems and certain types of learning disabilities can also have similar symptoms. One of the process involves doing a medical examination, including hearing and vision tests, to rule out other problems with symptoms like ADHD. Diagnosis of ADHD includes a checklist for rating ADHD symptoms and taking a history of the child from parents, teachers, and sometimes, the child itself. Aim & Objectives: To know the prevalence of psychiatric co-morbidities in ADHD and to assess parental stress and parenting style among parents of children having ADHD.Material & Methods:A total of 78 children (6 to 18 years of age) and their parents were selected for the completion this study. The study was carried out in the Department of Psychiatry, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi. Bivariate table and chi-square/Fisher Exact test were used. Correlation test has also been applied to know the association between demographic variables and their responses. Conclusions:We conclude that specific scales of the CBCL may help to identify specific comorbidities within ADHD cases in the primary care setting.
ABSTRACT
Background: Urinary albumin excretion has been purported to be strongly linked to cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients. The prevalence of microalbuminuria in patients with essential hypertension and its relationship with target organ damage was evaluated with the present study, as the correlation of microalbuminuria and target organ damage except cardiovascular events has not been deliberated upon much in the past.Methods: One hundred and twenty cases of essential hypertension were enrolled sequentially. Prevalence of urinary albumin excretion and its correlation with target organ damage (left ventricular hypertrophy, retinopathy and stroke) was analyzed. Urinary albumin excretion was assessed by turbidimetry method, while microalbuminuria was calculated by urine albumin to creatinine ratio.Results: Microalbuminuria was observed in 57.7% cases of essential hypertension. Target organ damage was observed in 62.5% (75) patients, out of which 78.66% patients had associated microalbuminuria (p<0.05). Higher prevalence was observed in patients with longer duration and greater severity of hypertension, increased body mass index and dyslipidemia.Conclusions: The assessment of microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients is a great value addition for the evaluation of target organ damage. Prompt control of hypertension and lipid levels along with weight management may lead to decreased risk of microalbuminuria.
ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a risk factor for development of cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular diseases are the predominant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD. There is limited data on cardiovascular diseases among CKD patients from developing countries including India. With the present study, the prevalence and patterns of cardiac diseases among patients with CKD were profiled.Methods: This was a cross sectional study in which 217 patients with CKD were studied over a period of two years and six months. Data on demographic characteristics and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Cardiac evaluation was done using resting ECG and echocardiography.Results: One hundred eighteen (54.4%) patients had either eccentric or concentric LVH. Patients with LVH were more likely to be hypertensive (p<0.001) or anemic (p=0.034). Up to 9.2% of study subjects had valvular heart disease (rheumatic or degenerative) and 22% had pericarditis. Patients with pericarditis were more likely to have a serum urea concentration greater than 60mg/dl (p=0.327). Forty-one patients (18.9%) had left ventricular systolic failure (EF<50%). There was a statistically insignificant higher prevalence of systolic failure in patients with LVH (21% vs. 16%), (p=0.346). Thirty-eight participants (17.5%) had diastolic failure while 2% had cardiac rhythm abnormalities.Conclusions: Cardiac abnormalities are common in a relatively young Indian population with CKD. Clinicians should routinely screen and manage cardiovascular disease in CKD patients.
ABSTRACT
Background: Till recently, dermatology was primarily being considered to be an outpatient focused discipline. However, several inpatient admissions to other specialties require dermatologic consultation for optimum management. This study was conducted to analyse the incidence and indications for inpatient dermatology referrals and the impact of dermatology consultation on patient management.Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken by analyzing the records of 243 patients referred to dermatology department over a 2-year period. Descriptive analysis was conducted in the form of study of presumptive diagnoses by the referring clinicians, causes of referral, distribution of referrals across specialties and the dermatological opinions with respect to diagnosis and management etc.Results: Clinically significant change was documented in the course of skin lesions management of almost two-thirds of referred patients. Maximum referrals were from the department of general medicine with “skin rash” being the most common cause for seeking 2nd opinion. Concordance for diagnosis between the referring clinician and the dermatologist was observed in only 30.2% of the cases.Conclusions: Dermatologic referral does lead to improved patient care. But there is need for better training of non-dermatologists enabling them to recognize and treat common skin lesions.