Clinical Profile of Patients with Scorpion Sting.

Introduction: Scorpion sting is a major public health problem in developing countries, especially in villagers. Manifestations include vomiting, profuse sweating, piloerection, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, loss of sphincter control and priapism. Stimulation of Alpha receptor results in hypertension, tachycardia, myocardial dysfunction, pulmonary edema and cool extremities. Aims: The study is undertaken to know the clinical profile of the patients with scorpion sting. Methods and Materials: prospective study was conducted from October 2011 to September 2013 at Mamata General Hospital, khammam in adult patients 18yrs and above with history of scorpion sting. Detailed physical examination and grading of envenomation was done. Results: Eighty two patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the time period studied. Fifty two patients (62.25%) were male and thirty (37.50%) were female. Mean age of patients with scorpion sting was 31.23±7.23 years. Pain (87.50%),Sweating (81.25%) tingling & numbness (77.50%) were the most common presenting symptoms Conclusion: The present study shows that scorpion bite is more common in males. Local pain and signs of sympathetic over activity were the commonest features.

Effect of Renin Angiotensin System [RAS] Blockade on Blood Glucose Levels in Prediabetic Hypertensive Patients.

Introduction: Patients with hypertension have an increased prevalence of type II diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance. Prevalence of prediabetes is increasing worldwide and experts have projected that more than 470 million people will have pre-diabetes by 2030. A proportion of 5-10% of people per year with pre-diabetes will progress to diabetes, with the same proportion converting back to normoglycemia. Blockade of Renin Angiotensin System [RAS] either by an Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or an Angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) would slow down the progression of prediabetic state to diabetes. Methods: This was an open labeled, prospective, observational cohort study and a total of 71 prediabetic hypertensive patients who were prescribed either an ACE inhibitor or ARB monotherapy were enrolled into the study. An oral Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) was done in all the patients at baseline, end of 6 months and end of 1 year of treatment with RAS blockade. Results: At the end of 1 year, out of cohort of 59 prediabetic hypertensive patients who completed the study, 28.81% were in the Normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group, 23.72% developed diabetes whereas 47.45% remained prediabetic at the end of study