ABSTRACT
Background: High blood pressure and proteinuria are the hallmarks of pre-eclampsia, which develops after the 20th week of pregnancy. Even while pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) has been linked to an increased risk of pre-eclampsia in multiple studies in India, very few studies examine the condition’s causes. This kind of research is lacking among the North Indian population. This cross-sectional study examines the factors contributing to pre-eclampsia in the North Indian population. It is possible to use this study’s findings to undertake appropriate actions. Aim and Objective: We sought to determine if pre-pregnancy BMI and pre-eclampsia are linked among pregnant women in the North Indian community. Materials and Methods: Participants (n = 270) were enrolled under the inclusion/exclusion criteria. A sphygmomanometer was manually used to measure the patient’s blood pressure. A positive dipstick test or the presence of 300 mg of protein in a 24-h urine sample was used to diagnose pre-eclampsia. A person’s weight and height were used to calculate their BMI (kg/m2). In India, the new weight-for-height ranges are: Underweight (18.5 kg/m2), normal or lean (18.5–22.9 kg/m2), overweight (23.0–24.9 kg/m2), and obese (25 kg/m2). Result: There were three obese pre-eclampsia patients (23–24.9 BMI) and eight pre-eclampsia patients with pre-pregnancy BMIs of 25 or higher, including three overweight patients. There were no patients with pre-eclampsia in the pre-pregnancy BMI groups of underweight (18.5) and normal (18.5–22.9). There were three cases of mild pre-eclampsia (MP) in women with a pre-pregnancy BMI of 30 or more. Still, no cases of severe pre-eclampsia (SP) or late onset preeclampsia (LOP) and no cases of early onset preeclampsia (EOP) were documented in the category of overweight women. Seven obese (25 BMI) pre-eclamptic women developed MP, whereas one patient developed MP following delivery. Seven cases of LOP, one case of SP, and one case of EOP were found in this category. Conclusion: A high pre-pregnancy BMI was found to be an independent risk factor for pre-eclampsia, and there was a link found between pre-eclampsia and a high pre-pregnancy BMI. Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for women in their reproductive years, and a healthy BMI can be maintained with proper monitoring, nutritional counseling, and other methods.
ABSTRACT
Background: The multitude of ocular health problems has raised in recent times due to increased use of computers. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to compare the visual acuity and ocular symptoms between computer users and non-users among young adults in Lucknow. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 370 students after obtaining Ethical Committee approval. Samples were collected using convenience sampling as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. In a validated self-administered questionnaire, demographic information, computer usage patterns, and accompanying visual symptoms were documented. Values of parameter were collected using Snellen’s chart. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, 16.0 version was used for data analysis. Two sample t test will be used to relate between the quantitative variables. Results: A total of 370 study subjects were included in this study. About, majority of the participants (54%) were males, the participants were males accounting for a total of 54%. The age of the participants ranged from 15 to 40 years with a mean of 26.86 years. Average uses of screen time by computer user and non-user were 2.30 ± 0.90 and 10.60 ± 0.75, respectively. About 39% students suffering with eye strain which was major ocular symptom in the study followed by 30.8% watery eye. Conclusion: This study concludes that the use of a computer for an extended period of time without any physical activity can lead to eyesight problems and lower efficiency.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To evaluate the characteristics and morbidity due to ocular auto-stimulation (OAS) in stage 5 Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). Methods: Stage 5 ROP cases presenting to ROP clinic of a tertiary care centre from January 2017 to December 2017 were recruited. Eye-pressing was elicited on history from parents and categorized as infrequent (performed <50% of waking time) or frequent (?50% of time). B-scan ultrasonography was performed for configuration of retinal detachment (open or closed funnel). Keratometry was performed in eyes undergoing vitrectomy under general anaesthesia using automated hand-held keratometer. The outcome measures were the presence and characteristics of OAS, enophthalmos, corneal opacity and keratometry values. Results: Out of 93 eyes of 49 babies, 78.5% (n = 73) had OAS. Gestational age, birth weight, sex, retinal funnel configuration, and visual function did not significantly affect OAS. However, post-conceptional age was significantly greater in eyes with OAS (95% CI: 63.1 to 69.9 weeks) than those without OAS (95% CI: 52.4 to 63.4 weeks) (P = 0.018). OAS occurred frequently in 32.8% (n = 24/73) eyes, more commonly in eyes with light followability. Keratometry did not differ significantly with the presence of OAS (P = 0.88). Enophthalmos, corneal opacity, posterior synechiae were noted in 79.5% (58/73), 21.9% (16/73), and 28.8% (21/73) eyes with OAS, respectively. Enophthalmos occurred significantly in eyes with OAS (P = 0.001), while corneal opacity and posterior synechiae did not (P = 0.071 and 0.91, respectively). Conclusion: OAS and its resultant morbidity are common occurrences in stage 5 ROP. The post-conceptional age and residual visual function may govern the characteristics of OAS.
ABSTRACT
Bronchial Asthma (BA) is a chronic airway disorder with significant morbidity and mortality but due to recent advances in the field of medicine most patients with BA can have complete symptom control and live a normal life. There are various routs of drug delivery for asthma control but among them aerosol inhalation is considered the optimal route. A number of pressured Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI) & Dry Powder Inhalers (DPI) are available for this purpose. However inhalation of therapeutic aerosols is not without difficulty, it requires precise instructions on the inhaler maneuvers, which is different from spontaneous normal breathing. Also, the characteristics of the inhaler device have to be suitable for the user. Available data indicate that, lack of knowledge demonstrated by health professionals & patients on the inhalation maneuvers & handling of inhalers resulting in a reduction of therapeutic benefit. The paper reviews the literature concerning the fundamental aspects of inhaler devices, inhalation maneuvers & device selection, in an attempt to increase the knowledge of and to optimize the clinical use of therapeutic inhalers. As a result of which Asthmatics can be kept under good control.
ABSTRACT
Bronchial asthma is an atopic disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness. Severe acute asthma is a medical emergency and sometimes difficult to treat. This prospective study was done at Dhaka Medical College Hospital from January 1997 to January 1998. Total 30 patients of bronchial asthma were included in this study. Diagnosis was established on the basis of symptoms, evidence of airflow obstruction and its reversibility by bronchodilator therapy. The age range was 18 to 80 years with a mean 36.64±4.91. Of them, 63% were male and 37% were female. It revealed that all patients had classical triad of dyspnoea, wheeze and cough. Almost all patients (80%) had some precipitating agents for their attack. Regarding treatment of severe acute asthma - Nebulized salbutamol is superior to conventional intravenous aminophylline, as p value of nebulized salbutamol group is <0.001 which is significant. So, severe acute asthma should be managed with nebulized salbutamol instead of intravenous aminophylline.