ABSTRACT
Atopic Dermatitis is a chronic disease that improves and remits with time. It may affect parental life style and parent-child relationship. Psychologically, individuals suffering from atopic dermatitis either children or adults have been shown to suffer a higher level of anxiety and lower quality of life. Objectives: To assess the Severity of AD in the children and quality of life in parents of children with AD. To analyse the relationship of severity and treatment of the disease on the quality of life in parents. Methods: The study comprised50 children diagnosed with AD ranging in age from 6 months to 12 years as well as parents of these patients attending Paediatric Dermatology Clinic at Dermatology department, GGS Medical College,Faridkot from February 2017 to February 2018. The quality of life was quantified by the Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) Questionnaire. Eczema Severity was assessed using SCORAD Index. These two parameters were evaluated on two occasions 12 weeks apart, meanwhile the patients were managed accordingly. Results & Conclusion: The mean SCORAD and mean DFI Score at the baseline was 32.016 ± 10.78 and 15.14 ± 4.0 respectively. These values decreased to 16.494 ± 6.62 and 12.08 ± 3.34 respectively, at the end of 12 weeks. SCORAD and DFI scores, showed positive correlation which was statistically significant (p=0.04 at both visits), implying that quality of parental life is significantly correlated to severity of AD in the child. Hence, proper management of dermatological illnesses often requires combined evaluation and management of emotional factors as well.
ABSTRACT
Background: Evaluation of thrombocytopenia involves a meticulous approach in which complete clinical history, clinical examination, complete hemogram and bone marrow aspiration if indicated, are included. The various platelet indices produced by the automated analysers such as, Mean platelet volume (MPV), Platelet distribution width (PDW), Plateletcrit (PCT) and Large cell ratio (LCR) can be used to distinguish the underlying etiology of thrombocytopenia. Methods: Total of seventy three thrombocytopenic patients <14 years with proper clinic-hematological work up were included in the study. The results were compared by manual examination of the peripheral blood smear. Results: Patients were grouped based on the mechanism- Peripheral destruction 54 (73.9%), Hypoproduction 10 (13.6%), Hypersplenism 9 (12.3%). There was a linear correlation between the platelet count and all the platelet derived indices (MPV, PDW, PCT, LCR) in the patients with peripheral destruction of platelets.The p-value of all the derivatives was statistically significant (level of significance less than 0.05). In patients with hypoproduction and hypersplenism,there was positive correlation between the platelet count and MPV, PDW, PCT & LCR. None of the pvalues were statistically significant. Conclusions: Platelet indices especially MPV and PDW can be used as important initial and supportive tool to differentiate between the hyperdestructive versus hypoprodution and hypersplenism cases.
ABSTRACT
Background: Accurate and reliable drug product information is important for the safe and effective use of medicines. But there are variations in the quantity and quality of information mentioned in different drug information sources and a single credible benchmark is lacking. This study was carried out to compare the presentation and completeness of clinical information in package inserts (PIs) marketed by pharmaceutical companies in India with standard medical textbook of pharmacology.Methods: Out of eighty five PIs of different drugs, only 55 were found eligible to be included in this study after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. These PIs and medical textbook were analysed for quantitative and qualitative drug information and were compared using Chi square test of two proportions. The p value of 0.05 was used as cut off to evaluate statistical significance.Results: Quantitatively medical textbook was significantly better statistically in context of treatment of overdose and references. No statistically significant difference was observed in relation to information related to mechanism of action (MOA) and pharmacokinetics (Pk). After qualitative analysis, medical textbook was significantly better statistically in context of size and readability, references related to adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and indications and pictures. No statistically significant difference was observed in context of dosing interval, frequency of doses and pharmacokinetic parameters.Conclusions: PIs can be used as a reliable source of drug information by health care professionals in addition to other sources like medical textbooks.
ABSTRACT
Background: Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) are increasing in an alarming ways. Globally, nearly 1.2 million people killed in RTA during the year 2002. Developing and underdeveloped countries accounted for 80% of these deaths. Aim: The aim of the study was to know the morbidity and mortality profile of 500 road trafic accident cases in malwa region of punjab. Material and methods: Total 500 road traffic accident cases admitted at Guru Gobind Singh Hospital, Faridkot, Punjab from May 2013 to December 2013 were selected for the study. Results: The age wise distribution of victims showed that 157 (31.4%) occurred in 21-30 years age group, 215 (43%) victims reached the health facility within one hour and the 242 (48.4%) victims stayed in the hospital for the duration of 1-7 days. Conclusion: When enquired about the probable cause of accident most of the victims complained about the poor lighting condition on the roads at night time. The other major cause was alcohol or influence of others intoxication on the victim or the driver of the hitting vehicle.