ABSTRACT
roduction: The recent prevalence of dermatophytosis in India ranges from 36.6 to 78.4%. Itraconazole is commonly usedsystemic antifungal to treat dermatophytosis.Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of itraconazole given 100 mg twicedaily for the treatment of dermatophytosis.Materials and Methods: The present retrospective questionnaire-based survey was done, wherein dermatologists and generalphysicians were given survey questionnaire. Data analysis up to 4 weeks of treatment with itraconazole was considered forthis study. Efficacy evaluation was considered as percentage of patients achieving clinical cure.Results: A total of 150 doctors completed the survey involving 1100 patients. Out of 1100 patients, 341 patients (31%)responded well to topical therapy alone and were considered as clinically cured as per medical records. In remaining patientswho did not respond well to topical monotherapy, itraconazole was found to be added in 652 patients as 100 mg twice daily for4 weeks. Of these, 456 patients (70%) responded well to therapy in 4 weeks and were considered as clinically cured. Amongthe topical antifungals coprescribed with itraconazole, luliconazole was most commonly prescribed (49%). On comparison ofclinical cure rates in patients who received topical antifungal monotherapy (31%) and itraconazole cotherapy (70%), it was foundthat itraconazole cotherapy was better and the difference between the two therapies was statistically significant (P = 0.001).Conclusion: From the findings of the present analysis, clinical cure rates obtained with itraconazole were more than satisfactory.Although the standard duration of therapy ranges from 1 to 2 weeks, long-term treatment is warranted and that is with topicalantifungals and other supportive measures.
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Background: Scientific literature advocates the need for combination therapies in combatting lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). Cefixime (400 mg) and moxifloxacin (400 mg) fixed dose combination (FDC) is currently approved in India for the management of LRTI, but data related to its real world usage is lacking. The present study was designed to understand the real world use (effectiveness and safety) of this FDC in LRTI.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at out-patient departments of 5 hospitals between August 2018 and January 2019. After ethics committee approval, data of adults LRTI patients who received FDC of cefixime (400 mg) and moxifloxacin (400 mg) for at least 72 hours was collected. Improvement in LRTI symptoms (cough, sputum volume and purulence, fever, dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, sleep disturbance, fatigue) were scored at baseline and follow-up using a 5-point severity scale. White blood cell (WBC) counts at baseline and end-of-treatment were compared.Results: Data of 190 patients having mean age 42.33+16.15 years was evaluated. Majority were males (61.58%), with commonest LRTI infection being community acquired pneumonia (CAP) (84.21%). Commonest clinical symptom reported (97.37%) was cough. All patients showed improvement in symptoms and significant improvement in all mean symptom scores were noted (p<0.05). Of the 30 patients having WBC above normal range, 29 showed a decrease in count at end of treatment. No adverse events were reported.Conclusions: Oral FDC of cefixime (400 mg) and moxifloxacin (400 mg) was efficacious in improving all symptoms reported by LRTI patients without causing any adverse event.
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Introduction: Nearly 20% of the total population suffer from urticaria for a minimum of one episode during the entire lifetime.Second-generation antihistamines are preferred in majority cases of urticaria.Objective: The present survey was undertaken in pursuit of analyzing the effectiveness and safety of bepotastine in thetreatment of chronic urticaria (CU).Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective questionnaire-based survey. Doctors were identified from four directionalzones of the country, and each was given prevalidated questionnaire booklets. Clinical response was evaluated by urticariaactivity score (UAS) at baseline (D0), day 14 (D14), and day 28 (D28). All the adverse effects were monitored for severity.Specifically, sedation was closely monitored for its occurrence and severity.Results: A total of 50 doctors completed the survey involving 226 patients. The mean UAS score at D0/baseline was 3.47which reduced to 1.71 at D14 and 0.73 at D28. 78 patients were having UAS score in the range of 1–2, 89 patients in 3–4, and59 patients in the range of 5–6 at D0. 59 patients were encountered in Grade 5–6 at D0, which reduced to 45 patients at D14and 29 patients at D28, while 89 patients in score range 3–4 at D0 reduced to 68 at D14 and 38 at D28. Sedation was reportedin only 15 patients (6.6%) that too majority had mild sedation, rated in sedation scale range of 0–5.Conclusion: The present survey indicates that bepotastine is efficacious and safe in the management of CU.
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Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is dreadful combination necessitatingadequate glycemic control to prevent further complications. Teneligliptin is found to be renal friendly antidiabetic agent whichcan provide effective glycemic control.Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of teneligliptin as add-on to existing therapy in patients ofT2DM with CKD.Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study where patients with T2DM and CKD who received teneligliptin wereincluded in the study. Changes in glycemic parameters such as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (%), fasting plasma glucose (FPG),and postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) and change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were analyzed.Results: In total, 66 patients were included in analysis. Mean age was 57.7 ± 14.0 years and 60.6% were males. BaselineHbA1c, FPG, and PPG levels were 7.8 ± 0.7%, 128.0 ± 25.5 mg/dl, and 214.0 ± 55.9 mg/dl, respectively. There was a significantreduction in HbA1c at 3 and 6 months (mean difference from baseline: −0.9 ± 0.5 and −1.2 ± 0.5 respectively, P < 0.001 forboth). Similarly, mean change in FPG (−28.4 ± 20.9 and −29.9 ± 24.3 mg/dl, respectively) and PPG (−70.5 ± 49.2 and −97.0 ±60.7 mg/dl, respectively) was also significant (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). The change in eGFR was significant at 3 months(P = 0.049) and 6 months (P = 0.014).Conclusion: Teneligliptin is effective in reducing glycemic burden in patients with T2DM and CKD and can be considered asbe considered among first choices for glycemic control in patients with renal impairment.
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After hemorrhage, anemia is the most common cause of maternal mortality and leading cause of maternal morbidity in India. Theprevalence rates of anemia in pregnancy in India is estimated to be >50%. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most commontype of anemia in pregnancy in India, which I can be as high as 80–90%.Aims and Objectives: The present survey was initiated in pursuit of analyzing the effectiveness and safety of oral ferricpyrophosphate (FPP) formulation given once to twice daily for treatment and prophylaxis of IDA in pregnancy.Materials and Methods: This was a questionnaire-based retrospective survey. Each gynecologist was given this survey bookletcontaining questionnaire. Clinical response was assessed by measuring rise in mean hemoglobin (Hb) levels at baseline, week4, and week 8, after giving oral FPP formulation for 8 weeks.Results: A total of 60 gynecologists participated and completed the survey, which involved 1073 pregnant subjects and patientssuffering from IDA (864 patients, i.e., 80%). Mean Hb level at baseline was found to be 8.98 g/dl, 10.03 at week 4, and 10.99 atweek 8. Thus, rise of Hb from baseline to week 8 was found to be 2.01 g/dl. Adverse events were reported in only 10 patients(<0.09%), none requiring discontinuation of therapy. 98% of the participants agreed good acceptability of oral FPP formulation.Conclusion: Findings of the present survey suggests that oral FPP formulation therapy can serve as potent choice of therapyfor IDA in pregnancy, both therapeutically and prophylactically