ABSTRACT
Background: The traditional method of classification of ascites by AFTP offers little insight into the pathophysiology of ascites formation and it has many drawbacks. In order to overcome it, the classification of ascites based on SAAG has emerged. Even SAAG has some draw backs like non correlation with ascites due to non-alcoholic cirrhosis and difficulty in identifying the ascites due to mixed etiology. This study is conducted to compare the diagnostic accuracies of SAAG and AFTP in identifying the pathophysiology of ascites.Methods: A total of fifty patients who were admitted with ascites were included in the study. Ascitic fluid total protein and SAAG were calculated. They were classified on the basis of SAAG into High SAAG and Low SAAG and on the basis of AFTP into Transudate and Exudate. After the etiology of ascites evaluated by various diagnostic procedures, the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of SAAG and AFTP in identifying the pathophysiology of ascites calculated sepereately. The diagnostic accuracies of SAAG and AFTP were compared statistically.Results: The sensitivity of SAAG was found to be 86.84% and that of AFTP 60%. The specificity of SAAG was found to be 83.33% and that of AFTP was found to be 60%. The diagnostic accuracy of SAAG was found to be 86% and that of AFTP was found to be 60%. The diagnostic accuracy of SAAG and AFTP for individual etiologies of ascites were found and compared. SAAG was found to be superior to AFTP with a P value of <0.01 which was statistically significant.Conclusions: The sensitivity and specificity of SAAG was superior to AFTP in identifying the etiology of ascites.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Bell’s palsy is an acute peripheral facial neuropathy and is the most common cause of lower motor neuron facial palsy. Various treatment modalities including steroids, physiotherapy, antivirals have been described. We aimed to study the efficacy of electroacupuncture to modify and improve the muscle paralyses. Material and methods: The first twenty patients who were willing for the study were selected. Fourteen sittings of thirty minutes each were done with one chun silver needles and stimulation was electrical and the intensity was adjusted for de qi feeling for the patients. House-Brackmann Classification of Facial Function was used to categorize the patients before and after treatment. Improvement in the score of more than 1 was termed significant relief. Results: Out of the twenty patients 17 had significant improvement of power and three had mild improvement. Three patients had minimal bleeding in a few points which stopped with simple pressure. Watering of the eye stopped in all the cases. The majority of patients were satisfied according to partha patient satisfaction score. Conclusion: To conclude, electroacupuncture has a significant role in early paralytic phase of Bells palsy without many side effects.
ABSTRACT
Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) has emerged as a major health burden in developing countries. Many recent reports concluded that women with CAD have a worse prognosis than men and also with regards to invasive interventions when compared to men. In this study, author determined the comparative outcomes of ACS in women when compared with men.Methods: This study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital from November 2016 to March 2018. History taking, ECG, cardiac enzymes, 2D-Echo and angiogram were done to diagnose ACS and the appropriate treatment was given. The severity was assessed and compared the outcomes along with complications.Results: The total of 112 patients were treated for ACS, in which, 55 were females and the remaining 57 were males. Majority of the patients in both genders was between the ages of 51-60. In males, STEMI noted 50.8%, NSTEMI in 36.8%, UA in 12.2%. In females, STEMI is noted in 62%, unstable angina in 32.7%, NSTEMI in 27.2%. Six patients (11%) had mortality in the women group and one (1.8%) had died among men.Conclusions: Atypical presentation of ACS was more common in females. Women with ACS had higher complications and higher mortality than men.
ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: The southern part of India has witnessed an increase in scrub typhus (ST) during the past ten years. ST outbreaks occurred during winter months but at intervals of one to three years. With only a few reports of ST in Puducherry, this study was undertaken to look for the persistence of ST cases in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu in the winter months. Methods: During relatively cooler months of September, 2012 to March, 2013, a total of 45 patients with fever and clinical suspicion of ST and who provided both acute and convalescent blood samples were included. Total WBC, platelet counts, serum creatinine, liver enzymes levels and a rapid immunochromatographic test (RICT) for ST were first done. Paired serum samples were analysed by two specific tests - ST IgM and IgG ELISA- and a non-specific, but widely used Weil-Felix (WF) test. Results: Of the 45 patients, 21 adults and seven children were confirmed as ST based on clinical and laboratory findings, and positivity in specific serological test(s). Setting ST IgM and IgG ELISA as reference, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for RICT were 91.67, 85.71 per cent; 90.48, 100 per cent; 91.67, 100 per cent and 90.48, 80.95 per cent, respectively. Similarly, for WF the values were 83.33, 75 per cent; 95.24, 100 per cent; 95.24, 100 per cent and 83.33, 70.83 per cent, respectively. Interpretation & conclusions: ST continues to persist in the cooler months in Puducherry and neighbouring Tamil Nadu with fever and myalgia as prominent features. None of the tests evaluated in this study was found to be ideal, but ST IgM/IgG ELISA was useful for batch testing and the non-specific WF test can be used in resource poor settings.