An analytical cross-sectional study on the association between animal companionship and anxiety among students of a private medical school in Quezon City / The Health Sciences Journal

Introduction@#Constant stress predisposes medical students to anxiety. The study aimed to determine the association between animal companionship and anxiety among medical students at UERMMMCI.@*Methods@#The study utilized an analytical cross-sectional design via an online form with the anxiety portion of the HADS questionnaire. Participants included first to third year medical students of a private medical school.@*Results@#A total of 161 responses were recorded. Sex and year-level exhibited significant association with anxiety. Those with anxiety were 2.71 times more likely to be females (p = 0.007). Stratification showed that those with anxiety were 1.72 times less likely to be females with pets (p = 0.37) while, in contrast, those with anxiety were 3.64 times more likely (p = 0.02) to be males with pets. Those with anxiety were likely to belong to first and second-years (p = 0.01 and p = 0.06), respectively and pet owners, though, not statistically significant (p = 0.357).@*Conclusion@#An association between sex and year-level with anxiety was noted. Those with anxiety were likely to be females, first-years, and males with animal companionship. Although they did not reach statistical significance.

Cytomorphological Study Of Benign And Malignant Breast Lesions Diagnosed By Fine Needle Asiration Cytology In A Tertiary Care Hospital

Background:Carcinoma of breast is the most common non skin malignancy in women and is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer deaths 1. FNA has now become a popular investigation to assess the nature of palpable breast lesions. The purpose of FNA is to confirm cancer preoperatively and to avoid unnecessary surgery in specific benign conditions2.Material And Methods:The observational study (prospective) was conducted in the cytology section in Department of Pathology over a period of 2 years (December 2018-November 2020) and included 100 patients who pre sented with palpable breastbreast lumps. Cytomorphological features of all the lesions were studied. The findings were tabulated and analysed. Result:There were 98 female and 2 male patients. Majority of the patients were from the age group of 31 –40 yrs. There was no significant association between the gender, duration of symptoms with the side of the breast involved. In benign breast lesions, fibroadenoma was most common and amongst malignant lesions, Ductal carcinoma. Conclusion:FNAC is a good diagnostic tool for breast lesions and it should be considered as a primary investigation of choice for suspected breast lesions considering its safety, simplicity and inexpensive characteristics.

Clinical profile and excellent short-term treatment outcome of acute glomerulonephritis: a report from paediatric nephrology unit of university teaching hospital, Uyo, Nigeria

Background: Acute glomerulonephritis (AGN), the commonest of which is acute post streptococcal glomerulonephritis, is common in school aged children and typically presents with haematuria, oedema, oliguria and varying degrees of renal insufficiency. This study evaluated epidemiologic factors, presentations and treatment outcome of AGN patients at University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, (UUTH), Uyo, Nigeria.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among children with AGN at the paediatric nephrology unit of UUTH from January 2015 to December 2019. Data were analysed with statistical package for social sciences version 25 and p values <0.05 were considered statistical significant.Results: Fifteen out of 12,403 paediatric admissions had AGN, giving an average yearly hospital incidence of 3/year and 0.12% of total admission. Age range was three to 15 years. Mean age was 8.07±3.94 years and median was 7.00 years. Males were nine with a male/female ratio of 1.5:1. Eight (53.3%) belonged to the lowest socioeconomic class. Haematuria and peripheral oedema were universal presentations and 4 (26.7%) had antecedent pharyngeal infection. Other clinical presentations were: Oliguria 11(73.3%), Grade II hypertension 10 (66.7%), and pulmonary oedema 5 (33.3%). Four (26.7%) each had acute kidney injury, hyperkalaemia and dipstick massive proteinuria. Other complications were congestive cardiac failure 2 (13.3%), and seizures with encephalopathy in 1 (6.7%). Proteinuria was significantly associated with age at p=0.034 (Fisher Exact test). Major treatment modalities were: fluid management, loop diuretics and antibiotics as indicated.Conclusions: Short-term outcome was excellent with 100% discharge within 28 days of hospitalisation and the majority being discharged within two weeks.

Effectiveness of a healthy lifestyle intervention for low back pain and osteoarthritis of the knee: protocol and statistical analysis plan for two randomised controlled trials

ABSTRACT Background These trials are the first randomised controlled trials of telephone-based weight management and healthy lifestyle interventions for low back pain and knee osteoarthritis. This article describes the protocol and statistical analysis plan. Method These trials are parallel randomised controlled trials that investigate and compare the effect of a telephone-based weight management and healthy lifestyle intervention for improving pain intensity in overweight or obese patients with low back pain or knee osteoarthritis. The analysis plan was finalised prior to initiation of analyses. All data collected as part of the trial were reviewed, without stratification by group, and classified by baseline characteristics, process of care and trial outcomes. Trial outcomes were classified as primary and secondary outcomes. Appropriate descriptive statistics and statistical testing of between-group differences, where relevant, have been planned and described. Conclusions A protocol for standard analyses was developed for the results of two randomised controlled trials. This protocol describes the data, and the pre-determined statistical tests of relevant outcome measures. The plan demonstrates transparent and verifiable use of the data collected. This a priori protocol will be followed to ensure rigorous standards of data analysis are strictly adhered to.

Musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents

ABSTRACT Introduction Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain in children and adolescents is responsible for substantial personal impacts and societal costs, but it has not been intensively or systematically researched. This means our understanding of these conditions is limited, and healthcare professionals have little empirical evidence to underpin their clinical practice. In this article we summarise the state of the evidence concerning MSK pain in children and adolescents, and offer suggestions for future research. Results Rates of self-reported MSK pain in adolescents are similar to those in adult populations and they are typically higher in teenage girls than boys. Epidemiological research has identified conditions such as back and neck pain as major causes of disability in adolescents, and in up to a quarter of cases there are impacts on school or physical activities. A range of physical, psychological and social factors have been shown to be associated with MSK pain report, but the strength and direction of these relationships are unclear. There are few validated instruments available to quantify the nature and severity of MSK pain in children, but some show promise. Several national surveys have shown that adolescents with MSK pain commonly seek care and use medications for their condition. Some studies have revealed a link between MSK pain in adolescents and chronic pain in adults. Conclusion Musculoskeletal pain conditions are often recurrent in nature, occurring throughout the life-course. Attempts to understand these conditions at a time close to their initial onset may offer a better chance of developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Tuberculosis of symphysis pubis presenting as labial swelling: A rare case report diagnosed on FNAC.

Tuberculosis of symphysis pubis is a rare condition with few reported cases. It is necessary to distinguish the entity from Osteitis pubis and Osteomyelitis of pubic symphysis to start the treatment early and thereby minimize morbidity and prevent complications. A case report of tuberculosis of symphysis pubis mimicking labial swelling in a 25 year old female was described. High index of suspicion along with an extensive workup including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of pelvis and fine needle aspiration (FNA) of swelling led to the diagnosis. A brief case report and review of literature have presented here.