Clinical Profile of Indoor Covid-19 Patients at a Medical Institute In India: A Retrospective analysis

Background: COVID-19 has caused a very high burden of morbidity and mortality across the world, India being also badly affected. The disease has a wide spectrum ranging from asymptomatic to severe illness and death. Research work on the epidemiological and clinical profile of patients is scarce in India. Objectives: This study was conducted to know the clinicoepidemiological profile of indoor hospitalized Covid 19 patients. Methods: a retrospective analysis (record based) conducted at a designated COVID tertiary care center. Study period-1st August 2020 to 31st October 2020. Study Unit- Laboratory confirmed COVID 19 patients admitted in the hospital. Sample size- All the 894 patients with complete record were included in the study. Results: The mean age was 47.68± 17.62 years. Around 14.1% of the population was asymptomatic. 75.7% were classified as having a mild disease. The cure rate was 82.9% and deaths were reported in 9.4%. More than half of the population was having at-least one co-morbidity. Conclusions: Our findings were similar to findings observed in other studies. A positive significant correlation was noticed between age, duration, clinical severity and outcome of patient. The clinical severity was also found to be associated with age, duration of symptoms and outcome of patient.

Study Of Pulmonary Function Test In Patients Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus And Its Correlation With Duration Of Diabetes

Aim-Pulmonary complications of diabetesmellitus (DM) have been poorly characterized. The study was undertaken to analyze the pulmonary function parameters in type 2 diabetic patients. We correlated forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC in diabetic patients with duration of the disease and Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fundoscopic changes.Subjects and methods-Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were recorded in 70 type 2 diabetic patients, who were divided into two groups, depending upon duration of diabetes. Group I 5 to 10 years and group II11 to 15 years .Using easy one flow pirometer, PFT parameters were recorded. The PFTs recorded were – FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). In addition HbA1c,FBS and PPBS and fundoscopic changes of all the patients was estimated.Results -In our study Restrictive lung function defect was more commonly found among patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Poor lung functions are in correlation with longer duration of T2DM.Conclusion -DM being a systemic disease, which also affects lungs causing restrictive type of ventilator changes probably because of glycosylation of connective tissues, reduced pulmonary elastic recoil and inflammatory changes in lungs. Lung function parameters are negatively correlated to glycemic status and duration of diabetes. Hence strict glycemic control may improve pulmonary functions.

Comparison of the growth standards between Saudi and American children aged 0-5 years

To compare the national growth monitoring data with the National Centre for Health Statistics [NCHS] growth standards, which is currently used in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. A cross sectional study following World Health Organization criteria in determining sample size was adopted, whereby 24,000 children from 5 regions were selected to be the desired sample. One hundred and two Primary Health Care centers were also selected randomly from the 5 regions, from where the sample was drawn. A special questionnaire was designed for the data collection. A pilot study was carried out to test the study instruments. Weight, height and head circumference were measured by standard procedures. This data was compared with the National Centre for Health Statistics [NCHS] data. The total number of children examined was 23,821, 11,913 boys and 11,908 girls, they were drawn from 102 health centers selected randomly. Comparing different percentiles for Saudi and NCHS data, there was a significant difference between the Saudi and American children. In order to ensure a correct follow up for our children in KSA, the national figures are more appropriate to follow than the NCHS data

Determinants of under-five mortality in Saudi Arabia

The study objectives were to find out factors associated with infant and child mortality in Saudi Arabia using the 1987 Saudi National Child Health Survey data. This survey was conducted taking a stratified sample of over 8,400 ever married/divorced/widowed women having at least one under-five child from over 9,000 households. Interviews were conducted by 120 trained nurses. Over 13,300 children were included in the study. The infant mortality rate [IMR] and child mortality rate [CMR] for the year 1985 were 55 and 63 for males and 50 and 58 for females. The rates were higher for rural and southern regions and lower for urban and eastern. The mean number of deceased children increased with an increase in mother's age and the number of children previously born. The rate of child loss also increased with increase in parity. Reproductive behaviors, such as high rates of consanguineous marriage, lower rates of antenatal, natal, postnatal checkup, institutional delivery and diarrhea care were associated with higher rates of IMR and CMR. Multivariate analysis confirmed the effect of parents' education and father's occupation, as well as source of drinking water and place of defecation on IMR and CMR. Regional as well as literacy factors are amongst the important differentials affecting infant and child mortality in Saudi Arabia

Patterns of referral from health centres to hospitals in Riyadh region

Patterns of attendance and referrals in hospitals and health centres in Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia, studied before and after implementing a referral system showed a 40.6% total decrease in patients attending hospital outpatient clinics; an 11.9% increase in patients attending primary health centres; a 19.2% increase in referrals; a 33.2% increase in patients attending emergency departments; and a 17.3% increase in inpatients. It is clear that the referral system has, and will have, an impact on primary and secondary health care services. In order to optimize positive and minimize negative aspects of this impact, communication between primary health centres and hospitals should be of high standard. Regular reviews and studies of referral systems are recommended

Splenectomy in children with sickle cell disease and thalassemia.

A number of Saudi children (31) with sickle cell disease and thalassemia underwent splenectomy: 12 for frequent blood transfusions, 15 for chronic hypersplenism (most of whom were also the recipients of periodic blood transfusion) and 4 for splenic abscess. The mean age of splenectomy was 8.8 years (8 months-18 years). Eight patients had sickle cell disease, 14 beta-thalassemia and 9 had sickle cell thalassemia. All patients received prophylaxis against pneumococcal infection. There was one postoperative death most probably due to sepsis. Sixteen of those who required frequent preoperative blood transfusions needed no more transfusions, while in 7 the need for transfusions decreased significantly (p less than 0.05). For those with hypersplenism, there was a significant postoperative increase in total hemoglobin (P less than 0.001), RBC (P less than 0.001) and platelet counts (p less than 0.02); and a substantial decrease in reticulocyte counts (p less than 0.05). The common post splenectomy complications were chest infection and a brief episode of pyrexia, but without undue morbidity. The study establishes a definite place for splenectomy in a selected population of children with sickle cell disease and thalassemia.