ABSTRACT
Endothelial cell dysfunction and inflammation are considered to have a role in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia(1).A generalized activation of circulating leukocytes (characteristic of inflammation) has been found during pre-eclampsia. Moreover, increased concentration of CRP and inflammatory markers has been reported in pre-eclampsia(2). We wanted to determine the serum CRP level in preeclampsia and assess the platelet dysfunction in pre-eclampsia and evaluate its association with severity of the disease. METHODSThe study was conducted at a tertiary care centre from November 2015 to August 2017. The study included a total of 200 singleton pregnant patients. After collecting basic demographic data and brief history, detailed clinical examination was carried out, routine investigations along with serum C - reactive protein were done. Results were recorded and maternal and foetal outcomes were noted. RESULTSAmong the 200 patients who were included in the study, it was found that majority of them were primigravidae. 88% of the patients showed increase in the C-reactive protein, which also correlated with the severity of the disease. Platelet count showed a decreasing trend with increasing severity of the disease and platelet distribution width showed an increasing trend with the increasing severity of the disease. CONCLUSIONSSerum C- reactive protein concentration increases in pre-eclampsia more than that compared to normal pregnancy. The serum C-reactive protein levels also helps in assessing the severity of the disease and its further prognosis. Further the abnormalities in platelet indices caused due to the disease process in pre-eclampsia is worsened due to thrombocytopenia. The morphological features of platelets as studied by Mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width are not consistent with the severity of the disease.
ABSTRACT
Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are one of the prime causes of morbidity and mortality, increase in hospital stay and socioeconomic burden on the patients. Periodic monitoring aids in formulating methods for safe usage of medicines in hospitals. This study was undertaken to study the patterns, assessment of causality, severity, preventability, body systems affected from ADRs received by the Pharmacovigilance cell, Department of Pharmacology between April 2018 to June 2019.Methods: The present study is an observational, retrospective, non-interventional analysis of voluntarily reported ADRs. Demography of patients, causative drugs, reactions, outcome, and severity are recorded. Data were analysed and expressed in numbers, percentages.Results: A total of 180 ADRs were spontaneously reported. Dermatology (42.8%), psychiatry (23.9%) and general medicine (18.3%) are the major departments reporting ADRs in our hospital. 60.6% reports were in males. The body system with maximum reactions is dermatological (51.1%). Drug class most commonly affected is anti-microbials (36.1%). Paracetamol (8.9%) is the most common drug with reactions. Causality assessment stated that 41.7% ADRs are probable and 58.3% were possible. Severity assessment showed 86.7% as mild and 13.3% as moderate. Preventability assessment stated that 93.3% ADRs not preventable, 5.6% probably preventable and 1.1% definitely preventable.Conclusions: The study provides a valuable insight with regards to the pattern of ADRs in our hospital. This will be useful in initiating a reporting culture, increase awareness, reducing under-reporting of ADR in our set up.
ABSTRACT
Background: Nursing staffs spend most time in patient care and are bedside caregivers. To expect voluntary reporting of adverse reactions, it is essential that they possess proper knowledge, right attitude and practice reporting. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Pharmacovigilance towards ADRs reporting.Methods: A prospective, cross sectional, observational, questionnaire-based survey was conducted among nurses in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Eastern India. Questionnaire containing 15 questions was used to assess knowledge, attitude and practice. The questionnaire was administered to 150 nurses. Analysis of data was done using statistical software..Results: The response rate in our study was 86.67%. Nurses have good knowledge of pharmacovigilance and adverse reaction. However, only 10% have reported an adverse reaction in our study. This shows that in spite of having a good knowledge of reporting, nurses have poor attitude, which is reflected by a low reporting rate. Nurses opined that taking patient care is of prime importance than report an adverse reaction. This corroborates the low reporting rate in our set up.Conclusions: Majority of nurses have good knowledge on pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction. The concern remains on the low reporting rate. Continuous training programmes, and reminders likely to enhance the voluntary reporting from the nursing staffs.
ABSTRACT
Any damage at molecular or cellular level is the major culprit for disease & ill health. Nanotechnology, “the manufacturing technology of the 21st century," helps us economically build a broad range of complex molecular machines by manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Nanotech may be able to create many new materials and devices with at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometres with a vast range of applications, such as in medicine, electronics, biomaterials and energy production. Lots of new possibilities come into account in relation to use of nanotechnology in medicines. Nanotechnology in medicine involves applications of nanoparticles, also involves nano-robots to make repairs at the cellular levels. On the other hand, nanotechnology raises many of the same issues as any new technology, including concerns about the toxicity and environmental impact of nanomaterials.