ABSTRACT
Background: An alarming increase in Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) cases worldwide elevates concern regarding the consequences including fetal macrosomia, preeclampsia and many more. Plasma homocysteine levels which has direct impact on to endothelial function of blood vessels. The relationship of homocysteine and GDM is yet to be clarified.Methods: This single centre prospective observational study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Thanjavur medical college hospital among 50 pregnant primi and multi gravida patients with normal pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus to assess the association and comparison of serum homocysteine levels in both groups.Results: The mean value of homocysteine in control group was 3.8 ± 0.95 and in gestational diabetes patients was 16.30±6.09. On comparison, found that there was hyperhomocysteinemia among GDM patients with normal pregnancy and results were statistically significant (T= -9.024 Df=48.000 <0.05).Conclusions: In this comparative and correlative study, we found that patients with gestational diabetes mellitus have higher serum homocysteine levels in comparison with normal pregnant women. Hyperhomocysteinemia is found to be an independent risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus patients. Further investigations are needed to follow up for these patients in the postpartum period and later in their life.
ABSTRACT
Background: According to the WHO, stroke is the second most important cause of death in elderly people with age >60 years and fifth leading cause in the age group of 15 to 59 years. Hyperhomocysteinemia has been linked to increased incidence of ischemic strokes. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess serum homocysteine levels as an individual risk factor of stroke in young patients.Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, single center study performed in 50 patients admitted in the Department of Medicine, Thanjavur Medical College and Hospital, Thanjavur, over a period of 7 months (i.e., from December 2013 to June 2014). Young patients, aged 1545 years, and diagnosed with stroke were included in the study. Serum homocysteine was measured by fluorescein polarization immunoassay (FPIA). Significant difference between the patients with normal and elevated mean serum homocysteine levels was identified by using unpaired t-test. P value ?0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: Majority of the stroke patients were male (78%). Similarly, male patients dominated the total number of patients with elevated serum homocysteine levels (75%). Thirty-two (64%) patients had an elevated serum homocysteine level. There was a significant difference between the patients with increased homocysteine levels as compared to patients with normal homocysteine levels (p value <0.05). Out of 32 patients with hyperhomocysteinemia, 27 (84.38%) patients had ischemic stroke, 4 (12.50%) had cortical vein thrombosis and 1 (3.12%) had hemorrhagic stroke.Conclusions: Findings of the present study confirm that hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with an increased incidence of stroke in young patients. As healthcare providers, we must stress on prevention of stroke, especially by identifying treatable risk factors.
ABSTRACT
A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the dynamic prevalence of bovine tuberculosis amongst bovine using single intra dermal cervical comparable test (SICCT or CIDT) in North-Eastern agro-climatic zone of Tamil Nadu. In the present study, Out of 1119 blood samples tested from four selected districts of North-Eastern agro-climatic zone of Tamil Nadu, the overall prevalence of M. bovis infection in North-Eastern agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu was found to be 8.46 per cent by CIDT and highest prevalence was noticed in Vellore (10.86%) district followed by Kancheepuram (8.20%), Thiruvallur (7.92%) and Chennai (6.86%) districts, which shows the potential to increase the incidence as well as prevalence of the disease since the “test and slaughter” or “culling policy” are yet to be strengthened intensively or warranting the calf-hood immunization against tuberculosis