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Background and Objective: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with high-risk patients requiring effective management to reduce their risk of cardiovascular events. Bempedoic acid is a novel therapeutic agent recently approved as an add-on therapy to statins in patients with uncontrolled LDL-c. Bempedoic acid inhibits cholesterol synthesis in the liver, which ultimately reduces the risk of cardiovascular events. Therefore, the present study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of bempedoic acid in patients with uncontrolled LDL-c (Previously on moderate or high-intensity statins) with a high risk of CVD in real-world settings. Methods: This is a multicenter, retrospective, observational study on the data of high-risk-CVD patients collected from Bempedoic Acid on Efficacy and Safety in patients (BEST) Registry. The clinical data of 140 patients who were already on statin therapy and were receiving Bempedoic acid at a dose of 180 mg, along with measurements of the level of LDL-c, HbA1c, HDL, TG, TC, PPPG, FPG, AST, ALT, serum creatinine was taken into consideration. The primary outcome includes a change in LDL-c level, and secondary outcomes involve a change in the level of HbA1c, HDL, TG, TC, PPPG, FPG, AST, ALT, and serum creatinine at week 12 and 24. Adverse events were reported at both time points. Results: A total of 140 patients were included in the present study with a mean age of 51.8 ± 9.2 years and had primary confirmed diagnosis of dyslipidemia with uncontrolled LDL-c. The mean levels of LDL-c decreased from the mean baseline value of 142.67 ± 46.49 mg/dL, to 106.78 ±33.92 mg/d; a statistically significant reduction by 23.23% (p < 0.01) at week 12. Similarly, at week 24, the mean LDL-c value reduced to 90.39 ± 38.89 mg/dL. A 33.38 % decrease was observed (p < 0.01). Other parameters such as non-HDL, FPG, PPPG, AST and serum creatinine also showed statistically significant reduction at week 12 and week 24. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that bempedoic acid is an effective add-on medication in lowering LDL-c levels in high-risk CVD patients with uncontrolled LDL-c.
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Background: Exam anxiety is a global troublesome psychological problem, impairing the academic perfor-mance of medical students. This study was planned to estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of Exam anxiety among Indian medical students Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 230 Indian medical undergraduate students. Westside Test Anxiety Inventory (WTAI) was used to estimate the level of Exam anxiety among medical students. We utilized multivariable logistic regression to identify independent risk factors among medical students. Results: The prevalence of high Exam Anxiety among medical students was 49.6 % (95% CI 43.9-57.0). The mean age of the students was 21.3 years. Multivariable logistic regression revealed the presence of excessive course load [AOR=2.22,95% CI:(1.03,4.78)], the presence of psychological stress [AOR=2.89,95% CI:(1.51,5.48)] and low self-esteem [AOR=8.15,95% CI:(1.51,43.96)] to be independent risk factors for exam anxiety. Conclusions: Our studyfindings suggest that the prevalence of Exam anxiety is very high among Indian un-dergraduate medical students. Our study also showed that the perception of excessive course load, psycholog-ical stress and low self-esteem were the independent risk factors in medical students.
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Background: The importance of prostatic carcinoma and its detection has increased manifold over the last few decades. Total serum acid phosphatase (ACP) was the world’s first emerged clinically useful tumor marker in the 1940s and 1950s in patients with prostatic diseases. With the introduction of the prostatic specific antigen (PSA) test in the 1980s, which performed significantly better in screening and treatment programs bringing disfavor to the advent of ACP. Aims and Objectives: To determine serum PSA and total serum ACP in patients with prostatic cancer and benign prostatic diseases, followed by evaluation of these tumor markers. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 30 patients with histologically proven cases of prostatic carcinoma and compared against 30 patients as control with benign prostatic pathology, residing in Punjab who were admitted and treated with symptoms complex of prostatism or retention urine or other urinary complaints as the primary symptoms. PSA and ACP in serum were determined using ELISA test kit and King and Kind method, respectively. Results: The mean level of serum PSA was 81.19 ± 49.02 for cancer prostate and 4.975 for benign prostatic diseases, while the mean level of serum ACP was 5.22 ± 1.70 and 2.52 ± 2.27, respectively, for the cancer prostate and benign prostatic diseases showing statistically difference between study and control groups was highly significant as P < 0.0001. Conclusion: Statistical analysis and results of the present study indicated that although serum ACP has better specificity to PSA, yet later is a very sensitive tumor marker in prostate diseases for screening, diagnosis, and post-treatment follow-up.
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Numerous Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been found to be capable of synthesizing surface-active compounds i.e biosurfactants. These are amphiphilic compounds produced by microorganisms on their cell surface or secreted extracellularly that have a tendency to reduce surface and interfacial tension. In the present study, different process parameters including nitrogen and carbon source, pH, temperature, aeration and agitation were optimized to maximize the production of biosurfactants from Pediococcus pentosaceus S-2. Xylose (1.5%) and yeast extract (1.5%) act as better carbon and nitrogen sources respectively for the production of biosurfactants. Maximum biosurfactant yield was observed at pH 6, a temperature of 35o C, an agitation rate of 200 rpm and with inoculum size of 3%. The high yield of biosurfactants produced from Pediococcus pentosaceus S-2 by utilizing media supplemented with whey under optimized conditions.
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Naproxen is a widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in pediatric population, used for mild-to-moderate pains, arthritis, and other immune-mediated disorders. It rarely causes clinically apparent liver injury in the adult population taking high doses of the drug over a prolonged period and is reported even rarer in pediatric population. We present a case of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in a 13-year-old girl taking naproxen in therapeutic doses for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. There was a complete recovery of liver function following discontinuation of naproxen therapy.
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Context: Ewing sarcoma (ES) are malignant small round cell tumors (MSRCT) characterized by rearrangements of EWSR1 gene. Although gold standard for diagnosis is detection of specific fusion genes by molecular testing, these ancillary tests are costly and only available in limited number of settings. There is a persuasive evidence for reliability of NKX2.2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) as a surrogate marker for EWSR1 gene rearrangement in ES. Aims: The aim of this study is to correlate the NKX2.2 immuno-expression with genetically confirmed ES cases and also to assess the reliability and accuracy of NKX2.2 along with combined positivity of NXX2.2 and CD99 in diagnosing ES and differentiating it from other relevant histological mimics. Settings and Design: The present study is a retrospective study conducted over a period of 6-year duration in a tertiary cancer care center. Methods and Material: We evaluated NKX2.2 immunoexpression in 35 genetically confirmed cases of ES and also in pertaining differential entities (n = 58) of ES including rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 20), lymphoblastic lymphoma (n = 14), Wilms tumor (n = 10), poorly differentiated synovial sarcoma (n = 4), small-cell osteosarcoma (n = 4), neuroblastoma (n = 5), and mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (n = 1). CD99 was performed in the category of MSRCTs showing NKX2.2 positivity to evaluate combined specificity for the diagnosis of ES. Results: Of the 35 genetically confirmed cases of ES, 29 cases (83%) showed NKX2.2-positive expression (83% sensitivity). Compared to ES, NKX2.2 was positive in only 05% cases (3/58 cases) of non-ES MSRCT. Only two of five cases of neuroblastomas and one case of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma showed NKX2.2 positivity. CD99 positivity was seen in 100% of ES and in the single case of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. All five cases (100%) of neuroblastoma were negative for CD99. Conclusions: The presented study, which is the first from an Indian oncology center, showed NKX2.2 IHC is quite reliable in diagnosis of ES in the right clinicopathological context. With remarkable sensitivity and specificity of NKX2.2 IHC for diagnosis of ES, we propose that combined positivity of CD99 and NKX2.2 IHC can obviate or minimize the need of EWSR1 gene rearrangement molecular testing for diagnosis of ES.
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Background: An infant’s birth weight is a reliable index of intrauterine growth and a sensitive predictor of newborn chances of survival, growth and long-term physical and psychosocial development. Low birth weight has been defined as birth weight <2.5 kg regardless of gestational age. The incidence of low birth weight (LBW) in India varies between 25–30% and of which 60–65% are because of intrauterine growth retardation. Aim & Objective: To determine the incidence and various determinants of low birth weight among babies delivered at rural tertiary care hospitals in central Uttar Pradesh. Methods and Material: The study was conducted at UPUMS, Saifai, Etawah, among pregnant women who delivered babies from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2018. Details regarding age of the mother, gravida, parity, gestation period, presence of complications, the procedure for delivery and birth weight of the newborn were recorded and analyzed using SPSS software (version 23) Results: A total of 7615 deliveries were conducted (53.2% were males, 46.8% were females). The mean birth weight of babies was 2.65 Kg with S.D ± 0.52. Preterm babies were 32% while 67% were term babies and 23% of babies were low birth weight. There was a statistically significant association between birth weight of babies and factors like age of mother, parity of mother, gestation period, and presence of complications during the antenatal period. Conclusions: Prompt identification of high-risk factors, prevention of premature delivery, increasing the use of health services during pregnancy and management of the risk factors would reduce the incidence of low birth weight.
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Background: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) is a common thoracic surgical emergency affecting otherwise healthy young individuals. Its treatment options range from observation to surgery in the form of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Surgery, generally reserved for recurrence, is gradually being utilized for certain patients presenting with PSP for the first time. In this study, we aim to report our experience of VATS in the surgical management of first episodes of PSP. Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively maintained data on all the patients undergoing surgical management during the first presentation of PSP, over a period of 10 years, was done. Results: Over the period of 10 years, out of 95 patients who underwent thoracoscopic bullectomy for pneumothorax, a total of 42 patients had presented with PSP for the first time. Most (54%) were aged 20–40 years, with male predominance (83%); right-sided (69%); commonest symptom was shortness of breath (83.3%) with a median duration of symptoms of 5.9 days. Apical bullae were the commonest computed tomographic finding (88%). Majority of the patients underwent VATS via three ports, and multiple apical bullae were the most common intraoperative findings. Four patients (9.5%) had an air leak postoperatively, managed conservatively. Average intensive care unit stay was 23 hours; average chest tube duration was 3.6 days; and the average hospital stay was 8.2 days. There was no 30-day mortality and no recurrences were noted during a median follow-up of 2 years. Conclusion: Our initial experience with surgery for the first episode of PSP has been shown to be safe and effective. Larger and more robust studies with longer follow-ups would be necessary to better delineate the role of surgery in such patients.
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Aim: To study the clinico-etiological profile of children with thrombocytopenia. Methods: This prospective hospital-based study included all children (<18 years) with thrombocytopenia at the time of hospitalization and/or thrombocytopenia during the course of their hospital stay. A detailed history was recorded and appropriate laboratory investigations were carried out. Results: The study group comprised 246 children (mean age, 9.29 years; median age, 10 years) with male to female ratio of 1.5:1. Nearly 45% of children were above 10 years of age. Trends of admissions showed that the majority of children with thrombocytopenia (n = 115) got hospitalized during the rainy season, followed by summer (n = 84). Fever (72.8%), pallor (52.8%), bleeding manifestations (22%), lymphadenopathy (20.3%), and splenomegaly (20.3%) were common clinical features. Petechiae was the most common bleeding manifestation (63%). Septicemia (24%) was the most common etiology, followed by megaloblastic anemia (14.6%), undiagnosed fever (10.2%), local infection (9.3%), hepatitis (6.5%), and scrub typhus (6.1%). About nine children died. All those who died had septicemia and multi-organ dysfunction (MOD). On logistic regression analysis, age >10 years, presence of bleeding, arthralgia, rash, pallor, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, hematological disorders, and malignancy were associated with severe thrombocytopenia. Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia is a common hematological observation. This study revealed seasonal variation in the occurrence of thrombocytopenia in children, with the maximum number of cases in the rainy season. Septicemia is the commonest etiology. The majority of children with thrombocytopenia have no bleeding manifestations. Age >10 years, presence of bleeding, arthralgia, rash, pallor, GI symptoms, hematological disorders, and malignancy are associated with severe thrombocytopenia.
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Objectives: Several studies have shown that air displacement plethysmography (ADP) has excellent reliability, accuracy and precision in body fat percentage (BF%) measurement, but its reliability has not been assessed in the Indian population. Thus, this study aimed to determine the test-retest reliability of BF% by ADP in healthy Indian men. Materials and Methods: A total of 74 healthy Indian men (>18 years old) belonging to different parts of India voluntarily participated in the study and completed multiple trials to determine BF% immediately after the initial measurements. All tests were performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Results: A paired t-test showed no significant differences in body volume (BV) (P = 0.53), body density (BD) (P = 0.39) and BF% (P = 0.27) between trials 1 and 2. However, there was a significant decrease in body mass (BM) observed between trials 1 and 2 (P = 0.0001) which did not influence reliability. A significant intraclass correlation was observed for BM (intraclass correlation 1 [ICC1] = 1, P <0.001), BV (ICC1 = 1, P < 0.001), BD (ICC1 = 0.996, P < 0.001) and BF% (ICC1 = 0.995, P < 0.001) between the initial test and retest trial. The third assessment of BF% was performed when the initial trial difference was greater than 1% point. Significant intraclass correlations were also observed for pairs with maximum and minimum differences. Conclusion: ADP appears to be a reliable measure for determining the BF% of the Indian adult male population, and conducting multiple trials are necessary to detect small differences.
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Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) is a rare soft tissue tumor of uncertain differentiation with low metastatic potential, most commonly occurring in children, adolescents, and young adults, involving extremities. Due to its rare nature and diverse presentation, both clinically and morphologically, it is often misdiagnosed. It becomes important to correctly diagnose this lesion, given its distinct therapeutic implications. Here, we present the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings of two rare cases of AFH. Since AFH is a rare soft tissue tumor with low malignant potential, both pathologists and clinicians should be aware of this entity, when encountered with a soft tissue mass in extremities of a child or adolescent, so as to accord appropriate treatment in such cases.
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Introduction: High-grade urothelial carcinoma has a different molecular pathway than superficial low grade urothelial carcinoma, and is characterized by genomic instability. The high tumor mutation burden leads to neoantigen formation, evoking an immune response. The immune response has been keenly studied in last two decades and programmed death ligand-1 (PDL-1) has emerged as acceptable immunohistochemical marker for assessment of response to therapy, prognostication and patient selection for immunotherapy. The targeting of PD-1 and PDL-1 by checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) is an attractive strategy to unblock the inhibitor and induce cytotoxic cell death. However, the presence of complementary and companion diagnostic testing with multiple PDL-1 assays and platforms for various CPIs make a diagnostic quagmire. Thus, it is the need of hour to harmonize these assays. In this undertaken study we evaluated the concordance in PD-L1 expression between the two PD-L1 clones: SP263 and SP142, in treatment naïve muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Methods: We evaluated Ventana PD-L1 “SP263 and SP142” qualitative immunohistochemical assay using rabbit monoclonal anti-PD-L1 clones in evaluation of PDL-1 immunoexpression on Ventana autostainer platform. The study includes 30 muscle invasive urothelial carcinomas, with 10 of 30 having nodal metastasis. Results: SP263 assay was statistically more sensitive than SP142 for tumor cell (TC) scoring (P = 0.0009), whereas SP142 was more sensitive for immune cell (IC) scoring (P = 0.0067). There was no statistical significant discordance for TC or IC scoring between primary tumor and metastatic lymph node. Conclusion: PD-L1 testing status can be done on both primary tumor and metastatic site, however in metachronous metastatic setting, testing on recent metastatic site should be preferred. The harmonization of immunoexpression between 2 PD-L1 clones could not be achieved.
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Introduction: Urothelial carcinoma poses a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The recent classification of Tumors of Urinary System by World Health Organization fourth edition) has elucidated its molecular subtypes and its associated prognostic significance. Methods: We used immunohistochemistry marker expression (CK5/6, CK20, CD44, EGFR) as a surrogate marker, to stratify 150 cases of high-grade urothelial carcinoma into the intrinsic molecular subtypes. A correlation was also done with immunohistochemical markers p53, p21, E-cadherin and Ki-67. Results: On subtyping, 47.3% cases were basal, 42.7% luminal and 10% remained unclassified. We did not find GATA3 useful for molecular stratification in our study. Muscle invasion was seen in 59% of basal and 31% of luminal subtype (P = 0.016). Squamous differentiation was most commonly associated with basal subtype (P < 0.001). EGFR expression was seen in 62% of basal and 38% of luminal subtype (P = 0.014), and thus can be used as an additional marker for molecular stratification. Overexpression of p53 was seen in 64% cases of muscle invasive and 36% of non-muscle invasive high-grade carcinomas (P < 0.0001). An inverse relationship was observed between p53 and p21 immunoexpression (r = –0.494) (P < .0001). The overall survival at 1- and 2-year interval was more in the luminal subtype, suggesting an early mortality in basal group, (P = 0.827), and at 6 years both the groups had almost similar results. Conclusion: High-grade urothelial carcinoma is challenging in terms of therapeutic strategy. Increased understanding of underlying molecular basis helps identifying targetable treatment options, and newer biomarkers will enhance predictive and prognostic stratification.
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Background- Antenatal depression is affecting 10% pregnant women worldwide with higher prevalence in developing countries. This causes poor maternal and foetal outcome and also affects cognitive development of the child. Aim and objective: To estimate magnitude of antenatal depression and its risk factors. Methodology- A cross-sectional survey was done at the antenatal clinic of community health department catering to an urban resettlement colony, East Delhi. Estimated sample size was 216 (including 10% non-response rate). Pregnant women attending the ANC clinic from October 2019 to February 2020 were enrolled. EPDS questionnaire was used to assess depression during pregnancy. Results-The antenatal depression was found in 11.8% subjects as per EPDS score. Working female and belonging to Muslim religion, past history of abortion, complications in previous pregnancy, financial debt, physical violence and substance use in family showed significant association with antenatal depression. Conclusion –Depression was prevalent among antenatal women and was found to be associated with various risk factors.
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Background: Fracture neck femur (FNF) is important due to its high incidence in general population. In younger patients, trauma is the major cause of fracture neck femur. Displaced fractures are usually treated by fixation with partially threaded cannulated screws (PTS) placed in a parallel pattern. In the present study, we have explored the use of fully threaded cannulated screws (FTS) for fixation of fracture neck of femur. Aim and Objectives: The aim of our study was to analyze and compare the clinical and functional outcomes of fracture neck femur treated in both groups. Materials and Methods: A prospective randomized control analysis was conducted in the Department of Orthopedics of Rajindra Hospital and Government Medical College, Patiala, Punjab between June 2019 and December 2021 on 30 patients who were admitted with neck femur fracture in the age group between 15 and 60 years. Fifteen patients were treated with FTS and 15 were treated with PTS. Subsequent hip radiographs were taken postoperatively and analyzed for various parameters such as fracture fixation, fracture union, and reduction. Regular follow-up was done by clinical examination along with the radiological examination monthly for 3 months, then at 6th month, and 9th month. The functional outcomes of fracture neck femur treated with PTS and FTS were compared in terms of blood loss, radiological union, weight bearing, functional outcomes (in terms of Harris hip score), and post-operative complications. Results: Hip function on the operated side was evaluated and compared with the normal side as per Harris hip score. About 73.3% of patients with FTS group in this study had excellent results compared to 26.6% in PTS group, fair results were found in 13.3% in both groups, 6.6% of patients had good results with FTS group as compared to 13.3% of PTS group, and 6.6% had poor outcome with FTS group as compared to 46.6% with PTS group. In our study, mean Harris hip score was 76.6 in PTS group and 85.5 in FTS group (P = 0.044). The present study indicated that there were statistically significant differences between FTS and PTS in terms of functional outcomes and complication rates such as femoral neck shortening (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences in terms of blood loss, weight bearing, and fracture union time were observed between two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: FNF treated with FTS is superior than PTS in terms of functional outcomes and complication rates. Both FTS and PTS are equivalent in terms of average blood loss, weight bearing, and fracture union time.
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Aim: Present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of nutritional status on oral health related quality of life using Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) among geriatric population attend-ing outpatient department (OPD) of tertiary health care centre in Rishikesh. Settings and Design: Present cross-sectional study was conducted on geriatric male & female partici-pants attending Outpatients Department(OPD) of tertiary care centre, RISHIKESH. Methods and Material:Nutritional assessment was recorded by using Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool. Oral health related quality of life was assessed using pre-validated Hindi version of Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) questionnaire. Statistical analysis: Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test were applied using SPSS 22.0 Software. Logistic regression analysis was done to find out risk factors. Results:A total of 281 participants completed the questionnaire with mean age of 66.89 ± 6.43 years. About three fourth (73%) of total participants were at risk of malnourishment. A statistically significant difference (P=0.005) was observed when the median GOHAI scores were compared with nutritional sta-tus (MNA scores). Conclusions: A statistically significant difference was found between nutritional status and geriatric oral health related quality of life (GOHAI). Nutritional status affects oral health related quality of life among elderly population.
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Metastatic tumors in the brain represent the most common type of intracranial neoplasm, comprising 8–10% of all brain tumors. 30% of such tumors are primarily of breast origin in females. Brain parenchymal metastasis is the more common presentation. Intraventricular spread is rare, seen in less than 5% of cases in a metastatic scenario. Here, we report a case of 41-year-old female presenting with intraventricular brain metastasis in a follow-up case of carcinoma breast. Five years post-surgery, the patient presented with complaints of headache. On evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain showed an intraventricular lesion in the fourth ventricle. She was operated on for the same and the biopsy revealed a tumor with a complex papillary pattern resembling choroid plexus papilloma. On immunohistochemistry (IHC), the tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin 7 (CK7), Epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), GATA3, and mammaglobin favoring a metastasis from breast origin. Hence, a possibility of brain metastasis should be kept in mind in patients presenting with solitary ventricular masses due to the lack of definite radiological characteristics in such locations and histological overlap. Also, organ-specific IHC is a must in today's evidence-based era as is reflected in our case.
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Histoid leprosy is a rare variant of lepromatous leprosy, may occur de novo or may occur in cases earlier treated with dapsone monotherapy. Demographic, clinico-histopathological and treatment details of biopsy proven cases of histoid leprosy, collected retrospectively from the leprosy clinic of tertiary care hospital of SMS Medical College, Jaipur. During the study period of 5 years (2011-2016), 28 (2.98 %), patients had histoid leprosy among total 937 patients of leprosy. Most were in 21 – 40 years of age group with M: F ratio 2.5: 1. Histoid lesions developed with primary diagnosis of lepromatous leprosy in (71.4%) and de novo in (28.6%). Predominant site of involvement was upper extremity (85.7%) and most common presentation was subcutaneous nodules, Nerve thickening seen in (85.7%), and ulnar nerve being most common. Neuritis and disabilities were present in 6 and 16 patients respectively. Type 2 reaction seen in17.9% (5/28) patients. Biopsy and slit skin smear of all cases were done. Most (25/28) cases responded well to standard one-year multibacillary drug therapy (MDT), it had to be extended in three cases up to 2 years. Histoid leprosy may occur de novo or may be due to inadequate therapy, resistant strains, earlier dapsone monotherapy. Although India as whole has achieved leprosy elimination in January 2006, however new cases continue to be reported. Occurrence of histoid leprosy specially with changed morphology of the lesions and poor histopathological correlation needs to be investigated as these cases may be important source of infection even in low endemic situations.
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Background: Depression is common yet under-reported disorder in the real-world setting. Although antidepressants have demonstrated superiority over placebo in clinical trials, many patients elicit a suboptimal response or relapse. Moreover, real-world data in the Indian population are limited. Aim and Objective: This study aims to assess and compare the efficacy and safety of escitalopram in patients with newly diagnosed depression (NDD) versus relapse in India. Materials and Methods: This is an ongoing real-world observational study of escitalopram in patients with NDD or relapse in India. Primary endpoint was change in mean Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D 17) scores from baseline to week 8. Secondary endpoints included assessment of response/remission rates, Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scores, quality of life, suicidal tendency, and safety. Results: Data for the first 50 patients demonstrated a significant reduction in HAM-D 17 scores at week 8 (P < 0.001); patients with NDD (n = 38) elicited significantly higher improvement compared with relapsed patients (n = 12) (P < 0.001). Although patients with NDD had significantly poorer CGI (P < 0.001) and quality of life (anxiety/depression subscale) (P < 0.05) scores at baseline, an improvement was observed in both scales with no significant difference between the groups at week 8. Suicidal tendency reduced from 83.3% to 0%. No new safety concerns were observed in the study. Conclusion: Escitalopram demonstrated efficacy and was well tolerated in both, NDD and relapsed patients in the real-world setting in India, with better results achieved by NDD patients. However, more studies are required to confirm the difference across the groups.
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The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread to all the continents posing a serious threat to global health. It can present with myriad symptoms and complications including susceptibility to fungal co-infections. We hereby describe a case of mucormycosis in a 17 year old COVID-19 positive female with no known comorbidities presenting with abdominal pain and distention and ultimately developing intestinal perforation. Early identication of the symptoms is essential to make a correct and early diagnosis to prevent complications.