Utility of Echocardiography in Cardiac Evaluation of COPD Patients and Its Relationship with Severity of Disease

COPD is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide as well as in India. It is a multisystem disorder among which cardiac manifestations are common. Echocardiography provides a rapid, non-invasive, portable, and accurate method to evaluate such changes. We wanted to assess the cardiac changes due to COPD by echocardiography, evaluate the correlation between echocardiographic findings and severity of COPD using GOLD guidelines (2011 updates).METHODSThis study was a hospital based cross sectional study conducted in M.L.B. Medical College, Jhansi (U.P.). The study included admitted COPD patients in Internal Medicine Department and T.B. Chest Department. The study was conducted after obtaining permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee and identity of the patients has not been revealed.RESULTSOut of 200 admitted patients, 98 patients had cor pulmonale and were further classified by using GOLD guidelines 2017. Upon comparing FEV1 with mPAP in each group we observed p value of 0.001 which is statistically significant. A positive correlation was also found between duration from onset of the disease and mPAP.CONCLUSIONSBy estimating PAP early in the disease process, even in those patients who are not able to perform lung function test correctly due to other co-morbidities, we can determine the progression of the disease and can achieve a better outcome by planning a more appropriate and intense line of management.

Prevalence of Itching in Dengue and Its Correlation with Thrombocytopenia in Bundelkhand Region- A Tertiary Care Hospital-Based Study in the Region of Central India.

According to NVBDCP1 dengue is one of the vector born disease responsible for high morbidity as well as mortality in India. Previous studies have concluded that itching is common among dengue patients and could be a prognostic indicator. Our aim was to study the prevalence of itching as a symptom and its association with platelet count at presentation and discharge.METHODSThis is a cross sectional study conducted among 73 patients of acute febrile illness in MLB Medical College, Jhansi, who were diagnosed to have dengue as per NVBDCP guidelines. We designed a proforma and collected data which was further analysed in detail.RESULTSOut of 73 patients, 15 patients (20.5%) developed itching; mean platelet count was comparable at admission, but at the time of discharge mean platelet count was better in itching group when compared to non-itching group (p value 0.0085). Only 2 patients (13.33%) among itching group required blood/platelet transfusion whereas 9 patients (15.52%) among non-itching group required blood/platelet transfusion.CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of itching was significant in dengue patients and was associated with better rate of correction of thrombocytopenia and there was lesser need of platelet/blood transfusion among itching group.