Hospital-based study on demographic, hematological, and biochemical profile of lung cancer patients

Background: Lung cancer is considered as the most commonly diagnosed cancer. It is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Smoking and environmental pollutants act as important risk factors in majority of lung cancer cases (80%–90%). Material and Methods: This is a hospital-based study carried on in lung cancer patients of North India. Demographic profile of lung cancer patients was recorded. Hematological and biochemical profiles of lung cancer patients and healthy controls were compared. Results: Highest proportion of lung cancer was found in the age group of 46–60 years. Lung cancer was seen in highest number in male gender (76.63%) and also in those patients belonging to the rural category (84.58%). In this study, only 3.98% lung cancer patients having the past history of cancer and 5.47% showing the family history of cancer. Significant differences were found in weight and body mass index (BMI) of lung cancer patients when compared to healthy control (P < 0.0001). Hemoglobin (Hb) was found lower in lung cancer patients as compared with healthy controls. Significant difference was also observed in Hb levels of these two groups (P < 0.000). The serum protein level was lower in lung cancer patients than healthy controls. A significant difference was also observed in the protein levels of these two groups (P < 0.0001). Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were higher in lung cancer patients in comparison to healthy controls. A significant difference was also observed in serum ALP levels in lung cancer patients as compared with healthy controls (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Significant difference between BMI, Hb, serum albumin, and total protein was found in this study. These biomarkers may be helpful in the diagnosis of lung cancer at early stage and also in the follow-up assessment of the effects of treatment

Study of Serum Lipid Profile and Vitamin E in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Introduction: Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs but principally affects the joints. Our study aims to access serum lipid profile as well as atherogenic index – Total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol among the RA patients and compare the results with that of control group and also to estimate Vitamin E levels in cases and compare it with controls. Methods: Fifty diagnosed cases of Rheumatoid Arthritis and thirty healthy age and sex matched individuals were included in this study. Serum triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and Vitamin E were estimated in these groups. Results: Among cases the values of Vitamin E were significantly lower (0.25 ± 0.06 mg/dl ± SD) as compared to controls (1.12 ± 0.23 mg/dl ± SD). S. VLDL (30.09 ± 3.33 mg/dl ± SD) and S. LDL (220.96 ± 34.19 mg/dl ± SD) values were significantly higher among cases (18.57 ± 4.63 mg/dl ± SD, 36.2 ± 15.59 mg/dl ± SD respectively in controls). The value of S. HDL was found to be significantly lower (25.04 ± 6.27 mg/dl ± SD) in cases as compared to controls (58.83 ± 11.43 mg/dl ± SD). Among cases values of Total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol (11.78 ± 3.47) and LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol (9.48 ± 3.18) were also higher than controls (1.99 ± 0.42, 0.66 ± 0.37 respectively). Conclusion: These findings strongly confirmed that patients with RA have significantly lower values of vitamin E and HDL compared to controls while higher values of other parameters of lipid profile and higher atherogenic indices.

Analysis of twenty pediatric cases of tuberous sclerosis complex: Are we doing enough.

Background: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a neuro-cutaneous disease characterized by hamartoma formation in various organs particularly the skin, brain, eye, kidney, heart and lungs. Patients usually have multisystem involvement and thus present to different medical specialties with varied complaints while the true nature of the disease and the hidden manifestations may remain unattended. A im: To assess the frequency and characteristics of various cutaneous and systemic manifestations in TSC and the total impact on different system in a cohort of pediatric patients. Methods: The study included 20 patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for TSC from dermatology, pediatrics, and neurology department. Detailed history, examination, and investigations such as chest X-ray, electrocardiography (ECG), ultrasonography (USG) abdomen, echocardiography, fundoscopy, computed tomography (CT) scan of brain and abdomen were done. Results: Dermatological manifestations included ash leaf macules, angiofibromas, shagreen patch, and fibrous plaque. Systemic findings observed were subependymal calcified nodules, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, cortical tubers, renal cysts, angiomyolipomas, lung cyst, retinal hamartomas, mental deficits and epilepsy. Limitation: Wechsler's Intelligence Scale for Children would have been more appropriate for assessing the intelligence. Dental check-up was not done in our group of patients. Conclusion: Our study highlights the wide variety of cutaneous and systemic manifestations of TSC. The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment and periodic follow-up which are necessary for appropriate management of this multisystem disorder. Counseling regarding education and rehabilitation of the patients and genetic counseling of parents are important.

A study on association of leptin receptor gene polymorphism with obstructive sleep pnea syndrome in overweight and obese north indian subjects.

Obesity is an important risk factor of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). Previous studies suggested Leptin Receptor (LEPR) gene Polymorphisms is associated with obesity and OSAS. Study was conducted to asses association of LEPR gene polymorphism K109R, Q223R and K656N with OSAS in North Indian subjects. Genotyping and estimation of serum Leptin levels were done in 190 subjects. Polysomnography, anthropometrical measures and biochemical investigations were done in all the subjects who qualified for inclusion in the study. We observed significant association of Q223R gene polymorphism with blood pressure (BP) (P<0.05) and nocturnal max pulse rate (P<0.05). K656N gene polymorphism was associated with AHI (P<0.05), average desaturation levels (P<0.05) and HDL-C (P<0.05). No association was observed in genotype distribution of these subjects according to obesity and disease severity. These findings suggest that LEPR Q223R and K656N gene Polymorphism may influence BP, Max Pulse rate, AHI, Average desaturation levels and HDL levels in these Subjects.