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This study aims to assess the continuity of medical care, the impact on disease condition and to highlight the major challenges faced by people affected by leprosy during the pandemic. Telephonic questionnaire-based survey was conducted among previously registered patients of leprosy at referral hospitals in India. Leprosy affected people aged >18 years, either on treatment or who had completed treatment with access to phone and willingness to participate were included. The questions were asked pertaining to demographic details, baseline disease characteristics and various problems faced during lockdown relating to livelihood, finances, treatment, and mental status. A total of 196 patients consented to participate in the study. Mean age of study participants was 37.31 (13.86) years, male participants (n=123, 62.7%) were more than females (n=73, 37.2%). Overall, 101 patients (51.5%) experienced exacerbation, 21 patients (10.7%) reported improvement and 74 patients (37.8%) reported no change in disease status during the pandemic. Most common difficulty faced was the procurement of medicines (115 patients, 58.6%) followed by difficulty in diagnostic testing (61 patients, 31.1%). Course of treatment was interrupted in 16 patients. Most of the patients (n=147, 75%), agreed that teleconsultation services would aid in management of their disease. The majority of patients (88.2%) were able to continue some form of treatment. Two patients (1%) tested positive for COVID-19. Nearly all patients (n=189, 96.4%) were informed regarding the risks and preventive measures related to COVID-19. Fifty percent of the patients reported deterioration in mental health due to the pandemic. The present study highlights the gaps in healthcare delivery and social inequalities along with their impact on the health, livelihood and mental status of people affected by leprosy during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
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Purpose: To compare intracameral Ropivacaine to Lignocaine during phacoemulsification under augmented topical anesthesia, in terms of efficacy and safety. Methods: This prospective, randomized, double-masked clinical trial included subjects planned for phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation for visually significant uncomplicated senile cataract, under augmented topical anesthesia. Cases were randomized into two groups, Group A (Ropivacaine 0.1%) or Group B (Lignocaine 1.0%). The pain experienced by the patients during the surgery, mydriasis, post-op inflammation and endothelial cell change at six weeks after the procedure was evaluated. Surgeon's feedback was recorded to evaluate the cooperation of the patient during surgery. Results: A total of 210 subjects were screened and 184 were randomized to have 92 subjects in each group. There was no statistically significant difference seen on comparing Group A and B with respect to Age (P = 0.05), painful surgical steps (P = 0.85), visual analog scale scores (P = 0.65), surgeon's score (P = 0.11), postoperative inflammation (P = 0.90) and average ultrasound time during phacoemulsification (P = 0.10). Subjects in Group A fared better when compared to Group B with respect to endothelial cell loss (P = 0.0008), and augmentation in mydriasis (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Intracameral Ropivacaine and Lignocaine, both are equally effective in providing analgesia during phacoemulsification. However, intracameral Ropivacaine is superior to Lignocaine with regards to corneal endothelial cell safety, and augmenting mydriasis.
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Background: Anemia is a common morbidity in elderly persons (aged 60 years or above). In India, in recent years, the number of old age homes (OAHs) and the residents living in them has increased significantly. Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of anemia among elderly persons living in OAHs. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among individuals living in OAH in Delhi, India. Using combination of location and type of OAH, 28 clusters of almost equal sizes were created, of which 13 clusters were randomly selected, and all elderly persons living therein were selected for the study. Sociodemographic profile was recorded using a self-designed, semistructured interview schedule. Hemoglobin (Hb) was estimated using HemoCue Hb 201+ system. Binary Logistic regression was used to assess the socioeconomic determinants of anemia. Results: The study included 334 elderly persons, with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 75.2 (8.6) years and mean (SD) Hb of 11.6 (1.7) g/dL. The mean (SD) Hb in men was 12.1 (1.7) g/dL compared to 10.9 (1.5) g/dL among women (P < 0.0001). The overall prevalence of anemia was 68.7% (95% confidence interval 63.9, 73.4); among those who were anemic, 47.4% had mild anemia, 47.0% had moderate anemia, and 5.6% had severe anemia. The prevalence of mild anemia was 45% in men compared to 24.8% in women. The odds of anemia among ?80 years was 2 times that among 60–69 years (P < 0.029). Conclusions: The prevalence of anemia among elderly persons in OAHs is high in Delhi, India and increased with age.
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Purpose: To compare refractive measurements of noncycloplegic photoscreener Plusoptix S12R with cycloplegic retinoscopy, noncycloplegic autorefractor, and cycloplegic autorefractor in children. Methods: The study population (200 eyes of 100 children) was divided into two groups: Group 1 (age 3–7 years) and Group 2 (age 8–15 years). In Group 1, Plusoptix was compared with cycloplegic retinoscopy. In Group 2, Plusoptix was compared with cycloplegic retinoscopy and autorefraction. The second group was made because the younger group was found to be uncooperative for autorefraction. Paired t-test and Pearson's correlation were used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean difference in sphere (DS), spherical equivalent (DSE), and cylinder (DC) between cycloplegic retinoscopy and Plusoptix in Group 1 was 0.68 ± 0.55 (P < 0.001), 0.77 ± 0.61 (P < 0.001), and 0.18 ± 0.28 (P < 0.001), respectively. In Group 2, DS, DSE, and DC between cycloplegic retinoscopy and Plusoptix were 0.86 ± 0.49 (P < 0.001), 0.97 ± 0.51 (P < 0.001), and 0.23 ± 0.28 (P < 0.001); between cycloplegic autorefractor and Plusoptix were 0.69 ± 0.47 (P < 0.001), 0.74 ± 0.49 (P < 0.001), and 0.10 ± 0.31 (P = 0.002); and between noncycloplegic autorefractor and Plusoptix were ? 0.25 ± 0.39 (P < 0.001), ?0.19 ± 0.41 (P < 0.001), and 0.11 ± 0.31 (P < 0.001), respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficients of S, SE, and C between Plusoptix and cycloplegic retinoscopy were 0.948, 0.938, and 0.924 in Group 1 and 0.972, 0.972, and 0.946 in Group 2, and these values were statistically significant. Bland–Altman plots showed good agreement between cycloplegic retinoscopy and Plusoptix in both groups. Plusoptix gave axis values within 10° of cycloplegic retinoscopy in 81.56% of eyes in Group 1 and in 71.44% of eyes in Group 2. Conclusion: Plusoptix photoscreener can be used for prescription of axis of cylinder in children; however, other refractive measurements must be refined by cycloplegic retinoscopy.
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Background: Globally, about 425 million people are suffering from diabetes mellitus (DM) which will be about 629 million by 2045. India is popularly known as “World Diabetes Capital” and is presently home of about 72.9 million diabetes patients. Poorly managed DM will increase the burden of both microvascular and macrovascular complications. One of the most common complications among them is diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) which affects about 7%–24% of DM patients. Aims and Objectives: This study was planned to determine the burden of DFU and its determinants among Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients attending integrated diabetes and gestational diabetes clinic. Materials and Methods: An institution-based, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2018. A pre-designed, pre-tested, semi-structured schedule was used to collect clinicosocial data. Blood pressure of the study subjects was measured and classified as per Joint National Committee-8 guidelines. Peripheral vascular assessment of the feet was done by calculating “ankle-brachial index (ABI)” in both lower limbs using “Diabetik Foot Care India Pvt. Limited” vascular Doppler instrument having 8 MHz transducer. ABI ≤0.9 and absence of pulse in dorsalis pedis and/or posterior tibial arteries were considered as peripheral artery disease (PAD). Vibration perception threshold for peripheral sensory neuropathy was tested with the help of Diabetik Foot Care Pvt. Limited Digital Biothesiometer using 50 Hz frequency. Results: Data were collected from 338 study participants. The frequency of DFU was found to be 9.5%. Increasing age, longer duration of diabetes, poor educational status, overweight/obesity, poor glycemic control, treatment with insulin, PAD, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and hypothyroidism were significantly associated with DFU. Conclusion: There is high frequency of DFU among T2DM patients. Most of the risk factors are modifiable and if taken care of the occurrence of DFU can be prevented and/or delayed.
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The use of biomass energy is preferred over fossil fuels as the former is more sustainable and emits a reduced amount of greenhouse gases. Sorghum, a tropical C4 plant, is known to have a marked drought tolerance. However, very little is known about the mechanisms involved. An allied species Zea mays, also a C4 plant, is far less drought tolerant. Both plants are known to accumulate high biomass during the course of their growth cycle and can be used as renewable energy sources. This article discusses the possibilities of using these two plants for the production of improved biomass in the context of drought tolerance and sustainable food production. Crucial and novel approaches that render Sorghum more tolerant to drought have been reviewed. Novel drought tolerance mechanisms in two sorghum cultivars- Samsorg 17 (more drought tolerant) and Samsorg 40 (less drought tolerant) have also been reviewed.
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The present study was performed to evaluate haematological and biochemical parameters with response to milk production of dairy cattle at low temperature. Ambient temperature and relative humidity were recorded and the temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated as indicator of thermal comfort zone for cattle. Lactating crossbred dairy cattle were selected for this study. A significant increase in RBC, Hb, and PCVWBC was recorded in winter. Glucose and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin level showed a significant increase in winter. Milk production level was decrease due to cold stress. These results provided an insight into the haematological and biochemical responses of Jersey crossbred cows to different environmental conditions. Hence, this study will be helpful for the better dairy cattle management in winter seasons for higher production at the cold arid high altitude region
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The present study was done to see the effect of heat stress on blood parameters in dairy cattle. Dairy cows of similar physiological status were selected. Blood samples were collected and analyzed based on the temperature-humidity index (THI). Blood samples were collected and analyzed for packed cell volume PCV(%), red blood cell count RBC count, white blood cell count (WBC) and hemoglobin (Hb). Significant rise in physiological parameters such as respiration rate (RR), pulse rate, was observed. Hematobiochemical parameters such as red blood cell count (RBC), (WBC), (PCV%), (Hb), Cholesterol, creatinine, ALT, AST, Cortisol and BUN were increased. From the present study it can be concluded that THI is a sensitive indicator of heat stress.
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Background: The implementation of hospital infection prevention and control (IPC) in south Asia is not well described. We aimed to assess IPC programmes in hospitals in this region and explore opportunities for improvement. Methods: Attendees from hospitals in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region who were at one of four National Initiative for Patient Safety workshops organised by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (New Delhi) from 2009 to 2012 were invited to complete a semi-structured questionnaire. The survey addressed six main components of IPC programmes. Results: We received responses from 306 participants from 82 hospitals. Five key opportunities for improvement emerged: (1) lack of healthcare epidemiologists, (2) relative infrequency of antibiotic guidelines (53%) and prescribing audits (33%) (3) lack of awareness of needle stick injury rates (84%) (4) only 47% of hospitals were prepared for surge capacity for patients with infectious diseases, and (5) limited coordination of hospital infection control personnel with other support services (55%-66%). Conclusion: These results outline IPC challenges in the SAARC region and may be useful to guide future quality improvement initiatives.
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Purpose: Very few studies have been conducted in India and other parts of the world on visual impairment among individuals aged 15–49 years. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, causes, and associated factors of visual impairment among adults aged 15–49 years in a rural population of Jhajjar district, Haryana, north India. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in two blocks of Jhajjar district. A total of 34 villages were selected using probability proportionate to size sampling method. Adults aged 15–49 years were selected using compact segment cluster sampling approach. As part of the house-to-house survey, presenting visual acuity using screening chart corresponding to five “E” 6/12 optotypes was measured along with collection of other demographic details. The optometrists performed detailed eye assessment including repeat measurement of visual acuity using retro-illuminated conventional logMAR tumbling “E” charts, torch light examination, and non-cycloplegic refraction at a clinic site within the village to ascertain visual impairment and its cause. Results: Of 5,470 enumerated adults, 5,117 (94%) completed all study procedures. The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of visual impairment was found to be 1.85% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.48, 2.23] and blindness was 0.09% (95% CI: 0.01, 0.18). The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of unilateral visual impairment was 1.11% (95% CI: 0.81, 1.41). Uncorrected refractive errors (84%) contributed maximum to visual impairment in this age group. The visual impairment in study participants was found to be associated with age and educational status. Conclusion: At the community level, uncorrected refractive errors contribute largely to visual impairment in the age group of 15–49 years.
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Anthropometric changes take place with increasing age. Progressive loss of height makes it difficult to use height for calculation of body mass index in nutritional screening of elderly persons. There is a need to find other alternative methods which could be used as proxy measurements of height in them. To assess the relationship of height and arm span and among elderly persons. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among elderly persons in urban colony of Delhi. Height and arm span of persons aged 60 years and above (n = 711) were measured according to standard methods. Correlation between arm span and height was calculated. The mean arm span was seen to be more than the mean height in all age-groups and both sexes. There was a linear relationship between height and arm-span in all age-groups. There was a strong correlation between arm span and height in all age groups. Arm span could be used instead of height as an alternative in the conventional body mass index in elderly persons.
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Public health emergencies in urban India can be caused by natural or man-made disasters. Occurrence of a public health emergency adds to the already stretched health system. This paper looks into the public health emergency conditions in urban India, and our preparedness to tackle them. To address this composite threat to nation’s health and development, a concerted public health response is needed, that can ensure efficient delivery in emergency situations
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Background: The prevalence of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) has progressively increased in India during the later half of the last century. Projection based on the Global Burden of Disease Study estimate that by the year 2020, the burden of atheroembolic cardiovascular disease in India would surpass that in any other region in the world. Objectives: To Correlation Of 2D-Echocardiography Findings In Young Patients Of Myocardial Infarction With Prevalence Of Risk Factors in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh area, From May 2010 to April 2011. Materials and methods: 50 patients of aged 18 – 45 yrs with acute myocardial infarction were evaluated on the basis of age, sex, socioeconomic status, family history of coronary artery disease, smoking, obesity, history of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, ECG and Ejection Fraction on 2DECHO. Results: Mean age of study group was 36.2. Male were more affected than female. Prevalence of family history of coronary heart disease was 35%. 55% of patients were smokers. 20% of patients were obese. 75% patients had dyslipidemia. 25% had history of hypertension and 20% were diabetic. Goel A, Goel D, Yadav Y, Gupta SK. Correlation of 2D-Echocardiography Findings in Young Patients of Myocardial Infarction with Prevalence of Risk Factors. IAIM, 2016; 3(10): 221-227. Page 222 64% of patients in present study had anterior wall MI. Left Ventricle End Diastolic Diameter (LVEDD) mean 49.84 mm. Left Ventricle End Systolic Volume (LVESD), mean was 38.36 mm. Interventricular Septum thickness (IVS) mean was 9.86 mm. 56% had moderate LV dysfunction. MR mostly present in EF less than 40%. 12% cases had presence of pericardial effusion. 66.66% smokers have MR on 2D-Echocardiography. Conclusion: The Incidence of Myocardial Infarction is rising in young individuals owing to change in lifestyle pattern, eating habits, more stress and workload. Incidence remained highest in Males as compared to females. Highly associated risk factor in young myocardial infarction patients are dyslipidemia and smoking. Other traditional risk factors associated with myocardial infarction like diabetes, hypertension, obesity are also very much correlated and their incidence is also seems to be increasing. The role of 2D-Echocardiography in establishing the diagnosis, location, and extent of MI, in diagnosing mechanical complications of infarction, and in providing prognostic information that is important for risk stratification.