RESUMEN
Healthcare provider institutions in India now offer structured health check-up ‘packages’ for routine screening of common diseases. While some tests included within their ambit are in keeping with international and Indian recommendations, some are entirely unwarranted. Unnecessary and inappropriate screening tests may cause more harm than benefit. Besides financial and resource burden, there may be over-diagnosis and over-treatment, psychological distress due to false-positive test results, harm from invasive follow-up tests, and false reassurance due to false-negative test results. Clinicians must ensure a net benefit from tests and interventions in order to efficiently deliver preventive services. We reviewed current screening guidelines for cardiovascular disease and common cancers, and surveyed multiple ‘packages’ provided at 8 centres in Mumbai, India. We put forth our recommendations for routine health screening in asymptomatic adults in India. Natl Med J India 2016;29:18–21
RESUMEN
Background: Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma is as yet a poorly characterized subtype of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. It is difficult to diagnose and lacks a standard treatment protocol. Materials and Methods: We report our experience with five such cases in patients with age ranging from 13 to 45 years, wherein we reviewed their clinical presentations, histopathological findings, treatment and clinical outcome. Results: Three out of the five cases are alive of which two are in complete remission. Our series stresses on the need to be aware of this uncommon entity in a dermatology clinic. Facial and upper extremity skin nodules with involvement of the lower dermis on light microscopical examination and suggestive immunohistochemical findings were frequently observed in our patients in contrast to previously described cases.
RESUMEN
Occupational exposures to petrol/diesel vapors have been shown to affect functioning of different systems of the body. The present study was planned to assess the pulmonary functions in petrol pump workers (filling attendants) who are continuously exposed to petrol/diesel vapors during duty hours. Thirty healthy non-smoker males working in petrol pump for more than one year formed the study group, while thirty healthy non-smoker males from hospital staff served as control group. The pulmonary functions were assessed using computerized spirometer. The FVC and FEV1 were decreased in the study group while their ratio did not differ much. Both the inspiratory and expiratory flow rates were also decreased in the study group. These findings point towards adverse effects of petrol/diesel fumes mainly on lower airways with restrictive pattern of disease.